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Religiosity, Meaning in Life and Suicidal Tendency Among Jews

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Abstract

The study examines the impact that meaning in life, or lack thereof, has on suicidal tendencies among youth, as well as the nexus between level of religiosity, meaning in life and suicidal tendencies. Subjects were 450 students from both Jewish religious and Jewish secular schools aged 15–18. Findings: a significant and negative correlation was found between a sense of meaning in life and suicidal tendencies, beyond gender or level of religiosity. In addition, no difference was found in level of suicidal tendency between Jewish religious and Jewish secular youth; however, among Jewish religious teens, a lower level of depression was reported in comparison with their secular peers. The study therefore concludes that meaning in life is the dominant variable in minimizing suicidal tendencies among youth. The results of this study may promote the establishment of prevention, intervention and therapy plans, especially in the age range that is crucial for suicide. Such programs should be based upon finding meaning in life.

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Acknowledgments

This study was made possible through funding by the University of Ariel and the Authority for Research and Development.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Criminology, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel

    Yael Wilchek-Aviad

  2. Ariel University, Ariel, Israel

    Michal Malka

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  1. Yael Wilchek-Aviad
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Correspondence to Yael Wilchek-Aviad.

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Wilchek-Aviad, Y., Malka, M. Religiosity, Meaning in Life and Suicidal Tendency Among Jews. J Relig Health 55, 480–494 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-014-9996-y

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