Gadi Zerach
Biographic Data
| ID | 315882 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Gadi Zerach |
| GIVEN NAMES | Gadi |
| FAMILY NAME | Zerach |
| SIGNATURE | ZERACH G |
| AFFILIATIONS | Ariel University |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-5409-196X |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 29 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 8 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 29 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2008 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
From trauma to transformation
These findings highlight the dual nature of trauma in military service, both as a source of distress and a potential catalyst for growth. Psychological strengths serve as robust correlates of PTG and may offer promising targets for interventions aimed at fostering recovery and personal development among female veterans. Strength-based approaches that cultivate hope, meaning-making, and interpersonal capacities may enhance healing and resilience f…
Associations between posttraumatic stress symptoms, moral injury, and parenting among Israeli male veterans
Our findings imply that beyond the possible negative effects of PTSS on parenting, military-related MI is another risk for problematic paternal parenting among veterans. Clinical implications discussed include the ripple effect of PTSS and MI on veteran fathers' cognitions regarding their children's ability to handle anxiety, and their parenting behaviors to control their painful emotions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserv…
The contribution of moral injury to Israeli teachers’ mental health difficulties
This study underscores the need to address moral injury among teachers as an essential factor for maintaining their mental health, as well as the overall sustainability of the educational system. Early screening and interventions are needed to identify and treat teachers at risk for MHD stemming from moral injury
Is termination of a desired pregnancy due to possible fetal abnormalities a case of moral injury? A preliminary report
Termination of pregnancy (TOP) due to possible fetal abnormalities is known to be associated with various mental health problems. This study examines associations between potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs), moral injury outcomes (MI), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and prolonged grief (PG) among treatment-seeking women following late pregnancy loss. A volunteer sample of ( n = 132) Israeli women who attended a reproductive psychi…
The impact of moral injury on suicide risk among recently discharged Israeli veterans
Experiencing PMIEs, especially PMIE-Self and PMIE-Other, proved to be validated predictors of trauma-related guilt and, in turn, of suicide risk during the first year after the veterans' discharge. Combatants at their discharge from the military should have access to targeted self-forgiveness interventions, as these interventions can have a buffering effect on the development of suicidal ideation and behaviors following PMIEs. (PsycInfo Database …
The contribution of maladaptive personality traits to PTSD and depression symptoms among Israeli female veterans
Maladaptive personality traits play an important role in psychological distress following female veterans' combat service. Future prospective research is necessary to determine the temporal associations between preenlistment maladaptive personality traits and postdeployment mental health of veterans. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)
Distress tolerance, family cohesion and adaptability, and posttraumatic stress symptoms among combat veterans and their parents
A prospective investigation of protective factors for moral injury and psychiatric symptomatology among Israeli combatants
BACKGROUND: In this prospective study, we examined pre-enlistment characteristics and pre-deployment protective factors of exposure to potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) among Israeli active-duty combatants, as well as psychiatric symptomatology outcomes of exposure. METHODS: A sample of 335 active-duty Israeli combatants participated in a 2.5-year prospective study with three waves of measurements (T1: 12 months before enlistment, T2: …
Prospective associations between psychological factors, potentially morally injurious events, and psychiatric symptoms among Israeli combatants
This is the first prospective study of antecedents and outcomes of exposure to PMIEs among active-duty combatants. Clinicians treating combatants should be aware of the putative role of psychological flexibility for exposure to PMIEs, as well as the promising mitigating role of ethical leadership and preparation for moral injury and psychopathological outcomes among combatants. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)
The contribution of childhood adversity and potentially traumatic events during military service to PTSD and complex PTSD symptoms among Israeli women veterans
This study emphasized the relatively high exposure to PTEs and PTSD symptoms of women combat veterans as compared to noncombat veterans. Our findings also confirm prior studies demonstrating associations between ACEs, CES, MST, and mental health problems. Importantly, we demonstrated the unique contribution of betrayal-based PMIEs and the differential associations of PTEs with PTSD and CPTSD symptoms among combat veterans. (PsycInfo Database Reco…
PTSD and Complex PTSD Symptoms among Israeli Women Veterans
Secondary posttraumatic stress symptom trajectories and perceived health among spouses of war veterans
OBJECTIVE: War-related trauma may indirectly affect veterans' spouses both in terms of secondary posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and negative perceived health. The present study aimed to examine trajectories of secondary PTSS over a twelve-year period and its association with various measures of subjectively perceived health, among spouses of war veterans. METHODS: Spouses of war veterans (n = 155) were assessed prospectively 30 (T1, 2003), …
Moral injury, depression, and anxiety symptoms among health and social care workers during the Covid-19 pandemic
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic can affect health and social care workers' (HSCWs') mental health in their role as frontline workers in this crisis. The pandemic poses unique challenges to HSCWs as they face morally daunting decisions while working with limited knowledge and resources. This study primary objective was to examine the moderating role of thwarted belongingness in the relationships between HSCWs' exposure to potentially morally inj…
Moral injury, PTSD, and complex PTSD among Israeli health and social care workers during the Covid-19 pandemic
The study's findings offer a novel overview of the associations between patterns of exposure to PMIEs, MI, PTSD, and CPTSD. Clinicians treating HSCWs coping with COVID-19-related moral injury should be aware of the importance of high self-criticism in the possible posttraumatic sequelae of exposure to PMIEs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
A dyadic exploration of the associations between posttraumatic stress symptoms and posttraumatic growth among combat veterans and their parents
Indirect exposure to traumatized combat veterans may facilitate positive transformations in the form of posttraumatic growth (PTG) among family members. We aimed to use a dyadic approach to explore the association between veterans' and parents' posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and their PTG and that of their parents' secondary PTG (SPTG), as well as to examine the moderating role of distress tolerance (DT) in these associations.A volunteer sa…
How can they treat it if they can't identify it?”
