Mental Health, Sleep Quality, and Psychological Well-Being during the Holy Month of Ramadan

Abstract

Objectives: Ramadan, a significant month for Muslims, presents unique challenges, particularly in the context of the USA. This study aimed to explore the relationship between mental health factors (depression, anxiety, and stress), sleep quality, and psychological well-being (subjective happiness and life satisfaction) during the month of Ramadan among participants and by gender. Methods: This study enlisted 163 participants (74% female, 25.7% male), with an average age of 36.8 years (SD = 13.1), mostly of Middle Eastern descent. Recruitment was conducted via flyers at local community mosques, social media, and outreach through local religious leaders. Data collection took place in the last three weeks of Ramadan, utilizing a Qualtrics survey that included the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression models using SPSS version 28. Results: The study indicates that while mental health and psychological well-being remained within normal levels during Ramadan, sleep scores indicated significant sleep disturbance among participants. Multiple linear regression models revealed that subjective happiness, sleep duration, and the global PSQI score were significant predictors of stress for the total sample (F = 9.816, p = 0.001). Life satisfaction was the only significant predictor of anxiety (F = 7.258, p = 0.001), and it, alongside subjective happiness, significantly predicted depression (F = 12.317, p = 0.001). For men, subjective happiness alone predicted stress, while life satisfaction was a predictor for both anxiety and depression (F = 4.637, p = 0.001). In women, sleep duration and medication usage were linked to stress but not anxiety. Life satisfaction and subjective happiness were, however, predictors of depression (F = 6.380, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Fostering positive affective states can serve as a protective mechanism against the potential psychological distress associated with altered sleep patterns and lifestyle changes that accompany Ramadan. This study highlights that Ramadan is a tool for bolstering happiness and life satisfaction, thereby lowering levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. In non-Muslim majority contexts like the USA, there is a need for accommodations to safeguard against potential psychological distress.