The Perceptions of Generation Z University Students about Their Futures: A Qualitative Study
This study explored the future-oriented perceptions of Generation Z students in a foundation university. This study was conducted using qualitative research and a phenomenological design. The study sample consisted of 11 university students over the age of 18 who agreed to participate in the study....
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MDPI AG
2023-12-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2413-4155/5/4/45 |
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| author | Gül Dikeç Simge Öztürk Neslihan Taşbaşı Damla Figenergül Bilal Buğrahan Güler |
| author_facet | Gül Dikeç Simge Öztürk Neslihan Taşbaşı Damla Figenergül Bilal Buğrahan Güler |
| author_sort | Gül Dikeç |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study explored the future-oriented perceptions of Generation Z students in a foundation university. This study was conducted using qualitative research and a phenomenological design. The study sample consisted of 11 university students over the age of 18 who agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected online through individual interviews in Türkiye. Colaizzi’s phenomenological analysis method was used in the data analysis. The content analysis determined three main themes and eleven sub-themes. The first theme was the students’ knowledge acquisition about the “current situation of the country.” Under this theme were four sub-themes: economic problems, the immigrant situation, the education and justice system, and the country’s agenda. In the second theme, students shared their opinions about “being a student in the country.” This theme included economic impossibilities, their participation in limited social activities, and housing problems. In the last theme, “future anxiety,” the sub-themes of the students were found to include experiences hopelessness versus hope. Uncertainty caused anxiety, as did going abroad, finding a job, and improving themselves. It was determined that the participants were worried about the current situation in the countries they lived in during this period due to economic problems; while some were hopeful about the future, some were hopeless and would go abroad. This study might contribute to the literature on determining the future-oriented perceptions, possible stressors and hope levels of Generation Z university students in Türkiye. Additionally, intervention programs can be developed for the management these stressors to protect the mental health of Generation Z university students. On the other hand, it is necessary to protect the mental health of young people, who are the adults of the future, and to create policies for the youth of this country where social opportunities are maintained. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:23:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9617bd644c734af3901b23bb14e5ac5b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2413-4155 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:23:12Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sci |
| spelling | doaj.art-9617bd644c734af3901b23bb14e5ac5b2023-12-22T14:39:51ZengMDPI AGSci2413-41552023-12-01544510.3390/sci5040045The Perceptions of Generation Z University Students about Their Futures: A Qualitative StudyGül Dikeç0Simge Öztürk1Neslihan Taşbaşı2Damla Figenergül3Bilal Buğrahan Güler4Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Fenerbahce University, 34758 Istanbul, TürkiyeDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Fenerbahce University, 34758 Istanbul, TürkiyeDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Fenerbahce University, 34758 Istanbul, TürkiyeDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Fenerbahce University, 34758 Istanbul, TürkiyeDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Fenerbahce University, 34758 Istanbul, TürkiyeThis study explored the future-oriented perceptions of Generation Z students in a foundation university. This study was conducted using qualitative research and a phenomenological design. The study sample consisted of 11 university students over the age of 18 who agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected online through individual interviews in Türkiye. Colaizzi’s phenomenological analysis method was used in the data analysis. The content analysis determined three main themes and eleven sub-themes. The first theme was the students’ knowledge acquisition about the “current situation of the country.” Under this theme were four sub-themes: economic problems, the immigrant situation, the education and justice system, and the country’s agenda. In the second theme, students shared their opinions about “being a student in the country.” This theme included economic impossibilities, their participation in limited social activities, and housing problems. In the last theme, “future anxiety,” the sub-themes of the students were found to include experiences hopelessness versus hope. Uncertainty caused anxiety, as did going abroad, finding a job, and improving themselves. It was determined that the participants were worried about the current situation in the countries they lived in during this period due to economic problems; while some were hopeful about the future, some were hopeless and would go abroad. This study might contribute to the literature on determining the future-oriented perceptions, possible stressors and hope levels of Generation Z university students in Türkiye. Additionally, intervention programs can be developed for the management these stressors to protect the mental health of Generation Z university students. On the other hand, it is necessary to protect the mental health of young people, who are the adults of the future, and to create policies for the youth of this country where social opportunities are maintained.https://www.mdpi.com/2413-4155/5/4/45futuregenerationqualitative studyuniversitiesyouth |
| spellingShingle | Gül Dikeç Simge Öztürk Neslihan Taşbaşı Damla Figenergül Bilal Buğrahan Güler The Perceptions of Generation Z University Students about Their Futures: A Qualitative Study Sci future generation qualitative study universities youth |
| title | The Perceptions of Generation Z University Students about Their Futures: A Qualitative Study |
| title_full | The Perceptions of Generation Z University Students about Their Futures: A Qualitative Study |
| title_fullStr | The Perceptions of Generation Z University Students about Their Futures: A Qualitative Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Perceptions of Generation Z University Students about Their Futures: A Qualitative Study |
| title_short | The Perceptions of Generation Z University Students about Their Futures: A Qualitative Study |
| title_sort | perceptions of generation z university students about their futures a qualitative study |
| topic | future generation qualitative study universities youth |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2413-4155/5/4/45 |
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