Psycho-social correlates of wellbeing among South Africans: An exploration of the 2017 South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS)

Abstract

Wellbeing is a public health variable as it is an index of societal development. According to the most recent World Happiness Reports, South Africa ranks low in the self-reported wellbeing of its citizens. This study set out to understand the contributory factors to wellbeing of South Africans. This study explored the South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS) of 2017, a national survey of social attitudes in South Africa for variables that are related to the wellbeing of the citizens. Group identification, national identification, hopefulness for group's future, positive interracial contact, belief in sustaining memory of apartheid, attitude towards immigrants, frequency of group's discrimination experience, and life satisfaction were identified. Statistical analysis showed that these variables are significantly associated with wellbeing for the total sample. Also, analysis by population groups showed that these variables had differential significance for members of different groups. Life satisfaction emerged as the most important predictor of wellbeing for the total sample and Black Africans, Indian/Asians, and Colored groups. The findings of this study showed that different psycho-social factors are critical to the wellbeing of South Africans. It was suggested that the life experiences of the different population groups could influence how important a factor is in wellbeing and this should be considered in efforts to improve wellbeing of the citizens.