Religious faith and belief as protective factors against suicide attempt behaviors among the Malaysian prison population
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21580/pjpp.v11i1.27771Keywords:
Malaysian prisons, prisoners, protective factors, religious beliefs, suicide attemptsAbstract
Suicide attempts among prisoners remain a significant mental health concern within correctional institutions worldwide, including in Malaysia. Although previous studies have examined suicide risk among prison populations, limited qualitative research has explored how religious beliefs and spiritual practices function as protective factors against such behavior within multicultural prison settings. This study aims to explore how such beliefs and practices protect against suicide attempts among prisoners in Malaysia. A qualitative descriptive phenomenological approach was employed using semi-structured interviews with 27 prisoners from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds who had previously attempted suicide during their imprisonment. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Four main themes emerged: 1) belief in God, 2) religious ritual practices, 3) positive environmental support, and 4) meaning in life from a religious perspective. The findings suggest that spirituality strengthens emotional resilience and supports suicide prevention among prisoners. The study also highlights the importance of culturally sensitive and spiritually informed rehabilitation approaches within prison institutions.
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