The Relationship of Characteristics to the Mental Health of Prospective Hajj Pilgrims in Palembang City

Hajj pilgrimage is a 30-day religious journey in Saudi Arabia undertaken by Muslims, with waiting times often exceeding 5 years, and many of them are elderly individuals requiring stable mental and physical conditions. Mental health is a crucial factor for the well-being of the elderly, with over 20% of them suffering from disorders such as depression, anxiety, and stress. Gender also plays a role, with women being more vulnerable to depression and anxiety. Education level and cognitive function also influence mental health. The Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS) is used to assess individual mental health and the severity of depression, anxiety, and stress. This research aims to understand how factors such as age, gender, and education are related to the mental health of prospective Hajj pilgrims from Palembang in 2023 using the DASS instrument. The study found a significant relationship between age and the occurrence of depression but not with gender or education. These factors also did not have a significant relationship with anxiety. In the case of stress, a significant relationship was found between gender and age, while education level did not affect it.