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Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 46 (2012) 1831 – 1833

WCES 2012

Relationship between religious beliefs of students with mental

health disorders among the students of Islamic Azad University of
Ahvaz
Fatemeh Marashian a*, Elahe Esmaili b
a
Department of Psychology ,Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz ,Iran
b
Department of Psychology ,Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz ,Iran

Abstract

The aim of this study, was the relationship between religious beliefs of students with mental health disorders in the Islamic Azad
University of Ahvaz. The sample included 300 students (150 girls and 150 boys) who were selected by stratified random manner.
For data collection, was used questionnaire Arian religion and general health questionnaire (GHQ-28). Methods of correlation
and data analysis was performed using Pearson correlation coefficient. Results showed that exists a significant negative
relationship between religious beliefs with a mental health disorder.
© 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
© 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer review under responsibility of Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Uzunboylu
Keywords: religious beliefs , mental health,GHQ;

1. Introduction

Religion and piety is a fact that has been associated with human life, it makes up its foundation. Religion is a key
element of the culture of each nation that will lead the community and unify it. Religious instruction and worship,
all are factors that can be used in the treatment and prevention of mental disorders effectively (Asemi ,2006). These
behaviors and beliefs, have a positive effect on the meaning to life. Behaviors such as trust in God, prayer,
pilgrimage and ... Can lead to positive attitudes of hope and encouragement to be an inner calm. Having meaning
and purpose in life, a sense of belonging to a good resource, hope to assistance of God in problem-causing
conditions of life, enjoyment of social and spiritual support and ... All of these are ways that religious people are
having them suffered less damage in the face of stressful life events, (Yang, 2007). The impact of religion values
and beliefs on mental health has been studied in various research and experimental studies indicate there is a
significant relationship Between religion and health. However, the reasons of this relationship are unclear (Hill,
2003). Rajai, Bayazi and Habibipur (2009) and also, Khanehkeshi and Pur nikbakhti (2008) researched on the
fundamental beliefs, identity crisis and mental health of young people and found that those who had higher
fundamentally religious beliefs, showed more health psychological and less identity crisis . Abdolkhalegh (2010) in
a research, examined on the relationship between religion, spirituality and mental health on Muslim students. Baetz &
Toews(2009) The result of this research shows that there is a significant relationship between religion and spirituality
and mental health . Johnston and colleagues (2008), in a study examined the relationship between religion,

* Fatemeh Marashian.Tel.: +98-916-303-8310

Email address:[email protected]

1877-0428 © 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer review under responsibility of Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Uzunboylu
Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.05.387
1832 Fatemeh Marashian and Elahe Esmaili / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 46 (2012) 1831 – 1833

spirituality and health. The results showed that in the injured people there is a significantly association religion,
spirituality with mental health. Also, Wong, Rew, & Slaikeu, (2006), in their systematic studies showed that the religion
and spirituality are associated with mental health. Pajevic and colleagues (2005), in their research, studied the
beneficial effects of religion on mental health in religious and secular young people. The results suggest the
existence of a negative and significant relationship between religiosity and mental disorders . Rippentrop et al
(2005), in a study, researched the relationship between religion, spirituality and physical health and mental health in
122 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The results showed that the components of religiosity and
spirituality are significantly associated with physical and mental health . Psychologists today to reduce stress, to
maintain health and to treat mental illness have a lot of attention to religion and piety in people.

2. Heading styles

In this study, the statistical community includes all students of Islamic Azad University of Ahvaz in the academic
year 2010-2011 and the study sample included 300 individuals (150 females and 150 boys) from Islamic Azad
University of Ahvaz, which were selected by stratified random.

2.1. Aryan religiosity questionnaire

This questionnaire, is a tool for measuring religious of person that is comprised of 20 questions. Arian (2000), with
regard to Iran's religious and cultural differences, made this questionnaire. In the present study, concurrent validity
coefficient of the scale with measures the religious Muslim is r = 0/76 and coefficient of reliability using Cronbach's
alpha and split-half are 0/88 and 0/73 respectively.

2.2 The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ)

This questionnaire contains 28 questions and has four subscales. The subscales include somatic symptoms, anxiety
and sleep disturbances, impaired social functioning and depression. This questionnaire has made by Goldberg
(1972) and in a research that was conducted on 244 subjects, the concurrent validity with RSCL-90 questionnaire,
was 0/78. In the present study, we used two methods of split-half and alpha Cronbach for determining the reliability
of GHQ and reliability score was 0/90 and 0/79 (Sharghi, 2002).

3. Tables

Table 1. Explanatory variables indicator of research:

Variable Mean SD Minimum score maximum score n

religious beliefs 78/28 13/63 22 100 300

Mental disorders 24/15 12/59 0 64 300

Table 2: Simple correlation coefficients between predictive variables of students with mental disorders

predictive Variable criterion variable correlation coefficient(r) Significant level(p)

religious beliefs Mental disorders -0/17 0/002
 Fatemeh Marashian and Elahe Esmaili / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 46 (2012) 1831 – 1833 1833

As can be seen in table 2 (p=0/002 , r= -0/017) exists a significant negative relationship between religious beliefs
with a mental health disorder. so this hypothesis is confirmed..

4. Discussion & Conclusion

As research findings have demonstrated, research hypotheses were confirmed. According to this hypothesis, there is
a relationship between religious beliefs and mental disorder. Results from testing this hypothesis is consistent with
the results of research of Rajai, Bayazi and Habibipur (2009), khanehkeshi, and Purnikbakhti (2008), Abdul Khaliq
(2010), Baetz & Toews(2009), Johnston and colleagues (2008), Wang , Rew, & Slaikeu(2006), Pajevic and colleagues
(2005) Rippentrop et al (2005). The main aspect of human is religion and religious beliefs. Religion and worship are
part of the innate human need and to believe in the existence of a transcendent source and worship him,is the most
ancient forms of human life. Remembrance of God, thinking about the greatness of God and thinking about the
philosophy of creation,lead to heart and life comfort. In studies has been proved the role of religious intervention in
reducing anxiety and depression and other mental disorders. Behaviors and beliefs have a positive effect on the
meaning to life. Behaviors such as trust in God, prayer, pilgrimage and ... Can lead to inner calm through hope and
encouragement to positive attitudes. Very strong base are created for human suffering and deprivation of life and the
problems. In all situations, the role of religion can be effective in de-stress and psychological problems can be
reduced in situations assessing, cognitive evaluating of person, coping activities, support resources and.....So, long
time is thought to be a positive relationship exists between religion and mental health.

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