Abstract:
The objective of this study was to explore how meaning unfolded in the narratives of
unemployed young adult graduates. South Africa has the highest youth unemployment rate
in the world, which is affecting a growing number of university graduates. This study
contributes to the existing body of knowledge about this population by combining insights on
unemployment, young adulthood as a distinctive developmental period, and meaning.
A qualitative research design, incorporating an existential-humanistic paradigm, was
utilised to explore the nuances of personal experiences regarding meaning. A total of 12
participants between the ages of 21 and 30 who had graduated and had been unemployed for
at least six months took part in individual interviews. Rich data were gathered through
narrative interviews, and a narrative analysis yielded findings that demonstrated the
uniqueness of each story and common themes that emerged.
The participants had experienced a loss of meaning when expectations of employment
were disappointed, which inspired efforts to seek meaning. Commitment to their original
purpose through further education, connecting with supportive people, being involved in
meaningful activities, and reflecting on how to obtain new coherence and growth restored
their sense of meaning. The findings suggest that the ability to pursue new avenues of
meaning can be cultivated as a valuable resource during unemployment. Stakeholders
involved in graduates’ transition to work should consider including meaning-focused
interventions to prepare graduates for the labour market and to curb the deleterious effects of
unemployment.
