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

Abstract

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.