Death perceptions, grief, and distress in Ultra-Orthodox Jews who witnessed the 2021 Meron disaster.

On April 29, 2021, during an Ultra-Orthodox annual communal event in Meron, a crowd rush resulted in the deaths of 45 individuals. Experiencing such events may intensify death proximity (subjective nearness to death, SNtD) and death anxiety, and increase distress. Furthermore, the experience of grief following the trauma may disrupt defense mechanisms that reduce death-related anxieties. Thus, we examined the mediating role of death anxiety on the association between SNtD and distress, and the possible moderating role of grief experiences on this model. Ultra-Orthodox Israeli Jews who experienced the Meron disaster (N = 168) responded to scales assessing demographics, SNtD, death anxiety, and psychological distress. Death anxiety mediated the SNtD-distress link and grief was a significant moderator. Specifically, for individuals low in grief, the association between high death anxiety and increased distress was nullified. Findings are discussed from the perspective of Terror Management Theory.

The Holocaust Experience and Its Role in the Association Between Meaning in Life, Depressive Symptoms and Life Satisfaction.

Holocaust survivors often reveal long-term depressive symptoms, while demonstrating life satisfaction. The present study examined the role of meaning in life (MIL) of Holocaust survivors in this context. Survivors (n = 44) and comparisons (n = 51) provided background information and completed MIL, depressive symptoms, and life satisfaction scales. MIL was associated with lower depressive symptoms and higher life satisfaction. Moreover, the MIL-depressive symptoms/life satisfaction links were stronger among Holocaust survivors. Results provide insight for tailoring treatment interventions for older adults who have been exposed to prolonged traumatic experiences or genocide, that focus on MIL, to enhance mental health.

Subjective Nearness-to-Death and COVID-19 Worries Among Ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel: The Moderating Role of Israeli Identity and Sense of Community.

The Ultra-Orthodox community in Israel is characterized by close everyday contact and a strong sense of community. While the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in global uncertainty, fear, and fatalities, this group was particularly affected by the pandemic. Accordingly, the current study examines whether subjective nearness-to-death was associated with increased COVID-19 concerns, and whether Israeli identity and sense of community moderate this association. Data were gathered from 255 Israeli Ultra-Orthodox Jews, and results yielded a significant link between subjective nearness-to-death and COVID-19 worries, moderated by both moderators. Results are discussed in line with terror management theory, and theoretical/practical implications are suggested.

Sense of community, meaning in life, and satisfaction with life among Ultra-Orthodox Jews: A mediation model.

The Ultra-Orthodox community in Israel, characterized by close-knit ties and strong community values, has been particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, both epidemiologically and socially. Accordingly, the current study examined whether the connection between the sense of community and life satisfaction in this population is mediated by meaning in life (MIL). Three hundred and fifty-eight Ultra-Orthodox participants (age range: 30-70; M = 49.50, SD = 10.24) filled out scales assessing MIL, sense of community, and satisfaction with life (SWL), as well as sociodemographic and COVID-19-related scales. Sense of community was linked with increased MIL and life satisfaction. Moreover, the connection between sense of community and life satisfaction was mediated by MIL. This study highlights the roles of sense of community and MIL for Ultra-Orthodox individuals and emphasizes the importance of both concepts for maintaining SWL during COVID-19. Practical implications for Ultra-Orthodox communities are suggested.

Caregiver burden among adults caring for their Holocaust-survivor parents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study aimed to examine the caregiver burden among offspring of Holocaust survivors (OHS) caring for their parents during the COVID-19 pandemic, hypothesizing that caregivers whose parents suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) would report an increased burden. The sample consisted of 109 caregivers with older adult care recipient parents (average caregivers' age = 57.67, SD = 8.49). Caregivers were divided into three groups: 20 OHS who reported that at least one care recipient had PTSD, 60 OHS who reported that their care recipients did not have PTSD, and 29 comparison caregivers (whose care recipients did not undergo the Holocaust). Caregivers completed questionnaires about SARS-CoV-2 exposure, COVID-19 concerns, helping their care recipients, their experiences of caregiver burden, and perceived changes to their caregiver burden during the pandemic. The caregivers also reported PTSD symptoms-in themselves as well as in their care recipients. Relative to comparisons, OHS with parental PTSD reported higher caregiver burden in four aspects: time-dependent burden, developmental burden, physical burden, and social burden. Furthermore, OHS reported a greater perceived increase in caregiver burden during the pandemic than the comparisons. The study findings illuminate the difficulties OHS caregivers, especially those whose care recipients have PTSD, face during the COVID-19 pandemic. This group of caregivers is at risk of experiencing more distress and may need help and support. Further research is needed to determine whether people taking care of their posttraumatic parents following other massive traumatic events also feel a heavier caregiver burden-both in general and specifically during the current pandemic.

Activity engagement and psychological distress among Holocaust survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic may pose a specific threat for Holocaust survivors, as such threats may be linked with increased psychological distress. Moreover, research has demonstrated that engaging in planful problem-solving activities is associated with reduced distress. Accordingly, we aimed to examine the link between engaging in activities during COVID-19 and psychological distress among Holocaust survivors with varying levels of post-traumatic symptoms (PTS) and comparisons (not directly exposed to the Holocaust). DESIGN: A cross-sectional design composed of Holocaust survivors and a comparison group. SETTING: Participants were interviewed face-to-face, over the telephone, or filled the scales online at their leisure. PARTICIPANTS: Data were collected from 131 older Jewish Israelis (age range 76-94, M = 82.73, SD = 4.09), who were divided into three groups (comparisons; low-PTS survivors; high-PTS survivors). MEASUREMENTS: Participants completed scales assessing PTS, activity engagement, and psychological distress and provided additional sociodemographic, medical, and COVID-19-related information. RESULTS: When activity engagement was low, high-PTS survivors reported extremely high levels of psychological distress relative to low-PTS survivors and comparisons. However, when activity engagement was high, these group differences were considerably reduced, as the psychological distress of high-PTS survivors was significantly lower. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the importance of daily planning and activity engagement for Holocaust survivors with high PTS levels in reducing psychological distress. Clinicians are urged to take this factor into account when dealing with the psychological effects of COVID-19 on survivors and on traumatized older adults in general.