Dimensions of Religion Associated with Suicide Attempt and Ideation: A 15-Month Prospective Study in a Dutch Psychiatric Population

Dimensions of religion contribute in different ways to the in general protective effect of religiosity and spirituality (R/S) against suicidality. Few studies have included a substantial number of dimensions, and even fewer a follow-up, to clarify the stability and contribution of R/S over the cours...

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Published inReligions (Basel, Switzerland ) Vol. 14; no. 4; p. 442
Main Authors van den Brink, Bart, Jongkind, Matthias, Rippe, Ralph C. A, van der Velde, Nathan, Braam, Arjan W, Schaap-Jonker, Hanneke
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Basel MDPI AG 01.03.2023
Subjects
Analysis
Anxiety
depression
God representation
Influence
Likert scale
Mental depression
Mental disorders
moral objections to suicide
Morality
prayer
Psychiatric services
Psychological aspects
Psychology, Pathological
Psychopathology
Religion
Religious aspects
Religiousness
Social aspects
Spirituality
Suicidal behavior
Suicidal behaviour
suicidal ideation
Suicides & suicide attempts
Netherlands
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Summary:Dimensions of religion contribute in different ways to the in general protective effect of religiosity and spirituality (R/S) against suicidality. Few studies have included a substantial number of dimensions, and even fewer a follow-up, to clarify the stability and contribution of R/S over the course of psychopathology. In this follow-up study among 155 religiously affiliated in- and outpatients with major depression, religious service attendance, frequency of prayer, type of God representation, moral objections to suicide, and social support were re-assessed in 59 subjects. Diverse statistical analyses show a partial change in R/S parameters. Supportive R/S is persistently associated with lower suicidality. R/S at T0 or change in R/S is not associated with additional changes in suicidality over time. The results suggest that the most important change in suicidality can be understood as an effect of a decline in depressive symptomatology, not of changes in R/S. Despite the limited follow-up and sample size, these results emphasize the importance of longitudinal and dynamic evaluation of especially affective and supportive aspects of R/S in suicidal persons.
ISSN:2077-1444
2077-1444
DOI:10.3390/rel14040442