![[ Visit Client Website ]](images/banner.gif)
Youth unemployment in Ghana is often addressed as an economic problem, yet it is deeply intertwined with psychosocial wellbeing. Young people experiencing unemployment and underemployment frequently report low self-efficacy, elevated stress, and limited social support, which constrain their ability to initiate and sustain livelihood activities. Evidence increasingly points to a bi-directional relationship in which psychosocial wellbeing shapes economic engagement, and economic gains reinforce wellbeing. Despite this, most youth employment interventions prioritize technical and financial inputs while neglecting psychosocial dimensions. The Rural Economy Advancement Program (REAP) integrates entrepreneurship support with peer learning, mentorship, and social network strengthening. This study examines the impact of REAP on psychosocial wellbeing and its role in shaping livelihood outcomes among rural youth in Ghana.
Methods:
A quasi-experimental pre–post design with a matched comparison group was used to assess program impacts among 661 youth aged 18–35 across six regions. The intervention group (n = 412) participated in REAP’s integrated model, while the comparison group (n = 249) was matched on baseline characteristics. Data were collected at baseline and 12 months post-intervention. Primary outcomes included psychosocial measures: self-efficacy, perceived stress, social capital, and entrepreneurial confidence. Secondary outcomes included income, savings, and business practices. Difference-in-differences (DiD) and multivariate regression models were used to estimate program effects, controlling for demographic and contextual factors. Mediation analyses examined whether psychosocial changes explained variation in economic outcomes.
Results:
REAP participants experienced significant improvements in psychosocial wellbeing relative to the comparison group. Self-efficacy increased by 0.52 standard deviations (p < .001), while perceived stress declined by 0.47 standard deviations (p < .001). Social capital improved by 0.58 standard deviations (p < .001), reflecting stronger peer networks and perceived support. Entrepreneurial confidence and future orientation also increased significantly (β = 0.44, p < .001).
Psychosocial gains were strongly associated with improved economic behaviors. Participants with higher post-intervention self-efficacy and social capital were significantly more likely to adopt core business practices, increase savings, and expand market engagement (p < .01). Mediation analyses indicate that improvements in self-efficacy and social capital partially explain gains in income and enterprise performance, supporting a bi-directional relationship between psychosocial and economic outcomes.
Qualitative findings further highlight the role of peer learning and mentorship in reducing isolation, building confidence, and fostering agency. Participants emphasized that increased confidence and social support enabled them to take risks, engage markets, and sustain their enterprises.
Conclusions and Implications:
Findings demonstrate that psychosocial wellbeing is a critical driver of youth livelihood outcomes. Integrating psychosocial support into economic strengthening interventions can produce synergistic effects, enhancing both wellbeing and economic engagement. For social work research and practice, these results underscore the importance of designing youth employment programs that center mental health, social connectedness, and agency. Scaling integrated models such as REAP offers a promising pathway to more sustainable and inclusive youth development in Ghana and similar contexts.