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Welcome to the University of Venda Institutional Repository, an open digital archive of the research output of the University of Venda. Univen IR contains theses and dissertations, research papers as well as conference papers. For further information and assistance please contact Mr Keith Malabi at +27 15 9628564 or +27 15 962 8314 during office hours

Recent Submissions

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Open Access

Impact of childhood sexual abuse in adult intimate relationships in Limpopo province, Vhembe District

(2026-05-19) Mbengeni, Tshilidzi; Radzilani, M.; Negota, T. D.

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a widespread trauma that has a lasting effect on the mental and emotional well-being of survivors, greatly impacting their intimate relationships as adults. The purpose of this study was to investigate how intimate relationships in adulthood are affected by childhood sexual assault. A phenomenological study design was used in conjunction with a qualitative research methodology. The researcher employed convenience and snowball sampling techniques because the subject is delicate. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data, and to analyze the data, thematic analysis was employed. Additionally, trustworthiness metrics, including transferability and believability, were applied. Ethics were adhered to, including no harm to the participants, informed consent, and confidentiality. The sample size was 13 participants, consisting of both males and females. The findings revealed that most of the survivors struggle with trust and communication, amongst others, when they are in adult intimate relationships. While they are in those relationships, there are coping mechanisms that they use to cope, which include journaling of emotions, religious activities, and others that contribute positively to their recovery. Besides the positive ones, some apply short-term coping mechanisms that may have negative consequences; this includes isolation and alcohol use. Additionally, the study found that in rural areas, there is still stigma existing around mental health and a huge shortage of intervention centres for those who have suffered from trauma.

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Cultural Competence Training and Its Influence on the Service Delivery and Professional Conduct of Psychological Health Workers in Limpopo Province Hospitals

(2026-05-19) Singo, Mukovhe; Mphephu, K. E.; Baloyi, V.

Cultural competence training has increasingly been recognized as an essential component in improving the quality of psychological health care services in culturally diverse settings. This study examined the influence of cultural competence training on the service delivery and professional conduct of psychological health workers in public hospitals in Limpopo Province. The study aimed to assess how such training enhances cultural awareness, communication, and the ability of professionals to provide culturally responsive care. A qualitative research approach with an exploratory design was employed. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 13 psychological health workers, including psychologists, registered counsellors, and psychometrists. The data was analysed using thematic analysis to identify key patterns and insights related to participants’ experiences and perceptions of cultural competence training. The findings revealed that cultural competence training contributes significantly to improved communication, increased cultural awareness, and enhanced patient-provider relationships. Participants indicated that training promotes respect for diverse cultural beliefs and improves professional conduct in clinical settings. However, challenges such as limited training opportunities, language barriers, and lack of institutional support were identified as barriers to effective implementation. The study contributes to the understanding of how cultural competence training can improve mental health service delivery in culturally diverse contexts. It further highlights the need for structured and continuous training programmes to enhance the effectiveness of psychological health workers and to promote equitable and culturally responsive healthcare services.

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The lived experiences related to the mental health of women who separated with their partners during pregnancy, in Cottondale, Mpumalanga, South Africa

(2026-05-19) Thema, Jeaneth Reanetse; Radzilani, M.; Magadani, H. B.

Partner separation during pregnancy is a highly distressing experience that places many women at risk of emotional distress. Pregnancy is already a time of significant emotional change, and separation further increases the risk of mental health challenges. Despite this, limited research has explored the lived experiences of women affected in South Africa. This study explored the lived experiences related to the mental health of women who separated with their partners during pregnancy. Guided by an interpretivist paradigm, a qualitative phenomenological design was employed. Purposive sampling was used to recruit eleven black women aged between 20 to 39 in Mpumalanga, who had separated with their partners during pregnancy. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The findings indicated that pregnancy disclosure often marked a turning point in relationships, with partners initially showing acceptance before withdrawing or rejecting the pregnancy. Participants experienced pressure to terminate, followed by encouragement from family members to continue with pregnancy. Relationships frequently ended through communication cut-off and partner withdrawal, leaving women to continue pregnancy without partner involvement. Separation during pregnancy negatively affected women’s mental health, resulting in emotional distress and stress. Social support from family and friends played an important role in buffering these challenges. Despite emotional difficulties, participants maintained strong emotional bonds with their children and used coping strategies to protect the mother-child relationship. The study concludes that partner separation during pregnancy poses risks to women’s mental health. However, social support and personal resilience promote emotional survival and maternal functioning.

