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Suicide Risks and Protections in Religious Communities

Two Exploratory Studies

Bibliographic Data

ID3329510
AuthorsKaren Mason (0000-0003-1894-8740, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary), Bellanira Rynbrandt (Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary), Karen Capehart (Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary), Anthony Rando (0009-0009-5253-2037, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary), Stefanos Dokopoulo, Stefanos Dokopoulos (Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary), Dylan O’shell (Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary)
Year2024
Volume15
Issue9
Pages1118
Publication date2024-09-15
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueReligions (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2077-1444 • E-ISSN: 2077-1444
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/rel15091118
OpenAlexW4402806662
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited82

It is imperative to understand possible protections against suicide because of the steadily climbing U.S. suicide rate. Religion has been associated with fewer suicidal behaviors. This study sought to explore the perspective of congregants experiencing suicidal behaviors (CESBs) on the risks and protections that they experience in their religious communities (RCs) in two separate studies. Study One included a purposive sample of 15 Christian congregants yielding seven codes: routine practices and deliberate suicide prevention efforts were inconsistent both before and during the pandemic lockdown, though RCs continued to operate. Cultures provided participants both protections and risks, while the pandemic amplified deep cultural divides already present before the pandemic. Study Two included a purposive sample of 20 congregants yielding six codes, core protections of a routinely provided worldview and deliberately provided theological teachings, risks of absent protections, aspirational tasks for faith leaders and RCs, inspiring stories of recovery, and some consistency with human flourishing with caution. CESBs in some RCs that have a norm of well-being hide their norm violation and expect rejection. RCs need training in order to provide deliberate suicide prevention protections and CESBs may provide counter-narratives to stigma in RCs and cultures

Criminology · Exploratory research · Medical emergency · Poison control · Political science · Social science · Sociology · Suicide prevention · Medicine · Psychology · Religion and Society Interactions · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies

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Unique citing works4
Citations per year4
Citation span2026 - 2026 (1)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 4
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