THE IMPACT OF SPIRITUALITY ON SUICIDAL IDEATION AND LIFE UNCERTAINTY AMONG AFGHAN REFUGEES

Abstract

The current study explores the impact of spirituality on suicidal ideation and life uncertainty among Afghan refugees, drawing on the framework of Existential Theory. This research was conducted among 150 Afghan refugees residing in Peshawar, Pakistan. The objective was to examine how spirituality, as a coping mechanism, may reduce suicidal thoughts and intolerance of uncertainty in a population experiencing displacement, trauma, and instability. Data were collected using three standardized instruments: the Religiosity and Spirituality Scale for Youth (RSS), the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IOUS), and the Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale (SIDAS). Results indicated significant negative associations between spirituality and both suicidal ideation and life uncertainty. The standardized coefficient (Beta = -0.320, t = -4.091, p = .000) confirmed a significant effect on suicidal ideation, while spirituality also negatively predicted intolerance of uncertainty (Beta = -0.380, t = -3.468, p = .001). Furthermore, suicidal ideation and intolerance of uncertainty were moderately correlated (r = -0.295, p = .002). These findings highlight the protective role of spiritual and religious beliefs in mitigating psychological distress, reducing suicidal ideation, and managing uncertainty about the future among Afghan refugees.

Keywords: Spirituality, Suicidal Ideation, Life Uncertainty, Afghan Refugees, Existential Theory.