Intergenerational Aspects of the Experiences of Israeli Mothers to Young Children During the Israel–Hamas War

Objective: On October 7, 2023, the Hamas terror organization launched a massive attack on Israel, killing over 1,000 Israelis, which initiated a war. Among many groups affected, young mothers were placed in a particularly vulnerable situation. Daycares and schools were closed, and they had to care for and protect young children, often without their spouses who were called up to reserve military duty. This unique qualitative study examined the experiences of these mothers in the first month of the war, while the traumatic period was still ongoing. Method: Semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 mothers and thematic analysis was performed. Results: Four themes were identified relating to intergenerational (mother and family of origin) aspects of mothers’ experiences: (a) regression to the child role, (b) being a parent and a child simultaneously, (c) carrying a new burden, and (d) the chain of generations. Conclusions: This study provides a unique test case to spotlight intergenerational relationships during a time of crisis, as in many cases, these relationships had to replace the “normal” or routine spousal relationship due to fathers’ mobilization for reserve military duty. The findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge regarding intergenerational relationships during crises, demonstrating how extended families function as a unit and shed light on the importance of providing support to extended families as opposed to focusing on the separate needs of the different generations. Clinical Impact Statement This study highlights the central role that Israeli mothers of young children’s intergenerational relationships play in times of war and the various ways in which these relationships are affected. It shows that mothers experience these relationships in both positive and negative ways and indicates that interventions geared toward mothers of young children should take into consideration the extended family, both as a source of support and as an additional circle that is impacted during war.