The Role of Faith in Maintaining the Mental Health of Muslim Students in Middle Life Demands and Social Comparative Culture: A Phenomenological Study of Students at the University of Muhammadiyah Indonesia (UNISMA Bekasi)

Akmal Rizki Gunawan Hsb; Astia Salsabil; M. Yoga Chossy Pratama

doi:10.5281/zenodo.21430878

Authors

Akmal Rizki Gunawan Hsb Universitas Muhammadiyah Indonesia
Astia Salsabil Universitas Muhammadiyah Indonesia
M. Yoga Chossy Pratama Universitas Muhammadiyah Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21430878

Keywords:

faith, mental health, Muslim university students, religious coping, phenomenology

Abstract

University students' mental health is influenced by academic demands, family responsibilities, and a culture of social comparison, all of which may contribute to psychological distress. From an Islamic perspective, faith (iman) is regarded as an important factor that helps individuals cope with life's challenges. This study aimed to explore the role of faith in maintaining the mental health of Muslim university students amidst life demands and social comparison. This study employed a qualitative approach using a phenomenological method. The participants consisted of one primary participant, a Muslim student at Universitas Muhammadiyah Indonesia (UNISMA Bekasi) who met the research criteria, and one significant other who served as a supporting source of information. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis with source triangulation to enhance the credibility of the findings. The results identified six major themes: (1) university life demands as a source of pressure, (2) the psychological impact of life demands, (3) experiences of social comparison and their psychological impact, (4) strategies for coping with life stress, (5) faith as a religious coping mechanism, and (6) the meaning of faith as the foundation of mental health. The findings indicate that faith functions as a protective factor by helping participants reduce anxiety, attain inner peace, regulate emotions, develop more positive perspectives toward life's challenges, and strengthen their ability to cope with stress. Therefore, faith serves not only as a spiritual dimension but also as an essential foundation for maintaining the mental health of Muslim university students amidst life demands and a culture of social comparison

References

Amaniey, MD (2022). The Relationship Between Gratitude and Mental Health in College Students.Acta Psychology Available,4,57–64.

Desi, E., Shofiah, V., & Rajab, K. (2024). Mental Health in the Perspective of Islamic Psychology:Role Faith as the Immunity of the Soul Study OnAl-Qur'anSurah Maryam.Journal of Counseling Psychology, 17(2),308–319.

Fajlurrahman, I., & Wardaningsih, S. (2021). Campus policies regarding mental health instudent: literature review.Journal of Mental Health Nursing (JKI): Indonesian National Nurses Association,9(3), 603–612.

Fakhri, N. (2017). Basic Concepts and Implications of Social Comparison Theory.Journal of Talent Psychology,3(1), 1–141.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24501237

Fazlurrahman, IA, & Yahya, MS (2024). Comparative Study of Sufism Thought by Imam Al-Ghazali andIbn Taimiyah Islamic Education Perspective.Journal of Education,12(2),19–27. file:///C:/Users/ASUS/Downloads/1097-ArticleText-3401-1-10-20230117.pdf

Ghebreyesus, D. T. A., & Kestel, D. (2022).World Mental Health Report Transforming mental healthfor all. World Health Organization.

Gumilar, RR, Ridwan, WA, & Affandi, A. (2025). Analysis of the Mental Health Paradox andLevel Religiosity of Final Semester Students of Islamic Religious Education at State Islamic UniversityCyber

Sheikh Nurjati Cirebon 2023.JIIP (Scientific Journal of Educational Sciences),8,2956–2964.

Khalim, N. (2025). Integration of Faith, Islam, and Ihsan: A Thematic and Interpretive ApproachContemplation Al-Qur'an. Journal of Community Service and Educational Research,4(2),11705–11714. https://doi.org/10.31004/jerkin.v4i2.3879

Kotera, Y., Lieu, J., Kirkman, A., Barnes, K., Liu, GHT, Jackson, J., Wilkes, J., & Riswani, R.(2022). Mental Wellbeing of IndonesiaStudentsꢀ:Mean Comparison with UK Students andRelationships with Self-Compassion and Academic Engagement.MDPI Healthcare,10.

Ningtias, RP, & Andriani, F. (2022). The Influence of Perceived Parental Expectations onPsychological Distress in Emerging Adulthood in Indonesia.BRPKM Psychology Research Bulletin andHealth Mental,2(1),37–48.

Nugroho, SYB, Iqbal, M., & Haikal. (2022). Mental Health Disorders in College StudentsDuring Implementation of Restrictions on Community Activities.Scientific Journal of Health,21(1),20–25.

Pakungwati, S., & Desti Anggraeni, R. (2023). Maintaining Mental Health in PerspectiveIslam Maintaining Mental Health in an Islamic Perspective.JIES (Journal of Islamic Education Studies), 1(2),93–101.https://doi.org/10.58569/jies.v1i2.544

Putri, PK (2021).Coping Stress among Students during Undergraduate Research Project.5(2),491–500.

Sa'diyah,M., Naskiyah, & Rosyadi, AR (2022). The Relationship between Intensity of Social Media Usewith Mental Health of Students in Islamic Religious Education.Islamic Education: JournalEducation Islam,041,713–730.https://doi.org/10.30868/ei.v11i03.2802

Sholiha, A., & Al Azimi, Z. (2024). Education of Faith in Allah in PerspectiveAl-Qur'an. Islamadinaꢀ:Journal of Islamic Thought,25(1), 86. https://doi.org/10.30595/islamadina.v0i0.16872Syahfitri,

W., & Putra, DP (2021). Mental Health of Inmates in Special Guidance InstitutionsChild. Journal IICET JRTI (Indonesian Action Research Journal),6(2),226–232.

Tahlilia, SDA, & Putri, IE (2026). Adolescents' Interpretation of Parenting PatternsIn Marriage ExperienceEarly:Phenomenological Study in Tuban Regency The Adolescents'Perceptionsof Parenting Style in Early MarriageExperienceꢀ:A Phenomenological Study in Tuban.Character: Journal of Psychology Research,13(02),647–662.

Yasipin, Rianti, SA, & Hidaya, N. (2020). The Role of Religion in Shaping Adolescent Mental Health. Manthiq Journal,V(1),25–31.

Yenny, & Astuti, WS (2021). The Relationship Between Social Media Use and Loneliness and Behavior Social Comparison.Journal of Psychohumanities,13(1),68–81.

Yenny, Astuti, WS, Dearly, & Fadilah, R. (2022). Intensity of TikTok Use and Depression with Social Comparison as a Mediator Variable of Intensity.Analytics: UMA's Master of Psychology Journal,14(2),191–199. Published byPT. Sumatrani Research Indonesia