The Relationship between Level of Religiosity and Past Suicidal Ideation in Gay Males

The Relationship between Level of Religiosity and P ast Suicidal Ideation in Gay Males by Joseph Claybaugh MBA, University of Phoenix, 1999 BSBA, University of Phoenix, 1994 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Clinical Psychology Walden University November 2014 Abstract Gay males have higher than average rates of suicida l de tion, which has been attributed in part to the pressure to conform to societal reli gious norms. Using the theoretical frameworks of Durkheim and of Pescosolido and Georg ianna, the purpose of this quantitative study was to explore the role of relig iosity as a factor of suicidal ideation in gay males. In this study, 113 gay males completed an online survey regarding their level of religiosity as measured by the Religious Backgro und and Behaviors Questionnaire, past suicidal ideation as measured by the Suicidal Ide tion Measure, and certain predictor variables, including being “out” to family members, family being supportive, age, religious affiliation (current and during childhood ), ethnicity, and population of town during childhood. Regression analyses found no dir ect statistical significance between level of religiosity and suicidal ideation. There was a predictive relationship, however, between level of family support, level of religiosi ty, and suicidal ideation. These findings support the Pescosolido and Georgianna theory that belongingness reduces suicidal ideation. The implications for positive social cha nge include the need for mental health professionals to highlight the importance of positi ve support for gay males as a potential buffer to suicidal ideation.Gay males have higher than average rates of suicida l de tion, which has been attributed in part to the pressure to conform to societal reli gious norms. Using the theoretical frameworks of Durkheim and of Pescosolido and Georg ianna, the purpose of this quantitative study was to explore the role of relig iosity as a factor of suicidal ideation in gay males. In this study, 113 gay males completed an online survey regarding their level of religiosity as measured by the Religious Backgro und and Behaviors Questionnaire, past suicidal ideation as measured by the Suicidal Ide tion Measure, and certain predictor variables, including being “out” to family members, family being supportive, age, religious affiliation (current and during childhood ), ethnicity, and population of town during childhood. Regression analyses found no dir ect statistical significance between level of religiosity and suicidal ideation. There was a predictive relationship, however, between level of family support, level of religiosi ty, and suicidal ideation. These findings support the Pescosolido and Georgianna theory that belongingness reduces suicidal ideation. The implications for positive social cha nge include the need for mental health professionals to highlight the importance of positi ve support for gay males as a potential buffer to suicidal ideation. The Relationship between Level of Religiosity and P ast Suicidal Ideation in Gay Males by Joseph Claybaugh MBA, University of Phoenix, 1999 BSBA, University of Phoenix, 1994 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Clinical Psychology Walden University November 2014 Dedication To John, my partner, my life, who never stopped bel ieving that I would eventually finish this process, even though it has taken such an inordinate amount of time. Acknowledgments I would like to acknowledge my parents, Lynn and Ev an Turner, who kept me pursuing this, if for no other reason than to prove to them that I could. They may not realize it, but I have done things in my life simpl y in an attempt to make them proud. I would also like to acknowledge all the other indi vi uals in my life, including my children, my grandchildren, my friends, and my rath er vast number of extended family members. Because this process has taken so long, t hey may not have believed that I would actually complete this little task. Hopefull y, the fact that I have done this so late in life will serve to inspire some of the younger ones , especially my children and grandchildren.