Studying the Self-Esteem of Gonabad University of Medical Sciences Students Participating in the I’tikaf Ceremony in 2015: A Descriptive Study

Self-esteem is one of the important issues in mental health. Religious beliefs and remembrance of God are among factors affecting self-esteem. The purpose of this study was to investigate the self-esteem of students of Gonabad University of Medical Sciences who participated in the I’tikaf ceremony in 2015. This is a descriptive study where the individuals participating in the I’tikaf ceremony were selected by census (n=75) and 75 persons were selected via simple randomization method from among the students of Gonabad University of Medical Sciences in 2015. Data were collected using a demographics form and Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory. The data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics (t-test, Mann-Whitney, Chi-square, and paired t-test) at the significance level of p <0.05. There was a significant difference between the total score of self-esteem in the I’tikaf group before and after the ceremony (p=0.001), but there was no significant difference in the control group before and after the ceremony (p=0.17). The mean difference of self-esteem total score in the I’tikaf group was more than that of the control group, which was statistically significant (p=0.01). According to the findings, it can be said that participation in this ceremony and similar rituals can improve the variables of mental health such as self-esteem, which its universality requires the exact planning of those in charge.