
The Role of Psychology Towards Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing in South Africa
Issue: Vol.5 No.16 Issue Article 59 pp.3421 – 3435
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.202451659 | Published online 30th December, 2024
© 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as it is known, is a call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. The third SDG, ‘Good Health and Wellbeing,’ aims to ensure healthy lives, promote well-being for all ages, and halt and reverse global illnesses such as HIV, tuberculosis, and the COVID-19 pandemic, etc. This paper used a narrative literature review to discuss the role of psychology in SDG3 in the South African Context. A narrative literature review is an extensive joining and assimilation of existing research on a specific issue, providing an overview of major discoveries and their interconnectedness. Findings revealed that despite the significant contributions that can be made by psychology, the barriers to integrating psychology into health systems are as complex as applying a psychological approach to achieving sustainable health outcomes. Barriers are recognized, and their resolution is facilitated within the context of social justice and human rights; the significant roles played by psychology can be enhanced, and the links to vision and TC can be better enabled. Furthermore, In South Africa, the barriers to the seamless integration of psychology into health systems are attributed to a lack of infrastructure, limited resources, and available services, human resources (clinical psychologists), effective training, and existing policies, which need to be addressed by the South African government.
Keywords: Sustainability, SDG3, Development, Health and Wellness, and Well-being.
Achoki, Tom, Benn Sartorius, David Watkins, Scott D Glenn, Andre Pascal Kengne, Tolu Oni, Charles Shey Wiysonge, Alexandra Walker, Olatunji O Adetokunboh, and Tesleem Kayode Babalola. “Health Trends, Inequalities and Opportunities in South Africa’s Provinces, 1990–2019: Findings from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 Study.” J Epidemiol Community Health 76, no. 5 (2022): 471–81.
Alkhatib, Ahmad, Lawrence Achilles Nnyanzi, Brian Mujuni, Geofrey Amanya, and Charles Ibingira. “Preventing Multimorbidity with Lifestyle Interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa: A New Challenge for Public Health in Low and Middle-Income Countries.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 23 (2021): 12449.
Allen, Donna, Deb Carlson, and ‘Chelle Ham. “Well-Being: New Paradigms of Wellness—Inspiring Positive Health Outcomes and Renewing Hope.” American Journal of Health Promotion 21, no. 3 (2007): 1–12.
Aminde, Leopold Ndemnge, Anastase Dzudie, Yacouba N Mapoure, Jacques Cabral Tantchou, and J Lennert Veerman. “Estimation and Determinants of Direct Medical Costs of Ischaemic Heart Disease, Stroke and Hypertensive Heart Disease: Evidence from Two Major Hospitals in Cameroon.” BMC Health Services Research 21 (2021): 1–13.
Babatunde, Gbotemi Bukola, Arvin Bhana, and Inge Petersen. “Planning for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Interventions in a Rural District of South Africa: A Situational Analysis.” Journal of Child & Adolescent Mental Health 32, no. 1 (2020): 45–65.
Barnes, David S. The Making of a Social Disease: Tuberculosis in Nineteenth-Century France. Univ of California Press, 2023.
Bemme, Dörte, and Laurence J Kirmayer. “Global Mental Health: Interdisciplinary Challenges for a Field in Motion.” Transcultural Psychiatry. Sage Publications Sage UK: London, England, 2020.
Cannizzaro, Emanuele, Luigi Cirrincione, Walter Mazzucco, Alessandro Scorciapino, Cesare Catalano, Tiziana Ramaci, Caterina Ledda, and Fulvio Plescia. “Night-Time Shift Work and Related Stress Responses: A Study on Security Guards.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 2 (2020): 562.
Carlsen, Lars, and Rainer Bruggemann. “The 17 United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals: A Status by 2020.” International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology 29, no. 3 (2022): 219–29.
Chen, Meiai, Eila Jeronen, and Anming Wang. “Toward Environmental Sustainability, Health, and Equity: How the Psychological Characteristics of College Students Are Reflected in Understanding Sustainable Development Goals.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 15 (2021): 8217.
Chen, Pin-Jane, and Marta Antonelli. “Conceptual Models of Food Choice: Influential Factors Related to Foods, Individual Differences, and Society.” Foods 9, no. 12 (2020): 1898.
