An evaluation of a brief psycho-educational intervention for exam stress with extended degree programme students

Overseas research has shown that minority university students are at special risk for stress. South Africa’s race-based history of educational discrimination means that black students are multiply disadvantaged at formerly white universities. Many interventions around disadvantaged students have been reframed in terms of retention difficulties. In 2009, a psycho- educational support group was run with first year humanities Extended Degree Programme students. This study was a qualitative evaluation of the group. We found that the group was successful in giving students social support. Students also felt that it had been useful academically. Issues that should be addressed include clear avenues for referral and improving student/facilitator interaction. The stress and the academic demotivation that they experience suggest that the whole support programme should be evaluated and improved.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Psychology

Year dc:date.issued

2010

Author dc:creator

• Schultz, Hannah

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Shabalala, Nokuthula

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/11024

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/11024