The Coping Mechanisms and Strategies of Hypertension Patients in Ghana: The Role of Religious Faith, Beliefs and Practices

Anyan, Frederick; Knizek, Birthe Loa

doi:10.1007/s10943-017-0517-7

Cited by 19Religion, Spirituality, and PsychologyReligion, Society, and DevelopmentHealth, psychology, and well-being

The Coping Mechanisms and Strategies of Hypertension Patients in Ghana: The Role of Religious Faith, Beliefs and Practices

Anyan, Frederick, Knizek, Birthe Loa·2018·Journal of Religion and Health

DOI 10.1007/s10943-017-0517-7

Open this paper in CoChat — free account

Abstract

This qualitative study explored the role of religious faith, belief and practice systems in the coping mechanisms and strategies of essential hypertension patients in Accra, Ghana. Six participants were recruited for participation, of which five were Christians and one was a Muslim. Interviews were conducted and interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to analyze the data. Results showed that participants used their religious faith, beliefs and practices as coping resources. Participants used a deferring-collaborative style of religious coping, which seemed to have provided them with an avoidance strategy that protected the participants from conscious confrontation with their illness. Religious faith and beliefs also afforded the participants a sense of coherence that enabled the participants to manage their stress, reflect on their external and internal resources to promote effective coping and adaptive functioning in a health promoting manner. Implications of a deferring-collaborative style of religious coping and religious re-appraisal are discussed.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1007/s10943-017-0517-7

Cites

41 of 41 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Recomputing p-values needs the paper’s full text.

Claims the paper makes

This paper’s full text isn’t openly available, so its claims and self-check weren’t run. The registry and citation checks still apply.

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

In Ghana, religiosity and spiritual coping is utilized as relief from psychosocial stressors.
“In Ghana, religiosity and spiritual coping is utilized as relief from psychosocial stressors [44–46].”
From Exploring the role of religion in the recovery experiences of suicide attempt survivors in Ghana (2023) · cites this paper as [45]

