European journal of psychotraumatology
War exposure, evacuation, and psychological and behavioural outcomes following a large-scale traumatic event
By Tur-Sinai A and Tzischinsky O.
Abstract
Background
Armed conflict may affect civilian mental health not only through direct exposure to traumatic events but also through displacement-related disruption. Following the 7 October 2023, attacks on Israel and the subsequent war, limited evidence has examined the distinct roles of direct war exposure and evacuation in shaping both psychological and behavioural outcomes.
Objective
To examine the associations of direct war exposure and evacuation with anxiety, depressive symptoms, sleep disturbances, changes in eating behaviour, and weight change among Israeli civilians, and to assess whether younger age and lower pre-war household income show indirect associations with poorer outcomes through evacuation and direct war exposure.