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Between the Inside and the Outside World: Coping of Ultra-Orthodox Individuals with Their Work Environment After Academic Studies

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Abstract

This study has explored how ultra-Orthodox individuals cope when facing secular norms and values in their work environment. The study was conducted in Israel, where 614 ultra-Orthodox adults answered questions regarding demographic characteristics, identities, openness to the workplace, social environment, Brief Cope, community sense of coherence (CSOC) and Employee Satisfaction Inventory. Individuals in the main sectors of the ultra-Orthodox society reported higher CSOC and stronger religiosity while individuals from the minor sectors reported greater openness to the job’s social environment. Demographics, coping strategies and CSOC were significant in explaining job satisfaction. The results will be discussed based on stress and coping theories and on the salutogenic theory.

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Notes

  1. Kashrut is a set of Jewish religious laws. Food that may be consumed according to Jewish law.

  2. Yeshiva is a Jewish institution that focuses on the study of traditional religious texts, primarily the Talmud and the Torah.

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Funding

Funding was funded by Israel Democracy Institute.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Conflict Management & Resolution Program, Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, Ben Gurion University, POB 653, Beer Sheva, Israel

    Orna Braun-Lewensohn & Tehila Kalagy

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  1. Orna Braun-Lewensohn
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  2. Tehila Kalagy
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Correspondence to Orna Braun-Lewensohn.

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Braun-Lewensohn, O., Kalagy, T. Between the Inside and the Outside World: Coping of Ultra-Orthodox Individuals with Their Work Environment After Academic Studies. Community Ment Health J 55, 894–905 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-019-00392-x

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