Stephen Baffour Adjei

Kuba, K., Susan, C., S. B. Adjei, Álvaro, S. M., Anna, W. & Maciej, R. G. (2026). Toward globalizing psychological journals: Actionable recommendations for creating space for research from Majority World contexts. Psicologia Sociale-Social Psychology Theory & Research, XXI (2), 155-168. https://www.rivisteweb.it/doi/10.1482/121627 

Adjei, S. B. (2026). Decolonizing psychological science and practice in Africa: Barriers and bridges. In P. Kiguwa & J. Clark (eds.), Decolonial African-centered community psychologies (pp. 23-42). Springer press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-15816-1_2 

Adjei, S. B. (2026). African psychology. In T. Teo (eds), The Palgrave encyclopedia of theoretical and philosophical psychology. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-70581-6_95-1

Adjei, S. B., Moss, S. M. (2026). Academic boldness: A critical resource for decolonizing knowledge. Human Arenas. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42087-026-00630-1 

Kuwornu, J. F., Andoh-Arthur, J., Akotia, C. S., Adjei, S. B & Anyan, F. (2026). The role of interpersonal trust and personality in the link between sense of community and well‑being. Discover Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44202-026-00856-8 

Adjei, S. B., Bakuza, F., Kgolo, T., Oppong, S. (2025). Indigenizing child development science: Cultural politics between contextualists and universalists. In Z. Z Gao & M. I. Medved (eds), Global perspectives on cultural politics in indigenous psychology (71-94). Palgrave Studies in Indigenous Psychology. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-96813-6_4 

Adjei, S. B., Mayisela, S. & Oppong, S. (2025). Ethics and publication predicaments for academics from the majority of the world: Perspectives from Botswana, Ghana, and South Africa. In M. Tuli & B. Negi (Eds.), Ethical considerations and practices for research in the human sciences (pp.111-138). Information Age Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1108/979-8-88730-864-720251012 

Adjei, S. B., Nejat, P., Thalmayer, A. G., & Adler, J. M. (2025). Highlighting Personality and Social Psychological Theories From Majority World Contexts: Introduction to the Special Issue. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 29(4), 319-325. https://doi.org/10.1177/10888683251364486 

Elen, J., Sarfo, F. K. & Adjei, S. B. (2025). Exploring design epistemology among educational researchers, lecturers, and students in Ghana. The Journal of Applied Instructional Design, 14(4), 27-43. https://doi.org/10.59668/2224.22355

Anyan, F., Andoh-Arthur, J., Adjei, S. B., & Akotia, C. S. (2024). Mental health problems, interpersonal trust, and socio-cultural correlates of corruption perception in Ghana. Frontiers in public health, 12, 1269579. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1269579 

Adjei, S. B., Adinkrah, M., & Mpiani, A. (2024). Gendered mourning: A perspective of Akan death culture in Ghana. Death Studies, 48(5), 478–488. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2023.2236983

Adjei, S. B., Sam, S. T., Sekyere, F. O. & Boateng, P. (2023). Ubuntu and the experiences of persons with disabilities in Ghana. In O. Mutanga (Ed.), Ubuntu philosophy and disabilities in Sub-Saharan Africa (pp. 163-183). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003343684-10

Adjei, S. B. (2023). Personhood, masculinity, and male shame in Ghana. In J. Osafo & C. S. Akotia (Eds.), Personhood, Community and the human condition: Reflections and applications in the African experience (pp. 148-165). Ayebia Clarke Publishing.

Cameron, E., Toussaint, L., Adjei, S. B., Crawford, J. N., Mounet, O., Trend- Cunningham, F., & Jacquin, K. M. (2023). Finding meaning in crisis: Gender, spiritual practice, and trauma symptomology impact posttraumatic growth in COVID-19 Ghana. Journal of Research in Psychology, 1(2), 1-20. https://jrplcwu.pk/index.php/JRP/article/view/14 

Adjei, S. B. (2023). Personhood, masculinity, and male-perpetrated intimate partner violence: Understanding the centrality of culture and context in violence research. HARM, 1, 14-22. https://doi.org/10.46586/harm.2023.9769 

Adjei, S. B., & Mpiani, A. (2023). Decolonising mind and being associated with marriage: Perspectives from Ghana. Psychology and Developing Societies, 35(1), 87-109. https://doi.org/10.1177/09713336231152311 

Amoah, P.A., Adjei, S. B. & Arthur-Holmes, F. A. (2022). A social–ecological study of perceptions and determinants of sexual enhancement drug use among men and women in Ghana. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(11), 6521. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19116521 

