Quality of Life, Psychological Distress and Adjustment Strategies Among Young Widows in Kumasi Sub–Metropolitan District Councils: Implications for Counselling

Abstract

In Ghana, it appears that most widows are in distress and thus seem to have low quality of life. This triggered this research that assessed the quality of life of young widows, their psychological distress and the various adjustment strategies they use for coping with when their husbands die. The study was nested in the mixed research design where quantitative and qualitative data were collected at the same time and analyzed in complementary manner. A sample of 150 young widows were selected through the use of convenience sampling. The quantitative data were analysed using inferential statistics (independent samples t-test, ANOVA and Andy Hayes’ Process for moderation) and descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, frequencies, and percentages). To supplement the study results, the qualitative data were analysed to validate the quantitative data. From the study, it was found that anxiety/depression, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and mobility affected the quality of life (QoL) of young widows. The factors also pose a challenge on psychological, social and economic lives of the young widows. However, families, friends and religious bodies served as a source of support to them. Most of the young widows indicated that changing of negative thoughts, support from friends and family help them to adjust to their situations. Being gainfully employed was found to influence and determine quality of life of the widows. Quality of life was found to be better for those who had been in widowhood longer. Age moderated the quality of life (QoL) of widows. Recommendations offered include support from the government and other stakeholders within the Kumasi Sub-Metropolitan District Councils in the areas of psychological, social and economic support to mitigate their challenges