Catholics used to have empirical data to support a lower suicide rate compared to Protestants based on certain practices as espoused by Durkheim. However, nowadays, we seldom get a country which is overwhelmingly Catholics or Protestants, and some church practices may have changed since Durkheim's empirical analysis using Western European countries a century ago. In today's world, will there still be any difference between Catholics and Protestant suicide rate? The WHO Report 2012 estimates world average suicide rate at about 11.4 per 100K population.
I would start here: "Suicide and religion: New evidence on the differences between Protestantism and Catholicism." Torgler, Benno,and Christoph Schaltegger (2014)
Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 53:2: 316-340.
I would also look at World Values Survey data. I believe they have a question regarding if suicide is ever justified. While I realize that doesn't measure the actual rate, it would get at attitudes toward suicide. And WVS does include religious variables such as affiliation.
I hope that helps.
Hello Bob,
I reckon this dichotomy plays little role in the frequency of suicide owing to the preponderance of a host of psychological parameters involved . To come up with accurate findings, all these variables together with individuals ' ethnic and demographic backgrounds need to be controlled .
Hello Mr.Bob,
sure there will be some role and effective relationship between religion background.it may be sensitive issue to discuss.
I would start here: "Suicide and religion: New evidence on the differences between Protestantism and Catholicism." Torgler, Benno,and Christoph Schaltegger (2014)
Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 53:2: 316-340.
I would also look at World Values Survey data. I believe they have a question regarding if suicide is ever justified. While I realize that doesn't measure the actual rate, it would get at attitudes toward suicide. And WVS does include religious variables such as affiliation.
I hope that helps.
Tolerance of suicide, religion and suicide rates: an ecological and individual study in 19 Western countries
J. NEELEMAN a1 , D. HALPERN a1 , D. LEON a1 and G. LEWIS a1
a1 From the Department of Social Psychiatry, State University of Groningen, The Netherlands; Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Cambridge; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London; and Division of Psychological Medicine, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff
Abstract
Background. Negative associations between religion and suicide, in individuals and countries, may be mediated by the degree to which suicide is tolerated.
Methods. Linear regression was used to examine ecological associations between suicide tolerance, religion and suicide rates in 19 Western countries in 1989/90. Logistic regression was used to study associations between suicide tolerance and strength of religious belief in 28085 individuals in these countries. The concept of effect modifying function was used to examine whether the strength of the association between suicide tolerance and religious belief in individuals depended on the extent of religious belief in their country.
Results. Higher female suicide rates were associated with lower aggregate levels of religious belief and, less strongly, religious attendance. These associations were mostly attributable to the association between higher tolerance of suicide and higher suicide rates. In the 28085 subjects suicide tolerance and the strength of religious belief were negatively associated even after adjustment for other religious and sociodemographic variables and general tolerance levels (odds ratios: men 0·74 (95% CI 0·58–0·94), women 0·72 (95% CI 0·60–0·86)). This negative individual- level association was more pronounced in more highly religious countries but this modifying effect of the religious context was apparent for men only.
Conclusions. Ecological associations between religious variables and suicide rates are stronger for women than men, stronger for measures of belief than observance and mediated by tolerance of suicide. In individuals, stronger religious beliefs are associated with lower tolerance of suicide. Personal religious beliefs and, for men, exposure to a religious environment, may protect against suicide by reducing its acceptability.
Also see the article at NIMH http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1756856/pdf/v053p00204.pdf
You'll find more material if you search for: Epidemiology, Suicide, Religion
That is for the sociology department. What I know is that Flanders, a majority Roman Catholic area in Belgium with a low percentage of church goers is one of the highest rated suicidal succeeders in the world.
I would also look at the historical background: see for exemple:
Daniel Gordon , From Act to Fact: The Transformation of Suicide in Western Thought, in "Historical Reflexions". vol. 42, Issue 2.
And
H.C.E. Midelfort, Selbstmord im Urteil von Reformation und Gegenreformation, ("Die katholische Konfessionalisierung", edd. Reinhard and Schilling, Münster i.W, 1995.
Also very useful is the sociological study of
Marzio Barbagli, Congedarsi dal mondo . Il suicidio in Occidente in Oiente, Bologna, Il Mulino, 209.
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