Heidi Hjelmeland
Datos Biográficos
| ID | 103583 |
|---|---|
| NOMBRE | Heidi Hjelmeland |
| NOMBRES | Heidi |
| APELLIDO | Hjelmeland |
| FIRMA | HJELMELAND H |
| AFILIACIONES | Norwegian University of Science and Technology |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-4745-4301 |
| VERIFICADO | Sí |
| TOTAL DE OBRAS | 30 |
| TOTAL DE CITAS | 73 |
| TOTAL COMO AUTOR | 30 |
| TOTAL COMO EDITOR | 0 |
| PRIMER AÑO DE PUBLICACIÓN | 2007 |
| AÑO MÁS RECIENTE DE PUBLICACIÓN | 2025 |
| ÍNDICE H | 5 |
Corrosion of care and disempowerment in acute psychiatry
For people in suicidal crisis, referral to a psychiatric hospital is common. However, acute psychiatry is characterized by a lack of resources in terms of time and beds, making it challenging for therapists to provide person-centered care. In this qualitative study, we explored the experiences and positionings of therapists and suicidal patients in an acute psychiatric ward in Norway. We generated data through participatory observation and interv…
Suicide and Its Nexus
In Indonesia, suicide research has largely overlooked structural factors at the meso and macro levels, whether as primary causes, contributing factors, or considerations for prevention strategies. The dominance of psychological and psychiatric approaches has marginalized sociological perspectives, limiting a more holistic understanding of suicide. Existing heuristic models primarily frame suicide as a consequence of mental health disorders or eco…
Substance use and suicide among men in Ghana
Lifesaving turning points
This study explores the recovery processes of persons who had attempted suicide. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight persons who had attempted suicide and the data were analyzed by means of systematic text condensation. The participants described lifesaving turning points, which were connected to meaningful relationships, taking control over one's own life, and establishing a new everyday life. Suicide prevention efforts must be …
Epistemological differences in the discussion of the interpersonal theory of suicide
This paper is a reply to Smith and colleagues' response to our critique of the interpersonal theory of suicide (IPTS). They believe that we mischaracterize and misinterpret aspects of the IPTS. Here, we argue that the problem rather seems to be that we are discussing the IPTS from two different epistemological "planets."
The emperor’s new clothes? A critical look at the interpersonal theory of suicide
The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide currently seems to be the most popular theory in suicidology. It posits that suicide can be explained by the simultaneous presence of three risk factors only, namely acquired capability for suicide, thwarted belongingness, and perceived burdensomeness. Suicide is, however, widely accepted as a complex, multifactorial, and contextual phenomenon. It is, therefore, surprising that a theory comprised by three inter…
Reasons for attempting suicide
This study examined the reasons for suicide attempts among patients in Ghana. Semi-structured interviews were conducted among 30 informants who had been hospitalized for attempted suicide. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyse the transcribed narratives, and five main themes emerged: 1) lack of support; 2) abandonment; 3) shame; 4) existential struggles; and 5) supernatural reasons. There were gender differences with …
Suicide
The World Health Organization estimates that there are more than 800,000 suicides across the globe every year; at least ten to twenty times as many engage in nonfatal suicidal behavior. Suicidal behavior is culturally patterned in that rates, risk factors, forms, scenarios, methods, and meanings vary greatly across age, gender, and cultural contexts. The dominant explanatory model links suicide to mental disorders, particularly depression, but in…
Cultural responses towards the aftermath of suicide among the Acholi in Northern Uganda
BACKGROUND: Suicide is a public health problem in Uganda among indigenous societies, and different societies manage its aftermath differently. AIM: To explore how the Acholi in Northern Uganda manage the aftermath of suicide. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study in Gulu district, a post-conflict area in Northern Uganda. We conducted a total of four focus group discussions (FGDs) and 12 key informant (KI) interviews. KI interviews were conduc…
Suicide among men in Ghana
In Ghana, some studies have reported a high rate for both fatal and non-fatal suicidal behaviors among men. The current study aimed at understanding the psychosocial circumstances involved in male suicides. We interviewed between two to seven close relations of each of 12 men who died by suicide. Interpretative phenomenological analysis of data indicates that experiences of shame related to loss of economic control, breach of patriarchal norms, a…
Suicide and mental disorders
