Citation

Testoni I, Russotto S, Zamperini A, Leo D. Ment. Illn. 2018; 10(1): e7420.

Affiliation

Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, PAGEPress Publications)

DOI

10.4081/mi.2018.7420

PMID

30046402

PMCID

PMC6037094

Abstract

This qualitative research explores the relationship between religiosity, suicide thoughts and drug abuse among 55 homeless people, interviewed with interpretative phenomenological analysis. Analyzing the thematic structure of the participants' narrations, important main themes appeared in order to avoid suicide, among which family, the certainty of finding a solution and the will to live. However, the suicide ideation inheres in about 30% of participants, almost all believers, addicted and/or alcoholics.

RESULTS suggest that religiosity and meaning of death neither prevent from substances abuse and alcoholism, nor is a protective factor against suicide ideation. Meanings of life are the most important reasons for living, and when they are definitively considered unworkable, alcohol and drug help to endure life in the street. A specific model is discussed.

Language: en

Keywords

Suicide; drug addiction; homeless people; religiosity