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

AbstractBackground: The main purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between the religious orientation and anxiety and depression of university students.Materials and Methods: The main method in this study was descriptive-analytic. The subject was 347 students in University of Tehran, who were chosen randomly .The participants, were 135 male and 212 female students. 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.Results 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< 0.01).Conclusion: 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