Reasons for attempting suicide: An exploratory study in Ghana

Charity S. Akotia, Birthe Loa Knizek, Heidi Hjelmeland, Eugene Kinyanda, Joseph Osafo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Citations (Scopus)

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)233-249
Number of pages17
JournalTranscultural Psychiatry
Volume56
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2019

Keywords

  • Ghana
  • explanations
  • gender differences
  • reasons
  • suicide attempt
  • suicide behaviour

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