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Explaining the relation between religiousness and reduced suicidal behavior: social support rather than specific
1Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA.
Suicide & Life-Threatening Behavior
|October 2, 2009
Summary
Public religious practices, not private ones, were linked to lower suicidal thoughts and attempts in students. Social support from religious communities appears to be the key factor, not religious beliefs themselves.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology of Religion
- Public Health
Background:
- Religiousness is linked to reduced suicidal ideation and attempts.
- The underlying mechanisms of this protective association require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the roles of religious beliefs and social support in the relationship between religiousness and suicidal behaviors.
- To investigate whether social support or religious beliefs mediate the association between religious practices and suicidal ideation/attempts.
Main Methods:
- A survey was administered to 454 undergraduate students.
- Measures included religiousness (public and private practices, beliefs), social support, suicidal ideation, and history of suicide attempts.
Main Results:
- Involvement in public religious practices was associated with lower suicidal ideation and fewer past suicide attempts.
- Social support significantly mediated the relationship between public religious practices and reduced suicidal behaviors.
- Religious beliefs did not mediate this association.
Conclusions:
- Social support derived from religious communities is a crucial factor in mitigating suicidal ideation and attempts.
- Public religious engagement may offer protective benefits through enhanced social support networks.
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