Challenges facing guardians of children with autism spectrum disorder: a case study of Buffalo City and Chris Hani, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Choocky, Peter Nomawande
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Autistic children -- Family relationships -- South Africa , Autistic children -- Education , Autism spectrum disorders in children
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15485 , vital:40412
- Description: This study, focused on challenges facing guardians of children with autism spectrum disorder at Buffalo City Metro and Lady Frere in Chris Hani District in the Eastern Cape (South Africa). The specific objectives of the study were: investigate the challenges faced by guardians of children with autism spectrum disorder; to investigate the extent of support offered by family members, community members, and local organisations; and to assess the support services offered by professionals working with families of children with autism spectrum disorder. The study was exploratory and qualitative in nature. Semi structured interviews consisting of seventeen (17) guardians of children with autism spectrum disorder were conducted. A once off session of eight (8) different professionals who served as focus group members was also conducted as method of data collection. The study discovered the following: Poor oversight by the legislature specifically on autism spectrum disorder interventions which is a constitutional obligation, compromises key services for the vulnerable groups; the derisory personnel to deliver effective interventions to guardians of children with autism spectrum disorder; lack of coping mechanisms by guardians to deal with the situation; lack of information about autism spectrum disorder especially in rural areas; the information on autism spectrum disorder is much better in urban setup than rural areas; poor stakeholder relations result in poor service rendition; and there is minimal or no support at all from family members and general public to families of children with autism spectrum disorder. The study made the following recommendations: Resources are still benefitted more by urban dwellers and rural areas still suffer such that Chris Hani still access services in Buffalo City, a need for vibrant integrated psychosocial interventions by various stakeholders with social service practitioners being part of the team; the Department of Education in Eastern Cape to recognize homeschooling and assist in registering homeschools as alternative centers for education to benefit children with autism spectrum disorder; the Eastern Cape Legislature to establish a vibrant monitoring and evaluation sector to measure the impact of site visits for various government departments; the government should scale up resource allocation for autism related interventions; the government should tackle and practically address the imbalances of the past as resources are still in urban areas such as specialized health care facilities; the policy development on management of autism spectrum disorder is paramount; and the general public and families must be empowered so that they can support the guardians of children with autism spectrum disorder.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Choocky, Peter Nomawande
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Autistic children -- Family relationships -- South Africa , Autistic children -- Education , Autism spectrum disorders in children
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15485 , vital:40412
- Description: This study, focused on challenges facing guardians of children with autism spectrum disorder at Buffalo City Metro and Lady Frere in Chris Hani District in the Eastern Cape (South Africa). The specific objectives of the study were: investigate the challenges faced by guardians of children with autism spectrum disorder; to investigate the extent of support offered by family members, community members, and local organisations; and to assess the support services offered by professionals working with families of children with autism spectrum disorder. The study was exploratory and qualitative in nature. Semi structured interviews consisting of seventeen (17) guardians of children with autism spectrum disorder were conducted. A once off session of eight (8) different professionals who served as focus group members was also conducted as method of data collection. The study discovered the following: Poor oversight by the legislature specifically on autism spectrum disorder interventions which is a constitutional obligation, compromises key services for the vulnerable groups; the derisory personnel to deliver effective interventions to guardians of children with autism spectrum disorder; lack of coping mechanisms by guardians to deal with the situation; lack of information about autism spectrum disorder especially in rural areas; the information on autism spectrum disorder is much better in urban setup than rural areas; poor stakeholder relations result in poor service rendition; and there is minimal or no support at all from family members and general public to families of children with autism spectrum disorder. The study made the following recommendations: Resources are still benefitted more by urban dwellers and rural areas still suffer such that Chris Hani still access services in Buffalo City, a need for vibrant integrated psychosocial interventions by various stakeholders with social service practitioners being part of the team; the Department of Education in Eastern Cape to recognize homeschooling and assist in registering homeschools as alternative centers for education to benefit children with autism spectrum disorder; the Eastern Cape Legislature to establish a vibrant monitoring and evaluation sector to measure the impact of site visits for various government departments; the government should scale up resource allocation for autism related interventions; the government should tackle and practically address the imbalances of the past as resources are still in urban areas such as specialized health care facilities; the policy development on management of autism spectrum disorder is paramount; and the general public and families must be empowered so that they can support the guardians of children with autism spectrum disorder.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Experience of abuse: why wives do not leave
- Authors: Makhananda, Phakama
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Abused wives -- South Africa , Family violence , Abused women -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10625 , vital:35645
- Description: The focus of this study is to investigate factors that cause women to remain in abusive relationships. It has also focused on investigating the experience of abuse, the consequences of abuse and the support that women desire during their time of abuse. Domestic violence against women in South Africa and globally has been increasing by the day. In 2017 there has been more than ten reports of women who have been battered by their partners in South Africa and they were reported dead, therefore the aim is to focus on investigating the reasons why women stay in abusive relationships. The research approach for the study was qualitative in nature. The study adopted snowball sampling as the sampling technique for the study and ten women who have left their partners for two years or longer were interviewed. Interviews were conducted at Living Waters Victim Empowerment Centre in East London and the data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The key finding of the study is that financial dependency, culture and children play a major role for women to stay in abusive relationships. All ten participants who were interviewed were aware that they were being abused, however, they used unemployment, children, culture and love for their partners as their reasons for remaining in abusive relationships. The study found that women have been affected physically, emotionally and psychologically by the abuse which has negatively impacted their daily functioning. 4 This study also discovered that if women receive family support during their time of abuse, they will be able to make informed decisions and leave their abusive partners. One of the recommendations of the study is that women should be encouraged to expose the abuse they are enduring through campaigns and workshops. They should also be taught skills that will assist them to escape abusive partners. There is also a need for educational programs that will focus on men and the impact of domestic violence on women and children.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Makhananda, Phakama
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Abused wives -- South Africa , Family violence , Abused women -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10625 , vital:35645
