PURPOSE IN LIFE AMONG SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN GHANA

Purpose in life (PIL) represents a stable and generalized intention to accomplish something that is at once meaningful to the self and leads to productive engagement with some aspect of the world beyond the self. It is part of the complex picture of human well-being and optimal functioning. Despite consensus regarding the importance of purpose in life, operationalization of purpose in life has varied across cultures. This study explored Purpose in Life among students in two metropolitan senior high school students in Ghana. A sample of 244 students (40.5% males, 59.5% females; mean age =18.4 years) completed the Crumbaugh and Maholick [1] Purpose in Life Test. A series of one-way analysis of variance tests (ANOVA) were used to determine the existence of any significant differences among variables. The results of the hypothesis indicate that the mean PIL scores (N=244; M=97.34; SD=32.417) was significantly lower compared to the results in the United States. There were significant differences in gender F (1, 240) = 8.475, p =.004; and relationships F (1, 240) = 5.405, p=0.021. The results of this study clearly indicate senior high school students in Ghana appear to have PIL lower than their other counterparts in the United States of America. This paper offers how this new knowledge can help stakeholders develop meaningful programs to enhance their well-being.