Abstract
Ultra-Orthodox Jews have kept themselves relatively apart from democratic institutes for centuries. However, a change has occurred recently, and ultra-Orthodox students have started enrolling in the academy. This phenomenon occurs even though shifting from the religious to the academic world can be complex for value-based and practical reasons, making academic life incredibly stressful and thus harming the students’ health and wellness. This study focuses on the stress of undergraduate students in a Social Work program for ultra-Orthodox Jews. The study analyzed thematically 103 narratives in assignments students wrote about a stressful life event. Since, for cultural reasons, classes were separated by gender, all students were male, their mean age was 31, and 75% were married. Students recounted their experience of the situation and how they dealt with it. Students’ assignments addressed various concerns arousing stress; 23% of these included references to the enrolment in the academy. Based on the narratives, we present the primary sources of stress in entering the academy, which are balancing studies and family, making a living, and the exam period, and clarify the unique obstacles for ultra-Orthodox students. Mapping these difficulties is significant since overcoming them could increase students’ wellness and prevent harm to their health, thus reducing dropout and enhancing their participation in democracy. We recommend raising awareness of the difficulties through discussion between staff and students and providing workshops - on time, financial, and stress management - and ongoing support groups.
Presenters
Daniel J.N. WeishutSenior Lecturer, Social Work and Behavioral Sciences, Hadassah Academic College, Israel Moshe Baruch Blackman
Social Work, Welfare Department, Jerusalem Municipality, Israel
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
The Physiology, Kinesiology and Psychology of Wellness in its Social Context
KEYWORDS
Wellness, Stress, Ultra-Orthodox Jews, Students, Social Work, Qualitative research, Israel
Digital Media
This presenter hasn’t added media.
Request media and follow this presentation.
