ArticlePloS one2021
Mental health difficulties, coping mechanisms and support systems among school-going adolescents in Ghana: A mixed-methods study.
Article in PloS one, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 24 papers.
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Who cites it
24 citing papers in PubMed.
- The African youth in mind (Y-MIND) brief psychological intervention for depression among school-going adolescents in Ghana: a development case series.BMC psychiatry · 2026Trial
- Enhancing Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for Adolescents and Young Adults Through the Asenze Impilo Project: Protocol for a Human-Centered Design Study.JMIR research protocols · 2026Article
- Perceived Academic Support and Mental Well-Being Among Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Trainees in Kenya: The Mediating Role of Academic Resilience.European journal of investigation in health, psychology and education · 2026Article
- Prevalence and correlates of mental health difficulties in young Ghanaian children.BMJ global health · 2026Article
- Exploring the effect of social ties on mental health outcomes among adolescents in selected peri-urban communities in Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana.Discover mental health · 2026Article
- Barriers and facilitators of mental health help-seeking behaviours among school-going adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa: A qualitative evidence synthesis.Global mental health (Cambridge, England) · 2026Review
- Coping mechanisms of bullying survivors: Experiences of secondary school learners at Mamusa sub-district in the North West province, South Africa.Health SA = SA Gesondheid · 2026Article
- A scoping review of mental health problems and associated psychological factors pertinent to young people in education in low-and middle-income countries.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
- Psychometric validation of selected scales assessing mental health conditions among Ghanaian youth.Global mental health (Cambridge, England) · 2026Article
- Are they looking for support? Mental health and trauma awareness as predictors of mental health help-seeking behaviour among young adults and adolescents in Bangladesh, Egypt, Ghana and the United Arab Emirates.BMC public health · 2025Article
- Self-reported knowledge, attitude and mental health status of in-school adolescents in Nigeria.African journal of primary health care & family medicine · 2025Article
- Caregivers' Experience of Supporting Deaf Adults with Mental Health Disorders in Ghana.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2025Article
- Exploring the relationship between mental health issues and academic performance of undergraduate students in a Ghanaian tertiary institution: a cross-sectional study.Discover mental health · 2025Article
- Exploring the synergy between emotional intelligence and self-esteem among university students in Ghana.BMC psychology · 2025Article
- Understanding the mental health of adolescents and young adults in rural South Africa through participatory research.PLOS global public health · 2025Article
- Prevalence and correlates of internalizing and externalizing mental health problems among in-school adolescents in eastern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.Scientific reports · 2024Article
- Caregiver mental health and school-aged children's academic and socioemotional outcomes: Examining associations and mediators in Northern Ghana.PLOS global public health · 2024Article
- Challenges and strategies for improving medication adherence among adolescent psychiatric patients: A qualitative study.Global mental health (Cambridge, England) · 2024Article
- Mental health dynamics of adolescents: A one-year longitudinal study in Harari, eastern Ethiopia.PloS one · 2024Article
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Abstract
backgroundAlthough adolescents are highly vulnerable to mental health challenges, they receive little attention, especially in developing countries. We investigated the mental health difficulties (MHDs) faced by adolescent students in four senior high schools in Ghana, their coping strategies and support systems.
methodsIn this convergent mixed-methods study, quantitative data was obtained using validated strengths and difficulties questionnaire to assess the mental health of 405 adolescents. Qualitative data was collected through in-depth interview with 18 teachers and seven focused group discussions with 35 students. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) for MHDs were estimated through ordinal logistic regression in Stata 14.2. Qualitative data was analyzed inductively and deductively using ATLAS.ti 7.1.
resultsOver half (58.5%) experienced peer (20.5%), emotional (16.3%), conduct (13.3%) and hyperactivity (3.0%) problems, whereas 5.4% exhibited prosocial behaviours. MHDs were associated with females (OR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.47-3.50), bullying (OR = 1.72, CI: 1.07-2.75), domestic violence (OR = 1.87, CI: 1.10-3.17), substance abuse (OR = 8.14, CI: 1.41-46.8), academic pressure (OR = 2.40, CI: 1.30-4.42) and self-perceived poor school performance (OR = 7.36 CI: 2.83-19.16). Qualitatively, we identified financial challenges, spiritual influences, intimate relationships, bullying, and domestic violence as the main themes attributed to MHDs. Coping strategies included isolation, substance use and spiritual help. The main school-based support system was the guidance and counselling unit, but there were complaints of it been ineffective due to trust and confidentially issues, and non-engagement of qualified counsellors.
conclusionsAs many triggers of MHDs emanate in schools, we need mental health-friendly school environments where trained psychotherapists head counselling centres. We propose incorporating mental health education into school curricula and generating surveillance data on adolescent's mental health.
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