Emotional Distress and Posttraumatic Growth During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Case of the Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Society in Israel

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with a range of negative responses, including emotional distress, as well as with positive changes, such as posttraumatic growth (PTG). Among the vulnerability factors the literature lists SES and being part of a minority group. The aim of this study is to identify patterns of responses among the ultra-Orthodox Jewish society in Israel, in terms of both emotional distress (anxiety and depression) and multiple dimensions of PTG. Method: The data were collected during the second wave of COVID-19 in Israel, between May and November 2020. The sample included 369 participants, all belonging to the ultra-Orthodox society. Latent class analysis was used to establish heterogeneous classes of participants displaying similar response patterns, using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depression, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 index (JAD-7), and the 10-item version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI-10). Multinomial regression examined which of the predictors best distinguished between the classes. Results: Three classes were identified, termed here Resilience, Growth, and Distress. As differential predictors of class membership, the study identified age; gender; self-rated health; and COVID-19-related potential negative experiences: economic decline, concerns, and microaggression. The Resilience and Growth patterns were the most prominent. A small number of participants formed a class characterized by high levels of distress. Conclusions: The findings contribute to understanding the psychological response patterns of a minority group to COVID-19. The characteristics of the three classes highlight the important role of potentially negative experiences related to COVID-19 in the response patterns. Clinical Impact Statement The ultra-Orthodox society in Israel, as a minority group, is exposed to high rates of discrimination and microaggressions. In addition, this group was more vulnerable than the general population to the problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Existing empirical research did not focus on the combined positive and negative symptoms of this group following the pandemic, and therefore treatments were not developed for the ultra-Orthodox society following the pandemic. This work highlights the critical need for further research and development to identify this population's specific needs and to provide adapted long-term treatment interventions.