Negative social interactions and the persistence of depression: Evidence from the women of Westbury, South Africa

Abstract

We explored women’s experiences of depression from the perspective of negative social interactions at the personal, family, and community levels. Informants were seven coloured women from Westbury, Johannesburg, South Africa (aged 28 – 56 years old). The participants answered open-ended questions on their experiences of depression at different levels within their setting. Thematic analysis of the data yielded six main categories of influence on women’s well-being: (i) intimate partner violence or infidelity; (ii) family conflict; (iii) the burden of care for children; (iv) exposure to community violence (v) socioeconomic challenges; and (vi) the stigmatisation of those with mental health disorders. Overall, the resultant social withdrawal accompanying these negative social interaction experiences require psychotherapeutic services and interventions aimed at promoting healthy social connections. Multidimensional approaches at the individual, family, and the community levels would enhance social cohesion and improve the well-being of women at risk for depression from negative social interactions.

Keywords:

• community violence
• social risk hypothesis of depression
• South Africa
• Westbury
• women’s mental health

Notes

1 In South Africa, the term coloured is a classification for people of mixed ethnic origin (Inwood & Masakure, 2013). The government requires all organisations to report on the number of people registered in terms of the four official categories so that it can monitor transformation.