The findings highlight that MHPs have minimal knowledge of MI, which may relate to their reluctance to treat patients with the psychological manifestations of MI. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
Defining and Assessing the Syndrome of Moral Injury
Potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) entail acts of commission (e.g., cruelty, proscribed or prescribed violence) or omission (e.g., high stakes failure to protect others) and bearing witness (e.g., to grave inhumanity, to the gruesome aftermath of violence), or being the victim of others' acts of commission (e.g., high stakes trust violations) or omission (e.g., being the victim of grave individual or systemic failures to protect) that t…
Associations between distress tolerance and posttraumatic stress symptoms among combat veterans and their parents
Objective: Combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) might negatively impact the mental health of veterans' family members. Nevertheless, nearly no research has examined secondary PTSD symptoms (PTSS) in veterans' parents, and still to be explored are the mechanisms by which distress tolerance (DT) contributes to veterans' PTSS and parents' secondary PTSS (SPTSS). In the present study, we aimed to use a dyadic approach to explore the as…
He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother”
Exposure to a traumatized veteran brother or sister might entail psychological distress but also positive changes among siblings. The ability to withstand the emotional valence of negative or stressful events might hold a promise for the facilitation of higher levels of SPTG in the face of secondary PTSS. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)
The Association Between Moral Injury and Substance Use Among Israeli Combat Veterans
Intergenerational transmission of captivity trauma and posttraumatic stress symptoms
Over time, both ex-POWs fathers' and mothers' PTSS are implicated in their offspring's PTSS. However, both direct and indirect effects of both parents' posttraumatic reactions contribute to the intergenerational transmission of captivity related trauma. (PsycINFO Database Record
Exposure to stress during childbirth, dyadic adjustment, partner’s resilience, and psychological distress among first-time fathers
This study examined posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSS) and anxiety symptoms among men attending the birth of their first offspring. Furthermore, the authors examined the moderating role of dyadic adjustment and participants’ partner’s resilience in the association between exposure to stre
The Mediating Role of Emptiness and Materialism in the Association Between Pathological Narcissism and Compulsive Buying
Secondary traumatization and self-rated health among wives of former prisoners of war
We investigated the relationships between secondary traumatization, marital adjustment, and self-rated health among wives of former prisoners of war. Participants were Israeli wives of former prisoners of war ( N = 116) and a matched control group of wives of combat veterans ( N = 56). Wives of former prisoners of war reported worse self-rated health compared to the control group of wives of combat veterans. Wives of former prisoners of war also …
Secondary traumatization among ex-POWs’ adult children
The aversive impact of combat and parents' combat-induced posttraumatic stress disorder on young children has been examined in a few studies. However, the long-term toll of war captivity on secondary traumatization (ST) and the mediating role of differentiation of the self remain unknown. This study examined ST symptoms and differentiation of the self (DS) among adult children of former prisoners of war (ex-POW's children) who were compared with …
Marital Adjustment, Parental Functioning, and Emotional Sharing in War Veterans
The current study aimed to examine the implications of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and emotional sharing in marital adjustment and parental functioning among Israeli veterans of the 1982 Lebanon War. The sample consisted of combat stress reaction (CSR) veterans ( n = 264) and non-CSR veterans ( n = 209). Results show that traumatized veterans reported lower levels of marital adjustment and more problems in parental functioning. Further…
Exposure to stress during childbirth, dyadic adjustment, partner’s resilience, and psychological distress among first-time fathers
This study examined posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSS) and anxiety symptoms among men attending the birth of their first offspring. Furthermore, the authors examined the moderating role of dyadic adjustment and participants’ partner’s resilience in the association between exposure to stre
Secondary traumatization and self-rated health among wives of former prisoners of war
We investigated the relationships between secondary traumatization, marital adjustment, and self-rated health among wives of former prisoners of war. Participants were Israeli wives of former prisoners of war ( N = 116) and a matched control group of wives of combat veterans ( N = 56). Wives of former prisoners of war reported worse self-rated health compared to the control group of wives of combat veterans. Wives of former prisoners of war also …
Associations between distress tolerance and posttraumatic stress symptoms among combat veterans and their parents
Objective: Combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) might negatively impact the mental health of veterans' family members. Nevertheless, nearly no research has examined secondary PTSD symptoms (PTSS) in veterans' parents, and still to be explored are the mechanisms by which distress tolerance (DT) contributes to veterans' PTSS and parents' secondary PTSS (SPTSS). In the present study, we aimed to use a dyadic approach to explore the as…
Acute stress responses
Toward the development of a unifying diagnosis for acute stress responses this article attempts to find a place for combat stress reaction (CSR) within the spectrum of other defined acute stress responses. This article critically compares the diagnostic criteria of acute stress disorder (ASD), acute stress reaction (ASR), and CSR. Prospective studies concerning the predictive value of ASD, ASR, and CSR are reviewed. Questions, recommendations, an…
