Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10539/37990
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Item The Experiences of Black Female Postgraduate Students With Mental Health During The Covid-19 Pandemic, 2019-2021, The Case of Witwatersrand University(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mashiane, Sphiwe; Bala, SamkeloThe COVID-19 global pandemic has compelled institutions of higher education to transition to emergency remote learning, leading many postgraduate students, both nationally and internationally, to begin their studies online. Research has shown the need for universities to support the transition from undergraduate to postgraduate as this is a major transition into academia. Research has also revealed that the struggle with mental health has increased with this transition and additionally with the COVID-19 pandemic, however, there is a lack of research investigating the experiences of Black females in the academic space and their experiences with mental health. Thus, this study aims to understand the experiences of Black female postgraduate students with mental health during the spread of COVID-19, 2019-2021. The research approach used for this study was the qualitative approach as it was the most appropriate in seeking to understand the experiences of a unique group such as a Black female postgraduate. A case study design was employed, and the experiences shared were explored through the lens of the intersectionality theory and the research was grounded by the interpretivist paradigm. The sample was drawn from the population of students from Witwatersrand University and the sample consisted of eight (8) participants. The method of data collection was computer-mediated interviews which were interpreted using a five-phase thematic analysis. The participants' responses revealed that although all eight participants experienced challenges with their mental health sharing symptoms associated with anxiety, stress, depression, and loneliness, only two participants used the psychosocial services offered by the university. The reasons for not seeking help from the university psychosocial services included fear of the unknown, services feeling unreachable, stigma and fear of not being assisted immediately. The most shared reason for not seeking help however was participants not perceiving the need to seek help. Participants, therefore, opted for coping mechanisms such as sleeping, partying, and using substances and most participants turned to their spirituality. The study, therefore, made recommendations for campus psychosocial services to employ more mental health practitioners such that there is education about mental health and the services offered.Item Career adaptability, occupational identity, and psychologica well-being after a career change during the covid-19 pandemic(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Kutu, Siyamthanda; Donald, FionaOBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the relationship between career adaptability, occupational identity, and Psychological Well-being at Work in South African employees who experienced career change during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study is framed within the Career Construction Theory where the pandemic is contextualised as a career shock. METHODS: Employing a quantitative approach, this study adopts a correlational, non-experimental, cross-sectional research design. Purposive sampling, including criterion-based and snowball sampling techniques, was utilized to recruit participants. The sample comprised 62 South African employees who experienced career changes between 2020 and 2022 due to the pandemic's impact on the labour market. Data w as collected through structured online questionnaires, incorporating validated scales. Ethical considerations were addressed, ensuring informed consent, confidentiality, and minimal harm to participants. RESULTS: Regression analysis revealed significant positive relationships between career adaptability, occupational identity, and Psychological Well-being at Work. Specifically, both career adaptability and occupational identity emerged as strong predictors of Psychological Well-being at Work among the participants. Descriptive statistics provided insights into the sample characteristics, indicating a diverse range of career change experiences during the pandemic. The study under scores the importance of fostering adaptability and building a robust occupational identity to enhance employees' psychological well-being amidst career transitions, particularly in times of crisis like COVID-19.Item The Exploration of the experiences and perceptions of service providers on the implementation of the Amendments to the Criminal Law (Sexual Offenses and Related Matters) Amendment Act 13 of 2021: The case of statutory rape in Johannesburg, Gauteng(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Doodhnath, Sirishka; Nkala-Dlamini, BusisiweThis study aims to explore service providers’ perceptions and experiences regarding the implementation of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 13 of 2021 in South Africa. The study examined the regulations concerning the age of consent for sexual activity involving minors, which are considered essential in addressing statutory rape. Using a qualitative research approach and exploratory study design, the study sought to gain an in-depth understanding of service providers on the effectiveness of the Act in addressing statutory rape and related issues. 12 service providers who have worked on the Amended Act were recruited and sampled for the study with the assistance of the Department of Community Safety. The department provided the researcher with a list of multi-disciplinary team professionals involved in the Victim Empowerment program. The study employed semi- structured interviews using interview guides to collect data from all service providers involved in the implementation of the Act. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data and to identify recurring themes. The study findings offer insights that can assist policymakers in addressing the challenges and gaps in the implementation of the Act, with the goal of protecting minors and combating statutory rape in South Africa.Item Exploring Stigmas and Emotions of Transgender People Using Rasa Theory and Rasaboxes in Drama Therapy(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Keseni, Siphokuhle Cleopathra; Henriques, LeilaThe goal of this study is to explore the emotional experiences of people who identify as transgender. Through Performance Ethnography, I hope to create awareness about how transgender individuals feel and how their experiences are influenced by the stigmas surrounding them. Performance Ethnography is a qualitative data collection method that explores the various facets of performance. It involves combining multiple ethnographic techniques and theoretical frameworks from performance studies (Finesurrey, 2019). I will use semi-structured qualitative interviews, audio recordings, journal writing, observation and performance to collect data. In this performance, I will use the collected data to create the performance. I will be using rasa boxes to move from one emotion to another. The data will be created by Rasa in real-time, and the audience will be able to hear and inspect it as it is presented. My research participants will be transgender individuals aged 20-35 years old.Item The perceptions of social workers on the implementation of the Occupation Specific Dispensation policy (OSD) within the Department of Social Development in the Johannesburg Region(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2020) Mathebula, Sipho Sol; Masinga, PoppyThe Occupation Specific Dispensation (0SD) policy was introduced in the public service for social workers in 2009 as a strategy to recruit and retain social workers with the introduction of new salary scales, career pathing, pay and grade progression and recognition of appropriate experience. The perceptions of social workers on the implementation of the OSD policy have not been established and this lack of knowledge leaves a gap in understanding the perceived impact this policy has had on social workers. The aim of the study was to explore the perceptions of social workers on the implementation of the Occupation Specific Dispensation policy within the Department of Social Development in the Johannesburg Region. Since implementation of the policy, there has been research studies conducted on the outcomes of the OSD policy within the public health sector yet no studies have been conduct that focus on the challenges encountered by social workers in the implementation of the policy. The study utilised the qualitative research approach which was exploratory and descriptive in nature. The collective case study design was adopted. A sample of ten social workers and three key informants were selected using purposive sampling. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic content analysis. The key finding was that the OSD policy was not effective in recruitment since it is rigid and inflexible. Another concern raised was the long period it took to move from one occupational level to the next resulting in a demotivated and demoralised workforce. The study also found that there was management bias in the implementation of the performance management and development system. The study contributes to our understanding of the perceptions about the unintended consequences of the OSD policy and how these are perceived to have impacted negatively on the recruitment and retention of social workers.Item The role of social media in career discovery, aspirations, and choice of South African university students: A Social Cognitive Perspective(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Cronje, Sherrilee; Mlilo, SifisoThe aim of this study was to explore the role of social media in shaping the career discovery, aspirations, and choices of South African university students. This was explored through three key research questions around how South African university students perceive the influence of social media in the discovery and exploration of career options, how they perceive the influence of social media in the formations of their career aspirations, and how they perceive the influence of social media on their career decisions. A cross-sectional, qualitative, interpretivist research design was employed whereby data was gathered through non-probability convenience sampling through volunteers and snowball/chain sampling methods as well as a purposive strategy. Interviews were conducted on the sample, and these were then analysed through a thematic analysis methodology in order to explore the experiences of the participants. The sample consisted of 14 individuals between the ages of 22-27 who were studying in South Africa through a tertiary educational institution. The study utilized Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) as a theoretical framework to understand the impact of social media on the behaviour and career development of South African students. SCCT proved highly beneficial in explaining the role of social media in shaping career interests and facilitating career exploration. While social media played a significant role in exposing students to various career options and influencing their perceptions, it was not perceived as the primary determinant of career choices. Rather, personal interests, passions, and other factors played a more significant role. Nevertheless, social media did have an indirect influence on career decisions by providing information and shaping perceptions. The study's findings align with previous research but also offer nuanced insights, contributing to the understanding of social media's role in the career journey. This research fills a gap in South African literature and lays the groundwork for future studies in this area.Item Psychological Well-Being and South African Socio- Economic Stressors: The moderating role of Leaders creating Hope(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Aysen, Savannah; Milner, KarenThe current research study explored whether leaders creating hope in their employees moderates the relationship between South African socio-economic stressors and employee psychological well-being. Existing literature indicates that stressors have dire implications for the well-being of employees and that psychological capital is a meaningful resource to elevate deteriorating well-being (Slone et al., 1999; Charles et al., 2013). Moreover, research reveals the potential of leaders to create hope within their organisations which may aid in elevating deteriorating well-being levels (Yukl, 1998; Helland and Winston, 2005). Accordingly, this research aimed to explore whether leaders creating hope would moderate the relationship between South African socio-economic stressors and psychological well-being. This study utilised a quantitative non-experimental cross-sectional research design to explore the statistical relationships between South African socio-economic stressors, psychological well-being and leaders creating hope. Data was collected through an online self-report questionnaire (N=130). The questionnaire contained a self-developed demographic questionnaire, an adapted South African socio-economic stressors scale, the Psychological General Well-Being Index, and the adapted Leaders Creating Hope scale. Results of the study indicated that both South African socio-economic stressors and leaders creating hope were correlated with psychological well-being, and a multiple regression analysis revealed that both South African socio-economic stressors and leaders creating hope are predictors of psychological well-being within the sample. However, even though leaders creating hope was found to have a positive effect on