Why does zeno the stoic hold his breath? "Zenoism" as a new variable for studying suicide.
A single misfortune may be seen as just that, or may be interpreted as Zeno the Stoic did, as a "sign" of cosmic proportion (zenoizing), which paradoxically provides a missing meaning structure. This article presents two studies testing out this new variable (zenoism): in Study One (n = 233), we explore the moderating effects of religiosity and gender on zenoism, depression, demoralization, and suicidality. In Study Two (n = 137), we explore these same moderating effects on zenoism, fear of dependency, value of life, and favorability toward physician-assisted suicide (PAS). Results indicate: 1) men and non-religious respondents (especially men) zenoize more than women and religious respondents; 2) non-religious respondents, (especially men) are more generally favorable to PAS and more suicidal; 3) Zenoism is negatively related to depression, demoralization, and value of life for non-religious respondents, and for men; 4) Zenoism is positively related to favorability toward PAS toward one's self and overall suicidality; and finally 5) general and self-specific favorability toward PAS are distinct, but both relate to overall suicidality.
Kaplan
Kalman J
KJ
Tel-Aviv University, Israel. kalkap@aol.com
Ficker
Lisa
L
Dodge
Neal
N
Thiel
Kenneth
K
Folk
Melissa
M
Wallrabenstein
Inga
I
Laird
Peta-Gay
PG
D000328:Adult; D002835:Christianity; D003469:Culture; D003858:Dependency, Psychological; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010684:Philosophy; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012737:Sex Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D017236:Suicide, Assisted / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D026712:Value of Life