Background and Purpose: Mental health as one of the two major dimensions of health is a prerequisite for an effective and fulfilling life. Considering the unique role of students as future administrators in communities, it is necessary to guarantee their mental health and identify and eliminate negative factors, which adversely affect their mental health. Therefore, this study was performed to survey the relationship between Islamic lifestyle and students’ mental health in Birjand University.

Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of all students at Birjand University. For this purpose, 300 students (150 male and 150 female students) were selected via random cluster sampling in 2013-2014. The study tools included the General Health Questionnaire by Goldberg and Islamic Lifestyle Questionnaire (short form) by Kaviani. For data analysis, Pearson’s correlation coefficient test, multiple linear regression analysis, and Fisher’s test were performed, using SPSS.

Results: Based on the findings, there was a significant positive relationship between Islamic lifestyle and mental health (P<0.05). Pearson's correlation coefficient between Islamic lifestyle and mental health was estimated at 0.24. The findings showed that 6% of variance in mental health was associated with Islamic lifestyle. Moreover, the findings indicated a significant positive correlation between these variables in the female group (P<0.05); however, no significant correlation was found in the male group (P<0.05). Based on Fisher’s test, mental health was more significantly correlated with Islamic lifestyle in the female group, compared to the male group (95% CI, z>1.96).

Conclusion: Based on the findings, there was a meaningful correlation between Islamic lifestyle and mental health among female and male participants. Also, mental health had a stronger correlation with Islamic lifestyle among females than males. Therefore, social and demographic characteristics may play a more significant role in mental health than gender.