How Many Interviews Are Enough?: An Experiment with Data Saturation and Variability
Guest, G., Bunce, A., & Johnson, L. (2006) · Field Methods · doi:10.1177/1525822x05279903 · Cited by 20,808 · see citing works
Health Behavior and Health Education: Theory, Research, and Practice
(1992) · Annals of Internal Medicine · doi:10.7326/0003-4819-116-4-350_1 · Cited by 13,211 · see citing works
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis: Theory, Method and Research
(2010) · QMiP Bulletin · doi:10.53841/bpsqmip.2010.1.10.44 · Cited by 8,189 · see citing works
Unraveling the Mystery of Health: How People Manage Stress and Stay Well
Antonovsky, A. (2002) · SAGE Publications Ltd eBooks · doi:10.4135/9781446221129.n9 · Cited by 5,525 · see citing works
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
Spiers, J., & A.Smith, J. (2020) · SAGE Publications Ltd eBooks · doi:10.4135/9781526421036813346 · Cited by 4,048 · see citing works
Introducing Qualitative Research in Psychology
Willig, C. (2001) · Cited by 3,012 · see citing works
The salutogenic model as a theory to guide health promotion
ANTONOVSKY, A. (1996) · Health Promotion International · doi:10.1093/heapro/11.1.11 · Cited by 2,647 · see citing works
The psychology of religion and coping : theory, research, practice
Pargament, K. (1998) · Review of Religious Research · doi:10.2307/3512468 · Cited by 1,680 · see citing works
Qualitative Psychology: A Practical Guide to Research Methods.
Roncaglia, I. (2006) · QMiP bulletin · doi:10.53841/bpsqmip.2006.1.2.35 · Cited by 1,413 · see citing works
Population and Housing Census.
Tobago (2011) · Cited by 1,384 · see citing works
Handbook of adult resilience
Reich, J. W., Zautra, A., & Hall, J. S. (2010) · Cited by 1,291 · see citing works
Health transition review
Coimbra, C. Ε. A. (1992) · Cadernos de Saúde Pública · doi:10.1590/s0102-311x1992000400016 · Cited by 1,202 · see citing works
Religion, spirituality, and medicine
Sloan, R., Bagiella, E., & Powell, T. P. (1999) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(98)07376-0 · Cited by 851 · see citing works
The psychology of religion and coping theory, research, practice
Pargament, K. I. (1997) · Cited by 741 · see citing works
Population and Housing Census
Ayiemba, E. H. O. (2012) · University of Nairobi Research Archive (University of Nairobi) · Cited by 612 · see citing works
Understanding the Nature and Role of Spirituality in Relation to Coping and Health: A Conceptual Framework.
Gall, T. L., Charbonneau, C., Clarke, N. H., Grant, K., Joseph, A., & Shouldice, L. (2005) · Canadian Psychology/Psychologie canadienne · doi:10.1037/h0087008 · Cited by 333 · see citing works
Prevalence, Detection, Management, and Control of Hypertension in Ashanti, West Africa
Cappuccio, F. P., Micah, F. B., Emmett, L., Kerry, S., Antwi, S., Martin-Peprah, R., Phillips, R. O., Plange‐Rhule, J., & Eastwood, J. B. (2004) · Hypertension · doi:10.1161/01.hyp.0000126176.03319.d8 · Cited by 290 · see citing works
Stress, coping, and health behavior.
Glanz, K., & Schwartz, M. D. (2008) · Cited by 253 · see citing works
Merely a Defense? The Variety of Religious Means and Ends
Pargäment, K. I., & Park, C. L. (1995) · Journal of Social Issues · doi:10.1111/j.1540-4560.1995.tb01321.x · Cited by 244 · see citing works
Rural and urban differences in blood pressure and hypertension in Ghana, West Africa
Agyemang, C. O. (2006) · Public Health · doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2006.02.002 · Cited by 237 · see citing works
An 83-Year-Old Woman With Chronic Illness and Strong Religious Beliefs
Koenig, H. G. (2002) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.288.4.487 · Cited by 182 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Koenig (2002) noted that religious faith seemed to provide an indirect form of control by breaking the cycle of anxiety and relentless attempts to regain control.”
Background
Religion and mental health: theory and research
Levin, J. (2010) · International Journal of Applied Psychoanalytic Studies · doi:10.1002/aps.240 · Cited by 181 · see citing works
Blood pressure patterns and cardiovascular risk factors in rural and urban Gambian communities
van der Sande, M. A. B., Milligan, P. J., Nyan, O. A., Rowley, J., Banya, W., CEESAY, S. M., Dolmans, W., Thien, T., Mcadam, K. P. W. J., & Walraven, G. (2000) · Journal of Human Hypertension · doi:10.1038/sj.jhh.1001050 · Cited by 120 · see citing works
Analysing narrative data using McCormack’s Lenses
Dibley, L. B. (2011) · Nurse Researcher · doi:10.7748/nr2011.04.18.3.13.c8458 · Cited by 108 · see citing works
Environment, wealth and health: towards an analysis of intra-urban differentials within the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area, Ghana
Songsore, J., & McGranahan, G. (1993) · Environment and Urbanization · doi:10.1177/095624789300500203 · Cited by 108 · see citing works
PROMOTING COPING: SALUTOGENESIS AMONG PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS
Langeland, E., Wahl, A. K., Kristoffersen, K., & Hanestad, B. R. (2007) · Issues in Mental Health Nursing · doi:10.1080/01612840601172627 · Cited by 108 · see citing works
Anchored by faith: Religion as a resilience factor.
Pargäment, K. I., & Cummings, J. P. (2010) · Cited by 78 · see citing works
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 · Cited by 73 · see citing works
Self-citation
The role of Pentecostal clergy in mental health-care delivery in Ghana
Asamoah, M. K., Osafo, J., & Agyapong, I. (2014) · Mental Health Religion & Culture · doi:10.1080/13674676.2013.871628 · Cited by 69 · see citing works
Resilience and religion in children and youth in Southern Africa
Gunnestad, A., & Thwala, S. K. (2011) · International Journal of Children s Spirituality · doi:10.1080/1364436x.2011.580726 · Cited by 66 · see citing works
“I have sinned”: understanding the role of religion in the experiences of suicide attempters in Ghana
Akotia, C. S., Knizek, B. L., Kinyanda, E., & Hjelmeland, H. (2014) · Mental Health, Religion & Culture · doi:10.1080/13674676.2013.829426 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Self-citation
Health-seeking behaviour of persons with HIV/AIDS in Ghana.
Awusabo‐Asare, K., & Anarfi, J. K. (1997) · PubMed · Cited by 50 · see citing works
The Role of Christian Churches in National Politics: Reflections from Laity and Clergy in Ghana
Yirenkyi, K. (2000) · Sociology of Religion · doi:10.2307/3712582 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Religion and social change in West Africa
ASSIMENG, J. M. (1989) · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Exaggerated levothyroxine malabsorption due to calcium carbonate supplementation in gastrointestinal disorders
Csako, G., McGriff, N. J., Rotman-Pikielny, P., Sarlis, N. J., & Pucino, F. (2001) · Annals of Pharmacotherapy · doi:10.1345/aph.1a031 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Perceptions of Parents on How Religion Influences Adolescents’ Sexual Behaviours in Two Ghanaian Communities: Implications for HIV and AIDS Prevention
Osafo, J., Asampong, E., Langmagne, S., & Ahiedeke, C. (2013) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-013-9689-y · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Hard Times and Common Mental Health Disorders in Developing Countries: Insights from Urban Ghana
Dzator, J. (2012) · The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research · doi:10.1007/s11414-012-9305-z · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Religion and Social Change in West Africa
Olupona, J. K., & Assimeng, M. (1993) · Journal of Religion in Africa · doi:10.2307/1581001 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
3. Religion and Social Change
Sciama, L. (2022) · Berghahn Books · doi:10.1515/9781782386148-006 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Occupation, poverty and mental health improvement in Ghana
Boyce, W., Raja, S., Patranabish, R. G., Bekoe, T., Deme-Der, D. N. W., & Gallupe, O. (2009) · Alter · doi:10.1016/j.alter.2009.03.002 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
The Impact of African Traditional Religious Beliefs and Cultural Values on Christian-Muslim Relations in Ghana from the 1920 to the Present: A Case Study of the Nkusukum-Ekumfi-Enyan traditional area of the Central Region
Acquah, F. (2011) · Open Research Exeter (University of Exeter) · Cited by 7 · see citing works

