A study of the effectiveness of religious seclusion (Itikaf) in increasing mental health and happiness of students (Case study: Ardabil high school students)

The main objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of religious seclusion (Itikaf) in increasing mental health and happiness of students (case study of Ardabil high school students) in the academic year of 1396-97. The research method was quasi-experimental using pre-test and post-test design with control group. The statistical population of the study is Ardebil high school students. The research sample consisted of 100 participants in religious seclusion and 100 students who did not attend the event (while controlling the same age and socioeconomic status), which were randomly considered. Participants completed the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire once before and once after the ceremony. While for non-static students, these tests were performed only once. After collecting the data, the results were analyzed by SPSS-17 software. For data analysis, descriptive statistics including mean and standard deviation and inferential statistics including covariance analysis were used. The results showed that religious seclusion ceremony improves the mental health of students in the intervention group and significantly reduces the symptoms of anxiety, depression, physical symptoms and social dysfunction, and also increases happiness significantly. According to the results obtained in this study, it can be said that the participation in the same ceremonies and similar religious and spiritual rituals, improve mental health and increase the vitality and happiness of adolescents, which encompasses the exact planning of the authorities.