Self-Endorsed History of Abuse and Wellbeing in a Community Sample of Jewish Orthodox Single Individuals

Objective: The current study explored the prevalence rates of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse as well as the relationship between abuse and mental health within the Jewish Orthodox nonmarried community. Method: To reduce response bias, abuse and mental health measures were added to a larger survey that was being conducted in the area of dating. Participants responded to an abuse question and completed the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale (GAD-7), and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Results: Of the 274 respondents, 29.2% endorsed emotional abuse, 13.5% endorsed sexual abuse, and 9.2% endorsed physical abuse. Participants that endorsed overall abuse scored significantly higher on the depression and anxiety inventories and significantly lower on the life satisfaction inventory compared with those that did not endorse abuse. Conclusion: This study is helpful in garnering communal and clinical awareness regarding abuse prevalence and mental health risks among this insular population where those abused are at times shunned. Clinical Impact Statement This article suggests that a significant percentage of individuals dating for marriage within the Jewish Orthodox community have experienced and are negatively impacted by emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. Given the insular nature of this community this study highlights the importance of continued community and clinical awareness, psycho-education and sensitivity regarding abuse occurrences and the impact of abuse on wellbeing within this religious group.