The Power of Storytelling: Intergenerational Knowledge Transfer and Its Effects on Mental Health and Well-being Among Young People in Zimbabwe and Sub-Saharan Africa
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64229/heyp4142Keywords:
Mental Health, Young People, Intergenerational Knowledge, Storytelling, Well-beingAbstract
Young people across sub-Saharan Africa are experiencing rising levels of psychological distress, driven by rapid social change, digital saturation, collapsing kinship structures, urban migration, and weakening cultural ties. Against this backdrop, inter-generational storytelling once central to African socialization represents a powerful yet under-utilised resource for promoting mental well-being. This article examines how narratives shared between elders and youth function as mechanisms for identity formation, emotional regulation, resilience-building, and cultural grounding. Drawing on narrative therapy, attachment theory, social learning theory, cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT), and resilience theory, the paper presents an expanded theoretical framework linking storytelling to youth mental health outcomes. A comprehensive literature review integrates over 30 empirical studies (2018-2025) on inter-generational communication, cultural continuity, youth mental health, and narrative-based interventions. The paper situates African oral traditions especially Shona and Ndebele ngano/izinganekwane within comparative Indigenous contexts such as Native American and Māori storytelling systems. A mixed-methods hypothetical methodology is outlined to illustrate how the phenomenon could be empirically investigated. A conceptual model is developed to explain pathways through which storytelling enhances well-being: cultural identity belonging emotional regulation resilience mental health. The article also critically analyses tensions between traditional oral storytelling and digital-era narrative forms. The discussion explores implications for social work, education, youth development, community mental health, and public policy. Case studies, limitations, and a future research agenda are included. The paper argues that revitalising inter-generational storytelling is an urgent, culturally grounded mental health strategy for Zimbabwean and African youth.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Francis Maushe, Lucia Kahomwe, Mundanga Cressia, Livingston Moyo, Mapako Precious Ropafadzo (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
