Relationship between Africentric Worldview and Psychological Distress among Ghanaian Mothers of Children with Intellectual Disability

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between an Africentric worldview and psychological distress among 55 Ghanaian mothers of children with intellectual disability. The study hypothesized the protective effects of an Africentric worldview on psychological distress, and their association with parenting stress. Results showed that an Africentric worldview was negatively associated with psychological distress and parenting stress, and that parenting stress was positively related to psychological distress. Further hierarchical regression analysis showed that an Africentric worldview did not moderate the relationship between parenting stress and psychological distress. However, parenting stress mediated the relationship between an Africentric worldview and psychological distress. These findings reveal the positive influence of an Africentric worldview on psychological functioning of mothers of children with intellectual disability. Additionally, the findings underscore the need to develop culturally relevant interventions to help improve the well-being of mothers of children with intellectual disability. Implications for clinical and counselling practice are discussed. © 2018, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.