Work

Stress, Support, and Resilience During Wartime: A Dyadic Longitudinal Study of Parental Exhaustion

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Objective This study aimed to broaden the understanding of how parental exhaustion evolves during war, and how war exposure and social support are associated with these changes within individuals and between partners. Background Wars exert strain on parents. The Balance Between Risks and Resources Model posits that without sufficient resources, parents may experience parental exhaustion. The Conservation of Resources theory further suggests that fluctuations in stress and resources can trigger changes to one's own and one's partner's parental exhaustion. Method A longitudinal study followed 106 Israeli parent pairs, starting two and a half weeks after the onset of the Israel‐Hamas war. Self‐report measures were collected five times across 10 weeks and analyzed via a longitudinal actor‐partner interdependence model. Results The parental exhaustion of both parents declined during the war. Temporal increases in mothers' war exposure were associated with both parents' concurrent increase in parental exhaustion. Overall and temporal perceived social support were associated with lower parental exhaustion in mothers. Moreover, temporal increases in social support perceived by either parent were associated with reduced concurrent parental exhaustion in the other parent. Conclusion Parental exhaustion during war is a dynamic and relational process, associated with fluctuating stress and social support within and between partners. Implications The findings emphasize the need for systemic interventions designed to strengthen sustained social support, with particular attention to mothers' needs during war.

Source: Journal of Marriage and the Family

DOI: 10.1111/jomf.70121

Authors: Osnat Zamir, Ohad Szepsenwol, Tair Tager‐Shafrir, Jessica L. Borelli

Institutions: Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The Max Stern Yezreel Valley College, University of California, Irvine

Language: English

Topic: Attachment and Relationship Dynamics

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,050