The role of subjective perception of health in the dynamics of context and psychological well-being

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish the role played by subjective perceptions of physical health in the relationship between psychological well-being and two social contexts that are stratified by socio-economic differentials pertaining to race, socio-economic indices and infrastructural resources. An availability sample of 514 participants from Potchefstroom (n = 384) and Mafikeng (n = 130), North West Province, completed questionnaires on the perceptions of health and psychological well-being. Regression equations were computed to explore the viability of relationships between context and subjective perceptions of physical health, context and psychological well-being, and psychological well-being and subjective perceptions of physical health. Structural equation models showed that subjective perceptions of physical health mediate the relationship between context and psychological well-being. The implications of the findings are indicated. © Psychological Society of South Africa. All rights reserved.