The sense of coherence and resilience of HIV-positive students in the support group of a university in the Eastern Cape

Date
2014-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Most research in South Africa with regard to HIV/AIDS focuses on the HIV counseling and testing of university students while little attention has been paid to how HIV-positive students cope in the support groups within the institutions of higher learning. The study aimed at determining and describing the sense of coherence and the resilience of HIVpositive students in a university in the Eastern Cape Province and exploring the differences between the demographics, using the subscale of the sense of coherence (SOC-29) and the resilience assessment questionnaire (RAQ). The students who were registered with the university were chosen as participants by means of non-probability purposive sampling technique. The sample consisted of 40 students (Males = 10; Females = 30). A t-test analysis revealed statistically significant differences between demographics (language) and comprehensibility subscale of the sense of coherence (SOC). Furthermore, statistically significant differences between languages, interaction and problem-solving scales of RAQ were noted. The Cronbach‟s Alpha for SOC and RAQ yielded 0.74 and 0.94 respectively in this study. The results show that the participants were coping fairly well with a chronic disease like HIV/AIDS and that their resilience was also average. The main recommendation is that the university should increase HIV/AIDS coping be done on a larger scale in an institution that has different race groups.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die meeste navorsing oor MIV/Vigs in Suid-Afrika fokus op MIV-voorligting en toetsing. Baie min aandag word egter gegee aan die mate waartoe MIV-positiewe student waarde vind binne die ondersteuningsgroepe wat binne Suid-Afrikaaanse Universiteite bestaan. Hierdie navorsingsprojek poog om 'n beskrywing te gee van twee konstrukte naamlik “sense of coherence” en “resilience” en te beskryf hoe dit manifesteer binne 'n groep MIVpositiewe studente aan 'n Universiteit in die Oos-Kaap. 'n Steekproef van 40 student ( 20 manlik en 20 vroulik) is vir die studie gebruik en die SOC-29 en Rao vraelyste is by hulle geadministreer ten einde onderskeidelik “sense of coherence” en “resilience” te meet. Die t-toets is in die analise van data gebruik . Resultate toon aan dat deelnemers oor die algemeen goed vaar in hulle die hantering van kroniese siektes soos MIV/Vigs en dat hulle vermoë om hulle lewe te normaliseer ( resilience) redelik goed is. Die aanbeveling wat uit die studie gemaak word is dat universiteite MIV/Vigs hanteringsprogramme moet verbeter en dat daar gepoog moet word on beter ondersteuningsmeganismes vir studente met MIV/Vigs daar te stel.
Description
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.
Keywords
Dissertations -- HIV/AIDS management, Theses -- HIV/AIDS management, Dissertations -- Industrial psychology, Theses -- Industrial psychology, HIV positive persons -- Psychology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape, Resilience (Psychology), Life skills
Citation