Explaining the Relation Between Religiousness and Reduced Suicidal Behavior: Social Support Rather Than Specific Beliefs

This study examined the roles of religious beliefs & social support in the decreased risk of suicide ideation, suicide attempts, & death by suicide. A survey measuring religiousness, social support, suicide ideation, & suicide attempts was administered to 454 undergraduates. Involvement in public, but not private, religious practices was associated with lower levels of both suicide ideation & history of suicide attempts. Social support mediated these relations but religious beliefs did not. Results highlight the importance of social support provided by religious communities. (26 refs.)