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A qualitative study exploring factors that contribute to the experience of depression and anxiety among students at a university in the Western Cape
Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2026.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2026
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| _version_ | 1867613911356801024 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Soga, Awonke |
| author2 | Carolissen, Ronelle |
| author_browse | Carolissen, Ronelle Soga, Awonke |
| author_facet | Carolissen, Ronelle Soga, Awonke |
| author_sort | Soga, Awonke |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2026. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/135819 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:43:40.048Z |
| 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:10019.1/135819 A qualitative study exploring factors that contribute to the experience of depression and anxiety among students at a university in the Western Cape Soga, Awonke Carolissen, Ronelle Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Psychology. Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2026. Soga, A. 2026. A qualitative study exploring factors that contribute to the experience of depression and anxiety among students at a university in the Western Cape. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/6c48297c-edd8-459d-8466-d1e7d2ed7a15 Background: Depression and anxiety among university students have worsened over the past few years. Students’ depression and anxiety stem from the complex transition that comes with getting into university, which involves several changes. In this qualitative study, I aimed to explore and understand: what are the factors that students with depression and anxiety believe contributed to their experiences, and what are the factors they believe alleviate these symptoms? Methods: A total of 15 participants were recruited using convenience sampling. Participants were senior undergraduate students experiencing depression and anxiety and enrolled at Stellenbosch University in 2024. Participants took part in a face-to-face semi-structured interview. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The results were interpreted through the lens of Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory. Findings: Seven themes and 26 subthemes were identified, reflecting factors contributing to the experience of depression and anxiety among students. The findings indicate that there are various factors contributing to depression and anxiety. Participants reported factors such as absent parenting, overwhelming schoolwork, unsafety and social disconnection, and local and global politics. Students highlighted a lack of emotional support, including a lack of support from home and from the university. However, students reported some factors that alleviate the depression and anxiety symptoms. Alleviating factors include motivation, support, pleasurable activities, and a positive living environment. Conclusion: The findings of this study may help address the gap in local literature. This study can potentially inform the development of local interventions and highlights the importance of addressing students’ mental health in South Africa. Masters 2026-04-10T13:53:22Z 2026-04-10T13:53:22Z 2026-03 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/135819 en Stellenbosch University 148 pages application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Soga, Awonke A qualitative study exploring factors that contribute to the experience of depression and anxiety among students at a university in the Western Cape |
| title | A qualitative study exploring factors that contribute to the experience of depression and anxiety among students at a university in the Western Cape |
| title_full | A qualitative study exploring factors that contribute to the experience of depression and anxiety among students at a university in the Western Cape |
| title_fullStr | A qualitative study exploring factors that contribute to the experience of depression and anxiety among students at a university in the Western Cape |
| title_full_unstemmed | A qualitative study exploring factors that contribute to the experience of depression and anxiety among students at a university in the Western Cape |
| title_short | A qualitative study exploring factors that contribute to the experience of depression and anxiety among students at a university in the Western Cape |
| title_sort | qualitative study exploring factors that contribute to the experience of depression and anxiety among students at a university in the western cape |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/135819 |
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