The role of religion in the stressors experienced by Ultra-Orthodox Jewish caregivers of persons with disability during the COVID-19 period

ABSTRACT

The role of the religious socio-cultural context in the stressors that Ultra-Orthodox Jewish family caregivers of persons with developmental disorders coped with during the COVID-19 period and the role of religion in their ways of coping with these stressors were examined in a qualitative study among 19 caregivers in Israel. The findings indicate that the stressors which the caregivers experienced stemmed primarily from disruptions in the religious socio-cultural context of the family members with disability. They also illuminate the centrality of religious coping mechanisms for the caregivers. Taking this into consideration is essential for providing culturally oriented help for the caregivers.

KEYWORDS:

• Caregivers
• disability
• religion
• Ultra-Orthodox Jews
• stressors
• COVID-19

Acknowledgments

The author would like thank Elazar Kornfeld and Dr. Johanna Kohn for their significant contribution to this research

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).