THE ROLE OF SPIRITUALITY IN PROMOTING MENTAL HEALTH AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING AMONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Background: Spirituality is becoming increasingly recognized as a key factor which influences mental health, and offers coping strategies and emotional support, particularly among adolescents. The connection between spiritual practices and reduced stress levels has been widely acknowledged in prior research. Aim: This study aims to explore the relationship between spirituality and mental health among high school students, focusing on the role of spiritual practices in fostering emotional stability, reducing stress, and enhancing overall well-being. Results: The study revealed that 73% of participants believe in God and engage in spiritual practices. These individuals report lower levels of acute stress and greater emotional stability. Students who perceive their families as harmonious and complete (74%) also showed higher levels of emotional resilience. Key symptoms of stress, including somatization, loneliness, and interpersonal sensitivity, were less pronounced in students actively involved in spiritual activities. Spirituality was found to reduce feelings of isolation, provide social support, and contribute to better coping mechanisms for stress. All hypotheses, including the protective role of spirituality, its connection to emotional well-being, and its social benefits, were confirmed. Conclusion: The findings confirm that by reducing stress and improving emotional stability and resilience, spirituality significantly enhances mental health. Spiritual practices act as effective coping strategies and provide social and emotional support, making spirituality a valuable component in mental health interventions for adolescents. Integrating spiritual dimension into educational and preventive programs is crucial for fostering students’ mental well-being. Keywords: spirituality, mental health, adolescents, emotional stability, stress reduction, coping strategies, social support