A Qualitative Analysis of South African University Students’ Perceptions of Telehealth Psychological Counselling Benefits for Mental Health
Abstract
Telehealth psychological counselling, while it has long been in existence, it gained growing recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic era and has since continued to grow and be incorporated in mental health treatment. Despite the growing knowledge and utilization of telehealth psychological services, knowledge about the benefits and challenges of telehealth psychological counselling is limited, particularly in the university population. This study aimed to explore students’ perceptions of the benefits and challenges of telehealth psychological counselling during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using an exploratory research design, eight students were purposively selected to participate in semi-structured individual interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data. The findings indicate that telehealth psychological counselling was perceived as beneficial in alleviating psychological distress during the pandemic. However, poor network connectivity was reported as a significant barrier. Overall, the study outlined the importance of integrating telehealth psychological counselling into future mental health services to enhance support for students and promote mental well-being.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Austin, Z., & Sutton, J. (2014). Qualitative research: Getting started. The Canadian journal of hospital pharmacy, 67(6), 436–440.Doi: 10.4212/cjhp.v67i6.1406
Bantjes, J., Hunt, X., & Stein, D. J. (2023). Anxious, depressed, and suicidal: Crisis narratives in university student mental health and the need for a balanced approach to student wellness. International journal of environmental research and public health, 20(6), 2-11. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20064859
Bathje, G. J., Kim, E., Rau, E., Bassiouny, M. A., & Kim, T. (2014). Attitudes toward face-to-face and online counseling: Roles of self-concealment, openness to experience, loss of face, stigma, and disclosure expectations among Korean college students. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 36(4), 408–422. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-014-9215-2
Bentley, P. G. (2022). Compassion practice as an antidote for compassion fatigue in the era of COVID‐19. The Journal of Humanistic Counselling, 61(1), 58-73. https://doi.org/10.1002/johc.12172
Buck, L., Howe, G., & Lacy, A. (2025). Expanding Access to Telehealth through Community Supervision and Health Care Partnerships.
Chatterton, M. L., Marangu, E., Clancy, E. M., Mackay, M., Gu, E., Moylan, S. ... & O’Shea, M. (2022). Telehealth service delivery in an Australian regional mental health service during COVID-19: a mixed methods analysis. International journal of mental health systems, 16(1), 2-14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-022-00553-8
Chen, T., & Lucock, M. (2022). The mental health of university students during the COVID-19 pandemic: An online survey in the UK. PloS one, 17(1), e0262562. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0262562
Chipps, J., Brysiewicz, P., & Mars, M. (2012). Effectiveness and feasibility of telepsychiatry in resource constrained environments? A systematic review of the evidence. African journal of psychiatry, 15(4), 235-243. https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC122683
Choi, D. S., Park, J., Loeser, M., & Seo, K. (2024). Improving counselling effectiveness with virtual counsellors through nonverbal compassion involving eye contact, facial mimicry, and head-nodding. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-51115-y
Cooney, E. B., Walton, C. J., & Gonzalez, S. (2022). Getting DBT online down under: The experience of Australian and New Zealand Dialectical Behaviour Therapy programmes during the Covid-19 pandemic. Plos one, 17(10), e0275636. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0275636
Cowan, K. E., McKean, A. J., Gentry, M. T., & Hilty, D. M. (2019, December). Barriers to use of telepsychiatry: clinicians as gatekeepers. In Mayo Clinic Proceedings (Vol. 94, No. 12, pp. 2510-2523). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2019.04.018
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2017). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage publications. Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS quarterly, 13(3), 319-340. https://doi.org/10.2307/249008
De Vos, A. S. (Ed.). (2002). Research at grass roots: For the social sciences and human services professions. Van Schaik publishers: Pretoria.
