A recent peer-reviewed study published in the journal Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy has shed light on the psychological distress experienced by families of hostages taken during the October 7 attacks. Conducted by Dr. Einat Yehene and Shir Israeli from the Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo, alongside Prof. Hagai Levine of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Hadassah Medical Center, the research introduces a novel concept termed “Dynamic-Static Ambiguous Loss.”
This framework illustrates the ongoing emotional turmoil that families endure while grappling with the uncertainty surrounding their loved ones. Titled “The Trauma of Mass Kidnapping and Ambiguous Loss: A Socio-Ecological Framework from the Lived Experience of Israeli Hostage Families,” the study emphasizes that mass kidnappings are a contemporary tactic of warfare that has significant repercussions not just for individuals but for entire communities.
The authors assert that the trauma inflicted by large-scale hostage-taking is both personal and collective, affecting family units and the broader social structure. The research aims to provide policymakers and mental health practitioners with a model grounded in evidence for addressing the widespread trauma that emanates from such events.
According to the findings, healing from this trauma necessitates the restoration of trust, open lines of communication, and a sustained commitment from the government to ensure the safe return of hostages. The study highlights that families often find themselves in a precarious situation, battling through layered emotional, physical, and social challenges.
Amid national chaos, these families frequently experience feelings of neglect by the state, living in a persistent state of hope intertwined with despair as they react to every new piece of information, be it a report, rumor, or video. Many have emerged as relentless advocates for their missing loved ones, which offers them a sense of purpose but also leads to fatigue and a loss of individual identity.
This shared ordeal has cultivated a strong sense of unity among the families, fostering a community that supports one another and bolsters their advocacy efforts. However, the psychological burden remains severe, manifesting in widespread anxiety, depression, and physical health issues that disrupt their daily lives.
Families maintain connections with their loved ones through public messages and rituals, striving to keep their memories alive. Dr. Yehene emphasized that the study provides a critical framework to comprehend the trauma associated with mass hostage situations at a collective level. “It offers a universal language to describe the profound and destabilizing trauma of mass hostage-taking,” she stated. “Recognizing this as a collective, multi-layered trauma is vital for creating effective humanitarian and mental health interventions.”
Prof. Levine reinforced the importance of the findings, stating, “Our research supports our hypothesis that mass hostage-taking constitutes a public health crisis. Healing can only commence once all hostages, both those alive and deceased, are freed.”
