Citation

Hamdan S, Peterseil-Yaul T. Psychiatry Res. 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

School of Behavioral Sciences, Academic College of Tel-Aviv Jaffa (MTA), P.O.B 8401, Tel-Aviv-Jaffa 61083, Israel.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.psychres.2019.06.024

PMID

31229309

Abstract

The religion-suicide relationship is complex, and evidence of the role of religion in suicidal behaviors is inconsistent. This cross-sectional study aims to explore suicidal ideation and attempts among Modern Orthodox Jews and to examine the risk factors for suicidality in the presence of religious practice and affiliation, help-seeking behaviors, and social support. 321 young adults aged 18 to 36 completed self-report questionnaires assessing religious commitment and perception of religion as important, suicidal risk, depression, somatic symptoms, alcohol misuse, social support, and help-seeking patterns. The past 12-month suicide ideation prevalence was 8.7%. 14% of the sample were at risk for suicide. Those at a higher risk for suicide were less involved in religious practices and perceived religion as less important. In addition, depressive symptoms and alcohol misuse at a younger age presented the highest correlation with suicidal risk. The high rate of suicidal ideation among Modern Orthodox young adults highlights their vulnerability in the face of a lack of social support and mental health resources. Due to the limitations inherent in a convenience sampling, i.e., limited generalizability, this study may represent an underestimation of a risk for suicide amongst Modern Orthodox adults.

Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Language: en

Keywords

Alcohol; Depression; Religion; Suicidal behaviors