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Purpose: The study examined the relationship between psychological contract breach and organizational commitment and whether leader-member exchange and job embeddedness mediate this relationship. Design/methodology/approach: The study adopted a quantitative approach and is based on a sample of 298 teachers in basic schools in Accra, Ghana. Participants completed surveys with standardized measures on psychological contract breach, job embeddedness, leader-member exchange and organizational commitment. Hypothesized relationships were tested using structural equation modeling in AMOS 21.0. Findings: Psychological contract breach had a direct negative relationship with affective and normative commitment but had no significant direct relationship with continuance commitment. Psychological contract breach was indirectly related to affective and normative commitment through both job embeddedness and leader-member exchange, and indirectly related to continuance commitment through only job embeddedness. Practical implications: Findings from the study suggest that employers' failure to fulfill their obligations to employees has significant potential cost to the organization, and underscore the need for managers, particularly in educational institutions, to institute measures to eliminate or minimize the occurrence of psychological contract breach. Originality/value: The study contributes to research examining antecedents of organizational commitment as well as the mechanisms linking psychological contract breach to organizational commitment in the educational context.

This study aimed to investigate students' digital (ICT) skills, perceived relevance (usefulness), and actual use of digital (ICTs) skills for learning. Data were obtained via Google Forms from 325 students who were conveniently sampled from two public universities in Ghana. The results from the multivariate analysis of variance showed that age and marital status had significant multivariate effects on ICT (digital) skills. Further univariate analyses showed that younger students reported significantly lower skills related to multimedia, collaborative platforms, and graphics, whereas married students reported higher skills related to engagement in collaborative platforms. Bivariate correlation analyses showed that multimedia skills, software application skills, virtual reality environment skills, collaborative platform skills, and perceived usefulness of ICT were positively correlated with the actual use of ICT. However, further analysis using multiple linear regression showed that only multimedia skills significantly predicted actual ICT use. The implications of the findings for policy are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored mining-induced challenges, experiences of psychological distress, and coping strategies among farmers in mining communities in Ghana. Using a qualitative research approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with 30 crop farmers in two mining communities in the Ellembelle District in the Western Region of Ghana. Thematic analysis of the data suggests that psychological distress is a common experience among farmers in mining communities. Farmers' experiences of psychological distress emanate from various mining-induced challenges, including deprivation of vital resources, constraints on farming activities, economic hardship, and adjustment difficulties associated with displacement and resettlement. Faced with limited formal support services, farmers in mining communities employ religious faith, avoidance, and adaptation as mechanisms for coping with the adverse impacts of mining. The findings of this study suggest the need to address issues related to psychological well-being before and after the onset of mining activities in communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We utilised a multiple mediation model to investigate the pathways linking dimensions of community social capital to collective participation in mental health promotion in two urban communities in Ghana. Participants (n = 384) were from Jamestown (n = 144) and Usshertown (n = 240) communities (female = 55.7%; mean age = 34.38 years, SD = 14.37 years). Structural equation modelling showed that shared concern and leadership trust directly facilitated mental health participation, whereas social cohesion had a direct negative impact on it. Interpersonal trust and critical consciousness partially mediated the effects of social cohesion and shared concern on mental health participation. Our study underscores the importance of considering not only the structural aspects of community social capital but also the interpersonal dynamics and individual perceptions that underpin collective action. These insights inform the development of more effective community-based interventions aimed at enhancing mental health outcomes in resource-poor urban settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mainstream psychology research promotes social group membership as a remedy for poor mental health. However, empirical evidence from African communities is limited. Using a survey of 384 respondents (female = 55.7%; mean age = 34.38 years, SD = 14.37 years), we examined this in two resource-poor Ghanaian urban communities. Depressive symptoms ranged from 11.5% to 28.1%, with severe symptom rates higher in male participants. Anxiety symptoms varied from 6.5% to 14.6%. Hierarchical regression showed that after accounting for demographic variables, multiple group membership, group stigma, and identity centrality were associated with heightened depressive and anxiety symptoms. Ingroup homogeneity, satisfaction with the group, and perceived solidarity were associated with lower levels of symptoms. The findings reveal a dual-edge impact of social identification on mental health, underscoring the need for the development of context-specific interventions to effectively harness social group membership as psychosocial resources to improve mental health within African contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored workplace barriers, psychosocial resources, and experiences of combining work and family roles among persons with disabilities in Ghana. Using a qualitative description approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 individuals with physical disabilities who are engaged in paid work. Thematic analysis of the data showed that discrimination was a common experience among participants in the study. Challenges with transport and infrastructure undermined the capacity of persons with disabilities to thrive in the workplace. In addition, limited time and financial resources were major sources of stress for persons with disabilities who combine work and family roles. Participants found social support important for juggling work and family roles. Participants also experienced satisfaction characterized by a strong sense of self-efficacy in fulfilling personal and family needs and meeting workplace expectations. The findings underscore the need for initiatives that foster positive attitudes toward persons with disabilities. In particular, employers should be sensitized to both the individual and organizational benefits of engaging persons with disabilities in the labor market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]