Professional and collective identity exploration and coping among mental health practitioners during shared trauma

BMC Psychol. 2026 Jul 7. doi: 10.1186/s40359-026-05056-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study explored the development of professional and collective identities and coping, resilience, and functioning, among mental health practitioners experiencing shared trauma during a period of collective trauma.

METHODS: Twenty-four Israeli mental health practitioners (social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists) who were displaced following the October 7th events participated in semi-structured interviews conducted shortly after evacuation.

RESULTS: The thematic analysis identified four central themes reflecting the role of professional and collective identity in coping and professional functioning under conditions of shared trauma: (a) Professional identity supported emotional containment and ethical decision-making, enabling participants to maintain clinical functioning under conditions of ongoing stress and uncertainty; (b) Collective identity was associated with solidarity, shared meaning-making, and strengthened commitment to clients and colleagues; (c) The two identity dimensions were reported as interdependent and continuously influencing one another, forming a dynamic process rather than separate constructs; and (d) This interaction was described as sustaining coping efforts and facilitating continued professional engagement in the context of shared trauma.

CONCLUSIONS: Professional and collective identities appear to function as interconnected processes that support adaptive coping and clinical functioning following exposure to mass trauma.

PMID:42415213 | DOI:10.1186/s40359-026-05056-6