Relationship of Islamic Lifestyle with Depression and Anxiety among the Students of Qom University of Medical Sciences in 2018

Background and Objectives: Lifestyle modifications pertain to all aspects of life, including physical, mental, and psychological domains. Therefore, the achievement of any kind of health, especially mental health, has come into special focus. The current study aimed to investigate the Islamic lifestyle and its relationship with depression and anxiety among the students of Qom University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 500 students of Qom University of Medical Sciences. They were selected by cluster random sampling among all students of Qom University of Medical Sciences. To assess the relationship of Islamic lifestyle with depression and anxiety among students, the following instruments were utilized: Kaviani Islamic Lifestyle Survey Test- short form (ILST), Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Goldberg Depression Questionnaire. The data were analyzed in SPSS software using the Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression test. Results: Based on the results of the present study demonstrated that the Pearson correlation coefficient between lifestyle and depression was obtained at R=-0.15; moreover, this value was calculated at R=-0.12 for lifestyle and anxiety. Moreover, people with a better lifestyle experience less anxiety and depression and vice versa Furthermore, anxiety, and depression were not significantly correlated with such demographic variables as age, grade point average, gender, place of residence, and marital status, as compared to the Islamic lifestyle. Conclusion: As evidenced by the obtained results, anxiety and depression can predict people's lifestyle. Therefore, it is recommended that standard educational programs focus on the Islamic lifestyle in order to promote better health in the students.