Psychosocial wellbeing and risk perception of older adults during COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria: perspectives on the role of social workers

Farah Naz Rahman; Anthony Obinna Iwuagwu; Christopher Ndubuisi Ngwu; Michael Ebe Kalu; Amani Kasherwa; Anika Tasnim; Mohamman Rocky Khan Chowdhury; Mamunur Rashid; Manzur Kader

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1505279

Psychosocial wellbeing and risk perception of older adults during COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria: perspectives on the role of social workers

Front Psychiatry. 2025 Jan 7:15:1505279. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1505279. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Farah Naz Rahman^{1

2}, Anthony Obinna Iwuagwu³, Christopher Ndubuisi Ngwu³, Michael Ebe Kalu⁴, Amani Kasherwa⁵, Anika Tasnim⁶, Mohamman Rocky Khan Chowdhury², Mamunur Rashid⁷, Manzur Kader⁸

Affiliations

¹ Maternal and Child Health Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh.
² School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
³ Department of Social Work, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
⁴ School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada.
⁵ School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Social Work, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.
⁶ Sidra Medicine, Ar-Rayyan, Doha, Qatar.
⁷ Unit of Public Health Science, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden.
⁸ Department of Medical Science, School of Health and Welfare, Dalarna University, Falun, Sweden.

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic presented a 'double-edged sword' for older adults: not only were they more susceptible to the virus, but its broader consequences also exacerbated other challenges, particularly those related to psychosocial well-being. Limited evidence exists on how older adults perceive the pandemic and its impact on their well-being and the role of social workers in addressing these challenges, particularly in resource-limited settings like Nigeria.

Aim: This study explored older adults' perceived risks regarding COVID-19, its impact on their psychosocial well-being, and the role of social workers in addressing these challenges in Nigeria.

Methods: A phenomenological and exploratory research design was used. In-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with 16 older adults and 4 social workers in Onitsha metropolis, Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria. Data were analyzed through reflexive thematic analysis.

Results: The findings revealed that the COVID-19 restrictive measures negatively impacted the psychosocial well-being of older adults, where social isolation, lack of support, the inability to engage in wellbeing activities, and emotional trauma collectively contributed to a significant decline in their mental and emotional health. Additionally, widespread misconceptions about the origin of COVID-19 led to reluctance in adopting preventive measures. While social workers provided some awareness and counselling sessions, their involvement was limited. Social workers were not recognized as part of the frontline response team, and their efforts were primarily constrained by governmental and institutional neglect.

Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for policy initiatives to enhance social workers involvement in strengthening the psychosocial resilience of older adults and addressing misconceptions during public health emergencies. Comprehensive strategies are essential for safeguarding the psychosocial well-being of older adults in future pandemics or similar crises.

Keywords: COVID-19; Nigeria; loneliness; older adults; psychosocial wellbeing; risk perception; social work.

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. The study was funded by International Collaborative Research Grant by Dalarna University, Sweden (Ref : BIBSAM CY23 -Hogskolan Dalarna), received by the corresponding author MK. The funding body provided financial support for the implementation of the study and had no influence in study design, analysis and interpretation of the results.