Experiencing processes of growth: Coping and PTG among mothers who were exposed to rocket attacks.

Abstract

This article presents processes of coping and posttraumatic growth (PTG) as elicited both from an open-ended questionnaire administrated to 52 Jewish Israeli mothers as well as in-depth interviews conducted with 16 of them, following exposure to either long-term or a short period of threat in the form of rocket attacks on their homes. This comparison revealed that all mothers described the same coping mechanisms and perceived themselves as coping well with the threat of terror. However, with regard to PTG, only those who were exposed to rocket attacks for a long duration disclosed a manifest potential for PTG both in relation to self and in relation to others. Concurrently, because of the parental decision to live in an area exposed to missile attacks, the mothers expressed guilt feelings toward their children, fearing for their mental wellbeing. The differences between the two groups of mothers and possible applications for mental health professionals working with such populations are discussed.

PTSD and PTG among Israeli mothers: Opposite facets of exposure to terrorism

“…This may be the case in uncontrollable traumatic events such as exposure to war (McFarland & Alvaro, ). Hirsch and Lazar () found that mothers living in the Western Negev under missile attacks felt guilty about raising their children in this uncertain environment, which might harm them both physically and emotionally. They suggest that the higher growth levels found among these mothers may be no more than a justification for their decision to live in a dangerous area.…”

“…Therefore, previous studies also found problem‐focused control to be connected with growth (Linley & Joseph, ). This seems to be the case not only regarding controllable situations and stressors but also regarding uncontrolled stressors such as missile attacks (Hirsch & Lazar, ). As noted by Zeidner and Saklofske (), problem‐focused coping does not remove the threat itself but rather, at best, provides some form of “safety measure.”…”

“…In another study on mothers raising their children in the shadow of rocket attacks, Hirsch and Lazar () found that lengthy exposure to terrorism is related to the process of comprehending the dangerous situation and raising the need to handle the situation. We believe that use of problem‐focused coping, such as taking different roads to school and home, and so forth, may have increased the sense of situation's manageability, which is a core element in the process leading from distress to PTG.…”

“…We believe that use of problem‐focused coping, such as taking different roads to school and home, and so forth, may have increased the sense of situation's manageability, which is a core element in the process leading from distress to PTG. Hirsch and Lazar () found that mothers perceived the state of war as a fleeting situation and continued to view the area as a quiet and secure one.…”

“…War appears to negatively affect the ability of mothers to fulfill one of the main tasks of motherhood, which is to care for their children and to provide them with a sense of security and safety (Duvall & Miller, ). PTG was also found among mothers who were exposed to missile attacks (Hirsch & Lazar, ). These mothers used coping methods such as optimism, humor, and denial as well as the use of ideology and social support, maintaining a routine as much as possible, which was found to be related to growth.…”