Social networks, social participation, and health among youth living in extreme poverty in rural Malawi

Abstract

Extensive research documents that social network characteristics affect health, but knowledge of peer networks of youth in Malawi and sub-Saharan Africa is limited. We examine the networks and social participation of youth living in extreme poverty in rural Malawi, using in-depth interviews with 32 youth and caregivers. We describe youth’s peer networks and assess how gender and the context of extreme poverty influence their networks and participation, and how their networks influence health. In-school youth had larger, more interactive, and more supportive networks than out-of-school youth, and girls described less social participation and more isolation than boys. Youth exchanged social support and influence within their networks that helped cope with poverty-induced stress and sadness, and encouraged protective sexual health practices. However, poverty hampered their involvement in school, religious schools, and community organizations, directly through lack of required material means, and indirectly by reducing time and emotional resources and creating shame and stigma. Poverty alleviation policy holds promise for improving youth’s social wellbeing and mental and physical health by increasing their opportunities to form networks, receive social support, and experience positive influence.

The psychometric properties of PHQ-4 anxiety and depression screening scale among out of school adolescent girls and young women in Tanzania: a cross-sectional study

“…Implications AGYW who are out of school experience relatively more psychological distress compared to their schoolattending peers [44]. As stated earlier, most mental health disorders are undiagnosed until adulthood [9][10][11].…”

Prevalence and correlates of depression and anxiety symptoms among out-of-school adolescent girls and young women in Tanzania: A cross-sectional study

“…Mental health disorders, particularly among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), are generally under-researched in sub-Saharan Africa. Although there is limited literature on the topic, one study in Malawi suggested that AGYW who are out-of-school are at a higher risk of mental health disorders compared to their school-attending peers [18]. In Malawi, the risk factors for mental health disorders among AGYW who are out of school were poverty, daily hassles and limited social capital [18].…”

The role of productive activities in the lives of adolescents: Photovoice evidence from Malawi

“…However, because of constraints on time and funding, we did not implement the Photovoice components of collaboratively assigning topics with participants, involving participants in the analysis and/or write-up of the results, nor did we facilitate an action component like some (Carter-Edwards et al, 2015) in which study participants work to address jointly identified issues. Instead, based on previous experiences using in-depth interviews with adolescents in Malawi (Rock et al, 2016), we chose a photo-elicitation approach to involve adolescents in this context in a more engaging way as we describe below.…”