The meanings of suicidal behaviour to psychology students in Ghana: a qualitative approach

Transcult Psychiatry. 2011 Nov;48(5):643-59. doi: 10.1177/1363461511417319. Epub 2011 Oct 22.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine psychology students' attitudes toward suicidal behaviour and the meanings they assign to the act. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 final year psychology students at a university in Ghana. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyze the data. The results indicated that the students had a generalized negative attitude toward suicide. Religious beliefs and family harmony are cultural contexts influencing the interpretation of suicidal behaviour as breach of divine and communal moralities. The implications of these meanings of suicidal behaviour for suicide prevention in Ghana are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude to Health / ethnology*
  • Culture*
  • Family / psychology
  • Female
  • Ghana
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Morals
  • Psychology* / education
  • Religion and Psychology
  • Students / psychology
  • Suicide, Attempted / ethnology*
  • Suicide, Attempted / psychology
  • Young Adult