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Exploring psychosocial factors that affect the mental health of undergraduate university students at a rural university in South Africa

(2026-05-19) Vele, Ronald; Mushwana, M. D.; Radzilani, M.

The mental health of university students is constantly tested as the students face different challenges, wherein, different factors affecting students’ mental health need to be understood in order to mitigate such grapples. This study explored psychosocial factors that affect the mental health of undergraduate university students at a rural university in South Africa. The study adopted a qualitative approach, and an exploratory research design was employed. The population consisted of undergraduate students who were registered at the University of Venda. Participants were selected by means of a purposive and snowball sampling procedure. Semi-structured one-on-one interviews were utilised as a method of collecting data from the participants. To ensure safety, the study adhered to ethical principles which were informed consent, confidentiality and right to privacy, voluntary participation, and anonymity during the period of this research. According to the findings of this study, social integration and campus climate, academic workload and adaptation, lack of funding and delayed allowances, inadequate infrastructure and facilities, favouritism, safety and institutional justice were discovered as the factors affecting the mental health of undergraduate students. Based on these findings, recommendations were made as a way to mitigate the challenges and factors that affect the mental health of undergraduate students.

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U tambudzwa havhana lushakani ho sedzwa nganea mbili dza Tshivenda

(2026-05-19) Maphangwa, Mphumudzeni Leonart; Mathabi, M.; Makhado, A. J.

Ṱhoḓisiso iyi yo ḓisendeka kha u sengulusa u tambudzwa ha vhana lushakani ho sedzwa nganea mbili dza Tshivenḓa dzo tou topolwaho dzine dza vha: Nandi ndi shenga (Sigogo, 2016) na Ḽi a kovhela (Mugweṋa, 2015). Thaidzo ya ṱhoḓisiso iyi ndi u tambudzwa ha vhana lushakani zwine zwa vha na masiandaitwa kha vhana vhenevho vhunga zwi tshi vha ṱuṱuwedza uri vha xelelwe nga vhumatshelo na u sa vha na mutakalo wavhuḓi. Ṱhoḓisiso iyi ndi ya ndeme sa vhu nga vhana vha tshi ḓo wana ndamulelo kha u tambudzwa havho lushakani. Ṱhoḓisiso iyi yo shumisa thyori ya Social learning yo tombulwaho nga Bandura (1977) ine ya amba nga ha vhuḓifari kana kutshilele kune muthu a tou ku guda nga u tou lavhelesa kha vhaṅwe vhathu, hu nga vha miṱani kana mivhunduni. Ngona ya ṱhoḓisiso yo shumiswaho ndi ya khwaḽithethivi vhunga ṱhoḓisiso iyi yo bvisela khagala u tambudzwa ha vhana u bva kha nganea mbili dza Tshivenḓa. Kha ṱhoḓisiso iyi ho shuma lushaka lwa ṱhumbulo i si na khonadzeo ya u nanga vhunga muṱoḓisisi o shumisa nganea mbili dza Tshivenḓa dze a tou ḓinangela ene muṋe. Muṱoḓisisi o shumisa ṱhumbulo yo livhaho (purposive sampling) vhunga ho nangwa nganea dzine dza amba nga ha u tambudzwa ha vhana lushakani dzine dza vha Nandi ndi shenga (Sigogo, 2016) na Ḽi a kovhela (Mugweṋa, 2015). Muṱoḓisisi o kuvhanganya data a i sengulusa nga nḓila ya u tou sengulusa maṅwalwa (document analysis) he a shumisa thero dzo fhambanaho (themes) u bva kha idzo nganea mbili dza Tshivenḓa. Ṱhoḓisiso iyi i ḓo ita uri u tambudzwa ha vhana hu fhungudzee kana hu fhele tshoṱhe nahone i ḓo thusa uri vhana vha aluwe vhe na mitakalo na vhumatshelo havhuḓi.