Ftouni, R., AlJardali, B., Hamdanieh, M., Ftouni, L., & Salem, N. (2022). Challenges of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review. BMC medical informatics and decision making, 22(1), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-022-01952-0
García, J. A. M., Gómez, C. G., López, A. T., & Schlosser, M. J. (2024). Applying the technology acceptance model to online self-learning: A multigroup analysis. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 9(4), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2024.100571
Gladys, M. M., & Emmanuel, U. D. (2023). Effects of COVID-19 on Sustainable Development Goal 3 in Sub-Saharan Africa. e-BANGI Journal, 20(3). DOI: https://doi.org/10.17576/ebangi.2023.2003.02
Goldschmidt, L., Langa, M., Masilela, B., Ndhlovu, L. M., Mncina, B., Maubane, B., & Bujela, K. (2021). Telepsychology and the COVID-19 pandemic: the experiences of psychologists in South Africa. South African Journal of Psychology, 51(2), 314-324. https://doi.org/10.1177/0081246321993281
Hadler, N. L., Bu, P., Winkler, A., & Alexander, A. W. (2021). College student perspectives of telemental health: A review of the recent literature. Current psychiatry reports, 23(2), 6. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-020-01215-7
Hardy, N. R., Maier, C. A., & Gregson, T. J. (2021). Couple teletherapy in the era of COVID‐19: Experiences and recommendations. Journal of marital and family therapy, 47(2), 225-243. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12501
Hawke, L. D., Sheikhan, N. Y., MacCon, K., & Henderson, J. (2021). Going virtual: youth attitudes toward and experiences of virtual mental health and substance use services during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Health Services Research, 21(1), 340. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06321-7
Isa, M. A. N. M., & Hoesni, S. M. (2024). Hubungan Antara Ketagihan Telefon Pintar dan Persepsi Stres dalam Kalangan Pelajar Universiti. e-BANGI, 21(3), 461-471. DOI: 10.17576/ebangi.2024.2103.35
Islam, M. A., Barna, S. D., Raihan, H., Khan, M. N. A., & Hossain, M. T. (2020). Depression and anxiety among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh: A web-based cross-sectional survey. PloS one, 15(8), e0238162. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0238162
Jennissen, S., Connolly Gibbons, M. B., Crits-Christoph, P., Schauenburg, H., & Dinger, U. (2021). Insight as a mechanism of change in dynamic therapy for major depressive disorder. Journal of counseling psychology, 68(4), 435. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000554
Maguire, M., & Delahunt, B. (2017). Doing a thematic analysis: A practical, step-by-step guide for learning and teaching scholars. All Ireland journal of higher education, 9(3). https://doi.org/10.62707/aishej.v9i3.335
Mahlangu, P., Gibbs, A., Shai, N., Machisa, M., Nunze, N., & Sikweyiya, Y. (2022). Impact of COVID-19 lockdown and link to women and children’s experiences of violence in the home in South Africa. BMC public health, 22(1), 1029. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13422-3
Malouff, T. D., TerKonda, S. P., Knight, D., Dabrh, A. M. A., Perlman, A. I., Munipalli, B., ... & Buskirk, S. J. (2021). Physician satisfaction with telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic: the Mayo Clinic Florida experience. Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Innovations, Quality & Outcomes, 5(4), 771-782. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2021.06.006
Maree, J. G. (2015). Research on life design in (South) Africa: A qualitative analysis. South African journal of psychology, 45(3), 332-348. https://doi.org/10.1177/0081246314566785
McPherson, S., Wicks, C., & Tercelli, I. (2020). Patient experiences of psychological therapy for depression: a qualitative metasynthesis. BMC psychiatry, 20(1), 2-18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02682-1
Mehdi, A. (2023). Reactions to Psychiatry Referral in Patients Presenting with Physical Complaints to Medical and Surgical Outpatient Services. Indian journal of psychological medicine. https://doi.org/10.4103/IJPSYM.IJPSYM_402_16
Molfenter, T., Heitkamp, T., Murphy, A. A., Tapscott, S., Behlman, S., & Cody, O. J. (2021). Use of telehealth in mental health (MH) services during and after COVID-19. Community Mental Health Journal, 57(7), 1244-1251. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-021-00861-2
Mulungu, C., Mindu, T., & Mulungu, K. (2024). Effectiveness of online counselling during COVID-19 in Zambia: clients' and therapists' perspectives. BMC psychology, 12(1), 2-15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-01614-y
Ngcobo-Sithole, M. B., & Mabusela, T. E. (2022). Challenges and opportunities in the provision of mental health care services during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Lessons from COVID-19, 241-262. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-99878-9.00008-X
Perrin, P. B., Rybarczyk, B. D., Pierce, B. S., Jones, H. A., Shaffer, C., & Islam, L. (2020). Rapid telepsychology deployment during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A special issue commentary and lessons from primary care psychology training. Journal of clinical psychology, 76(6), 1173-1185. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22969
Poh Li, L., Jaladin, R. A. M., & Abdullah, H. S. (2013). Understanding the two sides of online counseling and their ethical and legal ramifications. Procedia-social and Behavioral sciences, 103, 1243-1251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.10.453
Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2010). Essentials of nursing research: Appraising evidence for nursing practice. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Raju, A. S., le Roux, H. E., Pretorius, P. J., & Aluko, O. (2024). Psychologists’ experiences with telepsychology during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa. Health SA Gesondheid, 29, 1-10. https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-health_v29_n1_a2392
Robertson, H. C. (2020). Telemental health and distance counseling: A counselor's guide to decisions, resources, and practice. Springer Publishing Company.
