Determinants of Congregational Attendees' Psychological Outcomes.

Congregational membership is known to enhance physical and mental health, as well as providing psychological outcomes (subjective well-being and loneliness). However, it is not clear whether these outcomes can be attributed to social resources or personal resources. The study was conducted in Israel among 260 active synagogue members between 18 and 88 years of age (mean = 32.91). Structural equation modeling suggested that personal resources were the strongest predictors of subjective well-being and loneliness, whereas social resources had lower predictive power. The article offers unique insights into the role of social and personal factors in congregation members' subjective well-being and loneliness.

Determinants of sense of community in congregations.

This study examined the contribution of personal aspects (i.e., self-esteem and motivation to lead), social aspects (i.e., number of congregational friends and positive and negative societal conditional regard), and psychological aspects (feelings of loneliness) to the sense of community among congregational members. The study was conducted in Israel among 260 active synagogue members between the ages of 18 and 88 years old (mean = 32.91). Structural equation modeling indicated that social aspects made the most significant contribution to sense of community. A significant direct positive contribution of a number of congregational friends and societal conditional positive regard to sense of community was found. However, societal conditional negative regard made the highest negative direct contribution to sense of community, and motivation to lead made no contribution to sense of community. Self-esteem made only an indirect positive contribution to sense of community via loneliness, and loneliness made a direct negative contribution to sense of community. Findings highlight the importance of the social aspect as a whole, and of societal conditional regard specifically, in understanding sense of community among congregational members.

The contribution of parental and societal conditional regard to adjustment of high school dropouts.

This study examined the contribution of parental conditional regard (PCR) and societal conditional regard (SCR) - divided into positive and negative regard - to high school dropouts' adjustment (i.e., well-being, loneliness, and future orientation) along the different stages of the dropout process. Specifically, the current study focused on dropouts from a traditional community, where dropping out was accompanied by various social repercussions. The study, conducted in Israel among Ultraorthodox Jewish males, included 261 participants, ages 14-21 (M = 17, SD = 1.17), who were at different stages in the dropout process. Structural equation modeling indicated a negative contribution of parental conditional negative regard to adjustment, while societal conditional positive regard made a positive contribution to adjustment. Moreover, dropouts indicated higher parental and societal conditional regard than students at other stages of the dropout process. Findings highlight the importance of SCR and PCR in understanding the adjustment of dropouts in traditional communities.