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Views of social work students about resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic: The utilisation of support services in higher education
Thesis (M Social Work)--Stellenbosch University, 2026.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2026
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| _version_ | 1867614024636563456 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Daniels, Amy-Lee |
| author2 | Khosa, Priscalia |
| author_browse | Daniels, Amy-Lee Khosa, Priscalia |
| author_facet | Khosa, Priscalia Daniels, Amy-Lee |
| author_sort | Daniels, Amy-Lee |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (M Social Work)--Stellenbosch University, 2026. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/135712 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:45:27.799Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/135712 Views of social work students about resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic: The utilisation of support services in higher education Daniels, Amy-Lee Khosa, Priscalia Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Social Work. Thesis (M Social Work)--Stellenbosch University, 2026. Daniels, A. 2026. Views of social work students about resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic: The utilisation of support services in higher education. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/b89af7a9-01a2-410a-aa85-664b3dc89afa This study explored the views of social work students regarding their resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic and their utilisation of student support services in a higher education institution in South Africa. The pandemic’s disruption of academic life and social structures presented first-year students with unique psychosocial and academic challenges, exacerbating an already demanding transitional period. Using Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems perspective, Erikson’s psychosocial development theory, and resilience theory as guiding frameworks, the study examined how students navigated adversity, adapted to remote learning, and accessed available institutional resources to sustain their well-being and academic success. A qualitative research approach employing an exploratory and descriptive design was adopted. Eight participants who were first-year Bachelor of Social Work students at a South African university during 2020-2021 were selected through purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted online. Three overarching themes emerged from the analysis: (1) Resilience (2) Support Services, and (3) Challenges faced by first-year students, such as academic pressure, emotional strain, social isolation, and technological barriers. Findings revealed that while many students demonstrated personal resilience and adaptive coping mechanisms, limited awareness and inconsistent accessibility of student support services hindered effective utilisation. Emotional fatigue, disrupted peer networks, and digital inequities further amplified students’ vulnerability during lockdowns. Nevertheless, participants reported that supportive relationships with family, peers, and lecturers were vital in sustaining motivation and fostering resilience. The study concludes that resilience among first-year students is both an individual and ecological process, shaped by internal capacities and environmental supports. higher education institutions must therefore strengthen communication about available services, ensure equitable access to psychological and academic support, and integrate resilience-building interventions within curricula. Recommendations include expanding peer-mentorship initiatives, enhancing digital counselling platforms, and promoting a holistic institutional culture of care to support student well-being and retention beyond crises. Masters 2026-04-08T10:42:18Z 2026-04-08T10:42:18Z 2026-03 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/135712 en Stellenbosch University 152 pages application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Daniels, Amy-Lee Views of social work students about resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic: The utilisation of support services in higher education |
| title | Views of social work students about resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic: The utilisation of support services in higher education |
| title_full | Views of social work students about resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic: The utilisation of support services in higher education |
| title_fullStr | Views of social work students about resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic: The utilisation of support services in higher education |
| title_full_unstemmed | Views of social work students about resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic: The utilisation of support services in higher education |
| title_short | Views of social work students about resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic: The utilisation of support services in higher education |
| title_sort | views of social work students about resilience during the covid 19 pandemic the utilisation of support services in higher education |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/135712 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT danielsamylee viewsofsocialworkstudentsaboutresilienceduringthecovid19pandemictheutilisationofsupportservicesinhighereducation |