Joseph Osafo
Biographic Data
| ID | 122510 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Joseph Osafo |
| GIVEN NAMES | Joseph |
| FAMILY NAME | Osafo |
| SIGNATURE | OSAFO J |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Ghana |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-4002-291X |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 43 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 38 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 43 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2011 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 4 |
‘The new geriatric giants’: How do loneliness and social isolation contribute to probable depression in older adults
Social isolation and loneliness have been linked to adverse health outcomes such as depression in old age. However, limited data exist on the association of loneliness and social isolation with probable depression (PD) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), while psychosocial mediators are largely unknown. This study investigates the individual and joint associations of social isolation and loneliness with PD among older adults in Ghana. It…
Chronic health condition and risk of suicidal behaviours in two hospitals in Ghana
The number of crisis intervention service providers in health centres should be expanded and equipped with adaptive skills to train families and religious bodies about proper coping skills, as they provide social support which is crucial in reducing the prevalence of both chronic conditions and patients' risk of suicide. The National Health Insurance Scheme should be improved to cater for patients with chronic kidney conditions to ease their fina…
You Can’t Be Sad and Show It”—Understanding the Psychological Well-Being of Clergy in Ghana
Exploring Military Deployment and Expatriate Mental Health: A Conservation of Resources Theory Perspectives
As global conflicts intensify, resource-based approaches to mental health at work are becoming increasingly vital. Drawing on Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, this study examines deployment practices and mental health outcomes among military expatriates (United Nations peacekeepers within the Ghana Armed Forces). Thematic analysis of interview data reveals that military expatriate face multiple stressors and trauma triggers, contributing t…
Is personhood lost after mental illness? Exploring the dynamic interface between personhood and mental illness in Ghana
Understanding of local conceptions of personhood and mental illness is central for developing therapeutic alliance and treatment regimens for persons living with mental illness. Such persons are exposed to several discriminatory behaviours yet factors that seem to encourage these behaviours are still not entirely understood. Personhood as construed from an emic perspective could potentially guide an understanding of societal attitudes toward indi…
Psychological Factors Associated With Mental Adjustment to Breast Cancer: A Hospital-Based Observational Study
This study examined mental adjustment to breast cancer, that is, coping strategies. Participants were 130 women undergoing breast cancer treatment in two medical settings in Accra, Ghana. They completed questionnaires assessing mental adjustment to cancer, psychological distress (anxiety and depression), negative religious coping, body change stress, and illness perceptions. Data were analyzed using hierarchical linear regression. Results showed …
Substance use and suicide among men in Ghana: A qualitative study
Hesitancy towards Covid-19 vaccination: The role of personality traits, anti-vaccine attitudes and illness perception
There is an increased need for COVID-19 vaccination since the world is gradually returning to normal. Current evidence supports vaccination activity more towards viral suppression than COVID-19 prevention. This has led to divergent views regarding vaccination which may influence anti-vaccine attitudes and vaccine hesitancy. The study examined the role of personality traits, anti-vaccine attitudes and illness perceptions on vaccine hesitancy. The …
Home-Based Sexuality Education in Ghana: The Perspectives of Adolescents and Parents
The extant literature has explored sexuality education from the perspectives of the adolescents, but the views of parents are largely neglected. The few studies that have examined the views of both parents and adolescents are selective in scope, coverage, and assessment. There is thus, a dearth of data on the type of topics discussed and the frequency of parent-adolescent sexual communication. The present study sought to explore adolescents' live…
Post-Traumatic Growth and Resilience among Hospitalized Covid-19 Survivors: A Gendered Analysis
The literature on behavioral outcomes associated with the COVID-19 pandemic is inundated with mental health burdens such as depression and stress disorders. The current study investigated gender invariance on resilience and post-traumatic growth (PTG) as positive psychological changes associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 381 survivors of the COVID-19 infection completed measurements of resilience, PTG, violence and stigma experience,…
Factors Contributing to Divorce in Ghana: An Exploratory Analysis of Evidence From Court Suits
