Child Neglect and Psychological Wellbeing in Adolescents: An Exploratory Study in the Tema Metropolitan Assembly in Ghana

Abstract

The study explored child neglect and its impact on the psychological wellbeing of adolescents in the Tema Metropolitan Assembly of the Greater Accra Region in Ghana. The study was done in two parts using the exploratory sequential mixed method design (study 1-qualitative study and study 2-quantitative study). In study 1, 16 purposively and conveniently sampled participants made up of 5 DOVVSU officials (key informants), 5 parents and 6 adolescents were interviewed to obtain their knowledge and views on child neglect in a Ghanaian setting. Findings from the interviews indicated that the understanding of child neglect among the studied sample were similar to other documented studies. Overall, they viewed child neglect as a function of parental omissions in the care of their children. However, one striking concept that stood out was that fathers or men were identified as the most perpetuators of child neglect. Participants’ responses on the physical presentation of child neglect were further categorised and used in the development of a 29 item culture specific child neglect scale named the Child Neglect Questionnaire (CNQ). In study two, 172 conveniently sampled adolescents completed a survey questionnaire assessing the impact of child neglect on their psychological wellbeing. Five main hypotheses were tested. A significant relationship was found between scores on the child neglect questionnaire and scores on depression, self-esteem and quality of life. Results on effects of child neglect showed that adolescents who experienced child neglect reported poor psychological health (high depression and low self-esteem) and poor quality of life compared to adolescents who do not experience child neglect. Three extra hypotheses were developed and tested using the Person’s Moment Product Correlation to help validate the CNQ. Results supported the psychometric properties of the newly developed scale. Finally, a Principal Component Analysis was carried out to determine the various key factors that made up the CNQ. The PCA outcome indicated two main components (ie. Negligence and Care). Implications of findings are discussed in the study.