Effect of the Holy Month of Ramadan on Coping Strategies

Abstract

Background: Stress is one of the risk factors for the development of so many physical and especially psychological disorders. Now, the impression is focused on coping strategies versus previous emphasis on nature and severity of stress. The present study was performed to evaluate if fasting, not only as a religious behavior but also as a coping strategy can influence the way of coping with stress in humans. Methods: In a pre-test / post-test survey, 100 medical students were evaluated for stress coping strategies before and after the holy month of Ramadan using CS-R scale. Results: The results revealed that the use of ineffective coping strategies was significantly decreased after the holy month with no alterations in other strategies. In details, uses of superstitiousness, wishful thinking and self-medication coping strategies were statistically lower after Ramadan compared to values before it (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The present study showed that Ramadan fasting (a religious behavior or belief) as a coping strategy has beneficial effect on the way of coping with stress in humans.
Keywords: Stress, Coping Strategies, Religion, Ramadan, Medical Student