En kvalitativ studie om ungdom, tro og psykisk helse : Troen har ganske mye å si for din psykiske helse. Det er et fundament for hvordan du takler livet

Abstract

Background:The theme of this study is "Youth, Faith and Mental Health". The background for choosing this theme is the major focus of our time on adolescents and their mental health. According to the Institute of Public Health (2009), 15-20% of children and youth have mental health problems, with complex symptoms that influences their well-being, learning ability, daily activities and socializing with others.Purpose:The purpose of this study is to investigate the coherence between Christian faith and mental health in adolescents. The following issue was selected: what coherences does youth experience concerning their personal Christian faith, Christian fellowship and their mental Health? The issue opens up to whether a religious identity promotes or inhibits mental health. The thesis is based on theories concerning meaning and religious coping, with a salutogenic perspective on health.Methods:The study is rooted in a hermeneutic-phenomenological view of science. A qualitative method is used, collecting the data through qualitative research interviews. Five young people between the ages of 20 and 22, who have a Christianfaithidentitywere selected for the interviews in the study. The data was analyzed through systemic text condensation.Results:The findings describe the value belief played for the informants in childhood, in coping and in relationships. The informants described meaning and religiouscopingboth closely related and with a mutually reinforcing effect.Conclusion:The findings were discussed with theory and context and reflected upon. The study shows that Christian faith identity and community of faith in youth in the given context,primarily contribute to a better mental health.Keywords:Youth, faith, mental health, religious coping, meaning, connection, identity