Effect of participation in informal social activities and long-term inpatients’ mental health outcomes at Panzi hospital, DR Congo

Abstract

The study examines the impact of participating in Informal Social Activities (ISA) of long-term inpatients and Mental Health Outcomes (MHO) at Panzi Hospital, DR Congo. A mixed-methods approach with a parallel convergent research design was utilized, combining standardized tools such as the subjective well-being index, the Kessler psychological distress scale, and Key informant interviews. The results highlight a dual crisis where economic hardship and illness lead to prolonged hospital stays and a lack of effective psychosocial support. Analysis indicates that participation in ISA has no significant effect on improving MHO (distress or well-being: ISA → Distress β =-0.24, p=0.355, f2=0.062 for distress and ISA → WHO-5 β=-0.138, p=0.594, F2=0.019 for well-being). The ineffective ISA participation demonstrates that the quality of communal life was too poor to generate the healing benefits that a genuinely Ubuntu-informed community (structured, reciprocal, dignified) would be expected to promote. Relationships must be meaningful, reciprocal, and nourishing to the communal fabric (quality and meaning rather than mere participation). Addressing Long-term Inpatients’ MHO requires integrated policies that tackle both financial protection and implementation of structured therapeutic or recreational mental health activities grounded in the ubuntu perspective within healthcare settings

Current and previous volumes are available at: https://ajsw.africasocialwork.net