Transcript From the Streets to the Yeshivas: Motivations for Hassidic

From the Streets to the Yeshivas:
Substance Use Among Hassidic
Adolescents
Charles Schaeffer
Department of Applied Psychology
New York University
Acknowledgements
 Dr. Jacqueline Mattis
 Dr. Gigliana Melzi
 Adina Schick
 Dalal Katsiaficas, Latisha Morrell, and Theresa Matos.
Drug Use in the U.S.
 10.6% of the nation (2.7 million) are current illicit drug
users (SAMSHA, 2004).
 Various newspapers report increases in at-risk adolescent
behaviors in various communities across the U.S.,
including the most religious (NY Times, Jewish Action
Network).
 Although there is no reliable quantitative data, community
clinicians estimate that numerous people within UltraOrthodox Jewish communities have drug-related issues
(Twerski, 1997).
Adolescent Drug Use

Four factors consistently emerge from the
literature:
•
•
•
•
Relationships with peers and family
Neighborhood ecology
Lack of knowledge about drug use
Maladaptive coping
Adolescent Drug Use
•
Four factors consistently emerge from the
literature:

Relationships with peers and family *
- Parenting with high protection and monitoring
- Lack of parental emotional support
- Socialization with drug using peers
*Adalbjarnardottir & Hafsteinsson, 2001; Myers, Newcomb, Richardson & Alvy, 1997
Adolescent Drug Use

Four factors consistently emerge from the
literature:

Neighborhood ecology *
- Social disorganization
- High crime and poverty rate
- Vicinity to illicit drug dealers and trade routes
*Bell, Carlson & Richard, 1998; Mason, Cheung & Walker, 2004
Adolescent Drug Use

Four factors consistently emerge from the
literature:

Lack of knowledge about drug use *
- Misunderstanding effects of drug use
- Underestimating rate of dependency
- False expectations about drug use
* Wagner & Anthony, 2002; Yen, Yang & Chong, 2006
Adolescent Drug Use

Four factors consistently emerge from the
literature:

Maladaptive coping *
- Self-medication of anxiety disorder symptoms
- Internalization of behaviors
- Avoidant coping behaviors
* Carrigan & Randall, 2003; Khantzian, 1985; Klee & Reid, 1998
Hassidic Communities
• Hassidism is a form of Ultra-Orthodox Judaism which
dates back to the 18th century, emphasizing spirituality,
faith, warmth, heartfelt prayer and love of G-d.
• The psychosocial characteristics of Ultra-Orthodox
Hassidic adolescent life include: *
 Accountability for one’s own actions
 Immense religiosity, involving religious and spiritual
reflection
 Daily prayer and increased scriptural studies
 Specific and segregated gender norms and roles
* Meijers, 1986; Mintz, 1992; Rubin, 1997
Psychosocial Parallels
• There are parallels between characteristics of Hassidic
adolescent life and the potential risk factors associated
with drug use. *
 Parenting styles marked with high protection and
monitoring
 Lack of knowledge about drug use
 Internalized behaviors and coping skills
 Communities located adjacent to high crime areas
* Meijers, 1986; Mintz, 1992; Rubin, 1997
Study Objectives
• Two main questions will guide the current qualitative
study:
 What are the reasons for illicit drug use among UltraOrthodox Hassidic adolescents?
 How do these reasons compare with the risk factors
associated with the general population?
Setting
 The current study will take place in the Ultra-Orthodox
Satmar and Ger communities located in Brooklyn, NY.
 Partial participant-observation will be employed as an
assistant counselor in at-risk centers.
 Partial participant-observation will lead to extensive field
notes and informant selection for in-depth ethnographic
interviews.
Researchers’ Stance
 Two primary researchers (matched by gender) will gain
access to adolescents in the community.
 Researchers will be of Conservative Jewish heritage.
 Because they will be members of the same religion as
the participants, it will be for easier for the community to
identify with them.
 Some bias may be present in interpreting the data, due
to the researchers’ familiarity and prior
conceptualizations of the Jewish culture.
Informant Interviews
 Twelve Hassidic adolescents (6 females, 6 males),
ranging in age from 16 – 18 will participate in the study.
 Each informant will participate in 3 one-hour interviews
over the course of one year.
 Interviews will be comprised of open-ended questions
that probe motivations for drug use.
 All interviews will be conducted by a primary researcher
of matched gender.
 Interviews will be audio-taped.
Sample Prompts
• Interview prompts and questions will be based upon
an open-targeted ethnographic methodology
(Spradley, 1979).
 What is your life like within the community?
 What do you know about drug use in your community?
 How is drug use viewed in your community?
Data Analysis
 Interview transcripts and field notes will be triangulated
back to informants before coding.
 Analyses will employ open and axial coding of field notes
and transcribed informant interviews.
 Coding will be conducted by an outside team of two
trained assistants working independently to identify
narrative themes (Miles & Huberman, 1994).
Potential Results and Conclusions
• Results from the current study will:
 Create a preliminary discourse about the motivations
that lead to drug use even within the most religious
groups.
 Assist in the development of culturally effective
programs for Hassidic adolescent interventions and
recovery groups.
 Better inform the community about the prevalence and
motivations for drug use.
 Foster future studies within this and other underrepresented cultural groups within the psychological
literature.
Thank You
Questions?