Citation

Dyer WJ. Psycholog. Relig. Spiritual. 2022; 14(2): 179-188.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, American Psychological Association)

DOI

10.1037/rel0000451

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study examined the intersection of religion, suicidality, and sexual orientation. Given conflicting findings in this area (Lytle et al., 2015, 2018), the conceptualization of religiosity is refined and its relationship to suicidality and related constructs are examined. Data come from the 2011 University of Texas at Austin's Research Consortium's "Survey of Distress, Suicidality, and Student Coping" (n = 20,991). Analyses replicated previous work (Lytle et al., 2018) examining the relationships between importance of religious/spiritual beliefs and suicidality across sexual orientations. Analyses were enhanced with imputation and single regression analysis, and a more refined measure of religiosity was examined for its relationship with suicidality, belongingness, mindfulness, and sense of coherence. The helpfulness of religious/spiritual connections in coping were compared to other resources. Analyses found fewer associations between importance of religious/spiritual beliefs and suicidality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning (LGBQ) persons than previous work. Religiosity was protective against suicidality for heterosexuals, was positively associated with ideation for lesbians/gays, was unrelated to ideation for bisexual and questioning individuals, and was unrelated to suicide attempts for LGBQ individuals. For LGBQ individuals, when belonging, coherence, and mindfulness were related to religiosity, the association indicated better wellbeing for those who were more religious. For LGBQ individuals, a connection with religion/ spirituality was either equally or more helpful than connection with a university, mental health professionals, or campus resources.

FINDINGS reflect complexity between sexual orientation, suicidality, mental health, and religiosity with religiosity associated with protection and some risk. Future research requires more precise conceptualizations and operationalizations, and the avoidance of simplistic narratives © 2021. American Psychological Association

Language: en

Keywords

Suicide; Mental health; Methodology; Religion; Sexual orientation