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Journal of Religion and Health
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health 2/2016

01-04-2016 | Original Paper

Religiosity, Meaning in Life and Suicidal Tendency Among Jews

Authors: Yael Wilchek-Aviad, Michal Malka

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 2/2016

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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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Metadata
Title
Religiosity, Meaning in Life and Suicidal Tendency Among Jews
Authors
Yael Wilchek-Aviad
Michal Malka
Publication date
01-04-2016
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 2/2016
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-014-9996-y

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