Main description:

This is the first volume providing a research platform to showcase research in the field of positive psychology and well-being science in African contexts. Next to enhancing context-sensitive theory and practice on the African continent, it also contributes to the global discourse in positive psychology and facilitates the development of a science that reflects and is relevant to complexity and diversity in a globalising society. This volume brings together work from African scholars, featuring research on theoretical perspectives on well-being in Africa, measurement of well-being in Africa, manifestations and dynamics of well-being in Africa, and well-being promotion in Africa. It stimulates further research in positive psychology and well-being science in the African context and globally, and emphasises the interconnectedness and situatedness of human functioning and well-being, contributing to a more balanced perspective on well-being in an international perspective.

The volume benefits researchers, students and practitioners in Africa and other international contexts who study or apply the science of positive psychology and well-being in diverse contexts.

Chapter 1 is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

Contents:

Preface

Part I Theoretical perspectives on well-being in Africa

Chapter 1 Embracing Well-Being in Diverse Contexts: The Third Wave of Positive Psychology and African Imprint

Marie P. Wissing, Lusilda Schutte, and Christelle Liversage

Chapter 2 Well-Being in Africa: Towards an Africa(n) Centred Positive Psychology

Angelina Wilson Fadiji, Itumeleng P. Khumalo, and Ncamisile Thumile Zulu

Chapter 3 Socially Influenced Health Norms: Their Construction and Enactment in African Culture Settings

Elias Mpofu and Elias Machina

Part II Measuring well-being in Africa

Chapter 4 Factorial Validity of the Twi Version of the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form and Prevalence of Mental Health in a Rural Ghanaian Sample

Richard Appiah, Marie P. Wissing, Angelina Wilson Fadiji, and Lusilda Schutte

Chapter 5 Conceptualising and Measuring Hospitality in Relation to Wellbeing in Kenya: Is Hospitality a Character Strength?

Sahaya G. Selvam, Joyce Wanjiru Kiige, and Jeketule Soko

Chapter 6 The factor structure of the Peer and Community Relational Health Indices in two South African samples: A bifactor exploratory structural equation modelling approach

Amanda Cromhout, Lusilda Schutte, and Marie P. Wissing

Part III Manifestations and dynamics of well-being in Africa

Chapter 7 Resilience in the Context of Chronic, Complex Stressors: An Emerging Adult's Account

Linda Theron and Michael Ungar

Chapter 8 Psychological Well-being among Yung People Living with HIV: Role of Social Support, Self-esteem and Socio-demographic Variables

Charles Magoba Muwonge, Annet Kembabazi, Gladys Nakalema, Margaret Ekatushabe, Diana Kwarikunda, Henry Kibedi, and Joseph Ssenyonga

Chapter 9 Exploring Protective Resources that Facilitate Positive Outcomes Among Married Girls in the Northern Region of Ghana

Hajara Baba, Joana Salifu Yendork, and Samuel Atindanbila

Chapter 10 Factors Contributing to Student Wellbeing: Student Perspectives

Irma Eloff, Sumari O'Neil, and Herbert Kanengoni

Chapter 11 Nature and Role of Student Hope and Meaning in Goal Setting: Implications for Higher Education in South Africa

Itumeleng P. Khumalo, Werner de Klerk, and Angelina Wilson Fadiji

Chapter 12 Virtues and Character strengths, Subjective Well-being and Academic Achievement: An Exploratory Study with Angolan University Students

Rutnilson da Silva, Ana Maria Rocha and Dilson Francisco

Chapter 13 Adult Attachment and Well-Being in the Medical Education Context: Attachment Security is Associated with Psychological Well-being through Self-Efficacy

Ephraim Chima Maduakor, JohnBosco Chika Chukwuorji, Peace N. Amanambu, and Chuka Mike Ifeagwazi

Chapter 14 Exploration of Harmony as a Quality of Happiness: Findings from South Africa and Ghana

Lusilda Schutte, Marie P. Wissing, Angelina Wilson Fadiji, Sonia Mbowa, Placidia M. Shoko, and Willem D. Schutte

Chapter 15 Concordance of Goals and Meaning with Reference to the Interpersonal Relationships Domain: Associations with Sociodemographic Variables and Well-being in a Multicultural South African Group

Christelle Liversage, Marie P. Wissing, and Lusilda Schutte

Part IV Well-being promotion in Africa

Chapter 16 Positive Psychological Interventions in African Contexts: A Scoping Review

Tharina Guse

Chapter 17 Community-based Interventions to Improve Well-being of Youth in a High-risk Community in South Africa: Researcher's Experiences and Implementation Outcomes

Izanette van Schalkwyk