Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 8, 2026
06:42
Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation of the Posterior Medial Frontal Cortex to Experimentally Reduce Ideological Threat Responses
Published on: September 28, 2018
12.4K
Religion and Completed Suicide: a Meta-Analysis.
Andrew Wu1, Jing-Yu Wang2, Cun-Xian Jia3
1School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, United States of America.
Plos One
|June 26, 2015
Summary
Religion offers significant protection against suicide globally. This meta-analysis confirms religiosity as a protective factor, especially in Western cultures and among older adults, informing prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Psychiatry
- Sociology
Background:
- Suicide is a critical global public health issue.
- Understanding factors influencing suicide risk is vital for prevention.
- The role of religion in suicide risk requires further clarification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a meta-analysis on the influence of religion on suicide risk.
- To clarify the protective or risk-modifying effects of religiosity across diverse global settings.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed and Web of Science databases.
- Meta-analysis of 9 studies (2339 suicide cases, 5252 controls) using random and fixed effects models.
- Sub-analyses by age, cultural context (Western/Eastern), and religious homogeneity.
Main Results:
- Overall, religiosity demonstrated a significant protective effect against completed suicide (pooled OR = 0.38).
- Protective effects were pronounced in Western cultures (OR = 0.29) and religiously homogeneous areas (OR = 0.18).
- Older populations (≥45 years) also showed a significant protective effect (OR = 0.42).
Conclusions:
- Religion generally plays a protective role against suicide.
- The impact of religion on suicide risk is context-dependent, varying by cultural and religious factors.
- Public health strategies should integrate cultural and religious contexts for effective suicide prevention.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques VI
331
Adopting a healthier lifestyle often requires overcoming significant challenges, but leveraging psychological, social, and cultural resources can facilitate meaningful change. Effective self-change hinges on understanding and applying key tools such as motivation and goal setting, which help sustain efforts toward long-term health benefits.
Motivation and Self-Determination
Motivation, the driving force behind behavior, plays a pivotal role at every stage of the change process. The research...
Motivation and Self-Determination
Motivation, the driving force behind behavior, plays a pivotal role at every stage of the change process. The research...
331
01:19Personal Choice and Fate Attributions
237
Some individuals interpret life events as a consequence of their personal choices and actions, while others believe that outcomes are dictated by fate or destiny. This divergence in perspective has been examined in psychological and cross-cultural studies, particularly in relation to religious faith and cultural beliefs about causality.Fate and Personal ResponsibilityPeople who emphasize personal responsibility view events as direct consequences of their decisions. For instance, breaking a leg...
237
01:30Psychosurgery
2.3K
Psychosurgery, the surgical alteration or permanent removal of brain tissue to alleviate severe psychological conditions, stands as one of the most radical and controversial treatments in the history of mental health care. Its development and application have evolved significantly, marked by dramatic shifts in scientific understanding and ethical perspectives.
Historical Development of Psychosurgery
In the 1930s, Portuguese neurologist Antonio Egas Moniz introduced a surgical procedure designed...
Historical Development of Psychosurgery
In the 1930s, Portuguese neurologist Antonio Egas Moniz introduced a surgical procedure designed...
2.3K
01:28Ending Relationships
250
The dissolution of intimate relationships presents complex emotional and psychological challenges, particularly when emotional bonds are strong, the relationship is long-standing, and perceived alternatives are limited. This distress often intensifies in romantic breakups, where the initiator may experience greater turmoil than the rejected partner. Contributing factors include residual attachment, guilt over causing pain, and uncertainty about how to manage the situation. The stress is further...
250
01:27Depressive Disorders: Etiology
866
Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
866
01:21Kubler Ross's Stages of Dying
1.8K
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross significantly advanced psychology's understanding of the process of dying with her influential book, On Death and Dying (1969). She focused on studying terminally ill individuals and outlined five stages commonly experienced when coping with death: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
In denial, individuals reject the reality of their condition, often thinking, "This isn't true; I feel fine," as a way to protect themselves from...
In denial, individuals reject the reality of their condition, often thinking, "This isn't true; I feel fine," as a way to protect themselves from...
1.8K