Presentation Information

[P-7-01]Mental Health Conditions among Religious Minority Adolescents in Banyuwangi, Indonesia

*Embun Pramana1, Nur Ihsanti Amalia2, Sherly Saragih Turnip1 (1.Research of Community Mental Health Initiative (RoCMHI), Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Indonesia(Indonesia), 2.University of Auckland(New Zealand))
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Keywords:

mental health,adolescents,minority,religious,Indonesia

Background
In Indonesia, minorities came in many forms, including religion. People perceive religion as majority and minority, especially in Banyuwangi Region, whereas 96,93% are Muslim. When it comes to education, adolescents in Banyuwangi, especially middle schoolers, may opted going to public school and religious-based middle school (private school). However, in public schools mainly are Muslim, which is making Non-Muslim students become a minority, while in private school, they become a majority when they go to schools of their own religion. Being a minority in community has specific psychological impact, such as increased depression, suicidal ideation, and risky behaviour.

Objectives
This study aimed to compare mental health conditions of Non-Muslim students in a (religious-based) private school and public school. It was hypothesised that Non-Muslim students in private school have better mental health since they become part of majority in their school.

Method
Using an independent sample t-test, the study included 127 Non-Muslim students in Banyuwangi with age ranging from 12–16 years old (M=13.67; SD=0.787).

Results
The results demonstrated that there were no significant differences between both groups except for psychological well-being (t(125) = -2.419, p<0.05) and emotional loneliness (t(125) = 2.189, p<0.05). Non-Muslim students in public school had better psychological well-being and lower emotional loneliness compared to Non-Muslim students in private school.

Discussion
In conclusion, being part of minority in real life has similar impacts towards Non-Muslim students’ mental health regardless of where they go to schools. Further investigation regarding other forms of minority that may affect mental health conditions of adolescents are needed.