Kingsley Nyarko

Childrearing, Motherhood and Fatherhood in Ghana

This study examines childrearing practices, motherhood, and fatherhood in Ghana. It looks at the contextual background of the country, ethnic groupings, family systems and childrearing practices, and the patrilineal and matrilineal systems. The evidence shows that mothers are oriented towards the permissive style of parenting, whereas fathers use an authoritarian style. However, it further shows that some mothers and fathers use an authoritative parenting style. The study also revealed that some parents accept corporal punishment as a method of disciplining children, while others frowned on its usage. The study underscores the importance of situating parenting within one’s culture.

English Reading Proficiency and Academic Performance Among Lower Primary School Children in Ghana

There have been several issues about the reading skills and abilities of children in Ghana, and how reading proficiency might influence the academic performance of children. In view of the above, this study examined the influence of reading proficiency on the academic performance of lower primary school children in Accra. Using a cross-sectional survey design, 383 participants (Grades 1-3) were sampled in Accra. The children were administered questionnaires that measured their English reading proficiency, paternal involvement, maternal involvement, financial situation, and demographic characteristics as well as their academic performance. Results showed that reading proficiency was significantly and positively related with children’s performance on all standard performance tests after controlling for paternal involvement, maternal involvement, financial situation, and age. Type of school significantly affected academic performance, however, no gender differences were observed in the children’s academic performance. The implications for educational practice and research are espoused.

Emotional intelligence and personal growth initiative effects on subjective happiness among university students

This study examined emotional intelligence and personal growth initiative influences on the level of subjective happiness among university students in Ghana. Two hundred and sixty undergraduate students were participants (female = 69.8%; mean age = 21.72 years, SD = 3.61 years). They responded to measures of emotional intelligence, personal growth initiative, and subjective happiness. After controlling for their demographic characteristics, and following hierarchical regression analysis, results indicate emotional intelligence and intentional behaviour domain of personal growth to predict students’ level of subjective happiness. These findings suggest that students’ ability to manage and utilise their emotions, as well as their personal growth initiative contribute significantly to their level of happiness.

Teacher identified giftedness qualities in a Ghanaian school setting: A brief report

This study explored the nature and indicators of giftedness in school children from the perspective of Ghanaian school teachers (n = 30, females = 40%; age range = 24 to 60years). The teachers responded to semi-structured interviews. Results from thematic analysis of the data revealed that teachers perceive giftedness to be domain-specific and mostly identified by teachers during instruction of the learners. The teachers were of the view that parents/guardians of the learners are less helpful in the identification of giftedness in their children, as compared to teachers. The findings have some implications for giftedness research in Ghana and beyond.

Community service for misdemeanours in Accra: Preferences of offenders, victims, judiciary, and community members

Taking religiosity into account, the study explored preferences for community service sentencing by victims, offenders, judiciary, and community members from Accra, Ghana. One hundred and ninety respondents were sampled (females = 38.42%, offenders = 5.26%, victims = 58.95%, law enforcement = 10.52%, members of the Judiciary = 4.74%, and general community members = 65.26%). They responded to the Attitude Towards Community Service Questionnaire, and the data were analysed utilising ANOVA between group difference tests. Offenders expressed a higher preference for community sentencing than victims and members of the judiciary. Religion aligned participants supported community sentencing. Community sentencing seems a preferred sentencing option by a cross section of Ghanaian community members for adult non-violent offenders.

Influence of Childhood Attachment on Adolescents' Interpersonal Relationship and Self-Esteem among Undergraduate Students of the University of Ghana

Childhood insecurities may affect a wide range of personality development such as interpersonal relationship and self-esteem during adolescence. The present study explores the effect of childhood attachment on adolescents’ interpersonal relationship and self-esteem among undergraduate students of the University of Ghana. The study also examines gender differences in interpersonal relationship and self-esteem. A total of two hundred undergraduate students from the University of Ghana were selected using convenient sampling to complete the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale, the Perceived Interpersonal Relationship Scale (PIRS) and the Childhood Attachment Inventory (CAI). Data were analyzed using the multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Results reveal that adolescents who have secured childhood attachment have good interpersonal relationship and higher level of self-esteem than adolescents who have unsecured attachment. There was however no gender differences found in adolescents interpersonal relationship and self-esteem. Based on the findings, it is recommended that parents assess how they relate with their children and not to inculcate trepidation in their children since these have the tendency to affect personality development during adulthood.

Parenting Styles and Children’s Academic Performance

This study examines the effect of parenting styles on the academic performance of children. It looks at parenting styles and children’s outcome, ethnic groups and parenting styles, family structure and parenting styles, and parenting styles and academic performance. However, the findings suggest inconsistencies regarding the effects of parenting styles on children’s academic performance. Whereas some studies show a positive and significant effect between authoritative parenting and children’s school achievement, others show that there is no effect of parenting styles on the academic achievement of children. Again, it further indicates that single mothers use the permissive parenting style, which might be the reason for the poor academic performance of their children as compared with those from families with both parents. The study therefore underscores the significance of analyzing parenting styles within one’s cultural milieu. While this chapter focuses on Ghana, it can be generalized to other cultures as well.