Hijab, Religiosity, and Psychological Wellbeing of Muslim Women in the United States

Within the emerging mental health research in Muslim populations, previous studies have reported conflicting findings regarding the connection between psychological wellbeing and explicit religiosity (e.g., visibility of Muslim women via hijab, headscarf, and loose-fitted clothing) for those living in predominantly non-Muslim countries. The purpose of the current study was to explore quantitatively, on a small scale, the relationship between hijab and psychological wellbeing of Muslim women in the United States. A total of 50 Muslim women (25 muhajabbas (women who wear hijab) and 25 non-muhajabbas) completed a battery of scales assessing their depressive and anxious symptoms, self-esteem, and various aspects of their religiosity. More frequent wearing of loose-fitted clothing was significantly associated with lower internalizing psychopathology (i.e., depression and anxiety) levels, whether participants regularly practiced hijab was not. Further, self-reported religiosity had strong negative correlations with internalizing psychopathology. Hierarchical linear regression analyses indicated that frequency of loose-fitted clothing and self-reported religiosity incrementally predicted internalizing psychopathology above and beyond age, migrant status, and hijab frequency. Overall, while variables were predictors of the internalizing psychopathology, none predicted self-esteem, highlighting a specific relationship with psychological wellbeing. Religiosity and loose-fitted clothing appear to be worthwhile variables for further investigation as potential resilience factors in Muslim women in the United States. Further implications of these results are discussed in terms of culturally sensitive support.