Health concerns of young Israelis moving from the ultra-orthodox to the secular community: vulnerabilities associated with transition

Abstract

Many young Israelis leave the Ultra-Orthodox religious community to join the secular world. In this study we examine health considerations of ex-Orthodox (ExOr) individuals in an attempt to define their vulnerabilities and needs.12 young adults were asked to relate to health problems that trouble the ExOr community. The semi-structured interviews were analyzed qualitatively to identify relevant motives. Interviewees indicated that the ExOr population could be affected by mental health problems, including stress and depression, by sexual health problems, and by risks related to substance abuse and hazardous behavior. Interviewees suggested that these problems are associated with difficulties encountered prior and during the transition process, as well as with the hardships of acculturation and assimilation in the secular world. Comparisons to previous findings on the health of immigrants, young adults and LGBT populations suggest that the process of transition per-se could engender vulnerability and trigger health problems.