Marital Adjustment, Parental Functioning, and Emotional Sharing in War Veterans
The current study aimed to examine the implications of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and emotional sharing in marital adjustment and parental functioning among Israeli veterans of the 1982 Lebanon War. The sample consisted of combat stress reaction (CSR) veterans ( n = 264) and non-CSR veterans ( n = 209). Results show that traumatized veterans reported lower levels of marital adjustment and more problems in parental functioning. Further…
The relations between posttraumatic stress disorder and persistent dissociation among ex-prisoners of war
To date, there are no empirical studies assessing the impact of war captivity on persistent dissociation (PD) and the longitudinal relations between captivity stressors, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and PD. The current study included two groups of male Israeli veterans from the 1973 Yom Kippur War: ex-prisoners of war (ex-POWs) and comparable veterans who were not taken captive. Both groups were assessed via self-report measures at three…
Secondary traumatization among ex-POWs’ adult children
The aversive impact of combat and parents' combat-induced posttraumatic stress disorder on young children has been examined in a few studies. However, the long-term toll of war captivity on secondary traumatization (ST) and the mediating role of differentiation of the self remain unknown. This study examined ST symptoms and differentiation of the self (DS) among adult children of former prisoners of war (ex-POW's children) who were compared with …
Secondary growth among former prisoners of war’s adult children
The long-term toll of war captivity on secondary traumatization (ST) on adult children has recently been exemplified. Several studies have also revealed that indirect exposure to trauma might be accompanied by positive psychological changes. This study examined secondary posttraumatic growth (SG) among adult children of former prisoners of war (ex-POWs' children) who were compared with adult children of comparable veterans (controls' children). F…
The Mediating Role of Emptiness and Materialism in the Association Between Pathological Narcissism and Compulsive Buying
Secondary traumatization and self-rated health among wives of former prisoners of war
We investigated the relationships between secondary traumatization, marital adjustment, and self-rated health among wives of former prisoners of war. Participants were Israeli wives of former prisoners of war ( N = 116) and a matched control group of wives of combat veterans ( N = 56). Wives of former prisoners of war reported worse self-rated health compared to the control group of wives of combat veterans. Wives of former prisoners of war also …
Intergenerational transmission of captivity trauma and posttraumatic stress symptoms
Over time, both ex-POWs fathers' and mothers' PTSS are implicated in their offspring's PTSS. However, both direct and indirect effects of both parents' posttraumatic reactions contribute to the intergenerational transmission of captivity related trauma. (PsycINFO Database Record
Exposure to stress during childbirth, dyadic adjustment, partner’s resilience, and psychological distress among first-time fathers
This study examined posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSS) and anxiety symptoms among men attending the birth of their first offspring. Furthermore, the authors examined the moderating role of dyadic adjustment and participants’ partner’s resilience in the association between exposure to stre
The Association Between Moral Injury and Substance Use Among Israeli Combat Veterans
He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother”
Exposure to a traumatized veteran brother or sister might entail psychological distress but also positive changes among siblings. The ability to withstand the emotional valence of negative or stressful events might hold a promise for the facilitation of higher levels of SPTG in the face of secondary PTSS. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)
Secondary posttraumatic stress symptom trajectories and perceived health among spouses of war veterans
OBJECTIVE: War-related trauma may indirectly affect veterans' spouses both in terms of secondary posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and negative perceived health. The present study aimed to examine trajectories of secondary PTSS over a twelve-year period and its association with various measures of subjectively perceived health, among spouses of war veterans. METHODS: Spouses of war veterans (n = 155) were assessed prospectively 30 (T1, 2003), …
Moral injury, depression, and anxiety symptoms among health and social care workers during the Covid-19 pandemic
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic can affect health and social care workers' (HSCWs') mental health in their role as frontline workers in this crisis. The pandemic poses unique challenges to HSCWs as they face morally daunting decisions while working with limited knowledge and resources. This study primary objective was to examine the moderating role of thwarted belongingness in the relationships between HSCWs' exposure to potentially morally inj…
Moral injury, PTSD, and complex PTSD among Israeli health and social care workers during the Covid-19 pandemic
The study's findings offer a novel overview of the associations between patterns of exposure to PMIEs, MI, PTSD, and CPTSD. Clinicians treating HSCWs coping with COVID-19-related moral injury should be aware of the importance of high self-criticism in the possible posttraumatic sequelae of exposure to PMIEs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
A dyadic exploration of the associations between posttraumatic stress symptoms and posttraumatic growth among combat veterans and their parents
Indirect exposure to traumatized combat veterans may facilitate positive transformations in the form of posttraumatic growth (PTG) among family members. We aimed to use a dyadic approach to explore the association between veterans' and parents' posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and their PTG and that of their parents' secondary PTG (SPTG), as well as to examine the moderating role of distress tolerance (DT) in these associations.A volunteer sa…
How can they treat it if they can't identify it?”
