The impact of covid-19 on psychological well-being, social support and academic stress on postgraduate students

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic affected countries globally. The magnitude of the effects of the pandemic was experienced differently based on country-specific contextual circumstances across the Global South and Global North. Countries in the Global South such as South Africa with high levels of inequality have been negatively impacted, predominantly owing to the lack of access to sufficient funding and resources, across all spheres. In particular, education was negatively affected as students had to adjust to online learning formats, with a lack of access to the necessary technological infrastructure and equipment, knowledge, and a conducive space to work. Owing to online classes and a hard lockdown, the psychological well-being, academic stress and social support of postgraduate students was affected. The present study aimed to explore the relationship between postgraduate students’ psychological well-being, academic stress and social support in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. The objectives of this study were to: explore the influence of social support on the psychological well-being of postgraduate university students during the COVID-19 pandemic; explore the influence of academic stress on the psychological well-being of postgraduate university students during the COVID-19 pandemic; and to explore the influence of both academic stress and social support on the psychological well-being of postgraduate university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.