The Effects of Itikaf on State-Trait Anger, Intrinsic Religiousness, and Subjective Well-Being

Author/s: Ahmet Canan Karakaş, Hasan Hüseyin Eker

DOI: 10.37898/spc.2018.3.2.0044 

Year: 2018 Vol: 3 Number: 2

Abstract

Itikaf (seclusion in a mosque) is prayer maintained with deep hunger during Ramadan, the month of fasting. Hunger has a positive psychological impact on people. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of itikaf on spirituality and mental health by examining its effects on anger control and subjective well-being. This experimental study investigates the effects and changes on trait anger, intrinsic religiousness, and subjective well-being during the period of itikaf on healthy adults practicing itikaf worship. While a statistically significant difference exists between the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory and Subjective Well-Being Inventory scores collected before and after the itikaf (p < 0.05), no statistically significant difference has been found for the scores from the Intrinsic Religiousness Scale before and after the itikaf (p > 0.05). At the end of itikaf, anger-control scores were observed to increase as anger scores decreased. A significant difference has been observed in the Subjective Well-Being Inventory and State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory posttests in terms of the duration of the fast. Itikaf has been found to have positive psychological effects due to being an intensive worship program.

Keywords
Itikaf, Subjective well-being, Intrinsic religiousness, State-trait anger expression