National strategies to manage COVID-19, including lockdown, have caused significant disruption to student learning and to the ways that students engage with staff and peers. The transition to online learning, alongside common anxieties associated with the disease itself, was likely to have affected student mental health. This study explored psychology student mental health experiences during Lockdown Phase 3 at the University of the Witwatersrand. A convenience sample of 160 first- and second-year psychology students completed a questionnaire consisting of the General Mental Health Scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Burnout Measure, the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced, the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, and the Generalised Self Efficacy Scale. In addition, six open-ended questions asking students about their experiences and support during this time were included. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse quantitative data, whereas content and thematic analysis was used for the open-ended responses. Results indicated that students’ scores were not elevated on the mental health scales. However, the thematic analysis of responses revealed significant concerns with regard to psychological wellbeing, online learning, and home dynamics. These are discussed with a view to providing recommendations for supporting students in circumstances that may require emergency remote teaching.

The role of cognitive factors, such as working memory, in psychological resilience has not been widely investigated, although a few studies tentatively suggest a positive association. Given the contextually embedded nature of resilience, sociocultural factors may also influence any relationship between working memory and resilience, and so a concurrent triangulation, mixed method design, located in a socioecological model, was employed to explore this relationship in South African emerging adults from disadvantaged circumstances. A total of 38 participants completed biographical, working memory, and resilience measures. Around 14 of these participants were also interviewed about the perceived role of working memory processes in resilient behaviours. The results suggest that working memory processes indirectly promote resilience-enabling behaviours, while the sociocultural environment also facilitates behaviours which engage working memory and foster resilience. These findings have implications for the development of cognitive-based, resilience-promoting interventions for young adults.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has exposed physiotherapists to unique work-related challenges. However, there is a lack of research regarding the mental health and lived experiences of South African physiotherapists during the COVID-19 pandemic.Objectives: To determine levels of mental and physical health, burnout, depression, anxiety and resilience and coping strategies used by a sample of South African physiotherapists with and without exposure to patients with COVID-19. Lived work experience, perceived health and sources of support were also explored.Method: A non-experimental, cross-sectional, mixed-method design was used. Physiotherapists completed an online survey comprising: a demographic questionnaire; scales assessing mental and physical health, burnout, depression, anxiety and coping strategies and six open-ended questions. A total of 171 physiotherapists participated in our study, 43.3% of whom were exposed to patients with COVID-19.Results: The exposure group scored significantly higher on self-reported mental health, anxiety, depression and burnout than the non-exposure group. No significant differences were reported for physical health and resilience. Significantly more maladaptive coping strategies were employed by the exposure group. Participants’ lived experiences highlighted similar experiences, as well as work-related challenges. Both groups reported that primary sources of support were significant others, but highlighted the lack of organisational support.Conclusion: Irrespective of the degree of exposure to COVID-19, the mental health and lived experiences of physiotherapists working in South Africa has been negatively impacted by COVID-19.Clinical implications: Understanding physiotherapists’ well-being and lived experiences during the pandemic may guide workplace interventions. Our findings suggest the need for psycho-educational intervention programmes to be implemented at an organisational level.

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