Coetzee, Bronwyne J, Lodewyk Vogel, Susan Sander, Courtney Field, Ashraf Kagee, and Rizwana Roomaney. “Re-Visiting the Relevance and Importance of Health Psychology in South Africa.” South African Journal of Psychology 53, no. 1 (2023): 57–67.
Creswell, J. Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing among Five Approaches. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc., 2013.
Das, Kirti V, Carla Jones-Harrell, Yingling Fan, Anu Ramaswami, Ben Orlove, and Nisha Botchwey. “Understanding Subjective Well-Being: Perspectives from Psychology and Public Health.” Public Health Reviews 41 (2020): 1–32.
Edoka, Ijeoma P, and Nicholas K Stacey. “Estimating a Cost-Effectiveness Threshold for Health Care Decision-Making in South Africa.” Health Policy and Planning 35, no. 5 (2020): 546–55.
Gordon, Tanja, Frederik Booysen, and Josue Mbonigaba. “Socio-Economic Inequalities in the Multiple Dimensions of Access to Healthcare: The Case of South Africa.” BMC Public Health 20 (2020): 1–13.
Halkos, George, and Eleni-Christina Gkampoura. “Where Do We Stand on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals? An Overview on Progress.” Economic Analysis and Policy 70 (2021): 94–122.
Hoedjes, Meeke, Inge Nijman, and Chris Hinnen. “Psychosocial Determinants of Lifestyle Change after a Cancer Diagnosis: A Systematic Review of the Literature.” Cancers 14, no. 8 (2022): 2026.
Jong, Eileen De, and Marjanneke J Vijge. “From Millennium to Sustainable Development Goals: Evolving Discourses and Their Reflection in Policy Coherence for Development.” Earth System Governance 7 (2021): 100087.
Karunamuni, Nandini, Ikuyo Imayama, and Dharshini Goonetilleke. “Pathways to Well-Being: Untangling the Causal Relationships among Biopsychosocial Variables.” Social Science & Medicine 272 (2021): 112846.
Kerry, Hannah Jane, and Russelll Gurbutt. “Dimensions of Living with Emetophobia.” Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 2024.
Kleintjes, Sharon, Daniel Hilbrand Den Hollander, Suntosh R Pillay, and Anne Kramers-Olen. “Strengthening the National Health Insurance Bill for Mental Health Needs: Response from the Psychological Society of South Africa.” South African Journal of Psychology 51, no. 1 (2021): 134–46.
Malakoane, B, J C Heunis, P Chikobvu, N G Kigozi, and W H Kruger. “Public Health System Challenges in the Free State, South Africa: A Situation Appraisal to Inform Health System Strengthening.” BMC Health Services Research 20 (2020): 1–14.
Manona, C W. “Ethnic Relations in the Ciskei.” In Ciskei, 97–121. Routledge, 2022.
Mariappanadar, Sugumar. “Improving Quality of Work for Positive Health: Interaction of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8 and SDG 3 from the Sustainable HRM Perspective.” Sustainability 16, no. 13 (2024): 5356.
Mastrodicasa, Jeanna, and Paul Metellus. “The Impact of Social Media on College Students.” Journal of College and Character 14, no. 1 (2013): 21–30.
Mbunge, Elliot. “Effects of COVID-19 in South African Health System and Society: An Explanatory Study.” Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews 14,no. 6 (2020): 1809–14.
Migina, Lyudmila, Ayan Myssayev, Serik Meirmanov, and Assem Uristemova. “Professional Burnout in Primary Health Care Workers of the Republic of Kazakhstan.” Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health 23 (2023): 101359.
Moyo, Mthokozisi, and Agnes Nombembe. “The History of Xhosa Toponyms in Mbembesi.” Marang: Journal of Language and Literature 35 (2022).
Mphekgwana, Peter M, Nancy Malema, Kotsedi D Monyeki, Tebogo M Mothiba, Mpsanyana Makgahlela, Nancy Kgatla, Irene Makgato, and Tholene Sodi. “Hypertension Prevalence and Determinants among Black South African Adults in Semi-Urban and Rural Areas.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 20 (2020): 7463.
