Bibi Qaderi

PSY-H111-Spring2023-GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY I
Professor Kim O’Donnell
3-1-23

Paper 1
The Psychological Effect of Religion
Religion has been a significant part of human existence for centuries, providing guidance

and meaning to individuals and communities. Islam, in particular, has a strong emphasis on the

importance of prayer and other religious practices in the daily lives of Muslims. This essay will

explore the psychological effects of religion, specifically Islam, based on a peer-reviewed article

titled "Muslim Verbal and Active Prayer (MVAP): Measurement and Psychological Functioning

of Supplications in Islam" by Zhou Job Chen, Mustafa Tekke, Khairul Anwar Mastor, and Saim

Kayadibid. Additionally, this essay will compare the validity and quality of two other sources,

namely "Impact of Islamic practices on the mental health of Muslims" by Khawaja Saad Najam

et al. and "Psychology of religion and dreams" on Wikipedia.

Peer Reviewed Article: Muslim Verbal and Active Prayer (MVAP): Measurement and

Psychological Functioning of Supplications in Islam

The article "Muslim Verbal and Active Prayer (MVAP): Measurement and Psychological

Functioning of Supplications in Islam" explores the measurement and psychological functioning

of Muslim verbal and active prayer (MVAP) in Islam. The authors aimed to develop a valid and

reliable measurement scale for MVAP and to investigate its relationship with psychological

functioning. The authors carried out a correlational study using a self-report questionnaire to

collect data from a sample of 277 Muslim participants in Malaysia. The questionnaire included

measures of MVAP, psychological functioning, and demographics. The MVAP scale assessed the

frequency and types of MVAP practiced by participants, while the psychological functioning

scale assessed aspects such as emotional well-being and social functioning. The researchers used

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Bibi Qaderi
PSY-H111-Spring2023-GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY I
Professor Kim O’Donnell
3-1-23
validated measures to assess various psychological domains, including stress, anxiety, and

depression, and analyzed the data using robust statistical methods. The study's findings suggest

that MVAP has a positive impact on the mental health of Muslims, particularly in terms of

reducing stress and anxiety levels.

Peer-reviewed sources are trusted for academic work because they undergo a rigorous

process of evaluation and critique by experts in the field before publication. This ensures that the

research is valid, reliable, and unbiased. In the case of the present article, it was published in the

Journal of Muslim Mental Health, a reputable and well-known academic journal. The authors are

affiliated with respected institutions, and the study's methodology is clearly described.

Additionally, the study's findings are based on a relatively large sample size of Muslim

participants in Malaysia, which increases the generalizability of the results. This specific article

is a good choice for academic information because it adds to the understanding of the

relationship between MVAP and psychological functioning, which is a topic of interest in the

field of psychology. The authors provide a thorough analysis of their findings and discuss the

implications for future research and clinical practice. The article also contributes to the

development of a valid and reliable measurement scale for MVAP, which can be used in future

research and clinical settings. The authors found that MVAP was positively associated with

psychological functioning, including emotional well-being and social functioning. This suggests

that MVAP may have a positive impact on mental health and well-being among Muslim

individuals. The authors also found that the frequency and types of MVAP practiced varied

among participants, with some practicing more verbal prayer while others practiced more active

prayer. This highlights the importance of considering individual differences when studying the

relationship between MVAP and psychological functioning.

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Bibi Qaderi
PSY-H111-Spring2023-GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY I
Professor Kim O’Donnell
3-1-23
The article "Muslim Verbal and Active Prayer (MVAP): Measurement and Psychological

Functioning of Supplications in Islam" provides valuable insights into the measurement and

psychological functioning of MVAP in Islam. The study's findings suggest that MVAP may have

a positive impact on psychological functioning among Muslim individuals, and the development

of a valid and reliable measurement scale for MVAP can facilitate further research and clinical

practice in this area. The use of self-report questionnaires and a relatively large sample size add

to the reliability and generalizability of the study's findings.

