Religion and Health in Arctic Norway - the association of religious and spiritual factors with suicidal behaviour in a mixed S ámi and Norwegian adult population - The SAMINOR 2 Questionnaire Survey

This study used cross-sectional data from the population-based SAMINOR 2 questionnaire survey (2012; n = 11,222; 66% non-Sámi; 22% Laestadian-affiliated; 27% response rate) in mixed Sámi-Norwegian areas of Mid and North Norway. We analysed the associations between religious/spiritual factors and lifetime suicidal ideation and attempts, age at the first attempt, motives, and number of attempts. Multivariable-adjusted regression models considering sociodemographics, Sámi background and self-ascription, and health-related risk factors were applied. Sámi and Laestadian affiliations were significantly associated with religious self-ascription, regular attendance, and Established Church membership. In a fully adjusted model, Laestadian family background was negatively associated with lifetime suicide attempts (OR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.47-0.93) compared with other family circumstances, whereas regular religious participation was inversely associated with suicide ideation (OR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.61-0.91) compared with non- or rare attendance. The findings suggest that Laestadianism and religious attendance contribute to less suicidal behaviour among adults in Sámi-Norwegian areas.PMID:34252008 | DOI:10.1080/22423982.2021.1949848
Source: International Journal of Circumpolar Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Source Type: research