Religiosity and Suicide Ideation in Clinically Depressed Patients

Zuraida N.Z., and Ahmad H.S., (2007) Religiosity and Suicide Ideation in Clinically Depressed Patients. Malaysian Journal of Psychiatry, 16 (1). ISSN 0128-8628

Abstract

Religion is indicated as a potent coping strategy that helps a person to adjust to the stress in life. Suicide ideation is common in patients with severe depression. The aim of the study was to examine the correlation between religiosity and suicide ideation in clinically depressed patients. Methods: 51 patients with diagnosis of a major depression or bipolar affective disorder in depressed phase were included in the study. They were assessed on socio demographic profile, religious salience, severity of depression, hopelessness, past suicide attempt and suicide ideation. Religious salience was defined as the importance of an individual attaches to a strong faith relative to the importance attached to other domains of life Results: The mean age was 41 years. 69% were females, 35% were still single and 57% were married. There were 33% Muslims, 47% Buddhists, 20% Hindus and 10% Christians. 37% considered as religiously salient. These patients scored very much lower in suicide ideation compared to non-religiously salient (p=0.029).This finding was more pronounced among the Muslims (p=0.013). Conclusion: From this study, it shows that religious salience is a protective factor against suicide ideation.

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Abstract