Islamic Approaches to Healing: Culturally Grounded Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Post-Conflict Aceh and Beyond
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22373/psikoislamedia.v11i1.34096Keywords:
Islamic mental health, post-conflict trauma, Southeast AsiaAbstract
Muslim-majority regions in Southeast Asia—Aceh, Mindanao, and Patani—continue to face mental health and psychosocial challenges despite reduced political violence. This systematic review examines how Islamic values are integrated into Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) programs in post-conflict settings. Using the PRISMA framework, 20 peer-reviewed and grey literature sources (2004–2025) were analyzed. Findings show that Islamic practices such as zikr and worship contribute to mental well-being and illness prevention, while psychospiritual interventions enhance emotional resilience and recovery. Religious leaders and institutions often exert greater influence than clinical professionals, reflecting strong community trust in faith-based support. However, implementation is limited by shortages of trained Islamic-oriented MHPSS providers, few specialized institutions, and persistent mental health stigma. This review proposes a culturally grounded MHPSS framework integrating Islamic values and highlights implications for policymakers, practitioners, and humanitarian actors supporting Muslim post-conflict communities.
References
Al Chaidar, P., Akmal, M., Ali, S., Amalia, N., & Effida, D. Q. (2018). Mindanao, Konflik dan Terorisme: Kajian Pendahuluan atas Ketegangan di Filipina Selatan. SIASAT, 2(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.33258/siasat.v3i1.1
Abu-Ras, W., Suárez, Z. E., & Abu-Bader, S. H. (2018). Muslim Americans’ safety and well-being in the wake of Trump: A public health and social justice crisis. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 88(5), 503–515. https://doi.org/10.1037/ort0000321
Action Against Hunger. (2023). A mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) framework for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Philippines. Action Against Hunger.
Agilkaya-Şahin, Z. (2019). Müslüman psikologlar kertenkele deliğinden çikti mi? İslami Psikoloji
Ai, A. L., Tice, T. N., Huang, Bu., & Ishisaka, A. (2005).
Wartime faith-based reactions among traumatized Kosovar and Bosnian refugees in the United States. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 8(4), 291-308.
http://www.tandfonline.com/action/showCitFormats?doi=10.1080/13674670412331304357
Alanindaki Gelişmeler. Turkish Studies, 14(2), 15–47. https://doi. org/10.7827/TurkishStudies.15018
Anwar, S., Siregar, S. M. F., Alamsyah, T., Muliadi, T., Marniati, M., & Khairunnas, K. (2024). The dhikr and the mental health of the elderly in Aceh, Indonesia. Health SA Gesondheid, 29. https://doi.org/10.4102/hsag.v29i0.2456
Asian Development Bank. (2011). ADB and social protection: challenges and opportunities. Asian Development Bank.
Askandar, K. (2021). Peace and Conflict Transformation in Southeast Asia. ASEAN University Network-Human Rights Education.
Baboe, R., & Rajab, A. (2016). Socio-psychological record of Southern Thailand women: A study on political conflicts 1903–2014. Shariah Journal, 24(1), 137-157. https://doi.org/10.22452/js.vol24no1.6
Badri, M. B. (1979). The dilemma of Muslim psychologists. MWH Publishers.
Badri, M. (2020). The Islamization of psychology: Its “why”, its “what”, its “how” and its “who”. International Journal of Islamic Psychology, 3(1), 22–33. https://journal.iamphome.org/index. php/IJIP/article/view/15
Bangsamoro Regional Government. (2023, March 27). BARMM marks 9th anniversary of CAB signing; Marcos admin committed to fulfilling peace deal. Retrieved June 30, 2025, from https://bangsamoro.gov.ph/news/latest-news/barmm-marks-9th-anniversary-of-cab-signing-marcos-admin-committed-to-fulfilling-peace-deal/
Bashori, K., & Moerdijat, R. L. (2023). Islamic Adaptive Resilience in Post-Conflict Schools and Natural Disasters of Aceh: A Longitudinal Case Study. International Journal of Islamic Educational Psychology, 4(2), progres. https://doi.org/10.18196/ijiep.v4i2.20674
Berliner, P., Radics, G. B., Pulmano, N. B., Kjaerulf, F., & Anasarias, E. A. (2009). COMMUNITY NARRATIVES OF SOCIAL TRAUMA-A Case Study of a Sitio in Mindanao (Vol. 30).
Bérubé, M., Martorella, G., Côté, C., Gélinas, C., Feeley, N., Choinière, M., Parent, S., & Streiner, D. L. (2021). The effect of psychological interventions on the prevention of chronic pain in adults. Clinical Journal of Pain, 37(5), 379–395. https://doi.org/10.1097/ajp.0000000000000922
Berutu, G. A. (2021). ACEH LOCAL PARTIES IN THE HISTORY OF REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA. Journal of Indonesian Law, 2(2), 202–225. https://doi.org/10.18326/jil.v2i2
Candelaria, J. L. (2020). Mediating civil conflicts in southeast Asia: Lessons from aceh and mindanao. Journal of ASEAN Studies, 8(2), 111–127. https://doi.org/10.21512/jas.v8i2.6622
Coppola, I., Rania, N., Parisi, R. & Lagomarsino, F., 2021, ‘Spiritual well-being and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy’, Frontiers in Psychiatry 12, 626944. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.626944
Ecosystems Work for Essential Benefits, Incorporated (Ecoweb) Database Center. (2008). The MILF Attack in Lanao del Norte: Report on the Incidents and Damages. Ecoweb Report
Daraha, K. (2013). The rehabilitation of the widows in Pattani Province, Thailand. International Journal of Social Science Research, 1(1), 57–61. https://doi.org/10.5296/ijssr.v1i1.3598
Dewi, E., Kamar, S. A., Wahid, A., Majid, A., & Masrizal. (2022). PSYCHOLOGICAL CRISIS IN ERA 4.0: RE-ACTUALIZING THE ROLE OF SPIRITUALITY AS A NEW SOCIAL PHENOMENON IN ACEH. Journal of Positive Psychology & Wellbeing, 6(1), 3459–3467. http://journalppw.com
Ford, Kathleen., Jampaklay, Aree., & Chamratrithirong, Aphicat. (2017). Mental health in a conflict area: Migration economic stress and religiosity in the three southernmost provinces of Thailand. International Journal of Social Psychiatry 62(2), 91-98.
Good, M.-J. D., Good, B., Grayman, J., & Lakoma, M. (2007). A psychosocial needs assessment of communities in 14 conflict-affected districts in Aceh. International Organization for Migration & Harvard Medical School.
Hatta, M. (2020). Recovery of women’s trauma through Islamic spiritual approaches in Pattani. International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change, 11(5), 13–26. https://www.ijicc.net/
Hechanova, R., & Waelde, L. (2017). The influence of culture on disaster mental health and psychosocial support interventions in Southeast Asia. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 20(1), 31–44. https://doi.org/10.1080/13674676.2017.1322048
Herman, J. L. (1997). Trauma and recovery: The aftermath of violence—from domestic abuse to political terror. Basic Book/Hachette Book Group.
Husna, F., & Fitri, A. (2023). Gender-based Dayah: The Role of Female Ulama in Trauma Recovery Strategies for Sexual Violence Victims in Aceh. Sawwa: Jurnal Studi Gender, 18(2), 169–194. https://doi.org/10.21580/sa.v18i2.17416
IASC (2007). IASC guidelines on mental health and psychosocial support in emergency settings. Inter-Agency Standing Committee. https:// interage ncystandin gcommittee .org/ mental-health -and -psychosocial -support -emergency -settings -0/ documents -public/ iasc -guidelines-mental.
Jones, L., Ghanis, H., Mohanraj, A., Morisson, S., Smith, P., Stube, B., & GM, J. A. (2007). 4. Crisis into Opportunity 2007. Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health, 19(Special Issue).
