Knowledge and perceptions of University of Limpopo (Turfloop Campus) undergraduate students towards mental illness

Abstract

Current understandings of mental illness are deeply rooted in a predominantly westernised paradigms of mental health. Constructs such as mental illness have been found to be socially constructed and rooted in historical contexts and informed by cultural and societal influences. Most of the existing research conducted on the knowledge and perceptions of tertiary-educated individuals towards mental illness have been quantitative in nature. The aim of this study was to qualitatively explore the knowledge and perceptions of undergraduates using Social Representation Theory as a theoretical framework. Purposive sampling was utilised to draw a sample of 16 undergraduate students between the ages of 18-25 years, at the University of Limpopo (Turfloop Campus). Thematic Content Analysis (TCA) was used to analyse the semi-structured interviews which were used to collect data. The results of this study found that negative views and perceptions existed amongst the sample pertaining to mental illness and the mentally ill. It was also found that participants conceptualisations of mental illness were not wholly western or traditionally African. Participants perceptions were informed through their cultural and social experiences with the mentally ill. Generally, the study pointed towards a greater need for psycho-education on mental illness.