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Mental Health and Psychological Resilience: The Mental Health Burden of Terrorism, Epidemiology, Risk Factors and Global Disparities

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 April 2026 | Viewed by 8035

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Avi Besser

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Department of Communication Disorders, School for Sciences, Health and Society, Jerusalem Multidisciplinary College (JMC), Jerusalem 9101001, Israel
Interests: vulnerability factors in postpartum depression; attachment and psychological adjustment in children, adolescents and mothers; perfectionism; self-criticism/dependency; distress and depression; suicidality; self-esteem; humor styles; PTSD; narcissism
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce a Special Issue for the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health on "Mental Health and Psychological Resilience: The Mental Health Burden of Terrorism, Epidemiology, Risk Factors and Global Disparities". This peer-reviewed journal is dedicated to publishing interdisciplinary research at the intersection of environmental health sciences and public health. For more information about the journal, please visit https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph.

In recent years, the psychological impact of terrorism has drawn increasing attention from researchers, policymakers, and practitioners. The effects of terrorism extend beyond immediate physical harm, significantly influencing mental health outcomes across diverse populations worldwide. This Special Issue aims to investigate various facets of this pressing issue, exploring not only the burden of mental health disorders triggered by terrorist activities, such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression, but also the resilience and adaptive strategies that communities and individuals employ in response to these traumatic experiences.

We invite submissions that address the epidemiology of mental health outcomes related to terrorism, identifying risk factors that predispose individuals to psychological distress and well-being in affected regions. We are particularly interested in research that examines global disparities in mental health responses to terrorism, highlighting how socio-economic, cultural, psychological and systemic factors shape these experiences, along with the availability of mental health support.

Furthermore, we encourage innovative research on resilience factors that contribute to better mental health outcomes in the aftermath of terrorism. This includes studies that assess the role of community support, individual differences in psychological factors, psychological interventions, and policy implications for improving mental health resilience among affected populations.

This Special Issue seeks to present comprehensive and impactful research that stimulates discussion and constructive dialogue on the intersection of terrorism and mental health. We welcome contributions from a broad range of fields, including psychology, public health, sociology, and international relations, and encourage submissions that reflect a wide variety of perspectives and methodological approaches.

We look forward to receiving your manuscripts that align with the theme of this Special Issue and contribute to the growing body of literature on the psychological burden of terrorism.

Prof. Dr. Avi Besser
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • terrorism
  • mental health
  • well-being
  • psychological burden
  • epidemiology
  • resilience factors
  • risk factors
  • global disparities
  • PTSD
  • anxiety
  • depression
  • community support
  • interventions

