Psychosocial wellbeing and risk perception of older adults during COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria: perspectives on the role of social workers
BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic presented a ‘double-edged sword’ for older adults: not only were they more susceptible to the virus, but its broader consequences also exacerbated other challenges, particularly those related to psychosocial well-being. Limited evidence exists on how older adults perc...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1505279/full |
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| author | Farah Naz Rahman Farah Naz Rahman Anthony Obinna Iwuagwu Christopher Ndubuisi Ngwu Michael Ebe Kalu Amani Kasherwa Anika Tasnim Mohamman Rocky Khan Chowdhury Mamunur Rashid Manzur Kader |
| author_facet | Farah Naz Rahman Farah Naz Rahman Anthony Obinna Iwuagwu Christopher Ndubuisi Ngwu Michael Ebe Kalu Amani Kasherwa Anika Tasnim Mohamman Rocky Khan Chowdhury Mamunur Rashid Manzur Kader |
| author_sort | Farah Naz Rahman |
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| description | BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic presented a ‘double-edged sword’ for older adults: not only were they more susceptible to the virus, but its broader consequences also exacerbated other challenges, particularly those related to psychosocial well-being. Limited evidence exists on how older adults perceive the pandemic and its impact on their well-being and the role of social workers in addressing these challenges, particularly in resource-limited settings like Nigeria.AimThis study explored older adults’ perceived risks regarding COVID-19, its impact on their psychosocial well-being, and the role of social workers in addressing these challenges in Nigeria.MethodsA phenomenological and exploratory research design was used. In-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with 16 older adults and 4 social workers in Onitsha metropolis, Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria. Data were analyzed through reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsThe findings revealed that the COVID-19 restrictive measures negatively impacted the psychosocial well-being of older adults, where social isolation, lack of support, the inability to engage in wellbeing activities, and emotional trauma collectively contributed to a significant decline in their mental and emotional health. Additionally, widespread misconceptions about the origin of COVID-19 led to reluctance in adopting preventive measures. While social workers provided some awareness and counselling sessions, their involvement was limited. Social workers were not recognized as part of the frontline response team, and their efforts were primarily constrained by governmental and institutional neglect.ConclusionThe findings highlight the need for policy initiatives to enhance social workers involvement in strengthening the psychosocial resilience of older adults and addressing misconceptions during public health emergencies. Comprehensive strategies are essential for safeguarding the psychosocial well-being of older adults in future pandemics or similar crises. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f9b8bee9a1314ae4be8181bfc27a03a9 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-0640 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj-art-f9b8bee9a1314ae4be8181bfc27a03a92025-01-07T06:41:00ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402025-01-011510.3389/fpsyt.2024.15052791505279Psychosocial wellbeing and risk perception of older adults during COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria: perspectives on the role of social workersFarah Naz Rahman0Farah Naz Rahman1Anthony Obinna Iwuagwu2Christopher Ndubuisi Ngwu3Michael Ebe Kalu4Amani Kasherwa5Anika Tasnim6Mohamman Rocky Khan Chowdhury7Mamunur Rashid8Manzur Kader9Maternal and Child Health Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, BangladeshSchool of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, AustraliaDepartment of Social Work, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, NigeriaDepartment of Social Work, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, NigeriaSchool of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, Toronto, ON, CanadaSchool of Nursing, Midwifery, and Social Work, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, AustraliaSidra Medicine, Ar-Rayyan, Doha, QatarSchool of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, AustraliaUnit of Public Health Science, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, Gävle, SwedenDepartment of Medical Science, School of Health and Welfare, Dalarna University, Falun, SwedenBackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic presented a ‘double-edged sword’ for older adults: not only were they more susceptible to the virus, but its broader consequences also exacerbated other challenges, particularly those related to psychosocial well-being. Limited evidence exists on how older adults perceive the pandemic and its impact on their well-being and the role of social workers in addressing these challenges, particularly in resource-limited settings like Nigeria.AimThis study explored older adults’ perceived risks regarding COVID-19, its impact on their psychosocial well-being, and the role of social workers in addressing these challenges in Nigeria.MethodsA phenomenological and exploratory research design was used. In-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with 16 older adults and 4 social workers in Onitsha metropolis, Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria. Data were analyzed through reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsThe findings revealed that the COVID-19 restrictive measures negatively impacted the psychosocial well-being of older adults, where social isolation, lack of support, the inability to engage in wellbeing activities, and emotional trauma collectively contributed to a significant decline in their mental and emotional health. Additionally, widespread misconceptions about the origin of COVID-19 led to reluctance in adopting preventive measures. While social workers provided some awareness and counselling sessions, their involvement was limited. Social workers were not recognized as part of the frontline response team, and their efforts were primarily constrained by governmental and institutional neglect.ConclusionThe findings highlight the need for policy initiatives to enhance social workers involvement in strengthening the psychosocial resilience of older adults and addressing misconceptions during public health emergencies. Comprehensive strategies are essential for safeguarding the psychosocial well-being of older adults in future pandemics or similar crises.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1505279/fullolder adultslonelinesspsychosocial wellbeingrisk perceptionsocial workCOVID-19 |
| spellingShingle | Farah Naz Rahman Farah Naz Rahman Anthony Obinna Iwuagwu Christopher Ndubuisi Ngwu Michael Ebe Kalu Amani Kasherwa Anika Tasnim Mohamman Rocky Khan Chowdhury Mamunur Rashid Manzur Kader Psychosocial wellbeing and risk perception of older adults during COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria: perspectives on the role of social workers Frontiers in Psychiatry older adults loneliness psychosocial wellbeing risk perception social work COVID-19 |
| title | Psychosocial wellbeing and risk perception of older adults during COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria: perspectives on the role of social workers |
| title_full | Psychosocial wellbeing and risk perception of older adults during COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria: perspectives on the role of social workers |
| title_fullStr | Psychosocial wellbeing and risk perception of older adults during COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria: perspectives on the role of social workers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Psychosocial wellbeing and risk perception of older adults during COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria: perspectives on the role of social workers |
| title_short | Psychosocial wellbeing and risk perception of older adults during COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria: perspectives on the role of social workers |
| title_sort | psychosocial wellbeing and risk perception of older adults during covid 19 pandemic in nigeria perspectives on the role of social workers |
| topic | older adults loneliness psychosocial wellbeing risk perception social work COVID-19 |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1505279/full |
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