The physical ecology and resilience to depression among emerging adults who are NEET

Abstract

My study is a sub-study of the Resilient to Not in Employment Education or Training (R-NEET) study. The R-NEET study focuses on “Protecting African youth who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) against depression: An investigation of differentially impactful, multisystemic resilience enablers.” The purpose of my study of limited scope was to explore how spaces and places enable the resilience of NEET emerging adults living in stressed communities in Gauteng to avoid depression. In my study and following a multisystemic resilience approach (which framed my study), resilience is defined as the capacity of an individual to respond adaptively in the face of significant adversity despite experiencing high-stress exposure. From a multisystemic perspective, the capacity to adjust well to adversity draws on a combination of resources found in physiological, psychological, social and ecological systems. To fulfil the aforementioned purpose, I conducted an exploratory study. The participants included eight NEET emerging adults aged 18 to 24 years old who lived in stressed communities in Gauteng. The participants generated the data using the Draw-and-Write technique. I used Reflexive Thematic Analysis to analyse the data. I identified the themes of positive emotions and cognitions, keeping busy, and hustling and making a living. My study contributes insights into spaces and places that support the resilience against depression of NEET emerging adults living in stressed communities in Gauteng.