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The Prevalence of Levels of Well-Being Revisited in an African Context

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Mental Well-Being

Abstract

Little is known about the prevalence of levels of psychosocial well-being in various contexts. This chapter considers some conceptual challenges and reports on findings with regard to the prevalence of levels of psychosocial well-being against the theoretical backdrop of Keyes’ mental health continuum model in several groups in an African context. The percentages of flourishing in most of these South African groups are higher than those in the United States, particularly in students and black African participants, whereas the percentages of languishing are similar. Further empirical research is required to establish the role of contextual, historical, and sociodemographic variables in psychosocial well-being. Further conceptualization and exploration with regard to possible patterns of well-being are indicated.

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Acknowledgements

The following colleagues and students are thanked for their inputs, organization, data collection, and/or supervision of fieldwork: Johan Potgieter, Tumi Khumalo, Alida Nienaber, Tertia Oosthuizen, Heleen Coetzee, Mabet van Wyk, Annamarie Kruger, Leoné Malan, and all the field-workers.

Funding: The following organizations are recognized for financial assistance for conducting the PURE and/or FORT2 and 3 projects: the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa, the Medical Research Council (MRC) of South Africa, the North-West University, SANPAD, and the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI) of Canada.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School for Psychosocial Sciences: Psychology, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, X6001, 2520, Potchefstroom, South Africa

    Marié P. Wissing & Q. Michael Temane

Authors
  1. Marié P. Wissing
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  2. Q. Michael Temane
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Correspondence to Marié P. Wissing .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Dept. of Sociology, Emory University, Dickey Dr. 1555, Atlanta, 30322, Georgia, USA

    Corey L.M. Keyes

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Wissing, M.P., Temane, Q.M. (2013). The Prevalence of Levels of Well-Being Revisited in an African Context. In: Keyes, C. (eds) Mental Well-Being. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5195-8_4

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