Californian Jews experienced increased levels of anxiety and depression following the 2023 October 7 attacks, a recently published University of California, Davis study found on Monday.
The California-based UC Davis researchers stated that the objective of the study, published on the American Psychological Association’s APA PsycNet, was “to examine changes in Northern California Jewish participants’ mental health before and after the Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023.” Over 200 participants were surveyed over a period of time spanning from September 2023 through August 2024, self-reporting levels of anxiety, stress, and depression.
Results showed that the occurrence of mental distress dramatically spiked during the duration of the peer-reviewed study. Depressive symptoms among participants rose by 30% while symptoms of anxiety jumped by 45%.
American Psychological Association's concerning history of antisemitism
Originally intended to collect data regarding domestic antisemitism, the research unintentionally captured the direct and latent psychological impact of the October 7 attacks on Californian Jews. Subsequent to the massacre, spikes in antisemitic attitudes in America significantly showed through 60% of participants having experienced some antisemitic incident.
FBI statistics from the bureau's 2024 Hate Crime Report demonstrate a disturbing trend in the US, with anti-Jewish incidents making up 69% of religiously motivated hate crimes in 2024. 1,939 such incidents were reported, up from 1,832 in 2023, cementing tangible consequences to increased Jew hatred. California, where the study was conducted, had the highest number of incidents in the US.
Even the APA, the organization that holds the copyright for this study, has a concerning history regarding antisemitic discrimination. Academics and Jewish psychology organizations, including Psychologists Against Antisemitism, the American Jewish Medical Association, the Network of Engaged Canadian Academics, and the Jewish Identity and Antisemitism Collective, have accused the APA in February of antisemitism. Professionals platformed by the APA have perpetuated anti-Jewish sentiment, including calls for an "intifada" and holocaust distortion. Still, the APA has largely dismissed the concerns of Jewish mental health professionals.
UC Davis researchers surmised that the results of their study illustrate a unique psychological predicament faced by California Jews. Suggestions to combat symptoms and process antisemitism-related trauma among participants include strengthening mental healthcare resources that serve Jewish populations.
The study also recommended educating mental health professionals, both Jewish and non-Jewish, on the results and implications of this study, along with support groups, group therapy, and community gatherings.