Mitigating war-related depression among mental health professionals: The contribution of self-care and psychological capital

Abstract In the wake of collective trauma and a shared traumatic reality (STR), mental health professionals (MHPs) face heightened vulnerability during prolonged warfare. Self-care activities and psychological capital (PsyCap) are recognized as protective factors against adverse mental outcomes among MHPs. This study examined whether specific self-care activities and PsyCap mitigate depression among Israeli MHPs amid a period of STR with their clients. In a concurrent mixed-methods study, 120 MHPs completed questionnaires on demographics, professional experience, PsyCap, depression, and an open-ended question about self-care activities, thereby providing both quantitative and qualitative data. Data were collected from January to April 2024. Results showed a significant negative correlation between self-care activities and PsyCap with depression among MHPs. PsyCap significantly mediated the relationship between self-care and depression, with the direct effect of self-care on depression remaining significant, indicating that PsyCap served as a partial mediator. The results highlight that self-care not only mitigates depression but also reinforces PsyCap, an internal resource that supports effective coping under stress. Thus, self-care serves as a bridge between PsyCap and mental well-being, clarifying how PsyCap contributes to reduced depression among MHPs in the context of prolonged warfare in STR.