"It's a Very Hard Lesson, but Still a Lesson": Trauma, Coping, and Resilience Among Older Adults Displaced in Wartime

This study examined the lived experiences of older adults displaced from the Israeli region near Gaza upon the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza war in 2023. The region's residents, already exposed to decades of continuous traumatic situation, were evacuated under emergency conditions and remained displaced for approximately 5 to 8 months at the time of the interviews. Using an inductive qualitative design, semistructured interviews were conducted with 20 displaced older adults (aged 66-92), focusing on the challenges of displacement in later life, coping strategies, and supportive resources. The interview transcripts were analyzed thematically. The analysis revealed three main themes: (a) severe psychological distress related to the displacement and its traumatic context: intrusive thoughts and depressive moods, physical health consequences, and prolonged uncertainty and loss of control. Some linked the trauma to earlier years of living under threats, emphasizing the cumulative nature of their distress. (b) Coping strategies and internal resources: participants engaged in activities in their new environment, actively developed emotional regulation, and drew on experiences of resilience accumulated over time. (c) External resources, principally family and community ties, alongside host community and, for a few, professional assistance. The findings indicate that trauma in later life cannot be fully understood from either vulnerability or resilience-based perspectives alone but rather through their dynamic coexistence and shifting balance, particularly under conditions of continuous traumatic situation. These insights underscore the need for age-sensitive responses and interventions that strengthen family and community ties while ensuring access to professional support for older adults displaced in contexts of war and natural disaster.