Religiosity in relation with psychological distress and mental wellbeing among Muslims

Abstract

The aim of present research was to investigate the relationship among religiosity, psychological distress and mental wellbeing. The current study was conducted on a purposive sample of undergraduates and graduates taken from University of Sargodha, Mianwali sub-campus and Chashma city (n = 100). The sample comprised of male (n = 50) and female (n = 50). In order to measure religiosity, psychological distress and mental wellbeing, English version of Centrality of Religiosity Scale (Huber & Huber, 2012), Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (Kessler et al., 2002), and The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (Tennant, Hiller, & Platt, 2007) were used respectively. Linear regression analysis portrayed that religiosity is significant positive predictor of mental wellbeing while religiosity appeared as a non-significant correlate of psychological distress. Data analysis also revealed that mental well-being is significant negative predictor of Psychological distress. Moreover, the analysis revealed that the mean scores for the females significantly higher on religiosity and psychological distress. While non-significant gender differences were found in mental wellbeing.