1
|
Quansah F, Srem-Sai M, Agormedah EK, Ankomah F, Hagan JE, Schack T. Moderated moderation modelling of subjective social status, pocket money and depressive symptoms of university students in Ghana. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1325441. [PMID: 38638481 PMCID: PMC11025665 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1325441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Although the relationship between subjective social status and depression in university students has been well-established, this association could be seen as a spurious one. Previous studies have shown that key variables like financial resources and age could play key roles in explaining the variances in social status and mental health outcomes. In this research, we assessed the complex interrelationships between subjective social status, financial resources at their disposal and depressive symptoms among university students within their young and middle adulthood stages. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a university in Ghana to sample 1134 university students through accidental sampling. The McArthur Scale and WHO-5 Well-being measure were used for the data collection. Results The results revealed that higher levels of subjective social status were associated with lower levels of depression. It was further found that the interaction between students' pocket money and age played unique roles in the relationship between subjective social status and depression. Conclusion The study findings call on stakeholders in education to explore funding opportunities and to examine ways of empowering parents (financially) to adequately support the students. Health educationists and promoters, including psychologists, school counsellors and parents could compliment these efforts by helping to train and empower students through self-regulation or management skills to help improve their well-being. Continuous efforts are required to improve the financial status and mental health of students.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frank Quansah
- Department of Educational Foundations, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana
| | - Medina Srem-Sai
- Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Sports, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana
| | - Edmond Kwesi Agormedah
- Department of Business and Social Sciences Education, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Francis Ankomah
- Department of Educational Studies, Patton College of Education, Ohio University, Athens, OH, United States
| | - John Elvis Hagan
- Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
- Neurocognition and Action-Biomechanics-Research Group, Faculty of Psychology and Sports Science, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Thomas Schack
- Neurocognition and Action-Biomechanics-Research Group, Faculty of Psychology and Sports Science, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Quansah F, Agormedah EK, Hagan JE, Frimpong JB, Ankomah F, Srem-Sai M, Dadaczynski K, Okan O, Schack T. Subjective social status and well-being of adolescents and young adults in Ghanaian schools: conditional process analysis. BMC Psychol 2023; 11:122. [PMID: 37072828 PMCID: PMC10111290 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01158-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the growing concern and interest in the mental health and well-being of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) including those in schools, many studies have explored the bivariate relationship between subjective social status (SSS) and AYAs' subjective well-being (SWB). Acknowledging the spurious nature of this relationship, we assessed the relationship between SSS and SWB of AYAs in schools within Northern Ghana, focusing on the conditional indirect effect of monetary resource (MR) and sense of coherence (SoC). METHODS We utilised a cross-sectional descriptive design to survey 1096 senior high school students from two regions in Ghana's Northern zone through a stratified sampling method. A questionnaire consisting of a number of calibrated standardized measures was used for the data collection. The data were processed using SPSS and PROCESS Macro and analysed using Hayes' conditional process analysis. RESULTS The results revealed that students' MR significantly moderated the relationships between SSS and SoC as well as SSS and SWB. A significant moderated mediation effect of MR and SoC on the relationship between SSS and SWB was found. Particularly, AYAs who reported higher levels of MRl, SSS and SoC reported a better SWB. CONCLUSION The findings underscore the relevance of providing sufficient financial support for students in secondary schools in Ghana; thus, highlighting the sheer relevance of economic capital as a leading factor for better well-being. The findings also place much emphasis on building students' personal coping mechanisms as a key variable in explaining how the students' SSS and MR translate into having positive mental health outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frank Quansah
- Department of Educational Foundations, University of Education, Winneba, P. O. Box 25, Winneba, Ghana
| | - Edmond Kwesi Agormedah
- Department of Business & Social Sciences Education, University of Cape Coast, PMB Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - John Elvis Hagan
- Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, University of Cape Coast, PMB Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
- Neurocognition and Action-Biomechanics-Research Group, Faculty of Psychology and Sports Science, Bielefeld University, Postfach 10 01 31, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany.
