Leisure Learning's Contribution: Effects on Torah and Other Enrichment Learners

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aim The study was aimed to assess whether leisure learners who engage in Torah/Bible studies report higher levels of spirituality than those who study other subjects, and whether higher levels of spirituality result in a higher meaning in life and greater psychosocial resources, specifically hope and quality of life. Methods A survey of 234 participants, who study either Torah or other subjects in their leisure time. Participants completed self–report questionnaires to report their spiritual sources of motivation, features of the subject of study, evaluations of their learning experience, and their meaning in life, hope, and quality of life. Results Quantitative measures showed that higher quality of life among Torah learners was affected by meaning in life and by personal spirituality and hope, but was not affected by faith in God. Among non–Torah learners, personal spirituality and hope had stronger associations with quality of life and weaker associations with meaning in life, compared to Torah learners. Conclusions Torah and other subject of study had different effects on learners' psychosocial resources. This study emphasizes the importance of generalizing the findings of sources of spirituality on learning among formal students as well as different social behaviors between Torah and other enrichment learners.