Religion and the Stigma of Suicide: A Quantitative Analysis Using Nationwide Survey Data from Hungary

Ferenc Moksony,Rita Hegedűs

doi:10.3390/rel12110908

Abstract

Objective: To examine the effect of religion on negative attitudes and beliefs about suicide. Methods: We use data from a large nationwide survey conducted in Hungary covering more than 3000 individuals. Suicide-related stigmas are captured with three Likert-type measures that we combine into an overall indicator. Religion is measured by denomination (Catholic vs. Protestant) and church attendance (at least weekly vs. never or less than weekly). We employ logistic regression and the SPSS statistical software. Results: People attending religious services frequently have greater odds of stigmatizing self-killing than those reporting no or infrequent attendance. Compared to Protestants, Catholics are significantly less condemning of suicide. The two measures of religion also work in tandem, with denomination modifying the impact of church attendance. In particular, while church attendance strongly increases the odds of negative attitudes among Catholics, it has practically no effect among Protestants. Discussion and Conclusions: The results presented are in keeping with our expectations and suggest that a social climate that stigmatizes suicide without providing for people a strong community network that pressures individuals toward conforming to fundamental moral principles can be especially harmful for mental health.

Highlights

IntroductionDurkheim’s central concept was social integration, which he relied on to explain why Protestants are more prone than Catholics to take their life
Background and Previous ResearchResearch on religion and suicide dates back to the 19th century and has been greatly inspired by Émile Durkheim’s seminal book, published in 1897 (Durkheim [1897] 1951).Durkheim’s central concept was social integration, which he relied on to explain why Protestants are more prone than Catholics to take their life
The results presented are in keeping with our expectations and suggest that a social climate that stigmatizes suicide without providing for people a strong community network that pressures individuals toward conforming to fundamental moral principles can be especially harmful for mental health

Summary

Introduction

Durkheim’s central concept was social integration, which he relied on to explain why Protestants are more prone than Catholics to take their life. In his view, the main causal factor was not that various religions have different norms, values, and beliefs but rather that they have different degrees of social cohesion. The main causal factor was not that various religions have different norms, values, and beliefs but rather that they have different degrees of social cohesion As he wrote, “The details of dogmas and rites are secondary. Social and emotional support deriving from membership in a dense network of fellow affiliates was generally regarded as the main causal force that keeps believers from taking their life. The chief advocate of this view was Bernice Pescosolido who maintained that “[t]he protective power of religion depends on the ability of religious networks to provide a source of support on which individuals can draw during difficult times” (Pescosolido 1994, p. 272)

Methods

Results

Conclusion