A qualitative study exploring factors that contribute to the academic resilience of black African female university students living in townships

Abstract

Townships are characterised by factors that pose a challenge to the learning and development of students, however, some students are able to succeed regardless of these factors. According to Pretorius, (2016), there is a lack of research-based knowledge on the factors that promote academic resilience of South African youths that live in these townships. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore and gain insight into the factors that contribute to the academic resilience of black female township university students from Durban townships. Semi-structured individual interviews were used to obtain the students’ perspectives. This method was chosen because it allowed the participants an opportunity to give in-depth information about their experiences. The sample consisted of 3 female participants who were chosen using purposive sampling. The findings of the study indicated that protective factors across different contexts of the participants’ lives contributed to their academic resilience. These factors included supportive relationships from family, lecturers and peers, individual traits, belief in God and prayer and the environment as a motivating factor. The findings of the study contribute towards the growing literature in the field of social psychology and knowledge on student’s resilience from a South African youth perspective.