Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Education, Counseling

Date of Defense

4-13-2026

Graduate Advisor

So Rin Kim

Committee

Emily Brown

Meredith Moore

Yuima Mizutani

Abstract

This study examined the impact of depression and discrimination on religious identity development among emerging adult Muslims (ages 18–29) in the United States, with attention to religious visibility and gender. Using a cross-sectional survey design, participants completed validated measures including the Perceived Islamophobia Scale, Everyday Discrimination Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Centrality of Religiosity Scale. Grounded in Arnett’s Theory of Emerging Adulthood and Social Identity Theory, the study addresses gaps in research on Muslim mental health and identity within Western sociopolitical contexts. Participants were recruited via university listservs, Muslim Student Associations, social media, and community organizations, and completed a brief anonymous online survey. Analyses included descriptive statistics, multiple regression, and moderation models to assess relationships among discrimination, depression, and religious identity. Results showed that religious visibility significantly predicted discrimination but did not moderate the relationship between discrimination and depressive symptoms. Discrimination was positively associated with both depression and religious identity. A marginal gender difference (p = .079) suggested that the association between everyday discrimination and depression may be slightly stronger for women. The sample reported mean depression scores in the moderately severe range (M = 17.21), yet depressive symptoms did not significantly predict religious identity. Findings underscore the need for culturally responsive mental health services that address the unique challenges faced by Muslim emerging adults navigating identity development amid discrimination and marginalization.

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