A cultural look on suicide

The Yorùbá as a paradigmatic example

Bibliographic Data

ID19503909
AuthorsOlayinka Atilola (0000-0001-9835-6432, ,, corresponding author), Olatunde Olayinka Ayinde (0000-0002-3896-226X, University College Hospital, Ibadan), Olatunde Ayinde (,)
Year2015
Volume18
Issue6
Pages456-469
Publication date2015-07-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueMental Health Religion & Culture (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1367-4676 • E-ISSN: 1469-9737
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13674676.2015.1077212
OpenAlexW2112054372
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited74

This conceptual review focuses on deepening the cultural perspective on suicidal behaviour and suicide prevention using a specific cultural group (the Yorùbá) as a paradigmatic example. We examine the social/cultural cognitions in Yorùbá that are ingrained in concepts of dishonour, shame, and masculine ethos, and the way these may contribute to the phenomenology of suicidal behaviours in Yorùbá communities. We also addressed the limitations of some widely accepted frameworks in suicide research, in particular, the emphasis on neurobiological conditions as risk factor for suicidal behaviour and the focus on hopelessness as a specific (social) cognition that leads to suicidal volition. Lessons learnt include the possibility of specific “culture-bound” cognitive motivators for suicidal behaviours among the Yorùbá which may be unrecognised but potentially rewarding focus of cognitive-behavioural therapy and other prevention strategies. A general need for contextualised application of universal suicidology research findings when working in specific socio-cultural milieu is emphasised

Cognition · Ethos · Poison control · Psychiatry · Psychotherapist · Shame · Suicide prevention · Suicidology · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Medicine · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Psychology · Social Psychology · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies