Search

Behaviour problems among students with visual disabilities are mentioned as a challenge confronting teachers. This study explores teachers' experiences of behaviour problems and strategies used to mitigate such problems among students with visual disabilities in Ghana. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 purposively selected teachers. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings are discussed using a psychological theory, namely the biological theories and psychodynamic theories. The study shows that students exhibit several classroom behaviour problems, categorised into physiological (emotional problems, noncompliance and aggression) and physical and social problems (verbal abuse, sleeping, talking, habitual lateness and teasing). Factors causing behaviour problems are negative attitudes of teachers, unfavourable teaching methods, the nature of the family, and classroom environment. The study concludes that behavioural (rewards and motivation, punishment, and classroom rules and regulations), humanistic (positive student-teacher relationship) and systemic (participatory teaching strategy and resource persons) approaches can be employed as mitigation strategies.

Purpose: Assess factors associated with the quality of mental health services. Design and Methods: Cross‐sectional design, quantitative data, and 510 consumers from three psychiatric facilities. Results: The average age of consumers was 34 years and 51.57% males. Consumers reported mixed satisfaction with the quality of mental health services (mean = 3.2; SD = 0.56) but were dissatisfied with the range of interventions (mean = 1.57; SD = 0.77). Predisposing (age, education, and primary occupation), enabling (insurance status), and need factors (mental health status) were significantly associated with quality indicators (range of interventions, efficacy, and overall satisfaction). These factors were significantly associated with consumers' functionality (cognition, mobility, self‐care, getting along, life activities, and participation). Practice Implications: Policymakers and clinicians are encouraged to incorporate the predisposing, enabling, and need factors into mental health planning, monitoring, and advocacy to improve service outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrating consumers' experiences into quality mental health service assessment is relevant to improve service outcomes. Despite this, limited studies have attempted to explore consumers' experiences, particularly in developing countries, such as Ghana. This paper aims to explore consumers' subjective experiences of the quality of mental health services. A qualitative method involving in-depth interviews was used to collect data from 21 consumers of mental health services. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data, which is discussed using a realistic evaluation approach. The study identifies four themes, 33 inductive codes and 594 references. The themes used to interpret the verbatim narratives are the available mental health services, therapeutic interaction with the professionals, competency and skills of the professionals, and the changes experienced in the consumers' lives. The study indicates that the mental health services aim to provide a range of treatments and medications as well as recovery-oriented services, using mechanisms such as ensuring an effective therapeutic relationship and improving technical competency and skills. The contextual factors and the mechanisms have helped to achieve some changes in the lives of consumers (increased satisfaction, reduced symptoms, improved functionality, feeling normal, improved living skills and self-care, work and capabilities, and social inclusion). The study concludes that policymakers and clinicians should integrate evidence-based recovery services, principles and values into the existing mental health services. The mechanisms used to promote quality of mental health services should be strengthened, through periodic monitoring and evaluation, using approaches such as sensor data capturing, to ensure good coordination and continuity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]