Homelessness and mental health in Ghana: everyday experiences of Accra's migrant squatters.

Journal: Journal of health psychology

Volume: 12

Issue: 5

Year of Publication: 2008

Affiliated Institutions:  Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Cambridge, UK. ada@cam.ac.uk

Abstract summary 

This article discusses everyday experiences of transient homelessness in Ghana's capital, Accra. Episodic interviews with individuals living in squatter settlements in the wealthy East Legon suburb explored: (1) roots of homelessness; (2) everyday experiences and coping strategies; (3) relationship between experiences and (mental) health; (4) needs and interventions. Three intersecting forms of insecurity framed participants' everyday experience: financial, legal and psychosocial. Physical and psychological stresses were common; physical illnesses rare. Coping strategies facilitated adaptation but not transformation of everyday circumstances. We explore possibilities for intervention and discuss relevance of this study to the health psychology and African literatures on homelessness.

Authors & Co-authors:  de-Graft Aikins Ama A Ofori-Atta Angela L AL

Study Outcome 

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Statistics
Citations : 
Authors :  2
Identifiers
Doi : 
SSN : 1359-1053
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Adaptation, Psychological
Other Terms
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Country of Study
Ghana
Publication Country
England