An Investigation of the Nature and fulfilment of Psychosocial well-being of Adolescent children from single-parent homes

Abstract

It has been a historical norm in African societies for children to live in the homes of caregivers. Among these caregivers are the grandparents, who have from time immemorial, been a pillar of support to their children in caring for their grandchildren. Against this background, the paper examined the nature and fulfilment of adolescent children's psychosocial well-being from single-parent homes under the custody of custodial grandparents. The study utilized a quantitative research approach to administer 150 questionnaires to adolescent children from Buffalo City Metropolitan, South Africa, through a multi-stage sampling technique to select respondents. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings identified adolescent children's psychosocial well-being needs: as well as the psychological, spiritual, emotional, social and physical needs. The study also found out that custodial grandparents appreciably met the psychosocial needs of the adolescent children. Other findings revealed that the adolescent children in the municipality considered their spiritual lives less important. The study concluded that custodial grandparents should ensure they teach and promote activities/values that enhance their grandchildren's spiritual lives.