Religion and Suicide

Abstract

Religion impacts suicidality. One's degree of religiosity can potentially serve as a protective factor against suicidal behavior. To accurately assess risk of suicide, it is imperative to understand the role of religion in suicidality. PsycINFO and MEDLINE databases were searched for published articles on religion and suicide between 1980 and 2008. Epidemiological data on suicidality across four religions, and the influence of religion on suicidality are presented. Practice guidelines are presented for incorporating religiosity into suicide risk assessment. Suicide rates and risk and protective factors for suicide vary across religions. It is essential to assess for degree of religious commitment and involvement to accurately identify suicide risk.

Social-Environmental Factors and Suicide Mortality: A Narrative Review of over 200 Articles

“…church adherence, active membership in a religious group, strength of religious beliefs in society) (Baller & Richardson, 2002;Cutright & Fernquist, 2004;Ellison et al, 1997;Helliwell, 2007;Neeleman, 1997;Van Tubergen, Te Grotenhuis, & Ultee, 2005). As with other ecological factors relevant to suicide, the relationship between religion and suicide also appears to be influenced by cultural contexts (e.g., European versus Asian areas of the world), gender and age (Clarke, Bannon, & Denihan, 2003;Colucci & Martin, 2008;Gearing & Lizardi, 2009), as well as changing societal contexts and norms (Cleary & Brannick, 2007). For example, it has been noted that religions with stronger affiliations, values and family traditions may offer greater protection against suicide (Neeleman, 1998;Neeleman & Lewis, 1999).…”

Suicide Among Adolescents in Center Tunisia: An 18-Year Autopsy Study

“…Underreporting is another issue to be considered especially in Arab Muslim context. Actually, many studies emphasize the fact that religious values may protect against suicide [20][21][22]. This can be verified through Islam religion.…”

Medicolegal Aspects of Suicides, a Retrospective Study of 542 Cases Brought for Autopsy to the Department of Forensic Medicine, Government Medical College, Kottayam in the Year 2015

“…12 There is a significant protective relationship between religiosity and suicide. 13 Out of 542 cases, 394 (73%) were married and 148 (27%) were unmarried. Marriage acts as a protective factor against suicide.…”