# Religiosity and Suicidal Ideation in Patients With Depression

## TL;DR

This study found that higher religiosity is linked to lower suicidal thoughts in depressed patients in Southern Maharashtra, India.

## Contribution

The study provides new evidence of an inverse relationship between religiosity and suicidal ideation in a specific Indian population.

## Key findings

- Higher DUREL scores correlated with lower suicidal ideation in depressed patients.
- A statistically significant difference was found between DUREL scores and SSI classifications.

## Abstract

Background: The exact role of religiosity in mental health disorders is much debated, particularly in the context of a diverse country such as India.

Aim: To study the religiosity and suicidal ideation in patients with depression at a tertiary care hospital in Southern Maharashtra in the year 2024.

Materials and methods: Forty consecutively treated patients with depression, above the age of 18 years, in a tertiary care institute were recruited. Subjects were administered a semi-structured proforma, along with the Duke University Religious Index (DUREL) and the Scale for Suicidal Ideation. Data were collected and compiled. Statistical analysis was carried out using Microsoft Excel 365 (Microsoft® Corp., Redmond, WA) and Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS, version 29; IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Armonk, NY).

Results: There is a statistically significant difference between the mean DUREL scores and the scale for suicidal ideation (SSI) classifications as per the Mann-Whitney U test.

Conclusion: There is an inverse correlation between religiosity, as quantified by the DUREL, and suicidal ideation.