Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Semester of Degree Completion
1995
Thesis Director
Keith M. Wilson
Abstract
One hundred and fifty adults completed the Gladding, Lewis, and Adkins Scale of Religiosity (GLASR), Fears of Personal Death Scale (FPDS), and the Suicide Acceptability Scale (SAS) to investigate the relationships between religiosity, fears of personal death, and suicide acceptability within the Reformed, Conservative, and Orthodox Jewish denominations. Differences between the Jewish denominations were detected such that Orthodox Jews were less fearful of transpersonal death than Conservative individuals. However, no differences existed between Jewish denominations for interpersonal or intrapersonal fears of death. Results also indicate that Reformed Jews were less religious and more accepting of suicide than Orthodox individuals with Conservative Jews being intermediate It appears that Orthodox individuals' acceptance or rejection of suicide, as well as their concerns about personal death, are consistent and are centered around strong religious beliefs and practice. On the other hand, the acceptance or rejection of suicide among Reformed Jews are influenced by at least two independent factors: fears of personal death and religiosity. No relationships between religiosity, suicide acceptability, and fears of death were observed among the Conservative Jews. Future directions, limitations, and practical applications of this study are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Stein, Lawrence B., "Religiosity, Fears of Personal Death, and the Acceptability of Suicide Within Reformed, Conservative, and Orthodox Jews" (1995). Masters Theses. 2005.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/2005