- Description: The focus of this study is to investigate factors that cause women to remain in abusive relationships. It has also focused on investigating the experience of abuse, the consequences of abuse and the support that women desire during their time of abuse. Domestic violence against women in South Africa and globally has been increasing by the day. In 2017 there has been more than ten reports of women who have been battered by their partners in South Africa and they were reported dead, therefore the aim is to focus on investigating the reasons why women stay in abusive relationships. The research approach for the study was qualitative in nature. The study adopted snowball sampling as the sampling technique for the study and ten women who have left their partners for two years or longer were interviewed. Interviews were conducted at Living Waters Victim Empowerment Centre in East London and the data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The key finding of the study is that financial dependency, culture and children play a major role for women to stay in abusive relationships. All ten participants who were interviewed were aware that they were being abused, however, they used unemployment, children, culture and love for their partners as their reasons for remaining in abusive relationships. The study found that women have been affected physically, emotionally and psychologically by the abuse which has negatively impacted their daily functioning. 4 This study also discovered that if women receive family support during their time of abuse, they will be able to make informed decisions and leave their abusive partners. One of the recommendations of the study is that women should be encouraged to expose the abuse they are enduring through campaigns and workshops. They should also be taught skills that will assist them to escape abusive partners. There is also a need for educational programs that will focus on men and the impact of domestic violence on women and children.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Exploring the role of social work intervention in empowering victims of crime : a case study of Alice community in Alice
- Authors: Njongi, Ayanda Griffiths
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Victims of crimes--South Africa Victims of crimes--Services for
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15276 , vital:40333
- Description: The aim of the study is to explore the role of social work intervention in empowering victims of crime in the Alice community. The study used a qualitative research design to collect data from nineteen (19) participants. The findings revealed that people living in rural areas are vulnerable because they do not get the necessary support from the government, social workers and other professional bodies. Yet the role played by social workers to assist victims of crime is not enough because they are few and they do not have enough resources to execute their work. The study reveals that most of the victims of crime were females, others were employed and few of them were unemployed. The study recommends that policy makers need to evaluate the overall impact of different criminal activities by measuring the extent to which dependence changes as policies are changed. Debates should be centred on a discussion of how to design better programs in order to achieve the developmental objectives since it is evident that criminal activities grow day-by-day in South Africa. The study concludes that the researcher hopes that the objectives were adequately handled as they attempted as much as possible to address the possible implications associated with victimisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Njongi, Ayanda Griffiths
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Victims of crimes--South Africa Victims of crimes--Services for
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15276 , vital:40333
- Description: The aim of the study is to explore the role of social work intervention in empowering victims of crime in the Alice community. The study used a qualitative research design to collect data from nineteen (19) participants. The findings revealed that people living in rural areas are vulnerable because they do not get the necessary support from the government, social workers and other professional bodies. Yet the role played by social workers to assist victims of crime is not enough because they are few and they do not have enough resources to execute their work. The study reveals that most of the victims of crime were females, others were employed and few of them were unemployed. The study recommends that policy makers need to evaluate the overall impact of different criminal activities by measuring the extent to which dependence changes as policies are changed. Debates should be centred on a discussion of how to design better programs in order to achieve the developmental objectives since it is evident that criminal activities grow day-by-day in South Africa. The study concludes that the researcher hopes that the objectives were adequately handled as they attempted as much as possible to address the possible implications associated with victimisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Factors influencing employee participation in employee health and wellness programmes : the case of Mdantsane Police Station
- Kwayiba, Nthabiseng Justinah
- Authors: Kwayiba, Nthabiseng Justinah
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Employee assistance programs Health behavior Motivation (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17127 , vital:40858
- Description: The purpose of the study was to determine the factors influencing participation in Employee Health and Wellness programmes rendered by South African Police Service. Qualitative method was used and case study design was chosen. Data was collected from twenty-two participants. Semi structured interviews was used as an instrument to collect data. Interpretivism paradigm was followed for data analysis. The findings of this study revealed that participation in EHW Programmes is indeed low at Mdantsane Accountable Police Station. Most of the participants did not show any interest in the services rendered by SAPS. Their belief systems and perceptions about EHW Programs are a contributing factor to the non-utilisation of the services. One major factor that was identified by this research was the impact police training has on the decisions police members make to participate or not to participate in EHW Programmes. SAPS is a male dominated organisation, with employees that are rooted in cultural beliefs. Some participants, especially men mentioned that it is against their culture to talk about their personal problems to strangers, referring to EHW Professionals, others believed that seeking professional help from a female professional is a sign of losing your manhood an indication that you are weak. With this kind of personal belief, the researcher is of the view that SAPS has to consider adopting a new EHW Model, a model that will be relevant to the objectives of SAPS. Engaging police officers in physical activities will be more effective in promoting participation because Police work requires that police members need more than just task competencies or technical knowledge to do their work (Turner, 2014), they need to be physically fit in order to protect themselves and the community they are serving. Engaging them in counselling and educational programmes will not increase participation since they regard such services to be meant for the weak police officers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Kwayiba, Nthabiseng Justinah
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Employee assistance programs Health behavior Motivation (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17127 , vital:40858
- Description: The purpose of the study was to determine the factors influencing participation in Employee Health and Wellness programmes rendered by South African Police Service. Qualitative method was used and case study design was chosen. Data was collected from twenty-two participants. Semi structured interviews was used as an instrument to collect data. Interpretivism paradigm was followed for data analysis. The findings of this study revealed that participation in EHW Programmes is indeed low at Mdantsane Accountable Police Station. Most of the participants did not show any interest in the services rendered by SAPS. Their belief systems and perceptions about EHW Programs are a contributing factor to the non-utilisation of the services. One major factor that was identified by this research was the impact police training has on the decisions police members make to participate or not to participate in EHW Programmes. SAPS is a male dominated organisation, with employees that are rooted in cultural beliefs. Some participants, especially men mentioned that it is against their culture to talk about their personal problems to strangers, referring to EHW Professionals, others believed that seeking professional help from a female professional is a sign of losing your manhood an indication that you are weak. With this kind of personal belief, the researcher is of the view that SAPS has to consider adopting a new EHW Model, a model that will be relevant to the objectives of SAPS. Engaging police officers in physical activities will be more effective in promoting participation because Police work requires that police members need more than just task competencies or technical knowledge to do their work (Turner, 2014), they need to be physically fit in order to protect themselves and the community they are serving. Engaging them in counselling and educational programmes will not increase participation since they regard such services to be meant for the weak police officers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Ramifications of status non-disclosure by people living with HIV/AIDS in Alice, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mavhunga, Ayisha Dadiso
