Mental Health Care Utilization Among Religious Israeli Jews and Muslims

• In Event: 1580 - Section on Sociology of Religion Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 05. Religion, Health, and Well-being

Abstract

Introduction: Among the many factors that can affect access to care, the role of religion is often neglected. The most traditionally religious segments of Israeli society, including both Jews and Muslims, have distinctive attitudes and behaviors which can impact appropriate use of mental health services; prior research found some under-utilization among the most religious Israelis despite universal health insurance but the topic has been understudied.

Objectives:
1)To what extent do Jews and Moslems in Israel seek and/or receive mental healthcare and what are the barriers to these?
2)Do results vary by key demographic subgroups especially by religion and by extent of religiosity?
3)What interventions can potentially increase appropriate use of mental health services for these groups?


Methods: 1)A random-sample survey of all Israelis conducted in 2013 was analyzed. Outcomes included mental healthcare utilization measures and attitudinal measures related to potential barriers. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed using health, religious, and other demographic factors. 2)Key informant interviews with 24 religious, community and medical leaders for Muslims and Jews about intervention opportunities to help overcome these barriers were then conducted and analyzed.

Results: Over 2000 Israelis were surveyed including 275 Haredi/ultraorthodox Jews and 200 traditional Muslims. Barriers such as stigma, lack of information, lack of cultural sensitivity, access to care and inadequate referrals were found and potential interventions identified. Important variations were found by religion and extent of religiosity.

Conclusions: Opportunities exist to leverage social and religious capital to improve the mental health of their communities and reduce inequalities. Culturally-sensitive interventions can be developed to increase appropriate mental healthcare system utilization for religious Israelis.

Authors

• Ephraim Shapiro

• Irit Elroy, Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute

• Omra Riven, Ariel University