Prof. Joana Salifu Yendork
Joana Salifu Yendork (Ph.D.) is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Psychology, University of Ghana. She is a qualified Clinical and Child Developmental Psychologist. She obtained her PhD in Psychology from Stellenbosch University in 2014. She teaches both undergraduate and postgraduate courses and supervises students’ research projects on various topics. Her areas of research interest are child and adolescent mental health as well as the influence of contemporary religion on mental health. She has published widely on these topics. She can be reach through email at jyendork@ug.edu.gh.
Research Area(s) (including ongoing research).
Research areas
1. Child and adolescent mental health
2. Religion and mental health
Ongoing research
Leisure or Livelihoods: A Participatory Study of Youth Perspectives on Gambling and it’s Social, Economic and Health Impacts in Ghana and Malawi
Teaching
a. Undergraduate
1st Semester
- PSYC 335: Developmental Psychology I: Conception to adolescence (August, 2015 - to date).
- PSYC 221: Introduction to General Psychology (Department of Distance Education, 2015/2016 academic year)
2nd Semester
- PSYC 336: Developmental Psychology II: Early adulthood to late adulthood (August, 2015- to date)
- SAHS 112: Introductory psychology for Allied Health Sciences (2015/2016 academic year)
b. Post-graduate
1st Semester
- PSYC 631: Theoretical foundations of child development (2019/2020 academic year- to date)
2nd Semester:
- PSYC 614: Principles of ethics in clinical/counselling psychology (PSYC 614, 2017/2018 academic year).
- PSYC 604: Systems and theories in psychology (2016/2017 academic year)
- PSYC 642: Development of the Exceptional Child (2019/2020 academic year- to date)
- PSYC 702: Ethics and professional skills (2018/2019 academic year- to date)
- Scientific Publications (Journal Articles, Book Chapters, Books )
Publication summary
• Peer-reviewed articles: 32
• Books and book chapters: 3
• Local & International conference presentations: 23
• h-index: 11; il0-index: 11 (Source: Google scholar, July, 2021)
Orchid ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5665-3404
Google scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=pIUJ8aIAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joana_Salifu_Yendork
Book chapters
Baba, H., Salifu Yendork, J., & Atindanbila, S. (in press). Exploring protective resources that facilitate positive outcomes among married girls in the Northern region of Ghana. In L. Schutte, T. Guse & M. Wissing (Ed.) Embracing well-being in diverse African contexts: Research perspectives.
Salifu Yendork, J., Ayitey-Devo, R., & Oppong Asante, K. (in press). Experiences of stepparents in the stepfamily context in Ghana: An exploratory qualitative study in Koforidua. Family Structure and Marriage Patterns in Contemporary Ghana.
Salifu, J., & Mate-Kole, C. C. (2013). The state of autism in Ghana: A focus on cultural understanding and challenges in the Ghanaian Setting. In A. Ofori-Atta & S. Ohene (Eds.), Changing trends in mental health care and research in Ghana (pp. 69–82). Accra: Sub-Saharan Publishers.
