The influence of spirituality and resilience on suicide risk in Romanian patients with depression

Introduction

Suicide is a globally widespread phenomenon, with approximately 700,000 people dying from suicide each year. According to World Health Organization (WHO), suicide was the 17^th most common cause of mortality in 2015. In Romania, the mortality rate due to suicide is 11.7 per 100,000 inhabitants⁽¹⁾.

Numerous research endeavors have delved into the diverse facets of spirituality and resilience, seeking a deeper comprehension of the link between spirituality/religiosity, resilience, and the risk of suicide. The question that lingers pertains to whether this connection varies among distinct religious communities. Spirituality encompasses a wide-ranging concept that finds definition in experiences tied to either the transcendent realm or connections with oneself, others, and the natural world⁽²⁾. While spirituality can intertwine with religious beliefs and practices, it is not inherently linked to them. Religiosity, on the other hand, often manifests spirituality through various practices specific to a particular religious affiliation⁽³⁾.

Research indicates that despair and depressive symptoms serve as robust predictors of suicidal behavior in individuals diagnosed with mood disorders^(4,5). The role of spirituality in this context is significant, as it can foster a positive coping mechanism, instill hope, alleviate stress and provide solace^(6,7).

Numerous studies have established a connection between spirituality and a reduced risk of suicide^(6,8,9). One review study found that 84% of studies reported a lower prevalence of suicidal behavior among individuals who considered themselves more spiritual⁽¹⁰⁾. Another review of the literature reported that religiosity has a favorable effect on the risk of suicide⁽¹¹⁾. Bonelli and Koenig’s literature review found that higher levels of spirituality/religiosity were inversely correlated with completed suicide⁽¹²⁾.

Conversely, research suggests that maladaptive aspects of spirituality, such as negative religious coping and a limited capacity for forgiveness, can be linked to suicide risk⁽¹³⁾.

Studies have shown that spirituality and resilience are intertwined. Resilience is a complex concept that can be defined as the capacity to cope and adapt when faced with adverse events (hardship, tragedy, trauma, life stressors)⁽¹⁴⁾. It can be nurtured through a person’s religious beliefs, spirituality, supportive relationships and enhanced self-esteem. Spirituality plays a pivotal role in enhancing resilience, especially among older individuals^(15,16). It bolsters an individual’s capacity to confront and adapt to challenging life events, ranging from illness and loss to warfare and natural disasters⁽¹⁷⁾.

Several studies have explored the relationship between resilience and suicide, consistently demonstrating that resilience serves as a protective factor against the risk of suicide^(18-20). For instance, a longitudinal study investigating the association between resilience and suicidal ideation and attempts found that a high level of resilience predicted a lower risk of suicide during follow-up assessments⁽²¹⁾.

Methodology

This study sought to examine the influence of spirituality and resilience on suicide risk in a clinical sample of depressed patients.

Study design and participants

Sixty-five consecutive inpatients diagnosed with unipolar or bipolar depression, aged between 18 and 70 years old, were recruited from the Psychiatry Ward III of the Cluj-Napoca County Emergency Hospital. Data were collected between January and June 2022. The inclusion criteria encompassed a diagnosis of depression (depressive episode – F32; recurrent depressive disorder – F33) following ICD-10 criteria.

The exclusion criteria included participants over 70 years old and those with other psychiatric disorders (such as schizophrenia, delirium, delusional disorder, mental retardation, cognitive impairment or substance use disorder) or neurological disorders.

Ethical considerations

The study received approval from the university Ethics Committee. Researchers provided participants with detailed information about the research, emphasizing its voluntary and confidential nature and their right to withdraw at any point. The participants were assured that there were no associated risks. The written consent was obtained from all participants.

Measures

The participants completed a demographic questionnaire gathering sociodemographic information, including gender, age, marital status, residence, religious affiliation and educational background.

Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)

Developed by Kelly Posner and collaborators, this scale assesses and classifies the suicide risk. It comprises 17 items that evaluate four dimensions: suicidal ideation, intensity of ideation, suicidal behavior, and actual suicide attempts. The C-SSRS is also a reliable screening instrument known for its validity, sensitivity/specificity and internal consistency⁽²²⁾.

Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC 25)

An assessment tool for resilience, CD-RISC 25 comprises 25 items rated on a five-point Likert scale (ranging from 0 to 4), with total scores ranging from 0 to 100. It measures an individual’s capacity to bounce back from adversity⁽²³⁾.

Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale (DSES)

Developed by Lynn Underwood, DSES assesses experiences of connection with the sacred or transcendent in everyday life. It has 16 items, the first 15 items being rated on a six-point Likert type scale, ranging from 1 (“many times a day”) to 6 (“never or almost never”). Item 16 has responses ranging from 1 (“as close as possible”) to 4 (“not at all”)⁽²⁴⁾. The first 15 items were used in this study, with reverse coding applied, meaning higher scores indicate a higher frequency of spiritual experiences.

Data analysis

All analyses were performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 26, for Windows. The descriptive analysis was used to characterize the sample. Quantitative variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD), and qualitative variables were expressed as frequency and percentage values. We used linear regression to determine Pearson coefficient.

