This paper introduces the contribution of cognitive dissonance theory to deepening our understanding of hate. It is argued that the dissonance mechanism is at the basis of inner conflict and other experiences of people who hate. A systematic approach is taken, and the detailed analysis is a novel contribution to the field. Three main points are made using examples. In the first place, the emergence of hate can be understood in terms of an aversive inconsistency or dissonance between experiences with or perceptions of people who threaten salient values, interests or expectations. In the second place, dissonance theory explains hate as motivating hateful actions to reduce the inconsistency but also that dissonance regulation and management strategies are an integral part of the complex nature of hate. This includes attitude change, justifications, adding consonant thoughts, trivialisation, denial, seeking distraction or disengaging. In the third place, the dissonance mechanism explains persistent inner conflict in the person who experiences prolonged hate and a preoccupation with efforts to reduce the associated burden. Hate is increasingly addressed in an interdisciplinary fashion in the scholarly literature. It is concluded that addressing hate through the lens of cognitive dissonance theory enhances our understanding of its complexities. The authors have engaged with this as initiators of the NETHATE research consortium. This paper is intended to further advance this process by promoting discussion and suggesting avenues for the integration of the dissonance mechanism in current models of hate, such as the functional perspective, evolutionary approach and various typologies.
Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours (KAB) influence mental health outcomes and vary across sociodemographic groups. In South Africa, where there is a high burden of mental health conditions, it is important to understand these factors to inform public health strategies. This study examined (a) group differences in mental health KAB and diagnosis; (b) associations between sociodemographic factors, KAB, and mental health diagnosis; and (c) whether mental health literacy (MHL), self-stigma, and help-seeking mediate the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and diagnosis. We collected data from 1,000 South African adults (aged 18–65) using a cross-sectional online survey. Chi-square and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to assess group differences, while logistic regression and generalised structural equation modelling (GSEM) were used to examine direct and indirect associations. Higher SES, tertiary education, and employment were associated with greater MHL, reducing stigma, and increasing help-seeking, and a dual burden of health-promoting and risk behaviours. Higher-status groups more often endorsed evidence-based risk and treatment, whereas lower-status groups and men favoured traditional or spiritual explanations. Having a mental health diagnosis was associated with chronic conditions (odds ratio [ OR ] = 2.70, p < .001), perceived stress ( OR = 3.64, p < .001), alcohol use ( OR = 1.53, p = .015), and drug use ( OR = 2.04, p = .002). Higher SES was associated with greater MHL (β = 1.48, p < .001), reducing stigma (β = −0.78, p < .001), and increasing help-seeking (β = 0.12, p = .001). Strategies focused on improving mental health outcomes should address not only MHL and stigma but also Socioeconomic conditions that shape KAB.
In South Africa, retirement often coincides with unpaid caregiving for frail spouses, grandchildren, and other dependants. Guided by the stress-process model and related appraisal perspectives, this cross-sectional study examined whether financial strain and depressive symptoms were, individually and sequentially, associated with links between household care burden and seven quality of life (QoL) domains, and whether these patterns differed by sex. We analysed Wave 7 (2023/2024) Gauteng City-Region Observatory Quality of Life survey data for 1,987 pensioners aged 60 years and older who reported regular caregiving (men = 767; women = 1,220). Partial least-squares path modelling with 5,000 bootstrap resamples was used to estimate direct and indirect associations. In the combined sample, higher care burden was associated with greater financial strain, and greater financial strain was associated with more depressive symptoms and lower scores on several QoL domains, particularly life satisfaction, safety, services, and perceived socioeconomic status. Care burden was also positively associated with civic participation. In the sex-stratified models, the burden–financial strain–depressive symptoms pattern was evident among women but not among men. Both men and women showed a positive direct association between care burden and participation. These findings are consistent with the view that the material and emotional correlates of later-life caregiving are multidimensional and may differ in patterning between men and women. Because the data are cross-sectional, the results should be interpreted as associations rather than causal effects. These findings indicate that policy responses that combine targeted cash and psychosocial support for female retirees, alongside stipend-funded “care-champion” roles that harness older men’s civic engagement, could help mitigate the downsides of intensive later-life caregiving.