Flagged first, then by citations

3 of the 44 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Sorted by citations

Children’s Narratives of Family Life in Ghana: A Cultural Lens via Story Stems
Hosny, N., Danquah, A., Berry, K., & Wan, M. W. (2020) · Journal of Child and Family Studies · doi:10.1007/s10826-020-01839-6 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Challenges experienced by patients with hypertension in Ghana: A qualitative inquiry
Atibila, F., ten Hoor, G. A., Donkoh, E. T., & Kok, G. (2021) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0250355 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Religious Leaders as Trusted Messengers in Combatting Hypertension in Rural Tanzanian Communities
Lambert, V. J., Kisigo, G., Nzali, A., Laizer, E., Paul, N., Walshe, L., Kalokola, F., Okello, E. S., Sundararajan, R. L., Mwakisole, A. H., et al. (2021) · American Journal of Hypertension · doi:10.1093/ajh/hpab080 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Religious and Spiritual Coping Elements in Dealing with Chronic Diseases: A Qualitative Exploration of the Perspectives of Older Iranian Zoroastrians
Rezaeipandari, H., Morowatisharifabad, M. A., & Shaghaghi, A. (2023) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-023-01797-5 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Exploring the role of religion in the recovery experiences of suicide attempt survivors in Ghana
Osafo, J., Asare-Doku, W., & Akotia, C. S. (2023) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-023-04674-3 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Understanding traditional healer utilisation for hypertension care using the Andersen model: A qualitative study in Mwanza, Tanzania
Sundararajan, R. L., Alakiu, R., Ponticiello, M. N., Birch, G., Kisigo, G., Okello, E. S., & Peck, R. N. (2023) · Global Public Health · doi:10.1080/17441692.2023.2191687 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Factors associated with breakup distress following a romantic relationship dissolution among emerging adult students
van der Watt, A. S. J., Roos, A., Lesch, E., & Seedat, S. (2023) · Journal of Psychology in Africa · doi:10.1080/14330237.2023.2190232 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“In my Own Land, I Am Treated like a Foreigner”: Mining-Induced Challenges and Psychological Distress Among Farmers in Ghanaian Mining Communities
Annor, F., Annor, S., & Abdul-Nasiru, I. (2024) · Society & Natural Resources · doi:10.1080/08941920.2024.2355612 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Religious coping and depressive symptoms in people living with HIV in Ghana
Yirdong, F., Anim, M. T., Nkyi, A. K., & Ocansey, F. (2023) · Mental Health Religion & Culture · doi:10.1080/13674676.2022.2164567 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
How faith in Tibetan Buddhism is associated with positive social mentalities for Tibetan students: The roles of psychological resilience and self-harmony
Wang, Y., Xu, Q., Zhang, J., Xiao, X., & Guo, C. (2024) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-024-05787-y · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Sentido de coherencia en las enfermedades crónicas: una revisión integradora
Costa, M. C., Mantovani, M. D. F., Miranda, F. M. D., Paes, R. G., Paz, V. P., & de Souza, T. N. (2021) · Enfermería Universitaria · doi:10.22201/eneo.23958421e.2021.4.1010 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Religiöse Deutungen der COVID-19-Pandemie aus Sicht von Kindern in Ghana und Deutschland
Rohde-Abuba, C. (2025) · Zeitschrift für Religion Gesellschaft und Politik · doi:10.1007/s41682-025-00204-y · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Pengaruh Kombinasi Terapi Musik dan Slow Deep Breathing terhadap Perubahan Tekanan Darah Pasien Hipertensi
Suaib, M., & Dewiyanti, D. (2024) · Jurnal Pendidikan dan Teknologi Kesehatan · doi:10.56467/jptk.v7i1.130 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Meaning-Making and Health
Knizek, B. L., Hagen, J., Hjelmeland, H., & Mugisha, J. (2024) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-981-97-0821-5_11-1 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Self-citation
Examining the Role of Faith in Self-care and Caring for Others: Insights from Religious individuals in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
Ekwonye, A. U., & Green, A. (2025) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-025-02469-2
Ghana
Tutu, A. O., & Dzokoto, V. A. A. (2026) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781108771122.010
Analyzing Male Infertility Through the Lens of Religiosity and Spirituality Among Muslim Men in Pakistan
Iqbal, M. M. A., Mahmood, Q. K., Farooq, A., & Hayat, N. (2026) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-026-02727-x
Predictors of Illness Acceptance Among Hypertensive Patients in Freetown: A Multivariate Analysis of Sociodemographic, Religiosity, and Quality of Life Factors
Vandy, A., Kanu, E. M., Lahai, M., Marah, F. A., Sebba, B., & Osborne, A. (2026) · Journal of Primary Care & Community Health · doi:10.1177/21501319261479422
The perspectives of Lagos faith-institution leaders on health, hypertension, and faith-based hypertension interventions: a qualitative interview study
Sanusi, A., Elsey, H., Golder, S., & Todowede, O. (2026) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2026.1925205