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Self-disclosure Stigma (Social psychology) AIDS (Disease) -- Patients -- Family relationships
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10963 , vital:35970
- Description: Non-disclosure of HIV/AIDS status is a topical issue in South Africa and across the globe. This study explored the ramifications of status non-disclosure by people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Alice, Eastern Cape. The study aimed to explore the benefits and opportunities associated with HIV/AIDS disclosure; to examine the underlying factors discouraging Alice PLWHA from disclosing their status; to ascertain the ramifications of HIV/AIDS non-disclosure and to describe the coping strategies PLWHA and their families adopt in dealing with the ramifications of non-disclosure. The study employed the qualitative case study design, which was underpinned by the interpretive paradigm. The key informant’s method, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were the main data collection methods. The sample of 35 participants was selected through the purposive and snowballing sampling technique. This sample comprised of 10 PLWHA, 20 family members and 5 key informants. The data collected from this sample was analysed through thematic content analysis. Findings indicated that PLWHA who disclosed their status accessed benefits and opportunities such as medication, psychosocial support, employment and the helping hands needed to manage their illness. In addition, the findings revealed that stigma, discrimination and socio-cultural factors inhibited some PLWHA from disclosing their status. Consequently, non-disclosure resulted in PLWHA experiencing ramifications such ramifications such as internal stigma, conflict in relationships, diminished career and educational achievement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mavhunga, Ayisha Dadiso
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Self-disclosure Stigma (Social psychology) AIDS (Disease) -- Patients -- Family relationships
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10963 , vital:35970
- Description: Non-disclosure of HIV/AIDS status is a topical issue in South Africa and across the globe. This study explored the ramifications of status non-disclosure by people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Alice, Eastern Cape. The study aimed to explore the benefits and opportunities associated with HIV/AIDS disclosure; to examine the underlying factors discouraging Alice PLWHA from disclosing their status; to ascertain the ramifications of HIV/AIDS non-disclosure and to describe the coping strategies PLWHA and their families adopt in dealing with the ramifications of non-disclosure. The study employed the qualitative case study design, which was underpinned by the interpretive paradigm. The key informant’s method, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were the main data collection methods. The sample of 35 participants was selected through the purposive and snowballing sampling technique. This sample comprised of 10 PLWHA, 20 family members and 5 key informants. The data collected from this sample was analysed through thematic content analysis. Findings indicated that PLWHA who disclosed their status accessed benefits and opportunities such as medication, psychosocial support, employment and the helping hands needed to manage their illness. In addition, the findings revealed that stigma, discrimination and socio-cultural factors inhibited some PLWHA from disclosing their status. Consequently, non-disclosure resulted in PLWHA experiencing ramifications such ramifications such as internal stigma, conflict in relationships, diminished career and educational achievement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Social work management tasks : the experiences of frontline social workers in the nonprofit organisation sector in Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Perumal, Nevashnee
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Social service Non-governmental organizations -- Eastern Cape -- Social services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9756 , vital:34912
- Description: In South Africa, social workers learn how to operationalise the management functions of planning, organising, leading and controlling “on the job” by modelling and following existing managers and/or senior social workers. This points to the use of predictive knowledge, where management decisions are made based on patterns from past experiences, educated guesses and observations, which are limited to individual, personal experiences. For the frontline social worker responding to the dynamic demands of developmental social work, with limited work experience and no formal management training and support, there are several consequences for the Nonprofit Organisation sector and the frontline social worker executing these management tasks. Therefore, this study aimed to gain an understanding of the range of management tasks that frontline social workers undertake in the Nonprofit Organisation sector in operationalising the management functions of planning, organising, leading and controlling. This study employed a descriptive case study design, within the qualitative approach, and was exploratory in nature. In-depth individual interviews were conducted with nineteen frontline social workers from three established Nonprofit Organisations in Port Elizabeth. Qualitative thematic analysis was employed as a data analysis strategy. One focus group was conducted with five middle managers from the same three NPOs. Both phases of data collection were guided by interview themes, which were aligned to the objectives of the study. The major findings indicated that management tasks ranged from workload management, relationship management, information management, human resource management to self-management, and that all these tasks led to frontline social workers developing innovative management strategies as a consequence of undertaking management tasks. Predictive knowledge was magnified as a positive tool as compared to prescriptive knowledge. In light of these findings, it is recommended that organisational support and adjustments are made by the boards of management and directors of the relevant Nonprofit Organisations by specifically providing support to frontline social workers so as to enhance their execution of management tasks. Hence, this study proposes a framework with strategies to support frontline social workers as well as practice guidelines for Nonprofit Organisations’ boards of management and frontline social workers in undertaking their daily management tasks.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Perumal, Nevashnee
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Social service Non-governmental organizations -- Eastern Cape -- Social services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9756 , vital:34912
- Description: In South Africa, social workers learn how to operationalise the management functions of planning, organising, leading and controlling “on the job” by modelling and following existing managers and/or senior social workers. This points to the use of predictive knowledge, where management decisions are made based on patterns from past experiences, educated guesses and observations, which are limited to individual, personal experiences. For the frontline social worker responding to the dynamic demands of developmental social work, with limited work experience and no formal management training and support, there are several consequences for the Nonprofit Organisation sector and the frontline social worker executing these management tasks. Therefore, this study aimed to gain an understanding of the range of management tasks that frontline social workers undertake in the Nonprofit Organisation sector in operationalising the management functions of planning, organising, leading and controlling. This study employed a descriptive case study design, within the qualitative approach, and was exploratory in nature. In-depth individual interviews were conducted with nineteen frontline social workers from three established Nonprofit Organisations in Port Elizabeth. Qualitative thematic analysis was employed as a data analysis strategy. One focus group was conducted with five middle managers from the same three NPOs. Both phases of data collection were guided by interview themes, which were aligned to the objectives of the study. The major findings indicated that management tasks ranged from workload management, relationship management, information management, human resource management to self-management, and that all these tasks led to frontline social workers developing innovative management strategies as a consequence of undertaking management tasks. Predictive knowledge was magnified as a positive tool as compared to prescriptive knowledge. In light of these findings, it is recommended that organisational support and adjustments are made by the boards of management and directors of the relevant Nonprofit Organisations by specifically providing support to frontline social workers so as to enhance their execution of management tasks. Hence, this study proposes a framework with strategies to support frontline social workers as well as practice guidelines for Nonprofit Organisations’ boards of management and frontline social workers in undertaking their daily management tasks.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The experiences of secondary traumatic stress among social workers who deal with traumatised populations : a case study of Buffalo City Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Anyi, Marynet Ema Tangwe
