Psychosocial experiences of married female students in colleges of education in the Central Region, Ghana

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the psychosocial experiences of married female students in colleges of education in the Central Region and to find effective ways to assist the married female students in dealing with such psychosocial experiences. The study adopted the interpretive paradigm or philosophical world view. The study adopted the hermeneutic phenomenology with the qualitative approach. Snowball and purposive sampling techniques were used to sample 15 married female students and 3 counselling coordinators for the study. The study utilised the semistructured interview guide to gather data to answer the stated questions. The trustworthiness of the data was established. The data was analysed and organised in themes supported with verbatim quotations. The study findings revealed that married female students of the colleges of education undergo psychosocial experiences as expressed in the form of social isolation and stigmatization, emotional struggles, intrusive advances or proposals. However, the findings also suggested positive experiences including social acceptance and respect and support and encouragement. Further, the study revealed that married female students faced stress and worry, low academic performance and study disruption, forgetfulness, suicidal thoughts, time management challenges as negative effects of their psychosocial experiences. The study concludes that the guidance and counselling services available to married female students, including rehabilitation services, referral services, educational counselling, orientation services, consultative services, and life planning and emotional support, play a vital role in mitigating their psychosocial challenges. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the Management of OLA College of Education, Fosu College of Education, and Komenda College of Education should establish on-campus accommodation care units specifically for married female students to provide a supportive living environment.