Abstract

Love, when misunderstood or emotionally mismanaged, can be a significant contributor to psychological distress and mental health issues among youth. Romantic love, particularly when approached irrationally, is increasingly recognized as a contributing factor to mental health issues among youth, including anxiety, depression, and maladaptive coping behaviors—some of which may escalate into substance or behavioral addictions. This study, based on surveys with 699 Malaysian undergraduates, found a significant correlation between rational romantic decision-making and Islamic conceptions of love, highlighting implications for youth mental health prevention. These insights suggest that integrating faith-based principles with psychological awareness can be a powerful strategy for promoting mental resilience. The proposed Love Intervention Program aims to serve as a preventative framework for mental health professionals, counselors, and educators, enabling them to address emotionally driven vulnerabilities that may lead to addiction of unethical love behaviors. This approach supports holistic healing by aligning spiritual values with scientific understanding in the pursuit of youth well-being.