Coping with Academic and Family Expectations during COVID-19: Perspectives of Female Students of Durban University of Technology

Coping with COVID-19 has been difficult for humankind globally. While there has been an assessment of the challenges people face concerning COVID-19, there is sparse research on the coping mechanisms used in different spheres. This paper lurched into this gap and looked specifically at selected female students of the Durban University of Technology, exploring their coping processes as they balance the reality of COVID-19 and the challenges of university life. Folkman and Lazarus’ (1988) coping theory and the associated ways of coping (WCQ) factors (confrontive coping, distancing, self-controlling, seeking social support, accepting responsibility, escape-avoidance, planful problem-solving and positive reappraisal) are the foundations of this study’s conceptual framework. This study used the WCQ factors within a qualitative interpretive analysis to interpret reflective pieces of 14 female students enrolled in a university-wide module – Cornerstone. The module aims to induct students into the higher education community with the values and practices that promote self-awareness, social justice and environmental knowledge. Findings revealed the difficulty experienced by the students in balancing life and academic contexts. The study also showed that COVID-19 had worsened their social realities because of the regulations on social distancing and public gatherings, thus inhibiting educational or physical social contact. These made female students vulnerable to mental health issues. Therefore, they used multiple coping mechanisms to deal with challenges during the COVID-19 period.