Journal of School of Public Health and

Background and Aim: This study aimed to investigate the association between religiosity and depression among mothers of children hospitalized in the oncology wards of affiliated hospitals of Kerman University of Medical Sciences (KUMS), Kerman, Iran.

Materials and Methods: Data were gathered using a religiosity questionnaire  and a depression questionnaire. The sample consisted of 115 mothers of children admitted to the oncology ward, KUMS, among whom the questionnaires were distributed during a 6-month period.

Results: The findings showed that there was an inverse association between religiosity and depression. As regards demographic variables, a statistically significant association was observed only between depression and income. Further analysis of the data revealed significant associations between religiosity on the one hand and income and mothers’ occupation on the other. 

Conclusion: Based on the findings it can be concluded that with an increase in the mothers’ religiosity level the rate of depression decreases in them. We recommend researchers to conduct similar studies to investigate possible associations between religiosity and such variables as anxiety and mental disorders related to it.