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Does religion spoil your sex life? Exploring sexual satisfaction in the Jewish community

Author(s): Fromson, Hadassah

Date: 2018

Topics: Main Topic: Other, Marriage, Sexual Health, Surveys, Orthodox Judaism, Haredi / Strictly Orthodox Jews, Counseling, Psychotherapy / Psychoanalysis, Psychology/Psychiatry

Abstract: This thesis aimed to explore whether religion, sexual knowledge and sexual attitudes impact sexual satisfaction amongst Orthodox Jews. This thesis intended to address weaknesses of previous research by using robust multidimensional measures of religion and sexuality and focusing on a specific religious group. 515 participants completed measures circulated through an online survey. The measures used were: The New Sexual Satisfaction Scale; Centrality of Religiosity Scale (CRS); threes subscales of the Brief Sexual Attitudes Scale (Permissiveness, Communion and Instrumentality); and a new measure, the Brief Sexual Knowledge scale, developed for this study. Participants were also presented with optional open-ended questions that asked about their sexual expectations and sexual education. Religious level was categorised using self-defined groups for Religious Culture; Ultra-Orthodox, Modern-Orthodox and Non-Orthodox groups as well as CRS categories for Religious Practice; Highly Religious, Religious, Not Religious. The findings show significant differences in the sexual satisfaction between Religious Practice groups but not Religious Culture groups. Significant differences in sexual knowledge and sexual attitudes were found for both types of religious variables. A correlation analysis revealed that sexual satisfaction is positively correlated with CRS and Communion scores whilst negatively correlated with Sexual Knowledge, Permissiveness and Instrumentality scores. Communion and Sexual Knowledge were significant predictors of sexual satisfaction in a multiple regression analysis. The findings of this study enhance theoretical understanding of religion and sexuality and address gaps in the literature. Clinical implications for therapists working with Orthodox Jewish clients suffering from sexual dissatisfaction are discussed.

Negotiating the Pathways Into Care in a Globalizing World: Help-Seeking Behaviour of Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Parents

Author(s): Schnitzer, Gila; Loots, Gerrit; Escudero, Valentin; Schechter, Isaac

Date: 2011

Topics: Main Topic: Other, Haredi / Strictly Orthodox Jews, Care and Welfare, Parenthood, Psychology/Psychiatry, Counseling, Interviews, Social Work, Social Services

Abstract: Background: The study of the pathways into care as a social process subject to a wide range of influences is needed to build appropriate and effective mental health services for culturally diverse societies.

Material: Grounded theory and situational analysis of 21 in-depth interviews explores the help-seeking behaviour of ultra-Orthodox Jewish parents: which help-seeking pathways parents follow and how they make the decision to consult regular services for their child.

Discussion: Three help-seeking pathways are influenced by glob/calization dynamics and gender: parents draw on diverse parenting discourses and strategies, socio-religious frameworks and cultural realities.

Conclusion: Strategies are suggested to enhance the accessibility of services.

Emotional Experiences and Attitudes of Orthodox Jews in Stamford Hill: A needs assessment of Mental Health Services, in the Ultra Orthodox Jewish Community of North London

Author(s): Martin, José; du Sautoy, Shani; Abraham, Shulamis; Cohn, Ruth Anne; Cohen, Suzanne; Feldman, Leah; Loewke Kinn, Nadia; Kreiman, Nota; Taub, Malka

Date: 2007

Topics: Haredi / Strictly Orthodox Jews, Mental Health, Counseling, Psychotherapy / Psychoanalysis, Main Topic: Other

Abstract: The Community Engagement Programme has been part of Department of Health (DH) and
National Institute for Mental Health England (NIMHE) scheme, administered by the University of
Central Lancashire (UCLAN) through its Centre for Ethnicity and Health. In this round the over
arching aims were governed by central government priorities of Delivering Race Equality (RRE), to
enable Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) community groups across the country to engage
community members (and not academics) in conducting their own research projects in relation to
mental health and race equality. As a direct result of this programme invaluable data, attitudes and
behaviours have been unearthed on the issue of mental health. Additionally in the process, many
"ordinary" community members have been given a unique opportunity to become part of the
academic world, learning about the planning, execution and actual research of the issues at hand
and some have also taken up the wonderful opportunity of qualifying in basic level research. In
respect of this report the BME was the Ultra Orthodox Jewish Community of Stamford Hill in North
London. The project was undertaken by Talking Matters, predominantly with its clients who use the
counselling and therapeutic services in its London office (there is also a Salford office). This was in
the heartland of the Chassidic community, reknown all over the world for its insular way of life,
even among other Orthodox Jewish Communities (OJC). Most of the OJC lives in the London
Borough of Hackney with about 10% in the south of Haringey.