Mutyambizi, C, J Dunlop, C Maluleke, L Ranoto, T Chetty, R Ndou, H Struthers, J A McIntyre, and K Rees. “Effect of COVID-19 on HIV, Tuberculosis, and Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV Indicators in Mopani District, South Africa.” South African Medical Journal 111, no. 12 (2021): 1181–89.
Naidoo, Thejini, Andrew Tomita, and Saeeda Paruk. “Burnout, Anxiety and Depression Risk in Medical Doctors Working in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa: Evidence from a Multi-Site Study of Resource-Constrained Government Hospitals in a Generalised HIV Epidemic Setting.” PLoS One 15, no. 10 (2020): e0239753.
Nelson, Cheryl, and Sphiwe Madiba. “Barriers to the Implementation of the Ward-Based Outreach Team Program in Mpumalanga Province: Results from Process Evaluation.” Journal of Primary Care & Community Health 11 (2020): 2150132720975552.
Nene, Nomonde Hildah. School-Based Support Teams’ Experiences in Identifying and Supporting Vulnerable Learners in Rural Schools of Mpumalanga Province. University of Johannesburg (South Africa), 2023.
Ngobeni, Victor, Marthinus C Breitenbach, and Goodness C Aye. “Technical Efficiency of Provincial Public Healthcare in South Africa.” Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation 18 (2020): 1–19.
Nguse, Siphelele, and Douglas Wassenaar. “Mental Health and COVID-19 in South Africa.” South African Journal of Psychology 51, no. 2 (June 8, 2021): 304–13. https://doi.org/10.1177/00812463211001543.
Nkosi, Mbhekeni Sabelo. “Political Economy and the Socio-Cultural History of Land Dispossession, Proselytization, and Proletarianization of African People in South Africa: 1488–1770 (Part 1).” Philosophical Perspectives on Land Reform in Southern Africa, 2021, 39–59.
Nombebe, Sibulele. “Distinctive Cultural Attitudes of Xhosa People towards Adoption.” North-West University (South-Africa), 2023.
Ntoumanis, Nikos, Johan Y Y Ng, Andrew Prestwich, Eleanor Quested, Jennie E Hancox, Cecilie Thøgersen-Ntoumani, Edward L Deci, Richard M Ryan, Chris Lonsdale, and Geoffrey C Williams. “A Meta-Analysis of Self-Determination Theory-Informed Intervention Studies in the Health Domain: Effects on Motivation, Health Behavior, Physical, and Psychological Health.” Health Psychology Review 15, no. 2 (2021): 214–44.
Ohiengbomwan, Onaiwu T, Isaac O Komolafe, Semiu Alayande, Bernard E Njor, Deborah F Onisile, and Judith Oguzie. “Cross‐sectional Community‐based Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on Tuberculosis in Osun State, South‐west, Nigeria.” Health & Social Care in the Community 30, no. 5 (2022): e3171–83.
Onyango, Peggy Achieng, Daniel Ter Goon, and Ntombana Mc’Deline Rala. “Knowledge, Attitudes and Health-Seeking Behaviour among Patients with Tuberculosis: A Cross-Sectional Study.” The Open Public Health Journal 13, no. 1 (2020).
Pinho-Gomes, Ana-Catarina, Sanne A E Peters, and Mark Woodward. “Gender Equality Related to Gender Differences in Life Expectancy across the Globe Gender Equality and Life Expectancy.” PLOS Global Public Health 3, no. 3 (2023): e0001214.
Powell-Wiley, Tiffany M, Yvonne Baumer, Foster Osei Baah, Andrew S Baez, Nicole Farmer, Christa T Mahlobo, Mario A Pita, Kameswari A Potharaju, Kosuke Tamura, and Gwenyth R Wallen. “Social Determinants of Cardiovascular Disease.” Circulation Research 130, no.5 (2022): 782–99.
Puras, Dainius. “Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Right of Everyone to the Enjoyment of the Highest Attainable Standard of Physical and Mental Health.” Phil. LJ 95 (2022): 274.
Sartorius, Benn, Kurt Sartorius, Rosemary Green, Elizabeth Lutge, Pauline Scheelbeek, Frank Tanser, Alan D Dangour, and Rob Slotow. “Spatial-Temporal Trends and Risk Factors for Undernutrition and Obesity among Children (< 5 Years) in South Africa, 2008–2017: Findings from a Nationally Representative Longitudinal Panel Survey.” BMJ Open 10, no. 4 (2020): e034476.