psychological well-being it did not have a moderating effect on the relationship between South African socio-economic stressors and psychological well-being.Item Exploring older adult narratives of living with a depressed parent(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Dzenga, Rachel; Canham, HugoResearch on children of parents living with a mental illness is prevalent in developed countries and has shown that parental depression is linked to a higher risk of adverse outcomes for children. However, less research exists that focuses on older adult narratives, specifically regarding the lived experiences of growing up with a depressed parent. Therefore, this study provided a deeper exploration of older adults reflecting on their childhoods and highlighted the role that narrative hindsight has on the relationships between depressed parents and children. Exploring the narratives of people who grew up with a parent with a depressive disorder was the core interest of this study. Convenience and snowball sampling was used, and seven participants over the age of 60 years in South Africa were interviewed. Narrative theory was used as both a conceptual framework and a methodology, and narrative analysis was used to analyse data from the semi-structured interviews. The findings of the study suggest that the lived experiences of growing up with a depressed parent alter family dynamics and roles in the home, creating parentification in childhood, feelings of unpredictability, chaos, and uncertainty in the home environment. The role of narrative hindsight illuminated ambivalent feelings towards their depressed parents and revealed a significant influence on their own parenting decisions as adults, such as choosing not to have children. Beyond the immediate home environment, social factors such as stigma, institutionalisation and additional support arose as significant factors in the accounts of participants. The study explored the depth of the human experience in the participants’ ambivalence, meaning making, and social context growing up with a depressed parent. Interviewing older adults highlighted the significance of narrative hindsight and its role in understanding how temporality and nostalgia can illuminate the narrative arc between parent and child. Overall, the study illustrated the need for further research in South Africa on older adult narratives that could possibly enrich the knowledge of health practitioners, educators and researchers about the lived experiences of growing up with a depressed parent, assisting with family-based interventions based on a deeper understanding of the effects of parental mental illness over decades.Item Car Culture and Masculinity as Resources for Understanding Road Rage(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mabongo, Qhawekazi Khazimla; Ncube, VuyolwethuAggression on the road and aggressive driving are detrimental to other road users. Road rage may be expressed in multiple behaviours on the road such as violence, tailgating, overtaking when it is not safe to do so, and brake checking. This behaviour poses a threat to the lives of people on the road. The objective of this study was to investigate the existence of masculinity and car culture principles in the way men perceived incidents of road rage. Further, the study aimed to understand how the features of masculinity and car culture are presented in the perceptions men had of road rage. The rationale for this study was motivated by the high prevalence of road accidents, where young men were the most vulnerable to road accidents and road fatalities. Aggressive driving behaviour was the focus of this study as young men were identified as the most common culprits of performing behaviours of this nature. The study adopted a socio-cultural approach to road rage and proposed the use of socio-cultural factors, namely masculinity and car culture, as a framework for the exploration of the psychological experiences related to road rage. The data was collected using nine in-depth interviews structured around three vignettes in the form of videos. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis principles stipulated by Braun and Clarke were utilised to guide the analysis and reporting of the data. The findings of this study were intended to inform interventions for violence and road rage by providing a nuanced understanding of the relationship between risk factors and violence as well as providing insight into the underpinning perceptions of road behaviour and, consequently, road accidents. The main findings indicated that the road is a site for social interactions that are informed by the tenets of masculinity and car culture. Both masculinity and car culture intersect and create complex social dynamics between road users. These identities influence the experience of men on the road as they are a lens for perceiving behaviour, and they also influence the behaviour of men on the road. Additionally, the research demonstrated that masculinity and car culture are related and the fundamental characteristic that underlies both concepts is power.Item Investigating constructions of beauty amongst young, urban, Black South African women as influenced by their socio-cultural contexts(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Molaaphene, Puseletso; Mathebula, MphoThis qualitative study explored constructions of beauty amongst young, urban Black South African women as influenced by different socio-cultural contexts. Much of the literature on this subject focuses on the influence of Western culture on Black women’s conceptualization of beauty and nearly always points to the resultant negative self-perception that they go on to develop. The study applied phenomenology research design and qualitative approach in addressing the study objectives. A sample of six young Black women who were students at the University of the Witwatersrand participated in this study. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, where participants were asked a series of open-ended questions that explored their perceptions and personal meaning-making of the concept of female beauty. True to the literature on the subject of female beauty, which highlights the multifaceted nature of this concept, major findings were that participants related in different ways to the construct of beauty. However, it was found that participants in this study employed new and evolved ways of thinking about beauty. For these young women, beauty was viewed as a personal choice, as emotive, as a state of health, moreover, as a marker of one’s lifestyle. This differs significantly from the traditional manner in which Black women’s ideas around beauty are usually explored – as mainly informed by Western culture. While they did not deny Western cultures influence on how they have come to understand beauty, the young women in this study communicated a sense of empowerment to think of beauty beyond these confines.