Religion, Existential Anxiety, and the Search for Lifes Meaning: A Humanistic Psychology Approach in Religious Societies

This study advances Islamic counseling scholarship by proposing a model that respects clients religious worldviews while empowering them to find personal meaning, emotional resilience, and spiritual fulfillment. In a time when religious identity and psychological well-being are closely intertwined, particularly in Muslim-majority societies, integrating Islamic values with evidence-based humanistic techniques is not only beneficial but also essential. Existential anxiety is a profound form of psychological distress triggered by confronting fundamental questions of death, purpose, and the meaning of existence. This study explores the role of religion in helping individuals in religious societies cope with existential anxiety and pursue life meaning through a humanistic psychological lens. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, data were collected via in-depth interviews with 12 adult Muslim participants who had experienced existential crises. Thematic analysis yielded three core themes: (1) religious narratives as existential anchors; (2) rituals as buffers against death anxiety and meaninglessness; and (3) spiritual reflection as a path to inner reconciliation. Findings suggest that religion serves not only as a spiritual coping mechanism, but also as a comprehensive framework for meaning-making that integrates humanistic values such as self-actualization and transcendence within a divine context. These insights contribute to the development of meaning-centered Islamic counseling models that blend logotherapeutic techniques with Islamic spiritual principles.