Title: Mental health and professional identity among pre-retirement teachers in Ghana: a study of final-year service experiences

Authors: William Otu

Addresses: Department of Education Studies, Accra College of Education, Greater Accra, Ghana

Abstract: This study investigates the complex relationship between mental health outcomes and professional identity among Ghanaian teachers approaching retirement. Using a mixed-methods approach with 287 pre-retirement teachers across three regions of Ghana, the research reveals significant correlations between professional identity strength and mental health outcomes. Quantitative findings demonstrate moderate levels of anxiety (M = 8.3, SD = 4.2) and depression (M = 6.7, SD = 3.8), with professional identity showing significant negative correlations with both anxiety (r = −.42, p < .001) and depression (r = −.38, p < .001). Qualitative analysis identifies four major themes: erosion of professional purpose, financial insecurity concerns, loss of social connections, and identity reconstruction challenges. The findings contribute to understanding career transitions in developing country contexts and inform educational policy recommendations.

Keywords: professional identity; mental health; retirement transition; teachers; Ghana; career transition.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBHR.2025.152646

International Journal of Behavioural and Healthcare Research, 2025 Vol.10 No.1, pp.57 - 70

Received: 29 Jul 2025
Accepted: 17 Dec 2025
Published online: 01 Apr 2026 *

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