In Ghana, some divorce cases are conducted through the courts, and the reasons for such cases are important to gauge the factors that account for the dissolution of marriages in Ghana. This study was conducted to explore in-depth, the factors that lead to divorce using court suits in Ghana. Data were obtained from 30 lawsuits consisting of 11 men and 19 women with an age range of 29–71 years. Reasons for marital dissolution were assembled from a …
To Keep the Law or to Repeal It: Views of Parliamentarians On the Call to Decriminalise Attempted Suicide in Ghana
We explored the views of members of parliament (MPs) in Ghana on the call to decriminalise attempted suicide. We applied reflexive thematic analysis to Parliamentary Hansards (2017-2020) on calls to decriminalise attempted suicide in Ghana. 11 MPs shared their stance for or against the call. We developed three major themes that entailed, often, opposing views: (1) deterrent effect of the law (against: the law punishes and deters to protect life; …
The Role of Religious Leaders in Suicide Prevention in Ghana. A Qualitative Analysis
The Intergenerational Effects of Intimate Partner Violence in Pregnancy: Mediating Pathways and Implications for Prevention
Prenatal intimate partner violence (P-IPV) can have significant adverse impacts on both mother and fetus. Existing P-IPV interventions focus on the safety of the mother and on reducing revictimization; yet expanding these to address the adverse impact on the fetus has considerable potential for preventing long-term negative developmental outcomes. In this review, we draw together evidence on major pathways linking exposure to P-IPV and child outc…
Engaging Television for Public Education and Counselling on Suicide: A Case Example from Ghana
The Emotional experiences of children living in orphanages in Ghana
Purpose This study aims to explore the emotional experiences of children in selected orphanages. Design/methodology/approach The study was executed in three orphanages in Accra, Tema and Aburi through the use of semi-structured interviews and observations. Findings In total, 15 respondents reported some emotional experiences such as loneliness, entrapment, deprivation, rejection and helplessness. Originality/value The number of children living in…
Challenges associated with teenage motherhood in Ghana: A qualitative study
Motherhood can be very challenging and overwhelming whether the individuals involved are teens or adults. Although there is a high prevalence of teenage mothers in urban cities in Ghana, little research has been done on the challenges associated with teen motherhood. This qualitative study was therefore conducted to explore the challenges that teenage mothers experience in Ghana. One-on-one interviews were conducted with 28 purposively selected t…
Inter-Sectoral Management of Suicidal Persons in Ghana: Tensions and Prospects
Comparing the reasons for suicide from attempt survivors and their families in Ghana
Findings from this study help to understand the readiness of attempt survivor family members to intervene early during suicidal crisis
News Editors’ Views about Suicide and Suicide Stories in Ghana
Community leaders' attitudes towards and perceptions of suicide and suicide prevention in Ghana
Community leaders can play an important role in suicide prevention because they are potential gatekeepers in resource-poor settings. To investigate their attitudes towards suicide and the role they play when people are in suicidal crisis, 10 community leaders were interviewed in a rural community in Ghana. Thematic Analysis of the interviews showed that leaders held two conflicting views about suicide: health crisis and moral taboo. They also vie…
Reasons for attempting suicide: An exploratory study in Ghana
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 among men in Ghana: The burden of masculinity
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…
Approaches to Regulating Adolescent Sexual Behavior in Ghana: Qualitative Evidence from Somanya and Adidome
The experiences of caregivers of children living with HIV and Aids in Uganda: A qualitative study
BACKGROUND: Home-based care for HIV patients is popular in contexts severely affected by the epidemic and exacts a heavy toll on caregivers. This study aimed at understanding the experiences of caregivers and their survival strategies. METHODS: A total of 18 caregivers (3 males and 15 females) were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide, and thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Analysis suggests that the caregiver…
Suicide among men in Ghana: The burden of masculinity
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…
Seeking Paths for Collaboration between Religious Leaders and Mental Health Professionals in Ghana
Attempted Suicide in Ghana: Motivation, Stigma, and Coping
To understand the experiences of suicidal persons in Ghana, 10 persons were interviewed after they attempted suicide. Thematic analysis of data showed that motivation for suicidal behavior included social taunting, hopelessness, and partner's infidelity. Suicidal persons reported stigma expressed through physical molestation and social ostracism, which left them traumatized. However, they coped through social support from relations, religious fai…
