Articles
DOI DOI: 10.66434/ijssr.v1i1.461

Exploring types of anxiety disorders affecting learners’ learning in a secondary school in South Africa

Lucrecia Nokwanda Mshwane

Abstract

As learners progress through their educational journey, they encounter numerous challenges and changes, which undoubtedly lead to stress.  This may be brought on by the demands made on them academically, the personal development adolescents go through, and the adaptations needed in unfamiliar environments, all of which are essential components of their educational experiences. Anxiety disorders is one of the primary challenges learners face in secondary schools. Despite increased awareness of mental health issues in schools, there has been little research on the various types of anxiety disorders (such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and test anxiety) that affect learners in South African schools and how these conditions influence their learning outcomes. This study employed a qualitative research approach, mainly focusing on existing literature and documents to explore types of anxiety disorders affecting learners’ learning in a secondary school in South Africa. The following key words was used in systematic search of academic databases, including google scholar, PubMed, JSTOR and policy documents: “anxiety disorders”, “learners”, “south African schools”, “mental health”, and “impact on learning”. The study used a thematic analysis to identify themes in the literature. The data was analysed to pin point key findings and insights. There is a limitation that includes the reliance on existing literature and the potential bias in the selection process of sources.

As learners progress through their educational journey, they encounter numerous challenges and changes, which undoubtedly lead to stress.  This may be brought on by the demands made on them academically, the personal development adolescents go through, and the adaptations needed in unfamiliar environments, all of which are essential components of their educational experiences. Anxiety disorders is one of the primary challenges learners face in secondary schools. Despite increased awareness of mental health issues in schools, there has been little research on the various types of anxiety disorders (such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and test anxiety) that affect learners in South African schools and how these conditions influence their learning outcomes. This study employed a qualitative research approach, mainly focusing on existing literature and documents to explore types of anxiety disorders affecting learners’ learning in a secondary school in South Africa. The following key words was used in systematic search of academic databases, including google scholar, PubMed, JSTOR and policy documents: “anxiety disorders”, “learners”, “south African schools”, “mental health”, and “impact on learning”. The study used a thematic analysis to identify themes in the literature. The data was analysed to pin point key findings and insights. There is a limitation that includes the reliance on existing literature and the potential bias in the selection process of sources. 

How to Cite

Mshwane, L. N. . (2026). Exploring types of anxiety disorders affecting learners’ learning in a secondary school in South Africa. International Journal of Studies in Systematic Reviews, 1(1), 11–15. https://doi.org/10.66434/ijssr.v1i1.461
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