An investigation into whether experiential avoidance acts as a mediator in the relationship between religious coping and depression in an adult Muslim population.

Bedair, Dina (2015) An investigation into whether experiential avoidance acts as a mediator in the relationship between religious coping and depression in an adult Muslim population. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

Background
Depression presents differently in Muslims (Sami & El-Gawad, 1995). Religious
coping and experiential avoidance (EA) are ways of coping with depression in
many populations and religions but how these manifest or interact in Muslims is
unknown. The way individuals cope with stressors may lead to the development
of depression (Beck, 1987b). Positive religious coping (PRC) and acceptance are
adaptive forms of coping and correlate with better quality of life (Gardner,
Krägeloh and Henning, 2014). Negative religious coping (NRC) and EA are
maladaptive forms of coping correlating with depression (Hayes et al., 2004;
Pargament Feuille & Burdzy, 2011). Islam fosters acceptance and positive
action. An a priori prediction is that well-adjusted, practicing Muslims will
engage in PRC and acceptance, whilst those engaging in NRC and EA will
display more depressive symptoms.
Aims
To investigate whether religious coping and EA are implicated in the
development of depression in Muslims. To date no study has addressed both
constructs together in a Muslim sample. The study aimed to fill this gap and
further the understanding of depression in Muslims.
Doctoral Thesis: An investigation into whether Dina Bedair
experiential avoidance acts as a mediator in the relationship
between religious coping and depression in an adult Muslim population
iii
Method
Participants were recruited from a community sample of Arabic-speaking
Muslims in the United Kingdom. Data were collected with an Arabic
questionnaire pack including EA, religious coping and depression measures.
Analysis
A cross-sectional, correlation and mediation design was adopted to test the
hypotheses.
Results
NRC moderately, positively correlated with depression. EA strongly positively
correlated with depression. PRC was not related to depression. EA mediated the
relationship between NRC and depression.
Conclusion
EA could be a clinical target for depressed Muslims, e.g. using existing therapies
like acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT; Hayes & Wilson 1994) or by
incorporating Islamic concepts into other therapies like CBT to reduce NRC and
increase acceptance. There is a need to develop standardised Arabic measures for
use with this population.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User:	Users 2259 not found.
Date Deposited:	29 Jan 2016 12:10
Last Modified:	29 Jan 2016 12:10
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/56888
DOI:

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