Quality or quantity of coping resources: Why not both? An integration of common stress theories

Abstract

Threatening situations may cause distress (e.g., armed conflicts, natural disasters, etc.) and provoke Psychological Distress and Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms. National resources may mitigate threats or damage in certain situations. This research suggests that in doing so, such resources deployed in concert with personal resources, may reduce levels of these symptoms. Two major stress theories are integrated in theoretical support of the role of national resources: The Conservation of Resource theory (Hobfoll, 1989) and the Cognitive Appraisal Theory (Lazarus and Folkman, 1984). Hobfoll's theory is extended beyond personal resources to encompass national resources. We offer the case of the Iron Dome as an example of a national resource. Iron Dome is an Israeli missile defense system successfully used during Operation Protective Edge in 2014 in response to rocket attacks from Gaza. A cross-sectional study was conducted during the operation in the form of an online survey in which 910 Israeli civilians were assessed using a Psychological Distress and the Impact of Event Scale. They reported on their personal resources and perception of the Iron Dome as a national security resource. Our findings revealed that resource quantity significantly predicted Psychological Distress and Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms. In addition, it was found that the national security resource significantly contributed to decreased Psychological Distress and Post-Traumatic Stress Symptom predictions beyond all personal resources examined. Research contributions and practical implications are discussed.