Mental health and self-compassion in military couples during wartime

This study examined the mental health and resilience of combatants and their partners during the 2023 Israel-Hamas war, with a focus on self-compassion as a protective factor. While soldiers' mental health has been widely studied, the psychological burden on their partners, especially during active conflict, is less understood. The transition of reservists from civilian to combat roles, coupled with the upheaval faced by their families, provides a unique opportunity to assess resilience in this dyadic context.

A total of 134 couples (N = 268), combatants serving in Gaza and their partners, participated in the study. Both completed self-report questionnaires tapping posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, stress, and self-compassion. Descriptive statistics and paired t tests examined distress levels, while actor-partner interdependence models assessed the impact of self-compassion on psychological outcomes.

Both dyadic partners reported elevated distress, with partners consistently showing higher scores on PTSD, depression, anxiety, and stress scales. Self-compassion was inversely related to distress in both partners. Results indicated that in couples where the combatant met the PTSD cutoff, the partner's self-compassion significantly predicted lower depression and stress in the combatant; no such effect was found in the non-PTSD group.

The findings underscore the need to address the psychological needs of partners of reserve combatants during wartime. This study is fundamental in understanding the mental health needs of military families during an ongoing war. Clinically, integrating self-compassion-based interventions for individuals and couples, and expanding trauma-informed care to include partners, can enhance support for military families and improve outcomes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).