| 1. |
- Serfaty, David R., et al.
(author)
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How are psychotic symptoms and treatment factors affected by religion? A cross-sectional study about religious coping among ultra-Orthodox Jews
- 2020
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In: Psychiatry Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 0165-1781 .- 1872-7123. ; 293
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Religious coping is prevalent among individuals diagnosed with psychotic disorders, however its clinical relevance has been insufficiently studied. Thirty ultra-Orthodox Jewish patients experiencing current psychotic symptoms and receiving treatment in the inpatient and day-care units were administered measures assessing severity of psychotic symptoms, psychological distress/well-being, beliefs about treatment credibility/expectancy, and aspects of religious belief and coping. Among men, negative religious coping was associated with lower treatment credibility. Among women, positive religious coping was associated with increased treatment expectancy and greater quality of life; and trust in God was associated with reduced psychiatric symptoms and greater treatment expectancy. Study findings indicate that religious factors may promote treatment motivation and engagement, crucial factors for subpopulations facing culturally-based barriers to treatment, as well as boost more favorable outcomes. Sensitivity to religious factors in treatment appears to play an important role in the management of psychotic disorders and should be engaged when culturally appropriate in order to maximize treatment potential.
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| 2. |
- Cherniak, Aaron D., et al.
(author)
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Attachment theory and religion
- 2021
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In: Current Opinion in Psychology. - : Elsevier BV. - 2352-250X .- 2352-2518. ; 40, s. 126-130
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Attachment theory deals with the development and dynamics of interpersonal affectional bonds. It also provides a framework for understanding individuals’ relationship with God, which is central to religion. We review basic concepts of attachment theory and survey research that has examined religion both in terms of normative attachment processes and individual differences in attachment. We cite evidence from cross-sectional, experimental, and longitudinal studies showing that many religious individuals experience God as a source of resilience (e.g. a safe haven and secure base). We also summarize proposed attachment-related developmental pathways to religion. Finally, we review research on religion and mental health undertaken from an attachment viewpoint and discuss future directions.
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| 3. |
- Cherniak, Aaron D., et al.
(author)
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Does gender moderate effects of religion on anxiety among Orthodox and non-Orthodox Jews?
- 2021
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In: Mental Health, Religion & Culture. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1367-4676 .- 1469-9737. ; 24:10, s. 1089-1100
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Studies examining religion's effects on mental health have insufficiently focused on basic moderators of observed effects. Given that Orthodox Jewish religious culture places greater ritual obligations on men than women, but is gender-equivalent regarding faith, we expected Orthodox Jewish men and women to experience different levels of anxiety in relation to religious practice but not intrinsic religiosity, and that no gender differences would exist among non-Orthodox Jews. In a community sample of 414 Jewish adults (51% Orthodox), religious practice differed predictably based on denomination and gender norms, and intrinsic religiosity was higher for Orthodox Jews. Both practice and intrinsic religiosity were associated with less anxiety overall. However, contrary to expectations, there were no interactions with gender. These results suggest that the effects of Jewish religious observance and belief on anxiety may not be gender-specific, even within communities that ascribe to more traditional religious values and gender roles.
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| 4. |
- Cherniak, Aaron D., et al.
(author)
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Psychedelic Science of Spirituality and Religion : An Attachment-Informed Agenda Proposal
- 2023
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In: The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion. - : Taylor & Francis Group. - 1050-8619 .- 1532-7582. ; 33:4, s. 259-276
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this paper, we set an agenda for a psychedelic science of spirituality and religion based on attachment theory. Attachment theory proposes that people develop internal working models (IWMs) of interactions with others from their relational experiences with caregivers. Such IWMs then function as high-level priors or predictive models, enabling people, for better and for worse, to predict and organize their interpersonal and religious/spiritual relationships. One mechanism by which efficacious psychedelic interventions may work is by relaxing the grip of rigid, defensive priors (e.g. insecure IWMs with regard to others and God), further amplified by corrective relational experiences with the therapist, God, or others. We outline three key proposals to steer future research. First, individual differences in attachment security predict the phenomenology and integration of psychedelic experiences. Second, efficacious psychedelic therapy facilitates increased attachment security as a clinically relevant outcome. Third, attachment-related dynamics (e.g. a sense of connection to others/God/the universe, alleviation of attachment-related worries and defenses) are process-level mechanisms involved in the clinical utility of psychedelic treatment. Finally, we discuss the role of religion and spirituality in psychedelic experiences from an attachment perspective.
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| 5. |
- Pirutinsky, Steven, et al.
(author)
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COVID-19, Mental Health, and Religious Coping Among American Orthodox Jews
- 2020
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In: Journal of religion and health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0022-4197 .- 1573-6571. ; 59:5, s. 2288-2301
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The COVID-19 pandemic presents potential mental health challenges, and the American Orthodox Jewish population has been particularly affected by the virus. The current study assessed the impact of the pandemic and explored the relationships between exposure, religiosity, and distress in a sample of n = 419 American Orthodox Jews. Results indicated high levels of exposure, concern, and compliance with medical guidelines; however stress was generally low and we found evidence for positive impact. Direct exposure correlated with higher religiosity. Positive religious coping, intrinsic religiosity and trust in God strongly correlated with less stress and more positive impact, while negative religious coping and mistrust in God correlated with the inverse. While the study is limited by its design, findings highlight that for some, faith may promote resilience especially during crisis.
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| 6. |
- Pirutinsky, Steven, et al.
(author)
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COVID-19, Religious Coping, and Weight Change in the Orthodox Jewish Community
- 2021
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In: Journal of religion and health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0022-4197 .- 1573-6571. ; 60, s. 646-653
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Given links between stress and obesity, it is likely that individuals gained weight during the COVID-19 lockdown. Research suggests that religiosity facilitates coping, which may have lessened the relationship between stress and weight gain during the COVID-19 lockdown. We examined this relationship among Orthodox Jews (n = 731). Results indicated that stress was marginally associated with weight gain, and that this was moderated by intrinsic religiosity (IR). For those with low IR, stress correlated with weight gain, while for those with mean or higher IR, stress and weight change were unrelated. Results suggest that for some, religiosity may moderate links between stress and weight gain during times of crisis.
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| 7. |
- Pirutinsky, Steven, et al.
(author)
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Implicit and explicit attitudes towards God and life satisfaction
- 2020
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In: Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. - : American Psychological Association (APA). - 1941-1022 .- 1943-1562. ; 12:4, s. 387-392
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Research suggests that spirituality and religion, particularly attitudes toward God, correlate with life satisfaction. These studies generally rely on self-reports. The current research utilized a reaction time task to test whether implicit and explicit attitudes toward God related with life satisfaction in a diverse Jewish sample. Results indicated that explicit and implicit attitudes did not significantly correlate with each other and that both correlated with life satisfaction. Regression modeling revealed a significant interaction. For those with more positive implicit associations, higher levels of positive explicit attitudes predicted higher life satisfaction, while for those with more negative implicit associations, explicit positive attitudes were unrelated to life satisfaction. Surprisingly, those with positive implicit associations and low levels of explicit positive attitudes reported the lowest life satisfaction. Explicit negative attitudes toward God were unrelated to life satisfaction. Results suggest that life satisfaction is best supported by consistent integration across both implicit and explicit domains.
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