Negotiating Belonging Through Art: Psychological Distress and Resilience Among Young Muslim Artists Across Contexts

Abstract

This review synthesizes research on “Psychological challenges faced by young Muslim artists in reconciling personal artistic inclinations with religious identity” to address the complex interplay between creative expression and religious self-conception amid socio-cultural tensions. The review aimed to evaluate psychological tensions, benchmark identity negotiation strategies, identify socio-cultural influences on mental health, deconstruct art’s coping functions, and compare thematic patterns across diverse contexts. A systematic analysis of interdisciplinary qualitative and mixed-method studies from Western countries, South Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East was conducted, focusing on identity conflicts, discrimination, and artistic agency. Findings reveal predominant identity fragmentation and discrimination-related psychological distress, with artists employing hybrid identities and performative self-representation to negotiate tensions. Artistic expression functions as both a coping mechanism and political resistance, fostering psychological resilience and identity coherence. Socio-cultural and religious norms, alongside pervasive Islamophobia, critically shape mental health outcomes and artistic practices. The synthesis highlights methodological limitations including sample representativeness and underexplored intersectionality, while emphasizing geographic variability in experiences. These findings underscore the need for longitudinal, culturally nuanced research and targeted support frameworks that integrate artistic freedom with religious identity, informing theoretical models and practical interventions to enhance well-being among young Muslim artists globally.

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