The Moderating Influence of Religion and Spirituality on Suicidal Ideation in Adolescents and Young Adults

Research into suicide and self-harm has identified numerous contributing factors, moderators, and protective influences. There is growing concern that suicide is reaching epidemic levels among adolescents and young adults, threatening the lives and well-being of individuals and families, and exerting a profound impact on society.

A pressing issue in this field involves identifying the factors that increase and decrease the risk of negative behavior, along with their antecedents - such as depression, perceived life failures, and meaninglessness. More than 60 published studies have identified religion and spirituality as protective factors against these tendencies. However, the evidence is nuanced, and it remains unclear which form of religious expression or spirituality may be most effective in this context.

Further research is needed to examine both the immediate and long-term protective mechanisms against self-destructive behaviors, particularly in younger populations, and to identify the mediators and moderators involved in these relationships. Furthermore, many expressions and concepts fall under the umbrella term “spirituality,” and greater conceptual clarity is needed to evaluate their distinctiveness and potential positive impact. It is also important to design tailored interventions, grounded in empirical data and lived experience, to more effectively prevent suicidal behaviors, provide support in such cases, and help people cope with their psychological effects.

This Research Topic invites original research that critically examines the role of religious and spiritual dimensions in reducing suicide risk, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Interdisciplinary perspectives that contribute to a more precise and practical understanding of these complex relationships are especially welcome.

Potential areas of research for this Topic include:

• Effects of religious and spiritual involvement/ practices on suicide ideation
• The impact of religious and spiritual factors on depression
• Positive and negative mental health outcomes associated with religiosity and spirituality
• Religion-driven psychological mediators and their role in suicide prevention among adolescents and young adults
• Comparative analyses of different forms of religiosity and religious belief systems and their distinct protective roles in mental health
• Faith-based and spiritually-informed interventions for suicide prevention among adolescents and young adults
• Spiritual coping strategies and their effectiveness in reducing suicidal ideation
• (Psycho-)spiritual well-being as a moderator between life stress and suicidal ideation
• The role of religious communities and clergy in adolescent and young adults suicide prevention
• Cross-cultural perspectives on spirituality and suicide prevention in adolescents and young adults

This Research Topic accepts various article types, including Brief Research Report, Case Report, Clinical Trial, Community Case Study, Conceptual Analysis, Data Report, General Commentary, Hypothesis and Theory, and Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.