The Relationship Between Coping and Wellbeing Among South African Muslims During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The impact of coping on well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic is well established; however, not much is known about the role of culture and religion in shaping coping styles during the pandemic, specifically among a Muslim minority in the African context. It is noted that religious individuals may turn to their faith and spirituality during times of distress. This study explored the predictive relationship between coping, religious coping, and psychological well-being in a sample of South African Muslim individuals during 2020 and 2021. In 2020, 410 participants completed a survey measuring coping styles, religious coping styles, and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 lockdown period in South Africa, and 277 participants completed the survey in 2021. Results indicated that in 2020 and 2021, acceptance and religious coping styles were the most dominant coping strategies employed by individuals. In general, positive coping styles were better predictors of psychological well-being in 2020, with less functional coping styles as negative predictors of psychological well-being in 2021. These results are discussed within the context of promoting psychological well-being during and after the pandemic.