Early Evidence on the Emotional Distress of Civilians, Including Evacuees, During a Recent Conflict

Abstract

The conflict that began in Israel on October 7, 2023, involving severe violent actions by Hamas, has intensified regional tensions, caused civilian evacuations, and led to significant mental health challenges. The study aimed to examine the prevalence of emotional distress (including anxiety, depression, and PTSD) among a sample of the Israeli population (both evacuees and non-evacuees), identify at-risk civilian profiles, investigate the associations between stressful life events (past and current) and emotional distress during wartime, and validate the Current Events Checklist (CEC). Six hundred ninety Israeli adults completed questionnaires assessing past and current stressful life events and emotional distress. The clinical classification of participants revealed that 50.0% fell within the clinical range for anxiety, 47.4% for depression, and 33.5% for PTSD. Additionally, two-thirds of the sample (67.0%) fell within at least one clinical range. Both past and current stressful life events were found to be positively associated with emotional distress. The findings indicate a high level of emotional distress in the Israeli population. They also emphasise the significant impact of past and current stressful life events on emotional distress, with individuals who experienced higher levels of both, particularly evacuees and females, showing greater distress amid war.