As the level of national anxiety and sense of danger rises, national resilience strengthens, and with it the hope for a better future, according to a new study by Tel Hai College and Tel Aviv University, comparing psychological indicators in August '23 to this October.
Widow of one of Shlomit's residents who saved Frigan: "There is hope that their death was not for nothing"
Two months ago, there was a political crisis in Israel. The words "civil war," "rejectionism," and "the disintegration of the state" were part of our daily routine, and the public felt frustrated at the level of national resilience. Two months later, the legal reform was pushed off the public agenda. Stress and anxiety are combined with cohesion and unity, we have returned to our lives.
The new study shows a mixed picture regarding the psychological indicators of the population. The Israeli public is very patriotic in the face of the Hamas attack and the many losses we have suffered. The people have united for the cause and express confidence in the IDF's ability to win. On the other hand, there is clearly an increase in depression and anxiety symptoms.
National Resilience 2023, Public Sentiment Survey,
The research team, headed by Prof. Shaul Kimhi and Prof. Bruria Adini from Tel Aviv University's Department of Risk and Emergency Management and Prof. Yohanan Eshel and Dr. Hadas Marciano from Tel Hai Academic College, conducted the study among 2,000 respondents.
The survey findings showed that 56% of the public indicated high national resilience, compared with 32% who responded this way two months ago. On the question of personal resilience, 80 per cent also responded to a high level of resilience, compared with 63 per cent two months ago.
Similar studies were conducted in Ukraine at the beginning of the fighting, and the results are similar. At a time when there is an existential threat to the future of the state, the residents of Israel have succeeded in mobilizing internal forces and developing hope for a better future. The people came together. National morale has risen from 22 per cent two months ago to 39 per cent. 75% of the public also reported high hope.
Similar studies were conducted in Ukraine at the beginning of the fighting, and the results are similar. Pictured: An attack in Kharkiv Oblast in northeastern Ukraine, Photo: AP
Resilience increases in times of crisis
Prof. Kimhi: "The pattern is not surprising. National resilience has a tendency to rise in times of crisis, especially when there is an existential danger to the state. People have a tendency to develop a stronger perception of national resilience. A concept that allows the individual to feel part of the people and reduce anxiety during a severe security crisis." But despite high morale, 38 per cent of respondents, compared with 22 per cent two months ago, showed signs of depression and anxiety, and the sense of danger also increased.
The study showed significant differences between supporters and opponents of the government. Proponents of the government reported much higher national and personal resilience than opponents of the government, as well as higher hope and morale. In addition, the perception of threats and depression by supporters of the government is lower compared to its opponents.
Prof. Shaul Kimhi, Photo: Eyal Margolin - Ginny
Kimchi: "Despite the unity of the ranks during combat, we are still in the midst of a deep and ongoing political crisis, which has not been resolved only by the war situation we find ourselves in. The findings should concern everyone, no matter what their position in the current debate. We need to unite the ranks."
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us