This discussion article addresses the historical, political and social context of struggle songs in South Africa and the circumstances in which such songs should be considered prohibited hate speech. The analysis is framed around the decision in AfriForum v Malema , in which the Supreme Court of Appeal held that the singing of the Dubul’ ibhunu ( Kill the boer ) song on the occasions in issue did not amount to hate speech. The article approaches the problem from three main perspectives, namely law, politics and music, and to a lesser extent, psychology. It concludes that while courts are required to interpret struggle songs with reference to their performative and figurative meaning and their function, an objective and balanced approach must also be adopted. Regard must be had to the nature of the occasion when a particular song is sung, the role-players involved, the power dynamics at play and the potential for harm against the group targeted.
The academic field of hate studies emerged from a moral and scholarly commitment to confront prejudice-motivated violence. While rooted in activism, the field has evolved into a diverse, interdisciplinary domain, examining how societies construct, normalise, and enact the hierarchisation and dehumanisation of difference. Drawing on plenary contributions from the 2024 International Network for Hate Studies (INHS) Biennial Conference, this commentary reflects on the field’s development, current trajectories, and evolving directions. We trace hate studies’ evolution from its activist origins to a global research area spanning law, criminology, psychology, and related disciplines. Central concerns include understanding the causes, consequences, and prevention of hate, alongside legal and criminological responses to hate crime. At the same time, the field faces conceptual tensions, particularly in defining “hate” and “hate crime,” and in delineating its disciplinary boundaries. The commentary also considers the promise of hate studies from a Global South perspective, where many contexts have been shaped by colonialism, economic exploitation, and enduring forms of exclusion. We therefore examine whether hate studies can adequately address these historical and structural continuities of colonial modernity. Contemporary manifestations of hate are also situated within broader global crises, including pandemic-related xenophobia and the resurgence of anti-immigrant sentiment associated with far-right populism. We further reflect on the ideological backlash against the field. Ultimately, we advocate for deeper collaboration between Global North and Global South scholars to advance methodological innovation, epistemic pluralism, conceptual precision, and praxis-oriented research and policy translation, to strengthen hate studies as a rigorous and globally relevant discipline.
Student mental health has been increasingly acknowledged as a priority in South Africa. However, research examining the psychological well-being of students with disabilities (SWDs) remains limited. This study examined levels and correlates of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol use, hopelessness and loneliness among South African SWDs. Participants were undergraduate SWDs ( N = 229) from three universities. They completed the Beck Hopelessness Scale-9, University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale Version 3, Short Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and the state version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-5. Descriptive statistics, intercorrelations and multiple linear regression analyses were computed. The study found high levels of psychological distress, with 74.2% of participants meeting criteria for probable PTSD, 81.7% for depression, 55% for hopelessness, and 43.7% for anxiety. These mental health outcomes were strongly interrelated, reflecting a pattern of comorbidity, where PTSD was closely linked with heightened depressive and anxiety symptoms, hopelessness, and loneliness. Gender and disability type emerged as significant predictors of mental health outcomes. These findings highlight a substantial and largely unmet mental health burden among South African SWDs, underscoring the need for targeted, trauma-informed, and disability-responsive mental health interventions within higher education.
This study explores a whole-school approach to the inclusion of transgender learners, with a particular focus on the experiences of two transgender learners in a secondary school. Using a qualitative case study design, it draws on interviews with 11 school stakeholders, including two transgender learners. The study critically examines how social, cultural, and political factors shape and sustain the vulnerabilities of transgender individuals. While research from South Africa and internationally highlights persistent violence and transphobia, including cyberbullying, this study emphasizes the importance of belonging, acceptance, and support in fostering resilience, mental health, engagement, and academic performance. It calls for inclusive school environments, government accountability, gender identity education, and inclusive curricula as essential conditions for supporting transgender learners. Despite growing visibility and public debate, the lived experiences of transgender learners in South African schools remain underresearched. This study is timely and urgent, grounded in constitutional principles, and is well-positioned to contribute to both individual well-being and systemic change.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated online psychology training, leading to a notable decline in empathy development among postgraduate students due to reduced face-to-face interaction. Central to fostering professional empathy is the hidden curriculum—the informal and implicit learning space that occurs through social and relational experiences, which is often lost in virtual settings. This article, grounded in Experiential Learning Theory (ELT) and Situated Learning Theory (SLT), argues that the intentional integration of hidden-curriculum elements into an online educational environment can compensate for diminished in-person experiential learning. Through semi-structured qualitative interviews with 10 psychology master’s students at a South African university, three key themes were identified: (1) perceived experiences of disconnection and isolation, (2) disruption of the hidden curriculum, and (3) empathy and readiness for professional practice. The findings are interpreted through the lens of Ubuntu philosophy, which underpins South African social realities and emphasises relationality, interconnectedness, and collective meaning-making. Participants highlighted the necessity of a culturally grounded capacity for deep interpersonal connection as central to their learning experiences. The absence of relational depth within supervisory interactions was found to significantly undermine students’ capacity to thrive in online learning environments. In response to these challenges, this study highlights several considerations for the improvement of postgraduate psychology training environments.
