Familiarity with Quran and Its Relationship with Mental Health among University Students

Religious beliefs and practices play an important role in prevention of mental disorders (e.g., depression and anxiety). Intimacy with Quran is an emphasized religious practice. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between intimacy with Quran and mental health among university students.

This descriptive, analytic, correlational study was conducted on 351 students at Birjand University of Medical Sciences, in 2014. The samples were selected by stratified random sampling. The data collection instruments included a demographics form, intimacy with Quran questionnaire, and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). To analyze the data, independent t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson productmoment correlation coefficient tests were run, using SPSS version 16.

The mean scores of Quran recitation, application, perception, and intimacy were 20.541±4.49, 18.22±4.75, 14.13±3.23, and 52.82±11.43 out of 57, respectively. The results indicated that from among the students 2.5% suffered from depression, 7% anxiety, 7.6% social function disorder, and 2.5% physical disorders. There was not a significant difference between mean scores of marital status, age, and field of study (P>0.05). There was a significant relationship between intimacy with Quran and social function disorders (P>0.05).

Given the findings of the study, familiarity with Quran can affect general health. Quranic programs can be performed to pave the way for higher familiarity of students with Quran, which can in turn, enhance their mental health.