Church-Based Social Support and Suicidality Among African Americans and Black Caribbeans

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between church-based informal social support and lifetime prevalence of suicide ideation and attempts within a representative national sample of African American and Black Caribbean adults. Characteristics of church-based social support networks, as well as emotional support and negative interaction with church members were examined in relation to lifetime suicide ideation and attempts. This study used data from the National Survey of American Life (2001–2003). Frequency of interaction with church members was positively associated with suicide attempts, while subjective closeness to church members was negatively associated with suicide ideation. Emotional support, service attendance, and negative interaction with church members were unrelated to both suicide ideation and attempts. Findings are discussed in relation to research on church-based support networks, different models linking church support and suicidality, and the mechanisms by which church-based networks deter suicide ideation and attempts.

Keywords:

• Afro-Caribbean
• informal support network
• non-kin social support
• religion

Acknowledgments

The preparation of this manuscript was supported by grants from the National Institute of Mental Health to Drs. Joe, Chatters, and Taylor (R01-MH082807), R01-MH084963 to Dr. Lincoln and Dr. Chatters, and from the National Aging for Dr. Taylor (P30-AG15281). The data collection on which this study is based was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH; U01-MH57716) with supplemental support from the Office of Behavioral and Social Science Research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the University of Michigan.

Notes

Note. Percents and N are presented for categorical variables and Means and Standard Deviations are presented for continuous variables. Percentages are weighted and frequencies are unweighted.

Note. Data are presented as unweighted frequencies and weighted percentages.

^a Reported Ns represent respondents who indicate ‘Yes’ to suicide attempts or ‘Yes’ to ideation.

OR = Odds Ratio, CI = Confidence Interval.

^a Reference Category.

*p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001.