Social Capital, Social Support, and Subjective Well-Being of Older Adults in Ghana and South Africa: The Moderating Role of Country

Author

Paul K. Ayernor, The Graduate Center, City University of New YorkFollow

Date of Degree

6-2023

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Program

Social Welfare

Advisor

Daniel Gardner

Committee Members

Alexis Kuerbis

Nancy Giunta

Subject Categories

Social Work

Keywords

Social Capital, Social Support, Subjective Well-Being, SSA

Abstract

The study objective is to test the influence of social capital and social support on subjective well-being. It is also interested in the combined effects of macro-level factors as encapsulated in a macro-level variable - country that exerts influence on micro-level variables such as social capital and social capital. Additionally, the present study is one of the earliest studies to begin to assess the effect of older adults' perception of neighborhood happiness or sadness on the subjective well-being of older adults in a sub-Saharan Africa context.

Data comes from wave 1 of a multi-country Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE) conducted by the World Health Organization's Multi-Country Studies (WHO-SAGE, 2013). The study findings suggest that it is apt to factor in perceptions of neighbors' levels of happiness and sadness in assessing older adults' happiness and life satisfaction. Perceived neighborhood happiness is associated with happiness and life satisfaction, emphasizing the importance of social ties and place of residence. Findings regarding the beneficial effects of specific social capital and social support dimensions on subjective well-being in Ghana and South Africa were different, unexpected, and quantifiably small. The combined effects of macro-level factors as encapsulated in a macro-level variable - country that exerts influence on micro-level variables such as social capital and social capital. This linkage has not existed in the African gerontological in the past, making these initial analyses a significant contribution to the literature. Overall, the results highlight the importance of social interaction and integration for subjective well-being over monetary factors in developing economies such as those in sub-Saharan Africa.

Recommended Citation

Ayernor, Paul K., "Social Capital, Social Support, and Subjective Well-Being of Older Adults in Ghana and South Africa: The Moderating Role of Country" (2023). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/5306