Articles in peer-reviewed journals
Sarfo, E. A., Salifu Yendork, J., & Naidoo, A. V. (2021). Examining the intersection between marriage, maturity and child marriage: Perspectives of community elders in northern Ghana. Culture, Health & Sexuality. 23(7), 991-1005. doi: 10.1080/13691058.2020.1749934
Atinga, R. A., Yarney, L., Mort, K. S., Gariba, J. A., & Salifu Yendork, J. (2021). Measures and narratives of the nature, causes and consequences of violent assaults and risk perception of psychiatric hospitals in Ghana: Mental Health workers’ perspectives. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing. doi: 10.1111/inm.12878
Asare, G., Annor, F., & Salifu Yendork, J. (2020). “It is not something you can easily forget”: Ghanaian parents’ experiences of child loss. OMEGA: Journal of Death and Dying. doi: 10.1177/0030222820981230
Salifu Yendork, J., & James, S. (2020). Covid-19 in Ghana: Changes and the way forward. Journal of Comparative Family Studies (SI: Global Perspectives on Family and Covid-19), 51(3-4), e5134012. https://doi.org/10.3138/jcfs.51.3-4.012
Sarfo, E. A., Salifu Yendork, J., & Naidoo, A. V. (2020). Working with married girls: The experiences of professionals on the causes, impact and interventions of child marriage. Journal of Human Right and Social Work. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41134-020-00130-4
Salifu Yendork, J. (2020). Vulnerabilities in Ghanaian orphans: Using the ecological systems theory as a lens. New Ideas in Psychology, 100811 (SI: Psychology of Orphanhood), 59. doi: 10.1016/j.newideapsych.2020.100811
Bonsu, A. S., Salifu Yendork, J., & Teye-Kwadjo, E. (2020). Stigma and coping strategies among professionals and family caregivers in Community-Based Mental Health Care. International Journal of Metal Health (Advanced online first). doi: 10.1080/00207411.2020.1717053
Sarfo, E. A., Salifu Yendork, J., & Naidoo, A.V. (2020). Understanding child marriage in Ghana: The constructions of gender and sexuality and implications for married girls. Child Care in Practice (Advanced online first). doi: 10.1080/13575279.2019.1701411
Salifu Yendork, J, Amponsah, A., Sarfo, E. A., & Kpobi, L. (2020). “The prophet says…”: A qualitative analysis of the mechanisms for inducing compliance among congregants of Neo-Pentecostal churches in Ghana. Pastoral Psychology, 69(3), 249-266. doi: 10.1007/s11089-020-00908-3
Baba, H., Salifu Yendork, J., & Atindanbila, S. (2020). Exploring married girls’ subjective experiences of well-being and challenges. Journal of Adolescence, 79, 193–207. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2020.01.009
Kliewer, W., Washington-Nortey, M., Salifu Yendork, J., Sosnowski, D. W., Wright, A. W., & McGuire, K. (2020). Maternal and family correlates of intrinsic religiosity profiles among low-income urban African American adolescents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 49, 323-334. doi: 10.1007/s10964-019-01095-y
Salifu Yendork, J., Selina Owusu Boadu, Margaret Amankwah-Poku, & Annabella Osei-Tutu (2019). Forgiveness in children placed in Children’s Homes: Understanding, process and motivation for forgiveness. Child Care in Practice (Advanced online first). doi: 10.1080/13575279.2019.1681362
Salifu Yendork, J., Kpobi, L., & Sarfo, E. A. (2019). Is contemporary Christianity promoting or hindering mental health in Africa? An exploration of the impact of Charismatic church activities and doctrines on the mental well-being of selected Ghanaian congregants. Journal for the Study of the Religions of Africa and its Diaspora, 5, 50–68.
