Children's loneliness, sense of coherence, family climate, and hope: developmental risk and protective factors

The study examined the contributions of individual and familial variables for the prediction of loneliness as a developmental risk and the sense of coherence as a protective factor. The sample consisted of 287 children from grades 5-6. Their loneliness, sense of coherence, hope, effort, and family climate were assessed. Separate hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that family cohesion and children's hope contributed to the explanation of the risk and protective outcomes. Yet, the contribution of the family adaptability was not significant. Cluster analysis of the family climate dimensions (i.e., cohesion and adaptability) was performed to clarify the interactive roles of family adaptability together with family cohesion. The authors identified 4 separate family profiles: Children in the 2 cohesive families' clusters (Cohesive Structured Families and Cohesive Adaptable Families) reported the lowest levels of loneliness and the highest levels of personal strengths. Children within rigid and noncohesive family cluster reported the highest levels of loneliness and the lowest levels of children's sense of coherence. The unique role of the family flexibility within nonsupportive family systems was demonstrated. The results further clarified the unique profiles' characteristics of the different family clusters and their adjustment indexes in terms of loneliness and personal strengths.     

Omniscient gods and precision and intent in rituals: the case of Orthodox Judaism

ABSTRACT

Social scientists who study the minds of gods claim that the omniscient gods of monotheistic religions are aware of the intent of their followers, unlike gods who are not omniscient. For this reason, omniscient gods do not place emphasis on their followers’ precision in carrying out rituals, focusing rather on the intent and/or identity of the practitioners. The present article challenges this perception by focusing on several spheres of Orthodox Judaism in Israel. In each of these spheres, less attention is paid to the actual intent and identity of those practising the ritual, with far more attention directed to not only the actual execution of the ritual, but also the precision with which it is executed. Moreover, when rituals of healing are involved, imprecise or incomplete execution of such rituals can be used to explain their failure.