Int. j. econ. manag. soc. sci., Vol(4), No (2), February, 2015. pp.

241-243

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International Journal of Economy, Management and Social Sciences

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The Relation of Religion and Mental Health

Ali Yousefi *
Master of Educational Research, Education, Bilesuvar, Iran.
*Corresponding author: yousefi50@yahoo.com

Keywords

Abstract

Religion
Mental health
Psychology of religion

The present study deals with the relation of religion and mental health. The research method is descriptive analytical research and data collection tools based on the use of articles and theories of religious scholars. Overall,
the research reviewed in this paper has shown that there is a relationship between religion and mental health.
Analytical results showed that the inner orientation and true religion and mental health, there is a positive
relationship. So a religion deeply internalized, it is necessary for mental health and achieve a healthy personality.
Also according to the survey results, it can be stated that an individual's religious beliefs, teachings and
transcendence, and thus can lead to mental health.

1.

Introduction and statement of problem

By studying the human societies and history of civilizations have always encountered traces of religion and religious beliefs. Any period of
human history is not devoid of religious beliefs. Despite the antiquity of religious belief, experts in the field of psychology of religion at the
theoretical level conflicting views on the effects of religious beliefs on mental health are discussed. For example; Freud and Ellis have a negative
assessment of the impact of religion on mental health but people like James, Jung, Allport, Maslow, Forum with a positive attitude towards
religious orientation to mental health outcomes have spoken [4].
More study of mechanism in the effect of religion on mental health and why some studies show negative effects on the physical or mental health,
researchers is the influence of different types of religion to study. In this regardAllportto two types of religious orientation. The Allport view
religious orientation two internal and external. In religious orientation inner faith in and of itself as a supreme value considered to. But in
religious orientation external and foreign religion is and as a tool to satisfy individual needs and security is used. In other words religion for
security and social base and the people who are in the religion as a means to achieve the goal are used [1].
Religious orientation the authority to dispose of the structure of relations and human relations in all dimensions in the light of human relations
and God and that person in the relations and roadmap to what extent instructions and recommended behaviors do religious fundamentalism and
finally to God and ritual seriously [3].Aspilkaand Shower and Kirk Patrick (1985) showed that religion in the process to deal with events and
problems three role; 1-provide the meaning for Life, 2-to help people for having control feel when faced with different situations and 3Establishing a feeling of confidence to people [16]. So with regard to the collection of data are the most stressed out in effect of religion role of
religion in mental health part of the unity in the organization of the human psychological and monotheism is attained soul [19].
In recent years much research has been done on the relationship between religion and psychology. These studies generally have shown that there
is a positive relationship between religion and mental health [10]. But in some vague and unclear communication between different aspects of
religiosity and psychological adaptations have been reported. It seems that religious beliefs can have positive and negative effects on mental health.
During the life cycle, people due to factors confronting stress generator, and need to be adapted to comprise the mental health of the mind,
mental health, and business entities in order to achieve the desired goals are important. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of
religion on mental health of individuals.

2.

Research method

The research method is descriptive - analytical and data collection tools based on the use of articles, ideas, sociologists and religious scholars.

3.

The Principles of the theoretical research

3.1 Definition of mental health

WHO mental health professionals, capable of harmonious relationships with others, modifying personal and social environments and to resolve
conflicts and personal desires are reasonable, fair and appropriate definition and believe that mental health and mental health are having but been
flexible to respond to different kinds of life experiences and significant [17]. Chahn (1991) as well as the situation of mental health of
psychological interpretation that the maturity of maximum effectiveness and the satisfaction derived from the existence of a personal and social
conflict that involves emotions and positive feedback to yourself and others [8].
3.2 Psychology of religion
What is the origin of religion in human life? Do religious people have a certain type of person are you? Does religion make people's lives more
satisfying and more successful, in their marriages, jobs and so guarantees? Do you have more faith than the physical and mental health? Is
Religiosity in reducing crime and other unlawful acts and to increase the sense of altruism, helping others, charity is the impact? How can we
measure the religiosity of the people?
These questions are examples of issues that will be discussed in the psychology of religion. This directory is a sub-discipline of psychology to
the study of religion from the perspective of psychology deals.
According to Thoules, psychological study about religion, religion is a way of understanding the behavior of the application of psychological
principles to the study of religious behavior is obtained. In other words, attempts to apply psychological principles to the study of the psychology
of religion has generally been achieved, In the case of religious behavior are at work so they can explain it. Another interpretation of Paloutzian
on the psychology of religion is, he writes, "the psychology of religion and religious beliefs and practices and the extent to which the study deals
with psychologically". This means that the goal is to understand the psychological processes that influence the behavior of their religious
experience [2].

Ali Yousefi *

242

International Journal of Economy, Management and Social Sciences Vol(4), No (2), February, 2015.

Paloutzian worked in the range effects of multiple environmental, social and personal influences on religious experience to consider research
with a view to investigate the possibility of detecting the religion provides mediation processes [2].
3.3 Communication methods psychology and religion
There are three means of communication in the field of psychology and religion. The first scientific study of religion is a way of communicating
the "psychology of religion" called. This area is one of the main approaches from 1880 to 1930 was, and to this day stands in the way of religion
is the subject of psychology [13]. Accordingly, in the form of scientific psychology to explain the phenomenon of religious views and deals
regularly. Here, according to multiple branches of psychology such as social psychology, evolutionary, developmental and pathological religious
phenomena are explained. In the second method of psychological findings by the missionaries used to guide and lead the people. This method
differs from previous methods in that the first method, as the main topic of the psychology of religion is examined, in the second method, the
psychology of religion to advance and accelerate your goals are.The third is to use the findings of psychology is to define and reinterpret
religious traditions. In all three methods, the religion as a subject for study, education and provision of services is viewed or modified [13].
3.4 Functions of the perspective of the psychology of religion
Psychology of religion using scientific methods and laboratory religiosity is proved to have many benefits. Some of the psychological functions
of religion and religiosity are:
1. Meaning of Life
2. Health and mental peace
3. Consistency within and outside world; reduce suffering
4. The aim of the rehabilitation ideal
5. Replies to feel alone.
6. Strengthening power to control instincts [16].

4.

Literature review

Numerous studies show that religion and mental health have a direct relationship with each other, even physically. Collect scholars on religion
and psychological studies which have been increasing in recent decades. In recent years a great deal of research has been done on the
relationship between religion and mental health. Overall, these studies have shown that there is a positive relationship between religion and
mental health.
Koenig (2007), the research showed that mental and physical health of people with intellectual life and those who have strong religious beliefs
are positively related to better adaptability in the living position [9]. Hockney and Sanders (2003) investigated the relationship between spirituality
and mental health found that people who have strong religious and spiritual beliefs in a higher test mental and physical health scores [11].
Joe Stewart (1998) showed that about 121 students in religious spirits significantly associated with mental health and adjustment, and people
who know their religion over all the others are compatible and highest academic performance [20]. Brgin (1983) meta-analysis of all studies
conducted to investigate the role of religion until 1979. In his final summation effect achieved 30, the shaft 23 there was no significant effect the
positive effect was observed in 5-axis and 2 patients had a negative effect between religiosity and pathological signs were. He said there is little
evidence to show that a positive role in treatment [6]. In another study Bergin et al (1988) have concluded that the most religious students in the
normal measures of anxiety and depression, self-concept, irrational beliefs, and other sizes are determined by evaluating the personality and
mental health. These findings and other research that has been done since the 80's onwards, the results suggest that religious practice serves the
mental health [7].
According to Neelman et al (1997) from the 90s onwards, following the failure of mental health professionals interventional techniques and
conventional practices, followed by numerous investigations and results are the positive effects of religion on mental health, the collection was
growing religion [14].
Levin, Chatrs and Taylor (1995) found that greater adherence to the faith of those who were more satisfied with their lives [9], as well as
Foterman and Koenig (1995) in a review of 23 studies found that people with religious had better mental health and greater prosperity enjoyed [9].
The results of Watson (1994) hypothesized that religious Ellis, the conflict increases, not endorsed. Their sample consisted of 351 participants
concluded that people with intrinsic religious orientation are more reasonable compromise specificity of the show more and more mental health
were deemed [21].
In some studies, the ambiguous relationship between various aspects of religious orientation and psychological collaboration reported. Powell et
al (2003) with this study, the inverse relationship between religious orientation and negative psychological outcomes have been reported [15].
Ellis, Connor, Hrtzgard et al (1994) in their study has shown that religiosity has a positive effect on their mental health. Some researchers
believe that there is no relationship between religiosity and mental health due to differences in scale and method of measuring religiosity and
mental health [13].
In Iran, in particular, aspects, features and surveys conducted psychological phenomena of religion. For example;
Bahrami Ehsan (2002) Positive correlation between religious orientation and self-esteem of students achieved. A person with high self-esteem
seems realistic approach threatening situations and overcome it [3].
The results of Jamali (2002) and Chavooshi et al (2008) in their research found that religious beliefs and attitudes and negatively related to
anxiety and depression and positively associated with mental health [12, 9]. Bayani (2008) showed that there is a significant relationship
between religious affiliation and depression, so that students with higher levels of religious orientation, anxiety and depression are reduced [4].
In a study, John Bozorgi (2007) to examine the relationship between religious orientation and mental health was conducted; the results indicate
that there is direct relationship between religiosity and mental health. The more intrinsic religious orientation and mental health of the screw
[13].

