Ageing, Mental Health And Religious Connections: A Critical Analysis

Religious connections have been associated with mental health and this phenomenon is particularly related with the older persons. It has been established that religious connections i.e involvement in Zakat and Sadqat committees for the welfare of marginalized segments of society along with maintaining connections while praying at mosques enhancing life satisfaction that result in successful aging. The study aimed to investigate the relationship of religious connection with successful aging in retired pensioners. As aging in Pakistan has been under explored especially lack of studies exist in which religious connections have been associated with mental health. The study established the relationship between religious connections and mental health. In order to explore, the study targeted retired pensioners from government department across the south Punjab region by focusing all cadres of pensioner’s i.e. Class-IV, Clerical Cadre and Gazatted. The study selected 400 retired pensioners (i.e. 302 male 98 females) from districts Multan Khenewal Bahawlpur Rahim Yar Khan Dera Ghazi Khan and Muzaffargarh of South Punjab through stratified random sampling technique. The study used proportionate sampling technique in order to select true representatives of the population from each selected districts. The study used self-constructed Religious Connectionsand (PHQ-9) tool for data collection through survey method and face-to-face interview schedule. The study concluded that active involvement in religious practices and connections resulted in avoidance from mental health issues. The study suggested that religious connection be incorporated in policy making for avoidance of mental health issues.