Clinical PerspectiveLevel of depression among adolescents of religious minorities and their dominant counterparts in Pakistan

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the level of depression among religious minority adolescents(Christians and Hindus) in comparison with their dominant counterparts (Muslims) in Pakistan. For this purpose, based on literature available, we hypothesised that adolescents of religious minorities would have a higher level of depression than their dominant counterparts. Design: Between-group design was used as it was considered most appropriate for this study where a religious minority adolescent group was compared with its dominant counterpart. Method: A total of 320 adolescents participated in this study of whom 160 belonged to the minority religious groups (i.e. 76 Christians and 84 Hindus) and 160 to the dominant religious group, i.e. Muslims. To assess the level of depression in the participants, Reynolds Adolescents Depression Scale (2nd ed., Reynolds 2002) was used. Results: One-Way Analysis of Variance was used to analyse the data in statistical terms to reveal any significant difference or differences between these two groups. Conclusions: The findings of the study suggest that religious minority adolescents (Christians and Hindus) in Pakistan are inclined to have higher levels of depression than their dominant counterparts (Muslim adolescents).

Journal of Child & Adolescent Mental Health 2012, 24(2): 163–171