The Impact of Religiosity on the Mental Health of Women in Iran

Previous studies have elaborated on the complex relationship between religiosity and mental health, particularly concerning gender differences; however, research is scarce within Persian samples. Following the 2022 Women, Life, Freedom movement, this cross-sectional study aims to assess the association between religiosity (measured by the 4BDR scale) and mental health (assessed using the GHQ-28) in a Persian sample. We explore gender differences in both mental health and religiosity, examining how the four dimensions of religiosity-believing, bonding, behaving, and belonging-relate to mental health above and beyond gender influence. Our findings negate the prevalent assumptions about religiosity’s protective role, highlighting the need for broader mental health strategies considering socio-political contexts and individual experiences.