Cultural Responses to Covid-19 Pandemic: Religions, Illness Perception, and Perceived Stress

Abstract

Many psychological researchers have proven the deteriorating effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic on public mental health. In Malaysia, various Covid-19 clusters were associated with religious gatherings. From a cultural psychology perspective, how ethno-religious groups respond to this crisis originating from their unique rationality and ecological systems. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the illness perceptions of major religious groups (Christian, Muslim, and Buddhist) in Malaysia toward the Covid-19 pandemic, their stress levels, and the relationship between illness perception, stress, and forms of religious expression during the lockdown period. Through an online survey method, 608 Malaysian religious believers were included in this mixed-method empirical study, which adapted standardized instruments [Duke University Religion Index (DUREL), Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)]. Statistical analysis showed that all three groups reported moderate levels of stress in average without any significant difference after controlling for age. Both internal and external forms of religious expression had a significant negative relationship with stress levels. Personal control, comprehension, and emotions domains of illness perception accounted for a significant variance in the stress level. Furthermore, religious expression significantly moderated the relationship between some illness perception domains and stress. Qualitative coding revealed that most participants perceived human behavior and attitudes, sociopolitical, and sociological factors as causal factors to the current pandemic. These findings confirmed the relationship between religious expression, illness belief, and stress regulation during the pandemic lockdown. Incidental findings of age as a potential protective factor for Malaysian believers warrants further study. In the conclusion, implications for public health policymakers and religious communities on pandemic prevention and well-being promotion were discussed.

“Like a wake-up call for humankind”: Views, challenges, and coping strategies related to public health measures during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Thailand

“…Mills and colleagues describe the Thai culturally embedded coping strategy of acceptance ('Thum-jai') as "accepting and letting go of the negative situation, forgetting the bad feeling, calming or steadying the mind, and developing patience and understanding" [86], finding that the emotion-based coping strategy of 'Thum-jai' helped Thai people develop purposeful approaches of thinking and acting in light of adverse events which cannot be changed [87]. Our findings also echo other research on the positive association between social support and coping from Thailand (e.g., HIV [88], breast cancer [89,90] and COVID-19 [91]) and internationally (e.g., religious coping in the context of COVID-19 [92][93][94][95], healthy ageing [96] and terminal illness [97]), highlighting the important and beneficial role of spirituality and religion in coping with adverse health events and crises. Similarly, a qualitative study examining mental health impacts and coping strategies among disadvantaged groups in India during COVID-19 lockdown found that religion and devotional practices played an important role in participants coping strategies, by helping them make sense and find meaning in the COVID-19 crisis.…”

Suicidal behaviour amid first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia: Data from the COVID-19 mental health international (COMET-G) study

“…Malay Muslims believed suffering and diseases were trials from God for a better life in the everlasting world, while Chinese Taoists perceived illnesses to be an imbalance of forces in the body system. On the contrary, Christians may believe illnesses are due to personal sins and are a form of cleansing ( 29 ).…”

Mental health among the Moroccan population during SARS-CoV-2 outbreak: MAROCOVID study

“…Furthermore, it was reported that the mental disorders are perceived as an opportunity to remedy disconnection from God, which might be considered as positive since it reinforces the Muslim attitudes toward mental illness. Hence, a recent study on the religion commitment showed that reduced depressive and stress, better health, and subjective well-being may be seen in people with higher intrinsic religiosity and spirituality ( Ting et al, 2021 ). Accordingly, mental well-being is a crucial aspect that must be addressed during this pandemic as all means of communication revolve around the coronavirus.…”