The Impact of the Israel-Gaza War on Young Children and Their Parents

This research is currently available in Hebrew only.

Taub Center releases new data on the status of children from birth to age 6 and their parents following the events of October 7 and the ongoing war. The research conducted by Dana Shay, Dr. Carmel Blank, Dr. Yael Navon, and Prof. Yossi Shavit of the Taub Center’s Initiative for Research on Early Childhood Development and Inequality, supported by the Bracha Foundation, the Bernard Van Leer Foundation, and Yad Hanadiv, highlights the impact of wartime stress on young children and their parents.

The data presented in the study were collected through a survey examining the emotional, behavioral, and developmental state of young children, as well as the emotional state of their parents during this time. The survey focused on two phenomena unique to wartime: the military reserve service of one parent and the displacement of families from their homes (detailed in the study). It also examined differences in levels of emotional distress between Jewish and Arab parents.

The survey was conducted in two waves: the first wave took place in January 2024 and included 1,199 Jewish parents (either the mother or father). The second wave was in July 2024 and included 804 of the Jewish parents who participated in the first wave (about 67% of the first wave respondents) and 151 Arab parents. In total, 1,350 parents of young children responded to the survey.

Emotional and functional difficulties among parents in reserve duty

The survey shows that both in the first wave and six months later, parents whose partner was called up for reserve duty since the start of the war reported greater emotional difficulties than those whose partner was not in the reserves. The survey found higher levels of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress among parents whose partners were serving in the reserves compared to those whose partners were not (an average of 19.86 compared to 16.38, respectively). Nevertheless, between January and July 2024, there was a significant decrease in the emotional distress index of parents, regardless of whether their partner had served in the reserves since the start of the war. This decrease points to an overall improvement in emotional well-being over time. However, the emotional state of parents whose partners served in the reserves remained more challenging than of those whose partners did not serve.

Children of reservist parents experience more severe emotional and behavioral regressions relative to children of non-reservist parents

The survey highlights the differences in the level of emotional and behavioral regression between children with a parent in the reserves since the start of the war and those whose parents were not called up. Parents were asked about signs of emotional distress in young children, including fear of sudden noises, tantrums, or difficulty falling asleep at the time of the survey compared to three months earlier. The findings reveal that children with a parent in the reserves experienced greater emotional regression than children whose parents were not in the reserves. Additionally, there was some improvement in the emotional state of the children between the two survey waves, indicating a moderation in the regression. However, emotional regression in children with a parent in the reserves decreased by 5.6%, while the regression among children whose parents were not in the reserves decreased by 7.0%. This suggests that the improvement in the condition of children with a parent in the reserves was more modest.

Arab parents report higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms

Given the existing ethno-national tension within Israeli society, which may have even intensified due to the war, the study also compared the emotional state of Jewish and Arab parents (mostly Muslim). The survey findings show that Arab parents reported higher average levels of depression, anxiety, and stress compared to Jewish parents. This distress may stem from factors unrelated to the war, such as the rising rate of homicides in the Arab population or fluctuations in employment rates. Regardless, Arab parents of young children in Israel are currently suffering from significantly higher rates of depression, anxiety, and stress relative to their Jewish parent-peers.

Policy recommendations

The researchers call for expanding targeted support for vulnerable populations — spouses and children of reservists, displaced families, and Arab parents of young children — through several actions:

• Strengthening support systems for the families of reservists, including ongoing psychological assistance.
• Providing emotional support to displaced families wherever they are staying.
• Developing culturally adapted support programs for the Arab population.