The effect of religion on the healing of coronary artery disease/hypertensive out patients in a family practice setting
CEBALLOS, M. E. (1999) · ePlace - Preserving, Learning, and Creative Exchange (Asbury Theological Seminary)
Exploring the Role of Religiosity in Hypertension Management Among African Americans
Brown, C. M. (2000) · Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved · doi:10.1353/hpu.2010.0566 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Religious/Spiritual Coping in Older African American Women
Greer, D. B., & Abel, W. M. (2017) · The Qualitative Report · doi:10.46743/2160-3715/2017.2535 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Coping strategies and resilience among patients with hypertension in Ghana
Boima, V., Yorke, E., Ganu, V. J., Gyaban‐Mensah, A., Ekem‐Ferguson, G., Kretchy, I. A., & Mate-Kole, C. C. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1038346 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Understanding How Religious Practices Influence Self-Care in Black Churchgoers Diagnosed with Hypertension
Davis, T. C. (2021) · ScholarWorks (Walden University)

Authors: Anyan, F., & Knizek, B. L.
Affiliations: Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NO)
Høgskolen i Sør-Trøndelag (NO)
Corresponding author: Anyan, Frederick
ORCID: Anyan, Frederick
Knizek, Birthe Loa
Venue: Journal of Religion and Health
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published: 2017-11-06
Volume: 57
Issue: 4
Pages: 1402-1412
ISSN: 0022-4197 (ISSN-L)
1573-6571
DOI: 10.1007/s10943-017-0517-7
OpenAlex: W2767334926
Cited by: 19
References: 44
Citations by year: 2026: 4 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 5 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 1
FWCI: 0.30
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.springer.com/tdm (unspecified)
Locations: Journal of Religion and Health (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders: Department of Psychology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Topics: Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Religion, Society, and Development
Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health, psychology, and well-being
Keywords: essential hypertension, religious coping, coping strategies, faith, religious beliefs and practices, sense of coherence, stress management, Christian patients, Muslim patients, Ghana
MeSH terms: Adaptation, Psychological, Christianity, Female, Ghana, Humans, Hypertension, Interviews as Topic, Islam, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Male, Middle Aged, Religion and Medicine, Qualitative Research

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review

The Coping Mechanisms and Strategies of Hypertension Patients in Ghana: The Role of Religious Faith, Beliefs and Practices

Abstract

Integrity signals

Claims the paper makes

Claims other papers make about this one

Cites

Cited by

Related

Record

About these checks