Adult attachment and well-being in the wake of collective trauma: Evidence from the October 7 terror attack in Israel

Abstract

In the wake of mass trauma, individual differences in attachment orientation may shape well-being. This study examines how attachment anxiety and avoidance may have predicted well-being in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 terror attack on Israel, a nationally traumatic event with ongoing war-related stressors. Participants were 390 Israeli adults who completed self-report questionnaires in two phases. First, they completed the Experiences in Close Relationships-Relationship Structures Questionnaire (ECR-RS) and the Mental Health Continuum Short Form. Then they were asked to report their emotional responses (PANAS) while listening to a culturally meaningful song related to the trauma. Results showed that attachment anxiety was not associated with well-being, but it was associated with higher levels of both positive and negative affect following exposure to a song with emotional resonance to the trauma. Attachment avoidance was associated with lower well-being and lower levels of positive affect to the song. Findings suggest that collective social responses (e.g., national solidarity) may buffer distress in anxious individuals, but not in avoidant individuals. Implications for trauma-informed care and tailored interventions are discussed.