TY - JOUR
T1 - Continuous Exposure to Terrorism during the COVID-19 Pandemic
T2 - A Moderated Mediation Model in the Israeli Context
AU - Leshem, Becky
AU - Kashy-Rosenbaum, Gabriela
AU - Schiff, Miriam
AU - Benbenishty, Rami
AU - Pat-Horenczyk, Ruth
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 by the authors.
PY - 2023/2/4
Y1 - 2023/2/4
N2 - This study tested the role of perceived social support as a moderating factor in the mediation of COVID-19-related concerns in the association between continuous traumatic stress (CTS) and depression. The study participants were 499 college students who responded to an anonymous online questionnaire. Measures included the assessment of prior continuous exposure to threats of terrorism, COVID-19-related distress, perceived social support and depressive symptoms. The results demonstrated that COVID-19-related concerns mediated the relationship between continuous exposure to threats of terrorism and depression symptoms, and that perceived social support moderated the association between COVID-19-related concerns and depression. The implications of the study highlight the role of prior exposure to traumatic stress as a risk factor for depression and the role of social support as a protective factor. These results point to the need to develop accessible and non-stigmatic mental health services for populations exposed to other types of continuous traumatic stress.
AB - This study tested the role of perceived social support as a moderating factor in the mediation of COVID-19-related concerns in the association between continuous traumatic stress (CTS) and depression. The study participants were 499 college students who responded to an anonymous online questionnaire. Measures included the assessment of prior continuous exposure to threats of terrorism, COVID-19-related distress, perceived social support and depressive symptoms. The results demonstrated that COVID-19-related concerns mediated the relationship between continuous exposure to threats of terrorism and depression symptoms, and that perceived social support moderated the association between COVID-19-related concerns and depression. The implications of the study highlight the role of prior exposure to traumatic stress as a risk factor for depression and the role of social support as a protective factor. These results point to the need to develop accessible and non-stigmatic mental health services for populations exposed to other types of continuous traumatic stress.
KW - COVID-19
KW - continuous traumatic stress
KW - depression
KW - higher education
KW - social support
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85148965963&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/ijerph20042799
DO - 10.3390/ijerph20042799
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C2 - 36833494
AN - SCOPUS:85148965963
SN - 1661-7827
VL - 20
JO - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
JF - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
IS - 4
M1 - 2799
ER -