Amoah, P., Osei-Tutu, A., & Adjei, S. B. (2022). Socio-economic and technological aspects of mental health of older persons: The role of strong and weak ties in Ghana. Ageing and Society, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X21001859 

Adjei, S. B., Sam, S. T., Sekyere, F. O., & Boateng, P. (2022). Sign Language interpreter-mediated qualitative interview with Deaf participants in Ghana: Some methodological reflections for practice. The Qualitative Report, 27(1), 79-95. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2022.5087 

Adjei, S. B. & Mpiani, A. (2022). “I have since repented”: Discursive analysis of the role of religion in husband-to-wife abuse in Ghana. Journal of Interpersonal violence, 37(5-6), NP3528–NP3551. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260520948528 

Adjei, S. B. (2019). Conceptualising personhood, agency, and morality for African psychology. Theory & Psychology, 29(4), 484–505. https://doi.org/10.1177/0959354319857473 

Adjei, S. B. (2019). Conceptualizing discursive analysis as a culturally contextualized activity. The Qualitative Report, 24(9). 2233-2243. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2019.4020 

Adjei, S. B., & Mpiani, A. (2018). Bride price, cultural and gender identity, and husband-to-wife abuse in Ghana. Victims & Offenders, 921-937. https://doi.org/10.1080/15564886.2018.1506372 

Adjei, S. B. (2018). The social intentionality of battered women’s agency in Ghana. Psychology and Developing Society, 30(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1177/0971333617747320 

Adjei, S. B. (2018). “Correcting an erring wife is normal”: Moral discourses of spousal violence in Ghana. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 33(12), 1871-1892. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260515619751

Adjei, S. B. (2017). Entrapment of victims of spousal abuse in Ghana: A discursive analysis of family identity and agency of battered women. Journal of Interpersonal violence, 32(5), 730-754. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260515586375

Adjei, S. B. (2017). Sociocultural groundings of battered women’s entrapment in abusive marital relationship in Ghana. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 26(8), 879-901. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2017.1284171 

Adjei, S. B. (2016). Masculinity and spousal violence: Discursive accounts of husbands who abuse their wives in Ghana. Journal of Family Violence, 31(4), 411-422. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-015-9781-z 

Adjei, S. B. (2015). Assessing women empowerment in Africa: A critical review of the challenges of the Gender Empowerment Measure of the UNDP. Psychology and Developing Societies, 27(1), 58-80. https://doi.org/10.1177/0971333614564740 

Adjei, S. B. (2015). Partner dependency and intimate partner abuse: A sociocultural grounding of spousal abuse in Ghana. Psychological Studies, 60(4), 422-427. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12646-015-0336-4 

• Adjei, Stephen Baffour (2026). Decolonizing Psychological Science and Practice in Africa: Barriers and Bridges. In Kiguwa, Peace & Clark, Jude (Ed.), Decolonial African-Centered Community Psychologies. Redressing Historical Harms. Springer Nature. ISSN 9783032158154. p. 23–43. Full text in Research Archive
• Krys,Kuba; Cross,Susan; Adjei, Stephen Baffour; Martín,Álvaro, San; Wlodarczyk,Anna & R., Górski,Maciej (2026). Toward globalizing psychological journals. Actionable recommendations for creating space for research from Majority World contexts. Psicologia Sociale. ISSN 1827-2517. XXI(2), p. 155–168. doi: https:/www.rivisteweb.it/doi/10.1482/121627. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Psychological science continues to be criticized for its predominant focus on Western societies, with some scholars framing this imbalance as an unhealthy practice that hinders diversification of the field. This critique reflects the recognition that psychological knowledge – often treated as universal – disproportionately relies on theory and evidence from a narrow range of dominant cultural contexts. While cross-cultural psychology has aimed to address this disparity, it often centers on comparisons between Euro-American and East Asian societies, overlooking other regions, such as Latin America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and South and Southeast Asia. This article offers a structural intervention: actionable recommendations to increase the representation of Majority World research in psychological journals. These include: (1) establishing regular special issues or sections dedicated to research from the Majority World; (2) appointing dedicated editorial roles for globalization in each journal (similar to roles for methods or statistical editors); and (3) adopting systems to track cultural coverage, along with incentive mechanisms. Grounded in the work of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology’s (SPSP) International Committee, these recommendations aim to create a meaningful space for underrepresented voices and epistemologies in mainstream psychological publishing.

