A Meta-Analysis about Researches on Relationshipbetween Religious Orientation and Mental Health and Depression in Iran

ABSTRACT: Purpose of this research was to Meta – analysis about researches on relationship between religious orientation and mental health and depression in Iran. Therefore five questions were proposed about relationship between religious orientation and mental health and depression. For answering these questions, from among researches on relationship between religious orientation and mental health and depression which have been done at throughout of Iran, 10 researches which were acceptable in terms of methodology and have inclusive criteria, were selected for meta–analysis. These 10 researches contained 7 effect sizes about relationship between intrinsic religious orientation and mental health, 5 effect sizes about relationship between extrinsic religious orientation and mental health, 3 effect sizes about relationship between religious orientation and mental health, 3 effect sizes about relationship between intrinsic religious orientation and depression and 3 effect sizes about relationship between religious orientation and depression. Based on results of this meta –analysis effect size of relationship between intrinsic religious orientation and mental health was 0/272,effect size of relationship between extrinsic religious orientation and mental health was -0/135, effect size of relationship between religious orientation and mental health was 0/296, effect size of relationship between intrinsic religious orientation and depression was -0/171 and effect size of relationship between religious orientation and depression was 0/409.Results of this meta –analysis showed that effect size of rate of relationship between intrinsic religious orientation and mental health, extrinsic religious orientation and mental health, religious orientation and mental health, and intrinsic religious orientation and depression is moderate and effect size of rate of relationship between religious orientation and depression is above of moderate based on Cohen’s interpreting criteria; These results clears the important of providing ground for strengthening intrinsic religious orientation.