روان شناسی و دين

The present study aimed to examine the effect of fasting on self-restraint and hopefulness in male adolescents aged 15 to 18. The research used a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest approach, including a control group. The entire population consisted of all male high school students in Bouein-Zahra County during the 2024-2025 academic year. A multistage cluster sampling method was employed. Based on previous research, the sample size was 30 participants, divided into an experimental group (fasting) and a control group (non-fasting). The experimental group fasted throughout the holy month of Ramadan, while the control group did not. Data were collected using the Weinberger and Schwartz (1990) Self-Restraint Questionnaire and the Snyder et al. (1994) Hopefulness Scale. Data analysis involved multivariate and univariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA and ANCOVA). Results showed that fasting during Ramadan significantly increased self-restraint and hopefulness among male adolescents. Based on these findings, which suggest fasting as a spiritual and behavioral practice to enhance psychological skills in adolescents, it is recommended to place greater emphasis on religious socialization within Iran's educational system.