Factors associated with mental illness among youth at the selected villages, Vhembe District, Limpopo Province

Abstract

Mental illnesses come in a variety of ways such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress, among others. Everyone has a specific threshold for acquiring mental illnesses, and anyone can do so if enough triggers are present. In addition, cognitive processes, including distorted thinking patterns and negative self-perceptions, associated with conditions like depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. Furthermore, emotion regulation difficulties, maladaptive coping strategies, and low self-esteem are also associated with mental health problems among youth. Hence the purpose of this study was to determine factors associated with mental illness among the youth at selected villages in Vhembe district. This study adopted a quantitative cross-sectional descriptive design. The study was conducted at village 1, village 2 and village 3 which are situated in the Vhembe District of Limpopo province in South Africa. The target population was youth between the ages of 18 to 35 years in the selected villages in Vhembe district. The sample size for this study was 300 respondents from the selected villages, and each village had a total of 100 respondents to take part in the study. The study used a probability technique based on simple random sampling to select respondents from the villages. Self-administered structured questionnaires were used to gather information from respondents and Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) latest version was utilised to analyse the data. Validity and reliability were used to measure the accuracy and consistency of data. Ethical principles such as informed consent, confidentiality, voluntary participation, and anonymity were ensured throughout the study. The researcher made sure that he protects the values and interests of the respondents and selected villages from any harm. Three hundred thirty questionnaires were distributed, with two hundred sixty-nine completed and returned. Thirty-six respondents did not return their questionnaires, and twenty-five declined to participate due to busy schedules. Socio-Demographic characteristics gathered included age, gender, race, and village of respondents. The study finds that psychological (stress, depression, loss of loved ones), environmental (unemployment, dysfunctional family life), and social factors (emotional neglect, criticism, lack of support) significantly associated with youth mental illness, increasing vulnerability through psychological distress, low self-esteem, and loneliness. The results show that socioeconomic issues significantly impact youth, particularly through poverty, limited healthcare access, and difficult family dynamics, which heighten their vulnerability to mental health problems due to lacking supportive structures.