| | - James Boadu Frimpong
- Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, University of Cape Coast, PMB Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Francis Ankomah
- Department of Education and Psychology, University of Cape Coast, PMB Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
- Department of Education, SDA College of Education, P. O. Box AS 18, Asokore-Koforidua, Ghana
| | - Medina Srem-Sai
- Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Sports, University of Education, Winneba, P. O. Box 25, Winneba, Ghana
| | - Kevin Dadaczynski
- Department of Health Science, Fulda University of Applied Sciences, 36037, Fulda, Germany
- Centre for Applied Health Science, Leuphana University Lueneburg, 21335, Lueneburg, Germany
| | - Orkan Okan
- Department of Sports and Health Science, Technical University Munich, 80992, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Schack
- Neurocognition and Action-Biomechanics-Research Group, Faculty of Psychology and Sports Science, Bielefeld University, Postfach 10 01 31, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Quansah F, Ankomah F, Agormedah EK, Ntumi S, Hagan JE, Srem‐Sai M, Dadaczynski K, Okan O, Schack T. A cross-sectional study of university students' pocket money variance and its relationship with digital health literacy and subjective well-being in Ghana. Health Sci Rep 2023; 6:e1095. [PMID: 36778775 PMCID: PMC9898839 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.1095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Mental health concerns of university students are gaining more attention since the emergence of the coronavirus disease. Consequently, scholars in education, health and psychology-related fields have attributed the dwindling subjective well-being (SWB) of students to their low levels of digital health literacy (DHL). However, little attention has been paid to an important variable like pocket money (PM) which might serve as a buffer against reduced levels of SWB. In this study, we explored the dynamics of PM and its linkage with DHL and SWB among university students in Ghana. Methods With a cross-sectional design, a convenient sample of 1160 students was obtained from the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana. The COVID-DHL and WHO-5 Well-being instruments were used for the data collection for a 2 months period (February-March, 2021). Chi-square test, multivariate regression, simple linear regression, and PROCESS mediation analyses were performed with the use of SPSS software version 25. Results The study found that while most of the students were financially supported by their parents (n = 715, 61.6%), a larger proportion of them reported that their PM was either less sufficient or not sufficient (n = 550; 76.9%). Findings revealed a positive relationship between PM and SWB (B = -36.419, p < 0.001; B = -13.146, p = 0.012; B = -10.930, p = 0.043), with this relationship mediated by DHL (B = -1.139, confidence interval [CI] [-2.073, -0.263] vs. -2.300, CI [-4.290, -0.532] vs. -8.366, CI [-14.863, -1.908]). Conclusions Students with little to insufficient PM were vulnerable to mental health problems, although this could be buffered by the high DHL levels. In practical terms, not only should the PM of university students be increased, but the sources of PM should be complemented since the sufficiency level of PM was associated with the source of finance. More importantly, parents should be empowered through job creation so that sufficient levels of PM can be provided to university students.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frank Quansah
- Department of Educational FoundationsUniversity of EducationWinnebaGhana
| | - Francis Ankomah
- Department of Education and PsychologyUniversity of Cape CoastCape CoastGhana
- Department of EducationSDA College of EducationAsokore‐KoforiduaGhana
| | - Edmond Kwesi Agormedah
- Department of Business & Social Sciences EducationUniversity of Cape CoastCape CoastGhana
| | - Simon Ntumi
- Department of Educational FoundationsUniversity of EducationWinnebaGhana
| | - John Elvis Hagan
- Department of Health, Physical Education, and RecreationUniversity of Cape CoastCape CoastGhana
- Department of Sports Science, Neurocognition and Action‐Biomechanics‐Research Group, Faculty of Psychology and Sports ScienceBielefeld UniversityBielefeldGermany
| | - Medina Srem‐Sai
- Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and SportsUniversity of EducationWinnebaGhana
| | - Kevin Dadaczynski
- Department of Health ScienceFulda University of Applied SciencesFuldaGermany
- Department of Nursing and Health Science, Centre for Applied Health ScienceLeuphana University LueneburgLueneburgGermany
| | - Orkan Okan
- Department of Sports and Health ScienceTechnical University MunichMunichGermany
| | - Thomas Schack
- Department of Sports Science, Neurocognition and Action‐Biomechanics‐Research Group, Faculty of Psychology and Sports ScienceBielefeld UniversityBielefeldGermany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Agormedah EK, Quansah F, Ankomah F, Hagan JE, Srem-Sai M, Abieraba RSK, Frimpong JB, Schack T. Assessing the validity of digital health literacy instrument for secondary school students in Ghana: The polychoric factor analytic approach. Front Digit Health 2022; 4:968806. [PMID: 36213522 PMCID: PMC9539653 DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2022.968806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of the coronavirus pandemic resulted in the heightened need for digital health literacy among the youth of school-going age. Despite the relevance of digital health literacy among the general public (including students), it appears the measurement of digital health literacy is still a challenge among researchers. Recently, Dadackinski and colleagues adapted existing digital health literacy measures to fit the COVID-19 situation. Since this development, the instrument has been widely used with few validation studies with none in Africa and specifically, in Ghana. The purpose of the study was to assess the validity of the digital health literacy instrument (DHLI) for secondary school students in Ghana using the polychoric factor analysis. We sampled 1,392 students from secondary schools in Ghana. The digital health literacy instrument was administered to the respondents, thereof. The study confirmed the four latent structure of the DHLI. Further, sufficient validity evidence was found regarding the construct validity of the DHLI. The findings from the study support the validity of the DHLI and its utility within the Ghanaian context. With the growing need for digital health literacy among younger people globally, the DHLI provides sufficient grounds for scaling them based on their level of literacy. There is a need for the instrument to be adapted and re-validated in Ghana and among different populations to widen its reproducibility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edmond Kwesi Agormedah
- Department of Business / Social Sciences Education, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Frank Quansah
- Department of Educational Foundations, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana
| | - Francis Ankomah
- Department of Education and Psychology, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
- Department of Education, SDA College of Education, Koforidua, Ghana
| | - John Elvis Hagan
- Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
- Neurocognition and Action-Biomechanics-Research Group, Faculty of Psychology and Sports Science, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
- Correspondence: John Elvis Hagan
| | - Medina Srem-Sai
- Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Sports, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana
| | | | - James Boadu Frimpong
- Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Thomas Schack
- Neurocognition and Action-Biomechanics-Research Group, Faculty of Psychology and Sports Science, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Quansah F, Hagan JE, Frimpong JB, Srem-Sai M, Agormedah EK, Ankomah F. Psychometric properties of the cultural mix coping inventory for stressful situations using physical education teachers: a multidimensional item response theory analysis. BMC Psychol 2022; 10:209. [PMID: 36038931 PMCID: PMC9422939 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-022-00916-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of the COVID-19 pandemic heightened the levels of stress of not only students but for teachers, particularly physical education (PE) teachers. The reference to PE teachers is due to their role in engaging students in practical in-person lessons after the resumption of school. Previous literature has revealed that PE teachers exhibit significantly increased levels of anxiety, fear, tension and uncertainty that they could contract the virus during these lessons. Given this scenario, there is a growing need for identifying a suitable coping scale which can accurately measure coping strategies employed these teachers. This research assessed the psychometric properties of the 16-item coping inventory using a multidimensional item response theory approach. The study surveyed 484 PE teachers through the convenience sampling technique, after which the cultural mix coping instrument was administered to them. The findings of this study confirmed the 4-factor structure of the coping measure which is consistent with the original measure. Results further revealed that a modified 14-item compared to the original 16-item coping inventory was optimal in measuring coping strategies among PE teachers. The study concluded that the 14-item cultural mix coping inventory was appropriate, applicable and reproducible to the PE teachers' population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frank Quansah
- Department of Educational Foundations, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana.
| | - John Elvis Hagan
- Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.,Neurocognition and Action-Biomechanics-Research Group, Faculty of Psychology and Sports Science, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - James Boadu Frimpong
- Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Medina Srem-Sai
- Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Sports, University of Education, P. O. Box 25, Winneba, Ghana
| | - Edmond Kwesi Agormedah
- Department of Business and Social Sciences Education, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Francis Ankomah
- Department of Education and Psychology, University of Cape Coast, PMB Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.,Department of Education, SDA College of Education, P. O. Box AS 18, Asokore-Koforidua, Ghana
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ankomah F, Quansah F, Agormedah EK, Hagan JE, Srem-Sai M, Sambah F, Seidu AA, Ameyaw EK, Ahinkorah BO, Darteh EKM, Schack T. Validity and Reliability of Cultural Mix Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations among Healthcare Professionals in Ghana Amidst COVID-19. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph191710651. [PMID: 36078368 PMCID: PMC9518457 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191710651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The Cultural Mix Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations is one of the recent coping measures developed to overcome the weaknesses of existing coping scales. Since its development and validation, the inventory has been used by previous studies to measure coping among teachers and students in stressful situations. Health professionals are workers who typically encounter stressful situations due to their work demands. In this study, we assessed the validity and reliability of cultural mix inventory for stressful situations among healthcare professionals in Ghana. The research was guided by three major objectives: (1) to assess the factor structure of the cultural mix coping inventory, (2) to evaluate the construct validity and reliability of the cultural mix coping inventory based on internal structure and (3) to test for evidence of criterion validity based on the external structure of the measure. Approximately 312 health workers were purposefully sampled to participate in the study. The study confirmed the original four-factor solution of the coping inventory with evidence of the construct validity based on the internal structure. Validity evidence based on the external structure of the measure was found to be sufficient. Given the COVID-19 pandemic and coupled with the stressful nature in the line of duty of healthcare professionals, this inventory provides a useful and sound measure of coping options among this cohort.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francis Ankomah
- Department of Education and Psychology, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast PMB TF0494, Ghana
- Department of Education, SDA College of Education, Asokore-Koforidua P.O. Box AS 18, Ghana
| | - Frank Quansah
- Department of Educational Foundations, University of Education, Winneba P.O. Box 25, Ghana
| | - Edmond Kwesi Agormedah
- Department of Business & Social Sciences Education, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast PMB TF0494, Ghana
| | - John Elvis Hagan
- Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast PMB TF0494, Ghana
- Neurocognition and Action-Biomechanics-Research Group, Faculty of Psychology and Sports Science, Bielefeld University, Postfach 10 01 31, 33501 Bielefeld, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Medina Srem-Sai
- Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Sports, University of Education, Winneba P.O. Box 25, Ghana
| | - Francis Sambah
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Abdul-Aziz Seidu
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
- Centre for Gender and Advocacy, Takoradi Technical University, Takoradi P.O. Box 256, Ghana
| | - Edward Kwabena Ameyaw
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Bright Opoku Ahinkorah
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | | | - Thomas Schack
- Neurocognition and Action-Biomechanics-Research Group, Faculty of Psychology and Sports Science, Bielefeld University, Postfach 10 01 31, 33501 Bielefeld, Germany
| |
Collapse
|