Psychosocial challenges and their effects on senior high school students in the Nanumba Municipality of Ghana

The study explored the psychosocial challenges and their effect on the academic pursuit of 196 Senior High School
students in the Nanumba North Municipality of Ghana using the concurrent mixed method design. Structured
questionnaire and an interview guide were employed to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. Stratified random
sampling technique was used to enrol 196 respondents for the study. Quantitative data was analysed using independent
samples t-test and simple linear regression while the interview data was analysed thematically with verbatim quotes to
buttress issues as they emerged. Findings revealed that stress, depression, anxiety, aggression, bullying and hyperactive
behaviours, poor self-concept, poor self-esteem and lack of confidence were psychosocial challenges confronting Senior
High School students in the said district. No significant gender difference, in terms of psychosocial challenges among
students, was found. However, psychosocial challenges significantly affected the academic pursuit of these students. It
was recommended that management of Senior High Schools, in collaboration with counsellors in the Municipality,
should be proactive in identifying students who are faced with psychosocial challenges and offer them the necessary
counselling they need in order to facilitate their maximum adjustment in school.
Keywords: Psychosocial challenge, Adjustment, Internalizing, Externalizing behaviours.