One of the most well-established truths in suicidology is that mental disorders play a significant role in at least 90% of suicides, and a causal relationship between the two is often implied. In this article, the authors argue that the evidence base for this truth is weak and that there is much research questioning the 90% statistic. Based on numerous examples, they also argue that ideology, politics, power, and vested interests among influentia…
Walking a tightrope
Engaging non-conventional gatekeepers such as the police presents both promises and perils. Although studies have relied on police data for researching suicide and other sensitive topics in Africa, there is a paucity of literature that explores or reflects on police gatekeeping and its research implications. This paper presents authors’ reflections on police gatekeeping in a qualitative suicide study in Accra, Ghana. The main observation is that …
Barriers toward help-seeking among young men prior to suicide
This study explores barriers to help-seeking among young men prior to suicide. We analyzed 61 in-depth interviews with parents, siblings, friends, and ex-partners of 10 young men (aged 18-30) with no record of mental illness, as well as 6 suicide notes, using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Three barriers emerged: (a) a total defeat; (b) no room for weakness; and (c) fear of mental disorder. The shame from falling short of standards (ow…
Connecting with suicidal patients in psychiatric wards
In this qualitative interview study, the authors investigated how therapists experience and view treatment and care for suicidal patients in psychiatric wards. The focus is on aspects that may contribute toward shaping and possibly constraining therapists' connections with suicidal individuals. They conducted semistructured interviews of 4 psychiatrists and 4 psychologists and analyzed the data by means of thematic analysis. The findings suggest …
From condemnation to understanding
The cultural context in which suicide occurs has been emphasized as critical in understanding the act and informing prevention. Yet the penchant of psychiatrizing suicidality in mainstream suicidology relegates cultural issues to the background. Through the lenses of critical cultural suicidology, the authors have re-emphasized the importance of culture by reviewing the two major meanings of suicide as observed in our 8-year study in Ghana: moral…
“I have sinned”
This qualitative study examined the role played by religion in the experiences of persons who attempted suicide in Ghana. Twelve men and 18 women on admission at various hospitals and clinics in Accra were interviewed. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to analyse the data. We found that religion provided a broad context within which the informants' experiences could be understood. All informants acknowledged God as owner of life a…
Influence of Religious Factors on Attitudes Towards Suicidal Behaviour in Ghana
Between Hippocrates and God
A negative attitude towards suicide is generally assumed to be predominant in low-income countries. In order to understand the negative attitude in general it is necessary to look at how religion and morality influence the attitudes. Our aim in this qualitative interview study was to investigate what attitudes professional mental health workers in Uganda bear towards suicide and suicidal persons. The professionals argue for their attitude by empl…
The internal dialogue between the individual and the community
Studies on attitudes towards suicide are important in the designing of suicide prevention efforts. However, relatively little research has been conducted on attitudes toward suicide in low-income countries as compared to high-income countries. This study was conducted in Uganda and is based on discourse analysis of data collected from 28 focus-group discussions and 30 key informant interviews. Four discourses emerged: long-term illness, failed lo…
Psychological Autopsy Studies as Diagnostic Tools
One of the most established "truths" in suicidology is that almost all (90% or more) of those who kill themselves suffer from one or more mental disorders, and a causal link between the two is implied. Psychological autopsy (PA) studies constitute one main evidence base for this conclusion. However, there has been little reflection on the reliability and validity of this method. For example, psychiatric diagnoses are assigned to people who have d…
Religious Views on Suicide Among the Baganda, Uganda
Relatively little research has been conducted on religion and suicide in Africa, yet religion has a lot of influence on people's way of life in Africa. To study religious views on suicide among the Baganda, Uganda, we used grounded theory and discourse analysis on a total of 28 focus groups and 30 key informant interviews. Suicide is largely seen as a breach of God's doctrine life is sacred, God's commandment thou shall not kill, and God's rule o…
Men in despair
