A recent study conducted by researchers from Ruppin Academic Center in Israel and Columbia University has revealed the widespread impact on the mental health of Israelis, including both Jews and Arabs, following the October attack by Hamas. The study, published in the Lancet’s EClinicalMedicine on January 5, 2023, showcases a significant increase in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety in the aftermath of the attack.
The study found that in the weeks following the attack, the prevalence of probable PTSD reached 29%, while depression and anxiety rates stood at around 42% to 44%. These figures nearly doubled the prevalence recorded just two months prior to the attack. The study’s lead researcher, Yossi Levi-Belz, Ph.D., noted that the prevalence of these mental health conditions in Israel following the attack is much higher compared to previous studies on terrorist events, such as the 9/11 attacks.
The escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict commenced on October 7 when Hamas carried out attacks on civilians in Southern Israel, resulting in over 1,200 deaths and 240 individuals being taken hostage. This terrorist attack led to an all-out war between Hamas and Israeli forces, marking the end of more than a decade of relative calm along the Gaza-Israeli border.
In order to evaluate the impact of the attack, the researchers conducted a nationwide cohort study. They enlisted both Jewish and Arab Israeli citizens as a cohort, assessing them twice—once 6-7 weeks before the attack and again 5-6 weeks after. This prospective study design addressed limitations present in previous research. Additionally, a wide range of probable outcome measures were used, including PTSD, depression, and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
Since the conflict began, 240,000 Israeli civilians have evacuated their homes, and 129 Israelis are still being held hostage. The ground war in Gaza has also taken a heavy toll on Palestinians, with the health ministry in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip reporting over 20,000 deaths in the region.
Several studies have previously highlighted the spike in post-traumatic stress and depression following traumatic events like war and armed conflicts. Symptoms of PTSD were found to be the most common health effect of the 9/11 attacks. Up to 20% of individuals directly exposed to the disaster or injured in the attack still experienced PTSD symptoms five to six years later. Even ten years after the attacks, 15% of the 70,000 participants in the World Trade Center Health Registry reported depression, while 10% reported both depression and PTSD.
Study co-author Yuval Neria, Ph.D., emphasized the importance of conducting immediate assessments of those exposed to severe trauma and considering pre-attack psychological difficulties and psychiatric diagnoses in the aftermath of such large-scale trauma. Neria also called for leaders and policymakers to allocate resources for evidence-based treatments for affected civilians. Early to mid-term interventions should be made readily accessible to both Israeli and Arab populations, aiming to promote self- and community efficacy, connectedness, and hope during the massive military confrontation.
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