Experiencing Processes of Growth

Abstract

This article presents processes of coping and posttraumatic growth (PTG) as elicited both from an open-ended questionnaire administrated to 52 Jewish Israeli mothers as well as in-depth interviews conducted with 16 of them, following exposure to either long-term or a short period of threat in the form of rocket attacks on their homes. This comparison revealed that all mothers described the same coping mechanisms and perceived themselves as coping well with the threat of terror. However, with regard to PTG, only those who were exposed to rocket attacks for a long duration disclosed a manifest potential for PTG both in relation to self and in relation to others. Concurrently, because of the parental decision to live in an area exposed to missile attacks, the mothers expressed guilt feelings toward their children, fearing for their mental well-being. The differences between the two groups of mothers and possible applications for mental health professionals working with such populations are discussed.