The psychosocial circumstances surrounding men's suicide in postconflict Central Northern Uganda were investigated using qualitative psychological autopsy interviews. Records of 17 men who died by suicide were identified through police and local leaders in Internally Displaced Peoples' camps of Amuru and Gulu Districts. Two to five significant others were interviewed around each case. Data were analyzed by interpretative phenomenological analysis…
Qualitative Psychological Autopsy Interviews on Suicide in Post-Conflict Northern Uganda
Participants' perceptions of psychological autopsy interviews were investigated in post-conflict Northern Uganda. Data were derived out of their responses in the debriefing session after the formal interviews. These responses were subjected to Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The majority of the participants were positive about the interview as reflected in the two broad themes: positivation of the situation through the possibility…
Meaning-Making Through Psychological Autopsy Interviews
Too often ethical boards delay or stop research projects with vulnerable populations, influenced by presumed rather than empirically documented vulnerability. The article investigates how participation is experienced by those bereaved by suicide. Experiences are divided into 3 groups: (a) overall positive (62%), (b) unproblematic (10%), and (c) positive and painful (28%). The positive experiences are linked to processes of meaning-making, gaining…
Distancing
This qualitative study investigated attitudes and cultural responses to suicide among the Baganda in Uganda using both focus group discussions and key-informant interviews. Interviews indicate that suicide is perceived as dangerous to the whole family and the entire community. Communities and family members adopt various ritual practices to distance themselves both symbolically and socially from the suicide. These rituals are characterized by bro…
The emperor’s new clothes? A critical look at the interpersonal theory of suicide
The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide currently seems to be the most popular theory in suicidology. It posits that suicide can be explained by the simultaneous presence of three risk factors only, namely acquired capability for suicide, thwarted belongingness, and perceived burdensomeness. Suicide is, however, widely accepted as a complex, multifactorial, and contextual phenomenon. It is, therefore, surprising that a theory comprised by three inter…
Psychological Autopsy Studies as Diagnostic Tools
One of the most established "truths" in suicidology is that almost all (90% or more) of those who kill themselves suffer from one or more mental disorders, and a causal link between the two is implied. Psychological autopsy (PA) studies constitute one main evidence base for this conclusion. However, there has been little reflection on the reliability and validity of this method. For example, psychiatric diagnoses are assigned to people who have d…
Meaning-Making Through Psychological Autopsy Interviews
Too often ethical boards delay or stop research projects with vulnerable populations, influenced by presumed rather than empirically documented vulnerability. The article investigates how participation is experienced by those bereaved by suicide. Experiences are divided into 3 groups: (a) overall positive (62%), (b) unproblematic (10%), and (c) positive and painful (28%). The positive experiences are linked to processes of meaning-making, gaining…
Suicide among men in Ghana
In Ghana, some studies have reported a high rate for both fatal and non-fatal suicidal behaviors among men. The current study aimed at understanding the psychosocial circumstances involved in male suicides. We interviewed between two to seven close relations of each of 12 men who died by suicide. Interpretative phenomenological analysis of data indicates that experiences of shame related to loss of economic control, breach of patriarchal norms, a…
Men in despair
The psychosocial circumstances surrounding men's suicide in postconflict Central Northern Uganda were investigated using qualitative psychological autopsy interviews. Records of 17 men who died by suicide were identified through police and local leaders in Internally Displaced Peoples' camps of Amuru and Gulu Districts. Two to five significant others were interviewed around each case. Data were analyzed by interpretative phenomenological analysis…
Connecting with suicidal patients in psychiatric wards
In this qualitative interview study, the authors investigated how therapists experience and view treatment and care for suicidal patients in psychiatric wards. The focus is on aspects that may contribute toward shaping and possibly constraining therapists' connections with suicidal individuals. They conducted semistructured interviews of 4 psychiatrists and 4 psychologists and analyzed the data by means of thematic analysis. The findings suggest …
Distancing
This qualitative study investigated attitudes and cultural responses to suicide among the Baganda in Uganda using both focus group discussions and key-informant interviews. Interviews indicate that suicide is perceived as dangerous to the whole family and the entire community. Communities and family members adopt various ritual practices to distance themselves both symbolically and socially from the suicide. These rituals are characterized by bro…
