Implications of Social Support Exchanges on the Social Well-being of Older Persons in Kitui County, Kenya
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Date
2023
Authors
Mbuthia, Kezia Waruguru
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Social well-being (SWB) is an important aspect of human functionality and is experienced within social relationships. Social support is received and provided in social relationships and has been found in the literature to produce mixed effects on SWB which suggest that a lot remains to be understood about that relationship. Therefore, this study seeks to provide more insight into the contradictory findings for a better understanding of the social phenomenon. This study therefore aimed at assessing the bi-directional implications of social support on the SWB of older persons in Kitui County, Kenya. Specifically, the study focused on the effects of closeness on satisfaction with provided and received social support; the effects of providing social support on SWB; the effects of receiving social support on SWB and suggestions for improving the SWB of older persons. The study was guided by the social exchange theory and rational choice theory which stresses how social relationships entail costs and rewards and that people seek to maximize rewards. The study adopted a convergent parallel mixed methods research design. Cluster and simple random sampling methods were used to sample 369 older persons aged 60 years and above proportionate to the population per sub-county. Secondary data was obtained from books and the internet while primary data was collected using an interview schedule, focus group discussions guide and a key-informant guide. Quantitative data was cleaned, coded and entered into SPSS software Version 21 and subjected to a Chi-square test (χ2). Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis and presented in form of narratives and verbatim reports. The results indicate that majority of the respondents were female (59.1%), aged between 60 and 69 (50.5%) and married (57.6%). The majority of the respondents were close (96.2%) to their CNMs, especially their spouse and children (82.3%) and closeness to CNMs had a significant association with satisfaction with provided (p=.006) and received social support (p=.000). There was a significant association between the three domains of provided and received social support (instrumental, emotional and informational) and social well-being (p< .05). In addition, older persons identified provision of basic needs; cash transfer (OPCT); caring for the very frail and dependent; co-existing well with CNMs and frequent communication and interaction as instrumental in improving their SWB. From these findings, the study recommends that the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and services and the National Gender and Equality Commission mandated to deal with issues of older persons, to streamline traditional conflict resolution mechanism as enshrined in the National policy of ageing, in its theme on older persons and law to address negative aspects of relationship quality that affects SWB. Address constraints to older persons roles as providers in the family, community and culture theme through intensive campaigns and sensitization. Sensitize communities and families on the need for closeness as a tool to encourage participation, rights and assistance to older persons and address areas of vulnerability identified by older persons as a policy issue. These recommendations will improve the social wellbeing of older persons in Kitui, Kenya.
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of doctor of philosophy (sociology) in the school of law, arts and social sciences of Kenyatta university, April 2023
Keywords
social support exchanges, social well-being, older persons, Kitui County, Kenya