Religious Identity and Psychological Well-being: Gender Differences Among Muslim Adolescents

The objective of the research was to explore the impact of religious identity on the psychological well-being of Muslim adolescents, as well as examine the effect of gender difference on their religious identity. The sample was from Karachi, Pakistan, and was comprised of 250 individuals (146 women; 104 men) between the ages of 16 to 19 years. The Religious Identity Scale ( Ayub, In Press ) and Psychological Well-Being Scale ( Ryff, 1989 ) were used. The findings revealed the impact of religious identity on the psychological well-being among Muslim adolescents (R2 = .416, F (176, 836) = 13.298, p < .000). The results further suggested gender differences in religious identity ( t = -5.318, df = 248, p ≤.05), environmental mastery ( t = -8.727, df = 248, p ≤.05), positive relationship with others( t = -12.375, df = 248, p ≤.05), autonomy ( t = -3.749, df = 248, p ≤.05), personal growth ( t = -4.572, df = 248, p ≤.05), self-acceptance ( t = -5.466, df = 248, p ≤.05), and purpose in life ( t = -9.687, df = 248, p ≤.05). This study is therefore significant in demonstrating the contribution of religious identity to well-being. Finally, the findings of this study may be useful for policy makers, researchers, psychologists, and educational institutes in promoting clarity in concept about religious identity, which may ultimately improve the psychological well-being of adolescents.