Older Women’s Physical, Psychological, and Social Experiences of Residing in Ivory Park, an Urban Informal Settlement in Johannesburg
Date
2023-10
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Abstract
Population aging is a worldwide phenomenon that is growing and therefore, the demand for research to investigate its nuances has increased. Research regarding the experiences of older populations residing in urban low-income communities, such as informal settlements, is particularly limited. As such, the aim of the study was to investigate the perceptions and experiences of older women residing in Ivory Park, an informal settlement. impacts their physical, psychological, and social well-being. A qualitative case study was adopted as the research design. The theoretical framework underpinning the study was the biopsychosocial model. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to recruit and select research participants. Data collection took place by conducting semi-structured, in-depth interviews in person with participants, using an interview guide. Thematic analysis was the method of data analysis that was applied to analyse the data. Based on study findings it was concluded that older women residing in Ivory Park are facing physical, psychological, and social challenges, but are coping fairly well because they have been living in Ivory Park for a long period of time and built up some support systems, mainly for improving their financial circumstances. Social welfare practitioners should work holistically with multiple frameworks to improve effectiveness of services Further research is needed on a greater scale, and the intensity of crime and violence require urgent attention.
Description
A report on a research study presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in Social Work in the field of Social Development to The Department of Social Work, School of Human and Community Development, Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023.
Keywords
Older persons, Older women, Biopsychosocial needs, Aging process, Community, Community-based interventions, UCTD
Citation
Mokoena, Mmasopola Dorcas. (2023). Older Women’s Physical, Psychological, and Social Experiences of Residing in Ivory Park, an Urban Informal Settlement in Johannesburg. [Master's dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg]. WIReDSpace. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/40050