Research Articles (Psychology)

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A qualitative study on adolescents’ perceptions and understandings of flourishing in the Western Cape, South Africa
(Springer Science and Business Media B.V., 2024-08-22) Witten, Heidi; Savahl, Shazly; Adams, Sabirah
Adolescence is a transitional period characterised by puberty, physical growth, and the capacity to complete life tasks. During this period, adolescents are faced with various challenges in completing various life tasks. Flourishing is defined as a state in which an individual functions optimally, and has a good level of well-being in all aspects of their life. Previous studies on adolescent flourishing have focused on measuring flourishing quantitatively, which suggests a need for further research that qualitatively explores adolescent flourishing. In this study we use the conceptualisation of flourishing that encompasses hedonia and eudaimonia. It is crucial to position adolescents at the core of research endeavours, to gain insight into the unique factors, values, and goals that contribute to their flourishing. The overall aim of the study is to explore adolescents’ understandings and perceptions of flourishing in the Western Cape, South Africa. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted to gain a comprehensive understanding of adolescents’ perceptions and understanding of flourishing. The interviews were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s theoretical thematic analysis. We found two overarching thematic categories: 1) Understanding flourishing and 2) Factors that promote flourishing. The study findings emphasise the significance of balance in different aspects of life such as mental health, self-reflection, and self-expression to support adolescents in developing their own sense of flourishing and to understand their own experiences. The central role of relationships as a support structure for adolescents was found to be significant as the participants were able to identify what is needed through these relationships, which could promote their own flourishing. Future empirical research should endeavour to include both hedonic and eudaimonic traditions in exploring adolescent flourishing.
Afrikaans adaptation of the children’s hope scale: Validation and measurement invariance
(Cogent OA, 2020) Savahl, Shazly; Adams, Sabirah; Florence, Maria Ann
The overarching aim of this study was to validate the Afrikaans version of Snyder’s (1997) Children’s Hope Scale in a sample of children from Cape Town, South Africa. Within this process, the study aimed to test the measurement invariance across the English and Afrikaans language versions. The study used a cross-sectional survey design, with a two-stage stratified random sample of 1022 children between the ages of 11- to 12-years-old. We selected the participants from 15 schools located in low and middle socio-economic status communities in the Cape Town Metropole. We used confirmatory factor analysis to analyse the data. The results indicated a good fit for the overall model using the pooled sample (X2 = 35.692; df = 7; p =.00; CFI =.984; RMSEA =.063; SRMR =.023). Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis further demonstrated the tenability of metric and scalar invariance.
Alcohol consumption amongst young adults living in a low socioeconomic status community in Cape Town
(Society for Personality Research, 2013) Adams, Sabirah; Savahl, Shazly; Isaacs, Serena; Carels, Cassandra Zeta
Our aim was to ascertain the extent of risky alcohol consumption amongst young adults living in a low socioeconomic status community in Cape Town, South Africa. We used a cross-sectional survey design and the street intercept method to administer the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). A key finding in this study was that 54.30% of male and 47.90% of the female participants were alcohol dependent, according to the classification criteria set out in the AUDIT. Our finding necessitates further investigations into alcohol consumption amongst young adults in South Africa. In addition, researchers should endeavor not only to identify, but also to understand, the dynamics of risk and resilience factors so that this information could be used to develop intervention initiatives that could mediate young adults’ initial consumption of alcohol.
Children's subjective well-being in Africa: A comparative analysis across three countries
(Elsevier, 2017) Savahl, Shazly; Tiliouine, Habib; Casas, Ferran; Adams, Sabirah; Mekonen, Yehualashet; Dejene, Negussie; Benninger, Elizabeth; Witten, Heidi
Recent trends in child well-being research have shown a substantial advancement in studies investigating children's subjective well-being (SWB). This advancement has raised questions concerning the measurement of SWB and the extent to which various measures can be compared across countries and diverse cultures. With a dearth of empirical data on cross-cultural comparisons, the validation of existing measures and cross-cultural comparisons and adaptations, have been identified as a critical course of action. The current study contributes to this process – it aims to report on children's SWB in three African countries (Algeria, Ethiopia, and South Africa), using two multiple item measures of SWB (the context-free Students' Life Satisfaction Scale and the domain- specific Personal Well-Being Index-School Children). Within this process the study further aims to test the structural validity of these measures and to ascertain its cross-country comparability. Data from the second wave of the Children's Worlds survey were used; and includes a randomly selected sample of 3394 children between the ages of 11–12 from Algeria (Provinces of El Bayedh, Oran, and Tlemcen), Ethiopia and South Africa (Western Cape Province). Located within the goodness of fit theoretical framework, confirmatory factor analysis and Structural Equation Modelling were used to test the overall fit structure, while multi-group confirmatory factor analysis was used to test measurement invariance. The results show appropriate fit structure for the individual models, with metric and scalar factor invariance tenable across the three countries for the Students' Life Satisfaction Scale and partial scalar invariance obtained for four items on the Personal Well-Being Index-School Children. The Algerian sample scored significantly higher than Ethiopia and South Africa on both SWB measures. Appropriate fit structure was obtained for the combined model and for the structural model, indicating adequate convergent validity with the single item Overall Life Satisfaction. Metric and partial scalar invariance was tenable for the structural model, suggesting cross-country comparability for correlations, regressions and means. The overall findings suggest that the two measures are appropriate for use with children from the three countries and that meaningful comparisons can be made between the three countries.
