Religion and Health; Meta-analysis on Studies and Research on Religiosity and Mental Health in Iran (Case Study: Research in the 80's and the first half of the 90's)

Today, psychological problems are rising dramatically in all societies, and it is expected that mental disorders will turn into the world's worst health problem by 2020. In this regard, one of the important factors in the prevention of psychological problems is  religion and religiosity. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to provide a meta-analysis of studies and research on religiosity and mental health in Iran. The method of this research is quantitative and its main approach is meta-analysis. The statistical population of this study was the studies carried out in the form of various scientific articles in the field of social sciences in the years 2001 and the first half of the nineties of which 16 cases were selected according to screening criteria. Statistical studies of these studies showed that the size of the effect of studies was heterogeneous and there was no bias in the publication of the studies under study with a confidence level of 99 percent. In the analytical dimension, the coefficient of effect size and the role of gender variable adjustment were evaluated using the second version of CMA software. The results showed that the size of effect or coefficient of religiosity effect on mental health was equal to 11/0Which according to Cohen's interpretative system, is slightly evaluated. This coefficient was also evaluated for men (14/0) above women (07/0). The level of religiosity of the community at a lower level can explain their mental health level.