Bonsu, A. S., & Salifu Yendork, J. (2019). Community-based mental health care: Stigma and coping strategies among professionals and family caregivers in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 40, 444–451. doi: 10.1080/01612840.2018.1564158
Dadson, D. A., Annor, F. & Salifu Yendork, J. (2018). The burden of care: Psychosocial experiences and coping strategies among caregivers of persons with mental illness in Ghana. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 39, 1-9. doi: 10.1080/01612840.2018.1496208
Wright, A. W., Salifu Yendork, J., & Kliewer, W. (2018). Patterns of spiritual connectedness during adolescence: Links to coping and adjustment in low-income Urban youth. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 47, 2608–2624. doi: 10.1007/s10964-018-0886-6
Hoenayi, K. R. & Salifu Yendork, J. (2018). “I wouldn’t say we were treated equally”: Experiences of young adults stepchildren in the Ghanaian context. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 59(7), 537-552. doi: 10.1080/10502556.2018.1466250
Salifu Yendork, J., Brew, G. B., Sarfo, E. A., & Kpobi, L. (2018). Mental illness has multiple causes: Beliefs on causes of mental illness among congregants of selected Neo-prophetic churches in Ghana. Mental Health, Religion and Culture, 21(7), 647-666. doi: 10.1080/13674676.2018.1511694
Darkwah, E., Daniel, M. & Salifu Yendork, J. (2018). Care-‘Less’: Exploring the interface between child care and parental control in the context of child rights for workers in Children’s Homes in Ghana. BMC International Journal of Human Rights, 18, 13. doi: 10.1186/s12914-018-0151-9
Tagoe, V.N.K., Salifu Yendork, J. & Asante, K. O. (2018). Gambling among youth in contemporary Ghana: Exploration of understanding, initiation and perceived gambling prospects. Africa Today, 64, 53–69. doi: 10.2979/africatoday.64.3.03
Ganu, V. J., Boima V., Adjei, D. N., Salifu Yendork, J., Dey, I. D., Yorke, E., Mate-Kole, C. C., & Mate-Kole, M. O. (2018). Depression and quality of life in patients on long term hemodialysis at a national hospital in Ghana. A cross-sectional study. Ghana Medical Journal, 52, 22–28. doi: 10.4314/gmj.v52i1.5
Kliewer, W., Salifu Yendork, J., Wright, A. W., & Pillay, B. J. (2018). Adjustment Profiles of Low-Income Caregivers from the United States and South Africa: Contrasts and Commonalities. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 27, 522-534. doi: 10.1007/s10826-017-0907-1
Kpobi, L., Sarfo, E. A, & Salifu Yendork, J. (2017). “I’m here because of Christ and worshipping God…”: Factors influencing religious switching among Ghanaian Charismatic/neo-Pentecostal Christians. Archive for the Psychology of Religion, 39, 295–311. doi: 10.1163/15736121-12341342
Philip, A., & Salifu Yendork, J. (2017). “When you talk about virginity it’s about females”: Views on virginity among University of Ghana students. Sexuality & Culture, 21, 549–568. doi: 10.1007/s12119-016-9404-8
Salifu Yendork, J., & Somhlaba, N. Z. (2017). “I am happy because of God”: Religion and spirituality for well-being in Ghanaian orphanage-placed children. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 9(Suppl 1), S32–S39. doi: 10.1037/rel0000094
Salifu Yendork, J., Kpobi, L., & Sarfo, E. A. (2016). “It’s only ‘madness’ that I know”: Analysis of how mental illness is conceptualized by congregants of selected Charismatic Churches in Ghana. Mental Health, Religion and Culture, 19, 984–999. doi: 10.1080/13674676.2017.1285877
Salifu Yendork, J., & Somhlaba, N. Z. (2016). The role of demographic and positive psychological factors on quality of life in Ghanaian orphans placed in orphanages: An exploratory study. Child Indicators Research, 9, 429–443. doi: 10.1007/s12187-015-9320-8
Wilson, A., Salifu Yendork, J., & Somhlaba, N. Z. (2016). Psychometric properties of Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support among Ghanaian children and adolescents. Child Indicators Research, 10, 101–115. doi: 10.1007/s12187-016-9367-1
Salifu Yendork, J., & Somhlaba, N. Z. (2015/2016). Does it still take the whole community to raise a child? An overview of the state of research on orphanhood in the African context and the way forward. Ghana International Journal of Mental Health, 6-7, 58-89.
Salifu Yendork, J., & Somhlaba, N. Z. (2015). ‘Exiled life, or home away from home?’ Exploring Ghanaian orphan narratives of orphanage placement. Africa Today, 62, 27–42. doi: muse.jhu.edu/article/604104.
