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Cited by 16Suicide and Self-Harm StudiesReligion, Spirituality, and PsychologyGrief, Bereavement, and Mental Health

Religion as Meaning-Making Resource in Understanding Suicidal Behavior in Ghana and Uganda

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Knizek, Birthe Loa, Andoh-Arthur, Johnny, Osafo, Joseph, Mugisha, James, Kinyanda, Eugene, Akotia, Charity, Hjelmeland, Heidi·2021·Frontiers in Psychology
DOI 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.549404PMC PMC8215103
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Abstract

Suicidal behavior is condemned by religions and tradition, and suicide attempts are criminalized by law in several African countries, including Ghana and Uganda. Suicide and suicide attempts may have severe consequences for both the entire family and the community. Religion is known to act as a protective coping force that helps people to make meaning and find comfort when dealing with stressful life events or situations like suicide. In this article, we focus on the cultural interpretations of the dominating religion in Ghana and Uganda, Christianity, and whether these affect attitudes toward suicidal behavior, meaning making, and coping possibilities for people who have attempted suicide or are bereaved by suicide. This article is based on data material from previous studies on the mentioned topics by the authors.

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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 [18]

    The Culture Specific Religion As Meaning-Making section calls for much more research on religious meaning systems in their cultural contexts, and the paper discusses Ghanaian studies of religion and suicide. It does not establish that only a handful of such studies have been conducted in Ghana; no page number is available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.72)

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Authors
Knizek, B. L., Andoh-Arthur, J., Osafo, J., Mugisha, J., Kinyanda, E., Akotia, C., & Hjelmeland, H.
Affiliations
  • Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NO)
  • University of Ghana (GH)
  • Kyambogo University (UG)
Corresponding author
Knizek, Birthe Loa
ORCID
Venue
Frontiers in Psychology
Publisher
Frontiers Media SA
Published
2021-06-07
Volume
12
Pages
549404-549404
ISSN
1664-1078 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3389/fpsyg.2021.549404
PMC
PMC8215103
OpenAlex
W3170037559
Cited by
16
References
6
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2021: 2
FWCI
0.23
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Frontiers in Psychology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • LSHTM Research Online (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine) (acceptedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • NORA - Norwegian Open Research Archives (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Greater South Information System
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
suicidal behavior, suicide attempts, religion, meaning-making, Christianity, attitudes toward suicide, coping, criminalization of suicide, Ghana, Uganda

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