Social Networks and Social Support among Older Adults in Rural South Africa: Findings from the Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community in South Africa

Abstract Objectives Drawing on the “Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH community in South Africa” (HAALSI) baseline survey, we present data on older adults’ social networks and receipt of social support in rural South Africa. We examine how age and gender differences in social network characteristics matched with patterns predicted by theories of choice- and constraint-based network contraction in older adults. Method We used regression analysis on data for 5,059 South African adults aged 40 and older. Results Older respondents reported fewer important social contacts and less frequent communication than their middle-aged peers, largely due to fewer nonkin connections. Network size difference between older and younger respondents was greater for women than for men. These gender and age differences were explicable by much higher levels of widowhood among older women compared to younger women and older men. There was no evidence for employment-related network contraction or selective retention of emotionally supportive ties. Discussion Marriage-related structural constraints impacted on older women’s social networks in rural South Africa, but did not explain choice-based network contraction. These findings suggest that many older women in rural Africa, a growing population, may have an unmet need for social support.

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Cognitive Function and Impairment in Older, Rural South African Adults: Evidence from “Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community in Rural South Africa”

Neuroepidemiology ◽

10.1159/000493483 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 52 (1-2) ◽

pp. 32-40 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Lindsay C. Kobayashi ◽

Farrah J. Mateen ◽

Livia Montana ◽

Ryan G. Wagner ◽

Kathleen Kahn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Longitudinal Study ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

South African ◽

Rural South ◽

Rural South Africa

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Relationship between children’s cognitions and later educational progress in rural South Africa: a longitudinal study

Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health ◽

10.1136/jech-2018-211361 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 73 (5) ◽

pp. 422-426

Author(s):

Melissa Cortina ◽

Helen E Jack ◽

Rebecca Pearson ◽

Kathleen Kahn ◽

Stephen Tollman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Longitudinal Study ◽

Low Income ◽

Psychological Functioning ◽

Behavioural Therapy ◽

Educational Progress ◽

Rural South ◽

Middle Income ◽

Cognitive Triad ◽

Rural South Africa

BackgroundChildren in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) who remain in school have better health and employment outcomes. South Africa, like many LMICs, has a secondary school completion rate under 50%, leaving room for improvement if we can identify factors that affect educational attainment. This is the first longitudinal study to examine the effects of childhood mental health and cognitions on educational outcomes in LMIC.MethodsUsing the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and Cognitive Triad Inventory for Children (CTI-C), we assessed the psychological functioning and cognition of children aged 10–12 in rural South Africa. We linked that data with measures of educational progress collected 5 years later and examined associations between educational progress and (1) behavioural and emotional problems and (2) cognitive interpretations, adjusting for possible confounders.ResultsEducational data were available for 443 individuals. 92% (n=408) of individuals had advanced three or fewer grades in 7 years. Having more positive cognitions (CTIC-C) was positively associated with progressing at least three grade levels (adjusted OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.79). There was no evidence for an association between emotional and behavioural problems (SDQ) and educational progress (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.11).ConclusionIf children in LMICs can develop more positive perspectives, they may be able to stay in school longer. Cognitions can be modified, and future studies should test interventions that work to improve cognition in childhood, guided, for example, by principles of cognitive–behavioural therapy.

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Education modifies the relationship between height and cognitive function in a cross-sectional population-based study of older adults in Rural South Africa

European Journal of Epidemiology ◽

10.1007/s10654-018-0453-1 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 34 (2) ◽

pp. 131-139 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Lindsay C. Kobayashi ◽

Lisa F. Berkman ◽

Ryan G. Wagner ◽

Kathleen Kahn ◽

Stephen Tollman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Rural South ◽

Population Based Study ◽

The Relationship ◽

Rural South Africa

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Adverse childhood experiences and domain-specific cognitive function in a population-based study of older adults in rural South Africa.

Psychology and Aging ◽

10.1037/pag0000552 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (6) ◽

pp. 818-830

Author(s):

Lindsay C. Kobayashi ◽

Meagan T. Farrell ◽

Collin F. Payne ◽

Sumaya Mall ◽

Livia Montana ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Older Adults ◽

Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽

Population Based ◽

Rural South ◽

Population Based Study ◽

Childhood Experiences ◽

Domain Specific ◽

Adverse Childhood ◽

Rural South Africa

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Sources of social support and sexual behaviour advice for young adults in rural South Africa

BMJ Global Health ◽

10.1136/bmjgh-2018-000955 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (6) ◽

pp. e000955 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Guy Harling ◽

Dumile Gumede ◽

Maryam Shahmanesh ◽

Deenan Pillay ◽

Till W Bärnighausen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

South Africa ◽

Young Adults ◽

Hiv Prevention ◽

Sexual Behaviour ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Social Connections ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Rural South ◽

Rural South Africa

IntroductionWhile young people in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are at greatest risk of HIV acquisition, uptake of HIV prevention interventions among them has been limited. Interventions delivered through social connections have changed behaviour in many settings, but not to date in SSA. There is little systematic evidence on whom young SSA adults turn to for advice. We therefore conducted an exploratory cross-sectional study from whom young rural South Africans received support and sexual behaviour-specific advice.MethodsWe asked 119 18–34 year olds in rural KwaZulu-Natal about the important people in their lives who provided emotional, informational, financial, physical, social or other support. We also asked whether they had discussed sex or HIV prevention with each contact named. We used descriptive statistics and logistic regression to analyse support and advice provision patterns.ResultsRespondents named 394 important contacts, each providing a mean of 1.7 types of support. Most contacts were relatives, same-gender friends or romantic partners. Relatives provided most informational, financial and physical support; friends and partners more social support and sexual advice. Respondents reported discussing sexual matters with 60% of contacts. Sources of support changed with age, from friends and parents, towards siblings and partners.DiscussionSexual health interventions for young adults in rural South Africa may be able to harness friend and same-generation kin social ties through which sex is already discussed, and parental ties through which other forms of support are transmitted. The gender-segregated nature of social connections may require separate interventions for men and women.

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