Moderating Effects of Religiosity on the Relationship Between Trauma and Suicidal Behaviors Among College Students in Northwest China

In: Sage open, Volume 9, Issue 2

Abstract

Studies have shown that traumatic experiences are positively associated with risk of suicidal behaviors, whereas religiosity has been found to be negatively associated with that risk. How exactly religiosity interacts with traumatic experiences in its relationship to suicidal behaviors remains unclear. The current study examined the moderating effects of religiosity on the relationship between traumatic experiences and suicidal behaviors in 5,301 college students in northwestern China. Results indicated a strong positive association between traumatic experiences and suicidal behaviors (β = .46, p < .01), and a weak inverse association between religiosity and suicidal behaviors (β = –.06, p < .01). However, a significant interaction emerged between religiosity and traumatic experiences in their effect on suicidal behaviors (β = –.23, p < .01). These findings suggest that religiosity may play a role in reducing the risk of traumatic experiences-induced suicidal behaviors among college students in a largely secular society.