http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/739 2026-06-26T16:27:20Z 2026-06-26T16:27:20Z Maasu, S.A. http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/5329 2026-06-24T12:37:46Z 2026-02-01T00:00:00Z

Impact of early marriage on the psychological wellbeing of adolescent girls in the East Mamprusi Municipality Maasu, S.A. This study aims to investigate the psychological well-being of young adolescent girls in early marriage within the East Mamprusi Municipality, Ghana, with implications for counseling practices. The objectives of this study was to explore the factors contributing to early marriage. The aimis to assess the impact of early marriage on adolescent girls psychological well-being, and suggest the effectiveness of existing support systems and strategies for improving counseling services for adolescent girls in early marriages in the East Mamprusi Municipality. A mixed-methods approach was employed by combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. The sample size consists of 100 adolescent girls, including 5 counselors. Stratified random sampling and purposive sampling was used to ensure a representative sample. Questionnaires were administered to the students to collect quantitative data, while interviews were conducted with counselors to gather qualitative insights. Key findings revealed that poverty was identified as the primary factor contributing to early marriage, with 48% of respondents citing it as a major driver; the psychological wellbeing of early-married girls shows high levels of stress and anxiety, with respondents reporting a mean score of 4.1 for psychological distress; and counseling services are seen as beneficial, but 80% of respondents felt that existing support systems are insufficient to address the unique challenges faced by early-married adolescent girls. The study founds that early marriages have significant negative psychological impacts, hindering their emotional well-being, educational attainment, and future aspirations of the adolescent girls. The study recommended strengthening counseling services, improving access to education, and promoting legal frameworks to prevent early marriages. It also suggested that community involvement and collaborative efforts between schools, counselors, and local organizations was essential in addressing the underlying causes of early marriages. The implications of the findings suggest that interventions, including education, mental health support, and legal reform, are crucial to mitigate the negative effects of early marriages and promote the well-being and future prospects of young girls in the East Mamprusi Municality. Further research is recommended to explore the long-term impacts of counseling interventions and to expand the scope to other regions facing similar challenges. A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Master of Philosophy (Counselling Psychology) Department of Counselling Psychology Faculty of Applied Behavioural Sciences in Education FEBRUARY, 2026

2026-02-01T00:00:00Z Adjei, R.A. http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/5313 2026-06-24T10:56:46Z 2023-08-01T00:00:00Z

Exploring the lived experiences of former male juvenile delinquents in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana Adjei, R.A. This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of formal male juvenile delinquents in the Ayawaso North Municipality, Greater Accra Region, Ghana. Using a phenomenological approach, eleven former male juvenile delinquents were selected through criterion and purposive sampling techniques. In-depth interviews were conducted and inductive thematic analysis employed. An open coding regime, was used to analyze the qualitative data, generating four primary themes: (1) Youth Vulnerability (2) Abuse, (3) Post-Release Barriers, and (4) Coping Mechanisms. Findings revealed that factors such as stigmatization, substance abuse, peer pressure and poor parental care contributed to their delinquency, while post-release challenges including unemployment, limited educational opportunities, social exclusion and lack of health care were some of the experiences juvenile delinquents encounter after their release. The study recommends that stakeholders, including clergy, Imams, traditional leaders, clinical psychologists, counselors, and social workers, organize sensitization programs to address the devastating effects of stigmatization, social exclusion, and other challenges faced by former male juvenile delinquents. A thesis in the Department of Counselling Psychology, Faculty of Educational Studies, submitted to the school of Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Master of Philosophy (Counselling Psychology) in the University of Education, Winneba AUGUST, 2023

2023-08-01T00:00:00Z Buabeng, B http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/5312 2026-06-23T14:37:11Z 2025-02-01T00:00:00Z

Exploring the causes, effects, and coping strategies among adolescents living with HIVAIDS in the New Juaben South Municipality, Ghana. Buabeng, B ABSTRACT The study sought to explore the causes, effects and coping strategies among adolescents living with HIV/AIDS in the New Juaben South Municipality. A qualitative research design was adopted for the study. A purposive sampling method was used to select a sample of 13 participants for the study. A self-developed interview guide was used to collect data for the study. Thematic analysis was used after verbatim responses were transcribed and themes were used for the data analysis. The study found that misinformation about HIV transmission fuels stigma among adolescents, leading to confusion, judgment, and emotional distress due to their . HIV/AIDS status. Many wrongly associate HIV with promiscuity or unsafe behavior, even when infections occur through birth. Also, it was realised that participants experienced emotional stress. The study revealed that victims of HIV/AIDS sought counselling services as a coping strategy. It was, therefore, recommended that to prevent perinatal transmission of HIV/AIDS, lactating mothers who are HIV positive should stop breastfeeding their babies and resort to the use of complementary foods. A dissertation in the Department of Counselling Psychology, Faculty of Educational Studies, submitted to the School of Graduate Studies in the partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Master of Philosophy (Counselling Psychology) in the University of Education, Winneba FEBRUARY, 2025

2025-02-01T00:00:00Z Mensah, P.K http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/5307 2026-06-23T13:40:40Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Exploring factors contributing to alcohol abuse among the youth of Sefwi Wiawso. Mensah, P.K The purpose of the study is to explore factors contributing to alcohol abuse among the youth of Sefwi Wiawso township. A phenomenological research design guided this study. Twenty participants who were involved in this study were sampled using snowball sampling approach. Semi-structured interview guide was used to gather data and it was analyzed thematically. The study revealed that the youth of Sefwi Wiawso township abused liquid substances. The liquid substances include both local and exotic imported alcoholic beverages such as akpeteshie, palm wine, Guinness, beer and dry gin. The study pointed out that peer pressure, poor parental control, energy from drugs to work for more hours are the influential factors influencing the youth to drink alcohol. The study also revealed that the adverse effects associated with alcohol abuse among the youth of Sefwi Wiawso are school dropouts, unemployment and health challenges. Some youth were sacked and some dropped out of school to continue drinking alcohol. Some youth were sacked from their work due to poor concentration and absenteeism. The study also revealed that the establishment of well-resourced counseling unit emerged as one of the measures of preventing alcohol drink among the youth, the provision of information of the various kinds of substances and their effects and how to overcome the temptation was another strategy to overcome alcoholism and also the participants saw vocational and skill training as an effective measure to assist the youth to stop engaging in alcoholism. The study recommended that parents should be encouraged to get involved in broad preventive efforts because they have a crucial role to play in preventing alcoholism among their children through their role as parents. Strong parent-child relationships can prevent alcoholism among the youth. This study determined that one of the major reasons for alcoholism among youth is the availability of alcohol from the community. Lack of community support for the war against alcoholism is likely to curtail government support initiatives in preventing alcoholism among the youth. A dissertation in the Department of Counselling Psychology, Faculty of Applied Behavioural Sciences in Education, submitted to the School of Graduate Studies in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Master of Philosophy (Counselling Psychology) in the University of Education, Winneba JANUARY 2026

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