The meanings of suicidal behaviour to psychology students in Ghana

A qualitative approach

Bibliographic Data

ID2394859
AuthorsJoseph Osafo (0000-0003-4002-291X, University of Ghana and Norwegian University of Science and Technology, corresponding author), Heidi Hjelmeland (0000-0003-4745-4301, Norwegian University of Science and Technology and Norwegian Institute of Public Health), Charity S Akotia (0000-0002-8572-8708, University of Ghana), Birthe Loa Knizek (0000-0002-5952-9895, Norwegian University of Science and Technology)
Year2011
Volume48
Issue5
Pages643-659
Publication date2011-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueTranscultural Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1363-4615 • E-ISSN: 1461-7471
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1363461511417319
PMID22021107
OpenAlexW2145418340
LanguageEN
Citations received18
References cited51

The objective of this study was to examine psychology students' attitudes toward suicidal behaviour and the meanings they assign to the act. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 final year psychology students at a university in Ghana. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyze the data. The results indicated that the students had a generalized negative attitude toward suicide. Religious beliefs and family harmony are cultural contexts influencing the interpretation of suicidal behaviour as breach of divine and communal moralities. The implications of these meanings of suicidal behaviour for suicide prevention in Ghana are discussed

Interpretative phenomenological analysis · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Psychology · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Social Psychology · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies