For the Love of Sisi: Peer Support and Friendship in Navigating Health Adversity

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35898/ghmj-831250

Keywords:

Health adversity, Peer support, Empowerment, Identity, Meaning-making

Abstract

Health adversity, whether due to chronic illness, disability, or severe medical conditions, often leads to emotional, social, and psychological challenges. While much research has focused on clinical care, growing attention is paid to peer support and friendship as crucial non-clinical resources. The experience of Sisi, a person living through health adversity, offers an illustrative case of how love and social connection can play a transformative role in coping and resilience, even if it is for a short while. This paper explores the importance of peer support and friendship in enhancing empowerment, maintaining personal identity, and encouraging meaning-making during health-related adversity. It seeks to contribute knowledge on how social relationships function as sources of emotional comfort and as mechanisms that enable individuals to reframe their experience and maintain a strong sense of self in times of illness. The narratives show that peer support and friendship are essential facilitators of psychological empowerment, assisting individuals in feeling more in control and competent even in the face of adversity. Relationships with peers protect identity by affirming personal narratives beyond the illness. Furthermore, they act as informal support systems that augment medical interventions, frequently improving quality of life and psychological resilience. Peer connection can assist individuals in viewing illness not merely as a medical experience but as a collective human experience characterized by connection and meaning. The insights underscore the necessity for more comprehensive, person-centered strategies in health care that acknowledge love, friendship, and social connection as vital elements of recovery and resilience.

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Author Biographies

  • Prof. Velisiwe Gasa, Department of Educational Foundations, College of Education, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa.

    Velisiwe Gasa is a Professor in the Department of Educational Foundations at the College of Education, University of South Africa (UNISA). She is the former Head of Graduate Studies and Research (2016-2023). She is an Editor-in-Chief for Africa Education Review (AER) and Chairperson of Teacher Education and Interdisciplinary Research (TEIR) Conference. She is C2 rated by National Research Foundation (NRF). Her lines of research inquiry focus on issues of social justice and equity in education for the most vulnerable and marginalized, and the inclusion of students with diverse and special educational needs.

  • Prof. Noma Madikizela-Madiya, Department of Educational Foundations, College of Education, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa.

    Nomanesi Madikizela-Madiya is a professor in the Department of Educational Foundations at the College of Education, University of South Africa. Her research focus is on higher education transformation, social justice, spatial justice, academic identities, and educational research and integrity.

  • Prof. Mishack Thiza Gumbo, Department of Science and Technology Education, College of Education, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa.

    Mishack Thiza Gumbo is a Professor of Indigenous Technology Knowledge Systems Education in the Department of Science and Technology Education at the University of South Africa. He is also researching in the fields of Technology Teachers’ Professional Development, Africanisation and Decolonisation of the Curriculum and Postgraduate Education, Online Teaching and Learning.

  • Prof. Meahabo Dinah Magano, Department of Tuition Support and Facilitation of Learning, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa.

    Meahabo Dinah Magano is a professor in the field of Psychology of Education with a passion for teacher education. She is passionate about community engagement and was the recipient of the Woman of the Year award in 2014 for Community Service at , University of South Africa (UNISA).

  • Dr. Enid Manyaku Pitsoane, Directorate for Counselling and Career Development, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa.

    Enid Pitsoane is a Psychologist and Head of Counselling. She gives guidance to students on relevant career paths, adjustment skills to tertiary life as well as other personal challenges that affect them during their study e.g., trauma, grief, relationships etc. Her passion is working and empowering communities.

  • Prof. Vimbi Petrus Mahlangu, Department of Educational Leadership and Management, College of Education, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa.

    Vimbi Mahlangu is a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Management at the University of South Africa. He conducts research that integrates theory and practice to tackle real-world educational issues.

  • Prof. Soul Shava (RIP), Department of Science and Technology Education, College of Education, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa.

    Soul Shava was a professor in the Department of Science and Technology Education at the College of Education, University of South Africa.

  • Dr. Khabonina Grace Nkumane, Department of Language Education, Arts and Culture, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa.

    Khabonina Grace Nkumane is a senior lecturer in the Department of Language Education, Arts and Culture at the College of Education, University of South Africa. Her research interest is on African languages literature with specific reference to IsiZulu, language teaching and focus on women in education as the most disadvantaged and marginalized gender in positions of influence in education.

  • Prof. Pertunia Rebotile Machaisa, Department of Educational Leadership and Management, College of Education, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa.

    Pertunia Rebotile Machaisa is an associate professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Management in the College of Education at the University of South Africa. Her research focuses on education law and policy, school governance and female leadership in public education. 

  • Dr. Thembi Phala, Department of Early Childhood Education, College of Education, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa

    Thembi Phala is a senior lecturer and Chair of the Department of Early Childhood Education at the College of Education, University of South Africa. Her research interest focuses on early childhood education, more specifically on the transition from mother tongue teaching to English, reading support in African Languages for diverse learners, inclusive education, pre-service teaching, and practicing teacher support.

  • Dr. Loyiso Luvalo, Department of Educational Foundations, College of Education, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa.

    Loyiso Luvalo is a senior lecturer in the Department of Educational Foundations at the College of Education, University of South Africa. His line of research focuses on issues of Higher Education and Transformation, Institutional Culture, and the impact of education in society.

  • Prof. Abraham Motlhabane, Department of Science and Technology Education, College of Education, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa.

    Abraham Motlhabane is a professor in the Department of Science and Technology Education at the College of Education, University of South Africa. His research focuses on practical work in science.

  • Dr. Sibusiso D. Ntshangase, Department of Psychology of Education, College of Education, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa.

    Sibusiso Ntshangase is a senior lecturer in the Department of Psychology of Education at College of Education, University of South Africa. His research focuses on child and adolescent development.

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Published

2025-08-30

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 3 (2025): Online First

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Perspectives

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Copyright (c) 2025 Prof. Velisiwe Gasa, Prof. Noma Madikizela-Madiya, Prof. Mishack Thiza Gumbo, Prof. Meahabo Dinah Magano, Dr. Enid Pitsoane, Prof. Vimbi Petrus Mahlangu, Prof. Soul Shava (RIP), Dr. Khabonina Grace Nkumane, Prof. Pertunia Rebotile Machaisa, Dr. Thembi Phala, Dr. Loyiso Luvalo, Prof. Abraham Motlhabane, Dr. Sibusiso Ntshangase

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How to Cite

Gasa, V., Madikizela-Madiya, N., Gumbo, M. T., Magano, M. D., Pitsoane, E. M., Mahlangu, V. P., Shava, S., Nkumane, K. G., Machaisa, P. R., Phala, T., Luvalo, L., Motlhabane, A., & Ntshangase, S. D. (2025). For the Love of Sisi: Peer Support and Friendship in Navigating Health Adversity. GHMJ (Global Health Management Journal), 8(3), 320–325. https://doi.org/10.35898/ghmj-831250
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