The Psychology of Wellness and Orphanage: Interrogatting Wellness Perspectives, Models and Dimensions in Community Relations

Abstract

This paper reviews literature on perspectives, models and dimensions of wellness in the human community. The paper is guided by the notion that individual wellness translates into family wellness which further translates into community wellness. The intention of the paper is to provide an overview of research on human wellness and the involvement of extended families on the wellness of children, with special focus on orphans. The literature reviewed would help build knowledge on the critical issues pertaining to the involvement of extended families to promote orphan wellness. The link between extended families and their involvement to promote orphan wellness thereof forms the unit of analysis of this paper. In presenting the discussion, the researcher adopts the view that every household has strengths and that these strengths are unique and depend on the individual’s beliefs and background. Each family adopts different methods for satisfaction and promotion of same/similar fundamental wellness needs.

Keywords: Wellness, orphanage, psychology, extended families, community, perspectives, models, theories.