Forging unity in crisis: exploring resilience, volunteering and individual differences in war-affected population

The unprecedented events of October 7th, 2023, in Israel have had lasting impacts on mental health and psychological well-being. Data collected from 758 participants within a month of the conflict's onset revealed complex relationships between being personally affected by war, volunteering, gender, religiosity, and various psychological outcomes. Highly exposed individuals reported increased anxiety but also greater optimism, resilience, and meaning in life. Volunteers demonstrated higher social support, meaning prioritization, and resilience. Gender differences emerged, with women reporting higher social support, meaning in life, and psychological distress. Religious participants showed higher levels of meaning and optimism compared to secular counterparts. Notably, being personally affected by war interacted with gender, affecting men's meaning-making and outlook more prominently than women's. These findings highlight the multifaceted nature of psychological responses to war, emphasizing the roles of social support, meaning-making, and religiosity in fostering resilience. The study underscores the importance of tailored interventions that consider individual differences in promoting recovery and growth following traumatic events. Future research should explore long-term effects and cross-cultural comparisons to enhance our understanding of resilience in conflict situations.