School of Allied Health Sciences

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Browsing School of Allied Health Sciences by Advisor "Gentz, Shelene"

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    Exploring the cultural understanding of mental illness: A study in the Ovaherero community, Opuwo urban area, Namibia
    (University of Namibia, 2025) Maundu. Rijama Thessa; Gentz, Shelene
    This study aimed to identify and analyze the cultural understandings of mental illness, specifically its perceived symptoms, causes, and treatments, within the Ovaherero community in Opuwo, Kunene Region, Namibia. Grounded in a constructivist paradigm, the research employed a qualitative ethnographic design to explore participants’ culturally embedded perceptions. Fifteen adult Ovaherero-speaking participants aged 18 years and older were recruited through convenience and homogeneous sampling techniques to ensure cultural relevance. Data were generated using a socio-demographic questionnaire and semi-structured interviews, and analyzed through thematic analysis, with Arthur Kleinman’s explanatory model serving as the theoretical lens. The findings revealed that mental illness is perceived as an affliction interwoven with spiritual, moral, and social dimensions, often attributed to causes such as witchcraft, ancestral displeasure, and moral transgressions. Aggression, disorientation, and neglect of personal hygiene emerged as common indicators of mental illness. Perceptions also varied by age and gender, with males aged 25 to 40 seen as particularly vulnerable. Overall, the results highlight the need for culturally sensitive mental health interventions that integrate local explanatory models with biomedical approaches to better address the multifaceted nature of mental illness within the Ovaherero community
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    Exploring the experience of unemployment and coping strategies among youth in Rundu: Implications for well-being
    (University of Namibia, 2025) Sintango, Fransiskus M.; Gentz, Shelene
    Unemployment amongst the youth in Namibia can have detrimental effects on the quality of life of youth, on national and political peace, social stability, and economic growth. Indeed, work has been identified to be an important factor, amongst others, contributing to the meaningful living of an individual. High rates of unemployment, therefore, may be a possible psychological stressor that may increase the risk of mental disorders in the community. This study explored the experience of unemployment amongst the youth in Rundu, a town situated in a region with one of the highest youth unemployment rates, in relation to their well-being and their coping strategies. For the current study, the unemployed comprise all those above a specific age who were without work during a particular reference period, were available for paid employment or self-employment, and had taken active steps to seek paid employment or self-employment. A qualitative approach, which included a phenomenological design, was adopted. Overall, 14 participants (43 females, 57 males, with a mean age of 27.2 years old) were recruited through a purposive and snowball sampling technique and interviewed on a one-on-one basis. The study employed thematic analysis using an inductive coding process. Results revealed themes that indicate that participants experienced unemployment as distressful, leads to a lack of structure in their daily life, financial vulnerabilities, and a decay in their social relationships. Despite the negative emotions attributed to being unemployed, most participants adopted emotion-focused coping strategies and remained hopeful of employment prospects. Negative coping strategies include, self-isolation and social withdrawal, driven by a need to avoid the stigma associated with being unemployed. Fostering graduate trainee programs and approaching the unemployed in a compassionate manner is therefore necessary to avoid harming their already-threatened self-esteem