Abstract
M.A. (Development Studies)
Mental health is an increasingly important field of interest in epidemiology and development. The understanding of mental health and its effect on the functioning of individuals is increasingly being viewed through the lens of vulnerability. There are efforts to predict mental health outcome by defining vulnerability and exposure factors (Aneshensel, Rutter & Lachenbruch 1991). The research aims to explore associations between household well-being and self-reported mental health, measured by the Self Reporting Questionnaire-20 (SRQ-20). The argument is for the inclusion of mental health measures in general household surveys. It is furthermore a motivation for the inclusion of certain indicators in quantitative research on health, poverty and livelihoods. The study represents a secondary analysis of existing data that was collected as part of the Johannesburg Poverty and Livelihoods Study (JPLS). The study by De Wet, Patel, Korth & Forrester (2008: 6-7) used a questionnaire on household socio-economics and health, as well as the SRQ-20 battery of questions.
Eighteen composite variables were created. They were tested for association with the binary outcome of the SRQ-20. Variables that showed significant associations were included in a series of logistic regression models. Findings show the importance of demographic variables (chapter four): area of residence, age and gender. In terms of poverty and livelihood strategies (chapter five), the presence of livelihood strategies maintained an important relationship to the mental health variable. Food insecurity, access to basic services, access to social security and access to informal financial support emerged as important to the mental health outcome of the individual. In terms of health and social participation (chapter six), the health of the household showed an important relationship to the mental health outcome. Participation in civil groupings, the experience of detrimental shock, and the perception of the individual of safety furthermore influenced the mental health outcome at an individual level. Lastly, the presence of care burdens in the household is an important indicator of individual mental health.