@article{ref1,
title="Religiousness and suicide in a nationally representative sample of Trinidad and Tobago adolescents and young adults",
journal="Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology",
year="2015",
author="Toussaint, Loren and Wilson, Colwick M. and Wilson, Leon C. and Williams, Daniel R.",
volume="50",
number="9",
pages="1441-1450",
abstract="PURPOSE: The present study examines religiousness and its connection to suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts among Trinidad and Tobago adolescents and young adults. <br><br>METHOD: Data are from Trend Research Empowering National Development on adolescents and young adults in Trinidad and Tobago (N = 4448). Religious affiliation, self-perceived religiousness, attendance at religious services, prayer frequency, socio-demographic variables, and suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts were assessed. <br><br>RESULTS: Compared to nonreligious, Catholics (OR 0.63, p < 0.05) and Seventh-day Adventists (OR 0.47, p < 0.01) were less likely to think about suicide, and hindus (OR 5.81, p < 0.05) and other affiliates (OR 7.28, p < 0.01) were more likely to be treated for suicide. Higher self-rated religiosity was related to lower likelihood of thinking about suicide (OR 0.86, p < 0.01) and lower likelihood of planning suicide (OR 0.78, p < 0.001). Attendance at religious services was related to lower likelihood of thinking about suicide (OR 0.94, p < 05) and fewer suicide attempts (β = -0.11, p < 0.01). More frequent prayer was related to lower likelihood of thinking about suicide (OR 0.92, p < 0.01) and lower likelihood of planning suicide (OR 0.90, p < 0.001). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Religiousness may offer benefits for adolescents and young adults in Trinidad and Tobago by reducing the likelihood that they engage in suicide thoughts and behaviors. <br><br>RESULTS may hold implications for counselors, clergy, teachers, and others working with adolescents and young adults in Trinidad and Tobago.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0933-7954",
doi="10.1007/s00127-015-1045-y",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00127-015-1045-y"
}