For mental health professionals who are social workers and counselors, the role of clergy is sometimes a missing link. Both
The purpose of this study is to examine American and Japanese clergy's perception of their role in the prevention of suicide. The research questions are as follows: (a) How do clergy in the United States and Japan perceive suicide? (b) Do they see suicide differently? and (c) How do they envision the role of suicide prevention? The hypotheses are as follows: (a) Christian clergy think that suicide is an unacceptable "sin"; (b) Buddhist clergy are more accepting of suicide than Christian clergy; (c) there are role differences related to suicide prevention in the Japanese and American religious communities; and (d) American and Japanese religious leaders have a different view of their obligations related to suicide prevention. The investigator sent 400 anonymous mail surveys, respectively, to New York and Tokyo. The surveys asked about the clergy's personal beliefs and the Church's role in suicide prevention. The investigator analyzed the responses using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The major findings are that many American Christian clergy consider suicide to be a sin, but that "God's love is available for people who committed suicide." Many Japanese Buddhist clergy think how one dies is not the most important issue.Keywords sociology of religion, sociology, social sciences, sociology of work, sociology of mental health, sociology of health and illness, cultural studies, sociological theory, Asia/Asian American Studies, sociology of race and ethnicity, social work by guest on June 5, 2016 Downloaded from SAGE OpenThe research questions are as follows:Research Question 1: How do clergy perceive suicide in the United States and Japan? Research Question 2: Do they see suicide differently? Research Question 3: How do clergy perceive the role of suicide prevention in the United States and Japan?The hypotheses are as follows:Hypothesis 1: Christian clergy think that suicide is a "sin" and not acceptable. Hypothesis 2: Buddhist clergy are more accepting of suicide than Christian clergy. Hypothesis 3: There are role differences related to suicide prevention in the Japanese and American religious communities. Hypothesis 4: American and Japanese religious leaders have a different view of their obligations related to suicide prevention.
Suicide prevention for active duty soldiers and veterans is a serious issue in the US, particularly in communities that are home to these populations. A body of research has addressed the prevention of veterans' suicide with therapy and medication. However, few researchers have focused on the role of spirituality and religion in suicide prevention. This paper will address the potential for collaboration between mental health professionals and clergy in the prevention of military-related suicide.
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