Students’ perceptions of psychosocial support services at a selected university in Masvingo, Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study determines students’ perceptions of psychosocial support services at a university. A case study involving a single university in Masvingo was conducted. Ten participants (five males and five females) were purposively selected from a university in Masvingo. Interviews and focus group discussions were used as techniques for data collection. Thematic results indicated the presence of psychosocial support services such as peer counselling, peer education, pastoral counselling, academic counseling, health counselling, and support groups. Gender differences in the perceptions of psychosocial support were also noted. The results showed that students spend most of their time on campus. This study recommends that universities should make effective and accessible psychosocial support services for the students’ well-being, and peer counsellors and educators should be trained to support other students.

Keywords

• psychosocial support
• psychosocial challenge
• university student