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Secondary traumatic stress Social workers -- Mental health Social service -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9951 , vital:35207
- Description: The aim of the research study was to investigate the experiences of secondary traumatic stress among social workers who deal with traumatised populations in the Buffalo City Municipality in the province of the Eastern Cape in South Africa. Qualitative research methods were employed to collect data from thirty participants; twenty were interviewed and 10 participated in a focus group discussion. The most significant finding of this study was that there is a high rate of secondary traumatic stress among social workers, particularly among those who practice in nongovernmental organisations (NGOs), especially those social workers who work with children. The intensity of secondary traumatic stress among social workers appears to be growing steadily, owing to either inadequate or a complete lack of supervision and support on the part of the agencies concerned. The study concludes that social workers are highly at risk of experiencing secondary traumatic stress. The study therefore recommends that policies that are there to protect social workers should be implemented and institutions of higher learning which educate and train social workers need to implement courses in their syllabuses which prepare students for the stresses which they will inevitably encounter while working in the field of social work, particularly secondary traumatic stress.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Anyi, Marynet Ema Tangwe
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Secondary traumatic stress Social workers -- Mental health Social service -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9951 , vital:35207
- Description: The aim of the research study was to investigate the experiences of secondary traumatic stress among social workers who deal with traumatised populations in the Buffalo City Municipality in the province of the Eastern Cape in South Africa. Qualitative research methods were employed to collect data from thirty participants; twenty were interviewed and 10 participated in a focus group discussion. The most significant finding of this study was that there is a high rate of secondary traumatic stress among social workers, particularly among those who practice in nongovernmental organisations (NGOs), especially those social workers who work with children. The intensity of secondary traumatic stress among social workers appears to be growing steadily, owing to either inadequate or a complete lack of supervision and support on the part of the agencies concerned. The study concludes that social workers are highly at risk of experiencing secondary traumatic stress. The study therefore recommends that policies that are there to protect social workers should be implemented and institutions of higher learning which educate and train social workers need to implement courses in their syllabuses which prepare students for the stresses which they will inevitably encounter while working in the field of social work, particularly secondary traumatic stress.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The psycho-social functioning and experiences of children in child-headed households in Gauteng Province, South Africa
- Authors: Agere, Leonard Munyaradzi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Adult children -- South Africa -- Conduct of life , Youth-headed households -- South Africa , Child support -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10646 , vital:35651
- Description: The study was aimed at investigating the psycho-social needs and lived experiences of child headed households in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. A mixed methods approach was used to collect and analyse the data. The qualitative approach was the dominant one, while a quantitative approach was used to corroborate the qualitative findings. The quantitative data was collected through a survey. Three hundred questionnaires were distributed among children in child headed households. The child headed households were selected through simple random sampling from the databases of the NGOs and community based organisations that had agreed to participate in the study. The quantitative component of the study produced results that supported the qualitative findings. The qualitative data was collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, which were conducted with purposively selected social service practitioners and community structures who were involved in work with child headed households. The resilience approach, which posits that humans are born with inherent reserves to face adversity, and the ecological systems theory, which postulates the framework in which an individual can be understood in his constant interactions and relationships within community and wider society, inform this study. The findings of the study indicate that there were various psycho social needs and challenges that child headed households faced. As Maslow postulated in his hierarchy of needs theory, inferences were made to the diverse needs of the child headed households. Physiological needs like food, clothing and finance were found to be more presenting and eminent needs for the child headed households. The study findings highlighted safety needs in the form of need for formal housing as the majority lived in informal settlements where they were exposed to much vulnerability like violence, sexual exploitation and other social misdemeanours. Other needs were esteem and familial needs, which provided a platform to foster senses of identity and belonging. However, there were other child headed households who were fortunate to have extended family members and community based organisations that assisted by providing these needs and these gestures were appreciated by the households as they ameliorated dire situations and cushioned them from absolute poverty. The findings further revealed that the psycho social challenges and needs did not only present when the household became child headed household but when their parent/s was still with them and were only exacerbated in their absence. The effects of living with parental illness, sadness and anxiety due to dramatic changes in dynamics, pain and trauma witnessing a parent dying were among the psychosocial challenges faced when the parent was still present with the children. After their departure or absence the challenges shifted and the debilitating effects of grief and loss, emotional trauma, living without adult caregiver and stigma and discrimination, were among the cocktail of challenges that the child headed households faced. However, others had support from extended family members and community structures that supported them with palliative care for the terminally ill and this afforded them the much needed respite as they focused on their studies and enjoyed their rights to be children. The study reveals that children have several coping mechanisms that exude their resilience and this includes support from social workers in promoting sustainable development goals (SDG’s) including no poverty, good health and well-being and quality education (goals 1, 3 and 4). The study highlighted that others had to supplement education with paid work (informal) whilst some ended up disengaging from their education to pursue paid employment to eke a living and support their siblings. The community and NGO’s were seen as vital components of the ecosystem that promoted the resilience of the child headed households in coping with their day to day challenges and needs. On the basis of the findings, it is recommended that the South African government should, among other things, provide a properly resourced, co-ordinated and well managed child protection system to facilitate constituency work that responds to the real needs of child headed households and SMART planning by social workers, with systemic teaming around CHH with the DSD as lead agency. The study also recommends a psychosocial approach to CHH care in the form of a model that rallies for robust assessments that social service practitioners and every structure that has the “duty to care” for CHH, can embed in their practice for improved outcomes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Agere, Leonard Munyaradzi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Adult children -- South Africa -- Conduct of life , Youth-headed households -- South Africa , Child support -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10646 , vital:35651
