Syrian refugees face increased risk for symptoms of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of psychological disorders symptoms among Syrian refugees resettled in Michigan, the extent of their utilization of mental health care services, their interest in seeking professional assistance, and the factors influencing their help-seeking behavior. Michigan is a state with a significant Arab-American population, providing a unique context to explore mental health needs and barriers to service utilization. Sixty-three participants were recruited using the database of a non-profit organization and a snowball sampling method. The main study outcome was the prevalence of possible mental health disorders. The Harvard Trauma Questionnaire and the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist-25 were used to screen for symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. A questionnaire assessed the utilization of mental health care services, the interest in seeking professional assistance, and the barriers hindering Syrian refugees’ access to mental health services. We examined the association between experiencing mental health disorder symptoms and help-seeking behaviors and the association between interest in seeking professional assistance and being symptomatic. The prevalence of mental health disorder symptoms was summarized using frequencies, percentages, and mean values. A two-tailed Fisher’s exact test assessed the correlation between variables. Sixty-five percent (65%) of the participants screened positive for at least one disorder, suggesting a high prevalence of possible mental health disorders among participants. Seventeen percent (17%) reported seeing a professional; however, 78% expressed interest in seeking professional assistance. Most reported barriers to accessing mental health, including lack of information, fear of judgment, and shame. There was a statistically significant correlation between their last year utilization of mental health care services and their interest in seeking professional assistance. Similarly, there was a statistically significant association between interest in seeking professional assistance and being symptomatic. Syrian refugees continue to experience mental health challenges 2–5 years after resettlement. This population underutilizes mental health services due to several barriers. However, participants expressed their desire for these services in Michigan.
The majority of Muslims living in Australia are young and form an important part of the country’s cultural diversity. Young Muslims are an under-researched population. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore perceptions of well-being among young Muslims and the factors they believe promote or hinder their well-being. A qualitative methodology using in-depth interviews was used. Seventeen young Muslims (M = 23 years, SD = 4.2 years) participated in the study. The data were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings indicated that participants perceived well-being to be a multidimensional construct. Good relationships with family, friends, the community, the larger society, religion, and spirituality enhanced their well-being. Further, personal resources and coping strategies were also considered important for their well-being. Participants reported Islamophobia in society as a salient factor impeding their well-being. Additionally, interpersonal conflicts with family members, friends, and the community also negatively impacted their well-being. Participants offered helpful suggestions for other young Muslims. The study has implications for stakeholders such as educators and mental and allied health workers, who are involved in helping young Muslims in Australia. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
The COVID-19 pandemic and sudden economic decline led to a drastic surge in suicidal ideation rates among the young population, warranting prevention before its progression to behavior. The current body of research has not yet adequately captured the underlying mechanism between psychological strain and suicidal ideation and the protective role of social determinants in preventing suicidal ideation. This study aimed to explore the mitigating roles of religious orientation and social connectedness between psychological strain and suicidal ideation among Muslim youth during the COVID-19 outbreak between May 2020 and August 2020. This study also explored the moderating role of social connectedness in the mediation of depression between psychological strain and suicidal ideation. University students selected using convenience sampling (N = 400) completed an online questionnaire. Intrinsic religious orientation (β =-.006, p < 0.05) and social connectedness (β = -.002, p < 0.05) significantly mitigated the impact of psychological strain on suicidal ideation. he paths between psychological strain and depression (β = -.002, p < 0.001), and between depression and suicidal ideation were significantly moderated by social connectedness (β = -.0053, p < 0.05). Protective factors, such as intrinsic religious orientation (i.e., having an inward expression of religious beliefs, in which people use religion as the framework for their lives) and a perceived sense of connectedness must be taken into account when devising intervention programs against depression and suicidal ideation. This study underscores the importance of prevention programs against suicide to protect the youth living with strains and debilitating thoughts of ending their lives.
