The wellbeing of families in a South African resource-constrained community

Abstract

Wellbeing Theory, also known as the positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning and achievements (PERMA) model (Seligman, 2011), proposes that there are five pillars or pathways by which people can pursue wellbeing; all of which are definable and measurable constructs (Adler & Seligman, 2016). The PERMA model incorporates a number of wellbeing theories from both subjective and objective points of view which, according to Kern, Waters, Adler, and White (2014), makes it a multidimensional measure for wellbeing that looks at both wellbeing feelings as well as functioning well in various life domains (Huppert & So, 2013). While there is a fair amount of research within the field of Positive Psychology on wellbeing conceptualisations and the applicability of the PERMA model within individualistic societies, the applicability thereof in more collectivistic societies such as the peri-urban resource-constrained community of Diepsloot South Africa, is yet an area to be further researched. The present study involved a secondary data analysis of existing data that were collected during an EAP (Equine-Assisted Psychotherapeutic) positive parent workshop with a group of parents from the Diepsloot settlement in Johannesburg, South Africa. The aim of the present study was to determine whether descriptions of family life and wellbeing in Diepsloot provided by these families align with the PERMA model pathways. The findings showed that the wellbeing conceptualisations of the Diepsloot families overlapped with the PERMA pathways in culturally consistent ways and further showed that the PERMA model holds relevance for the South African context and that it is a valuable model to be used in the identification of family assets and strengths.