The Effect of lesser pilgrimage to Mecca on Mental Health and Happiness

The present paper studied the influence of lesser pilgrimage to Mecca on university student's happiness and mental health. The statistical universe included all student caravans to Mecca to perform lesser pilgrimage in 1386 ('AH-solar). The statistical sample included 104 university students who were selected from two student caravans through cluster sampling. A semi-experimental method was used in this research. The data were analyzed using t-test, variance analysis, and Scheffe’s method. Oxford 29-item happiness questionnaire and 28 item questionnaire of general health were used in this research. The subjects completed these questionnaires in three stages, that is, one month before the pilgrimage (pretest), one day after performing the lesser pilgrimage (posttest), and one month after returning from pilgrimage (follow-up). The research findings showed that performing lesser pilgrimage influenced and increased subject's level of happiness, and improved their mental health.