The Role of Perceived Stress and Positive Affect as Mediators in the Relationship between Religious Orientation and Mental Health

The present research aimed to examine the role of perceived stress and positive affect as mediators in the relationship between religious orientation and mental health among students. This correlational research applied the structural equation modeling, and its population was the students of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz in the academic year 2021-2022. By the multistage sampling, 311 students were selected. The questionnaires of religious orientation (Maltby, 1999), mental health (1972), and perceived stress (1983) were used. According to the findings, there is a relationship between religious orientation and perceived stress, and between perceived stress and mental health. In addition, there is not a relationship between religious orientation and mental health with the mediation of perceived stress. It is confirmed that there is a relationship between religious orientation and positive affect, and between positive affect and mental health. Positive affect explains the relationship between religious orientation and mental health. There is no significant difference between the two mediating variables. In order to increase students' mental health, it is suggested that internal religious orientation be strengthened and some supportive and educational programs be designed for managing students' stress and increasing their positive affect.