Chronic Socioeconomic Stress, Psychological Distress and Informal Support among Aging Kenyans

Lifelong exposure to chronic socioeconomic stress (SES) poses a critical public health challenge to middle and old age Kenyans. Recent studies have shown that informal social support buffers the adverse psychological effects of chronic SES stress. However, the most effective characteristics of informal support and the exact pathways through which informal support offsets the harmful effects of SES stress on the health of aging Kenyans are unknown.

James R. Muruthi, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Counseling Psychology and Human Services, College of Education, University of Oregon, is addressing this question. Based on the Convey model of social support he is investigating the effects of the structure, quality and functions of informal (family, friends, church) support on the psychological health of aging Kenyans. According to the Convoy model, the characteristics of social relationships often vary throughout the lifespan. Therefore, this study is comparing the informal supports and their pathways to psychological health outcomes across various age groups (45 - 54, 55 - 64, 65 - 74, 75 and older) of aging Kenyans.

The study’s research questions are these: 1. What are the significant types and characteristics of informal social support for improving psychological distress among Kenyans? 2. What is the relationship between chronic SES stress and psychological distress? And 3. What are the combined and independent effects of informal support on the relationship between informal support and psychological distress?

The findings of this study will increase our understanding of the informal support for better psychological health among aging Kenyans by clarifying the significant characteristics of support associated with good health. They will also demystify the pathways through which informal support impacts the relationship between SES induced stress and psychological distress. Such clarification will in the future inform the creation of peer-based intervention to enhance psychological health among aging Kenyans.

This study is especially important in that it addresses health disparities among aging Kenyans, an example of typically marginalized groups in research and interventions. It seeks to enhance our knowledge of the mental health benefits of social relations by investigating the exact attributes that have positive effects on aging Kenyans mental health. Furthermore, the study seeks to leverage locally and naturally existing health resources to enhance aging and health in Kenya. This focus ensures sustainability of potential interventions and takes advantage of the most dependable social welfare resource among older people in Kenya- social relationships.