Cetinkaya, Merve; (2023) Spirituality and Mental Well-being: a study of the members of three London based Sufi groups. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

In this thesis, I present an exploration of the relationship between spirituality, wellbeing, and Sufi practices. My research is framed by the secularisation thesis and the distinction between spirituality and religion. The thesis investigates the factors and reasons that individuals participate in Sufi practices and how broader social, religious, and mental health contexts impinge upon their experiences in relation to their well-being. This thesis is divided into two main parts. The first part of the thesis reports on a systematic review in which I reviewed currently available evidence about Sufi practices and their relationship with wellbeing. I identified 49 papers examining this relationship published between the years 2000-2022. Although the results of the systematic review suggested a potentially positive connection between Sufi spirituality and reducing anxiety and depression in patients, the included studies were of low quality. This review demonstrated that the topic of well-being and Sufi practices was under-researched, and there was a need to provide more comprehensive research. Therefore, I decided to conduct a more explorative, in-depth qualitative study for the second part of this thesis. The second part of this thesis describes an original, in-depth qualitative study which I conducted with leaders and participants across three Sufi centres in England. I also conducted a follow-up study after Covid-19 Pandemic. Through thematic and narrative analysis of the qualitative data, I identified two main domains: 1) Belief and attraction to Sufism and 2) Well-being is an outcome of Sufi practices. Participants of the Sufi Centres did not demonstrate a division between spirituality and religion, and neither did issues of well-being motivate their involvement. Well-being is resulted from their engagement with Sufism. My findings show that participants’ mental health was impacted positively by Sufi practices and enhanced resilience and a sense of community. This is a promising area for further research and interventions to address the mental well-being of individuals and British Muslims.

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