An Exploration of Families' Psychosocial Well-Being in a South African Context

Original Articles

An Exploration of Families' Psychosocial Well-Being in a South African Context

Published in: Journal of Psychology in Africa
Volume 22 , issue 3 , 2012 , pages: 343–357
DOI: 10.1080/14330237.2012.10820539
Author(s): Vicki Koen North-West University, South Africa , Chrizanne van Eeden North-West University, South Africa , Sebastiaan Rothmann North-West University, South Africa

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore and describe aspects that contribute to the psychosocial well-being of families from diverse cultures in a South African context by analysing data obtained through narratives, drawings and interviews with families. Participant families took part voluntarily in family interviews (N=36), written narratives (N=23) and drawings (N=14). These different methods of data collection provided rich data on family psychosocial well-being in a South African context with culturally diverse families, as well as on those aspects that influence family psychosocial well-being. The findings suggest that communication, mutual support, togetherness as a family and spirituality are the most prominent contributing factors, while financial difficulties and interpersonal conflicts or arguments are the most prominent hindering factors with regard to family psychosocial well-being in this group of participants.

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