An Exploration Of Aspects Of Mental Health In School-Going Adolescents In Ghana

Study

Human FactorsHigh ImpactStrong effect

Adolescent psychological well-being is positively influenced by hope and perceived social support.

Fostering hope and social support networks can significantly enhance the psychological well-being of adolescents.

SUNScholar (Stellenbosch University) · 2015

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Key Findings

01A structural model demonstrated a good fit for the observed data, explaining psychological well-being.
02Perceived social support and hope were positively related to psychological well-being.

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Application

Design takeaway

Integrate elements that encourage social interaction and cultivate a sense of optimism into designs targeting adolescents.

How to apply

When designing educational tools, community spaces, or digital platforms for adolescents, incorporate features that facilitate peer interaction and positive self-expression to build hope.

Project actions

01When researching user needs, explore emotional and social factors alongside functional requirements.
02Consider how your design can foster a sense of community or personal agency.

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Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate the pathways to psychological well-being and distress among school-going adolescents, with a focus on the roles of hope and perceived social support.

MethodMixed-methods (quantitative and qualitative) cross-sectional study.

ProcedureQuantitative data on hope, perceived social support, life satisfaction, and mental health were collected via questionnaires. Qualitative data on adolescents' experiences of hope, support, life satisfaction, and coping resources were gathered through follow-up interviews with a subset of participants.

Sample717 participants for quantitative data, 18 participants for qualitative data.

ContextSchool-going adolescents in the Northern region of Ghana.

Variables

IV["Hope","Perceived social support"]

DV["Psychological well-being","Psychological distress"]

CV["Life satisfaction","Gender"]

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Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Utilized a mixed-methods approach to provide a comprehensive understanding.
+Investigated a culturally specific context where such research is scarce.

Limitations

Generalizability of findings to different cultural contexts or age groups may be limited.

Reliability & validity

The use of validated questionnaires for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data enhances the reliability and validity of the findings. However, the cross-sectional nature limits causal inference.

Think critically

How might cultural differences impact the relationship between hope, social support, and adolescent mental health?

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Design Principles

"Design for psychological resilience by incorporating elements that foster hope and social connection."

Understanding the psychological factors that contribute to well-being is crucial for designing supportive environments and interventions. This insight can inform the development of products, services, and educational programs that promote positive mental health outcomes for young people.

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What This Means for Your Design

Feeling hopeful and having friends to rely on makes teenagers feel better mentally.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of user psychology and the impact of social support on well-being in your design project's research section.

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Add to My Project

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Quick Cite

(2015). AN EXPLORATION OF ASPECTS OF MENTAL HEALTH IN SCHOOL-GOING ADOLESCENTS IN GHANA. SUNScholar (Stellenbosch University). Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/7d99b09b-29c8-43b9-838a-43ea59c60a0e/adolescent-psychological-well-being-is-positively-influenced-by-hope-and-perceived-social-support

Paragraph starter

Research indicates that psychological well-being in adolescents is significantly influenced by factors such as hope and perceived social support. These elements contribute to a positive outlook and a sense of connection, which are vital for navigating developmental challenges.

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Source

SUNScholar (Stellenbosch University)

AN EXPLORATION OF ASPECTS OF MENTAL HEALTH IN SCHOOL-GOING ADOLESCENTS IN GHANA

journal · 2015

View source

Questions about this research

What does the research say about adolescent psychological well-being is positively influenced by hope and perceived social support?: Integrate elements that encourage social interaction and cultivate a sense of optimism into designs targeting adolescents. Evidence: SUNScholar (Stellenbosch University) (2015).
Why does "Adolescent psychological well-being is positively influenced by hope and perceived social support." matter for design?: Understanding the psychological factors that contribute to well-being is crucial for designing supportive environments and interventions. This insight can inform the development of products, services, and educational programs that promote positive mental health outcomes for young people.
How can designers apply this research?: Integrate elements that encourage social interaction and cultivate a sense of optimism into designs targeting adolescents.
What were the main findings?: A structural model demonstrated a good fit for the observed data, explaining psychological well-being.. Perceived social support and hope were positively related to psychological well-being.
What research method was used?: Mixed-methods (quantitative and qualitative) cross-sectional study. with 717 participants for quantitative data, 18 participants for qualitative data..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2015 journal from SUNScholar (Stellenbosch University).
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing educational tools, community spaces, or digital platforms for adolescents, incorporate features that facilitate peer interaction and positive self-expression to build hope.
What are the limitations?: The study focused on a specific region in Ghana, and findings may not be generalizable to all adolescent populations. The cross-sectional design does not establish causality.
Is there evidence that psychological well-being affects design outcomes?: The study found that feelings of hope and the perception of having social support are key contributors to the psychological well-being of adolescents. Understanding the psychological factors that contribute to well-being is crucial for designing supportive environments and interventions. This insight can inform the dev Source: SUNScholar (Stellenbosch University) (2015).
Where does this social support research apply?: School-going adolescents in the Northern region of Ghana. It sits within human factors research on designdex.org.