Exploring the nature of treatment regimen for mentally ill persons by neo-prophetic ministers in Ghana
As Ghana seeks to improve mental healthcare services delivery, there is a heightened discourse regarding the role religious groups can play in the process. Whilst there is a general admission that there can be collaborative framework with faith-based treatments toward a holistic delivery of mental healthcare, the anxieties concerning the unverifiable nature of their services and reported abuses of patients appears to hamper this collaboration. In…
Reasons for attempting suicide: An exploratory study in Ghana
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 …
The meanings of suicidal behaviour to psychology students in Ghana: A qualitative approach
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: Reflections on police gatekeeping roles in suicide research in Ghana
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: Views on suicidal behavior in Ghana in transition
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 Role of Religious Leaders in Suicide Prevention in Ghana. A Qualitative Analysis
Approaches to Regulating Adolescent Sexual Behavior in Ghana: Qualitative Evidence from Somanya and Adidome
The meanings of suicidal behaviour to psychology students in Ghana: A qualitative approach
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…
Influence of Religious Factors on Attitudes Towards Suicidal Behaviour in Ghana
Adolescents and parents’ perceptions of best time for sex and sexual communications from two communities in the Eastern and Volta Regions of Ghana: Implications for HIV and Aids education
BACKGROUND: Adolescents and parents' differ in their perceptions regarding engaging in sexual activity and protecting themselves from pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The views of adolescents and parents from two south-eastern communities in Ghana regarding best time for sex and sexual communications were examined. METHODS: Focus Group interviews were conducted with parents and adolescents (both In-school and Out-of school) f…
Perceptions of Parents on How Religion Influences Adolescents’ Sexual Behaviours in Two Ghanaian Communities: Implications for HIV and Aids Prevention
To understand the role of religion in the sexual behaviours of adolescents, the views of parents who are key agents of socialization were examined from two south-eastern communities in Ghana. Focus Group interviews were conducted with mothers (and female caregivers) of adolescents and one with fathers (and male caregivers) of adolescents. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Findings indicated that parents from one community perceived …
The role of Pentecostal clergy in mental health-care delivery in Ghana
Against the backdrop of the current discourse on how religious groups are engaged in mental health in Ghana and how to properly engage them in mental health-care delivery, this study sets out to examine the views of 20 male Pentecostal clergy on the role of their churches in mental health-care delivery in Ghana. Thematic analysis was used to analyse interview transcripts. Findings showed that Pentecostal clergy lean more towards a diabolical expl…
An Exploratory Study of Factors Contributing to Divorce Among Married Couples in Accra, Ghana: A Qualitative Approach
Against the backdrop that divorce is increasingly becoming a public health problem in Ghana, especially in urban areas, a qualitative approach was used to explore the possible reasons for divorce among 12 Ghanaian divorcees living in the urban area of Accra. Participants selected purposively were made up of 4 males and 8 females between the ages of 32 and 45 years, with a mean age of 36.5. Findings showed that the period of honeymooning provided …
Determinants of Psychological Help-Seeking Intentions of University Students in Ghana
Exploring the nature of treatment regimen for mentally ill persons by neo-prophetic ministers in Ghana
As Ghana seeks to improve mental healthcare services delivery, there is a heightened discourse regarding the role religious groups can play in the process. Whilst there is a general admission that there can be collaborative framework with faith-based treatments toward a holistic delivery of mental healthcare, the anxieties concerning the unverifiable nature of their services and reported abuses of patients appears to hamper this collaboration. In…
Attempted Suicide in Ghana: Motivation, Stigma, and Coping
To understand the experiences of suicidal persons in Ghana, 10 persons were interviewed after they attempted suicide. Thematic analysis of data showed that motivation for suicidal behavior included social taunting, hopelessness, and partner's infidelity. Suicidal persons reported stigma expressed through physical molestation and social ostracism, which left them traumatized. However, they coped through social support from relations, religious fai…
Prevalence of psychological symptoms among adults with sickle cell disease in Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana
The study concluded that there was low prevalence of psychological symptoms among adults with SCD in this Ghanaian study. Although psychological symptoms distress scores were not observed among study participants at this time, females differed significantly by experiencing more psychoticism symptoms than males. HbSS participants also differed significantly by experiencing more depression, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, psychoticism, and addit…