Thomas, Leena Susan, Eric Buch, and Yogan Pillay. “An Analysis of the Services Provided by Community Health Workers within an Urban District in South Africa: A Key Contribution towards Universal Access to Care.” Human Resources for Health 19 (2021): 1–11.
Villiers, Katusha de. “Bridging the Health Inequality Gap: An Examination of South Africa’s Social Innovation in Health Landscape.” Infectious Diseases of Poverty 10 (2021): 1–7.
Walt, S Van der, W S Mabaso, Eugene Lee Davids, and P J De Vries. “The Burden of Depression and Anxiety among Medical Students in South Africa: A Cross-Sectional Survey at the University of Cape Town.” South African Medical Journal 110, no. 1 (2020): 69–79.
Warmelo, Nicolaas J Van. “The Classification of Cultural Groups.” In The Bantu-Speaking Peoples of Southern Africa, 56–84. Routledge, 2024.
Wise, Sarah K, Yasmin Hamzavi-Abedi, Paavali A Hannikainen, Mahesh Padukudru Anand, Tracy Pitt, Marine Savoure, and Elina Toskala. “Rhinitis Disease Burden and the Impact of Social Determinants of Health.” The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice 12, no. 6 (2024): 1449–61.
Witter, Sophie, Maria Van Der Merwe, Rhian Twine, Denny Mabetha, Jennifer Hove, Stephen M Tollman, and Lucia D’Ambruoso. “Opening Decision Spaces: A Case Study on the Opportunities and Constraints in the Public Health Sector of Mpumalanga Province, South Africa.” Plos One 19, no. 7 (2024): e0304775.
Wong, Emily B, Stephen Olivier, Resign Gunda, Olivier Koole, Ashmika Surujdeen, Dickman Gareta, Day Munatsi, Tshwaraganang H Modise, Jaco Dreyer, and Siyabonga Nxumalo. “Convergence of Infectious and Non-Communicable Disease Epidemics in Rural South Africa: A Cross-Sectional, Population-Based Multimorbidity Study.” The Lancet Global Health 9, no. 7 (2021): e967–76.
World Health Organization. Guidance on Community Mental Health Services: Promoting Person-Centred and Rights-Based Approaches. World Health Organization, 2021.
———. Improving Early Childhood Development: WHO Guideline. World Health Organization, 2020.
———. WHO Guidelines on Mental Health at Work. World Health Organization, 2022.
Wyllie, Jessica, Jamie Carlson, Milena Heinsch, Frances Kay-Lambkin, and Alicia McCoy. “EHealth Services and SDG3: Increasing the Capacity of Care.” Australasian Marketing Journal 30, no. 2 (2022): 131–41.
Yuyun, Matthew Fomonyuy, Karen Sliwa, Andre Pascal Kengne, Ana Olga Mocumbi, and Gene Bukhman. “Cardiovascular Diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa Compared to High-Income Countries: An Epidemiological Perspective.” Global Heart 15, no. 1 (2020).
Zyl, Sanet Van, Willem H Kruger, and Corinna M Walsh. “Chronic Diseases of Lifestyle Curriculum: Students’ Perceptions in Primary Health Care Settings.” African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine 15, no. 1 (2023): 3775.
Ntombophelo Sithole-Tetani is working as a Lecturer in the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences, Walter Sisulu University. She holds a BA degree in Psychology, Honours in Psychology, and an MA in Psychology from Walter Sisulu University. She is concluding her PhD in Psychology. She also holds a diploma in Psychological Counselling. She also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Psychological Counselling (PGDip) at the University of KwaZulu Natal. She is also a registered psychological counsellor. She has also been involved in a community engagement programme focusing on COVID-19 awareness in 2020, offering counselling services and training in lay counselling. Her research interests are in issues of parenting, children, female health and mental health, HIV, and Autism. She has also supervised many students for their honours and Masters in Psychology.
Sithole-Tetani, Ntombophelo. “The Role of Psychology Towards Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing in South Africa ,” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 5, no.16 (2024): 3421 – 3435. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.202451659
© 2024 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).