The relationship between the religious orientation and anxiety and depression of university students

Human beings tendency to religion is coincidental with the man’s history. Experimental researches show no correlation among findings related to the relationship of religions orientation and mental health. The main purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between the religious orientation and anxiety and depression of university students. The main method in this study was descriptive-analytic. The subject was 571 students in Islamic Azad University, Azad Shahr branch, who were chosen randomly. The participants, were 324 male and 247 female students with the average age of 22 years. They answered to the researcher-made questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), religious attitude scale and Spilberger State-Trait Inventory (STAI). Data were analyzed through SPSS software with descriptive-deductive base, ANOVA and Pearson,s correlation. Data analysis indicated the high negative correlation between the religious orientation and anxiety and depression of university students. With the increase of the student’s religious orientation, their depression and anxiety decreased (P< 0.05). The study indicates the close relationship between the religious orientation and anxiety and depression of university students. Reinforcement and assimilation of religious values in students can lead them toward increased mental health.