Kalhar, T. (2014, January). Historic peace deal ends five-decade conflict in the Philippines. Conciliation Resources. https://www.c-r.org/news-and-insight/historic-peace-deal-ends-five-decade-conflict-philippines
Khait, A. A., & Lazenby, M. (2021). Psychosocial-spiritual interventions among Muslims undergoing treatment for cancer: An integrative review. BMC Palliative Care. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-021-00746-x
Keshavarzi, H., & Haque, A. (2013). Outlining a psychotherapy model for enhancing Muslim mental health within an Islamic context. International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 23(3), 230–249. https://doi.org/10.1080/10508619.2012.712000
Lee, Sung. Yong. (2015). Peacebuilding and Islamic leadership in Southern Thailand. A Journal of Social Justice, 27(3), 328-336. https://doi.org/10.1080/10402659.2015.1063376
Limpao, A. B. (2025). Efficacy of Panginam: A Low-Intensity Psychological Intervention (LIPI) for Armed Conflict Family Survivors in Bangsamoro. International Journal of Islamic Psychology, 8(1).
Marthoenis, M., Yessi, S., Aichberger, M. C., & Schouler-Ocak, M. (2016). Mental health in Aceh - Indonesia: A decade after the devastating tsunami 2004. In Asian Journal of Psychiatry (Vol. 19, pp. 59–65). Elsevier B.V. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2016.01.002
Marsingga, P., Awwab, M., Tiara, R., & Jatmoko, L. (2024). PERAN OKI DALAM KONFLIK MINDANAO. 4(2).
Melvin, N. J. (2007). Conflict in Southern Thailand: Islamism, Violence and the State in the Patani Insurgency [Dataset]. https://doi.org/10.1037/e550012011-001
Miller, K. E. & Rasmussen, A. (2010). War exposure, daily stressors, and mental health in conflict and post-conflict settings: Bridging the divide between trauma-focused and psychosocial frameworks. Social Science & Medicine, 70(1), 7–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2009.09.029.
Miller, K. E., Jordans, M. J. D., Tol, W. A., & Galappatti, A. (2021). A call for greater conceptual clarity in the field of mental health and psychosocial support in humanitarian settings. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 30, e5. https://doi.org/10.1017/S2045796020001110
Musa R, Draman S, Jeffrey S, Jeffrey I, Abdullah N, Halim NAH, Wahab NA, Mukhtar NZM, Johari SNA, Rameli N, Midin M, Jaafar NRN, Das S, Sidi H (2014) Post tsunami psychological impact among survivors in Aceh and West Sumatera, Indonesia. Compr Psychiatry 55:S13–S16
Nation Thailand. (2025, February 24). Two decades of Southern insurgency: 500 billion baht spent, nearly 10,000 attacks. Nation Thailand.
Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., ... & Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71
Pangandaman, H. K., Mala, N. D., & Raki-in, R. M. (2019). Perceived psychophysiological effects of Marawi siege among internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the evacuation centers. International Journal of Advanced Research, 7(1), 573–578.
Pelupessy, D., & Bretherton, D. (2014). Disaster, mental health, and community resilience: Lessons from the field in Aceh Province, Indonesia. In C. Brassard, A. M. Howitt, & D. W. Giles (Eds.), Natural disaster management in the Asia-Pacific: Policy and governance (pp. 139–155). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-55157-7_9
Pelupessy, D., & Bretherton, D. (2015). Disaster, Mental Health, and Community Resilience: Lessons from the Field in Aceh Province, Indonesia (pp. 139–155). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-55157-7_9
Rahiem, M. D. H., Abdullah, N. S. M., & Krauss, S. E. (2017). Religious Interpretations and Psychological Recovery from the Aceh 2004 Tsunami: The Promise of Heaven, Healing the Trauma (pp. 495–514). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-54466-3_20
Romanza, D., Alfian, & Rahman, B. (2022). Upaya eks-kombatan gerakan aceh merdeka (GAM) dalam menjaga perdamaian di Aceh. JPP Jurnal Politik Dan Pemerintahan, 7(2).