Salifu Yendork, J., & Somhlaba, N. Z. (2015). Do social support, self-efficacy and resilience influence the experience of stress in Ghanaian orphans? An exploratory study. Child Care in Practice, 21, 140–159. doi: 10.1080/13575279.2014.985286
Salifu Yendork, J., & Somhlaba, N. Z. (2015). Problems, coping and efficacy: An exploration of subjective distress in orphans placed in Ghanaian orphanages. Journal of Loss and Trauma, 20, 509–525. doi: 10.1080/15325024.2014.949160
Salifu Yendork, J., & Somhlaba, N. Z. (2014). Stress, coping and quality of life: An exploratory study of the psychological well-being of Ghanaian orphans placed in orphanages. Children and Youth Services Review, 46, 28–37. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2014.07.025
- Conference Proceedings (selected)
Salifu Yendork, J. (3-4 November, 2021). Is contemporary Christianity building or plunging adolescents’ character? Evidence from a neo-prophetic church in Ghana. 7th School of Social Sciences International Conference (Virtual).
Sichali, J., McGee, D., Bunn, C., Reith, G, Udedi, M., Salifu Yendork, J., & Glozah, F. (July 14th, 2021). Regulation of gambling in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): Preliminary findings from a comparative policy analysis. Oral presentation at Exploring the rapid growth of commercialised gambling in Sub-Saharan Africa: A zoom day conference. Funded by the British Academy
Wright, A. W., Kliewer, W., Salifu Yendork, J., Richard, S., & Washington-Nortey, P. M., (April, 2020). Profiles of Adjustment among Children in Institutional Care in Ghana: Predictors of Positive Functioning. Poster presentation at the 2020 Rudd Adoption Research Conference, Amherst, MA.
Kliewer, W., Salifu Yendork, J., Wright, A., Sosnowski, D. W., Washington-Nortey, & McGuire, K. (March 21-23, 2019). Keeping the faith: Protective factor contributions to African American adolescents’ spirituality after victimisation. Symposium presentation at the 2019 Biennal Meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCH), Baltimore, MD, USA.
Kliewer, W., Salifu Yendork, J., Wright, A., Sosnowski, D. W., Washington-Nortey, & McGuire, K. (March 21-23, 2019). Keeping the faith versus losing my religion: Family correlates of African American adolescents’ spirituality profiles. Poster presentation at the 2019 Biennal Meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCH), Baltimore, MD, USA.
Salifu Yendork, J, Amponsah, A., Sarfo, E. A., & Kpobi, L. (3-4 April, 2019). Mechanisms for inducing compliance from congregants of Neo-prophetic churches in Ghana: A qualitative study. Oral presentation at the 5th School of Social Sciences International Conference, University of Ghana, Legon.
Sarfo, E. A., Salifu Yendork, J., & Naidoo, A.V. (3-4 April, 2019). Reasons for the practice of early spousal marriage in Northen Ghana: Views from parents of married adolescent girls. Oral presentation at the 5th School of Social Sciences International Conference, University of Ghana, Legon.
Sarfo, E. A., Salifu Yendork, J., & Naidoo, A.V. (11-14 September, 2018). Exploration of lived experiences of child brides in Ghana. Oral presentation at the 24th Annual Psychology Congress, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Baba, H., Salifu Yendork, J. & Atindanbila S. (16-17 August, 2018). Exploring protective resources that facilitate positive outcomes among married girls in the Northern Region. Oral presentation at 4th Scientific Conference of the Ghana Psychological Association, UPSA, Accra.
Davis, M. L., Akotia, C. S., & Salifu Yendork, J. (16-17 August, 2018). Exclusive breastfeeding and psychological health of lactating mothers in Adentan Municipality, Accra. Oral presentation at 4th Scientific Conference of the Ghana Psychological Association, UPSA, Accra.
Bonsu, A. S., & Salifu Yendork, J. (16-17 August, 2018). Community-Based Mental Health Care: Stigma and coping strategies among professionals and family caregivers in the Eastern Region. Oral presentation at 4th Scientific Conference of the Ghana Psychological Association, UPSA, Accra.