Community Belonging and Family Resilience Among Displaced Kibbutz Residents: The Role of Multigenerational Families in Coping With Forced Displacement

This study examines the roles of community belonging and family resilience in shaping subjective well-being (SWB) among displaced residents of kibbutzim in Israel during the October 7, 2023, crisis. Forced displacement disrupts stability, daily routines, and psychosocial well-being, emphasizing the need for supportive social and familial frameworks. Utilizing a quantitative, cross-sectional methodology, the study collected data from 1,112 displaced residents across 35 kibbutzim using validated scales: the Sense of Community Index for community belonging, the Family Resilience Assessment Scale for family resilience, and the Personal Wellbeing Index–Adult for subjective well-being. Regression and mediation analyses revealed that community belonging and family resilience significantly predicted SWB, with family resilience partially mediating the relationship. However, no interaction effect between the two factors was found, indicating they function as distinct yet complementary mechanisms. The findings highlight the unique sociocultural structures of kibbutzim, which play a critical role in maintaining psychosocial stability during crises.