Reasons for attempting suicide
This study examined the reasons for suicide attempts among patients in Ghana. Semi-structured interviews were conducted among 30 informants who had been hospitalized for attempted suicide. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyse the transcribed narratives, and five main themes emerged: 1) lack of support; 2) abandonment; 3) shame; 4) existential struggles; and 5) supernatural reasons. There were gender differences with …
Barriers toward help-seeking among young men prior to suicide
This study explores barriers to help-seeking among young men prior to suicide. We analyzed 61 in-depth interviews with parents, siblings, friends, and ex-partners of 10 young men (aged 18-30) with no record of mental illness, as well as 6 suicide notes, using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Three barriers emerged: (a) a total defeat; (b) no room for weakness; and (c) fear of mental disorder. The shame from falling short of standards (ow…
The meanings of suicidal behaviour to psychology students in Ghana
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…
Walking a tightrope
Engaging non-conventional gatekeepers such as the police presents both promises and perils. Although studies have relied on police data for researching suicide and other sensitive topics in Africa, there is a paucity of literature that explores or reflects on police gatekeeping and its research implications. This paper presents authors’ reflections on police gatekeeping in a qualitative suicide study in Accra, Ghana. The main observation is that …
From condemnation to understanding
The cultural context in which suicide occurs has been emphasized as critical in understanding the act and informing prevention. Yet the penchant of psychiatrizing suicidality in mainstream suicidology relegates cultural issues to the background. Through the lenses of critical cultural suicidology, the authors have re-emphasized the importance of culture by reviewing the two major meanings of suicide as observed in our 8-year study in Ghana: moral…
The internal dialogue between the individual and the community
Studies on attitudes towards suicide are important in the designing of suicide prevention efforts. However, relatively little research has been conducted on attitudes toward suicide in low-income countries as compared to high-income countries. This study was conducted in Uganda and is based on discourse analysis of data collected from 28 focus-group discussions and 30 key informant interviews. Four discourses emerged: long-term illness, failed lo…
Religious Views on Suicide Among the Baganda, Uganda
Relatively little research has been conducted on religion and suicide in Africa, yet religion has a lot of influence on people's way of life in Africa. To study religious views on suicide among the Baganda, Uganda, we used grounded theory and discourse analysis on a total of 28 focus groups and 30 key informant interviews. Suicide is largely seen as a breach of God's doctrine life is sacred, God's commandment thou shall not kill, and God's rule o…
A Theoretical Model for Interpreting Suicidal Behaviour as Communication
Theoretical publications have been relatively few and far between in suicidology. This paper is a contribution to the theoretical development of this field. A model of suicidal behaviour as communication (MoSBaC) is elaborated through a combination of Scandinavian theories within the framework of communication theory and semiotics. The model is functional as it can be used as a tool to analyse both verbal and non-verbal data. It is also flexible …
Why We Need Qualitative Research in Suicidology
Using the differentiation between explanations and understanding from philosophy of science as the point of departure, a critical look at the current mainstream suicidological research was launched. An almost exclusive use of quantitative methodology focusing on explanations is demonstrated. This bias in scope and methodology has to a large extent taken the suicidological field into a dead‐end of repetitious research. It is argued that an increas…
A Qualitative Study of Attitudes toward Suicide and Suicide Prevention among Psychology Students in Ghana
The purpose of the present study was to investigate attitudes toward suicide and suicide prevention among psychology students in Ghana by means of a qualitative analysis of open-ended questions about causes of suicide and how suicide best can be prevented. The students mainly saw the causes as intra-personal and almost all of them believed that suicide can be prevented. The results indicated a huge impact of religion on the attitudes toward suici…
Motivation for Research Participation among People Bereaved by Suicide
