By Onitretse Motingwa
“Little attention is given to the mental health of those affected by divorce,” says Dr Lebogang Philda Selahla, a North-West University (NWU) PhD alumnus.
Dr Selahla who recently obtained her PhD, conducted research on mental health issues of men and women who are affected by divorce. Her thesis is titled “Psychosocial predictors of the mental health of divorcees and efficacy of intervention”.
In her study she used a cross-sectional-two-phase study design with multi-staged-phase sampling procedures to investigate 749 divorcees (392 females and 357 males), waged 35, from five communities in the Limpopo province.
“When people attend therapy while they are still in the hot seat of divorce, their focus is often on their grief regarding issues such as properties to be shared, what they are losing, and how to face life after divorce,” says Dr Selahla.
Her findings revealed that self-esteem and social support have protective benefits against mental illness, whereas personality, rage, and self-blame significantly impact mental health. The study also found that older divorcees experienced mental health problems at a higher rate than younger divorcees.
“This study revealed the importance of helping those affected by divorce to focus on dealing with their mental health and redefining themselves so that they can let go of the past and optimistically face life after divorce,” she adds.
The Psycho-educational Coping Intervention Programme, a moderately successful psychotherapy strategy for the management of mental health distress among divorcees, was recommended by the study as a proper evaluation with tailored treatment.
More about Dr Lebogang Philda Selahla
Lebogang Philda Selahla, born in Tembisa, enrolled with the University of Limpopo in 1994 and obtained her BA degree in 1996. This was followed by a higher education diploma in 1997, a BAHons degree in clinical psychology in 1998, and a master’s degree in clinical psychology in 2001.
She has been a clinical psychologist in private practice for 22 years, which has expanded successfully, attracting people from other provinces. She has since also opened an office in Pretoria.
She has published a paper in Acta Academia, and worked as a principal clinical psychologist in the Limpopo Department of Health from2000 until 2008. She lectured part time in psychology at the University of Venda from 2008 to 2010, and is currently a part time group supervisor of the M1 Clinical Psychology students at the University of Limpopo.
Dr Lebogang Philda Selahla.