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 521 KB  
Article
Entrepreneurship Under Fire: Psychological Distress During Armed Conflict from a Public Health Perspective
by Sharon Hadad and Ohad Shaked
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(12), 1866; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22121866 - 15 Dec 2025
Viewed by 298
Abstract
On 7 October 2023, Israel experienced a large-scale attack, initiating the Iron Swords War (also known internationally as the 2023 Israel–Hamas War). This protracted armed conflict profoundly disrupted social and economic life in Israel and the region. This study investigates the psychological distress [...] Read more.
On 7 October 2023, Israel experienced a large-scale attack, initiating the Iron Swords War (also known internationally as the 2023 Israel–Hamas War). This protracted armed conflict profoundly disrupted social and economic life in Israel and the region. This study investigates the psychological distress of small business owners in the aftermath of this terrorist assault and during the ensuing conflict. Drawing on a nationwide survey of 363 entrepreneurs, we applied a two-stage higher-order PLS-SEM model to examine how economic stressors, psychological and institutional resources, and demographic factors shaped distress. The findings reveal that uncertainty and revenue loss intensified distress, while resilience, hope, and trust in government operated as protective resources, with notable gender differences also observed. Beyond its economic and psychological relevance, the study situates entrepreneurial distress within a broader public health perspective, viewing the mental health and well-being of small business owners as integral to community resilience, social stability, and national recovery during crises. By framing entrepreneurial distress and resilience as key determinants of population mental health and collective well-being, this research underscores how supporting entrepreneurs contributes to wider health promotion and psychosocial recovery efforts. Overall, the study offers a novel multidimensional empirical analysis of entrepreneurial distress during armed conflict, underscoring the psychological mechanisms through which terrorism and its aftermath affect small business owners, and highlighting the need for resilience-building and institutional support to mitigate mental health burdens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Psychological Resilience: The Mental Health Burden of Terrorism, Epidemiology, Risk Factors and Global Disparities)
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22 pages, 1688 KB  
Article
Terrorism, Perceived Threat, and Support for Surveillance: A Virtual Reality Experiment on Cyber vs. Conventional Terrorism
by Keren L. G. Snider, Amit Cohen, Giulia Dal Bello, Guy Baratz, Béatrice S. Hasler and Daphna Canetti
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(11), 1634; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22111634 - 27 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1501
Abstract
Governments worldwide are increasingly adopting intrusive surveillance measures to counter terrorism. However, the psychological and public health consequences of exposure to terrorism remain underexplored. This study examines how exposure to cyber and conventional terrorism affects perceived national threat and support for surveillance policies, [...] Read more.
Governments worldwide are increasingly adopting intrusive surveillance measures to counter terrorism. However, the psychological and public health consequences of exposure to terrorism remain underexplored. This study examines how exposure to cyber and conventional terrorism affects perceived national threat and support for surveillance policies, using a controlled virtual reality experiment in which participants were immersed in realistic simulations of lethal terror attacks targeting critical railway infrastructure in Israel. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: cyber (N = 59), conventional (N = 59), or control (N = 45). Outcomes were standardized, but the framing differed by type of attack. Findings show that perceived national threat perceptions are a key mechanism linking exposure to terrorism to surveillance attitudes. At lower threat levels, participants differentiated between cyber and conventional attacks. In contrast, heightened threats led to uniform support for expansive surveillance regardless of the attack modality. Results demonstrate that exposure to terrorism, including cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, can activate psychological responses with implications for public resilience and policy attitudes, shaping preferences concerning privacy and security. These findings underscore the broader societal and public health relevance of understanding how people react to evolving security threats that disrupt essential systems such as transportation, energy, and healthcare. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Psychological Resilience: The Mental Health Burden of Terrorism, Epidemiology, Risk Factors and Global Disparities)
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25 pages, 1500 KB  
Article
How Personality Shapes Emotional Reactions to Explicit, Implicit, and Positive Media Images of Terror? An Experimental Investigation
by Tal Morse, Avi Besser and Virgil Zeigler-Hill
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(10), 1581; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22101581 - 17 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1012
Abstract
This study investigates the public health consequences of media exposure to terrorism by examining individuals’ emotional responses to photographs from the October 7th terror attack, assessing how such imagery interacts with personality traits to influence emotional states. The research aims to explore how [...] Read more.
