Why Does Zeno the Stoic Hold His Breath? "Zenoism" as a New Variable for Studying Suicide.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Why Does Zeno the Stoic Hold His Breath? "Zenoism" as a New Variable for Studying Suicide.
Authors:	Kaplan, Kalman J.¹ kalkap@aol.com, Ficker, Lisa², Wallrabenstein, Inga², Dodge, Neal², Laird, Peta-Gay², Thiel, Kenneth², Folk, Melissa³
Source:	Omega: Journal of Death & Dying. 2007/2008, Vol. 56 Issue 4, p369-400. 32p. 8 Charts, 4 Graphs.
Subject Terms:	*Gender, Suicide, Religiousness, Physicians, Offenses against the person, Men
Abstract:	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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database:	Education Research Complete

Description
Abstract:	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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	00302228
DOI:	10.2190/OM.56.4.e