Challenges and coping of children in large Jewish Ultra-Orthodox families during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching effects on the well-being and functioning of children and families worldwide. The distinctive contexts in which these families live play a crucial role in determining the extent of the pandemic's effects. The Jewish Ultra-Orthodox community in Israel, with its unique context, experienced the repercussions of the pandemic in distinct ways.

Objective

This qualitative study, guided by the context-informed theoretical perspective, aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences and perspectives of Ultra-Orthodox families with multiple children regarding the challenges and coping of children during the pandemic, while considering the unique contexts that shape their lives.

Method

Semistructured interviews were conducted with 15 parents (eight mothers and seven fathers) and 35 children (18 girls and 17 boys) from Ultra-Orthodox families. All families had at least six children (M = 7.5). Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the interview data, allowing for the generation of shared themes among the participants' narratives.

Results

The findings revealed four primary areas that presented challenges for Ultra-Orthodox families during the COVID-19 pandemic: children's studies, fear, crowdedness, and community detachment. Despite these adversities, the study also sheds light on the coping mechanisms employed by Ultra-Orthodox families of religious beliefs, parental involvement, and the family.

Conclusion

These findings contribute to understanding how Ultra-Orthodox families experienced and navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the interplay among religious beliefs, family dynamics, and community structures in shaping their responses.

Implications

The insights gained from this study may inform the development of culturally competent support services for Ultra-Orthodox families during crises while potentially offering broader ideas for understanding how close-knit religious communities cope with acute crises that threaten their traditional ways of life.