Robbins, Mandy and Francis, Leslie J.. (2009) The spiritual revolution and suicidal ideation: an empirical enquiry among 13- to 15-year-old adolescents in England and Wales. International Journal of Children's Spirituality, Vol.14 (No.3). pp. 261-272. ISSN 1364-436X

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Abstract

The association between conventional religiosity and suicide inhibition has been well explored and documented since the pioneering work of Durkheim. Commentators like Heelas and Woodhead point to ways in which conventional religiosity is giving way in England and Wales to a range of alternative spiritualities, including renewed interest in paranormal phenomena. Taking a sample of 3095 13- to 15-year-old adolescents, the present study examines the association between suicidal ideation and both conventional religiosity and paranormal beliefs, after controlling for individual differences in sex, age and personality (extraversion, neuroticism and psychoticism). The data demonstrate that, while conventional religiosity is slightly associated with lower levels of suicidal ideation, paranormal beliefs are strongly associated with higher levels of suicidal ideation.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BR Christianity B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Institute of Education
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Adolescent psychology -- Great Britain, Personality in adolescence -- Great Britain, Suicidal behavior -- Great Britain, Parapsychology -- Religious aspects -- Christianity, Teenagers -- Religious life -- Great Britain
Journal or Publication Title:	International Journal of Children's Spirituality
Publisher:	Routledge
ISSN:	1364-436X
Date:	August 2009
Volume:	Vol.14
Number:	No.3
Number of Pages:	12
Page Range:	pp. 261-272
Identification Number:	10.1080/13644360903086539
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
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URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/2298

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