The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of social isolation on the psychological wellbeing of the elderly in Mezam Division of the Northwest Region of Cameroon. More specifically, the study sought to assess the extent to which reduced mobility and lack of preparedness for retirement affect the psychological wellbeing of the elderly in the Division. The target population of the study consisted of 7026 elderly persons. The study employed a concurrent parallel mixed methods research design. Quantitative data was collected through a questionnaire while a semi-structured interview guide was used to collect qualitative data from a sample of 300 participants. Questionnaires were completed by 275 elderly persons while 25 others were interviewed. The purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to select the sample of the study. Data was analyzed with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0 for Windows. Descriptive statistics such as simple percentages, mean scores and standard deviation, and inferential statistics such as the Pearson Product Moment Correlation test was used to analyze quantitative data while qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis with the support of ATLAS.ti software version 8.0. The findings revealed that reduced mobility, and lack of preparedness for retirement have a significant correlation with psychological wellbeing among elderly persons in Mezam. Based on the findings, it was recommended that applied developmental psychologists and counsellors should develop and enhance their knowledge and competencies on mechanisms to detect and systematically rehabilitate elderly persons suffering from social isolation in order to improve their psychological wellbeing and functioning within communities.
Social Isolation, Reduced Mobility, Retirement, and Psychological Wellbeing
International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development - IJTSRD having
online ISSN 2456-6470. IJTSRD is a leading Open Access, Peer-Reviewed International
Journal which provides rapid publication of your research articles and aims to promote
the theory and practice along with knowledge sharing between researchers, developers,
engineers, students, and practitioners working in and around the world in many areas
like Sciences, Technology, Innovation, Engineering, Agriculture, Management and
many more and it is recommended by all Universities, review articles and short communications
in all subjects. IJTSRD running an International Journal who are proving quality
publication of peer reviewed and refereed international journals from diverse fields
that emphasizes new research, development and their applications. IJTSRD provides
an online access to exchange your research work, technical notes & surveying results
among professionals throughout the world in e-journals. IJTSRD is a fastest growing
and dynamic professional organization. The aim of this organization is to provide
access not only to world class research resources, but through its professionals
aim to bring in a significant transformation in the real of open access journals
and online publishing.