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 exp...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Omega: Journal of Death and Dying 2007-01, Vol.56 (4), p.369-400
Main Authors: Kaplan, Kalman J., Ficker, Lisa, Wallrabenstein, Inga, Dodge, Neal, Laird, Peta-Gay, Thiel, Kenneth, Folk, Melissa
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Assisted suicide
Christianity
Culture
Dependency (Psychology)
Depression
Depression - psychology
Fear
Female
Gender differences
Humans
Male
Mental health
Philosophy
Psychological aspects
Psychology
Religion and Psychology
Religiosity
Sex Factors
Stoicism
Studies
Suicidal ideation
Suicide - psychology
Suicide, Assisted - psychology
Suicides & suicide attempts
Surveys and Questionnaires
Value of Life
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary: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.
ISSN:0030-2228
1541-3764
DOI:10.2190/OM.56.4.e