Few studies directly address vulnerable populations' motivation for participating in research. Often motives are expressed spontaneously and typically given post-interview. This article investigates motivation for research participation among informants who have been bereaved by suicide. Informants were specifically asked for their motivation either prior to, or directly after the interview. Four categories of motivations were identified: (1) Hel…
Qualitative Psychological Autopsy Interviews on Suicide in Post-Conflict Northern Uganda
Participants' perceptions of psychological autopsy interviews were investigated in post-conflict Northern Uganda. Data were derived out of their responses in the debriefing session after the formal interviews. These responses were subjected to Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The majority of the participants were positive about the interview as reflected in the two broad themes: positivation of the situation through the possibility…
Meaning-Making Through Psychological Autopsy Interviews
Too often ethical boards delay or stop research projects with vulnerable populations, influenced by presumed rather than empirically documented vulnerability. The article investigates how participation is experienced by those bereaved by suicide. Experiences are divided into 3 groups: (a) overall positive (62%), (b) unproblematic (10%), and (c) positive and painful (28%). The positive experiences are linked to processes of meaning-making, gaining…
Distancing
This qualitative study investigated attitudes and cultural responses to suicide among the Baganda in Uganda using both focus group discussions and key-informant interviews. Interviews indicate that suicide is perceived as dangerous to the whole family and the entire community. Communities and family members adopt various ritual practices to distance themselves both symbolically and socially from the suicide. These rituals are characterized by bro…
The meanings of suicidal behaviour to psychology students in Ghana
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…
The internal dialogue between the individual and the community
Studies on attitudes towards suicide are important in the designing of suicide prevention efforts. However, relatively little research has been conducted on attitudes toward suicide in low-income countries as compared to high-income countries. This study was conducted in Uganda and is based on discourse analysis of data collected from 28 focus-group discussions and 30 key informant interviews. Four discourses emerged: long-term illness, failed lo…
Psychological Autopsy Studies as Diagnostic Tools
One of the most established "truths" in suicidology is that almost all (90% or more) of those who kill themselves suffer from one or more mental disorders, and a causal link between the two is implied. Psychological autopsy (PA) studies constitute one main evidence base for this conclusion. However, there has been little reflection on the reliability and validity of this method. For example, psychiatric diagnoses are assigned to people who have d…
Religious Views on Suicide Among the Baganda, Uganda
Relatively little research has been conducted on religion and suicide in Africa, yet religion has a lot of influence on people's way of life in Africa. To study religious views on suicide among the Baganda, Uganda, we used grounded theory and discourse analysis on a total of 28 focus groups and 30 key informant interviews. Suicide is largely seen as a breach of God's doctrine life is sacred, God's commandment thou shall not kill, and God's rule o…
Men in despair
The psychosocial circumstances surrounding men's suicide in postconflict Central Northern Uganda were investigated using qualitative psychological autopsy interviews. Records of 17 men who died by suicide were identified through police and local leaders in Internally Displaced Peoples' camps of Amuru and Gulu Districts. Two to five significant others were interviewed around each case. Data were analyzed by interpretative phenomenological analysis…
Influence of Religious Factors on Attitudes Towards Suicidal Behaviour in Ghana
Between Hippocrates and God
A negative attitude towards suicide is generally assumed to be predominant in low-income countries. In order to understand the negative attitude in general it is necessary to look at how religion and morality influence the attitudes. Our aim in this qualitative interview study was to investigate what attitudes professional mental health workers in Uganda bear towards suicide and suicidal persons. The professionals argue for their attitude by empl…
“I have sinned”
This qualitative study examined the role played by religion in the experiences of persons who attempted suicide in Ghana. Twelve men and 18 women on admission at various hospitals and clinics in Accra were interviewed. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to analyse the data. We found that religion provided a broad context within which the informants' experiences could be understood. All informants acknowledged God as owner of life a…
Suicide and mental disorders
