The meanings of suicidal behaviour to psychology students in Ghana

A qualitative approach

Dados Bibliográficos

ID2394859
AutoresJoseph Osafo (0000-0003-4002-291X, University of Ghana and Norwegian University of Science and Technology, autor correspondente), 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)
Ano2011
Volume48
Fascículo5
Páginas643-659
Data de publicação2011-11-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoTranscultural Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1363-4615 • E-ISSN: 1461-7471
EditoraSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1363461511417319
PMID22021107
OpenAlexW2145418340
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas18
Referências citadas51

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