Relationship between mental health and religious orientation in Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The relationship between mental health and religious orientation was investigated in a systematic review and meta-analysis. Databases such as PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, MagIran, SID, and IranMedex were searched until September 2024, and outcomes of interest were extracted. Meta-analysis was done using random-effects and fixed-effects models. In studies using the General Health Questionnaire (36 studies), a negative and statistically non-significant correlation between religious orientation and mental health was observed (r = −.073, 95% CI = −.169, .025). This negative correlation was only statistically significant in the adolescent age group (r = −.346, p < .001, 95% CI [−.505, −.164]). In addition, among studies using other questionnaires (11 studies), a positive statistically non-significant correlation (r = .125, p = .098, 95% CI [−.014, + .260]) was found. More educational trials should be conducted for a concise conclusion. However, the adolescent age group needs the utmost attention because religious orientation has the most significant correlation in this period of life.