- Description: The study was aimed at investigating the psycho-social needs and lived experiences of child headed households in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. A mixed methods approach was used to collect and analyse the data. The qualitative approach was the dominant one, while a quantitative approach was used to corroborate the qualitative findings. The quantitative data was collected through a survey. Three hundred questionnaires were distributed among children in child headed households. The child headed households were selected through simple random sampling from the databases of the NGOs and community based organisations that had agreed to participate in the study. The quantitative component of the study produced results that supported the qualitative findings. The qualitative data was collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, which were conducted with purposively selected social service practitioners and community structures who were involved in work with child headed households. The resilience approach, which posits that humans are born with inherent reserves to face adversity, and the ecological systems theory, which postulates the framework in which an individual can be understood in his constant interactions and relationships within community and wider society, inform this study. The findings of the study indicate that there were various psycho social needs and challenges that child headed households faced. As Maslow postulated in his hierarchy of needs theory, inferences were made to the diverse needs of the child headed households. Physiological needs like food, clothing and finance were found to be more presenting and eminent needs for the child headed households. The study findings highlighted safety needs in the form of need for formal housing as the majority lived in informal settlements where they were exposed to much vulnerability like violence, sexual exploitation and other social misdemeanours. Other needs were esteem and familial needs, which provided a platform to foster senses of identity and belonging. However, there were other child headed households who were fortunate to have extended family members and community based organisations that assisted by providing these needs and these gestures were appreciated by the households as they ameliorated dire situations and cushioned them from absolute poverty. The findings further revealed that the psycho social challenges and needs did not only present when the household became child headed household but when their parent/s was still with them and were only exacerbated in their absence. The effects of living with parental illness, sadness and anxiety due to dramatic changes in dynamics, pain and trauma witnessing a parent dying were among the psychosocial challenges faced when the parent was still present with the children. After their departure or absence the challenges shifted and the debilitating effects of grief and loss, emotional trauma, living without adult caregiver and stigma and discrimination, were among the cocktail of challenges that the child headed households faced. However, others had support from extended family members and community structures that supported them with palliative care for the terminally ill and this afforded them the much needed respite as they focused on their studies and enjoyed their rights to be children. The study reveals that children have several coping mechanisms that exude their resilience and this includes support from social workers in promoting sustainable development goals (SDG’s) including no poverty, good health and well-being and quality education (goals 1, 3 and 4). The study highlighted that others had to supplement education with paid work (informal) whilst some ended up disengaging from their education to pursue paid employment to eke a living and support their siblings. The community and NGO’s were seen as vital components of the ecosystem that promoted the resilience of the child headed households in coping with their day to day challenges and needs. On the basis of the findings, it is recommended that the South African government should, among other things, provide a properly resourced, co-ordinated and well managed child protection system to facilitate constituency work that responds to the real needs of child headed households and SMART planning by social workers, with systemic teaming around CHH with the DSD as lead agency. The study also recommends a psychosocial approach to CHH care in the form of a model that rallies for robust assessments that social service practitioners and every structure that has the “duty to care” for CHH, can embed in their practice for improved outcomes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Contributing factors to academic success of children in foster care in Mount Fletcher, Eastern Cape
- Dladlama, Phumeza Buyiswa Lungelwa
- Authors: Dladlama, Phumeza Buyiswa Lungelwa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Foster children--Education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15111 , vital:40184
- Description: The researcher explored the contributing factors which lead to academic success of children in foster care in Mount Fletcher, Eastern Cape. Children in foster care are highly to drop out of school compared to their peers, and there are children in foster care who are academic successful despite the obstacle of foster care placement. The research study focused on the positive outcomes of children in foster care placements and the support structures that contributed to their academic success. Family support, school support, community support, religious support, professional support systems, resilience and protective factors were measured as the most prominent contributing factors that lead to academic success of children in foster care. The importance of a strong educational background for children in foster care cannot be overstated as the experiences of success that a child has in school can positively affect their psychological functioning well into adulthood. It was revealed that, although there are challenges, environmental disadvantages and stress that can lead to behavioural and psychological problems amongst children in foster care, there are children who overcome the difficulties to become well-adjusted adults. The study made use of Person Centred Approach as theoretical framework. The Person Centred Approach was relevant to the study as it uses the basic core conditions and propositions for positive therapeutic change and that it enables the participants’ establishment of congruence with organismic experiences. Data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. The sample was made up of 12 persons who exited foster care system and matriculated. The findings of the study revealed that, among the above listed contributing factors, family support, school support, community support and religious support were the most significant factors which contributed to the academic success of the participants. No significant relationship was found between the participants’ academic success and professional support. The study further revealed that a large number of children in foster care were cared for by their relatives, especially maternal grandparents. Due to the mentioned findings, it was recommended that the child placed in foster care placement from the age of 12 years, must be involved in the placement as there could be relatives whom the child is attached to. The social services professionals should play their role in supporting the children in foster care placements through proper monitoring of foster care placement and not to monitor the placement only during extension of foster care placement. Each government department has a role in moulding the child’s life and rendering support services.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Dladlama, Phumeza Buyiswa Lungelwa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Foster children--Education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15111 , vital:40184