Children’s discourses of natural spaces: considerations for children’s subjective well-being
(Springer Verlag, 2017) Adams, Sabirah; Savahl, Shazly
Based on the evidence provided in the literature, it is manifest that increased time spent in nature increases various aspects of children’s well-being. Using discourse analysis on focus group interviews with 28 children between the ages of 12 and 14 years old from three socio-economically diverse communities in the Western Cape of South Africa, the study aimed to explore how children construct and assign meaning to natural spaces. More specifically the study explored how children use specific discursive resources and repertoires to construct and assign meaning to their engagement with natural spaces, and the extent to which this influences their subjective well-being. Several pertinent discourses emerged from the participants’ accounts within four themes of: Safety and natural spaces, Appreciation for natural spaces, Degradation of Nature: Thinking environmentally, acting pro-environmentally, and Natural spaces and children’s subjective well-being. The study highlights the critical role that children’s engagement in natural spaces has on their subjective well-being, and how these benefits can be harnessed to better children’s overall quality of life.
Children’s interactions with family and friends in constrained contexts: Considerations for children’s subjective well‑being
(Springer Nature, 2021) Florence, Maria; Savahl, Shazly; Adams, Sabirah
The primary aim of the study was to determine the relation between the frequency of children’s interactions with family and friends and their subjective well-being amongst a sample of children residing in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Within this process, the study further aimed to determine the differential relation of interactions with family and friends across two age groups (10- and 12-year-olds) and gender. The study included a sample of 2252 children between the ages of 10-to 12-years (Mage = 11.01, SD = 1.00). The instrument comprised a revised version of the Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale and six items representing the frequency of interactions with family and friends. We used confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling to analyse the data, with multi-group structural equation modelling to analyse the data across the two age groups and gender. We found a significant relation between children’s frequency of interactions with family and friends and their subjective well-being. While each of the latent constructs made a significant contribution, ‘frequency of interactions with family’ made the highest contribution to subjective well-being for the overall sample. Multi-group structural equation modelling demonstrated evidence of scalar invariance across age (10- and 12-yearolds) and gender, which endorses comparisons across groups by correlations, regression coefficients and mean scores. The latent variable ‘frequency of interactions with family’ presented with a stronger contribution for both age groups, as well as for both boys and girls. The study highlights the importance of social relationships on children’s lives and well-being.
Children’s representations of nature using photovoice and community mapping: perspectives from South Africa
(Co-Action Publishing:, 2017) Adams, Sabirah; Savahl, Shazly; Fattore, Tobia
The aim of the study was to explore children’s representations and perceptions of natural spaces using photovoice and community mapping. The sample consisted of 28 children aged 12–14 years residing in urban and rural communities in the Western Cape, South Africa. Data were collected by means of a series of six focus groups interviews (three photovoice discussion groups and three community mapping discussion groups). For the photovoice missions, children were provided with a 28-exposure disposable camera and given 1 week to complete their missions. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data. Three key themes emerged, namely: safe spaces in nature, unsafe spaces in nature, and children’s favourite places in nature. Socio-economic status (SES) was found to be a determining factor in how children make sense of natural spaces. Children from low SES communities indicated being more constricted in their mobility, and were unable to access to safe natural spaces compared to the children from the middle SES community. It is recommended that an expedient starting point would be to work towards and build environmentally and child-friendly communities for children, with children as key contributors in the planning process using a child participation framework.
