Religiosity and mental health among Muslim youth

Pages: 316-319
Shaheena Parveen, Gargi Sandilya and M. Shafiq (Department of Psychology, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi)

This study attempted to unravel the relationship between religiosity and mental health among Sunni Muslimyouth studying and living in Delhi. The main objective was to discover and explore the relationship between level of religiosity, as manifested through religious beliefs (Islamic Worldview) and practice (Religious Personality), and mental health among Sunni Muslim youth. It also involved a comparison of mental health in relation to religiosity between male and female participants. A convenience sample of 60 (30 male and 30 female) was selected. The Muslim Personality Religiosity Inventory (MPRI) and the Mental Health Inventory (MHI) were administered on the sample to assess religiosity and mental health, respectively. The MPRI is based on the Sunni ideological model of Islam. On the measure of religiosity, female participants scored higher whereas male participants displayed a greater mental health index. However these gender differences were statistically insignificant. Further, results showed a significant correlation between Religious Personality and certain dimensions of Mental Health which mirrors the findings of some of the similar studies conducted on Muslim population worldwide. However, gender differences in mental health in relation to religiosity were not found significant.