Positive Psychological Interventions in African Contexts: A Scoping Review

Guse, Tharina

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-85924-4_16

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 62 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Because sub-Saharan Africa, more generally, has unique rich values that already foster flourishing, positive traits and behaviors, and the common good , the region is potentially fructuous for positive psychology research and practice. Yet, a recent scoping review that examined the nature and aims of PPIs conducted in Africa between 2006 and 2019 shows that the majority of the studies merely replicated existing themes and intervention strategies designed and evaluated from Western perspectives and value systems (Guse, 2022). There are important theoretical and practical justifications for adapting behavioral and psychological measures and intervention protocols originating from one context before they are administered to any population group in other contexts (Appiah, Schutte, et al, 2020; Hendriks & Graafsma, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Context matters: Sociocultural considerations in the design and implementation of community-based positive psychology interventions in sub-Saharan Africa

Appiah

2022

Culture & Psychology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Scholars conducting cross-cultural research in mental health often import intervention programs found to be efficacious in one social context (e.g., Western) and directly implement them in other contexts (e.g., African and Asian) without recourse to the sociocultural disparities between the target populations and the theoretical foundations of the constructs and principles underpinning the intervention programs. Such efforts mistakenly assume that positive psychology interventions (PPIs), most of which were developed from Western perspectives and assumed individualistic cultural orientation and value systems, operate equally across all contexts. Drawing on the extant literature and on insights from designing, implementing, and evaluating group-based (mental) health behavior change intervention programs across several communities in Ghana, we discuss some sociocultural, theoretical, and methodological issues that can significantly constrain the design, uptake, and effectiveness of PPIs in the rural, low literate, socioeconomically disadvantaged, highly collectivistic context of Ghana, and sub-Saharan Africa more generally. In all illustrations, we offer suggestions to guide the design and implementation processes to ensure culturally appropriate, highly acceptable, and potentially effective intervention programs. We argue that PPIs can be potentially fructuous in the sub-region when adapted to, or embedded in, the cultural values of the target population and tailored to the needs, capacities, and circumstances of participants.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Context matters: Sociocultural considerations in the design and implementation of community-based positive psychology interventions in sub-Saharan Africa

Appiah

2022

Culture & Psychology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Proverbial positive psychology: can we leverage African ancient wisdom to promote flourishing?

Appiah

2023

The Journal of Positive Psychology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A bibliometric review of positive psychology and well-being research in Africa

Fadiji,

Khumalo,

Wissing

et al. 2024

Front. Psychol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Positive Psychology rapidly developed into an influential field of study and intervention, initially situated in Psychology, and later becoming multidisciplinary. Research interest in the study of (psychological) well-being has gained global popularity, with increasing salience in Africa. Although the global trends of these developments are relatively well-known, a bibliometric analysis of positive psychology research in Africa was necessary to shed light on the present hotspots and trends and future trajectories in this region of the world. The data source of the present bibliometric analysis study was Scopus, from which Positive Psychology and well-being research literature from Africa between 1983 and 2023 were searched. Using biblioshiny and VOSviewer, the 622 extracted articles were analysed, from which findings about the current condition, research hotspots, and thematic developmental patterns could be made. Africa experienced an initial slow growth period from 1983 until 2005, after which a rapid growth in research productivity, relevance and impact was experienced. In this regard, the results show that the focal point of scientific productivity is South Africa, with the dominance of South African institutions, particularly the North-West University, from where most positive psychology research is produced and cited. Even with potential access to international journal, African researchers seem to prefer to place their publications in the regional journals such as Journal of Psychology in Africa and South African Journal of Psychology. The research reviewed tends to be characterised by more dominant thematic clusters of positive psychology, psychological well-being, and subjective well-being, with a focus on human individuals. An increasing concern for contextual factors and potential antecedents and dynamics of well-being is also observed. The findings provide a good map from which identification of future research priorities can be deduced. As such, we speculate that future positive psychology research in Africa ought to be concerned with the following: greater distribution and intercountry collaborations across the continent, questions of conceptual clarity of terms, better understanding of contextual factors which influence well-being, and well-being research embracing the complexity of bio-psycho-social-ecological well-being, and science concerned with health-promotion interventions.

show abstract

Positive Psychological Interventions in African Contexts: A Scoping Review

Cited by 3 publications

References 62 publications

Context matters: Sociocultural considerations in the design and implementation of community-based positive psychology interventions in sub-Saharan Africa

Context matters: Sociocultural considerations in the design and implementation of community-based positive psychology interventions in sub-Saharan Africa

Proverbial positive psychology: can we leverage African ancient wisdom to promote flourishing?

A bibliometric review of positive psychology and well-being research in Africa

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About