Articles · Vol. 18 No. 1 (2014): African Sociological Review · Pages 69 - 90

4 - Students perceiving risk: a quantitative assessment on three South African university campuses

Vol. 18 · 2014 No. 1 African Sociological Review ASR

Abstract

This paper documents risk as perceived by students in three South African universities—it focuses on risk encountered in everyday choices such as sexual behaviour, alcohol use and freedom of association.The project originated in qualitative research conducted over two years (2008- 2009) among Rhodes University (RU) Sociology students. A second—quantitative—phase began in 2010 when findings from the initial phase were used to guide students in designing and piloting a questionnaire. Pilot results then informed a final research iteration in which a second questionnaire was designed and administered at three universities.The final questionnaire proved robust and performed very well. Among the 1694 valid cases included in analyses, strong associations were found between the universities, respondents’ sex and their worldview. Exploratory factor analysis revealed four latent constructs underlying all responses: The existential experience of risk; Stress and pressure resulting from exposure to financial and emotional risk; Risks attached to the everyday university culture; and Promiscuity. These constructs explained 59.8% of the total variance in all observed cases (all respondents in all universities).

Students’ perception of risk in their lives is complex and multi-dimensional. The research found considerable evidence for Beck’s claim that in late modernity there is increasing individualisation in people’s perception of risk. Also, the degrees to which specific risks resonate in student consciousness demonstrate that risk is—as Zinn claims—both constructed and real.

Keywords

risk student behaviour existential experience sexual violence South Africa

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Author Biography

  • Asta Rau, Centre for Health Systems Research & Development, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

    Dr. Asta Rau accumulated a wealth of management and marketing experience in the corporate and small business sectors before taking up tertiary studies and graduating with a PhD (Education) from Rhodes University in 2005.

    In the seven years since graduation she has been working as a professional researcher in the fields of HIV/AIDS-TB, Media Leadership, Higher Education, and Monitoring & Evaluation. More recently she began research on Health Systems. She has participated in 28 research projects and has taken a leading role in several.  In 2011 she was principal investigator for a review of the implementation of the 2007-2011 North West Province HIV/AIDS strategic plan, and principal consultant for the development of the province’s 2012-2016 HIV/AIDS & TB Plan — both products fed into the current national HIV/AIDS & TB strategic plan. She was co-principal investigator of CADRE’s (Centre for AIDS Development and Research) development of an HIV Prevention Communication Training Programme for Eastern and Southern Africa.  For South Africa’s HEAIDS (Higher Education HIV/AIDS) programme she was the primary investigator for research on the curricular response to HIV/AIDS at Rhodes University.  The Sol Plaatje Institute for Media Leadership saw her as principal investigator of a regional project which included organizing and co-facilitating a regional Media Leadership Lekgotla; this project culminated in her authoring a research-based book.

    Throughout her research career Asta has remained involved in teaching and capacity building – particularly in research methodology and in HIV& AIDS.

    Dedicated to ongoing learning and professional development, after her doctorate she obtained a postgraduate qualification in Monitoring and Evaluation from Stellenbosch University. She has subsequently been involved in several M&E projects and the delivery of two university-accredited M&E courses.

    Asta is passionate about research. Her goal is to continue to learn about and conduct rigorous, insightful, useful work.  She also has a strong interest in evaluation and results based management and the application of these strategic approaches to pressing social issues.

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