This study investigates the public health consequences of media exposure to terrorism by examining individuals’ emotional responses to photographs from the October 7th terror attack, assessing how such imagery interacts with personality traits to influence emotional states. The research aims to explore how these reactions are moderated by personality traits—specifically the Big Five. A diverse sample comprising Israeli Jews (final sample N = 826) viewed media-sourced images categorized as explicit negative (n = 279; e.g., photos of bodies or deceased individuals), implicit negative (n = 269; images depicting destruction and devastation without explicit death symbols), and positive (n = 278; images of reconstruction and renewal). Participants’ affective states and specific emotions were assessed both before and after exposure to capture potential shifts. Results revealed a significant increase in negative emotions and a corresponding decrease in positive emotions following exposure to negative images. Personality traits moderated these emotional responses in nuanced ways. Neuroticism exacerbated negative emotional reactions, particularly among men exposed to implicit negative imagery, likely reflecting heightened sensitivity to ambiguous threats. Similarly, agreeableness was associated with heightened anger responses—specifically among men exposed to implicit negative imagery and women exposed to explicit negative images—although this effect was limited to anger and did not extend to other negative emotions. In contrast, openness was linked to decreased anger but only for men exposed to implicit negative imagery. Together, these findings underscore the complex interplay between media exposure, personality traits, and emotional responses to terror-related content. From a public health perspective, the results highlight the need for the following: (a) targeted mental health interventions that account for personality-based vulnerabilities, (b) responsible media reporting practices that minimize unnecessary harm, and (c) media literacy initiatives that empower individuals to manage exposure to distressing content. By linking personality, media imagery, and emotional outcomes, this study provides actionable insights for strengthening resilience, guiding ethical media practices, and promoting psychological well-being in communities affected by terrorism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Psychological Resilience: The Mental Health Burden of Terrorism, Epidemiology, Risk Factors and Global Disparities)
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17 pages, 574 KB  
Article
Double Shield: The Roles of Personal and Organizational Resources in Promoting Positive Outcomes for Employees During Wartime
by Ronit Nadiv and Marianna Delegach
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(9), 1384; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22091384 - 4 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1258
Abstract
Employee well-being is essential for organizational growth and success in stable times and is even more critical during crises and life-threatening events. Although the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of holistic approaches to sustaining employee well-being, limited research has been conducted to identify [...] Read more.
Employee well-being is essential for organizational growth and success in stable times and is even more critical during crises and life-threatening events. Although the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of holistic approaches to sustaining employee well-being, limited research has been conducted to identify strategies for maintaining employee well-being and preventing burnout during life-threatening events, such as wars or terrorist attacks. Addressing this gap, the current study investigates how and why a range of organizational resources (i.e., perceived organizational support, managerial accessibility, and psychological safety) and personal resources (i.e., hope and paradox mindset) contribute to reducing employee burnout in times of existential threat. Drawing on Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, we propose that employee well-being mediates the relationship between organizational and personal resources and burnout at work. Data were collected through an online two-wave survey administered by a professional survey firm with access to a diverse pool of Israeli employees across occupations and work roles in November (time 1) and December 2023 (time 2), following the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas. A time-lagged design, with key outcomes collected one month after the predictors, was employed to reduce the risk of common method bias. The data were analyzed using path analysis with bootstrapped indirect effects. The results demonstrate that hope, organizational support, psychological safety, and managerial accessibility positively contribute to employee well-being, which, in turn, is associated with lower levels of burnout. Theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Psychological Resilience: The Mental Health Burden of Terrorism, Epidemiology, Risk Factors and Global Disparities)
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12 pages, 273 KB  
Article
The Roles of Dissociation and Depression in PTSD Among Soldiers Exposed to Combat
by Leah Shelef, Nir Spira, Uzi Bechor, Jacob Rotschield and Eran Shadach
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(6), 814; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22060814 - 22 May 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2939
Abstract
Exposure to severe combat situations significantly raises the risk of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Trauma survivors may use dissociation as a defense mechanism, increasing the likelihood of PTSD. This study aims to explore the roles of dissociation and depression in PTSD [...] Read more.
Exposure to severe combat situations significantly raises the risk of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Trauma survivors may use dissociation as a defense mechanism, increasing the likelihood of PTSD. This study aims to explore the roles of dissociation and depression in PTSD among soldiers exposed to combat who sought help from the Israel Combat Stress Reaction Unit. Method: This cross-sectional study involved 927 individuals who participated in a particular military operation in 2014 [98.5% male (n = 906); mean age = 27.08 (SD = 5.93)]. Participants completed three questionnaires: the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Post-Traumatic Stress Symptom Checklist (PCL-5) for PTSD. Results: Our results showed that severe PTSD (PCL score ≥ 33) was found in 30.4% of participants, and 76.6% showed dissociative symptoms (DES score ≥ 30). Additionally, 23.5% experienced moderate depression, while 19.1% reported severe depressive symptoms. A Generalized Linear Model revealed that both depression and dissociation significantly contribute to PTSD. Individuals with depression were three times more likely to experience post-traumatic symptoms compared to 1.23 times for those with dissociative symptoms. Conclusions: Life-threatening situations significantly predicted higher PTSD symptoms, serving as a risk factor for depression and dissociation, which play important roles in PTSD, with depression having notably greater impact. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Psychological Resilience: The Mental Health Burden of Terrorism, Epidemiology, Risk Factors and Global Disparities)
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