A Scoping Review Of Religion, Spirituality And Youth Mental Health Outcomes

This scoping review explored how religion and spirituality (R/S) influences mental health outcomes in young people aged 10–24 years. Guided by the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis and PRISMA-ScR criteria, thirteen studies published between 2006 and 2025 were reviewed, including longitudinal, cross-sectional, qualitative, and intervention designs. Across diverse cultural contexts, intrinsic religiosity and spiritual wellbeing were consistently associated with improved resilience, greater life satisfaction, and reduced depression and anxiety. Three core mechanisms (meaning-making, adaptive coping, and social connectedness) emerged as mechanisms through which R/S support positive mental health. Conversely, extrinsic religiosity and negative religious coping (e.g., guilt, exclusion, or rigid belief systems) were occasionally linked to poorer outcomes. Contextual factors such as culture, gender, and inclusivity within faith communities moderated these relationships. While most evidence supports the protective influence of intrinsic spirituality, inconsistent operationalisation of R/S constructs and reliance on self-report measures limit causal interpretation. Overall, R/S appear to function as complex psychosocial resources that promote wellbeing when internalised authentically and practiced within supportive environments. These findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive, spiritually informed approaches in youth mental-health promotion and for longitudinal research to clarify causal mechanisms and developmental trajectories.