Social Support, Self-image, and Future Outlook Among Poverty-stricken Unemployed Men in Namibia: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

The study aimed to explore how poverty-stricken job seekers in Namibia felt about their unemployment situation and how they perceived themselves, their social support, and their future. Ten men (aged 18 to 40 years) participated in the study. In-depth interviews were conducted and analysed through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The findings revealed that the lack of a job and the constant shortage of food caused feelings of helplessness, nagging thoughts, and difficulties to sleep. All participants received very little social support from family and friends, which they attributed to their joblessness; they perceived their position within their social network as low and degrading. The participants' self-image was negatively inclined and dominated by their unemployment status. Their future outlook concentrated on finding a job but was overshadowed by worries and doubts.

Keywords:

• future outlook
• helplessness
• Namibia
• poverty
• self-image
• social support
• unemployment