Good Source: Impact of Islamic Practices on the Mental Health of Muslims

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334277919_Impact_of_Islamic_Practices_on_the

_Mental_Health_of_Muslims

This source also provides objective evidence to support its claims. The authors of the

article reviewed several studies related to the impact of Islamic practices on mental health and

synthesized the findings. The article suggests that Islamic practices, such as prayer, fasting, and

reading the Quran, can have a positive impact on the mental health of Muslims. The authors also

discuss the role of culture and societal factors in shaping mental health outcomes among

Muslims.

However, the article does not provide information on the sample size or

representativeness of the studies reviewed, which raises concerns about the quality of the

evidence presented. Additionally, the article does not provide information on the specific

methodologies used in the studies reviewed, which limits the ability to evaluate their validity.

The intended audience for this article is likely anyone interested in the relationship between

Islamic practices and mental health. It is available online for free on ResearchGate, making it

easily accessible for anyone who wishes to read it. Overall, the article has some validity and

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Bibi Qaderi
PSY-H111-Spring2023-GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY I
Professor Kim O’Donnell
3-1-23
trustworthiness, but the lack of information on sample sizes and methodologies used in the

studies reviewed limits its overall quality.

Bad Source: Psychology of Religion and Dreams

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychology_of_religion_and_dreams

This source is a Wikipedia article, which raises concerns about its validity and quality.

Wikipedia is a crowdsourced platform where anyone can contribute information, and the

accuracy and reliability of the information presented can vary widely. The article provides an

overview of the psychology of religion and dreams, discussing various theories and research

findings related to the topic.

While the article provides some objective evidence to support its claims, it does not

provide any specific studies or data to back up its claims. Additionally, there is no information on

the intended audience or accessibility of the information presented. While Wikipedia articles can

be a starting point for exploring a topic, they should not be relied upon as a definitive source of

information due to the lack of peer-review and quality control.

In conclusion, religion, specifically Islam, has significant psychological effects on

individuals and communities. The peer-reviewed article by Chen et al. provides empirical

evidence of the psychological functioning of MVAP in Islam. The authors used sound research

methods and objective measures to examine the impact of MVAP on psychological well-being,

mental health, and spirituality. The article by Najam et al. also provides evidence of the impact of

Islamic practices on mental health and uses objective evidence and representative samples to

make its point. The article on the Psychology of religion and dreams on Wikipedia, although

informative, cannot be considered as reliable as the peer reviewed.

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Bibi Qaderi
PSY-H111-Spring2023-GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY I
Professor Kim O’Donnell
3-1-23

APA Style Citations

Wikimedia Foundation. (2022, July 26). Psychology of religion and dreams. Wikipedia. Retrieved March 12,
2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychology_of_religion_and_dreams

Najam, K. S., Khan, R. S., Waheed, A., & Hassan International Dental & Medical Journal of Advanced
Research, R. (2019, July 6). Impact of Islamic practices on the mental health of Muslims. - researchgate.
International Dental & Medical Journal of Advanced Research. Retrieved March 12, 2023, from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334277919_Impact_of_Islamic_Practices_on_the_Mental_Health_of
_Muslims 2019;5:1-6, DOI :10.15713/ins.idmjar.99

Chen, Z. J., Tekke, M., Mastor, K. A., & Kayadib, S. (2020, December 10). Muslim verbal and active prayer
(MVAP): Measurement and psychological ... Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found
athttps://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=hjpr20The International Journal
for the Psychology of Religion. Retrieved March 12, 2023, from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/347836427_Muslim_Verbal_and_Active_Prayer_MVAP_Me
asurement_and_Psychological_Functioning_of_Supplications_in_Islam 31:4, 249-
259, DOI: 10.1080/10508619.2020.1858254

Najam KS, Khan RS, Waheed A,

(2020): Muslim Verbal and Active

Prayer (MVAP): Measurement and
Psychological Functioning of
Supplications in Islam, The
International Journal for the
Psychology of Religion