The present study sought to explore the association of fear of Covid-19, academic stress with mental distress, and locus of control and self-esteem as mediating factors in a population of university students living in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. 315 university students, 230 (73%) women and 85 (27%) men, were administered with the Fear of Covid-19 Scale, Academic Stress Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Symptom Checklist-10. A series of multiple linear regressions were performed to test the study’s hypotheses. A direct effect of fear of Covid-19 on mental health, a direct effect of academic stress on mental health, and a mediating role of locus of control and self-esteem were found. Gender and age differences were also detected, revealing that girls and older students were the most distressed by the pandemic. The research results have highlighted an urgent need to protect Gaza students from the Covid-19 psychological burdens in a context where prohibitive living conditions might have undermined their self-esteem. These findings suggest the importance of implementing psychosocial support programs within academic settings in Gaza, with a focus on reinforcing self-esteem and internal locus of control among students. Tailored mental health interventions, particularly for female and older students, should be prioritized to mitigate the impact of both pandemic-related stressors and chronic adversity. Policymakers, educators, and mental health professionals must collaborate to ensure accessible, gender-sensitive, and culturally appropriate support services that can enhance students’ resilience and well-being.
The current study identified the role of dysfunctional parenting and self-esteem as mediating moderators in the association between interpersonal skills and depressive symptomatology in adolescents. The study participants were 674 government school students (male = 47%, female = 53%) from Lahore, Pakistan, aged 12-19 (M = 14.88, Scale for Children, and Depressive Symptomatology Scale for Adolescents were used for data collection. According to the findings of this study, dysfunctional parenting and low self-esteem have a significant mediating moderating role in the relationship between poor interpersonal skills and depressive symptoms. The study discusses the results in the context of relevant literature and offers recommendations for further research.
There has been a call for a decolonized approach to psychology, particularly for populations that have lost their voices due to colonization. Such an approach necessitates a shift in focus from the ahistoricism of Western psychology to a psychological perspective that acknowledges the historical contributions of these populations. This change can be facilitated through Martin-Bar & oacute;'s (1996) liberation psychology framework, which proposed three urgent tasks for psychology: recovering historical memory, de-ideologizing everyday experiences, and utilizing people's virtues. Using the liberation psychology framework and focusing on the first task, this paper aims to empower Muslims by recovering Islamic historical scholarship on concepts related to depression. It begins by introducing Martin-Bar & oacute;'s liberation psychology and its evolution beyond the Latin American context. Then, by examining Islamic scriptures, Islamic mental health articles, and original works of historical Muslim scholars, the discussion turns to how psychological sufferings such as sadness and sorrow were conceptualized during the time of the Prophet Muhammad. An overview of historical Muslim scholars' contributions to the understanding of depression during the golden age of Islam and their resemblance to contemporary approaches will then be presented. The theme of holistic healing, including the connection between mental health and physical health, is prevalent in Islamic scholarship on depression. Finally, this paper will discuss the implications of such knowledge in relation to Western psychology. The authors anticipate that such knowledge could enhance interventions in clinical settings and promote religiously and culturally sensitive strategies to meet the unique needs of Muslim individuals and communities.
In Afghanistan, approximately 80% of national suicides yearly occur among females. Nonetheless, both scholarly research and reliable epidemiological data on the topic remain extremely scarce, leaving the true scale and context of this crisis largely unknown. We aimed to evaluate the quality of suicide reporting in Afghan media by conducting a content analysis of suicide-related articles published between September 2021 and August 2024 in two relevant English-language Afghan newspapers. Employing a predefined set of keywords—“suicide,” “shot herself/himself,” “ended her/his life,” “took her/his life,” “killed herself/himself,” “jumped in front of a train,” “poison,” and “pistol”—we analyzed 73 news reports. Our findings indicated that most articles provided details on gender, method, location, and purported motives for suicide cases within their headlines. Furthermore, reports frequently disclosed the identities of the deceased, including personal life events, and simplistic, single-cause explanations for suicide. However, most articles lacked reporting essential preventive information, such as suicide helpline resources or an expert recommendation. The portrayal of suicide in Afghan media was found to be markedly problematic, including ethical journalistic concerns and violations of responsible media-reporting guidelines. We discussed how these limitations may adversely impact readers’ perception of suicide news.
