“Can we be young and carefree?” Using the Roy Adaptation Model to explore youth pressure in South Africa

Purpose Guided by the Roy Adaptation Model (RAM), this study aims to explore the attitudes of young South African adults towards modern stress by examining their perceptions, coping mechanisms and the impact of stress on their daily lives. Design/methodology/approach Participants were organised into five focus groups of seven individuals each and interviewed on their lives and coping mechanisms. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling and came from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings The analysis highlighted the influence of cultural, socioeconomic and individual characteristics on attitudes towards stress and suggested strategies for better stress management for this demographic segment. Young South Africans face unique stressors related to the country’s socioeconomic landscape, including high unemployment rates, financial instability and cultural expectations. The study identifies critical themes, such as the pressure of academic and career success, family responsibilities and the impact of socioeconomic disparities. Coping mechanisms varied widely, with social support, physical activities and relaxation techniques being common strategies. However, some participants reported less effective coping mechanisms, such as substance use and withdrawal from social interactions. Practical implications The findings emphasise the need for targeted interventions to reduce stressors faced by young South Africans, including high unemployment and high expectations from family members. Policymakers should develop affordable mental health care services and school support programmes to teach students sound stress-management skills. Community organisations can promote social support groups and campaigns to maximise coping strategies. Through the implementation of these strategies, stakeholders can optimise youth’s well-being to enable them to handle stress more effectively and thrive in their professional and personal lives. Originality/value Pressure on young people is constantly evolving, with new stressors (often technology-enabled) appearing regularly. This study is the first of its kind to use the RAM to explore youth pressure as well as coping mechanisms. This dynamic was then modelled to illustrate modern youth pressure as a system that has inputs and outputs.