Religiosity and Attitudes toward Suicide

The relationship between religiosity and attitudes toward suicide was assessed in a sample of 186 Christian adults, most affiliated with churches or church-related organizations. A significant correlational pattern was obtained, such that persons higher on religiosity tended to perceive suicide as reflective of mental illness, as less of a cry for help, as not being an individual's prerogative, as highly related to a lack of religious influence, as “abnormal” behavior, as evidence of the aggressiveness of human nature, and as a moral evil not to be condoned.