Background: The Muslim population in the United States is rapidly growing, yet this demographic remains largely underrepresented in healthcare research and policy, where religion is often overlooked as a determinant of health. Objective: This study aims to explore the health preferences and needs of American Muslims, with a particular focus on the role of mosques in health promotion and the significance of Muslim healthcare providers. Methods: The study surveyed 193 congregants of Noor Islamic Cultural Center (NICC), the largest mosque in Central Ohio, using an online survey that assessed their healthcare preferences, perceptions of health, and views on the mosque's role in health promotion. Results: Our results indicate that over three-quarters of respondents see mosques as valuable platforms for health promotion, with religious sermons perceived as effective in disseminating health information. Mental health and reproductive health were identified as key areas where congregants preferred Muslim healthcare providers, reflecting the need for culturally sensitive care. The study also highlights significant challenges, including a gap in health literacy, particularly concerning the distinction between health and wellness, and the underrepresentation of Muslim healthcare providers in key areas like mental and reproductive health. Conclusion: These findings underline the importance of integrating culturally and religiously tailored health promotion strategies into healthcare delivery systems and the potential role of mosques as hubs for health education. Future research should explore how to scale these approaches and address the workforce gaps in Muslim healthcare professionals to improve health equity for American Muslims.
This qualitative study explores the essence of Islamic-oriented counseling through a thematic analysis of semi-structured in-depth interviews with 13 counselors in Iran. Four significant themes emerged from the data: Divine-Oriented Counseling, Development Islamic Counseling Techniques. The Divine-Oriented Counseling theme emphasizes the foundational principles rooted in divine guidance and adherence to Islamic Sharia, highlighting the integration of Islamic values into therapeutic practices. The Development of Islamic Counseling Framework theme focuses on constructing a psychotherapeutic framework grounded in Islamic principles. Alternatively, the Holistic Islamic Perspective on Human Nature theme centers on counselors' comprehensive understanding of human beings within an Islamic framework. The Islamic Counseling Techniques theme represents the practical implementation of Islamic-oriented counseling approaches, emphasizing the application of spiritual interventions and religious coping mechanisms. These findings underscore the importance of integrating Islamic principles into counseling practices to foster holistic well-being within an Islamic framework. The study contributes to the growing body of research on Islamic-oriented counseling, providing practical insights for practitioners seeking to better meet the needs of Muslim clients within a culturally responsive therapeutic framework.
The majority of Muslims living in Australia are young and form an important part of the country's cultural diversity. Young Muslims are an under-researched population. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore perceptions of well-being among young Muslims and the factors they believe promote or hinder their well-being. A qualitative methodology using in-depth interviews was used. Seventeen young Muslims (M = 23 years, SD = 4.2 years) participated in the study. The data were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings indicated that participants perceived well-being to be a multidimensional construct. Good relationships with family, friends, the community, the larger society, religion, and spirituality enhanced their well-being. Further, personal resources and coping strategies were also considered important for their well-being. Participants reported Islamophobia in society as a salient factor impeding their well-being. Additionally, interpersonal conflicts with family members, friends, and the community also negatively impacted their well-being. Participants offered helpful suggestions for other young Muslims. The study has implications for stakeholders such as educators and mental and allied health workers, who are involved in helping young Muslims in Australia. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
Although Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) has been widely studied globally, its prevalence and psychosocial correlates in Malaysia, particularly in relationship to the COVID-19 pandemic, remain underexplored.This study therefore investigated IGD prevalence among Malaysian gamers and its associations with loneliness subtypes (emotional and social) and leisure boredom during the pandemic. A survey of 432 Malaysian gamers (mean age = 21.06 +/- 2.90 years; 59.3% male) revealed a 19% prevalence rate of IGD, indicating that nearly one in five participants exhibited problematic gaming behaviors. Notably, the study found that emotional loneliness is a significant risk factor for IGD, while social loneliness and leisure boredom were not significantly associated. Daily gaming exceeding five hours was strongly linked to IGD, underscoring the importance of monitoring gaming duration. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions addressing emotional support systems and time-management strategies to mitigate IGD risks in post-pandemic contexts. The discovery that emotional loneliness, rather than social factors or boredom, is a key driver suggests interventions should focus on fostering deeper emotional connections to reduce reliance on gaming as a coping mechanism.
