Compassion fatigue among Israeli therapists after the October 7 attack: Challenges in treating bereaved and hostage families.

Abstract

Objective: The study examined the prevalence of compassion fatigue and satisfaction among therapists providing mental health services in Israel following the October 7 Hamas attack and related events. It aimed to identify key factors, such as the populations treated, that predict levels of compassion fatigue and satisfaction, revealing the challenges therapists face in these high-demand settings.

Method: An online survey was conducted with 223 Israeli therapists treating survivors and their families. Professional and personal demographics were collected. Additionally, the Professional Quality of Life scale and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 were employed to assess compassion satisfaction, fatigue, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress.

Results: 44.7% of therapists had moderate levels of burnout, 83.6% had average levels of secondary traumatic stress, and 64.8% had moderate to high levels of compassion satisfaction. Regression analyses indicated significant variations in compassion fatigue, based on the populations treated. Therapists working with bereaved families and families of hostages reported higher anxiety and secondary traumatic stress, whereas those working with reserve soldiers and their families reported lower anxiety and greater compassion satisfaction. Public sector therapists exhibited higher levels of burnout, secondary traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression compared to those in the private sector.

Conclusions: The study points to the critical importance of addressing the emotional and psychological toll taken on therapists working in conflict zones, particularly those who, like their clients, are continuously exposed to trauma. The findings indicate a significant association between populations treated, personal and professional characteristics, and various outcomes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).