Trauma of Religious Discrimination, Perceived Social Support, Post Traumatic Growth and Mental Health in Religious Minorities

Abstract

This study investigated the relationships among religious discrimination, perceived social support, posttraumatic growth (PTG), and mental health in religious minorities in Pakistan. A purposive sample of 203 participants (Christians = 135; Ahmadis = 68) completed validated self-report measures, including the Religious Discrimination Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Mental Health Continuum-Short Form, and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. Results indicated that religious discrimination was significantly and negatively associated with both mental health (r = –.442, p < .01) and PTG (r = –.432, p < .01). The perceived social support was significantly associated with mental health (r =.707, p < .01) and PTG (r =.486, p < .01). Results of moderation analyses indicated that the negative impact of religious discrimination on both outcomes was mitigated by perceived social support with significant interaction effects in both mental health (B = .119, p =.002) and PTG (B =.171, p =.014). Group comparisons indicated that Ahmadis did report more discrimination, but that Christians did report more PTG and good mental health in controlling support. These results emphasize the harmful effects of systemic religious discrimination on mental health and the protective role of social support. The research will add to the body of knowledge in the minority stress theory as it evidences a new culture that has not been explored sufficiently in literature, as well as pointing out possible practical interventions by community and psychosocial support groups, and policy changes that may ensure the protection of the rights of the minorities in the Pakistani context. Keywords: religious discrimination, posttraumatic growth, mental health, perceived social support, religious minorities, Pakistan