Residence students' experiences of aggression in on-campus residences at a university

Abstract

In the past few years, nationally and internationally, there has been growing concern over the way in which a culture of aggressive behaviour and violence became prevalent in society. The literature highlights the alarming level of aggression at various universities and its negative impact at various levels. Little has been done to address this urgent problem in South Africa. This study explored residence students’ experiences of aggression in on-campus residences at a university in a South African context. This qualitative research, which was situated in an interpretive paradigm, was guided by phenomenological strategies of inquiry. Two students were purposively selected from each of the 20 on-campus residences (11 female residences and 9 male residences) at a South African university. The 40 participants voluntarily participated in the semi-structured individual interviews that were used to generate data. The audio recorded interviews were transcribed and then analysed by means of the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The following main themes emerged from the data analysis process: Theme 1: Students’ lived experiences of aggression in on-campus university residences reflect various forms of aggression and their experiences of aggression are viewed as reactions to a diverse range of biological, psychological and socio-cultural factors. Theme 2: Suggestions to manage aggression in on-campus residences included students’ suggestions for residence students to address aggression in on-campus residences as well as for the university to address aggression at on-campus residences. In addition, some suggestions were provided for future residents who may experience aggression in on-campus residences in order to enhance their well-being. The findings highlight that aggression is a reality and exists in on-campus residences which has a negative impact on students. If aggressive behaviour continues to be present in on-campus residences without being dealt with, this would lead to students leaving the residences, depression, self-harm and in severe cases, suicidal ideation