Family stressors and depression among women in the Ketu-South Municipality in the Volta region of Ghana: counselling implications

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of family stressors on depression among women in the Ketu-South Municipality in the Volta Region. The study used the descriptive survey design. The census method was used to select a sample of 70 women for the study. The Family Inventory of Life Events and Changes (FILE) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI II) were used to collect data for the study. The data collected were analysed using means, standard deviation, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, and Linear Multiple Regression. The study revealed that the prominent family stressor among the women experiencing depression in the Ketu-South Municipality is loss of family members (overall mean of 4.22). In addition, the study revealed that family stressors significantly contribute to depression among women (R=.749, p=.039) with loss of family members being the highest contributor to depression (Beta=2.123, p=.037). The study recommended that government and nongovernmental agencies should control family stressors among women living with depression.