Religiousness and non-hopeless suicide ideation

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Public Health

Background:

• Suicide ideation is a significant public health concern.
• The relationship between religiousness and suicidal behavior is complex and warrants further investigation.
• Sociological theories, such as Durkheim's, suggest social factors like religious affiliation can influence suicide rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between religiousness, suicide ideation, and hopelessness among college students.
• To investigate whether religiousness acts as a buffer against suicidal ideation, especially in the absence of hopelessness.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to 279 college students in Idaho.
• Data collected included measures of religiousness, suicide ideation, and hopelessness.
• Participants were categorized based on the presence or absence of ideation and hopelessness.

Main Results:

• 13% of students reported non-hopeless suicide ideation.
• Lower religiousness was associated with greater suicide ideation.
• Non-hopeless suicide ideators reported lower levels of religiousness compared to other groups.

Conclusions:

• Findings support Durkheim's theory that religious social affiliation may protect against suicide.
• Religiousness appears to provide a source of hope that can buffer against suicidal ideas, even in individuals not experiencing hopelessness.