Objective:

To examine the role of intrusive linkage and PTSD symptoms as potential mechanisms that may increase sleep problems among Holocaust descendants following the October 7, 2023, attack.

Approach:

• Participants: 359 Israeli participants (T1 age=45.44 ± 12.85) completed four waves of sampling before (T1-T2) and after (T3-T4) the October 7 attack.
• Measurements: Sleep problems (T2-T4), PTSD symptoms (T3-T4), and intrusive linkage between the Holocaust and the Israel-Hamas War (T3-T4) were measured using standardized questionnaires.

Key Findings:

• PTSD symptoms, intrusive linkage, and sleep problems decreased from T3 to T4.
• A reciprocal nature of effects among PTSD symptoms, intrusive linkage, and sleep problems was observed.
• Indirect effects were found between Holocaust background and T4 intrusive linkage via T3 PTSD symptoms.
• Indirect effects were also found between Holocaust background and T4 sleep problems via T3 PTSD symptoms and T3 intrusive linkage.

Interpretation:

The study suggests that intrusive linkage and PTSD symptoms may serve as mechanisms for amplifying sleep problems among offspring of traumatized grandparents.

Limitations:

• The study focuses on Holocaust descendants, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other populations.
• The reliance on self-reported measures may introduce bias in the results.

Conclusion:

The findings indicate that increased susceptibility to negative events linked to intergenerational trauma effects may lead to sleep disturbances.