Timeline genograms provide a visual method for mapping family structures and relational changes over time. While often used in therapeutic contexts for conducting assessments and gathering historical information, their application in psychological research remains underexplored. This study aimed to address this gap by examining participants’ subjective experiences of constructing timeline genograms. Using an interpretative phenomenological analysis, participants described how the genogram process simplified complex relational narratives, evoked reflection on family experiences, and revealed recurring relational patterns. Findings suggest that timeline genograms extend beyond data collection, functioning as a tool that can stimulate psychological insight, support meaning-making, and elicit unintended therapeutic effects. This article highlights the value of timeline genograms as a methodologically adaptable tool for qualitative research in the South African context while also drawing attention to the ethical considerations associated with their use.
In South African higher education, students encounter numerous challenges that affect their mental health and well-being. This study examined the incidence and predictors of mental health among 1,366 students at a public, in-contact South African university. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was employed, using the Mental Health Continuum Short Form alongside measures of life satisfaction, sexual well-being, health literacy, and psychosocial and institutional factors. Descriptive findings indicated that most (66%) students reported moderate mental health, with 28% flourishing and 6% languishing. Bivariate correlations showed strong positive associations between mental health and life satisfaction, sexual well-being, and health literacy. While small significant differences were found across demographic groups, hierarchical regression revealed that psychosocial factors, particularly life satisfaction, components of health literacy, and social support, were the strongest predictors, accounting for the largest proportion of variance in mental health (R & sup2; = .61), whereas structural and academic factors played smaller roles. A two-step cluster analysis identified two distinct profiles: a 'Strained and Stressed' group characterised by structural disadvantage and fewer psychosocial support, and a 'Resourced and Supported' group with greater resource security and psychosocial resources. Cluster membership explained over 12% of the variance in mental health, underscoring the interplay of structural and psychosocial factors in shaping student well-being. Results suggest that interventions designed to strengthen psychosocial resources such as social connection, health literacy, and life satisfaction may enhance students' mental health and mitigate the effects of structural disadvantages.
The Department of Correctional Services in South Africa views the social reintegration of offenders as vital to their return to society as law-abiding citizens. However, research into the experiences of young adult ex-offenders during family reintegration in rural areas in South Africa is limited. Evidence shows that re-entry in rural contexts is difficult, and societal expectations at this life stage heighten the risk of maladjustment and reoffending. Seven young adult male ex-offender volunteers from the Sekhukhune district, Limpopo, who returned to their families after incarceration were self- and purposively selected for the study, during which their experiential meanings attributed to their reintegration into their families, benefits and challenges were described and interpreted. A qualitative interpretative phenomenological analysis research design was adopted for the study, and individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants. Data were analysed following the IPA data analysis guidelines, and the emerged themes were grounded in the concept of person-family fit. The findings show that the process of family re-entry was an emotional rollercoaster for the participants post their incarceration. While they experienced a second chance in the form of returning home, family support, and interdependency in the family, they also encountered obstacles such as not being trusted, name-calling, intolerance, contrasting roles post incarceration, and unemployment. The findings have implications for a systems approach to forming formal partnerships and continuous deliberations among the family, correctional centres, other government departments and employers both during and following incarceration.
