The influence of religiosity on mental stabylity of war veterans

Abstract

Aim:

To determine the influence of religiosity on mental stability of war veterans after stress situations in Bosnia-Herzegovina war (1992-95).

Method:

The sample consists of 98 healthy males aged 20-40 years, with equable educational level. The religiosity level of participants measured with frequency of daily prayers performing, and with inner motivation toward religion. The sample divided in: group of subjects that are highly religious (n=48) who perform prayers every day five times, and another group of subjects who are lowly religious (n=50), who do not practice any daily prayer. For sample selection the measuring instruments were used to assess spiritual, religious, and social profile of subject. For assessment of personality structure were used standardized psychometric tests (Minnesota Multiphase Personal Inventory – MMPI, Profile Index of Emotions – PIE, Life Style Questionnaire - OM) to assess personality profile, emotional profile, and subject's defense orientation.

Results:

Regarding MMPI scores: highly religious war veterans presented significantly lower levels for depression (P=0.021), hysteria (P=0.048), psychopathic (P=0.004), and paranoid (P=0.005) than war veterans who were low religious. According the OM scores: highly religious war veterans expressed significantly lower levels for: regression (P<0.001), compensation (P=0.002), transfer (P<0.001), and reactive formation (P<0.001) than low religious ones. In PIE scores highly religious subjects had significantly higher levels for: incorporation (P=0.008) and self-protection (P<0.001), but lower levels for no-controlling (P<0.001), oppositionality (P<0.001), and aggressiveness (P=0.001).

Conclusion:

Highly religious war veterans presented better ability to deal with stress and to keep mental balance than their peers who were lowly religious.