Abstract
Background: Despite the need for mental health services and the shortage of mental health practitioners in South Africa, psychology graduates continue to struggle to secure employment. While there have been studies on unemployed psychology graduates, there is a paucity of research not only on the effects of unemployment on the personal and social lives of these graduates, but on how they cope with being unemployed and their mental health support needs.
Aim: The aim of the study was to understand the experiences of unemployed South African psychology graduates and their mental health support needs.
Method: The study employed a mixed-method approach to collect data from 30 unemployed psychology graduates. Qualitative data were collected through open-ended questions, while quantitative data were elicited through the SRQ-20. Participants were interviewed online using Microsoft teams, Google Meet and WhatsApp. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the quantitative data while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Honwana’s “waithood” theory and Thieme’s “hustle” theory were used to interpret the findings.
Findings: While 10 participants wished to continue with psychology, 16 reported that they would rather start a new degree and four were ambivalent. Activities that they engaged in while unemployed included job seeking, volunteering and registration with a counselling association. They coped through volunteering, exercising and spirituality. Their unemployed status evoked feelings of depression and worthlessness with 70% of participants obtaining scores on the SRQ-20, indicating that they were experiencing psychological distress. Although they were supported emotionally and financially by their families, they needed support from government in the form of job creation, and information from universities.
Conclusion: The current research enhances knowledge and understanding of the psychosocial impact of unemployment on psychology graduates. The study allows the voices of these graduates to be heard and highlights not only the psychological distress they experience, but the agency they display in coping with their situation.