The relationship between religious beliefs and locus of control with mental health

Abstract Background: Prevention of mental disorders is considered to be the major aim of mental health. Preventive attempts to strengthen religious beliefs and ideas are among the approaches to help reducing mental disorders. Objective: To study the relationship between religious beliefs and locus of control with mental health in female students. Methods: This was a descriptive-analytic study performed on 80 female students of Bandar Abbas University of Medical Sciences in 2000. Random clustering method was used for selection of samples. The data were collected using 3 different questionnaires named as Julian Rater Locus of Control, Symptom-Check List-90-Revised questionnaire, and Islamic Act Screening Scale. Findings: The data analysis showed a direct and positive effect of religion on mental health and locus of control, although the relationship between religious beliefs and symptom-check list-90-revised scale was significantly reversed. Conclusion: Regarding the positive effects of religious beliefs and practices on mental health, the use of this potential in community health planning specially when dealing with young adults is recommended.