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Religious involvement and psychological well-being in the Middle East
Harold G Koenig1,2, Saad Al Shohaib3
1Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
Religiosity is linked to better psychological well-being in Muslim Middle Eastern adults. This study found positive associations between religiosity and life satisfaction, happiness, and optimism, though the link was stronger in men.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Middle Eastern Studies
Background:
- Evidence suggests religious involvement improves mental health in Western countries.
- The association between religiosity and mental health in Muslim-majority Middle Eastern countries is less understood.
- This study investigates religiosity and psychological well-being in the Middle East.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between religiosity and psychological well-being.
- To explore differences in this association based on gender.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of nationally representative adult samples in Egypt, Tunisia, and Turkey.
- Data collected on psychological well-being (life satisfaction, happiness, optimism) from 8835-8886 participants.
- Analyses controlled for demographic and socioeconomic factors, examining gender interactions.
Main Results:
- A majority of participants (95%) identified as Muslim.
- Overall religiosity showed a positive association with life satisfaction, happiness, and optimism (P < .0001).
- Religiosity was significantly linked to life satisfaction, happiness, and optimism, with a stronger association for life satisfaction in males.
Conclusions:
- Small but significant positive associations exist between religiosity (beliefs and practices) and psychological well-being in a predominantly Muslim Middle Eastern sample.
- Prospective research is necessary to establish the causal direction of these findings.
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