Assessment of selected suicide risk factors and the level of spirituals transcendence and religiosity

Abstract

Suicide is a global phenomenon and one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The analysis covers suicidal risk factors (depression, psychological pain, fascination with death) and protective factors (spirituality, religiosity) in the population of healthy people in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the relationship between recent stressful events and suicide risk factors. In the period from October 2020 to March 2021, 260 people aged 18-63 were surveyed electronically, using the own questionnaire and Polish adaptations of research tools to assess: depression, mental pain, anxiety and fascination with death, spirituality and religiosity and the AUDIT screening test. 38.8% of the respondents achieved the result indicating the presence of symptoms of depression and the need for specialist consultation. Women achieved higher results compared to men (Z = -2.424; p = 0.015). In the measurement of religiosity and spiritual transcendence, the lowest score was noted on the following scales: religious commitment, religious crisis and fulfillment in prayer, while the highest score in the sense of attachment scale. Among the maximum results, the lowest was recorded in the measurement of transcendence and the highest in religious commitment. In the subscale of religious commitment, the respondents achieved the lowest average intensity, and slightly higher in the measurement of the religious crisis. However, the feeling of fulfillment in prayer and universality were the most intense. Statistical significance was demonstrated between depression and fascination with death (ρ = 0.399; p <0.001) and depression and psychological pain (ρ = 0.677; p <0.001). As the religious crisis intensified, the following also intensified: depression (ρ = 0.290; p <0.001), psychological pain (ρ = 0.279; p <0.001) and fascination with death (ρ = 0.224; p <0.001). A positive correlation was found between the number of stressful events and depression (ρ = 0.259; p <0.001) and psychological pain (ρ = 0.295; p <0.001). Statistical significance was demonstrated in the analysis of the impact of recent stressors on suicide risk factors. Psychological pain is the strongest predictor of the "S" sample, and the religious crisis is associated with a greater severity of suicide risk factors. Depressiveness correlates with the intensity of mental pain and fascination with death in people with a high level of spiritual transcendence and religiosity. Increased depression and psychological pain are more common in women and in people experiencing recent stressful situations in life.

Risk factors and protective factors of suicidal behavior in people diagnosed with depression

“…A study from the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic period of 2020-2021 showed that 38.8% of "healthy Poles" show symptoms of depression and require consultation with a specialist. This study also showed that among "healthy Poles", depression positively correlates with religious crisis, fascination with death, life stressors, and psychological pain (Surmacz et al, 2021). It was also shown that with greater severity of depressive symptoms, there is a higher level of professional burnout (Kornakiewicz et al, 2019).…”

“…In the same year: the global suicide rate was 10.5; the European rate was 12.9; the Polish rate was 13.4. In Poland, this rate for women was 3.4; for men 23.9 (Surmacz et al, 2021). Studies show that men commit suicide about 1.8-3 times more often than women.…”

“…About 77% of global suicides occur in low-and middle-income countries (WHO, 2021). In 2016, among people who died before the age of 45, 52.1% committed suicide (Surmacz et al, 2021). In the same year: the global suicide rate was 10.5; the European rate was 12.9; the Polish rate was 13.4.…”

“…Others include male gender, old age, social isolation, lack of support, stressful life situations, substance abuse, chronic somatic and psychiatric illnesses, too few protective factors, psychological pain and fascination with death (Grzywa et al, 2009;Makara-Studzińska & Koślak, 2009;Młodożeniec, 2008). The likelihood of suicidal behaviour is increased by concurrent use of psychoactive substances, DSM-5 cluster B personality disorder (antisocial, borderline, histrionic or narcissistic), feelings of hopelessness, a tendency to behave in aggressive ways, difficult childhood experiences and stressful life events (Surmacz et al, 2021). Disease factors have also been shown to predispose to but not trigger suicidal acts (Isometsä, 2014).…”

Body image, mental resilience, spirituality, and mental health in the population of young adults

“…The importance of resilience in reducing the severity of psychiatric symptoms once they have occurred is described. The results of research relating to the correlation between spirituality and experi-encing mental health disruptions are inconclusive although this issue is often addressed in relation to the analysis of health care issues (Puchalski, 2001;Puchalski, 2004;Godlewska et al, 2018;Surmacz et al, 2021). Most of the available literature emphasises the importance of high levels of religiosity in the prevention of the occurrence of mental disorders and, in addition, a significant factor influencing an individual's overall well-being (Gruszynski, 2016;Abdolkarimi et al, 2022).…”