At a recent international conference “Mental Health in Times of War,” held in Jerusalem, researchers from Jerusalem Multidisciplinary College presented innovative findings on the link between attachment patterns and psychological resilience following the events of October 7.The study, led by Prof. Avi Besser (Head, Dept. of Communication Disorders), Dr. Yitshak Alfasi  (Psychology), and Dr. Ruth Meitlis (Social Work), tracked thousands of Israelis at two points in time (November 2023 and December 2024).

Results showed a significant decline in mental distress—from 81% reporting poor mental health at the start of the war to 56% after one year. Surprisingly, feelings of attachment to Israel remained stable, with about half of the participants continuing to feel secure in their connection to the country.

This research highlights the vital role of national belonging as an emotional anchor during times of crisis, similar to secure attachment figures in personal relationships