- Description: The researcher explored the contributing factors which lead to academic success of children in foster care in Mount Fletcher, Eastern Cape. Children in foster care are highly to drop out of school compared to their peers, and there are children in foster care who are academic successful despite the obstacle of foster care placement. The research study focused on the positive outcomes of children in foster care placements and the support structures that contributed to their academic success. Family support, school support, community support, religious support, professional support systems, resilience and protective factors were measured as the most prominent contributing factors that lead to academic success of children in foster care. The importance of a strong educational background for children in foster care cannot be overstated as the experiences of success that a child has in school can positively affect their psychological functioning well into adulthood. It was revealed that, although there are challenges, environmental disadvantages and stress that can lead to behavioural and psychological problems amongst children in foster care, there are children who overcome the difficulties to become well-adjusted adults. The study made use of Person Centred Approach as theoretical framework. The Person Centred Approach was relevant to the study as it uses the basic core conditions and propositions for positive therapeutic change and that it enables the participants’ establishment of congruence with organismic experiences. Data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. The sample was made up of 12 persons who exited foster care system and matriculated. The findings of the study revealed that, among the above listed contributing factors, family support, school support, community support and religious support were the most significant factors which contributed to the academic success of the participants. No significant relationship was found between the participants’ academic success and professional support. The study further revealed that a large number of children in foster care were cared for by their relatives, especially maternal grandparents. Due to the mentioned findings, it was recommended that the child placed in foster care placement from the age of 12 years, must be involved in the placement as there could be relatives whom the child is attached to. The social services professionals should play their role in supporting the children in foster care placements through proper monitoring of foster care placement and not to monitor the placement only during extension of foster care placement. Each government department has a role in moulding the child’s life and rendering support services.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Exploring the contributions of youth development programme as a poverty eradication strategy: The case study of the National Youth Development Agency in Ezibeleni Township; Queenstown
- Authors: Vazi, Thembelani
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Youth development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Youth -- Political activity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6502 , vital:30137
- Description: Youth development programmes in South Africa stirs a lot of debates on whether youth development programmes reach all the young people of South Africa even the rural youth. The youth involved in these programmes argue that even though these youth development programmes were created for all the young people of South Africa, some of them do not get the opportunity to be part of such programmes and they are not getting the proper skills that they need in order to create employment opportunities for themselves. Therefore, this study is aimed at exploring the contributions of the youth development programme as a poverty eradication strategy. The data in the study was collected qualitatively through interviews in which the youth, Social Workers, the ward Councillors and NYDA officials were interviewed. The total sample size in the study was 26 participants. The study established that the lack of youth skills is one of the causes of youth unemployment and poverty. Generally, the quality of these youth development programmes are not up to standard for assisting young people, most importantly these youth programmes lack resources. The study revealed that, even though the youth programmes are available, they do not cater for all the young people of Ezibeleni Township and they do not alleviate poverty for all the youth of Ezibeleni Township. Furthermore, those that are part of these youth programmes further complain about the lack of skills within the staff employed in these youth development programmes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Vazi, Thembelani
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Youth development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Youth -- Political activity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6502 , vital:30137
- Description: Youth development programmes in South Africa stirs a lot of debates on whether youth development programmes reach all the young people of South Africa even the rural youth. The youth involved in these programmes argue that even though these youth development programmes were created for all the young people of South Africa, some of them do not get the opportunity to be part of such programmes and they are not getting the proper skills that they need in order to create employment opportunities for themselves. Therefore, this study is aimed at exploring the contributions of the youth development programme as a poverty eradication strategy. The data in the study was collected qualitatively through interviews in which the youth, Social Workers, the ward Councillors and NYDA officials were interviewed. The total sample size in the study was 26 participants. The study established that the lack of youth skills is one of the causes of youth unemployment and poverty. Generally, the quality of these youth development programmes are not up to standard for assisting young people, most importantly these youth programmes lack resources. The study revealed that, even though the youth programmes are available, they do not cater for all the young people of Ezibeleni Township and they do not alleviate poverty for all the youth of Ezibeleni Township. Furthermore, those that are part of these youth programmes further complain about the lack of skills within the staff employed in these youth development programmes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Exploring the importance of the mother/child relationship during maternal incarceration : a case study at Worcester female correctional centre
- Authors: Zill, Lizelle Jessie
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Mother and child Children of women prisoners--Effect of imprisonment on Mother-Child Relations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16058 , vital:40660
- Description: The intention of this research was to explore and discuss the importance of the mother/child relationship during maternal incarceration for aiding a successful reunificationupon release. The Department of Correctional Services is committed to providing a needs-based approach to all offenders including female offenders, who are recognised as special category offenders. The study made use of a qualitative approach and the research design was based on a case study. Data was gathered by means of in-depth interviews with nineteen participants at the Worcester Female Correctional Centre. A literature study was conducted on the importance of strengthening and supporting the mother/child relationship during maternal incarceration, and the challenges experienced in maintaining the mother/child relationship. Thereafter, an empirical exploration was done and the results were purposefully processed and analysed. Through processing and analysing the results, the researcher was able to derive certain conclusions and make recommendations, which are presented in Chapter Five of this thesis. The most important conclusion resulting from the research study is the importance of the maintenance of the mother/child relationship during maternal incarceration. The study made various recommendations that the Department of Correctional Services can utilise to improve its services to female offenders, especially those with children.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Zill, Lizelle Jessie
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Mother and child Children of women prisoners--Effect of imprisonment on Mother-Child Relations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16058 , vital:40660
- Description: The intention of this research was to explore and discuss the importance of the mother/child relationship during maternal incarceration for aiding a successful reunificationupon release. The Department of Correctional Services is committed to providing a needs-based approach to all offenders including female offenders, who are recognised as special category offenders. The study made use of a qualitative approach and the research design was based on a case study. Data was gathered by means of in-depth interviews with nineteen participants at the Worcester Female Correctional Centre. A literature study was conducted on the importance of strengthening and supporting the mother/child relationship during maternal incarceration, and the challenges experienced in maintaining the mother/child relationship. Thereafter, an empirical exploration was done and the results were purposefully processed and analysed. Through processing and analysing the results, the researcher was able to derive certain conclusions and make recommendations, which are presented in Chapter Five of this thesis. The most important conclusion resulting from the research study is the importance of the maintenance of the mother/child relationship during maternal incarceration. The study made various recommendations that the Department of Correctional Services can utilise to improve its services to female offenders, especially those with children.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Financial decision-making of fathers with social grants in Nkonkobe municipality, Eastern Cape province