This study employed an intersectional framework to examine how Registered Counsellors (RCs) in South Africa's public primary health care sector perceive their professional identities and practices. Guided by a constructivist paradigm, and features of a collective autoethnographic approach, the study adopted a reflexive thematic analysis approach to examine the written narratives of three RCs. Two Clinical Psychologists initially analysed the data, deriving themes; thereafter, the RC participant-authors reviewed the identified themes to assess resonance and credibility. The analysis explored how intersecting domains of identity shaped RCs' experiences within the communities they served. Four themes were identified: (1) Negotiating Authority and Otherness in Public Mental Health, (2) RC Participants Engaging with Cultural Variability, (3) RC Participants Carrying the Weight of Mental Health in South Africa and (4) RC Participants Learning to Manage the Emotional Weight of their Role. The findings demonstrate how overlapping identities such as race, gender and culture influence RCs' perceptions of professional practice, client relationships and approaches to cultural competence. Structural and social inequities further shape how RCs manage emotional and relational labour in under-resourced contexts. RCs negotiate tensions between similarity and difference, balancing cultural awareness with professional responsibility while bearing the emotional weight of community trauma and inequality. Reflexivity emerges as a socially and politically charged process embedded within unequal systems. Intersectional reflexivity enables RCs to challenge hierarchies and provide culturally responsive care. By foregrounding RCs' relational experiences, this article highlights the transformative potential of identity-conscious mental health care practice in post-apartheid South Africa.
This study investigated the effect of career construction counselling as an intervention on addressing career decision-making difficulties and enhancing career adaptability of high school students in Tanzania. The study sample consisted of 66 Form Five students (Grade 11) drawn from two public high schools in Morogoro Municipality. An intervention group of 35 students received career construction counselling, while a comparison group of 31 students continued with traditional regular classes. A quasi experimental pre- and post-test design was used to assess participants' career decision-making difficulties and adaptability before and after intervention. The results indicated statistically significant differences between the pre- and post-test interventions, implying that the intervention decreased students' career decision-making difficulties and increased their career adaptability. Future research could expand this line of inquiry by including larger and more diverse samples, conducting longitudinal follow-ups to examine sustained effects, and exploring the applicability of career construction counselling across different cultural and educational contexts.
University students are among the groups most vulnerable to mental distress globally. This cross-sectional study sought to evaluate the prevalence of mental distress, social support, and related factors among Palestinian university students in the West Bank from March to May 2024. A total of 410 students participated in the study, which used the Self-Report Questionnaire-20 for Mental Distress and the Social Support Questionnaire. The findings indicated that 58.5% of the students experienced mental distress (mean = 8.73 +/- 5.10 SD), whereas 55.6% reported high levels of social support (mean = 3.68 +/- 0.77 SD). Higher levels of mental distress were significantly associated with female gender, lower social support, lower religious commitment, family history of mental illness, and academic stressors. This study is distinctive as it situates the experiences of Palestinian students within the broader framework of settler colonialism and military occupation, which significantly affect their mental health and social support. The results underscore the need for targeted interventions, including the integration of mental health services in universities, the expansion of peer and community support, and the development of preventive programs tailored to the Palestinian context. Addressing mental distress in this setting requires tackling its structural and political roots by fostering community resilience and promoting the collective ethos of sumud as a foundation for psychosocial well-being.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and impairing mental health condition that often begins in adolescence. OCD remains underdiagnosed and undertreated particularly in low-and middle-income countries where access to specialist mental health care is limited. Few qualitative studies have explored the lived experiences of adolescents with OCD, and none have incorporated both adolescent and parent perspectives, nor considered the additional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We sought to address this gap. Participants were South African adolescents (aged 12-18) living with OCD, and their parents. Eight adolescent-parent pairs participated in semi-structured, individual online interviews conducted between August 2022 and February 2023. Adolescents also completed the Children's Florida Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (C-FOCI). Interviews were transcribed and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis and ATLAS.ti. Five themes provided insight into participants' subjective experiences: (1) Recognising and naming OCD, (2) impact on functioning, (3) influence on family and home life, (4) impact on social life, and (5) impact on school life. OCD symptoms were often hidden and misunderstood, leading to delayed help-seeking. Adolescents described significant disruptions to sleep, social interactions, and schoolwork. Mothers highlighted emotional and physical strain, family conflict, and limited support. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified symptoms for some while providing temporary relief from school-related stress and social demands for others. The study underscores the complex, multi-layered impact of OCD on adolescents and their families, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings suggest the need for accessible, family-focused psychoeducation, early detection of OCD, and school-based mental health initiatives to reduce stigma and promote support.
