1. Reasons for attempting suicide: An exploratory study in Ghana.
- Author
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Akotia, Charity S., Knizek, Birthe Loa, Hjelmeland, Heidi, Kinyanda, Eugene, and Osafo, Joseph
- Subjects
SUICIDE risk factors ,SUICIDE prevention ,INTERPERSONAL relations ,INTERVIEWING ,PHENOMENOLOGY ,RESEARCH methodology ,RELIGION ,RESEARCH ,SELF-evaluation ,SEX distribution ,SHAME ,SUPERSTITION ,LABELING theory ,SOCIAL support ,SOCIOECONOMIC factors ,NARRATIVES ,PATIENTS' attitudes - Abstract
This study examined the reasons for suicide attempts among patients in Ghana. Semi-structured interviews were conducted among 30 informants who had been hospitalized for attempted suicide. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyse the transcribed narratives, and five main themes emerged: 1) lack of support; 2) abandonment; 3) shame; 4) existential struggles; and 5) supernatural reasons. There were gender differences with abandonment reported by only women and shame associated with economic difficulties reported only by men. Findings are discussed within the context of a socio-cultural theory of suicide behaviour, and implications for the prevention of suicide and care of suicidal persons are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
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