How Western Negev residents cope with trauma after October 7

The study reveals that older participants exhibited lower signs of stress and anxiety than younger ones.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF NOVEMBER 13, 2024 09:03 Updated: NOVEMBER 13, 2024 09:08

DESTRUCTION CAUSED by Hamas terrorists at Kibbutz Be’eri, near the Israel-Gaza border, on October 7 last year: ‘As with every Israeli, I had people around me affected by the massacre. My sister-in-law’s family was slaughtered in Kibbutz Be’eri,’ the writer mourns. (photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH 90)

A new study explored how western Negev communities cope with stress following the October 7 attack, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) published on Tuesday. 

Nitzan Eilon, a BGU doctoral student who lives in Moshav Netiv Ha'asara and was saved on October 7, surveyed about 600 residents of the western Negev communities (aged 18-91), starting 100 days after the massacre.

The study, with the help of Prof. Orna Braun-Lewensohn, examined how residents in these communities cope with war-related stress. 

Eilon found that there was a high level of resilience within these communities, although it differed between age groups. On a 7-point scale, people’s sense of resilience and the belief that life is still meaningful scored an average of 3.54 and 4.44.

However, trust in the IDF was relatively low (an average of 2.33 out of 5).

Destroyed houses from the October 7 massacre almost a year ago, in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, southern Israel, September 19, 2024 (credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Among the participants, 64% were residents of the kibbutzim, and 33% were the next generation of the families that founded the kibbutz or the Moshav where they live. A majority of them were home on October 7, with 45% of them directly experiencing the infiltration of the terrorists. 

More than half of the respondents reported that they had a family member/close friend who was murdered, kidnapped, or hurt during the attacks on October 7.

Difference of stress in generations

The research also found that older residents were more resilient than younger ones. Those with higher levels of resilience, community trust, and a sense of purpose showed lower stress and anxiety.

"These resources were essential in reducing stress reactions during the attack," Eilon explained.

Within the survey, younger people ages 18-30 showed higher levels of anxiety, depression and physical distress than older adults (61 and over). 

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Women were shown to experience more psychological distress and have more negative emotions in comparison to men and additionally sought out more emotional support. 

Eilon explained that community bonds, a sense of purpose, and attachment developed in childhood are essential to managing stress caused by October 7. She also noted that with the ongoing war and the fact that there are hostages still in Gaza, it is essential to continue studying and providing support for the emotional impact of war.