Understanding Goal Motivations in Deprived Contexts: Perspectives of Adults in Two Rural South African Communities

Wilson, Angelina; Wissing, Marié P.; Schutte, Lusilda; Kruger, Iolanthé M.

doi:10.1007/s11482-017-9583-y

Cited by 9 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…The present empirical findings confirm that relationships are important sources of meaning as experienced on personal, interpersonal (family and other close relationships), community/society, and spiritual levels. The interwovenness of individual and communion motives in relations as sources of meaning, as found in the present study, is an empirical manifestation of the seamless flow of information in the dynamic interactions among levels of reality as conceptualized in Wilson et al’s (2019b) model.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 56%

“…In essence, our relationships reflect both who we are and who we want to be. In understanding goal motivations in rural South African communities, Wilson et al (2019b) noted those goal motivations (which are key components of meaning-making) had a robust interdependent focus embedded in existing relational ties. Themes emerging from the study, including financial security, social needs, generative caring, and relational goals, all pointed to how relationships function in providing a coherent and systematic view toward the world.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Motivations for Relationships as Sources of Meaning: Ghanaian and South African Experiences

et al. 2020

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Afrocentric paradigms reflect assumptions of the overarching importance of interconnectedness and social bonds in meaningful experiences. It is, however, not known if types of relatedness vary in importance as meaning sources in the subjective experiences of laypeople, or what the reasons are that they ascribe to the importance of relationships. The empirical and theoretical substantiation of philosophical assumptions is needed to provide a scientific basis for appropriate well-being interventions in African contexts. Therefore, this study aimed to empirically explore the relative importance of various types of relationships as sources of meaning and in particular why relationships are important to laypeople in relatively collectivist African contexts. Using a bottomup qualitative approach with quantification of responses, this study explored how prominently relationships featured as meaning sources compared to other domains of life and then, in particular, the motivations for the importance of various types of relationships as found in four African samples: a Ghanaian urban group (n = 389), a South African multicultural, English-speaking urban group (n = 585), and two South African Setswana-speaking groups (n = 512 rural, n = 380 urban). Findings showed that the relational domains of life, namely, family, interpersonal relations, spirituality/religion, and community/society, made up a large proportion of responses on what provides meaning in life−in particular family and spirituality/religion with community/society occurring the least. The reasons for meaning experienced in various relationship types included domain-typical relational descriptors, such as contributions made or rewards received. However, many intrapersonal motives also emerged: inner well-being, happiness, joy, a sense of competence, and own growth. Material needs and harmony also surfaced as motivations for relational importance. Findings are aligned with African philosophical perspectives as far as the importance of relationships and the value attached to spirituality/religion are concerned, but contributed additionally by showing that different types of relationships vary in importance: close relationships are

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 56%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Motivations for Relationships as Sources of Meaning: Ghanaian and South African Experiences

et al. 2020

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“…Psychological perspectives of well-being tend to view relationships as something people have and place less emphasis on the fact that people are who they are through relating with others. Wilson, Wissing, Schutte, and Kruger (2018) argue that goals and needs in rural parts of South Africa are relational in nature. The need for material things is underscored in the ability to ensure external utility.…”

Section: Psychological Perspectives Of Well-beingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Networks of Well-being in the Global South: A Critical Review of Current Scholarship

Mahali

Lynch

Fadiji

et al. 2018

Journal of Developing Societies

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The subject of human well-being continues to gain traction in disciplines as diverse as psychology, sociology, development studies, and economics. Current scholarship, however, is still largely framed by normative assumptions about what being well means, and the overwhelming majority of conceptual approaches to well-being being have been conceived and applied by researchers in the industrialized, wealthy contexts of the global North. We critique the current conceptualizations of well-being and assess their applicability to research in the global south, particularly in contexts marked by poverty and inequality.

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“…It is essential to mention that African collectivism is part of the selected high-risk community and the emphasis on the relational nature of goals and needs must be considered (cf. Wilson et al 2019). In other words, the grounding of the individual's well-being in relationships can enable a better understanding of the social and cultural settings that influence pathways to academic success (Mahali et al 2018, 3).…”

Section: Proximal Processesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pathways to academic success of disadvantaged undergraduate university students from a high-risk community in the Western Cape

Naidoo

Schalkwyk

2021

SAJHE

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Academic success is an indicator of employability and a decreased susceptibility to poverty. South Africa is burdened by high levels of poverty, and low levels of academic achievement. Students in disadvantaged communities such as Delft, in South Africa, typically have poor academic outcomes, since it is linked to socioeconomic status. Despite the myriad of challenges that they encounter, some students from high-risk contexts attain academic success. This study explored the pathways to academic success of disadvantaged university students from a high-risk community in the Western Cape. This qualitative study used a narrative inquiry design. A sample of 10 (N =10) participants were selected using criterion-based purposive sampling. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. The pathways to academic success have obstacles, but through positive developmental relationships, specific personal qualities, and motivation, the students achieved academic success. The correlation, significance, and impact of each pathway on academic success can be explored further.

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Understanding Goal Motivations in Deprived Contexts: Perspectives of Adults in Two Rural South African Communities

Cited by 9 publications

References 37 publications

Motivations for Relationships as Sources of Meaning: Ghanaian and South African Experiences

Motivations for Relationships as Sources of Meaning: Ghanaian and South African Experiences

Networks of Well-being in the Global South: A Critical Review of Current Scholarship

Pathways to academic success of disadvantaged undergraduate university students from a high-risk community in the Western Cape

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