The relationship between religiosity and mental health problems among adolescents in Malaysia: a qualitative study

ABSTRACT

Mental health problems are a growing public health issue among children and adolescents. This study aims to explore the underlying factors that may contribute to the development of mental health problems among adolescents in Selangor, Malaysia, using the qualitative method. These adolescents were initially screened to have such problems in a prevalence study. Subsequently, during focus group discussions that were carried out among these respondents, five key themes emerged, in which four of these themes, were found to be similar as in previous western studies, which include less parental involvement, harsh and inconsistent discipline, low parental monitoring, as well as lack of parental love. All these factors were suggested to contribute to the development of mental health problems. A new theme emerged i.e., lack of religious activities among respondents and family members. Shortcomings in terms of the practice of religiosity may be associated with such problems.

KEYWORDS:

• Mental health
• adolescents
• risk factors
• qualitative
• religiosity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Idayu Idris http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7238-2904

Rozita Hod http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8645-1723

Azmawati Mohammed Nawi http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0009-5244

Qistina Mohd Ghazali http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0993-5243

Nornatasha Azida Anuar http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4038-7604

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Geran Galakan Penyelidik Muda [grant number GGPM-2014-063].