Influence of Socio-Demographic Features on Piri-Muridi: An Experiential Study

Abstract

The present study explored the role of socio-demographic factors with Piri-Muridi within indigenous context of Pakistan. Participants (N = 291) were taken from Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Azad Kashmir, and Mansehra. Their age ranged from 18-73 years (M = 30.38, SD = 10.74). Piri-Muridi scale (Hassan & Kamal, 2010) was used to assess the mean differences across various demographic factors. Results revealed that women are more inclined towards Piri-Muridi and have more perception of negative change in Piri-Muridi as compared to men. Married individuals scored significantly higher as compared to single individuals on the facets of belief system about Piri-Muridi. Older aged adults scored significantly higher on the domain of Piri-Muridi and belief system about Piri-Muridi. Post hoc analysis revealed that participants having less education have more favorable attitude towards Piri-Muridi as compared to those having high level education. Murids have strong belief in Piri-Muridi as compared to situational believers of Piri-Muridi and non-believers of Piri-Muridi. Non-believers of Piri-Muridi have more negative perception of change in Piri-Muridi as compared to strong believers and Murids. Ahly hades sect showed strong negative perception regarding Piri-Muridi as compared to Ahly sunnat brelvi. Findings are discussed with reference to pertinent literature and suggestions have been given for future researchers.