- Authors: Ketani, Nolubabalo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Decision making Dependency Public welfare
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11773 , vital:39105
- Description: The aim of this study was to examine the role of fathers receiving social grants in family decision-making processes within households in Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape Province. The study also investigated how money from social grants is utilised by fathers, taking into consideration, the impact of such decisions on the well-being of family members. A methodological triangulation approach was adopted for data collection. One hundred and seventy questionnaires were administered to beneficiaries of social grants, selected using multi stage sampling. The data was then coded on Microsoft excel package and run using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software for analysis. These yielded quantitative results which were then complemented by qualitative results obtained from 25 in-depth interviews conducted with caregivers residing with respondents. The major findings of the study revealed that most fathers earning social grants, made family decisions with their partners. Co-operative bargaining, resulting in the distribution of power in the decision-making process is relatively more prominent in most poor rural households. The effect of bargaining power emphasises the importance of gender empowerment in family decision-making processes. On the other hand, it is established that economic factors (such as income and employment status and age as a social factor) play a critical role in positioning other household members in decision-making within the family. As a result, children and unemployed household members have very limited decision power. The findings also revealed that social grants are the main source of income, if not, the only source of income in most households. Beneficiaries spend the money received on basic needs such as food, school fees, clothing and health, thus reducing hunger and suffering among beneficiaries. Therefore, social grants play a significant role in improving food security among poor households. Additionally, social grants are not only used for meeting individual needs of target groups of people in the household but for the entire needs of the household. The poverty gap been on the decline and such drop has been significant among poorest of the poor. Consequently, they impact positively beyond individual recipients and thus, strengthening intergenerational relations within poor families. Furthermore, it is established from the study that the role of male caregivers is an important one, and it is anticipated that many fathers will be involved in caregiving in the future. This is due to a variety of social demographic factors such as divorce, substance abuse, incarceration of parents, child abuse and neglect, health problems and death. Consequently, fathers receiving social grants, represent an important resource for poor households, especially for children. In a nutshell, with high incidences of poverty, coupled with HIV/AIDS epidemic, economic hardships, high rate of unemployment, absent parents and orphan crisis; the experiences and contributions of social grant earning fathers in caregiving, need to be acknowledged as they play a significant and benevolent role in well-being of family members, especially in the lives of children from vulnerable and poor homes. It is recommended that government should focus on promoting developmental policies that will contribute to poverty alleviation and reduce income inequalities in rural communities. Intervention plans should seek to develop exit programmes that capacitate households and communities to empower themselves. On the other hand, the development of support for male caregivers in private, public and community initiatives are commended to build capacity and empower fathers to cope with challenges associated with parenting.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Ketani, Nolubabalo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Decision making Dependency Public welfare
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11773 , vital:39105
- Description: The aim of this study was to examine the role of fathers receiving social grants in family decision-making processes within households in Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape Province. The study also investigated how money from social grants is utilised by fathers, taking into consideration, the impact of such decisions on the well-being of family members. A methodological triangulation approach was adopted for data collection. One hundred and seventy questionnaires were administered to beneficiaries of social grants, selected using multi stage sampling. The data was then coded on Microsoft excel package and run using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software for analysis. These yielded quantitative results which were then complemented by qualitative results obtained from 25 in-depth interviews conducted with caregivers residing with respondents. The major findings of the study revealed that most fathers earning social grants, made family decisions with their partners. Co-operative bargaining, resulting in the distribution of power in the decision-making process is relatively more prominent in most poor rural households. The effect of bargaining power emphasises the importance of gender empowerment in family decision-making processes. On the other hand, it is established that economic factors (such as income and employment status and age as a social factor) play a critical role in positioning other household members in decision-making within the family. As a result, children and unemployed household members have very limited decision power. The findings also revealed that social grants are the main source of income, if not, the only source of income in most households. Beneficiaries spend the money received on basic needs such as food, school fees, clothing and health, thus reducing hunger and suffering among beneficiaries. Therefore, social grants play a significant role in improving food security among poor households. Additionally, social grants are not only used for meeting individual needs of target groups of people in the household but for the entire needs of the household. The poverty gap been on the decline and such drop has been significant among poorest of the poor. Consequently, they impact positively beyond individual recipients and thus, strengthening intergenerational relations within poor families. Furthermore, it is established from the study that the role of male caregivers is an important one, and it is anticipated that many fathers will be involved in caregiving in the future. This is due to a variety of social demographic factors such as divorce, substance abuse, incarceration of parents, child abuse and neglect, health problems and death. Consequently, fathers receiving social grants, represent an important resource for poor households, especially for children. In a nutshell, with high incidences of poverty, coupled with HIV/AIDS epidemic, economic hardships, high rate of unemployment, absent parents and orphan crisis; the experiences and contributions of social grant earning fathers in caregiving, need to be acknowledged as they play a significant and benevolent role in well-being of family members, especially in the lives of children from vulnerable and poor homes. It is recommended that government should focus on promoting developmental policies that will contribute to poverty alleviation and reduce income inequalities in rural communities. Intervention plans should seek to develop exit programmes that capacitate households and communities to empower themselves. On the other hand, the development of support for male caregivers in private, public and community initiatives are commended to build capacity and empower fathers to cope with challenges associated with parenting.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
A narrative exploration of the experiences of children from child-headed households into early adulthood : a case study of Nkonkobe District, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Sumbulu, Manowa Abie
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Children's rights--South Africa--Eastern Cape Child caregivers--South Africa--Eastern Cape Children--Legal status, laws, etc.--South Africa--Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11850 , vital:39112
