Personal Experiences of Antisemitism, Jewish Ethnic Identity, and Mental Health Outcomes: Preliminary Findings

This webinar is presented by Rob Weisskirch, MSW, Ph.D
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
Time: 11:00 am PT/ 12:00 pm MT/ 1:00 pm CT/ 2:00 pm ET
     
Webinar length is approx. 90 mins, ZOOM link will be sent in a registration confirmation email and will be emailed directly to you a few days before the event.

As direct targets of recent antisemitic acts, Jews have experienced a range of antisemitic and discriminatory incidents, and it is likely that these acts of antisemitism take a toll on the psychological well-being of Jews as discrimination does for other racial and ethnic minority individuals (e.g., Benner et al., 2018; Lee et al., 2020).  There is substantial evidence that racial and ethnic identities buffer the effects of discrimination on physical and mental health (e.g., Umaña-Taylor & Rivas-Drake, 2021). Similarly, Jewish ethnic identity may buffer the effects of antisemitism on psychological well-being.  In this study, we explore the relationship of antisemitism experienced, subtle and direct discrimination, Jewish ethnic identity, and mental health among 228 (Female = 182, Male = 44, Non-binary = 1, Transgender = 1) Jewish mental health practitioners and researchers.  Preliminary findings will be presented.

At the end of the presentation, participants will be able to:

1. Recognize how Jewish identity fits into racial and ethnic identity frameworks
2. Describe how discrimination and experiences of antisemitism relate to mental health outcomes
3. Explain how Jewish identity may lessen the impact of antisemitism on mental health

Rob Weisskirch, MSW, Ph.D. is a Professor of Human Development and Chair of the Human Development and Family Science Department at California State University, Monterey Bay.  He has authored over 80 peer-reviewed research articles. His research interests focus on language brokering, ethnic identity and acculturation, developmental perspectives on romantic relationships, how technology affects relationships (i.e., parent-adolescent relationships, sexting, and romantic relationships), and pedagogy of adolescent development. 

He received his Ph.D. in Human Development from the University of California, Davis, a Master of Social Work degree from San Diego State University, and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of California, Irvine.  He was an Academic Engagement Network Fellow in 2025 and a presenter at the 2026 AEN Short Course.  He currently serves on the Collaborative of Jewish Psychologists for the American Psychological Association.  He is a four-time national award winner from the Parenting Media Association for his Father’s Day column in Monterey Bay Parent magazine.