Houses of worship as restorative environments

Hasbullah, Muhammad Faris Syahmi and Ahmad, Izzat Firdaus and Sukeri, Mohd Shuib and Zulkarnain, Nurul Kamal and Mohd Mahudin, Nor Diana (2013) Houses of worship as restorative environments. In: UMRAN2013: Vision and Methods towards Sustainable Built Environment and Liveable Communities- Undergraduate and Postgraduate Seminar , 02 May 2013, Kuliiyah of Architecture and Environmental Design, IIUM.

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Abstract

Despite the established role of houses of worship in restoring individuals from stress and mental fatigue, there is insufficient research on this issue, particularly in Malaysia, which, in turn, warrants a closer examination of existing scientific endeavour and corresponding evidence. A cross-sectional comparative survey using questionnaires was employed to 89 participants (Muslims = 54; Christians = 35) from a church and a mosque to address two objectives: to identify the relationship between moods before and after visiting these houses of worship and to investigate the motivations for visiting these places. Data were analysed by Pearson’s correlation and independent sample t-test. Results indicate that there is a significant relationship between moods before and after visiting the houses of worship. Findings also demonstrate that there is a statistically significant difference in motivation levels between masjid visitors and church visitors. Overall, the findings suggest that a house of worship can provide an avenue for the visitors for fulfilling their spiritual needs and rejuvenating their mood as well as restoring their directive attention.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Full Paper)
Additional Information:	3951/30110
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Restorative effects; House of worship; Reflection; Motivation; Mood; Environmental Psychology
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology > BF511 Affection. Feeling. Emotion B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology > BF636 Applied psychology N Fine Arts > NA Architecture
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of Psychology
Depositing User:	Nor Diana Mohd Mahudin
Date Deposited:	30 Jul 2013 09:42
Last Modified:	30 Jul 2013 09:42
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/30110

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