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Submission information
Submission Number: 172
Submission ID: 1163
Submission UUID: 0288ac9c-7543-476f-ab3b-a53c12c67eac
Submission URI: /2025/abstracts
Created: Fri, 06/13/2025 - 11:25
Completed: Fri, 06/13/2025 - 13:41
Changed: Fri, 08/01/2025 - 08:12
Remote IP address: 137.215.99.57
Submitted by: Anonymous
Language: English
Is draft: No
Current page: Complete
Webform: Abstract
Presenters
Dr.
Ajayi
Elizabeth aanuoluwapo
University of pretoria
Dr. Elizabeth Aanuoluwapo Ajayi is a Lecturer at a public University in Nigeria. She is an adult education and social gerontology scholar and practitioner with research experience in transformational learning and educational gerontology. Her recent research focuses on resilience, mental health, and sustainable livelihoods among older persons in Sub-Saharan Africa. She has authored peer‑reviewed articles and has presented regularly at international conferences on ageing, gender, community development, and adult education. Dr. Ajayi is currently a postdoctoral research fellow at the Department of Social Work and Criminology, University of Pretoria. She also supports NGOs dedicated to empowering vulnerable persons.
No
Abstract
Growing Older in Sub‐Saharan Africa: A Critical Rapid Review of Literature on Resilient Ageing
THEME 2: Social Work and the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
SUB 2.3 Work with special and vulnerable populations (children, families, women, older persons, LGBTQIA+ etc).
Oral Presentation
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is experiencing rapid demographic change, with the number of people aged 60 and older expected to increase from 74 million in 2020 to over 235 million by 2050. Crucially, ageing in this region occurs in the context of persistent poverty, inadequate healthcare, increased urbanisation, and deteriorating traditional supports, necessitating the development of novel resilience strategies.
This critical rapid review, guided by three questions, synthesised current empirical studies (2022-2025) on resilient ageing in SSA. Searching Web of Science, EBSCOHost, and Google Scholar, 9,414 records were screened using adapted Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, yielding 14 empirical studies that met the inclusion criteria. Employing deductive and inductive reflexive thematic analysis, the study identified five themes (adaptive capacity, social capital, cultural/spiritual resources, economic resources, and institutional/structural intervention) that elucidate resilient ageing in SSA as a dynamic, multisystem process, that entails individual strengths and community assets working together to build adaptive responses within institutional frameworks.
While informal networks are essential, the evidence strongly supports the need to increase formalised social safety, such as social grants, better healthcare, pensions, anti-discrimination regulations, and digital inclusion. Although significant research gaps persist, notably the lack of longitudinal data and the underrepresentation of diverse subpopulations, future research should, among others, evaluate resilience-informed interventions to develop effective, sustainable strategies supporting older Africans facing precarity.
However, this review highlights social work's vital role in combining formal support with traditional coping techniques to promote sustainable development through evidence-based multisectoral interventions. It directly connections with SDGs 1: showing factors that facilitate financial resilience; 3: reflecting facilitation of better healthcare services; 4: demonstrating the influence of community-based learning and digital literacy; 5: examining gendered resilience strategies that empower older persons; 10: emphasising better inclusive anti-discrimination policies; and 11: highlighting digital inclusion initiatives and community-based support networks.
This critical rapid review, guided by three questions, synthesised current empirical studies (2022-2025) on resilient ageing in SSA. Searching Web of Science, EBSCOHost, and Google Scholar, 9,414 records were screened using adapted Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, yielding 14 empirical studies that met the inclusion criteria. Employing deductive and inductive reflexive thematic analysis, the study identified five themes (adaptive capacity, social capital, cultural/spiritual resources, economic resources, and institutional/structural intervention) that elucidate resilient ageing in SSA as a dynamic, multisystem process, that entails individual strengths and community assets working together to build adaptive responses within institutional frameworks.
While informal networks are essential, the evidence strongly supports the need to increase formalised social safety, such as social grants, better healthcare, pensions, anti-discrimination regulations, and digital inclusion. Although significant research gaps persist, notably the lack of longitudinal data and the underrepresentation of diverse subpopulations, future research should, among others, evaluate resilience-informed interventions to develop effective, sustainable strategies supporting older Africans facing precarity.
However, this review highlights social work's vital role in combining formal support with traditional coping techniques to promote sustainable development through evidence-based multisectoral interventions. It directly connections with SDGs 1: showing factors that facilitate financial resilience; 3: reflecting facilitation of better healthcare services; 4: demonstrating the influence of community-based learning and digital literacy; 5: examining gendered resilience strategies that empower older persons; 10: emphasising better inclusive anti-discrimination policies; and 11: highlighting digital inclusion initiatives and community-based support networks.
Reviewer ONE Feedback
Dr
Nontombi
Velelo
Yes
Empirical Research
Accepted
Reviewer TWO Feedback
Mr
Jean-Paul
Pophaim
Yes
Literature review
Accepted