Seeking Paths for Collaboration between Religious Leaders and Mental Health Professionals in Ghana
The experiences of caregivers of children living with HIV and Aids in Uganda: A qualitative study
BACKGROUND: Home-based care for HIV patients is popular in contexts severely affected by the epidemic and exacts a heavy toll on caregivers. This study aimed at understanding the experiences of caregivers and their survival strategies. METHODS: A total of 18 caregivers (3 males and 15 females) were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide, and thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Analysis suggests that the caregiver…
Police Views of Suicidal Persons and the Law Criminalizing Attempted Suicide in Ghana: A Qualitative Study With Policy Implications
The penal code of Ghana condemns suicide attempt. The present study sought to explore the views of the police on persons who attempt suicide and the law criminalizing the act. Qualitative in-depth interviews were used to explore the views of 18 officers of the Ghana Police Service. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis technique. Findings showed that the police officers profiled suicide attempters as needy, enigmatic, ignorant, and blamewort…
The prevalence and correlates of suicidal behaviours (ideation, plan and attempt) among adolescents in senior high schools in Ghana
Suicide is recognised as the third leading cause of death among adolescents globally. There is however limited data on the prevalence and factors associated with suicide particularly in Ghana. To explore the prevalence and risk and protective factors associated with suicide in Ghana, a nationwide Global School-based Student Health Survey data collected among senior high school adolescents in Ghana was used. The prevalence of suicidal behaviours w…
Growing up HIV-positive in Uganda: “Psychological immunodeficiency”? A qualitative study
To change the focus towards strengthening the children and adolescents' development of psychological protective mechanisms implicates a change in focus from illness to health and has consequences for both treatment and prevention. Psychological health promotion must be systemic and aim at strengthening the family environment, but also to establish peer group support
Community service for misdemeanours in Accra: Preferences of offenders, victims, judiciary, and community members
Taking religiosity into account, the study explored preferences for community service sentencing by victims, offenders, judiciary, and community members from Accra, Ghana. One hundred and ninety respondents were sampled (females = 38.42%, offenders = 5.26%, victims = 58.95%, law enforcement = 10.52%, members of the Judiciary = 4.74%, and general community members = 65.26%). They responded to the Attitude Towards Community Service Questionnaire, a…
From cross-cultural to cultural thinking in psychological research and practice in Ghana
The importance of cultural factors has been a contested issue in psychological research and practice around the world. This paper argues for the importance of conducting psychological research and practice with respect to the cultural context of Ghana. The first part of this article focuses on definition of culture as a concept in psychology and the challenges and theoretical positions of the relationship between culture and psychology. The essay…
Walking a tightrope: Reflections on police gatekeeping roles in suicide research in Ghana
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: Views on suicidal behavior in Ghana in transition
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 among men in Ghana: The burden of masculinity
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…
Approaches to Regulating Adolescent Sexual Behavior in Ghana: Qualitative Evidence from Somanya and Adidome
Comparing the reasons for suicide from attempt survivors and their families in Ghana
Findings from this study help to understand the readiness of attempt survivor family members to intervene early during suicidal crisis
News Editors’ Views about Suicide and Suicide Stories in Ghana
Community leaders' attitudes towards and perceptions of suicide and suicide prevention in Ghana
Community leaders can play an important role in suicide prevention because they are potential gatekeepers in resource-poor settings. To investigate their attitudes towards suicide and the role they play when people are in suicidal crisis, 10 community leaders were interviewed in a rural community in Ghana. Thematic Analysis of the interviews showed that leaders held two conflicting views about suicide: health crisis and moral taboo. They also vie…
Reasons for attempting suicide: An exploratory study in Ghana
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 (36 works) · Medicine (28 works) · Sociology (25 works) · Social Psychology (22 works) · Qualitative research (20 works) · Psychiatry (19 works) · Clinical Psychology (15 works) · Political science (14 works) · Social science (13 works) · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies (13 works)