The role of religiosity to address the mental health crisis of students: a study on three parameters (anxiety, depression, and stress)

Misran, Rohmah Najihah and Abdul Khaiyom, Jamilah Hanum and Razali, Zul Azlin (2021) The role of religiosity to address the mental health crisis of students: a study on three parameters (anxiety, depression, and stress). PERTANIKA Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 29 (4). pp. 2833-2851. ISSN 0128-7702 E-ISSN 2231-8534

	PDF (Article) - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (431kB) | Request a copy
Preview	PDF (SCOPUS) - Supplemental Material Download (297kB) | Preview

Abstract

Religiosity is a construct that has interesting implications in the mental health issues of youths. This study examines the role of religiosity on anxiety, depression, and stress using 148 Muslim students studying Islamic studies at undergraduate provision in an Islamic University as sample. Results indicated that the level of religiosity among the participants ranged from moderately religious to highly religious. The mean levels of anxiety, depression, and stress among the participants were moderate, and a significant number of students suffered from severe psychological distress. Female students were reported to experience significantly slightly more stress than male students. Furthermore, the relationship between religiosity, anxiety, and depression was significantly negative but not stressful. Further analysis found that religiosity serves as a protective factor for depression. Meanwhile, some religiosity components (i.e., avoidance of sinful acts and frequent conduct of recommended acts) were found to be a significant protective factor against anxiety and depression, respectively. Thus, in retrospect, mental health and religion appear to converge on managing psychological distress. As so to speak, this is a vital point in the emerging mental health services in which the incorporation of religious components into clinical practice may show good promising results in aiding the recovery process of psychological health issues. Likewise, embedding religiosity in one’s life, or being religiously minded, reflected in daily life manifestation, is linked with better mental health outcomes.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Additional Information:	5374/95818
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Islam, Malaysia, mental health, religious studies, young adults
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology > BF511 Affection. Feeling. Emotion B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BL Religion B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BP Islam. Bahaism. Theosophy, etc B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BP Islam. Bahaism. Theosophy, etc > BP1 Islam R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA644.3 Chronic and Noninfectious Diseases and Public Health R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA790 Mental Health. Mental Illness Prevention
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of Psychology
Depositing User:	Dr Jamilah Hanum Abdul Khaiyom
Date Deposited:	31 Dec 2021 09:09
Last Modified:	12 Jan 2022 11:40
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/95818

Actions (login required)

View Item