Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Stephen Baffour Adjei, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development
Published on 2024-04-02 13:22:36
Corruption takes various forms in Ghana, including bribery, misappropriation of funds, extortion, and administrative theft, all of which have a significant impact on the country’s economy. According to a 2023 Afrobarometer survey, 77% of Ghanaians believe that corruption is on the rise in the country.
While the links between corruption and different aspects of life have been extensively studied, little is known about the psychological and mental health implications of corruption. To address this gap, a group of psychology scholars conducted a study to examine the effects of perceived corruption on mental health in Ghana.
Their research found that people’s perception of corruption in Ghana had a detrimental impact on their mental health, leading to increased suicide risk, anxiety, and depression symptoms. Specifically, the belief that wealthy individuals could use their influence to gain personal benefits from state institutions or government officials was strongly associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety.
The study involved collecting data from 730 university students in Ghana, with an average age of 22 years, who were pursuing various degrees. The participants were asked to respond to statements concerning their perception of corruption, ranging from the corruption of state institutions and politicians to the influence of wealth on government officials.
The researchers discovered that witnessing corruption among state institutions and government officials, as well as the belief that the rich could exploit this corruption, was closely tied to depression and anxiety symptoms among the participants. This connection may be attributed to feelings of helplessness and hopelessness when individuals realize the prevalence of corruption and the exclusive benefits enjoyed by a select few.
The study also explored the reasons why corruption affects mental health in Ghana, suggesting that exposure to corruption reinforces negative beliefs and expectations, leading to symptoms of depression and anxiety. Additionally, the study highlighted how behaviors such as remaining silent, reporting corruption, or conforming to a culture of corruption can contribute to mental health issues.
Overall, the research emphasizes the need to recognize corruption as a social determinant of public mental health and encourages individuals experiencing corruption-induced anxiety or depression to seek professional help from mental health experts and counselors.
