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Drowning your sorrows? Attitudes towards alcohol in UK Jews and Protestants: a thematic analysis

Author(s): Loewenthal, Kate Miriam; Lee, Michelle; MacLeod, Andrew K.; Cook, Susan; Goldblatt, Vivienne

Date: 2003

Topics: Main Topic: Other, Mental Health, Surveys, Religious Belief, Comparisons with other communities, Interviews

Abstract: Background: Jewish culturally supported beliefs may discourage drinking and drunkenness as ways of socialising and coping with stress. Thus Jewish men under stress may be relatively more likely to become depressed, and less likely to use and abuse alcohol. This study is the first qualitative comparison of Jews and Protestants, men and women. It examines whether alcohol-related beliefs are consistent with the alcohol-depression hypothesis, i.e. that positive beliefs about alcohol use and effects are associated with high alcohol use and low depression. Material and discussion: A thematic (interpretive phenomenological) analysis on open-ended question responses, from 70 Jews and 91 Protestants, and on semi-structured interviews with five Jews and four Protestants, identified three salient themes: the importance of retaining self-control; the pleasures of losing inhibitions; and the relations of alcohol-related behaviour to identity. Compared to Protestants, Jews described alcohol-related behaviour as threatening to self-control, loss of inhibition as unenjoyable and dangerous and distinguished between the kinds of drinking behaviours appropriate for Jews and others. Sub-themes for Protestant men were denial that drinking threatens self-control, and appropriateness of going to the pub. Conclusions: The themes identified are not measurable using published research instruments. Alcohol-related behaviour may be a feature of Jewish identity. The beliefs identified are consistent with the alcohol-depression hypothesis.

Culture-Sensitive Counselling, Psychotherapy and Support Groups in the Orthodox-Jewish Community: How they Work and How they are Experienced

Author(s): Loewenthal, Kate Miriam; Brooke Rogers, Marian

Date: 2004

Topics: Orthodox Judaism, Haredi / Strictly Orthodox Jews, Interviews, Main Topic: Other, Mental Health, Psychology/Psychiatry, Psychotherapy / Psychoanalysis, Care and Welfare

Abstract: Background: There is political and scientific goodwill towards the provision of culture-sensitive support, but as yet little knowledge about how such support works and what are its strengths and difficulties in practice.

Aims: To study groups offering culture-sensitive psychological and other support to the strictly orthodox Jewish community in London.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews with service providers, potential and actual users from the community, and professionals serving the community. Interviews asked about the aims, functioning and achievements of 10 support groups.

Results: Thematic analysis identified seven important themes: admiration for the work of the groups; appreciation of the benefits of culture-sensitive services; concerns over confidentiality and stigma; concerns over finance and fund-raising; concerns about professionalism; the importance of liaison with rabbinic authorities; need for better dissemination of information.

Conclusions: The strengths and difficulties of providing culture-sensitive services in one community were identified. Areas for attention include vigilance regarding confidentiality, improvements in disseminating information, improvements in the reliability of funding and attention to systematic needs assessment, and to the examination of efficacy of these forms of service provision.

Improving mental health knowledge of the Charedi Orthodox Jewish Community in North London: A partnership project

Author(s): Perry, Aradhana; Gardener, Chelsea; Dove, Jonathan; Eiger, Yocheved; Loewenthal, Kate

Date: 2018

Topics: Main Topic: Other, Health Education, Haredi / Strictly Orthodox Jews, Mental Health, Policy, Care and Welfare, Psychotherapy / Psychoanalysis

Abstract: This article describes a successful community-based partnership project between statutory and third-sector services targeting the strictly Orthodox Jewish community (OJC).

Methods:
The City and Hackney Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Access Service (East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT)) collaborated with Bikur Cholim, a local third-sector organisation based in the heart of a north London Charedi OJC, to develop a brief culturally tailored psychoeducational group intervention focusing on mental health promotion and prevention. In total, 34 carers in the Charedi OJC were provided with general information on mental health, the availability of support services and self-care.

Results:
Overall improvements in well-being, increased intentions to access services, particularly talking therapies, and qualitative feedback indicated that the group was very well received.

Conclusion:
The project endorses the value of culturally relevant psychoeducation, enabling suggestions for culturally appropriate service development.