Social Relationships among Women in Ghana: “A Blessing” or “A Curse” to their Psychological Well-being?

• Main Authors: Ethel Akpene Atefoe, Nuworza Kugbey
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: KAD International 2014-10-01
• Series: Journal of Advocacy, Research and Education
• Subjects: Social Relationships; Social support; Social negativity; Psychological well-being; Ghana
• Online Access: http://kadint.net/journals_n/1421990179.pdf

The study seeks to find out the impact of social relationships on the psychological well-being of women in Ghana. A total of two hundred (N=200) women from diverse socio-economic background living in Accra at the time of data collection were conveniently and purposively sampled for the study. Ninety-two (46%) of the participants had a history of various mental illnesses and were reporting for review at the Accra psychiatric and Pantang hospitals. One hundred and eight (54%) had no history of mental illness and reside or work in Adenta, Madina and Legon communities. The psychological well-being sub scale of the Mental Health Inventory (MHI-38) was used to assess psychological well-being of the participants. Social support and social negativity were assessed using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and Social negativity Questionnaire respectively (SNQ). Results from Pearson Product Moment Correlation revealed a non-significant relationship between Perceived social support and psychological well-being, but social negativity had a significant negative relationship with psychological well-being. History of mental illness did not make any significant difference in participants’ level of perceived social support and social negativity.