Young Children’s Mental Well-Being in Low-Income South African Settings: A Qualitative Study

Authors

Catherine E. Draper, University of the Witwatersrand
Caylee J. Cook, University of the Witwatersrand
Elizabeth A. Ankrah, University of California, IrvineFollow
Jesus A. Beltran, California State University, Los Angeles
Franceli L. Cibrian, Chapman UniversityFollow
Jazette Johnson, University of California, Irvine
Kimberley D. Lakes, University of California, RiversideFollow
Hanna Mofid, University of California, Irvine
Lucretia Williams, Howard University
Gillian R. Hayes, University of California, IrvineFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-17-2024

Abstract

This qualitative study aimed to capture community perspectives of the risks and protective factors for social emotional development and mental health of young children in low-income South Africa settings, and was conducted as one component of a larger study with the ultimate aim of co-designing the Mazi Umntanakho (‘know your child’) digital tool. Twenty focus group discussions (n = 154, 97% female) were held with staff of community-based organisations (CBOs) and community health worker (CHW) programmes in urban and rural sites from four geographical regions. Data were analysed thematically, and grouped according to components of nurturing care (responsive caregiving, safety and security, good health, adequate nutrition, opportunities for early learning) and risk and protective factors. Risks reported by participants far outweighed protective factors, and the most dominant theme identified was risks associated with responsive caregiving from CBO and CHW perspectives. These related to participants’ perceptions of caregivers’ attitudes, knowledge, beliefs, behaviours, and challenges not conducive to the provision of responsive caregiving. The most commonly perceived risks to safety and security were substance abuse, along with economic challenges, neglect, abuse and violence. Basic needs not being met was reported as the main risk to adequate nutrition and good health, followed by insufficient services. Limited resources and caregivers’ limited education and literacy were perceived to be risks to early learning. These findings highlight the urgent need to mitigate risks and amplify protective factors for the social emotional development and mental health of young children in South Africa. It is critical that these are considered within the contextual realities of low-income communities.

Comments

This article was originally published in Journal of Child and Family Studies in 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-024-02929-5

Recommended Citation

Draper, C.E., Cook, C.J., Ankrah, E.A. et al. Young Children’s Mental Well-Being in Low-Income South African Settings: A Qualitative Study. J Child Fam Stud (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-024-02929-5

Copyright

The authors

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.