Why does Zeno the Stoic Hold His Breath? “Zenoism” as a New Variable for Studying Suicide

Datos Bibliográficos

ID13628345
AutoresKalman J Kaplan (0000-0002-9329-0208, Tel-Aviv University, Israel, and, University of Illinois in Chicago College of Medicine, autor de correspondencia), Lisa J Ficker (Wayne State University), Lisa Ficker (Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan), Inga Wallrabenstein (Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan), Neal Dodge (Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan), Peta-Gay Laird (Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan), Kenneth Thiel (Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan), Melissa Folk (0009-0002-7844-6910, Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Año2008
Volumen56
Número4
Páginas369-400
Fecha de publicación2008-04-09
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaOMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0030-2228 • E-ISSN: 1541-3764
EditorialSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2190/om.56.4.e
PMID18435328
OpenAlexW1977155552
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas4
Referencias citadas12

A single misfortune may be seen as just that, or may be interpreted as Zeno the Stoic did, as a "sign" of cosmic proportion (zenoizing), which paradoxically provides a missing meaning structure. This article presents two studies testing out this new variable (zenoism): in Study One (n = 233), we explore the moderating effects of religiosity and gender on zenoism, depression, demoralization, and suicidality. In Study Two (n = 137), we explore these same moderating effects on zenoism, fear of dependency, value of life, and favorability toward physician-assisted suicide (PAS). Results indicate: 1) men and non-religious respondents (especially men) zenoize more than women and religious respondents; 2) non-religious respondents, (especially men) are more generally favorable to PAS and more suicidal; 3) Zenoism is negatively related to depression, demoralization, and value of life for non-religious respondents, and for men; 4) Zenoism is positively related to favorability toward PAS toward one's self and overall suicidality; and finally 5) general and self-specific favorability toward PAS are distinct, but both relate to overall suicidality

Depression (economics · Depressive symptoms · Meaning (existential · Misfortune · Moderation · Psychiatry · Psychotherapist · Religiosity · Zeno's paradoxes · Clinical Psychology · Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion · Psychology · Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Social Psychology