Magister Psychologiae - MPsych (Psychology)

Permanent URI for this collection

https://hdl.handle.net/10566/19976

Browse

Browsing by Author "Padmanabhanunni, Anita"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    An exploratory study of the lived experiences of nurses who cared for patients with COVID-19 at a regional hospital in Mbombela local municipality, Mpumalanga province.
    (University of the Western Cape, 2025) Ngobeni, Merron Kuhle; Padmanabhanunni, Anita
    Nurses played an important role in providing first aid care and serving as frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study aimed to explore the lived experiences of nurses who cared for patients with COVID-19 at a rural South African hospital. It used a qualitative descriptive research design. Twenty research participants were selected to participate in the study. A semi-structured interview was used to collect data from the participants. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Ethical approval was obtained from the Biomedical Research Ethics Committee of the University of the Western Cape. Each participant’s written informed consent was obtained. Four keys themes emerged from the study. First, the nurses shared their journey into nursing, with most of them reporting that they pursued the career out of a desire to help others and due to limited career opportunities. Second, the study found that nurses had a fear of contracting COVID-19 and transmitting the virus to their loved ones; they also reported that they experienced fear of community ostracism. Third, the study delved into the impact of the work environment on nurses’ well-being, with most of them reporting experiencing burnout, long working hours and poor working environment. Finally, the study also examined the coping mechanisms used by the nurses and identified collegial support, religious support and avoidant coping.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The mental health impact of COVID-19 on the general population of Southern Africa: a scoping review
    (Universty of the Western Cape, 2024) Dube, Thembelihle; Padmanabhanunni, Anita
    The aim of this scoping review was to examine and synthesize existing literature on the mental health impacts, risk factors, and protective factors associated with COVID-19 in Southern Africa. Most studies about the pandemic's mental health impact have been conducted in the global North. This research indicated a high prevalence of mental health disorders including anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, and suicidality. The study found food insecurity, financial difficulties, lack of psychological and social support, social isolation, and job insecurity as risk factors contributing to adverse COVID-19 related mental health outcomes. The findings of the study further revealed that factors such as resilience, family support, religion, and psychosocial support, prevented adverse COVID-19 related mental health outcomes in Southern Africa. There is limited synthesized information from Southern Africa and this study aimed to summarize studies on the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in Southern Africa.