Does Spiritual/Religious Commitment Mediate the Relationship Between Mood Variability and Suicidal Ideation.
Condition: Anxiety Disorder; Mood Disorder
MeSH terms: Anxiety Disorders; Mood Disorders; Suicidal Ideation
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      The purpose of this study is to determine whether or not spiritual and/or religious
      commitment affects mood variability and thoughts of suicide.

      First we hypothesize that among patients with depressive symptoms, those who have higher
      religious/spiritual (R/S) commitment will have less suicidal ideation and less mood
      variability. Second, we hypothesize that higher mood variability will be associated with more
      suicidal ideation. Finally, dependent on the first two hypotheses, we propose that R/S
      commitment will mediate the relationship between mood variability and suicidal ideation.
    

Detailed description: 
      The suicide rate has not changed dramatically in the recent past, despite advances in
      psychiatric and mental health treatment, suicide prevention and awareness programs, and
      reorganization of health services. Depression and the mood disorders which may affect 15% of
      the population are the conditions most associated with high suicide rates (in addition to
      psychotic conditions that are relatively rare). Research findings into specific conditions
      within the depressive disorders that might predict suicidal tendencies are sparse, except for
      other common comorbid conditions such as panic and alcohol abuse. Research into risks and
      protective factors has infrequently included religious and spiritual variables that have been
      associated with decreased rates of depression, suicide, suicide attempts and suicidal
      ideation.

      An inverse relationship between religion and suicide has been found in regional, national,
      and cross-national studies. Analyzing data from the 1993 Mortality Followback Survey in the
      US, frequency of religious activities reduced the odds of dying by suicide even after
      controlling for the frequency of social contact; in 584 deaths by suicide compared with 4279
      natural deaths. A Canadian study of 261 Census divisions found the absence of religious
      affiliation to be an important predictor of death by suicide.

      There are no known studies examining mood variability and religion, or spirituality directly.
      A number of studies however have examined personality attributes and religiosity. The
      personality style of neuroticism includes moodiness and negative emotionality with the
      concept of mood reactivity being germane to its construct. Neuroticism is highly correlated
      with depression and may be a higher order factor in the "internalizing disorders" which
      include the depressive and anxiety disorders.

      The objective of this study is to answer the question "Does R/S mediate the relationship
      between mood variability and suicidal ideation?" In an effort to achieve that objective,
      there are three questions that must be answered in this population which in themselves are
      significant contributions to the research literature.

        1. Is there an association between mood variability and suicidal ideation?

        2. Is there an association between mood variability and religion?

        3. Is there an association between religion and suicidal ideation?

      We hypothesize that those who endorses higher religious/spiritual commitment as measured by
      daily spiritual experiences, positive religious coping, and personal devotion, will have less
      suicidal ideation, and less mood variability. Secondly, we hypothesize that higher mood
      variability will be associated with more suicidal ideation. Finally, dependent on the first
      two hypotheses, we propose that R/S commitment will mediate the relationship between mood
      variability and suicidal ideation.
    

Observational model: Case-Crossover
Time perspective: Prospective
Sampling method: Non-Probability Sample
Study population: 
        The study population is psychiatric inpatients and outpatients with depressive symptoms
        between the ages or 18 and 70. Co-morbid anxiety, bipolar spectrum, and eating disorders
        will be allowed. Involuntary patients and those with psychosis, organic brain impairment,
        and current substance dependence will be excluded. We will recruit patients prospectively,
        as they attend psychiatrists' clinics and are admitted to hospital.
      
Keywords: Religious psychology; Anxiety disorder; Mood disorder; Suicide