Religiosity and Optimism as Predictors of Psychopathology and Mental Health

Abstract

The present study aimed at determining the role of religiosity and optimism as predictors of psychopathology and mental health. A convenience sample of 942 individuals was gathered from Peshawar, Islamabad, and Lahore. The sample included non-clinical (n=746) and psychiatric patients (n=196). Multi Dimensional Personality Inventory (MDPI; Zeb, 2013) was used to investigate if religiosity and optimism play a significant role in enhancing mental health and overcome the development of psychopathology. Statistical analysis computed via t-test (t(488)=16.99, p<.000) as well as multiple regression analysis(β=-.21, p<.000) suggest that low religiosity is a significant predictor of psychopathology. On the other hand, high religiosity contributes significantly to enhance mental health (β=.24, p<.000). Our results suggest that the higher the religiosity the lower the chances of developing psychopathology and the higher the mental health. Optimism, on the other hand, appears to serve as a buffer against psychopathology (β =-.65, p<.000), whereas, it did not contribute towards mental health (β=.01, p>.01).