Caregivers’ Experience of Supporting Deaf Adults with Mental Health Disorders in Ghana

Wisdom Kwadwo Mprah, Maxwell Peprah Opoku (), Ebenezer Mensah Gyimah, Shakila Nur, Juventus Duorinaah, Lilian Frimpomaa and Maria Efstratopoulou
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Wisdom Kwadwo Mprah: Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies, Department of Health Promotion and Disability Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, PMB, KNUST, Kumasi AK-448-4944, Ghana
Maxwell Peprah Opoku: Special Education Department, College of Education, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
Ebenezer Mensah Gyimah: Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies, Department of Health Promotion and Disability Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, PMB, KNUST, Kumasi AK-448-4944, Ghana
Shakila Nur: Department of English and Modern Languages, North South University, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh
Juventus Duorinaah: Ghana National Association of the Deaf, P.O. Box AN-7908, Accra GA-44-35-222, Ghana
Lilian Frimpomaa: Department of Sociology and Social Work, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, PMB, KNUST, Kumasi AK-448-4944, Ghana
Maria Efstratopoulou: Special Education Department, College of Education, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 2, 1-20

Abstract: Background: Caregivers play a crucial role in the support and management of individuals experiencing mental health disorders; however, there is a paucity of research concerning the experiences of caregivers of deaf persons diagnosed with any form of mental disorder in Ghana. This study aims to explore the lived experiences of these caregivers, with a particular focus on their perceptions of mental health, available support systems, challenges encountered, and the consequent impact on familial relationships while supporting this underserved population. Method: This qualitative study engaged eleven family caregivers of deaf adults diagnosed with a mental health disorders made up of ten females and one male aged 45–68 years, recruited across four of the sixteen administrative regions in Ghana. Utilizing a semi-structured interview guide, face-to-face interviews were conducted to gather in-depth narratives from the participants. Results: Thematic analysis of the data revealed several key themes, including the awareness and understanding of mental health disorders, availability and accessibility of mental health support services and training, dynamics of psychosocial and familial relationships, and the multifaceted challenges faced in caregiving for individuals with mental health disorders. Conclusion: The findings underscored an urgent need for the development of a specialized caregiving manual tailored for caregivers of deaf individuals experiencing mental health disorders. This study advocates for policymakers to prioritize the creation of such resources to enhance care delivery and improve overall mental health outcomes for this vulnerable population.

Keywords: mental health; disability; deaf; caregivers; Ghana (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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