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War-Time Stress and Sexual Well-Being in Israel
Aryeh Lazar1, Ateret Gewirtz-Meydan2, Talli Y Rosenbaum3
1Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel.
Summary
War-related stress significantly impacts sexual well-being in civilians. Direct exposure linked to dysfunction, while media exposure and acute stress affect overall sexual health during conflict.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- Wartime conflict poses significant psychological burdens on civilian populations.
- Understanding the impact of war-related stressors on intimate aspects of life, such as sexual well-being, is critical.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between war-related stressors and sexual well-being in Israeli civilians during the 2023 Israel-Hamas War.
- To assess how direct exposure, media exposure, and acute stress symptoms influence sexual satisfaction, function, and distress.
Main Methods:
- A quasi-longitudinal online survey was administered to 1033 Israeli adults.
- Measures included exposure to war stress (direct and media), acute stress symptoms, and sexual well-being (pre-war and current).
- Data analysis employed Pearson correlations and hierarchical regression.
Main Results:
- Significant associations were found between stress-related variables and sexual well-being.
- Direct exposure to war stress was uniquely linked to sexual dysfunction.
- Media exposure and acute stress symptoms significantly predicted various dimensions of sexual well-being.
Conclusions:
- Wartime stress has a multifaceted impact on civilian sexual well-being.
- Findings underscore the need for integrated mental health interventions addressing both individual and societal factors during conflict.
- This research highlights the importance of holistic approaches to intimate health challenges in times of war.
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