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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

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01-12-2005 | Original Paper

Is terror gender-blind? Gender differences in reaction to terror events

Authors: Prof. Zahava Solomon, PhD, Marc Gelkopf, PhD, Avraham Bleich, MD

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 12/2005

Abstract

Objective

This study examines gender differences in posttraumatic vulnerability in the face of the terror attacks that occurred during the Al-Aqsa Intifada. In addition, the contribution of level of exposure, sense of safety, self-efficacy, and coping strategies is assessed.

Method

Participants were 250 men and 262 women, who constitute a representative sample of Israel's adult population. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire consisting of 51 items that were drawn from several questionnaires widely used in the study of trauma.

Results

The findings indicate that women endorsed posttraumatic and depressive symptoms more than men and that, generally, their odds of developing posttraumatic stress symptoms are six times higher than those of men. Results also revealed that women's sense of safety and self-efficacy are lower than men's and that there are gender differences in coping strategies in the face of terror.

Conclusions

Gender differences in vulnerability to terror may be attributable to a number of factors, among these are women's higher sense of threat and lower self-efficacy, as well as their tendency to use less effective coping strategies than men. Level of exposure to terror was ruled out as a possible explanation for the gender differences in vulnerability.

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Title: Is terror gender-blind? Gender differences in reaction to terror events
Authors: Prof. Zahava Solomon, PhD
Marc Gelkopf, PhD
Avraham Bleich, MD
Publication date: 01-12-2005
Publisher: Steinkopff-Verlag
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 12/2005
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-005-0973-3

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Is terror gender-blind? Gender differences in reaction to terror events

Abstract

Objective

Method

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Method

Results

Conclusions

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