<p>The present study investigates the impact of two psychological variables on the mental well-being of individuals within closed and conservative communities: perceived social support and a sense of community. The research was conducted among members of the ultra-Orthodox community in Israel, shortly after a major disaster struck the community in Meron, resulting in the tragic loss of 45 lives and injuries to hundreds more. The findings reveal that, although participants displayed a similar level of mental well-being, those who had visited Meron reported significantly higher levels of perceived social support and a stronger sense of community compared with those who had not. When examining the predictive factors of mental well-being while controlling for sociodemographic variables, it became evident that only a sense of community significantly predicted mental well-being among those who had visited Meron. Conversely, among those who had not visited Meron, both social support and a sense of community made similar contributions to predicting mental well-being. The study’s findings underscore the role of the community as a source of both psychological and social strength for individuals within closed communities during times of distress. It highlights the community’s potential to uphold the mental well-being of its members. This study represents the first exploration of real-time psychological perceptions and their impact during crisis and distress situations, particularly within the ultra-Orthodox society in Israel. It offers valuable insights into understanding the motivations and psychological perceptions of individuals within conservative and closed communities, especially during challenging times.</p>

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The Differences between Social Support and a Sense of Community: The Case of the Meron Disaster, 2021

  • Yitzchak Trachtengot,
  • Yehudit Chassida

摘要

The present study investigates the impact of two psychological variables on the mental well-being of individuals within closed and conservative communities: perceived social support and a sense of community. The research was conducted among members of the ultra-Orthodox community in Israel, shortly after a major disaster struck the community in Meron, resulting in the tragic loss of 45 lives and injuries to hundreds more. The findings reveal that, although participants displayed a similar level of mental well-being, those who had visited Meron reported significantly higher levels of perceived social support and a stronger sense of community compared with those who had not. When examining the predictive factors of mental well-being while controlling for sociodemographic variables, it became evident that only a sense of community significantly predicted mental well-being among those who had visited Meron. Conversely, among those who had not visited Meron, both social support and a sense of community made similar contributions to predicting mental well-being. The study’s findings underscore the role of the community as a source of both psychological and social strength for individuals within closed communities during times of distress. It highlights the community’s potential to uphold the mental well-being of its members. This study represents the first exploration of real-time psychological perceptions and their impact during crisis and distress situations, particularly within the ultra-Orthodox society in Israel. It offers valuable insights into understanding the motivations and psychological perceptions of individuals within conservative and closed communities, especially during challenging times.