Multidimensional Religious Identity Predicts Muslim American Adolescent Mental Health, Well-Being, and Purpose

Objective: Although religious identity is often the most salient identity for religious minority adolescents, there is a dearth of research examining its impact on mental health and well-being. This is the first study to investigate the prospective associations between multidimensional religious identity with mental health and well-being outcomes among Muslim American adolescents. Methods: A sample of Muslim American adolescents (N = 248; 13-19 years) completed questionnaires assessing religious identity centrality and private regard, anxiety and depression symptoms, well-being, and purpose. Results: Path analyses revealed that centrality predicted greater well-being and purpose and less depression, but not anxiety. Private regard did not predict any of the outcomes. Conclusion: Religious identity can be an asset for Muslim American adolescents’ mental health and well-being. By including both centrality and private regard in the same model, the present study sheds light on which dimension of religious identity is more beneficial to well-being.