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Subjective Perceptions and Conceptualisations of Ageing and Disability in Ghana: An Exploratory Sequential
Doris Akosua Tay1, Mumuni Abu1, Fidelia Dake1
1University of Ghana Accra Ghana.
Public Health Challenges
|August 11, 2026
Summary
In Ghana, most people associate ageing with disability, indicating a need for better public understanding. This study highlights the link between subjective perceptions of ageing and disability, using new scales to explore cultural influences.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Disability Studies
- Sociology of Health
Background:
- Limited understanding exists in Ghana and sub-Saharan Africa regarding how subjective perceptions influence the conceptualization of ageing and disability.
- Cultural and social factors significantly shape these perceptions, yet existing research inadequately explores this relationship.
- This study addresses this gap by investigating the interplay of individual beliefs, functional abilities, and socio-cultural contexts in shaping views on ageing and disability in Ghana.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine how individual beliefs and functional abilities interact with cultural and social contexts to shape views on ageing and disability in Ghana.
- To assess the relationship between subjective perceptions of ageing and disability and their broader conceptualization using newly developed scales.
- To explore the association between specific ageing symptoms and disability in the Ghanaian context.
Main Methods:
- An exploratory sequential mixed-methods design was employed in Dodowa, Ghana.
- Qualitative interviews (n=14) informed the development of quantitative instruments, followed by a survey (n=175).
- The Subjective Perception of Ageing and Disability Scale (SPADS) and Conceptualisation of Ageing and Disability Scale (CADS) were developed and validated; statistical analyses included t-tests, ANOVA, and structural equation modeling.
Main Results:
- A strong positive relationship was found between subjective perceptions of ageing and disability (SPADS predicting CADS).
- Most participants associated ageing symptoms (cognition, physical, sensory) with disability, as measured by SPADS.
- The majority conceptualized ageing as inherently linked to disability, indicating a prevalent societal view.
Conclusions:
- Ageing is predominantly perceived as being associated with disability in Ghana.
- Findings suggest a lack of adequate public knowledge regarding ageing and disability.
- Educational campaigns are recommended to improve understanding, with future research exploring longitudinal changes and rural-urban disparities.
