Can conflict lead to pro-social behavior and positive psychological growth?

This study examines the effect of conflict on pro-social behavior (e.g., volunteering). To this end, I exploit a panel dataset to track individuals who were in danger of physical injury during a military operation in Israel in 2014 before and after this event, against a control group that was not in danger. My results reveal that following the conflict, individuals who were in physical danger are more likely to behave pro-socially than those who were not. Exploring possible mechanisms, I find increased psychological growth (e.g., closer relations with others and greater appreciation of life) after the operation. Placebo analysis using the pre-conflict period reinforces my conclusions.