{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,10]],"date-time":"2025-10-10T01:27:55Z","timestamp":1760059675086,"version":"build-2065373602"},"reference-count":30,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"7","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,30]],"date-time":"2025-06-30T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1751241600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["IJERPH"],"abstract":"<jats:p>The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated lockdowns had widespread psycho-social implications globally. However, the unique experiences of young adults in under-researched rural communities, such as Lonely Park in South Africa\u2019s North West Province, remain poorly documented. This study explores the psycho-social well-being of young adults aged 18\u201324 in the Lonely Park community during the national COVID-19 lockdown from 23 March 2020 to 30 April 2020, with a particular focus on their emotional, psychological, and social experiences. Using a qualitative, phenomenological design rooted in Bronfenbrenner\u2019s Ecological Systems Theory (EST), data were collected from 14 purposively sampled participants through two focus group discussions. Thematic analysis was conducted following Braun and Clarke\u2019s six-phase framework. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Health Research Ethics Committee, and participants provided informed consent. Two main themes emerged, (1) psychological and (2) social well-being. Six sub-themes were identified: (1) negative emotions linked to lockdown, (2) fear of COVID-19 and its consequences, (3) rumination and anxiety, (4) disruption of social and educational routines, (5) coping strategies, and (6) structural limitations of healthcare and support systems. Participants experienced intense fear, boredom, isolation, and a sense of helplessness. Yet, coping mechanisms such as communication, spirituality, exercise, and adherence to public health regulations provided resilience. Some reported depression and financial strain due to job loss and school disruptions. The findings highlight the complex interplay of psychological, emotional, and social stressors in rural young adults during the pandemic. Policymakers and mental health practitioners must prioritise targeted psycho-social interventions for youth in under-resourced rural settings. A call is made for culturally responsive mental health programmes that incorporate local voices, especially in rural African contexts.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph22071041","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,30]],"date-time":"2025-06-30T06:18:36Z","timestamp":1751264316000},"page":"1041","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Exploring the Psycho-Social Well-Being of Young Adults in Rural South Africa During the COVID-19 Lockdown: A Qualitative Study from Lonely Park, Mafikeng"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"22","author":[{"given":"Dineo J.","family":"Melamu","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Community Psychosocial Research, North-West University, Mafikeng 2745, South Africa"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Wandile F.","family":"Tsabedze","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Psychology, University of South Africa, Pretoria 0003, South Africa"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7224-8297","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Caroll","family":"Hermann","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Optentia Research Unit, North-West University, Mafikeng 2745, South Africa"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Thabile S.","family":"Manengela","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Community Psychosocial Research, North-West University, Mafikeng 2745, South Africa"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,30]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","unstructured":"World Health Organisation (2023, August 03). 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