5.

Discussion and conclusions

Generally research of the study in the article have shown that a positive relation between religion and health soul. But in some obscure research
links between the different aspects of piety and knowledge soul compromise have been reported to it seems that religious beliefs can be positive
or negative consequences of the soul have a health closed to the religious person and similar event in life can be quite different methods
considered. In addition to study Health Effects of religion you have soul; the other part of the research in this field study emphasized many
effects of different kinds of religious orientation (internal and external) soul of health. This group of research is mainly of the theory in the field
all port division religious orientation to two kinds of external and internal. Research of different religious orientation relationship with soul

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The Relation of Religion and Mental Health

International Journal of Economy, Management and Social Sciences Vol(4), No (2), February, 2015.

health examined and more stresses on that religious orientation and identity having a consistent religious, people of the danger of lack of
meaning frees. With a look at the studies it can be concluded that the tendency toward religious orientation with soul health in culture and
different religions there is.
Analytical results this research showed that the conversion to the religion to a take a deep breath and inner soul with health, meaningful relation.
From this analysis and interpretations can be concluded that a religion you have to take a deep breath and inner mental health and to reach sound
character is necessary. In other words having meaning and purpose in life to feel they belong to a source of sublime, hope to help God in hard
conditions and life in optimistic result in conditions and of the support of religious groups including resources that religion from them can be
facing life events, psychological damage suffered less. Using religion as a means to achieve the goals cannot guarantee the mental health people
while using the spirituality religion to increase health useful soul.
Also according to the results of this study can be stated that the teachings and religious beliefs can be individual perfection and excellence in
health and strategic soul, so that the individual and with awareness and logical knowledge, to their beliefs and religious beliefs and duties
attendant to the do and otherwise if only to gain social privileges and gain or fear of punishment and blame others for the actions of these acts
the least effect in the individual will and it is even possible negative effect in the individual.

6.

Suggestions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Education country in reformation in religion you people should try and from religion and educated and personable coaches choose
religious .
Environment education and working people should be in organizing that led to the production of positive value .
By strengthening the foundations of the belief and the preservation of the religious value in among the officials can be members of the
society from the pest optional religion saved .
With regard to the fact that people with religion are you take a deep breath and inner soul of health education should be better in a way
that there would be more people to this kind of orientation to be given .
Concepts and religious teachings in the schools and universities that will be presented in a way that will be organizing internal beliefs
learners to strengthen.

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