Aaron David Cherniak Gästforskare

I am a Doctoral Researcher at Stockholm University studying the psychology of spirituality/religion (S/R) in an attachment theory perspective with the co-supervision of Pehr Granqvist and Mario Mikulincer (Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya, Israel).

I am pursuing several directions of research along that theme. First, I aim to move beyond descriptive research of S/R and mental health by conceptualizing and validating explanatory models of why and how S/R can, favorably and unfavorably, functionally impact mental health and well-being. Second, I am studying spiritual experiences - in daily life and in transcendent moments - especially the subjective aspects of psychedelic experiences in psychedelic-assisted therapy and naturalistic settings. Third, I am interested in the role of parent-child relationships and children's socioemotional development in the transmission of religious belief and behavior. Fourth, I am currently completing a study of scientific and religious beliefs - including various cognitive-affect aspects of S/R such as spiritual health locus of control - related to COVID-19 in relation to a range of other variables. Specifically, I examine how these beliefs relate to trust in various figures about the pandemic, adherence to health directives, and mental health. 

I strive to uphold the principles of the scientist-practitioner model. I am Director of JPSYCH - a lab that conducts research on Jewish S/R and mental health. JPSYCH disseminates information on mental health to the global Jewish community. I completed a clinical residency in the Mayanei HaYeshua Medical Center (Bnei Brak, Israel), where I advanced evidence-based practice and cultural competence in the treatment of Israel’s ultra-Orthodox population. 

PhD - Stockholm University
MA - IDC Herzliya
BA - Yeshiva University
Rabbinic Ordination - Yeshiva University's RIETS