The present study sought to explore the association of fear of Covid-19, academic stress with mental distress, and locus of control and self-esteem as mediating factors in a population of university students living in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. 315 university students, 230 (73%) women and 85 (27%) men, were administered with the Fear of Covid-19 Scale, Academic Stress Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Symptom Checklist-10. A series of multiple linear regressions were performed to test the study's hypotheses. A direct effect of fear of Covid-19 on mental health, a direct effect of academic stress on mental health, and a mediating role of locus of control and self-esteem were found. Gender and age differences were also detected, revealing that girls and older students were the most distressed by the pandemic. The research results have highlighted an urgent need to protect Gaza students from the Covid-19 psychological burdens in a context where prohibitive living conditions might have undermined their self-esteem. These findings suggest the importance of implementing psychosocial support programs within academic settings in Gaza, with a focus on reinforcing self-esteem and internal locus of control among students. Tailored mental health interventions, particularly for female and older students, should be prioritized to mitigate the impact of both pandemic-related stressors and chronic adversity. Policymakers, educators, and mental health professionals must collaborate to ensure accessible, gender-sensitive, and culturally appropriate support services that can enhance students' resilience and well-being.
The impact of coping on well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic is well established; however, not much is known about the role of culture and religion in shaping coping styles during the pandemic, specifically among a Muslim minority in the African context. It is noted that religious individuals may turn to their faith and spirituality during times of distress. This study explored the predictive relationship between coping, religious coping, and psychological well-being in a sample of South African Muslim individuals during 2020 and 2021. In 2020, 410 participants completed a survey measuring coping styles, religious coping styles, and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 lockdown period in South Africa, and 277 participants completed the survey in 2021. Results indicated that in 2020 and 2021, acceptance and religious coping styles were the most dominant coping strategies employed by individuals. In general, positive coping styles were better predictors of psychological well-being in 2020, with less functional coping styles as negative predictors of psychological well-being in 2021.These results are discussed within the context of promoting psychological well-being during and after the pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic and sudden economic decline led to a drastic surge in suicidal ideation rates among the young population, warranting prevention before its progression to behavior. The current body of research has not yet adequately captured the underlying mechanism between psychological strain and suicidal ideation and the protective role of social determinants in preventing suicidal ideation. This study aimed to explore the mitigating roles of religious orientation and social connectedness between psychological strain and suicidal ideation among Muslim youth during the COVID-19 outbreak between May 2020 and August 2020. This study also explored the moderating role of social connectedness in the mediation of depression between psychological strain and suicidal ideation. University students selected using convenience sampling (N = 400) completed an online questionnaire. Intrinsic religious orientation (beta =-.006, p < 0.05) and social connectedness (beta = -.002, p < 0.05) significantly mitigated the impact of psychological strain on suicidal ideation. he paths between psychological strain and depression (beta = -.002, p < 0.001), and between depression and suicidal ideation were significantly moderated by social connectedness (beta = -.0053, p < 0.05). Protective factors, such as intrinsic religious orientation (i.e., having an inward expression of religious beliefs, in which people use religion as the framework for their lives) and a perceived sense of connectedness must be taken into account when devising intervention programs against depression and suicidal ideation. This study underscores the importance of prevention programs against suicide to protect the youth living with strains and debilitating thoughts of ending their lives.
The present study aims to investigate the impact of defense mechanisms on an individual's psychological well-being and resilience. It also examines non-disabled individuals and individuals with physical disabilities. The population for this study included nondisabled (n = 100) individuals and individuals with physical disabilities (n = 100) from Peshawar, Pakistan. The data on the differently abled individuals with physical disabilities were taken from various paraplegic centers in Peshawar. The data on the non-disabled individuals were taken from various universities and other places of work. Results from the statistical analysis show significant differences between the scores on the Short WarwickEdinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (SWEMWBS) of the individuals who used mature defense mechanisms as compared to the individuals who used immature and neurotic on (SWEMWBS). The study showed significant differences between the non-disabled and individuals with physical disabilities in terms of their use of defense mechanisms in general. Non-disabled individuals used more mature defense mechanisms than individuals with a physical disability. Moreover, people with physical disabilities who used mature defense mechanisms scored higher on the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale and Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale compared to individuals with physical disabilities using negative defense mechanisms. There were no significant differences found regarding gender and the use of defense mechanisms.
