Influence of Religious Factors on Attitudes Towards Suicidal Behaviour in Ghana

Osafo, J.; Knizek, B. L.; Akotia, C. S.; Hjelmeland, H.

doi:10.1007/s10943-011-9487-3

Cited by 73Suicide and Self-Harm StudiesReligion, Spirituality, and PsychologyMental Health Treatment and Access

Influence of Religious Factors on Attitudes Towards Suicidal Behaviour in Ghana

Osafo, J., Knizek, B. L., Akotia, C. S., Hjelmeland, H.·2013·Journal of Religion and Health

DOI 10.1007/s10943-011-9487-3

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Abstract

The objective of this qualitative study was to understand how religion influences lay persons' attitudes towards suicide in Ghana. Twenty-seven adults from both rural and urban settings were interviewed. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to analyse the data. Results showed that the participants are committed to core and normative religious beliefs and practices they perceived as life preserving. Such an understanding influenced their view of suicidal behaviour as unacceptable. Nevertheless, religion facilitated their willingness to help people during suicidal crisis. Religious commitment theory is used to explain some of the findings of this study. Implications for suicide prevention are discussed.

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Only a handful of studies have examined the role of religion in suicide in Ghana.
“Ghana is highly religious [16] but only a handful of studies have examined the role of religion in suicide [3, 17–19].”
From Exploring the role of religion in the recovery experiences of suicide attempt survivors in Ghana (2023) · cites this paper as [17]

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Religion as Meaning-Making Resource in Understanding Suicidal Behavior in Ghana and Uganda
Knizek, B. L., Andoh-Arthur, J., Osafo, J., Mugisha, J., Kinyanda, E., Akotia, C., & Hjelmeland, H. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.549404 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
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Authors: Osafo, J., Knizek, B. L., Akotia, C. S., & Hjelmeland, H.
Affiliations: University of Ghana (GH)
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NO)
Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NO)
Corresponding author: Osafo, J.
ORCID: Osafo, J.
Knizek, B. L.
Akotia, C. S.
Hjelmeland, H.
Venue: Journal of Religion and Health
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published: 2011-05-06
Volume: 52
Issue: 2
Pages: 488-504
ISSN: 0022-4197 (ISSN-L)
1573-6571
DOI: 10.1007/s10943-011-9487-3
OpenAlex: W2042804092
Cited by: 73
References: 101
Citations by year: 2026: 4 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 4
FWCI: 4.83
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations: Journal of Religion and Health (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
Keywords: attitudes toward suicide, religion and suicide, suicidal behavior, religious commitment, religious beliefs, suicide prevention, Ghana
MeSH terms: Adult, Attitude to Health, Female, Ghana, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Motivation, Religion and Psychology, Rural Population, Suicide, Urban Population, Young Adult, Hope

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Influence of Religious Factors on Attitudes Towards Suicidal Behaviour in Ghana

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