Perceived Adequacy Of Social Support Systems Available To Older Adults In Nnewi Town, Anambra State
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Perceived Adequacy Of Social Support Systems Available To Older Adults In Nnewi Town, Anambra State
ABSTRACT
Social support is a significant resource that includes both tangible and intangible types of assistance, as well as welfare services, that older individuals receive from many networks to help them achieve and maintain a sense of wellness and contentment in their lives. The study focused on the perceived adequacy of social support systems for older individuals in Nnewi, Anambra State.
Data from 568 respondents were collected via a questionnaire, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussion guides. The quantitative data were analysed using version 20 of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), with frequency distribution tables and percentages used to display the findings. Chi-square (χ²) was used to test hypotheses, binary logistic regression was used to predict the effect of independent variables on a dependent variable, and qualitative data was analysed in themes to supplement the quantitative data.
The data demonstrate that the majority of respondents (89.5%) receive social support from a variety of networks, including their children, spouse, church, friends, community, government, and non-governmental organisations.
However, children and friends (78.6% and 56.7%, respectively) are the primary sources of social support, with modest support from the government (22.5%) and non-governmental organisations (4.8%).
The survey also discovered that, of all the supports obtained by older individuals, financial support was the most accessible to them and the sole support they received when it was required.
However, FGD and IDI investigations found that the social support received by older persons was inadequate and unsatisfactory. According to the study, giving older persons a monthly allowance can assist improve their well-being.
Four hypotheses were tested, with three accepted and one rejected. The logistic regression study revealed that various characteristics, such as marital status, number of children, and monthly stipend, were significant predictors of whether or not older persons will obtain social support when needed.
As a result, the study suggests the development of national policies addressing social security and welfare services for the well-being of older persons.
Chapter One: Introduction
1.1 Background for the study
Life is naturally transitional, as each human goes through different periods of life. These stages include childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age. Each of these stages has distinct and varied traits.
According to Ogunsakin, Shehu, and Dare (2012), childhood is a period of dependency and support in carrying out certain acts, particularly from parents or guardians, whereas maturity is an active age of freedom.
Regardless of the individual’s health during maturity, old age remains the final stage of transition that necessitates social support. Tang (2008) defines social support as a valued resource that includes both tangible and intangible kinds of aid, as well as welfare services provided by the government, community, church, family, and friends.
According to McPherson and Wister (2008), social support is a measure of achieving a balanced person-environment fit in later age, with the family remaining the most readily available institution for such provision.
Although social support is necessary for everyone, it is especially important for older persons since it aids in obtaining and sustaining a sense of wellness and contentment in life (Okoye & Akinyemi, 2009).
Similarly, Kahn, Hessling, and Russell (2003) argue that social support is a crucial resource for older individuals because ordinary life events can jeopardise the support networks of this demographic.
According to McPherson and Wister (2008), social support is a comprehensive continuum of care and assistance that allows older persons to age gracefully when their strength, mobility, cognitive ability, and health deteriorate. They define these supports as informal assistance such as shopping, daily monitoring, scrubbing, cooking, bathing, banking, and transportation.
According to Leutar, Štambuk, and Rusac (2007), additional types of social support include financial, material, and emotional assistance from family members, friends, relatives, and neighbours. According to Oladeji (2011), family members (mainly a spouse or adult children), friends, or communities give 80 to 90% of the support for older persons.
Social support also includes formal government care through a pension program, as well as hired staff who visit or live in the family home to assist with food, bathing, therapy, and mobility (McPherson & Wister, 2008). Kokorić, Berc, and Rusac (2010) describe several forms of cash and in-kind assistance provided by state and other entities.
It is widely assumed that social assistance from family, friends, the community, and the government will help to reduce the large number of frail older persons (Cranswick, 2003). According to studies, having access to social assistance can help older persons improve their emotional, physical, social, economic, and psychological well-being.
According to Holt-Lunstad, Smith, and Layton (2010), older persons who have enough social support are more likely to survive diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, inflammation, and impaired immune system function.
Social support can also help to mitigate the impacts of various disorders, such as functional disability and arthritis pain (Evers, Kraaimaat, Geenen, Jacobs, & Bijlsma, 2003).
Taylor (2011) supports this viewpoint, stating that social support can help older persons reduce psychological suffering such as anxiety or depression during difficult times. Furthermore, Dong, Beck, and Simon (2010) and Fiori, Antonucci, and Cortina (2006) feel that increased social support can alter and minimise depression in old age, improve mental health, and serve as coping resources in later age. It has also been noted that older persons with low social support are more likely to experience mental health problems such as depression and anxiety than older adults with significant social support (Barrera, 1986; Cohen & Wills, 1985).
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTDS) (Brewin, Andrews & Valentine, 2000), panic disorder (Huang, Yen & Lung, 2010), social phobia (Torgrud, Walker, Murray, Cox, Chartier & Kjernisted, 2004), and major depressive disorder (Lakey & Cronin, 2008) are some of the mental disorders that may be linked to low social support.
Scholars have identified several characteristics that influence social support. According to Mirowsky and Ross (2003), better educational attainment boosts a person’s chances of having close friends to rely on as well as enjoying greater family stability, including a secure and supportive marriage.
Formal educational settings may also foster the development of friendships and interpersonal skills; individuals with higher levels of education and related social advantages may have more time and resources to maintain relationships and provide emotional and financial support to friends.
On the other side, there is a prevalent notion that people with greater socioeconomic and occupational level receive more social support (Gallie & Paugam, 2000).
Henly, Danziger, and Offer (2003) discovered that the most economically disadvantaged families have the least access to social services. Reduced social networks and social support are more common among older persons from low socioeconomic backgrounds (Weyers et al, 2008).
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