Severe distress after trauma does not always mean lasting harm, new study finds
For many Israelis, the Oct. 7 terrorist attack marked the beginning of months of uncertainty, fear and repeated exposure to trauma. Yet while emotional strain was common, people did not all respond in the same way.
A new study has found that severe distress following trauma does not necessarily lead to lasting harm. The research, led by Dr. Dana Katsoty and Professor Ariel Knafo-Noam of Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Columbia University, investigated the psychological responses of Israeli adults following the Oct. 7 terrorist attack. While emotional strain was widespread, the study revealed four distinct patterns of psychological adaptation.
The research identified four distinct trajectories of psychological distress. Participants who were older, male, perceived the world as safe, and regularly volunteered before the war were more likely to demonstrate resilience. Contrary to previous assumptions, receiving social support or volunteering during the crisis did not predict better mental health.
However, individuals who volunteered before the war were more likely to exhibit resilience, indicating that long-standing habits and psychological resources may offer greater protection than crisis-induced behaviors.
The study also found that while empathy is typically considered a protective trait, empathic distress was linked to higher levels of psychological distress and less adaptive recovery patterns. Empathic concern, a more regulated form of empathy, was associated with greater distress but also with volunteering and supporting others, suggesting that empathy can be both emotionally taxing and socially beneficial during crises.
The findings suggest that how distress changes over time, rather than its initial severity, can provide insight into who is at risk for long-term post-traumatic stress symptoms. More than half of participants demonstrated resilience, while a quarter recovered despite experiencing severe distress immediately after the attack. Nearly one in five participants continued to experience persistent psychological distress six months into the conflict, highlighting the lasting mental health consequences of prolonged trauma.
The researchers' key message is that early distress does not necessarily indicate a trajectory toward long-term psychological difficulties. Many individuals who initially experienced severe distress recovered over time. The study emphasizes the importance of adopting a longitudinal perspective in assessing mental health after mass trauma, as repeated assessments over time can better identify those whose symptoms persist or emerge later, enabling more targeted mental health support.
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