Enhancing student resilience through access to psychological counselling services in selected Zimbabwean polytechnics

Abstract

The purpose of this research study was to explore and investigate how student resilience can be enhanced through access to psychological counselling services. The research aimed to ultimately inform policymakers of the gaps in the policy on the provision of psychological counselling services. Understanding and promoting the significance of resilience in overcoming and dealing with consistent exposure to adversity is core to this study. It is further important for this study to note that access to psychological counselling services is a form of psychological, emotional and social support. Higher education students need to manage and overcome their adverse circumstances and enhance their ability to be resilient through psychological services in Polytechnics in Zimbabwe and possibly highlight the importance of such services in supporting the resilience of students. Therefore, the family, educational institutions and communities have a role to play in enhancing resilience among students. These social structures should put in place mechanisms of supporting students psychologically to enhance their resilience. The study was guided by the socio-ecological theory and self-determination theory. These two theories helped the researcher to have an insight into how resilience is experienced by polytechnic students. This study used qualitative methodology to understand and answer the research question “How can resilience be facilitated through accessing psychological counselling services in Zimbabwean Polytechnics?” The study adopted the interpretivist research paradigm and a phenomenological research design. The target population were students from two polytechnics. Data was collected through interviews and focus group discussions and was analysed through thematic analysis. The research found out that students in polytechnics face adversities during their academic life. However, they have coping mechanisms to help them avert the effects of adversities. Polytechnic students felt that psychological counselling services would help them more to adjust to college life and to deal with adversities as they arise. The study found that there is no mental health policy for polytechnics; hence there is a need for the formal establishment of psychological counselling services.