Exploring the Impact of Faith Maturity on Depression and Suicide
G. Camelia Adams, Cameron Bye, Mariam Alaverdashvili, and Stephen Adams, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
The impact of religion/spirituality on depression and suicide has been extensively studied, with most of the evidence suggesting a protective role, and to a lesser degree a worsening effect. Yet, most of the research has focused on the impact of religious behaviors (e.g. church attendance) on depression and suicide, while ignoring the maturity of the belief system that guides these religious behaviors. In fact, some authors have suggested that faith maturity follows a progression through stages that transcends one type of religion or another. Understanding the faith maturity stages of these religious journeys and their impact on the mental health and wellbeing of patients suffering from psychiatric conditions, might inform holistic interventions aimed at preventing and treating emotional struggles. This study aims to fill this gap by exploring the impact of faith maturity on wellbeing, depression, and suicidality in psychiatric patients seen in a tertiary care center in Canada.
Methods
Data was collected with an Intake Questionnaire completed by outpatients attending psychiatric services at Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, Canada between August 2019 – January 2024. Measures included demographics, Faith Maturity Scale -Short Form, Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire Revised and Edinburg Mental Wellbeing Scale. Descriptive analysis, univariate and multiple linear regression analysis were performed. The relationship between faith maturity, depression, and suicidality was examined with multiple regression and mediation analysis, highlighting sex differences as well.
Results
A total of 150 participants (mean age of 35.4 years) were included in analysis, (67% female). Faith maturity was a significant negative predictor of suicidality (inverse relationship), depression, and mental wellbeing (all p < 0.01). Depression fully mediated the relationship between faith maturity and suicidality (ab = -0.099, 95% CI -0.193, -0.022) Faith maturity was found to significantly predict depression in men, but not women, while depression significantly predicted suicidality in women, but not in men.
Conclusions
Our study suggests that lower faith maturity impacts wellbeing and increases suicidal ideation through its effect on depression, irrespective of the religious tradition. The nature of this relationship is expressed differently in men and women. This finding suggests that incorporating faith-related interventions in psychiatric treatment of religious patients, might impact depression and prevent suicidal behaviors.
Methods
Data was collected with an Intake Questionnaire completed by outpatients attending psychiatric services at Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, Canada between August 2019 – January 2024. Measures included demographics, Faith Maturity Scale -Short Form, Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire Revised and Edinburg Mental Wellbeing Scale. Descriptive analysis, univariate and multiple linear regression analysis were performed. The relationship between faith maturity, depression, and suicidality was examined with multiple regression and mediation analysis, highlighting sex differences as well.
Results
A total of 150 participants (mean age of 35.4 years) were included in analysis, (67% female). Faith maturity was a significant negative predictor of suicidality (inverse relationship), depression, and mental wellbeing (all p < 0.01). Depression fully mediated the relationship between faith maturity and suicidality (ab = -0.099, 95% CI -0.193, -0.022) Faith maturity was found to significantly predict depression in men, but not women, while depression significantly predicted suicidality in women, but not in men.
Conclusions
Our study suggests that lower faith maturity impacts wellbeing and increases suicidal ideation through its effect on depression, irrespective of the religious tradition. The nature of this relationship is expressed differently in men and women. This finding suggests that incorporating faith-related interventions in psychiatric treatment of religious patients, might impact depression and prevent suicidal behaviors.