• Kuwornu, Johanes Francis; Andoh-Arthur, Johnny; Akotia, Charity Sylvia; Adjei, Stephen Baffour & Anyan, Frederick (2026). The role of interpersonal trust and personality in the link between sense of community and well‑being. Discover Psychology. doi: 10.1007/s44202-026-00856-8. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Abstract A strong sense of community (SoC) and interpersonal trust are important social factors that contribute to well-being, but its mechanism remains understudied. This study examined how SoC influences life satisfaction and subjective happiness through interpersonal trust, and how interpersonal exploitation and cynicism moderates this association. A sample of 730 participants (60.8% male; Mean age = 22.13, SD  = 3.66) completed measures of SoC, interpersonal trust, life satisfaction, happiness and Machiavellianism. Results showed that SoC was positively associated with interpersonal trust, life satisfaction, and happiness. Interpersonal trust significantly mediated the relationship between SoC and life satisfaction, indicating its role as a key psychological resource. Moreover, the association between SoC and life satisfaction was stronger among individuals with lower levels of interpersonal cynicism and exploitation, suggesting that certain personality traits moderate this relationship. These findings highlight the importance of fostering strong community ties and interpersonal trust to enhance well-being, especially in interdependent cultural settings such as Africa.

• Adjei, Stephen Baffour & Moss, Sigrun Marie (2026). Academic Boldness: A Critical Resource for Decolonizing Knowledge | Human Arenas | Springer Nature Link. Human Arenas. ISSN 2522-5790. p. 1–24. doi: 10.1007/s42087-026-00630-1. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Recently, Majority World scholars have decried the exclusion of indigenous knowledge systems and lived experiences from the global knowledge economy. There have been persistent calls, particularly in psychology, to decolonize the field by centering knowledge frameworks and indigenous perspectives from Majority World contexts. One barrier to decolonizing efforts in post-colonial settings is the challenge associated with epistemic agency: the systematic denial of Majority World scholars’ capacity to draw from their own indigenous resources to conceptualize and theorize from their given epistemic locations. Scholars have suggested that Minority World researchers practice epistemic humility by realizing that their way of knowing is merely a way of knowing, and by actively recognizing and engaging with other ways of knowing. Such practices are crucial to avoid enfolding Majority World scholars into dominant Western ontological and epistemological frameworks, which contributes to reproducing and perpetuating dominant Western knowledge frameworks in former colonies. In this article, we ask the question: how can we foster the habit of speaking up for other ways of knowing to achieve decolonization of knowledge? To address this, we introduce the concept of academic boldness to this debate—the willingness and confidence to be innovative and articulate one’s unique knowledges, theories and concepts even if this may lead to pushback, questioning or being ignored—as one such critical resource required to contest and resist received Western knowledge systems. We trace the origin of the exclusion of Majority World knowledges, the hegemony of Western epistemologies, the gatekeeping powers of Minority World scholars, and the presumed authority of universalist knowledge claims to the history of colonization. We draw from our own experiences of working with African and Western researchers to show how challenges related to academic boldness could unintentionally recolonize Majority World scholars by enfolding them into Western default knowledge structures.

• Adjei, Stephen Baffour (2026). African Psychology. In Teo, Thomas (Eds.), The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology. Palgrave Macmillan. ISSN 9783031705816. p. 1–11. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-70581-6_95-1. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Though psychology has long been embedded in pre-colonial African life, formal development and articulation of key frameworks of African psychology has recently emerged in post-colonial Africa. African psychology (AP) is an indigenous, post-colonial academic discipline rooted in the cultural and phenomenological experiences of African people on the continent and in the diaspora. Its focus includes pre-and post-colonial African history, culture, knowledge systems, ontology, cosmology, values, worldviews, and communitarian ethos. AP comprises multiple orientations—for example, Cultural African Psychology, Critical African Psychology, and Psychological African Studies—offering diverse theoretical and methodological perspectives. Intellectual contributions from allied fields (e.g., African philosophy, literature) have shaped the evolution of AP. Ongoing debates address its boundaries and relations with Psychology in Africa, and the different orientations within AP. Importantly, AP holds significant potentials to decolonizing psychology by expanding Western-centric frameworks and ultimately functioning as an emancipatory tool that restores, heals, and validates African ways of knowing.

• Elen, Jan; Sarfo, Frederick & Adjei, Stephen Baffour (2025). Exploring Design Epistemology Among Educational Researchers, Lecturers, and Students in Ghana. The Journal of Applied Instructional Design. 14(4), p. 27–43. doi: 10.59668/2224.22355. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Given the increasing complexity of higher education, the need for deliberate design has grown. There is an implied understanding within the design epistemological framework of Western studies that when instructional principles are fairly applied in higher education classrooms, educators might achieve improved learning outcome regardless of context. This study explores design epistemology among educational researchers, lecturers, and students in the specific cultural context of Ghana. Using a design task, the study identified substance of design epistemology in areas such as goals, teaching methods, assessment approaches, context, agents, and principles. There was limited variation in design epistemology among researchers, teachers, and students. Further, the results revealed that in the higher education context of Ghana, a shared instructional template significantly determines the design of learning environments and reshapes any design task into a development task. It is thus argued that instructional design is a highly situated activity in the sense that contextual factors, and the specificities of different higher education ecosystems may give rise to differences in how educational stakeholders apply design principles and theories. The study illustrates the need for more research on actual contextualized design practice to provide emic perspectives of effective instructional design models.

