The effect of Islamic music listening on the psychological well-being of university students in Malaysia

Awaluddin, Nursyafini and Mohamad Shariff, Nurasikin and Wan Mamat, Wan Hasliza and Ahmad, Azmir (2025) The effect of Islamic music listening on the psychological well-being of university students in Malaysia. Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 21 (SUPP 6). pp. 218-222. ISSN 1675-8544 E-ISSN 2636-9346

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Abstract

Introduction: Music therapy that aligns with Islamic values is endorsed and permitted by Imam Syafi’e and scholars such as Al-Razi, Farabi, and Ibn Sina. Accordingly, Malaysian university students aged 20 and above, who exhibit higher depression and anxiety scores, may seek solace in music. The current study examined the psychological well-being of Malaysian public university students before, immediately after, and one month following daily Islamic music therapy. Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental repeated measures study was conducted on 46 undergraduate students from a public university. Participants, screened for psychological distress, engaged in daily 15-minute sessions of Islamic music for six weeks. Their psychological well-being was assessed using the DASS-21 questionnaire at three intervals: before the intervention, immediately after, and one month later. One-way repeated measures ANOVA tested the hypothesis. Results: The total DASS-21 score, including depression, anxiety, and stress categories, significantly decreased post-intervention and remained low after one month without further intervention (p<0.05). Participants did not experience an increase in psychological distress during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Islamic music significantly reduced psychological distress among Malaysian students, with sustained effects observed one month later. Thus, daily exposure contributes to coping and relaxation. The single-group design controlled for individual differences offers clear insights into Islamic music’s impact. This study suggests nurses use Islamic music as a culturally sensitive intervention to improve patients’ psychological, mental health, and well-being. Future studies should explore long-term effects and include larger, randomised controlled trials to validate findings and examine variables such as spiritual well-being and religiosity.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Islamic music, psychological well-being, depression, anxiety, stress
Subjects:	R Medicine > RT Nursing
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Nursing Kulliyyah of Nursing > Department of Basic Medical Sciences for Nursing Kulliyyah of Nursing > Department of Professional Nursing Studies Kulliyyah of Nursing > Department of Special Care Nursing
Depositing User:	Dr. nurasikin mohamad shariff
Date Deposited:	12 Aug 2025 12:12
Last Modified:	12 Aug 2025 12:12
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/122568

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