Is Geropsychology “Forever Young” on the Mother Continent? Addressing the Limited Research on Psychology of Aging in Africa

Abstract

Objectives Our paper highlights areas of interest to psychologists studying aging in Africa and what has already been learned about aspects of psychological aging from studies done in the African context. We also considered whether there are issues that are unique about aging in the African context that might challenge how aging is typically considered in psychology research. Method We reviewed articles recently published in major gerontology journals focusing on African older adults, with the goal of identifying key themes of current geropsychology in Africa. Results We identified a number of dominant themes including: subjective aging, psychosocial impact of widowhood at old age, aging in place, stress and caregiving, cognitive aging, interrelations between HIV and aging, and successful aging. Discussion The themes of psychological aging research identified as especially relevant in Africa provide a starting point for psychological aging researchers in general to engage with the African context. Many African countries may be facing common challenges, but the existing studies are not fully representative of the aging population in the continent. Creating a framework for organizing and coordinating funding will help to address the limited research on geropsychology in Africa. Collaborative research projects/programs, joint classrooms, and fellowships that support African geropsychology scholars will be helpful. Geropsychology will benefit from more engagement with the African context by applying innovative approaches such as the adoption of longitudinal designs, mixed method research, Experience Sampling Methods, translation of measures into indigenous languages, involvement of rural samples, and implementation science and community engaged research.

Sankofa: Learning From the Past to Build the Future—Introduction to the Special Issue on Aging in Sub-Saharan Africa

“…The papers in this special issue are diverse in topic, format, population, authors, methods, and geography, reflecting the diversity of cultures in Africa with its many different languages, religions, histories of colonization, and educational practices ( Chukwuorji et al, 2023 ). This special issue includes 18 papers with contributing authors from many countries including, Nigeria, Canada, Kenya, United States, and Hong Kong.…”