Children’s subjective well-being: Multi-group analysis among a sample of children from two socio-economic status groups in the Western Cape, South Africa
(Springer Verlag, 2017) Savahl, Shazly; Casas, Ferran; Adams, Sabirah
Recent advancements in child well-being research have shown an increased importance of subjective well-being in understanding children and adolescents’ quality of life. These advancements have raised questions concerning the extent to which children’s subjective perceptions and experiences of well-being can be compared between countries and across diverse cultures. With a dearth of empirical data on cross-cultural comparisons, the validation of existing measures and cross-cultural comparisons have been identified by a number of researchers as critical in contributing to this process, and ultimately to the international dialogue on children’s overall quality of life. The aim of the current study was to test two measures of subjective well-being (the Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale and the Personal Well-Being Index-School Children) among a sample of children in the Western Cape region of South Africa. Noting the diversity of living experiences between children from different socio-economic status groups in South Africa, the study further aimed to determine the extent to which the measures are comparable across socio-economic status groups. Data from the first wave of the Children’s World Survey were used; and included a sample of 1004 12 year old children randomly selected from 15 schools within the Cape Town Metropole. Located within the goodness of fit theoretical framework, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling was used to test the overall fit structure; while multi-group factor analysis was used to test measurement invariance across socio-economic status groups. The results show appropriate fit structure for the overall model, with metric and scalar factor invariance tenable across socio-economic status groups. The overall findings suggest that the two measures are appropriate for use with children from low and middle socio-economic status groups in the Western Cape province of South Africa and that the two groups can be compared by correlations, regressions and means.
Examining the relationship among bullying, school climate and adolescent well-being in Chile and South Africa: a cross cultural comparison
(Springer, 2019) Varela, Jorge J.; Savahl, Shazly; Adams, Sabirah; Reyes, Fernando
Bullying at school represents a major challenge in different school cultural contexts. As a result, victims of bullying experience negative consequences that influence their daily life and personal well-being. School climate in particular is important to consider in the prevention of bullying and its consequences. However, few studies have examined the effects of bullying victimization on children’s subjective well-being (SWB), using hierarchical analysis, in different cultural contexts. Therefore, the current study examined the role of bullying victimization and school climate on children’s SWB in two different contexts, Chile and South Africa. The study forms part of and uses data from the Children’s Worlds Study in these contexts. With a combined sample of 1829 children aged 12-years old, the data were analyzed using hierarchical linear modeling and structural equation modeling. The key findings indicate that bullying victimization was a significant predictor of children’s SWB at the individual and school level (school climate) in Chile and South Africa. Further, a cross-level interaction effect of school climate on the relationship between bullying victimization and SWB was found in Chile only. Mediational analysis demonstrated a good fit of the data for both countries, and indicated that bullying victimization had a direct effect on SWB, and an indirect effect through school climate. These results contribute to a better understanding of the role of school climate for bullying behavior, especially for victims. Schools represent an important institution, beyond the cultural context, that can help foster children’s social development by promoting a positive school climate.
An exploration into the impact of exposure to community violence and hope on children's perceptions of well-being: a South African perspective
(Springer, 2013) Savahl, Shazly; Isaacs, Serena; Adams, Sabirah; Carels, Cassandra Zeta; September, Rose
The study aims to explore the relationship between exposure to community violence, hope, and well-being. More specifically, the study aims to ascertain whether hope is a stronger predictor of well-being than exposure to violence. Stratified random sampling was used to select a sample of 566 adolescents aged 14–17 years, from both high violence and low violence areas in Cape Town, South Africa. A questionnaire consisting of Snyder’s Children’s Hope Scale, the Recent Exposure to Violence Scale and the KIDSCREEN-52 was used. Data analysis techniques included descriptive statistics, correlations, and multiple regression. A positive, significant relationship was found between children’s hope and their well-being. Although exposure to community violence was found to be significantly correlated with wellbeing, the relationship was negligible.While exposure to community violence and hope were found to be significant predictors of well-being, hope emerged as a stronger predictor of child well-being than exposure to community violence.
