The relationship between religiosity and mental health problems among adolescents in Malaysia: a qualitative study

Mental health problems are a growing public health issue among children and adolescents. This study aims to explore the underlying factors that may contribute to the development of mental health problems among adolescents in Selangor, Malaysia, using the qualitative method. These adolescents were initially screened to have such problems in a prevalence study. Subsequently, during focus group discussions that were carried out among these respondents, five key themes emerged, in which four of these themes, were found to be similar as in previous western studies, which include less parental involvement, harsh and inconsistent discipline, low parental monitoring, as well as lack of parental love. All these factors were suggested to contribute to the development of mental health problems. A new theme emerged i.e., lack of religious activities among respondents and family members. Shortcomings in terms of the practice of religiosity may be associated with such problems.