Religiosity and suicide: findings from a nationwide psychological autopsy study

Using data from a nationwide psychological autopsy study of all suicides in Finland occurring over a 1-year period, the authors investigated religiosity and its types among suicide victims. Overt active religiosity was identified in 245 (18%) of the victims. A history of psychiatric inpatient treatment and psychotic and depressive disorders diagnosed in psychiatric care were more common among the religious victims than among the nonreligious. The burden of major mental disorders seems to have been heavier among religious than nonreligious victims. The type of religiosity of victims was qualitatively characterized into four categories: (1) help-seeking from a religious congregation, (2) conflict with a religious congregation, (3) private religiosity, and (4) abandoned religiosity. Further research needs to address the psychological contents and psychiatric implications of different types of religiosity among suicidal individuals.