Correlational Study of Religious Orientation, Psychological Well-being, and Depression Outcomes Following Islamic-Integrated CBT in Muslim Adults

Abstract

This research studied the associations between religious orientation, psychological well-being, and depression outcomes among Muslim adults following Islamic-integrated cognitive behavioral therapy (I-CBT). A purposive sample of 48 participants was taken from different areas of Karachi, Pakistan. Participants completed the Urdu version of the Beck Depression Inventory, Ryff’s Scales of Psychological Well-being, and the Religious Orientation Scale. Correlational analyses discovered that intrinsic religious orientation was negatively associated with depression and positively associated with multiple domains of psychological well-being, including purpose in life and self-acceptance. Extrinsic religious orientation, however, demonstrated weaker associations with both depression and well-being. Paired-sample comparisons further indicated that I-CBT significantly reduced depressive symptoms and enhanced overall psychological well-being, with particularly strong effects observed in autonomy, environmental mastery, and purpose in life. These outcomes emphasized that incorporating Islamic values into psychotherapy may strengthen treatment outcomes for Muslim populations by aligning therapeutic processes with cultural and spiritual frameworks. The study pointed out the significance of culturally adapted interventions in contexts where religion plays a central role in identity and coping.