Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine perceived social support systems for bereaved students in institutions of higher learning with specific reference to Walter Sisulu University (WSU). One hundred and eighty-two (182) first year students who were between ages 15 and 36 years and above with the mean age of 25.5 were selected from three faculties. The data were collected using a questionnaire and a Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) by Zimet et al. (J Pers Assess 52:30–41, 1988). The themes for the questionnaire included prevalence of bereavement, help-seeking behavioral patterns in relation to gender, and ways of improving the quality of life for grieving students. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) assessed three sources of support available to students (e.g., family (FA), friends (FR), and significant other (SO). Data collected was analyzed using SPSS. Findings showed that a significant number of students had suffered more than one loss of someone close to them through death in the past 24 months; most students got social support from either family, friends, person or community members who were willing to help; majority of female students did not know of any place on campus where they would go to and seek help when they grieve as compared to the male counterparts; and sadly, that some students did not receive any form of assistance on campus when they were grieving.
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Baninzi, S., Mdleleni-Bookholane, T. (2019). Perceived Social Support Systems for Bereaved Students in Walter Sisulu University: A Pilot Study. In: Kee, Y., Lee, S., Phillips, R. (eds) Perspectives on Community Well-Being . Community Quality-of-Life and Well-Being. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15115-7_5
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