Relationship Between Spirituality and Mental Health Conditions Among Undergraduate Students

The benefits of spirituality on physical and emotional well-being have been acknowledged among different populations. To explore this further, the current study was conducted to examine how spirituality (spiritual support and openness) impacts mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety among undergraduate students. The research used a quantitative design and recruited 190 participants (136 men and 54 women) through convenience sampling. Participants were requested to complete a simple demographic questionnaire, Spiritual Experience Index - Revised (Genia, 1997), Beck Anxiety Inventory (Beck et al., 1988a), and Beck Depression Inventory (Beck et al., 1961). Findings reported a significant negative correlation between spirituality and depressive symptoms (p < 0.01). Gender differences were also noted in spirituality and depression levels within the sample, with spirituality emerging as a significant negative predictor of depressive symptoms. Additionally, this study emphasizes the importance of spirituality in maintaining mental health and encourages mental healthcare professionals to consider the therapeutic value of spirituality. The implications of the study's findings on the relationship between spirituality and mental health among undergraduate students are also discussed.