The findings highlight that MHPs have minimal knowledge of MI, which may relate to their reluctance to treat patients with the psychological manifestations of MI. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
Defining and Assessing the Syndrome of Moral Injury
Potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) entail acts of commission (e.g., cruelty, proscribed or prescribed violence) or omission (e.g., high stakes failure to protect others) and bearing witness (e.g., to grave inhumanity, to the gruesome aftermath of violence), or being the victim of others' acts of commission (e.g., high stakes trust violations) or omission (e.g., being the victim of grave individual or systemic failures to protect) that t…
Associations between distress tolerance and posttraumatic stress symptoms among combat veterans and their parents
Objective: Combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) might negatively impact the mental health of veterans' family members. Nevertheless, nearly no research has examined secondary PTSD symptoms (PTSS) in veterans' parents, and still to be explored are the mechanisms by which distress tolerance (DT) contributes to veterans' PTSS and parents' secondary PTSS (SPTSS). In the present study, we aimed to use a dyadic approach to explore the as…
Distress tolerance, family cohesion and adaptability, and posttraumatic stress symptoms among combat veterans and their parents
A prospective investigation of protective factors for moral injury and psychiatric symptomatology among Israeli combatants
BACKGROUND: In this prospective study, we examined pre-enlistment characteristics and pre-deployment protective factors of exposure to potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) among Israeli active-duty combatants, as well as psychiatric symptomatology outcomes of exposure. METHODS: A sample of 335 active-duty Israeli combatants participated in a 2.5-year prospective study with three waves of measurements (T1: 12 months before enlistment, T2: …
Prospective associations between psychological factors, potentially morally injurious events, and psychiatric symptoms among Israeli combatants
This is the first prospective study of antecedents and outcomes of exposure to PMIEs among active-duty combatants. Clinicians treating combatants should be aware of the putative role of psychological flexibility for exposure to PMIEs, as well as the promising mitigating role of ethical leadership and preparation for moral injury and psychopathological outcomes among combatants. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)
The contribution of childhood adversity and potentially traumatic events during military service to PTSD and complex PTSD symptoms among Israeli women veterans
This study emphasized the relatively high exposure to PTEs and PTSD symptoms of women combat veterans as compared to noncombat veterans. Our findings also confirm prior studies demonstrating associations between ACEs, CES, MST, and mental health problems. Importantly, we demonstrated the unique contribution of betrayal-based PMIEs and the differential associations of PTEs with PTSD and CPTSD symptoms among combat veterans. (PsycInfo Database Reco…
PTSD and Complex PTSD Symptoms among Israeli Women Veterans
The impact of moral injury on suicide risk among recently discharged Israeli veterans
Experiencing PMIEs, especially PMIE-Self and PMIE-Other, proved to be validated predictors of trauma-related guilt and, in turn, of suicide risk during the first year after the veterans' discharge. Combatants at their discharge from the military should have access to targeted self-forgiveness interventions, as these interventions can have a buffering effect on the development of suicidal ideation and behaviors following PMIEs. (PsycInfo Database …
The contribution of maladaptive personality traits to PTSD and depression symptoms among Israeli female veterans
Maladaptive personality traits play an important role in psychological distress following female veterans' combat service. Future prospective research is necessary to determine the temporal associations between preenlistment maladaptive personality traits and postdeployment mental health of veterans. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)
Psychology (26 works) · Clinical Psychology (23 works) · Psychiatry (20 works) · Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research (19 works) · Medicine (17 works) · Clinical Psychology (15 works) · Social Psychology (15 works) · Posttraumatic stress (14 works) · Moral injury (11 works) · Social Psychology (10 works)