Social Comparison, Hope and Depression among Students of Madrasas and Schools

Abstract

Present study examines social comparison, hope, and depression among madrasa and school students to see how these educational contexts affect mental health and well-being. Male and female students ages 11–17 were equally included in the sample. Participants were provided with the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS), Adult Hope Scale, and Social Comparison Scale. Although both educational environments had moderate feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress, madrasa students had more hope than school students. Despite their hopefulness, madrasa students had more despair and anxiety. Hope promotes mental health, as correlation research showed that higher hope levels were connected with reduced depression, anxiety, and stress. An independent samples t-test showed that madrasa students scored higher on depression and anxiety than school students. Madrasa students' higher rates of depression and anxiety require culturally sensitive mental health initiatives that include religious and moral teachings and provide necessary psychological care.