A preliminary attempt to reconcile contradictory theories and findings regarding the relation between stigma and suicide

Abstract

Suicidology frames stigma as harmful to society, in that it puts individuals at higher risk of dying by suicide. This contradicts cross-cultural findings suggesting societies with abnormally high suicide rates have no stigmatizing norms around suicide. Furthermore, a few studies indicate that adherence to religions with stigmatizing views on suicide can actually protect against suicidality. As a result, some theorists have speculated that stigma may possess protective qualities against suicide. The present paper proposes that stigma should be conceptualized as a deterrent that can be employed against a variety of phenomena. Consequently, it is expected that stigma targeting factors other than suicide (such as race or disability) would prompt suicidality, while stigma specifically directed at suicide would discourage suicidality. To examine the validity of this conceptualization, the present paper categorizes articles cited by opposing theorists into those that align or contradict this viewpoint, aiming to reconcile differing perspectives. This conceptualization offers a more comprehensive explanation for the contradictory findings observed, although imperfections persist. The objective of this paper is not to prove the proposed conceptualization, but rather to shed light on the issue of conflicting claims made by different theorists, while offering a potential solution.