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Psychosocial adjustment among returnees to Judaism
B Trappler1, J Endicott, S Friedman
1Department of Psychiatry State University of New York, Health Science Center at Brooklyn 11203, USA.
The Journal of Psychology
|July 1, 1995
Summary
Returning to Orthodox Judaism did not alleviate lifelong psychopathology in Lubavitcher Hasidim. Religious transition did not improve mental health for those with pre-existing serious mental health conditions.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Religious Studies
- Sociology
Background:
- Orthodox Judaism is a branch of Judaism with specific religious laws and traditions.
- Lubavitch is a Hasidic movement, a branch of Orthodox Judaism.
- Returnees to Orthodox Judaism may experience significant life changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential relief effect of returning to Orthodox Judaism.
- To examine the impact of religious transition on mental health among Lubavitcher Hasidim.
- To compare mental health outcomes between individuals with lifelong psychopathology and those with adjustment issues.
Main Methods:
- Study of two groups of returnees to Orthodox Judaism attending an outpatient mental health center.
- One group had lifelong serious psychopathology.
- Comparison group had adjustment-type problems.
Main Results:
- Lifelong psychopathology persisted after religious transition.
- No significant relief effect was observed for individuals with a history of serious mental health issues.
- Religious change did not ameliorate pre-existing mental health conditions.
Conclusions:
- Radical religious transitions may not alleviate lifelong psychopathology.
- The unique lifestyle of Lubavitcher Hasidim might influence mental health outcomes.
- Further research is needed to understand the interplay between religious observance and mental well-being.