TY - JOUR
T1 - Social Group Membership, Social Identities, and Mental Health Experiences in Urban Poor Communities in Ghana
T2 - A Critical Social Psychology Inquiry
AU - Agyei, Francis
AU - de-Graft Aikins, Ama
AU - Osei-Tutu, Annabella
AU - Annor, Francis
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2024.
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - Social groups and identities significantly influence mental health outcomes, yet their impact in resource-poor communities remains understudied. We explored the role of social group memberships and identities in shaping mental health experiences in two urban poor communities in Ghana. Data from 77 participants were analyzed thematically, revealing widespread engagement in social groups that provide access to both material and symbolic resources. However, these groups also serve as sources of tension and contribute to the stigmatization and marginalization of vulnerable members. Those affected include individuals with severe mental disorders, men experiencing depression, young men involved in substance abuse, family caregivers, migrant and tenant households, and otherwise healthy individuals with recurring psychosocial challenges. The groups exacerbate mental health challenges and restrict access to care among marginalized populations. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions aimed at enhancing mental health support and reducing stigma in resource-poor settings.
AB - Social groups and identities significantly influence mental health outcomes, yet their impact in resource-poor communities remains understudied. We explored the role of social group memberships and identities in shaping mental health experiences in two urban poor communities in Ghana. Data from 77 participants were analyzed thematically, revealing widespread engagement in social groups that provide access to both material and symbolic resources. However, these groups also serve as sources of tension and contribute to the stigmatization and marginalization of vulnerable members. Those affected include individuals with severe mental disorders, men experiencing depression, young men involved in substance abuse, family caregivers, migrant and tenant households, and otherwise healthy individuals with recurring psychosocial challenges. The groups exacerbate mental health challenges and restrict access to care among marginalized populations. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions aimed at enhancing mental health support and reducing stigma in resource-poor settings.
KW - Community
KW - Group membership
KW - Mental health
KW - Social groups
KW - Social identities
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85199560734&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10597-024-01328-w
DO - 10.1007/s10597-024-01328-w
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85199560734
SN - 0010-3853
JO - Community Mental Health Journal
JF - Community Mental Health Journal
ER -