Help-seeking behaviour among internally displaced people in Israel
A Resilience-based intervention model
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21498690 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Liraz Cohen Biton (Ashkelon Academic College, corresponding author), Martin Schiff (0000-0002-0534-7383, Hebrew University of Jerusalem), Ruth Pat-Horenczyk (0000-0002-5589-8837, Hebrew University of Jerusalem), Rami Benbenishty (0000-0003-4041-9650, Hebrew University of Jerusalem), Ohad Gilbar (0000-0003-0513-027X, Hebrew University of Jerusalem) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Pages | 1-16 |
| Publication date | 2026-04-30 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Social Work Practice (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0265-0533 • E-ISSN: 1465-3885 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/02650533.2026.2657968 |
| OpenAlex | W7160179835 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 47 |
This study examined help-seeking behaviour from a Resilience Centre among displaced adults following a massive terrorist attack in south Israel on 7 October 2023, with the aim of identifying factors associated with seeking psychosocial support. Data were collected from 748 displaced residents approximately three weeks after the attack. The findings revealed that 46% (n = 341) sought help from the Resilience Centre. Gender, parental status, and worse health state were associated with a greater likelihood of help-seeking. Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) symptom severity emerged as a critical predictor of help-seeking behaviour; higher levels of ASD were associated with a greater likelihood of seeking help. In addition, ASD mediated the associations between exposure to war events and help-seeking. This study highlights the importance of early identification and intervention for individuals experiencing acute stress reactions. Addressing ASD can facilitate help-seeking behaviour and improve long-term outcomes. Contrary to our expectations, perceived social support was not associated with increased help-seeking. This study underscores the need for accessible mental health services and tailored interventions during national crises
Displaced person · Displaced workers · Internally displaced person · Psychological intervention · Refugee · Community Health and Development · Migration, Health and Trauma · Resilience and Mental Health
Social support and mental health
Exposure to Terrorism, Stress-Related Mental Health Symptoms, and Coping Behaviors Among a Nationally Representative Sample in Israel
Perceived barriers and facilitators to mental health help-seeking in young people
National Estimates of Exposure to Traumatic Events and PTSD Prevalence Using DSM-IV and DSM-5 Criteria
Mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of Syrians affected by armed conflict
The contemporary refugee crisis
Help‐seeking behaviour
A brief form of the Perceived Social Support Questionnaire (F-SozU) was developed, validated, and standardized
Mortality prediction with a single general self-rated health question
Help-Seeking Behaviors Among Active-Duty Military Personnel
Social support and help-seeking worldwide
Predictors of help‐seeking behavior
Acute Stress Symptoms–Adult Scale/National Stressful Events Survey Short Scale (NSESSS)
Predictors of Professional Help-Seeking Intention Toward Depression Among Community-Dwelling Populations
Professional Mental Health Help-Seeking Amongst Afghan and Iraqi Refugees in Australia
The Seeking Mental Health Care model
Predictors of Help Seeking Among Connecticut Adults After September 11, 2001
Conservation of resources
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |