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Being religious is better for mental health, Israeli rabbi-scientist-led study reveals

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A study by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem suggests religiosity may be linked to better mental health outcomes.
  • Researchers found that meaning in life, reduced social media use, and less exposure to harmful online content were key predictors of lower risk for addiction, anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
  • While religiosity showed a correlation, the study emphasizes that cultivating meaning and managing digital habits are factors anyone can strengthen for improved mental well-being.

Religious individuals may possess psychological resources that help them better cope with stress, trauma, and the challenges of the digital age, according to a new study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJI). The research suggests that religiosity can act as a protective shield, fostering a stronger sense of purpose and potentially reducing engagement with harmful online content.

Our findings suggest that being religious is not the whole story.

— Dr. Aaron CherniakHighlighting that religiosity is not the sole determinant of mental health.

The study, published in the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, examined 3,000 Israeli Jewish adults across various religious and secular communities. It explored the connections between religiosity, life meaning, social media use, and exposure to disturbing online content in relation to addiction and mental health.

Researchers found that religious participants reported lower rates of substance abuse, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and behavioral addictions compared to their secular counterparts. This insight is particularly relevant given Israel's ongoing experience with prolonged collective trauma and constant exposure to disturbing online material.

Much of its protective effect appears to come from the extent it can help people cultivate meaning in life and reduce potentially harmful digital exposure.

— Dr. Aaron CherniakExplaining the mechanisms through which religiosity may offer mental health benefits.

However, the study's lead author, Dr. Aaron Cherniak, a clinical psychologist and ordained rabbi, stressed that religiosity itself is not the sole factor. "Much of its protective effect appears to come from the extent it can help people cultivate meaning in life and reduce potentially harmful digital exposure," Cherniak stated. "The encouraging implication is that these are factors anyone can strengthen, regardless of whether they are religious." The research identified a strong sense of purpose, less time on social media, and reduced exposure to harmful online content as the most significant predictors of better mental health, offering a path to improved well-being accessible to all.

The encouraging implication is that these are factors anyone can strengthen, regardless of whether they are religious.

— Dr. Aaron CherniakEmphasizing the universal applicability of factors promoting mental well-being.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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