The current study explores the interpersonal difficulties of people living on the working boundary line of Sialkot and develops an indigenous tool for interpersonal difficulties. This tool aims for validity in understanding their problems and interpersonal issues. Initially, we explored this topic to understand the issues of individuals and the interpersonal difficulties they experienced. Thirty participants were interviewed for item generation and, after validation from societal experts, 32 items were used for a pilot study with 20 participants. The final research was conducted using a sample of 300 participants, which included 150 females and 150 males from 15 villages located at the working boundary line between India and Pakistan in Sialkot. The Interpersonal Difficulties Scale for Boundary Line (IDSBL, 2020) was completed by these individuals. The Interpersonal Difficulties Scale's factors indicated: a lack of assertiveness, relationship issues, and insecure feelings.The results were also discussed in light of gender differences and the impact of living at the conflicting boundary line. This study will lead to better identification of interpersonal difficulties and has implications for managing the issues of people living at the boundary line.
In the Pakistani social setup, students enrolled in madrassahs are deemed to be a dysfunctional part of the society. This study investigated the relationship between social connectedness and self-compassion with tolerance for disagreement among madrassah students. The study also hypothesized that social connectedness and self-compassion were likely to be predictors of tolerance among madrassah students. Moreover, there would likely be a gender difference in social connectedness, self-compassion, and tolerance for disagreement among madrassah students. A purposive sample of 250 madrassah students between the ages of 19and 25 years was taken from four registered madrassahs in Lahore. The correlation analysis revealed that social connectedness had a significant positive correlation with isolation and over-identification dimensions of self-compassion. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that gender negatively predicted tolerance, whereas residential status and isolation subscale of self-compassion significantly positively predicted the tolerance for disagreement. Moreover, a t-test revealed that male madrassah students harbored higher tolerance for disagreements than females. This study has important implications for the fields of Islamic Psychology and Social Psychology.
Research focusing on understanding and promoting well-being in non-Western countries is on the rise. The present study investigated the relationship between socio-ecological factors and Pakistani University students' well-being. The students (N = 280) completed various questionnaires in a face-to-face group setting. Their responses were subjected to statistical analyses. A series of multiple regressions were conducted to examine how intra-individual, interpersonal, community, and larger society systems are associated with eudemonic and hedonic aspects of well-being. Emotional regulation, strong familial and interpersonal relations, social support and network, religious beliefs and practices, sense of community, and local facilities appeared to be associated with the well-being of the university students. The results have theoretical and practical implications. The findings support the multidimensional nature of well-being and the importance of the socio-ecological framework in Pakistan. The outcome highlights how parents, university authorities, and other stakeholders can enhance the well-being of university students.
The Islamic classical scholarly tradition is replete with literature on a wide range of psychological themes. In recent decades, there has been a surge in the study and re-evaluation of this classical literature considering modern psychology. The purpose of this review is to typologize and examine the prevalent themes and approaches in this contemporary body of scholarship engaging with classical Islamic psychological literature, and to highlight gaps and limitations. This literature review utilized a flexible search strategy through various national and regional databases using a wide range of keywords. The study included a total of 132 works in three languages: Arabic, English, and Turkish. The identified works were screened for inclusion based on their relevance to psychology and their focus on classical Islamic works. These works were organized according to a thematic typology developed by the authors into three categories: broad overviews, theory-oriented works, and application-oriented works. The review indicated a significant diversified interest in classical literature in relation to modern approaches to psychology. However, contemporary scholarship included a notable “championing” attitude towards classical literature with less prevalence of empirical explorations and practical applications. Certain classical scholars and treatises received significantly more attention than others in recent decades. The paper concludes by offering future directions for research in this domain.
