Abstract:
The study investigated the effects of widowhood rites on the psychological
distress and satisfaction with life of Konkomba widows in the Saboba District
of the Northern region of Ghana. Specifically, the study assessed the common
widowhood rite practices and the extent to which it impact the psychological
distress and the satisfaction with life of widows. The descriptive cross-
sectional survey design was adopted for the study. The purposive sampling
technique, stratified sampling technique, snowball sampling technique and
convenience sampling techniques were used to select 120 widows from the
Saboba District. Data were analyzed using frequency distributions, means and
standard deviations, regression analysis, one-way analysis of variance
(ANOVA) and Kruskal Wallis H-Test. Findings indicated that Konkomba
windows who underwent widowhood rites experienced high levels of
psychological distress and low life satisfaction. Also, psychological distress of
widows significantly predicted their life satisfaction. It was also realized from
the study that widowhood rites by the Konkomba tribe are dehumanizing and
gruesome. Generally, it is recommended that government institutions, NGOs
and health practitioners should incorporate a more comprehensive approach
where the attention is not only on the physical needs of widows but also their
psychological and social wellbeing which are also affected. This will optimize
the services and aids widows receive. Also, the government and other stake
holders should intensify their campaign on the reformation or abolishment of these horrible practices of widowhood.
