Hope for the orphans of October 7 and the Swords of Iron War: New Reichman University study reveals that parental loss impacts biological and emotional mechanisms, fostering long-term growth and resilience

A new study led by students Adi Shapira and Hodaya Zadok, under the supervision of Prof. Tsachi Ein Dor and Prof. Anat Shoshani of the Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology at Reichman University, explores how the loss of a parent in childhood impacts biological and emotional mechanisms. These changes pave the way for resilience and personal growth through the regulation of the body systems involved in attachment and exploration. Focusing on the long-term effects of childhood parental loss, the study highlights the internal forces that enable people to grow from trauma. It demonstrates that while losing a parent is a painful and life-altering experience, it also presents an opportunity for profound changes in brain structures and emotional mechanisms that can lead to a process of recovery, social connection, and creativity.

The researchers analyzed a sample of 371 participants, 33 of whom had experienced the loss of a parent during childhood. The study combined saliva samples with detailed psychological questionnaires to examine the biological and emotional mechanisms influenced by early parental loss. The key findings indicate that two biological and emotional systems — the oxytocin and dopamine systems — undergo structural changes “for the better” in response to the severe trauma of losing a parent. The oxytocin system (which plays a central role in attachment and bonding processes) is strengthened, allowing orphans to form and maintain deep emotional connections and reduce emotional and physical pain. The researchers also identified lower activity in dopamine transporters (proteins in the brain responsible for regulating dopamine levels by reabsorbing it into nerve cells after use, thereby affecting the strength and duration of its effect) among orphans. This prolonged dopamine activity is associated with an increased drive for exploration, creativity, and a greater engagement in life experiences.

The study suggests viewing trauma not solely as a painful experience, but also as an opportunity for rebuilding, growth, and fostering processes of connection and creativity. These findings may serve as a source of inspiration not only on a personal level, but also on a collective scale. They also highlight the importance of social support and the human capacity to cope with pain and transform it into strength and resilience.

Prof. Tsachi Ein Dor, Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology, Reichman University: “Today, in the wake of the events of October 7, 2023 and the collective trauma which we are still experiencing, Israeli society is facing an existential rupture. Our study indicates that the deep pain associated with bereavement does not inevitably lead to damage — it can serve as fertile ground for personal and communal growth. Today’s Israel can draw inspiration from the remarkable human capacity to transform trauma into constructive energy, both individually and as a society.”