Understanding the perceptions of academic advising among male students in South African Universities
A qualitative study
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22257522 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Mlondolozi Mvikweni (0009-0003-3086-8572, Walter Sisulu University), Raymond Peter Sabelo (0000-0003-0140-507X, Walter Sisulu University), Rembuluwani Paul Mbedzi (0000-0001-8282-2689, Walter Sisulu University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 7 |
| Issue | 5 |
| Pages | 1281 |
| Publication date | 2026-06-23 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | E-Journal of Humanities Arts and Social Sciences (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2720-7722 • E-ISSN: 2720-7722 |
| Publisher | Noyam Publishers (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.38159/ehass.2026759 |
| OpenAlex | W7165763938 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 31 |
This study explores the perceptions and experiences of male students regarding academic advising in higher education institutions. Male students often underutilize academic advising services, which can influence their academic success, retention, and overall engagement. Using a qualitative research design, data were collected through a Google Forms survey with open-ended questions targeting 20 male undergraduate students from a South African university. Thematic analysis revealed key themes regarding perceptions of advising, factors influencing engagement, and barriers to participation. Findings suggest that male students perceive academic advising as beneficial but often avoid it due to stigma, lack of awareness, time constraints, or prior negative experiences. Recommendations emphasize the need for targeted advising strategies that consider gendered experiences, culturally responsive communication, and the integration of digital advising tools. This study contributes to higher education scholarship by offering insights for improving academic advising services tailored to male students’ needs, particularly within the challenging context of the Global South
Academic advising · Higher education · Perception · Qualitative research · Scholarship · Semi-structured interview · Thematic analysis · Higher Education Practises and Engagement · Higher Education Research Studies · Mentoring and Academic Development
Knowledge in the Blood
Male gender role conflict and willingness to seek counseling
Semistructured interviewing in primary care research
Engaging Men in Psychological Treatment
Purposeful Sampling for Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis in Mixed Method Implementation Research
Comparison of Convenience Sampling and Purposive Sampling
A qualitative study illustrating factors that enable and constrain academic advising practices in a Global South context
The Influence of Stigma and Trust in Young People Seeking Support for Their Own or a Friend’s Symptoms
Strengthening student support
What student support practitioners know about non-traditional students
Decolonizing the university
The Management of Confidentiality and Anonymity in Social Research
A theory of human motivation
Naturalistic inquiry
Men, masculinity, and the contexts of help seeking
Constructions of masculinity and their influence on men's well-being
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |