Psychological Status among the Young Muslim Community in Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia, during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Since the COVID-19 pandemic, psychological well-being has become a growing concern. Coping strategies, including religious activities, are needed to deal with psychological distress. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of psychological status and its relationship with religious activities among young Muslims in Yogyakarta province, Indonesia, during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our cross-sectional study was conducted during the second and third waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. A total of 268 young Muslim from Islamic boarding schools in Yogyakarta province, Indonesia, were included in the study. A selfreported questionnaire containing sociodemographic information, religious activity, and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) was filled up by the study participants. A descriptive and bivariate analysis was performed accordingly. RESULTS: Out of 312 people screened, a total of 268 participants were included in this study. The majority of participants were male (64.6%), aged between 14 to 18 years (55.2%), studying in high school (53.0%), memorised 1 to 10 juz (section) (79.1%), recited the Al-Quran 1 to 3 hours/day (59.3%), and fasted every Monday and Thursday (47.4%). The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress were 24.6%, 46.6%, and 29.1%, respectively. Young Muslims with high religious activities were noted to be less suffering from depression, anxiety, and stress, but it was not statistically significant (p=0.57). CONCLUSIONS: This study reported a high prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress (from mild to extremely severe) among the young Muslim community in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Our findings should raise awareness of the educational institutions, government, and public and trigger them to prepare appropriate preventive strategies for psychological distress in the young population.