Cultural responses towards the aftermath of suicide among the Acholi in Northern Uganda.

Journal: The International journal of social psychiatry

Volume: 64

Issue: 6

Year of Publication: 2018

Affiliated Institutions:  Department of Sociology and Social Administration, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Kyambogo University, Kampala, Uganda. Child Health and Development Centre, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. Medical Research Council (MRC)/Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, Catholic University Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

Abstract summary 

Suicide is a public health problem in Uganda among indigenous societies, and different societies manage its aftermath differently.To explore how the Acholi in Northern Uganda manage the aftermath of suicide.We conducted a qualitative study in Gulu district, a post-conflict area in Northern Uganda. We conducted a total of four focus group discussions (FGDs) and 12 key informant (KI) interviews. KI interviews were conducted with community leaders, while the FGDs were conducted with members of the general population. We analysed the data by means of Grounded Theory.Our findings indicate that rituals form a large part in managing suicide among the Acholi. Study communities practised distancing (symbolically and physically) as a way of dealing with the threat of suicide.Distancing was organized into two broad themes: affect regulation and securing future generations. It is recommended that public health interventions should utilize cultural institutions in the prevention of suicide.

Authors & Co-authors:  Mugisha James J Muyinda Herbert H Hjelmeland Heidi H Kinyanda Eugene E Vancampfort Davy D Knizek Birthe Loa BL

Study Outcome 

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Statistics
Citations : 
Authors :  6
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1177/0020764018784625
SSN : 1741-2854
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Adult
Other Terms
Distancing;Northern Uganda;suicide
Study Design
Grounded Theory,Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Qualitative
Country of Study
Uganda
Publication Country
England