• Adjei, Stephen Baffour; Bakuza, Fortidas; Kgolo, Tumelo & Oppong, Seth (2025). Indigenizing Child Development Science: Cultural Politics between Contextualists and Universalists. In Gao, Zed Zhipeng & Medved, Maria I. (Ed.), Global Perspectives on Cultural Politics in Indigenous Psychology | Springer Nature Link. Palgrave Macmillan. ISSN 9783031968129. p. 71–94. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-96813-6_4. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This edited book examines the operations of culture and politics within Indigenous psychology highlighting their implications for theory and practice.

• Adjei, Stephen Baffour; Nejat, Pegah; Thalmayer, Amber Gayle & Adler, Jonathan M. (2025). Highlighting Personality and Social Psychological Theories From Majority World Contexts: Introduction to the Special Issue. Personality and Social Psychology Review. ISSN 1088-8683. 29(4), p. 319–325. doi: 10.1177/10888683251364486. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Since the inception of scientific psychology in the 19th century, the lead in conceptualizing scientific phenomena has been taken by scholars in Western contexts (North America, Western Europe, Australia, and New Zealand), who comprise only 11% of the world’s population. Today, the science and practice of psychology continue to be dominated by Western theoretical perspectives. Recognizing the necessity for inclusive excellence in the field and the barriers that Majority World scholars face in joining the global knowledge economy, Personality and Social Psychology Review (PSPR) has taken several steps toward global inclusion. To further realize this goal, this Special Issue brings together nine contributions that reflect personality and social psychological theory rooted in diverse Majority World contexts, specifically stemming from African, Latin American, Middle Eastern, East and South Asian, and Indigenous American scholars. The contributions reflect several cross-cutting themes: the deeply historical contexts in which personality and social psychological phenomena play out in different geographies today; the important particularities of widely studied concepts in specific local contexts; and the dynamic interplay between individual people and the specificity of their social contexts. By curating indigenous concepts and theories, we aim to further catalyze dialogue across cultural distances in the field and to demonstrate how a decolonized editorial process can help promote inclusive science to improve the dominant perspectives in personality and social psychology.

• Adjei, Stephen Baffour (2013). Discourse Analysis: Examining Language Use in Context. The Qualitative Report (TQR). ISSN 1052-0147. 18(25). Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Discourse analysis is paramount in the negotiation and construction of meaning of the social world. Discursive psychologists believe that truth is a discursive construction and that the world can be represented in an unlimited number of ways. This paper discusses the importance of context and culture in discursive interactions. The paper discusses knowledge as situated and contingent and thus an explanation of a psychological phenomenon should take into account the context or culture and circumstances of social interactions. The relevance of positioning and intertextuality in discursive interactions and meaning making processes are highlighted. It is further discussed that people’s perception about a psychological phenomenon is not enduring and stable across situations and time; instead, it can change to suit the context and purpose of discourse. It is suggested that discourse analysts should systematically adduce reasons to justify and validate the value of their research claims.

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• Adjei, Stephen Baffour (2026). Promoting High-quality, Contextually Relevant Research in Applied Social Sciences and Entrepreneurship Education in Ghana. Journal of Applied Social Sciences and Entrepreneurship Education. 1(1), p. i–iii. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The editorial introduces the Journal of Applied Social Sciences and Entrepreneurship Education (JASSEE), launched by the University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development in Ghana in 2025. JASSEE aims to promote rigorous, contextually relevant research at the intersection of social sciences, humanities, business, and entrepreneurship education, with a strong emphasis on bridging theory and practice. Guided by a “knowledge for all” philosophy, it is fully open access and charges no publication fees, thereby seeking to democratize global knowledge production and amplify underrepresented voices, especially from Majority World contexts. The journal is published biannually to ensure thorough peer review and high-quality scholarship. The inaugural issue features six empirical and locally-grounded studies on peer learning in art education, machine learning in credit risk assessment, digital taxation and governance, determinants of primary school participation, teacher professionalism, and symbiotic relationships in export performance. Collectively, these contributions highlight JASSEE’s commitment to socially responsible, context-sensitive, and practice-oriented research.

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