A Positive Psychotherapy Model: The Possibility the Explanation and Enhancement of Mental Health Based on Positive Thinking Components Derived from Content Analysis of the Holy Quran among Student-Teachers at Farhangian University

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD Student in Counseling, Allameh Tabatabai University, Tehran, Iran (Corresponding Author)

2 Professor of Counseling Department of Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Birjand University, Iran

4 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Allameh Tabatabai University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The Holy Quran functions as an comprehensive resource for fostering positive thinking and serves as a guide for individuals pursuing mental well-being. Adhering to faith and following Quranic principles results in a life characterized by tranquility, happiness, and fulfillment. Traditional psychotherapy's foundational theories, across various schools, are largely informed by anthropological viewpoints that emphasize negative existential concerns, such as mental disorders and psychological distress. In contrast, positive thinking aims to enhance mental wellness and promote hedonistic pursuits. This study seeks to investigate how mental health and its pathways are represented within a multidimensional positive counseling framework derived from the Quran. Data were gathered through qualitative content analysis of positive thinking elements found in Quranic verses, which were organized into four themes (relationship with God, self, others, and nature), four primary categories (faith, self-awareness, human virtues in interpersonal relationships, and consciousness of the Creator's presence), and 31 subcategories from a selection of 400 verses from the Holy Quran. These elements were systematically coded utilizing the translation of Tafsir al-Mizan. The Content Validity Ratio (CVR) evaluated by experts ranged from 77% to 92%, while the Content Validity Index (CVI) varied from 88% to 96%. The results suggest that the components of positive thinking articulated in Quranic verses offer a robust foundation for understanding psychological phenomena and mental health, anchored in a fourfold relationship centered on faith and devotion to God. Consequently, it can be concluded that the elements of positive thinking and their role in promoting mental health are effectively delineated within the Quran. A positive counseling model based on Islamic-Iranian teachings was subsequently developed and validated within this framework.

Keywords

References

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The Quran and Science
Volume 18, Issue 34 - Serial Number 34
September 2024
Pages 143-170

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History

  • Receive Date: 22 May 2023
  • Revise Date: 01 August 2023
  • Accept Date: 29 April 2024

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