Self-Reported Suicidal Behavior and Attitudes Toward Suicide and Suicide Prevention Among Psychology Students in Ghana, Uganda, and Norway

Hjelmeland, Heidi; Akotia, Charity S.; Owens, Vicki; Knizek, Birthe Loa; Nordvik, Hilmar; Schroeder, R. Jason; Kinyanda, Eugene

doi:10.1027/0227-5910.29.1.20

Cited by 72 publications

(75 citation statements)

References 32 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Similar to our study, most studies from other countries find more accepting attitudes about suicide among those with more education (Salander Renberg & Jacobsson, 2003; Singh, Williams, & Ryther, 1986) so this appears to be a robust relationship cross-nationally. The higher acceptability of suicide among females found in our study is also found in some, but not all, studies from other countries (Agnew, 1998; Beautrais, Horwood, & Fergusson, 2004; Hjelmeland et al, 2008; Joe, Romer, & Jamieson, 2007; Kocmur & Dernovšek, 2003; Parker, Cantrell, & Demi, 1997; Salander Renberg & Jacobsson, 2003; Zemaitiene & Zaborskis, 2005); the finding in China could be related to the relatively high rate of suicide in Chinese females compared to that in other countries (WHO, 2002). Controversy remains about the relationship of age to attitudes about the acceptability of suicide (Salander Renberg et al, 2008; Salander Renberg & Jacobsson, 2003; Segal, Mincic, Coolidge, & O’Riley, 2004); the decreasing acceptability of suicide as individuals age (after adjusting for educational level) found in our study may be a reflection of an underlying culturally conditioned conservatism that results in increasing intolerance to all forms of social deviance (including suicidal behavior) as one ages.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

The Acceptability of Suicide Among Rural Residents, Urban Residents, and College Students from Three Locations in China

Phillips

2010

Crisis

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Community attitudes about suicide and their relationship to suicidal behavior have not been adequately investigated in low- and middle-income countries. Aims Compare acceptability of suicide in different population cohorts in China, identify factors that affect the degree of acceptability, and assess the relationship of cohort-specific acceptability of suicide and suicide rates. Methods A multi-stage stratified random sample of 608 rural residents, 582 urban residents and 629 college students were administered a 25-item scale in which respondents stated the likelihood they would consider suicide (on a 5-point Likert scale) if they experienced a variety of stressors ranging from ‘being disciplined at work’ to ‘developing a chronic mental illness’. The internal consistency and test-retest reliability for the scale are excellent (Cronbach’s α =0.92, ICC=0.75). Results College students had the most permissive attitudes about suicide and urban residents were significantly more accepting of suicide as a response to serious life stressors than rural residents. Multivariate analysis found that the overall acceptability score was higher in women, decreased with age, and increased with years of education. Conclusions There was no clear relationship between cohort-specific acceptance of suicide and reported rates of suicide, highlighting the complexity of the relationship between attitudes about suicide (of which acceptability is only one component) and suicidal behavior.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

The Acceptability of Suicide Among Rural Residents, Urban Residents, and College Students from Three Locations in China

Phillips

2010

Crisis

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The items no 41-43 were not included for the present study as these items were difficult to assess in Indian context where open discussion about suicide is regarded as taboo. Further, earlier research also supports the inclusion of these items in the present study (Arnautovska 2010;Hjelmeland et al 2008;Norheim et al 2013). However these studies have done their own factor analysis.…”

Section: Data Collection Instrumentssupporting

confidence: 67%

Gender Differences Related to Attitudes Toward Suicide and Suicidal Behavior

Poreddi

Thimmaiah²,

Ramu

et al. 2015

Community Ment Health J

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This descriptive study examined gender differences related to attitudes toward suicide among randomly selected urban residents. Data was collected using a standardized questionnaire through face-to-face interview. Our findings revealed that men hold more pro preventive attitudes to help persons with suicidal thoughts (80.3 %, p = 0.05) and agreed that suicidal attempts are impulsive (78.6 %, p = 0.01). However, they hold permissive attitude to help persons with incurable diseases and expressing death wishes to die (66 %, p = 0.05). A majority of men (78.6 %) than women agreed that "suicidal attempt is essentially a cry for help" (χ (2) = 11.798, p = 0.05). These gender differences need to be taken into consideration when developing appropriate programs to prevent suicide. Further, decriminalizing the law, high-quality research and raising awareness about suicide prevention among the general population is crucial in developing countries like India.

show abstract

“…Although official national statistics on suicide are not available, crude estimates from some studies do indicate that the act is a growing public health problem in Ghana (Hjelmeland et al, 2008;Adinkrah, 2012). Progress has been made in suicide research in Ghana, especially in the area of attitudes toward the act and suicidal persons.…”

mentioning

confidence: 96%

Attempted Suicide in Ghana: Motivation, Stigma, and Coping

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

To understand the experiences of suicidal persons in Ghana, 10 persons were interviewed after they attempted suicide. Thematic analysis of data showed that motivation for suicidal behavior included social taunting, hopelessness, and partner's infidelity. Suicidal persons reported stigma expressed through physical molestation and social ostracism, which left them traumatized. However, they coped through social support from relations, religious faith, and use of avoidance. Community-wide sensitive education should target reducing stigma and also increase mental health education on suicidal behavior in Ghanaian communities.

show abstract

Self-Reported Suicidal Behavior and Attitudes Toward Suicide and Suicide Prevention Among Psychology Students in Ghana, Uganda, and Norway

Cited by 72 publications

References 32 publications

The Acceptability of Suicide Among Rural Residents, Urban Residents, and College Students from Three Locations in China

The Acceptability of Suicide Among Rural Residents, Urban Residents, and College Students from Three Locations in China

Gender Differences Related to Attitudes Toward Suicide and Suicidal Behavior

Attempted Suicide in Ghana: Motivation, Stigma, and Coping

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About