Browsing by Author "Rabie, S."

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    Non-fatal suicidal behaviour, depression and poverty among young men living in low-resource communities in South Africa
    (BMC (part of Springer Nature), 2018-10-22) Bantjes, J.; Tomlinson, M.; Weiss, R. E.; Yen, P. K.; Goldstone, D.; Stewart, J.; Qondela, T.; Rabie, S.; Rotheram-Borus, M. J.
    Background: Suicide is a serious public health problem in low- and middle-income countries. Understanding the context- and gender-specific risk factors for non-fatal suicidal behaviour is the cornerstone of evidence-based public health interventions to reduce suicide. Poverty and symptoms of depression are well established risk factors for suicidal behaviour. However, little is understood about how proximal economic factors (such as losing one’s job, or food insecurity) may confound the effects of symptoms of depression to increase the risk of non-fatal suicidal behaviour in vulnerable populations, such as young men living under conditions of endemic poverty. The aim of this study was to explore the extent to which a wide range of poverty-related variables account for non-fatal suicidal behaviour independent of, or in addition to, symptoms of depression among young men living in low-resource communities in South Africa (SA). Methods: Data were collected from a clustered sample of 647 young men living in low-resource communities in the Western Cape province of SA. Multivariate regressions were used to identify the associations between poverty-related measures, symptoms of depression, and past-month prevalence of non-fatal suicidal behaviour. Results: Non-fatal suicidal behaviour in the last month was reported by 47 (6.13%) participants: suicidal ideation (n = 43; 5.97%); suicide plan (n = 5; 0.77%); suicide attempt (n = 4; 0.62%), and deliberate self-harm without intent to die (n = 4; 0.62%). Past-month prevalence of non-fatal suicidal behaviour was significantly associated with particular dimensions of poverty (living in a home without a toilet on the premises, having previously been fired, and food insecurity), but not with other dimensions of poverty (such as prolonged unemployment and low levels of income). However, symptoms of depression were a more significant predictor of non-fatal suicidal behaviour than any measure of poverty (aOR=1.093, 95% CI=1.058-1.129, p < .000). Conclusions: Depressive symptoms are more strongly associated with non-fatal suicidal behaviour than a range of proximal and distal economic factors among young men living under conditions of endemic poverty in South Africa. This has important public health implications and highlights the importance of increasing young men’s access to psychiatric services and targeting depression as an integral component of suicide prevention in low resource communities.
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    The value of the gap year in the facilitation of career adaptability
    (HESA, 2016) Rabie, S.; Naidoo, A. V.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This qualitative study examined the gap year experience of 11 first year Stellenbosch University students and its influence on the development of their adaptive career resources and preparedness. Phenomenological analysis was applied to data obtained through semi-structured interviews to identify overarching themes and subthemes within the data. This study found that engaging in a gap year facilitated formative personal growth and the acquisition of a variety of skills. These themes depicted increased career maturity and, in combination with an improved knowledge of the world of work, enabled the participants to construct a more confident identity and make informed career decisions. The findings indicate that a gap year appears to be useful for individuals to foster curiosity regarding future personal and career development and exercise career adaptability. This study signifies that a gap year can be utilised as a valuable life design opportunity for individuals to address career uncertainty and acquire a variety of skills to prepare them for subsequent formal study and career decision-making.