Application of the Hope Theory in Understanding the Extent of Secondary School Learners’ Vulnerability to Substance Abuse in Selected Rural Areas of Mpumalanga Province

Abstract

The number of secondary school learners abusing alcohol in South Africa and other developing countries is increasing. Alcohol and drug abuse causes poor educational outcomes and increases criminal behaviour. Failure to address substance abuse entrenches young people in a state of despair. An exploratory research design was adopted when conducting a study at Osizweni Secondary School in Govan Mbeki Municipality, Mpumalanga. The study was undertaken to provide answers to the following objectives: (a) to assess the extent of vulnerability of secondary school learners to alcohol abuse; (b) to determine the causes and effects of alcohol abuse among secondary school learners; and to apply the Hope Theory to counter the use of alcohol in secondary school learners. Applying the purposive sampling technique, the study population was categorised into four clusters: learners in grades (8-10), teachers, parents, and School Management Team. Convenient sampling was used for teachers, school management, and parents or guardians; 23 respondents were selected using convenient sampling. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were carried out using a semi-structured interview guide with open-ended questions. Qualitative data gathered was analysed using Atlas-ti version 8. Learners were aware of substance use, including those who abused this within their school premises. Learners with high hopes coped well with stress. With futuristic optimism, high-hope learners developed more pathways and higher agency than those with low-hope. These results highlight the need for training teachers such that they acquire skills for instilling hope in learners. Basic principles of the Hope Theory can be adopted and implemented. However, there is a need to complement this with specific strategies and formal school-based hope-building programmes. The use of the Hope Theory in the current study can potentially reinforce hope in learners and thus help enhance the achievement of better education outcomes.”