Forecasting Suicide Based on Sexuality, Marital Status, Coping Strategies, Religious Orientation, and Depression Rate

Objectives The present study aimed at exploring the role of gender, marital status, coping strategies, religious orientation, and depression level in predicting suicidal tendencies using a correlational, and in some cases, practical methodology. Methods The sample group included 260 bachelor students (175 male and 85 female; 213 single and 72 married) of Shiraz University in the academic year 2011-2012. The subjects were selected by a multi-stage cluster sampling method and then measured using Carver and Scheier Coping Strategy questioners (short form), Allport religious orientation questioners (short form), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSSI). The data were analyzed using enter regression method and SPSS 20 software. Results Regression coefficients indicated that masculinity (B=0.83), ineffective coping style (B=5.91), specifically coping strategies for denial (B=1.04), self-blaming (B=0.81) and non-behavioral conflict (B=0.49) can positively and significantly predict the risk of suicide, while acceptance as coping strategy (B=-0.48) predicts this risk negatively and significantly.  Conclusion The results showed that the above variables in the strongest predictive equation had 78% of the variance of suicide risk. Thus, when encountering the individuals exposed to suicidal risks, psychologists are expected to focus more on training coping methods.