Spiritual coping as a recovery pathway from non-suicidal self-injury among Muslim youths in Malaysia

Ayae, Fateehah and Mohd Munir, Nur Syuhada and Rais, Haniza (2026) Spiritual coping as a recovery pathway from non-suicidal self-injury among Muslim youths in Malaysia. Asian Journal of Research in Education and Social Sciences, 8 (7). pp. 510-526. E-ISSN 2682-8502

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Abstract

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among Muslim youths is an emerging mental health concern that remains underexplored, particularly within culturally and religiously sensitive contexts. While existing research has predominantly framed NSSI as a maladaptive emotion regulation strategy, limited attention has been given to the role of spiritual coping in the recovery process. This study aims to explore how Muslim youths utilise spiritual coping strategies particularly Islamic practices in their efforts to cease engaging in NSSI. A qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological approach was employed to capture the lived experiences of five Muslim university students in Malaysia who had a history of NSSI. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis supported by phenomenological interpretation. The findings revealed that spiritual coping emerged as a central mechanism in refraining from NSSI. Participants described turning to Allah through prayer, Qur’an recitation, zikr (remembrance of Allah), tawakkul (trust in Allah), and acceptance of qadha and qadar (divine decree) to regulate emotions, reduce hopelessness, and reinterpret suffering through spiritual meaning-making. Islamic concepts such as redha (acceptance), maghfira (forgiveness), and faith identity strengthened resilience and discouraged self-destructive behaviour. Psychological coping strategies and supportive relationships from family and peers also contributed to recovery. Overall, spirituality functioned not merely as a complementary coping strategy, but as a culturally grounded source of healing and behavioural change.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), Muslim youths, spiritual coping, qualitative research
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Education > Department of Educational Psychology & Counseling Kulliyyah of Education
Depositing User:	Madam Nur Syuhada Mohd Munir
Date Deposited:	29 Sep 2026 12:18
Last Update:	29 Sep 2026 12:18
Queue Number:	2026-09-Q5315
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/131572
Indexed In:	MyCite

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