Roughley, M., Maguire, A., Wood, G., & Lee, T. (2021). Referral of patients with emotionally unstable personality disorder for specialist psychological therapy: why, when and how? BJPsych Bulletin, 45(1), 52-58. doi:10.1192/bjb.2020.48
Rousseau, K. L., Thompson, S., Pileggi, L. A., Henry, M., & Thomas, K. G. (2021). Trends in the prevalence and severity of depressive symptoms among undergraduate students at a South African University, 2016–2019. South African Journal of Psychology, 51(1), 67-80. https://doi.org/10.1177/0081246320977759
Saade, S., Parent-Lamarche, A., Khalaf, T., Makke, S., & Legg, A. (2023). What barriers could impede access to mental health services for children and adolescents in Africa? A scoping review. BMC Health Services Research, 23(1), 348. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09294-x
Sharma, G., & Devan, K. (2023). The effectiveness of telepsychiatry: thematic review. BJPsych Bulletin, 47(2), 82-89. doi:10.1192/bjb.2021.115
Shen, C., Smith, R. B., Heller, J., Spiers, A. D., Thompson, R., Ward, H. ... & Toledano, M. B. (2024). Depression and anxiety in adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to the use of digital technologies: longitudinal cohort study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 26, e45114. doi: 10.2196/45114
Snoswell, C. L., Taylor, M. L., Comans, T. A., Smith, A. C., Gray, L. C., & Caffery, L. J. (2020). Determining if telehealth can reduce health system costs: scoping review. Journal of medical Internet research, 22(10), e17298. Doi: 10.2196/17298
Son, C., Hegde, S., Smith, A., Wang, X., & Sasangohar, F. (2020). Effects of COVID-19 on college students’ mental health in the United States: Interview survey study. Journal of medical internet research, 22(9), e21279. Doi: 10.2196/21279
Sora, B., Nieto, R., Del Campo, A. M., & Armayones, M. (2021). Acceptance and use of telepsychology from the clients’ perspective: Questionnaire study to document perceived advantages and barriers. JMIR Mental Health, 8(10), e22199. Doi: 10.2196/22199
Sugarman, D. E., Horvitz, L. E., Greenfield, S. F., & Busch, A. B. (2021). Clinicians' perceptions of rapid scale-up of telehealth services in outpatient mental health treatment. Telemedicine and e-Health, 27(12), 1399-1408.https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2020.0481
Tenny, S., Brannan, J. M., & Brannan, G. D. (2022). Qualitative’studies. StatPearls [Internet], StatPearls Publishing, FL, 93-187.
Tuna, B., & Avci, O. H. (2023). Qualitative analysis of university counselors’ online counseling experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Current Psychology, 42(10), 8489-8503. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04358-x
Watson, J. D., Pierce, B. S., Tyler, C. M., Donovan, E. K., Merced, K., Mallon, M. ... & Perrin, P. B. (2023). Barriers and facilitators to psychologists’ telepsychology uptake during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(8), 5467. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20085467
Weissinger, G., Ho, C., Ruan-Iu, L., Van Fossen, C., & Diamond, G. (2024). Barriers to mental health services among college students screened in student health: A latent class analysis. Journal of American college health, 72(7), 2173-2179. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2022.2104614
Yao, L., & Kabir, R. (2023). Person-centered therapy (Rogerian therapy).
Zhang, T., Mosier, J., & Subbian, V. (2021). Identifying barriers to and opportunities for telehealth implementation amidst the COVID-19 pandemic by using a human factors approach: a leap into the future of health care delivery? JMIR human factors, 8(2), 1-9. Doi: 10.2196/24860
Zhou, X., Snoswell, C. L., Harding, L. E., Bambling, M., Edirippulige, S., Bai, X., & Smith, A. C. (2020). The role of telehealth in reducing the mental health burden from COVID-19. Telemedicine and e-Health, 26(4), 377-379. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2020.0068
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/ebangi.2026.2301.06
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
-
_________________________________________________
eISSN 1823-884x
Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan
MALAYSIA
© Copyright UKM Press, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia