University of the Western Cape
Exploring university students' subjective experiences of stress, coping, perceived social support, and psychological well-being in the context of teaching and learning during COVID-19
Abstract
dc:description.abstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the lives of individuals globally, and university students have faced unique challenges due to disruptions in their academic, social, and personal lives. In a pre-COVID-19 survey, first-year students from 19 universities in 8 countries (Australia, Belgium, Germany, Mexico, Northern Ireland, South Africa, Spain, and the United States) had prevalence rates for suicidal ideation, plan, and attempt of 17.2%, 8.8%, and 1.0%, respectively over a 12-month period. University enrolment is an important moment when students face new obstacles such as making independent decisions, adjusting to academic expectations, and developing relationships with unfamiliar people. This research is important to understand how to encourage mental health in different populations. Students experience new problems after moving into the university setting, including decision-making, adjusting to academic obligations, and socializing with strangers. Located within Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping (TMSC) as a framework, the present study used qualitative research methods, the present study aimed to explore the subjective experiences of stress, coping strategies, perceived social support, and psychological well-being among university students within the context of teaching and learning in the COVID-19 pandemic at a university in the Western Cape. Semi-structured, individual interviews were conducted to gain deeper insights into subjective experiences of stress, coping strategies, perceived social support, and psychological well-being among university students. The Humanities and Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee (HSSREC) approved the research before it was conducted at the University of the Western Cape (Ethics reference: HS23/7/34; Appendix A). The Office of the Registrar granted institutional permission to conduct research on students. The present study complied with all applicable data protection laws, including the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), and the University’s Research Policy and Data Management Policy.
Degree
thesis:*- Grantor dc:publisher.institution
- University of the Western Cape
- Year dc:date.issued
- 2025
Author and committee
dc:creator, dc:contributor.*- Author dc:creator
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- Olaniyi, Ifeoluwa Ayooluwa Jesuloba