Prevalence of bullying victimisation among primary school children in South Africa: a population-based study
(BMC Research Notes, 2021) Manuel, Donnay; Adams, Sabirah; Savahl, Shazly; Mpilo, Mulalo
Objectives: Bullying victimisation (BV) among children in South Africa has been identified as a major public health concern. While several studies report on the prevalence rates of BV, there is currently a dearth of research that reports on the prevalence of BV among a national sample of primary school children. This study determines the prevalence rates of BV among a nationally representative sample of school-going children in South Africa across provinces, age, and gender. The sample comprised 7067 children (boys=45.6%; girls=54.4%) between the ages of 10–12-years attending 61 primary schools across the nine provincial regions of South Africa. Results: In terms of ‘being hit’ by other children, percentages range from 22.55% (North West) to 33.34% (Free State). Children in Gauteng (33.59%) and Limpopo (38.54%) had the highest percentage of children being ‘left out’ or excluded. Additionally, across all provinces more than 30% of children reported that they had been ‘called unkind names’. Across gender, boys are more likely to experience all three forms of BV (being hit, left out, and called unkind names). The findings further indicate that 10-year-olds reported being ‘hit’ and ‘left out’, whereas a greater percentage of 12-year-olds reported ‘being called unkind names’ (44.28%).
The relationship between hope and life satisfaction among children in low and middle socio-economic status communities in cape town, South Africa
(Springer Nature, 2019) Raats, Claudia; Adams, Sabirah; Savahl, Shazly
The overarching aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between hope and life satisfaction among a sample of children in Cape Town, South Africa. More specifically, the study aimed to ascertain the moderating effect of socio-economic status on this relationship. The study uses secondary data from the first wave of the Children’s Worlds study. A cross-sectional survey design was employed with the use of stratified random sampling to select a sample of 1004 twelve-year old children attending primary schools within the Cape Town Metropole. The questionnaire administered, incorporated Huebner’s (School Psychology International, 12, 231–240, 1991) Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale and Snyder et al.’s (Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 22, 399–421, 1997) Children’s Hope Scale. Data were analysed by means of correlational analysis, and using the Process Tool for moderation. The results indicate that there is a significant relationship between hope and life satisfaction for both low and middle socio-economic status communities.
The structure of children's subjective well being
(Researchgate, 2021-06) Savahl, Shazly; Casas, Ferran; Adams, Sabirah
Research on children’s quality of life and subjective well-being has advanced over the past decade largely as a result of developments in childhood theory, children’s rights legislation, and the shift toward positive social science. However, in line with the uncertainty regarding the conceptualization of subjective well-being, the structural configuration of children’s subjective well-being has not been considered in the literature. In the current study, we present and test a model of children’s subjective well-being, which includes global (context-free items assessing overall and general well-being, without reference to a specific aspect of life) and specific (domain-based items assessing a specific aspect of life) cognitive components, and positive and negative affect. We further test the fit structure of a hierarchical structural (second-order) model of children’s subjective well-being. Finally, we test the measurement invariance of the hierarchical model across age and gender. We use data from the third Wave of the Children’s Worlds Survey. The data source includes a sample of 92,782 participants selected from 35 countries (girls = 49.7%) in two age groups (10- and 12-years-old). We found a good fit for the four-factor confirmatory factor model of children’s subjective well-being. Correlations between the various latent factors were as anticipated—with positive correlations between the life satisfaction components and positive affect, and negative correlations with negative affect. We further found a good fit for the hierarchical structural model of children’s subjective well-being. Finally, we found the tenability of measurement invariance across age and gender. The study extends the generalizability of the hierarchical structural configuration of the subjective well-being to child samples, and provides a viable model to explore correlates and predictors of children’s subjective well-being using the full conceptual model. Finally, we propound the tenability of a quadripartite hierarchical conceptual model of children’s subjective well-being.
Validation of the children’s hope scale amongst a sample of adolescents in the Western Cape Region of South Africa
(Springer, 2016) Savahl, Shazly; Casas, Ferran; Adams, Sabirah
A growing body of research has provided evidence for the cognitive-motivational construct of hope as a psychological strength, particularly for adolescents confronted with ensuing adverse conditions. Given the dearth of research on hope in South Africa, the aim of the current study was to validate Snyder’s Children’s Hope Scale within this context. A cross sectional survey design was used to collect data from a sample of 1022 adolescents between the ages of 13 and 16 (449 males and 573 females) attending high schools within the Western Cape geographical region of South Africa. The sample was selected using a two-stage stratified random sampling protocol, with socio-economic status (low, medium and high) as the defining variable. Data were collected using Snyder’s (1997) Children’s Hope Scale which was adapted to the South African context and translated into Afrikaans. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to analyse the data. The results indicate good fit indices for the overall model with two error co-variances (x2 =35.692; df=7; p=0.00; CFI=0.984; RMSEA=0.063; SRMR=0.023). Multi-group analysis with constrained factor loadings and intercepts show good fit across socio-economic status groups which indicate that these groups can be compared by correlations, regressions and means. The overall findings suggest that the Children’s Hope Scale is an appropriate measure for use in the South African context.

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