Results

The group included in this study exhibited a diverse range of sociodemographic characteristics (Table 1). Ages ranged from 19 to 69 years old, representing a broad age spectrum. The gender distribution showed an almost equitable split, with a little over half of the participants being women (53.1%). Additionally, the study encompassed individuals from various geographical backgrounds, with 53.1% originating from urban areas.

Regarding religious affiliation, the predominant faith among participants was Orthodox Christianity, accounting for 78.1% of the sample. Marriage status was another noteworthy aspect, with a significant majority of participants being married, constituting 68.8% of the total. Furthermore, in terms of educational attainment, a substantial proportion of patients had completed only secondary studies, amounting to 48.4% of the cohort.

 Table 2 displays the means and standard deviations of the DSES scores, the CD-RISC 25 scores, and the score of CSSR suicidal ideation severity subscale. In order to determine the relationship between spirituality, resilience and suicide risk, we calculated the Pearson correlation coefficient.

Table 3 presents the results of simple linear regression conducted between the CSSR scores and the CD-RISC 25 scores. The linear regression identified a weak negative correlation (Pearson coefficient = -0.298) between the severity of suicidal ideation and the level of resilience (measured by the CD-RISC 25 score) at an alpha value of 0.01 (p<0.05).

 The simple linear regression also revealed a significant negative correlation (Pearson coefficient = -0.544) between the severity of suicidal ideation (measured by the CSSR score) and the level of spirituality (DSES score), at p<0.01.

Discussion

Suicide remains a pressing global concern, with a substantial number of lives lost each year. Our study focused on the specific context of Romania, where suicide has been a significant cause of mortality. This context underscores the urgency of exploring factors that may contribute to suicide risk. Our investigation delved into the complex interplay between spirituality, resilience, and the risk of suicide among depressed patients.

Our study acknowledged the multifaceted nature of spirituality, which can manifest in various forms, including connections with the transcendent, self, others and nature. It’s important to note that spirituality is not synonymous with religiosity, although they can intersect. Religiosity often involves specific forms of manifestation.

Our findings align with prior research, highlighting the significance of depressive symptoms and despair as robust predictors of suicidal behavior among individuals grappling with mood disorders. This observation underscores the gravity of addressing the mental health challenges faced by this population.

We found substantial evidence linking spirituality to a reduced risk of suicide. This correlation suggests that spirituality can serve as a protective factor, fostering positive coping mechanisms, nurturing hope, mitigating stress, and offering solace to individuals facing emotional distress. The study we conducted consistently pointed to lower suicide prevalence among those who identified as more spiritual, reinforcing the potential role of spirituality in enhancing mental well-being.

Our study also examined the concept of resilience, defined as the capacity to adapt and cope effectively in the face of adversity. Our investigation, consistent with existing research, demonstrated that resilience acts as a protective factor against the risk of suicide. This finding underscores the importance of cultivating resilience in individuals at risk of suicidal behavior. It implies that interventions aimed at enhancing resilience, particularly among those with depression, may contribute to suicide prevention efforts.

The findings of our study hold practical implications for mental health practitioners and policymakers. Recognizing the potential protective effects of spirituality and resilience, interventions can be tailored to incorporate these elements into treatment strategies for individuals at risk of suicide. This might involve fostering spiritual support networks, encouraging practices that enhance resilience, and considering the spiritual and existential dimensions of therapy.

The holistic approach adopted in this study, encompassing spiritual and psychological dimensions, underscores the importance of addressing mental health from a comprehensive perspective. It acknowledges that individuals are not merely defined by their symptoms but also by their spiritual and existential beliefs, which can significantly influence their coping mechanisms and the overall well-being.

While our study offers valuable insights, it has limitations. Its observational, cross-sectional design restricts the ability to establish causal relationships between spirituality, depression and the suicide risk. Prospective studies are essential for elucidating these connections further.

Additionally, the study’s sample predominantly comprised individuals from the Christian Orthodox tradition, reflecting Romania’s religious demographics. Therefore, our findings may not be readily generalizable to populations with different religious affiliations. Future research should adopt a multicenter approach, encompassing larger and more diverse patient populations, from various countries and religious backgrounds.

Conclusions

Our study underscores the importance of targeted interventions aimed at enhancing the psychological well-being of depressed patients. Implementing strategies that bolster resilience and spirituality could prove instrumental in elevating their overall quality of life and mitigating the challenges associated with depression and suicide behavior. Subsequent research endeavors might explore potential interventions that seamlessly integrate spirituality as a conduit to fortify resilience, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes in patients diagnosed with depression. Developing tailored programs geared towards enhancing resilience holds promise in guiding patients towards more favorable life adjustments while grappling with their illness.

In summary, our study sheds light on the intricate relationship between spirituality, resilience and the suicide risk among depressed patients. It highlights the potential protective role of spirituality and resilience in mitigating suicide risk, emphasizing the importance of considering these factors in mental health interventions and suicide prevention strategies. However, further research is needed to deepen our understanding of these connections and their applicability to diverse populations. 

 

Conflict of interest: none declared  
Financial support: none declared
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