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Cited by 57Suicide and Self-Harm StudiesReligion, Spirituality, and PsychologyGrief, Bereavement, and Mental Health

“I have sinned”: understanding the role of religion in the experiences of suicide attempters in Ghana

Akotia, Charity Sylvia, Knizek, Birthe Loa, Kinyanda, Eugene, Hjelmeland, Heidi·2014·Mental Health, Religion & Culture
DOI 10.1080/13674676.2013.829426
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Abstract

This qualitative study examined the role played by religion in the experiences of persons who attempted suicide in Ghana. Twelve men and 18 women on admission at various hospitals and clinics in Accra were interviewed. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to analyse the data. We found that religion provided a broad context within which the informants' experiences could be understood. All informants acknowledged God as owner of life and death. Whereas the majority reacted to the suicidal act in a way that resonates with their religious system and sought for forgiveness from God, a few reacted in opposition to the system and expressed anger and disappointment in God. Implications of our findings for suicide prevention in Ghana are discussed.

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Crossref · 10.1080/13674676.2013.829426

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  • The reasons cited in this study are all predominantly related to adversities in living, further confirming that suicidality in Ghana appears to be psychosocially based.

    “The reasons cited in this study are all predominantly related to adversities in living, further confirming that suicidality in Ghana appears to be psychosocially based [3, 36, 47].”

    From Exploring the role of religion in the recovery experiences of suicide attempt survivors in Ghana (2023) · cites this paper as [3]

  • 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 [3]

  • Attempted suicide survivors in Ghana experienced spiritual struggles prior to or during hospitalisation and when receiving medical attention, stemming from the perception that they had sinned against God by attempting suicide and needed to seek forgiveness.

    “a study in Ghana by Akotia, Knizek [3] reported that attempted survivors experienced spiritual struggles prior to or during their hospitalisation and when receiving medical attention. This stemmed from the perception that they have sinned against God by attempting suicide and need to seek forgiveness.”

    From Exploring the role of religion in the recovery experiences of suicide attempt survivors in Ghana (2023) · cites this paper as Akotia, Knizek [3]

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Authors
Akotia, C. S., Knizek, B. L., Kinyanda, E., & Hjelmeland, H.
Affiliations
  • University of Ghana (GH)
  • Høgskolen i Sør-Trøndelag (NO)
  • MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit (UG)
  • Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NO)
Corresponding author
Akotia, Charity Sylvia
ORCID
Venue
Mental Health, Religion & Culture
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2013-10-03
Volume
17
Issue
5
Pages
437-448
ISSN
  • 1367-4676 (ISSN-L)
  • 1469-9737
DOI
10.1080/13674676.2013.829426
OpenAlex
W2078320604
Cited by
57
References
53
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 2
FWCI
2.23
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Mental Health Religion & Culture (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health
Keywords
suicide attempts, religion, religious coping, forgiveness, spirituality, suicide prevention, Ghana

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