Psychological Challenges Among Older Adults in Rural SouthEastern Nigeria: Evidence from Ibagwa-Aka, Enugu State, Nigeria

1Calister Nwakaego Edeh; 2Onyeabor Grace Odinkenma; 3Ani Peace Nkechi; 4Ngoka Veronica Nwolari; 5Ubah Eunice Ebele and 6Ebuoh Maryann Chiamaka.

1Department Of Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Evangel University, Akaeze, Ebonyi
State, Nigeria.

2Enugu State College of Nursing Sciences Awgu, Enugu, Nigeria.

3Enugu State College of Nursing Sciences Parklane, Enugu, Nigeria.

4Department of Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Godfrey Okoye University UgwuomuNike, Enugu State, Nigeria.

5Department Of Nursing Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

6Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, State University of Medical and Applied Sciences (Sumas), Igbo-Eno, Enugu State, Nigeria.

Corresponding author: Ebuoh Maryann Chiamaka (maryann.ebuoh@sumas.edu.ng +2348149560255)

                                                          Abstract
Older adults in rural Nigeria often manage ageing with limited formal support, modest income and changing family structures. This study assessed psychological challenges among older persons in Ibagwa-Aka, Enugu State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 330 adults aged 60 years and above. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics and psychosocial functioning, with interviewer support provided for participants who could not read the instrument independently. The questionnaire was reviewed for face and content validity, and test-retest reliability produced a coefficient of 0.84. Respondents had a mean age of 68 years, and most were female (60.6%), widowed (59.1%), had no formal education (45.7%) and were mainly involved in farming or gardening (44.8%). Despite these social and economic pressures, many participants reported fairly strong functional capacity. Mean scores were high for communication (2.77), family decision-making (2.74), articulation of issues (2.72) and overall coping with mental challenges (2.71). That said, emotional and social difficulties remained visible. More than half coped adequately with loneliness and social isolation, yet only about half managed loss of role, self-esteem and self-worth effectively. In addition, 53% reported limited love, care and respect from family members. The findings point to a mixed picture: resilience is present, but it sits beside emotional deprivation and weakening social support. Community-based psychosocial care, family support programmes and age-inclusive rural health policies are needed to protect the dignity and well-being of older adults in similar settings.

Keywords: ageing; older adults; psychosocial challenges; rural health; Nigeria; social support.

CITE AS: Calister Nwakaego Edeh; Onyeabor Grace Odinkenma; Ani Peace Nkechi; Ngoka Veronica Nwolari; Ubah Eunice Ebele and Ebuoh Maryann Chiamaka (2026). Psychological Challenges Among Older Adults in Rural South-Eastern Nigeria: Evidence from Ibagwa-Aka, Enugu State, Nigeria. INOSR APPLIED SCIENCES 14(3):63-67. https://doi.org/10.59298/INOSRAS/2026/14.3.6367000