Sex Differences in Psychological Distress Following the October 7th Terror Attack in Israel

The unprecedented terrorist attack of October 7^th, 2023, that brutally impacted Israel underscores the importance of identifying at-risk populations for psychological burden. In this study, we aimed to examine the presence of sex differences in the trajectories of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety symptoms from pre- to post-attack. A representative sample of 710 Israeli adults (51.1% females) aged 18–85 (M_age = 41.01, SD = 13.72) participated in both measurement points: T1- during August 2023 (T1; 6–7 weeks before the attack) and T2- during November 2023 (T2; 5–6 weeks after the attack). Validated self-report questionnaires assessing PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder), depression, and anxiety were used. Three logistic regression analyses revealed that following the attack, females presented a higher prevalence than males of probable PTSD (OR = 1.95, CI = 1.15–2.21), depression (OR = 2.59, CI = 1.91–3.53), and anxiety (OR = 2.97, CI = 2.17–4.08). In three repeated-measure analyses, we found Time X Sex interactions, with females reporting significant increases in psychological symptoms from pre- to post-attack. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted mental health interventions, particularly for women, to prevent the development of chronic psychological disorders in the aftermath of such traumatic events. This study provides critical insights into the psychological burden experienced in the aftermath of the October 7^th, 2023, terrorist attack, emphasizing the necessity for sex-sensitive screening, interventions, and policy-level approaches to mitigate long-term mental health consequences.