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Second-Year Blues: A Qualitative Study Exploring Themes Related to Anxiety among Second Year Undergraduate Students at a South African University

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Title: Second-Year Blues: A Qualitative Study Exploring Themes Related to Anxiety among Second Year Undergraduate Students at a South African University
Language: English
Authors: Fezile Wagner (ORCID 0000-0002-1599-3485), Lerato P. Makuapane (ORCID 0000-0003-2179-3559), Ryan G. Wagner (ORCID 0000-0003-2741-3676), Mxolisi Masango (ORCID 0000-0002-0220-8281)
Source: Journal of Further and Higher Education. 2025 49(6):689-702.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Mental Disorders, Undergraduate Students, Anxiety, Coping, Foreign Countries, Stress Variables, Student Responsibility, Environmental Influences, Genetics, Self Esteem, Family Influence, Financial Problems, Safety, Social Media
Geographic Terms: South Africa
DOI: 10.1080/0309877X.2025.2486466
ISSN: 0309-877X
1469-9486
Abstract: Recent studies have highlighted a significant burden of mental disorders in South African university students; however, few studies have specifically explored the experiences of second-year undergraduate university students. Since the second year of study does not traditionally enjoy comprehensive institutional support when compared to the first, second year students may be at higher risk for mental disorders, including anxiety, consequently leading to poorer academic outcomes. The current research aims to understand feelings of anxiety from second-year students' perspective. It explores themes associated with anxiety and uncovers coping strategies used by students when dealing with feelings of anxiety. Using a qualitative study design, 26 second-year undergraduate students, representing all Faculties within the university, were recruited to participate in semi-structured in-depth interviews as well as focus group discussions. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis guided by the '4 Ps' factor model framework as well as the biopsychosocial framework. We found evidence that second-year students' anxiety arises from a complex interplay of biological predispositions and situational stressors, with some stressors being specific to the second year of study, such as a perceived increase in workload and academic performance pressure. Importantly, the study suggests that anxiety may also develop independently of external factors due to its multifactorial nature. In addition to advocating for programmes that promote positive coping strategies, universities should ensure that support structures are aware of, and able to deliver, the unique support that second-year students may require.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1502337
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Second-Year Blues: A Qualitative Study Exploring Themes Related to Anxiety among Second Year Undergraduate Students at a South African University
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Fezile+Wagner%22">Fezile Wagner</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1599-3485">0000-0002-1599-3485</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lerato+P%2E+Makuapane%22">Lerato P. Makuapane</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2179-3559">0000-0003-2179-3559</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ryan+G%2E+Wagner%22">Ryan G. Wagner</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2741-3676">0000-0003-2741-3676</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Mxolisi+Masango%22">Mxolisi Masango</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0220-8281">0000-0002-0220-8281</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Further+and+Higher+Education%22"><i>Journal of Further and Higher Education</i></searchLink>. 2025 49(6):689-702.
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  Data: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mental+Disorders%22">Mental Disorders</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Undergraduate+Students%22">Undergraduate Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Anxiety%22">Anxiety</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Coping%22">Coping</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Stress+Variables%22">Stress Variables</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Responsibility%22">Student Responsibility</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Environmental+Influences%22">Environmental Influences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Genetics%22">Genetics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Self+Esteem%22">Self Esteem</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Family+Influence%22">Family Influence</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Financial+Problems%22">Financial Problems</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Safety%22">Safety</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Media%22">Social Media</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22South+Africa%22">South Africa</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1080/0309877X.2025.2486466
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  Data: Recent studies have highlighted a significant burden of mental disorders in South African university students; however, few studies have specifically explored the experiences of second-year undergraduate university students. Since the second year of study does not traditionally enjoy comprehensive institutional support when compared to the first, second year students may be at higher risk for mental disorders, including anxiety, consequently leading to poorer academic outcomes. The current research aims to understand feelings of anxiety from second-year students' perspective. It explores themes associated with anxiety and uncovers coping strategies used by students when dealing with feelings of anxiety. Using a qualitative study design, 26 second-year undergraduate students, representing all Faculties within the university, were recruited to participate in semi-structured in-depth interviews as well as focus group discussions. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis guided by the '4 Ps' factor model framework as well as the biopsychosocial framework. We found evidence that second-year students' anxiety arises from a complex interplay of biological predispositions and situational stressors, with some stressors being specific to the second year of study, such as a perceived increase in workload and academic performance pressure. Importantly, the study suggests that anxiety may also develop independently of external factors due to its multifactorial nature. In addition to advocating for programmes that promote positive coping strategies, universities should ensure that support structures are aware of, and able to deliver, the unique support that second-year students may require.
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        Value: 10.1080/0309877X.2025.2486466
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      – SubjectFull: Mental Disorders
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Undergraduate Students
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      – SubjectFull: Anxiety
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      – SubjectFull: Coping
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      – SubjectFull: South Africa
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      – TitleFull: Second-Year Blues: A Qualitative Study Exploring Themes Related to Anxiety among Second Year Undergraduate Students at a South African University
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