Psychosocial factors as predictors of social wellbeing of the elderly in Geriatric Centers in Lagos State

Abstract

The study examines the psychosocial factors as predictors of social  wellbeing of the elderly in Geriatric centres in Lagos State. The study used descriptive survey research design. The study randomly selected a total number of 162 elderly people in Geriatric centre, Lagos state. A single  questionnaire tagged: Psychosocial and Social Wellbeing Questionnaire (PSWQ) was used. The instrument consisted of self-esteem scale,  selfachievement, social interaction, psychological state and social wellbeing . Results showed that there was a significant relationship between self-esteem and social wellbeing (r = 0.728; p < 0.001), self-achievement and social wellbeing (r = 0.179; p = 0.023) and psychological state and social wellbeing (r = 0.288; p < 0.001). Self-esteem had a 72.8% correlation with social wellbeing; self-achievement had a 17.9% correlation with social  wellbeing, while psychological state had a 28.8% correlation with social wellbeing. This study reveals that self-esteem, self-achievement,  psychological and social factors are significantly related to the social  wellbeing of the elderly. Therefore, there is need for the development of the social and psychological skills of the elderly to improve their aging process. There is need for civic/recreational centres provided for the elderly to help them to gather together to discuss their challenges and other issues affecting them which will enable the elderly to cope with the  challenges of aging process. Community based support networks should be encouraged for the elderly for instance, ensuring that they get their pension and gratuity, provision of physical needs such as feeding, finance, go od living arrangements among others.

Keywords: Elderly, Psychosocial Factors, Social Wellbeing, Geriatric Centre