Religious/spiritual struggles and suicidal ideation in the COVID-19 era: Does the belief in divine control and religious attendance matter?

Abstract

As a result of the upheaval to all facets of social life, the potential for higher suicide rates in the aftermath of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is of great concern. Using nationally representative data from the U.S., we assess whether religious/spiritual struggles are associated with a higher risk of suicidal ideation. We also focus on two aspects of religiosity that may modify the relationship between R/S struggles and suicidal ideation: beliefs in divine control and religious attendance. Results from regression analyses suggest that greater R/S struggles were associated with higher suicidal ideation, adjusting for psychological distress, economic hardship due to the pandemic, and several key demographic characteristics. Perceptions of divine control, but not religious attendance, were protective against higher suicidal ideation for people experiencing R/S struggles. While the longer term effects to well-being of the COVID-19 pandemic are only beginning to emerge, this study suggests that there are already significant and meaningful associations between greater R/S struggles and suicidal ideation. Given the protective role of beliefs in divine control for individuals in the throes of R/S struggles, it may be profitable to incorporate theistically based approaches to counseling and mental health care for religious believers who express uncertainty or doubt about their faith.