Ultra-Orthodox Women in the Job Market: What Helps Them to Become Healthy and Satisfied?

Abstract

This study explored the mental health and job satisfaction of Ultra-Orthodox women who work in different cultural environments. Data were gathered from 304 Ultra-Orthodox women who belong to various streams in this society and who were recruited by the Midgam research panel. The participants filled out self-reported questionnaires that assessed their family quality of life, community sense of coherence, diversity climate, inclusive leadership, job satisfaction, and mental health. The participants ranged in age between 19 and 64 years (M = 30.86, SD = 8.71); 43.1% worked within the Ultra-Orthodox enclave, while 22.4% worked with both Ultra-Orthodox and secular individuals and 34.5% worked in mainly secular environments. We observed differences and similarities among the three groups of women. Community sense of coherence was weakest among those who worked outside the enclave, while diversity perception and inclusive leadership were highest among that group. In all three groups, family and community were the most important resources for mental health. Both traditional resources (i.e., family and community) and other resources (i.e., perception of diversity climate and inclusive leadership) were important for job satisfaction.