LISTEN: ‘Prolonged stress’ may fuel KZN assault spike
A Durban psychologist has explained what could be behind a rise in cases of assault, road rage and escalation of avoidable conflict amongst KZN's residents.
This week, KZN police chief Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi raised the alarm on what he described as the increasing levels of intolerance over the past year, calling for residents to exercise restraint.
He said police have seen counter-charges opened between neighbours, relatives and acquaintances, as well as high levels of road rage.
" South Africans are under prolonged stress due to economic insecurity, unemployment, social inequality, relationship issues, and social comparison," says Counselling Psychologist, Rakhi Beekrum.
"I think because modern life has gotten people so used to instant gratification, where we get things at the click of a button, it's also led to reduced patience and increased levels of frustration when there's heavy traffic or when one has to wait in a queue."
Beekrum says many South Africans also carry unresolved trauma and mental health conditions.
" This can actually lower the threshold for aggression, and it may take a small trigger to set someone off. Many have also not learned effective coping skills, so they don't know how to process emotions or how to resolve conflict.
"Our society is also becoming more individualistic, where there's disregard for others while feeling personally entitled.
"People who feel a sense of injustice about larger issues, maybe political or organisational issues, may try to exert control in more immediate situations."
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