Off-campus study due [to] the Coronavirus pandemic and access to psychological services: challenges faced by the students from the School of Applied Human Sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Abstract

This research study examined students’ off-campus study due to the Coronavirus pandemic and their access to psychological services. The aim was to explore the challenges faced by students from the School of Applied Human Sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). Nine students from the School of Applied Human Sciences and one member from Student Support Services fromUKZN participated in this study. The study sample was selected using two non-probability sampling methods: purposive sampling and snowball sampling. The instrument utilised in the study consisted of a photo elicitation interview which was conducted via the Zoom communications platform. The data obtained from the study was qualitative in nature; hence the data was analysed using Braun and Clark’ssix phases of thematic analysis. The findings revealed that there were student challenges in terms of intersectionality of household responsibilities, isolation and studying. Students held positive attitudes towards reaching out for online psychological services offered by theuniversity despite the public stigma arising from friends and family. Student counsellors also faced difficulties in rendering their services during the COVID-19 pandemic, including being fully booked, excessive workload coupled with home life demands and poor technology, and no private spaces to render their online psychological services. Being based off campus, students suggested that to promote their mental health meant prioritizing their physical, mental, and emotional well-being and creating support groups via Zoom or WhatsApp. Student counsellors could also play a role in promoting students’ mental health when they are based off campus during the COVID-19 pandemic by raising awareness of online psychological services and assisting with time management and coping mechanisms.