Adapting amidst waves: Psychological symptoms and coping in Israeli pandemic

This paper aims to present research findings on psychological symptoms and coping strategies concerning the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel. The aim of the study was to compare distress levels and coping strategies among Israeli citizens during the first (W1) and third (W3) COVID-19 waves, hypo...

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Main Authors: Shechory Bitton Mally, Laufer Avital
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Victimology Society of Serbia and University of Belgrade, Faculty of Special Education and Rehabilitation 2024-01-01
Series:Temida
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/1450-6637/2024/1450-66372402153S.pdf
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author Shechory Bitton Mally
Laufer Avital
author_facet Shechory Bitton Mally
Laufer Avital
author_sort Shechory Bitton Mally
collection DOAJ
description This paper aims to present research findings on psychological symptoms and coping strategies concerning the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel. The aim of the study was to compare distress levels and coping strategies among Israeli citizens during the first (W1) and third (W3) COVID-19 waves, hypothesizing that distress and concern about contracting the virus would decline over time, reflecting more adaptive coping strategies. A cross-sectional study using online surveys involved two groups of Israelis (n=558 in W1 and n=501 in W3). Higher levels of distress and concern about contracting the virus were found among W3 participants compared to W1. Regression analysis indicated that female sex, financial concerns, and younger age were predictors of distress. Emotion-focused coping was lower in W3 but more strongly associated with distress than in W1, while problem-focused coping increased. The findings highlight the need to support individuals before future lockdowns to reduce distress. Vulnerable groups, such as females, younger individuals, and those with financial concerns, require targeted interventions during ongoing and future public health crises.
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spelling doaj-art-9f86306912eb47e58f1251ca6e31874f2025-08-20T02:51:49ZengVictimology Society of Serbia and University of Belgrade, Faculty of Special Education and RehabilitationTemida1450-66372406-09412024-01-0127215317010.2298/TEM2402153S1450-66372402153SAdapting amidst waves: Psychological symptoms and coping in Israeli pandemicShechory Bitton Mally0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7299-2692Laufer Avital1https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3045-2844Clinical Criminology at the Ariel University, IsraelNetanya Academic College, IsraelThis paper aims to present research findings on psychological symptoms and coping strategies concerning the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel. The aim of the study was to compare distress levels and coping strategies among Israeli citizens during the first (W1) and third (W3) COVID-19 waves, hypothesizing that distress and concern about contracting the virus would decline over time, reflecting more adaptive coping strategies. A cross-sectional study using online surveys involved two groups of Israelis (n=558 in W1 and n=501 in W3). Higher levels of distress and concern about contracting the virus were found among W3 participants compared to W1. Regression analysis indicated that female sex, financial concerns, and younger age were predictors of distress. Emotion-focused coping was lower in W3 but more strongly associated with distress than in W1, while problem-focused coping increased. The findings highlight the need to support individuals before future lockdowns to reduce distress. Vulnerable groups, such as females, younger individuals, and those with financial concerns, require targeted interventions during ongoing and future public health crises.https://doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/1450-6637/2024/1450-66372402153S.pdfcovid-19psychological symptomscopingprolonged exposure
spellingShingle Shechory Bitton Mally
Laufer Avital
Adapting amidst waves: Psychological symptoms and coping in Israeli pandemic
Temida
covid-19
psychological symptoms
coping
prolonged exposure
title Adapting amidst waves: Psychological symptoms and coping in Israeli pandemic
title_full Adapting amidst waves: Psychological symptoms and coping in Israeli pandemic
title_fullStr Adapting amidst waves: Psychological symptoms and coping in Israeli pandemic
title_full_unstemmed Adapting amidst waves: Psychological symptoms and coping in Israeli pandemic
title_short Adapting amidst waves: Psychological symptoms and coping in Israeli pandemic
title_sort adapting amidst waves psychological symptoms and coping in israeli pandemic
topic covid-19
psychological symptoms
coping
prolonged exposure
url https://doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/1450-6637/2024/1450-66372402153S.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT shechorybittonmally adaptingamidstwavespsychologicalsymptomsandcopinginisraelipandemic
AT lauferavital adaptingamidstwavespsychologicalsymptomsandcopinginisraelipandemic