Qualitative Study of Resilience Among Parents of Combat Soldiers During Armed Conflict

This study highlights the distress and resilience experienced by parents of Israeli combat soldiers during the recent war, emphasizing the complex interplay between distress, coping mechanisms, support, and resilience. Parents of combat soldiers expressed their perceived distress, resilience, and conflicted feelings as they feared for their child's safety while supporting their mission, benefited from social support, and adopted coping strategies. They experienced changes in family dynamics and engaged in prosocial and meaningful activities that enhanced their coping. Findings can inform the resource development including mental health services and peer networks to support parents of combat soldiers in Israel to enhance their coping and self-regulation, thereby contributing to resilience across the family unit. Future research should examine the effectiveness of interventions aimed at building and strengthening the resilience among parents of combat soldiers.