Sahruddin, Rahmatunnisa, M., Djuyandi, Y., & Muradi. (2024). Conflict dynamics among former elites of the Free Aceh Movement after the Helsinki agreement: A case study of regional head elections in Aceh. Research Journal in Advanced Humanities, 5(4), 352–367. https://doi.org/10.58256/we83cc33
Sari, C. M. A., Hasan, E., Syahbandir, M., & Efendi, E. (2019). The Internalisation Process and Pattern on Ideology Ethnonationalism from Five Leaders of the Free Aceh Movement to Their Children. In International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change. www.ijicc.net (Vol. 7, Issue 8). www.ijicc.net
Sevidal, C.L., Ma, Karla Ligaya S. Castro, M.K.LL & Labadisos, R. (2014). Reeling from Shock, Raging with Fury, Rising from the Ashes: Aftermath of the Armed Conflict in Lanao del Norte. Asia Pacific Sociological Association Conference Proceedings, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Tanhan, A., & Francisco, V. T. (2019). Muslims and mental health concerns: A social ecological model perspective. Journal of Community Psychology, 47(4), 964–978. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop. 22166
Tanhan, A., & Strack, R. W. (2020a). Online photovoice to explore and advocate for Muslim biopsychosocial spiritual wellbeing and issues: Ecological systems theory and ally development. Current Psychology, 39(6), 2010–2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-020- 00692-6
The Star. (2025, February 25). Two decades of southern insurgency: 500 billion baht spent, nearly 10,000 attacks. https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2025/02/25/two-decades-of-southern-insurgency-500-billion-baht-spent-nearly-10000-attacks
Tuntivivat, S. (2016). The inter-relationship between violence and education amidst armed conflict in southern Thailand. Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research, 8(4),269–278
Tuntivivat, S. (2023). Psychosocial impact on public school enrollment in armed conflict of southern Thailand. International Journal of School & Educational Psychology, 11(2), 193–206. https://doi.org/10.1080/21683603.2022.2075996
United Nations Information Management Service (UNIMS) & Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency (BRR). (2005, December 8). Tsunami recovery status report.
United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund.(2008). Everyday fears: A study of children’s perceptions ofliving in the southern border area of Thailand.
Waedoyee, M., & Saragi, N. S. (2025). Mental healing through traumatic counseling in the violent area of southern Thailand. International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change, 19(1), 661–676. https://jurnal.pabki.org/index.php/aiccra/
Waizenegger, A., & Hyndman, J. (2010). Two solitudes: post‐tsunami and post‐conflict Aceh. Disasters, 34(3), 787–808. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7717.2010.01169.x
Wapano, M. R. R., & Dagalangit, S. P. (2024). From Siege to Survival: Exploring The Multi-Faceted Traumas of Meranao Internally Displaced Persons. Ioer International Multidiciplinary Research Journal 6 (1). Pp 121-133. https://doi.org/10.54476/ioer-imrj/663097
Wichaidit, W. (2018). Trauma from Armed Conflict and the Effect on Mental Health in Thailand’s Deep South: A Systematic Review. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC RESEARCH. https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2018/35017.11722
Williams, T. (2010). The MoA-AD Debacle-An Analysis of Individuals’ Voices, Provincial Propaganda and National Disinterest. Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs, - 17 -Vol. 9 (1), 2019-2020. https://doi.org/10.1177/186810341002900106 pp. 121-144. SAGE Publications.
Yusuf, I. (2007). The Southern Thailand Conflict and the Muslim World1. Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, 27(2), 319–339. https://doi.org/10.1080/13602000701536232
Zotova, N. (2018). Religion and mental health among Central Asian Muslim immigrants in Chicago metropolitan area. Migration Letters, 15(3), 361–376. https://doi.org/10.33182/ml.v15i3.358
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Fatimah Zuhra, Raudhatul Jannah

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish in this Journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work. (See The Effect of Open Acces)