- Description: The past three decades have seen dramatic changes within the childcare system. There has been a bourgeoning death rate of child-bearing parents resulting in an unprecedentedly high number of parentless children (orphans) leading to the formation of child-headed households (CHHs). This formation came about as a result of the paucity of informal care for such children as well as the incapacity of the formal child care system. Most of these children are disadvantages with the prospect of facing a bleak future. However, some of them survive and presumably make it in life despite the odds. It is resilience and strengths they have in coping with their life’s’ situations that the research addresses. An exploratory-descriptive and qualitative design was applied in this research as well as Guba's (1981) approach to ensuring trustworthiness in qualitative research. A systematic probability sampling procedure was applied in selecting participants. A semi-structured interview schedule with open-ended questions was applied to both the pilot study and to the study proper. The latter was conducted in the form of fourteen in-depth interviews and a focus group of eight discussants. The protocols were explicated in terms of a full delineation of the themes while the data were analysed by utilizing the thematic approach based on the grounded theory. Three developmental stages were identified: their base before becoming a child-headed household; the transition stage when they were in the child-headed household and the central narrative of how they progressed and coped since leaving the CHH. The third stage was the time for reflecting on what they had gone through and offered advice on coping capacity to children who might find themselves in child-headed households. Each of these stages has been marked by its highs and lows as they navigate through life and developing coping strategies. Some of these coping mechanisms were stage-specific while others persisted through all the stages.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Sumbulu, Manowa Abie
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Children's rights--South Africa--Eastern Cape Child caregivers--South Africa--Eastern Cape Children--Legal status, laws, etc.--South Africa--Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11850 , vital:39112
- Description: The past three decades have seen dramatic changes within the childcare system. There has been a bourgeoning death rate of child-bearing parents resulting in an unprecedentedly high number of parentless children (orphans) leading to the formation of child-headed households (CHHs). This formation came about as a result of the paucity of informal care for such children as well as the incapacity of the formal child care system. Most of these children are disadvantages with the prospect of facing a bleak future. However, some of them survive and presumably make it in life despite the odds. It is resilience and strengths they have in coping with their life’s’ situations that the research addresses. An exploratory-descriptive and qualitative design was applied in this research as well as Guba's (1981) approach to ensuring trustworthiness in qualitative research. A systematic probability sampling procedure was applied in selecting participants. A semi-structured interview schedule with open-ended questions was applied to both the pilot study and to the study proper. The latter was conducted in the form of fourteen in-depth interviews and a focus group of eight discussants. The protocols were explicated in terms of a full delineation of the themes while the data were analysed by utilizing the thematic approach based on the grounded theory. Three developmental stages were identified: their base before becoming a child-headed household; the transition stage when they were in the child-headed household and the central narrative of how they progressed and coped since leaving the CHH. The third stage was the time for reflecting on what they had gone through and offered advice on coping capacity to children who might find themselves in child-headed households. Each of these stages has been marked by its highs and lows as they navigate through life and developing coping strategies. Some of these coping mechanisms were stage-specific while others persisted through all the stages.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Exploring the effects of domestic violence in the psychosocial development of children : the case of Mlungisi Township in Queenstown
- Authors: Ntsumpa, SL
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Family violence Abused children--South Africa Children and violence
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17338 , vital:40957
- Description: The main aim of the study was to explore the effects of domestic violence in the psychosocial development of children at Mlungisi Township, Chris Hani District in Queenstown – Eastern Cape Province. The specific objectives of the study were: to investigate the effect domestic violence has on the psychosocial development of children; to assess the behavior of the children subjected to domestic violence; and to examine challenges that children are facing due to domestic violence; and to examine the support provided by professionals (Social works, community worker, educator, South African Police and Justice System) to children who are victims of domestic violence. The study adopted a qualitative research paradigm and non-probability sampling methodology in the form of purposive sampling technique. The study‟s sample size comprised of 20 participants, 7 male children between the ages of 9 and 16, and 8 female children between the ages of 9 and 16 on in-depth one-on-one interviews. Five children withdrew from the study because they became emotional and were reluctant to participate. The study also comprised of 5 participants in a focus group which composed of various professionals from government departments such as: Department of Social Development, Department of Education, South African Police Services, Lukhanji Municipality and Justice Official who are directly working with children. The research instrument used was an interview guide with open ended questions. The study findings include the following: effects of domestic violence on the psychosocial development of children; challenges faced by children due to domestic violence; behaviors of children subjected to domestic violence; support services; efficiency and effectiveness of services rendered to the children; and improvement of services rendered to the victims by government officials. The study recommendations were: more studies on domestic violence specifically on children as victims should be done; policy regarding domestic violence needs to be reviewed and in order to accommodate children; there should be policies that focus solemnly to children who happen to be victims of domestic violence not domestic violence in general; and government departments and other relevant stakeholder should be strengthened or even develop new intervention strategies to ensure effectiveness in curbing domestic violence.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Ntsumpa, SL
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Family violence Abused children--South Africa Children and violence
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17338 , vital:40957
- Description: The main aim of the study was to explore the effects of domestic violence in the psychosocial development of children at Mlungisi Township, Chris Hani District in Queenstown – Eastern Cape Province. The specific objectives of the study were: to investigate the effect domestic violence has on the psychosocial development of children; to assess the behavior of the children subjected to domestic violence; and to examine challenges that children are facing due to domestic violence; and to examine the support provided by professionals (Social works, community worker, educator, South African Police and Justice System) to children who are victims of domestic violence. The study adopted a qualitative research paradigm and non-probability sampling methodology in the form of purposive sampling technique. The study‟s sample size comprised of 20 participants, 7 male children between the ages of 9 and 16, and 8 female children between the ages of 9 and 16 on in-depth one-on-one interviews. Five children withdrew from the study because they became emotional and were reluctant to participate. The study also comprised of 5 participants in a focus group which composed of various professionals from government departments such as: Department of Social Development, Department of Education, South African Police Services, Lukhanji Municipality and Justice Official who are directly working with children. The research instrument used was an interview guide with open ended questions. The study findings include the following: effects of domestic violence on the psychosocial development of children; challenges faced by children due to domestic violence; behaviors of children subjected to domestic violence; support services; efficiency and effectiveness of services rendered to the children; and improvement of services rendered to the victims by government officials. The study recommendations were: more studies on domestic violence specifically on children as victims should be done; policy regarding domestic violence needs to be reviewed and in order to accommodate children; there should be policies that focus solemnly to children who happen to be victims of domestic violence not domestic violence in general; and government departments and other relevant stakeholder should be strengthened or even develop new intervention strategies to ensure effectiveness in curbing domestic violence.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
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