Religious Suicide Stigma, Religious and Spiritual Struggles, and Suicidal Behaviors Among Christian Religious Communities in the USA.

Résumé

Although qualitative studies have found religious suicide stigma as a barrier to help-seeking in religious communities, its relationship to suicidal behaviors has not been examined quantitatively. This study investigated associations between religious suicide stigma, religious and spiritual (r/s) struggles, and suicidal behaviors, and whether religious suicide stigma is related to r/s struggles. Participants were 378 adults from the USA who attended a religious community, 40.8% being faith leaders. Participants completed online surveys that included open-ended questions about religious suicide stigma experienced by faith leaders and congregants. In this sample, religious suicide stigma was inversely correlated with suicidal behaviors, whereas r/s struggles were strongly and positively related to suicidal behaviors. R/s struggles and religious suicide stigma were weakly related, indicating that they are unrelated and distinct variables. Qualitative responses show the unique challenges faith leaders experiencing suicidal behaviors undergo, including condemnation, shame, lost credibility, isolation, abandonment, pressure to keep up appearances, having their jobs at risk, feeling responsible for others' faith, and difficulties navigating vulnerability. Recommendations for religious communities are included.