S, Sirohi M. (2001). A study of differential effects of Hindu Muslim and Christian Religions on Psychological Development, Mental Health and religiosity of Adolescent Students. Unpublished. Ph.D., Education. Bundelkhand University, Jhansi ,Uttar Pradesh.
The objectives of the study were: (1) To find out how the adolescent students of Hindu homes compare with their counterparts of Muslim homes with regard to certain personality characteristics, mental health and religiosity. (2) To find out how the Hindu adolescent students compare with their counterparts from Christian homes on certain personality characteristics, mental health and religiosity. (3) To find out how the Christian adolescent students compare with Muslim adolescent students on certain personality characteristics, mental health and religiosity.
The hypotheses of the study were: (1) The Hindu adolescent students differ significantly from those of the Muslim homes with regard to certain personality factors, mental health and religiosity. (2) The Hindu adolescent students differ significantly those from the Christian homes with regard to certain personality factors, mental health and religiosity. (3) The Muslim adolescent students differ significantly from those of the Christian homes with regard to certain personality factors, mental health and religiosity.
250 students of class XI from east Delhi region were selected as a sample by systematic sampling method.
Children’s personality Questionnaire (PQ) (Hindi translation by S.D. Kapoor and Sharadauba Rao), Sirohi Religiosity Questionnaire (SRQ) (test-retest reliability coefficient = 0.97), Sirohi Mental Health Questionnaire (SMHQ) (test-retest reliability coefficient = 0.91) were used for data collection.
The quasi-experimental method was used by researcher.
The data were analyzed by K-S test.
The findings were: (1) There were significant differences between Hindu and Muslim boys on A, B, C, F, G, H, J and O factors of CPQ and Religiosity. Hindu boys as compared to Muslim boys have a higher scholastic mental capacity, are more mature emotionally having higher degree of ego-strength, more prudent and sober, are less vigorous but more individualistic, possess greater super- ego strength. On the other hand Muslim boys as compared to Hindu boys are more social, outgoing and warm hearted. They are less sober, more enthusiastic, gay and happy-go-lucky persons. They are socially bold and uninhibited. They, however, feel less confident and are apprehensive worrying type of persons. Also, Muslim boys have a greater faith in religion as compared to Hindu boys. (2) In case of comparison between Hindu and Christian adolescent students the differential effect of religion on psychological development was visible only in case of factors H, J, O of CPQ, mental health and religiosity. Christian adolescent students as compared to Hindu adolescent students were more uninhibited and bold, more vigorous and less individualistic, less self-assure and apprehensive. Also, it was found that Christian boys as compared to Hindu boys had poorer mental health, but stronger faith in religion. (3) The Muslim and Christian adolescent students significantly differ from one another on six factors (A, C, E, F, G and O) of CPQ and mental health. It may be concluded that differential effect of religion on their psychological development is evident at least in respect of these seven variables. With regard to how they differ it may be inferred that the Christian adolescent students as compared to their Muslim counterpart are found to be more intelligent, possessing lower degree of ego-strength, being less dominant and assertive, more sober and serious, possessing a stronger superego, more self-assured and less apprehensive. On mental health they seem to be inferior to the Muslim boys.
Keyword(s): Religions, Psychological Development, Mental Health, Adolescent Students