The Psychosocial Impact of Colorism and Skin-Lightening on Female University Students in Ghana

• Main Author: Le Goy, Patrice D
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01.01.2023
• Subjects: African Studies; Mental health; Psychology
• ISBN: 9798371997746

The use of skin-lightening products is a worldwide phenomenon. These products are often unregulated and can lead to dangerous health consequences. While these potential health consequences are generally known by users, government and public health campaigns to ban or discourage usage have been largely unsuccessful. Beliefs surrounding white superiority, standards of beauty, social capital and economic advantages have been identified as reinforcing the use of these products. Ghana has recently banned the use of many ingredients in products used to lighten skin, but the usage of these products has remained steady. Grounded in critical race and transformative theoretical frameworks, the present study explored the psychosocial impact of colorism and skin-lightening on female university students. Participants were 15 (age range: 18–25, M = 23.13, SD = 1.73) female students of the University of Ghana. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Two overarching themes emerged from the data: motivations to change (six subthemes) and maintain skin color (four subthemes). Findings elucidate the psychosocial factors associated with colorism and motivation to engage in or avoid skin-lightening among young Ghanaian women. These insights may be useful in the design and deployment of interventions to address colorism and skin-lightening in Ghana and worldwide.