HDR Candidate: Ram, Navishkar


Title of Project Christian social identity and group membership as protective against mental ill-health? An Australian qualitative study
Course of Study Doctor of Philosophy
Language of Instruction English
Abstract

This project seeks to understand the relationship between Christian religious identification and positive mental health outcomes among observant Christians in metropolitan Sydney. Specifically, this project aims to determine whether there is a correlation between positive mental health coping and Christian religious social identity. There is a wealth of varied research that differs in its findings in determining whether religious identification contributes to positive mental health in adherents. However, there exists only a moderate research base of this nature conducted in an exclusively Australian and Christian context, utilising a social identity framework, and based on a grounded theory methodology. This study is among the first in Australia to consider whether association as a Christian has any correlation to positive mental health coping. It also aims to contribute to wider community interventions and public health programs aimed at utilising spirituality/faith in health responses. The significance of this research project is not limited purely to healthcare applications. Such an approach deepens wider understandings of the relationship between religion and wellbeing, as well as providing insight into the ways in which both faith-based and secular agencies and organisations can best respond to diverse community health needs.