The study examined the predictors of postpartum depressive symptoms among young mothers in rural Limpopo province in South Africa. Cross-sectional data of adolescents and young mothers aged 16 to 24 years from the DIMAMO Population Health Research Centre were used. The centre operates as a rural site of the South African Population Research Infrastructure Network's Health and Demographic Surveillance System. A multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression was used to identify the predictors of postpartum depressive symptoms among young mothers in rural Limpopo. Postpartum depressive symptoms were experienced by 39.83% of the young mothers. Mothers from food-insecure households were more likely to experience postpartum depressive symptoms (adjusted odds ratio = 2.59; confidence interval = 1.33-5.07; p = .005) compared to those from food-secure households. HIV-positive mothers were more likely to experience postpartum depressive symptoms (adjusted odds ratio = 9.34; confidence interval = 1.56-55.72; p = .014) compared to those who are HIV-negative. Meanwhile, receiving financial support from the partner (adjusted odds ratio = 0.37; confidence interval = 0.20-0.70; p = .002) and a planned pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio = 0.19; confidence interval = 0.08-0.51; p = .001) reduced the likelihood of experiencing postpartum depressive symptoms. These findings highlighted the need for policies that address food security, integrate mental health care into HIV services, strengthen family planning education, and promote partner support among young mothers in rural South Africa.
Youth living in disadvantaged communities such as Mamelodi, a peri-urban settlement in the City of Tshwane in South Africa, have limited access to mental health services. Community-based interventions to promote mental health can play a crucial role in such contexts. This research aimed to empower young adults to promote mental health through peer-led interventions. Using action research, salient issues were identified to effect social change through collaboration. The local radio station and community organisations assisted with the recruitment of young adults (18-24 years) through snowball sampling. Seven out-of-school young adults joined the study as peer leaders. Eight project meetings were held between June and December 2023 to plan and implement an intervention aimed at improving the mental health literacy of their peers. During an interview at the community radio station, the peer leaders discussed the mental health challenges of youth. They created a video on depression and suicide, and a pamphlet containing information on mental health support, available on the community radio station's Facebook page and their personal social media accounts. A large number of viewers accessed this information. Recordings of project sessions and a focus group discussion with the peer leaders were analysed using thematic analysis to explore their experiences of the project. Participation in the project contributed to the personal growth of the peer leaders, particularly the development of competence, confidence, and personal well-being, and a sense of psychological empowerment that enabled them to contribute to the lives of their peers. Their peers also benefitted, as they received mental health information and social support from the peer leaders. The research emphasises the value of peer-led interventions as a strategy to promote mental health literacy and emotional support among young people.
Research indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching repercussions in South Africa, mirroring trends in other countries by affecting health care systems, economies, and overall quality of life, while also profoundly impacting the work and well-being of mental health care professionals. In this context, this study aimed to investigate the psychological distress (K10 > 16) associated with occupational stress among mental health care professionals in private practice during the first wave of COVID-19. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 284 mental health care practitioners recruited through Medical Pages (Medpages) database and email outreach. Participants completed a SurveyMonkey questionnaire that gathered demographic information, details on occupational COVID-19-related stress, and levels of psychological distress. Univariate and bivariate analyses were employed to describe sample characteristics, assess the prevalence of occupational COVID-19 stress and psychological distress, and explore their association. The majority of participants were male (80%), with a mean age of 49 years. The findings revealed moderate prevalence rates of occupational COVID-19 stress at 66% and psychological distress at 64%. In addition, a moderate positive correlation was found between occupational COVID-19 stress and psychological distress (r = .46; p < .001). These findings suggest the need for continued psychosocial support and self-care by mental health care professionals beyond COVID-19 pandemic.
