Belief in Symbolic Immortality Linked to Better Mental Health, Israeli Study Finds
תורגם ותומצת מתוך NEWSru Israel על ידי baba
Israeli psychologists found that a belief in "symbolic immortality", being remembered after death, correlates with better mental health, including lower rates of depression and anxiety. The study of 2,912 adults during the "Swords of Iron" war showed these individuals had higher self-esteem and fewer substance abuse issues. Researchers emphasize this is a correlation, not causation, and plan further studies.
הידיעה ב-5 שורות · תקציר של baba
- Belief in being remembered after death correlates with better mental health, according to a Hebrew University study.
- The study surveyed 2,912 adults in Israel during the "Swords of Iron" war.
- Those confident in being remembered showed higher self-esteem and fewer depression symptoms.
- Symbolic immortality was linked to better mental well-being, regardless of religious belief.
- Researchers caution the findings show correlation, not necessarily causation.
A study by psychologists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem suggests that a belief in being remembered after death is associated with improved mental well-being. Researchers explored the concept of "symbolic immortality," defined as the feeling that a part of oneself will continue through the actions and memories of others. The research, led by Uri Lifshin and published in the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, surveyed 2,912 adults in Israel.
Participants who felt confident they would be remembered exhibited higher self-esteem, better social adjustment, and more stable relationships. They also reported fewer symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress, along with fewer sleep problems and difficulties with emotional regulation. Additionally, these individuals were less likely to engage in problematic use of alcohol, cannabis, and prescription drugs.
The study, conducted in February 2025 during the "Swords of Iron" war, found these correlations to be moderate to weak but consistent. The researchers noted that the sense of life's significance, both present and future, may be crucial for coping with the inevitability of death.
Unlike religiosity, which showed no stable link to mental health in this context, symbolic immortality demonstrated a connection independent of religious beliefs and demographic factors, including age. The authors cautioned that the study identifies a correlation, not causation, acknowledging the possibility that poor mental health might hinder the perception of one's own significance. Future research aims to conduct long-term observations in other countries and during peacetime.
מוזכרים