One of the most well-established truths in suicidology is that mental disorders play a significant role in at least 90% of suicides, and a causal relationship between the two is often implied. In this article, the authors argue that the evidence base for this truth is weak and that there is much research questioning the 90% statistic. Based on numerous examples, they also argue that ideology, politics, power, and vested interests among influentia…
Walking a tightrope
Engaging non-conventional gatekeepers such as the police presents both promises and perils. Although studies have relied on police data for researching suicide and other sensitive topics in Africa, there is a paucity of literature that explores or reflects on police gatekeeping and its research implications. This paper presents authors’ reflections on police gatekeeping in a qualitative suicide study in Accra, Ghana. The main observation is that …
Barriers toward help-seeking among young men prior to suicide
This study explores barriers to help-seeking among young men prior to suicide. We analyzed 61 in-depth interviews with parents, siblings, friends, and ex-partners of 10 young men (aged 18-30) with no record of mental illness, as well as 6 suicide notes, using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Three barriers emerged: (a) a total defeat; (b) no room for weakness; and (c) fear of mental disorder. The shame from falling short of standards (ow…
Connecting with suicidal patients in psychiatric wards
In this qualitative interview study, the authors investigated how therapists experience and view treatment and care for suicidal patients in psychiatric wards. The focus is on aspects that may contribute toward shaping and possibly constraining therapists' connections with suicidal individuals. They conducted semistructured interviews of 4 psychiatrists and 4 psychologists and analyzed the data by means of thematic analysis. The findings suggest …
From condemnation to understanding
The cultural context in which suicide occurs has been emphasized as critical in understanding the act and informing prevention. Yet the penchant of psychiatrizing suicidality in mainstream suicidology relegates cultural issues to the background. Through the lenses of critical cultural suicidology, the authors have re-emphasized the importance of culture by reviewing the two major meanings of suicide as observed in our 8-year study in Ghana: moral…
Suicide
The World Health Organization estimates that there are more than 800,000 suicides across the globe every year; at least ten to twenty times as many engage in nonfatal suicidal behavior. Suicidal behavior is culturally patterned in that rates, risk factors, forms, scenarios, methods, and meanings vary greatly across age, gender, and cultural contexts. The dominant explanatory model links suicide to mental disorders, particularly depression, but in…
Cultural responses towards the aftermath of suicide among the Acholi in Northern Uganda
BACKGROUND: Suicide is a public health problem in Uganda among indigenous societies, and different societies manage its aftermath differently. AIM: To explore how the Acholi in Northern Uganda manage the aftermath of suicide. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study in Gulu district, a post-conflict area in Northern Uganda. We conducted a total of four focus group discussions (FGDs) and 12 key informant (KI) interviews. KI interviews were conduc…
Suicide among men in Ghana
In Ghana, some studies have reported a high rate for both fatal and non-fatal suicidal behaviors among men. The current study aimed at understanding the psychosocial circumstances involved in male suicides. We interviewed between two to seven close relations of each of 12 men who died by suicide. Interpretative phenomenological analysis of data indicates that experiences of shame related to loss of economic control, breach of patriarchal norms, a…
The emperor’s new clothes? A critical look at the interpersonal theory of suicide
The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide currently seems to be the most popular theory in suicidology. It posits that suicide can be explained by the simultaneous presence of three risk factors only, namely acquired capability for suicide, thwarted belongingness, and perceived burdensomeness. Suicide is, however, widely accepted as a complex, multifactorial, and contextual phenomenon. It is, therefore, surprising that a theory comprised by three inter…
Reasons for attempting suicide
This study examined the reasons for suicide attempts among patients in Ghana. Semi-structured interviews were conducted among 30 informants who had been hospitalized for attempted suicide. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyse the transcribed narratives, and five main themes emerged: 1) lack of support; 2) abandonment; 3) shame; 4) existential struggles; and 5) supernatural reasons. There were gender differences with …
Psychology (28 obras) · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies (21 obras) · Sociology (20 obras) · Medicine (19 obras) · Social Psychology (19 obras) · Qualitative research (16 obras) · Poison control (15 obras) · Suicide prevention (14 obras) · Medical emergency (13 obras) · Clinical Psychology (12 obras)