Personal and communal resilience in communities exposed to missile attacks: Does intensity of exposure matter?

Abstract

Based on the salutogenic model, this study aimed to examine the role of personal and communal resiliency in reducing individuals’ psychological distress when facing intensive missile attacks. We examined the relationships between these resources and psychological distress in communities which were exposed to different intensities of attacks. Data was gathered via anonymous self-report questionnaires from 843 adults during the period from one week to one month after intensive attacks in southern Israel. Questionnaires included demographic data as well as sense of coherence (SOC), community resiliency and psychological distress. Differences in levels of resiliency and distress were found among the groups with different ‘exposure levels’. Moreover, only personal resilience SOC explained psychological distress in the entire population, while community resiliency had no effect. Results are discussed on the basis of the salutogenic model with implications for developments of interventions with populations who are exposed to differing intensities of missile attacks.

Keywords:

• acute stress symptoms
• character strengths
• coping
• psychosocial resources

Notes

1. The Conjoint Community Resiliency Assessment Collaboration (CCRAC) is coordinated by Limor Aharonson-Daniel and Mooli Lahad. Partners are: Bruria Adini, Miriam Billig, Orna Braun-Lewensohn, Daphna Canneti, Odeya Cohen, Paula Feder-Bubis, Avi Israeli, Shaul Kimhi, Dima Leykin, Sabina Lissitsa, Yochanan Peres, Carmit Rappaport, Avi Sender, Shifra Sagy and Michal Shamai.