Young women's memories of their experiences in adolescent relationships : a qualitative study
- Authors: Breetzke, Andrea Welsh
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Teenage girls , Adolescent psychology , Teenagers , Parent and teenager , Teenage parents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:690 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006366 , Teenage girls , Adolescent psychology , Teenagers , Parent and teenager , Teenage parents
- Description: Democratic Government in South Africa has brought with it changes in ideology and policy as well as a focus on a new area of concern. It has recognised the importance of young people. In May 1995 the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Youth at Risk (IMC) was established to re-organise the Child and Youth Care system in order increase its effectivity in coping with vulnerable youths. The IMC proposed a new framework for understanding and working with youth based on the principle of the Sioux parenting practices, called the Circle of Courage. Traditionally, helping professionals such as social workers use western theories, such as Erikson's Psychosocial Stage theory, to understand adolescents. Both of these theories and philosophies were not developed in South Africa and there is, therefore, cause for concern as to their relevance to the diverse and unique circumstances of this country. In this qualitative study, five young South African women attending a tertiary institution were asked to tell the stories of their adolescence with specific reference to their boy/girl relationships and factors influencing these relationships. The data was gathered in one or two semi-structured interviews. Data was analysed using Miles and Huberman's (1994) broad model using data reduction (through coding), data display (with the use of two context charts and a thematic conceptual matrix)and verification and conclusion drawing (through finding synergies and contrasts between the data and the two theories). This analysis was conducted with two specific aims. The first aim was to provide a thick description of one of the women's stories to show the complexity and diversity of her experience. Secondly, synergies and contrasts were sought between the women's stories and the two theories: Erikson's stage theory and the Circle of Courage. The analysis showed strong evidence that aspects from both these theories existed in the data and that to some degree both were relevant to the experiences of these five women.
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An evaluation of IMF structural adjustment programmes : lessons for South Africa
- Authors: Berolsky, Nuno Goncalo
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: International Monetary Fund , International Monetary Fund -- Developing countries , Structural adjustment (Economic policy) -- Developing countries , South Africa -- Economic policy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:935 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002668 , International Monetary Fund , International Monetary Fund -- Developing countries , Structural adjustment (Economic policy) -- Developing countries , South Africa -- Economic policy
- Description: The mixed results of International Monetary Fund structural adjustment programmes in less developed countries are a major motivation for this research. Explanations must be advanced as to what may inhibit the success of such programmes. South Africa has often found itself in a precarious position- with a deteriorating balance of payments, a position similar to other countries that have accepted IMF loans. Furthermore, South Africa undertook an IMF loan in 1993. Financial support from the IMF incorporates structural adjustment programmes. These may include measures such as tighter monetary policy, reduction in the budget deficit, exchange rate devaluation and ceilings on domestic credit with increased interest rates (Ferguson, 1988). These policies illustrate the principle of ‘conditionality,’ whereby access to further loans is conditional on certain criteria being met, such as reduced budget deficits and inflation rates. The principle of conditionality has met with a great deal of criticism. Bacha (1987) and Dell (1982) argue that these aggregate demand-reducing conditions more often than not stagnate domestic economies, worsening the balance of payment and result in programme breakdowns. Essentially, they refer to the IMF conditions as ‘unrealistic.’ The IMF denies this, arguing that shortfalls are mainly due to a lack of political commitment to carry out its conditions (Winters, 1994). This issue of conditionality will be examined in detail, using three specific case studies. The aim of this study is to examine the characteristics of Brazil, Mexico and Zambia to see whether or not the IMF programmes were successful. Guidelines will be established for South African policy from these case studies. South Africa is trying to adjust to the competitiveness of the international economy. At the same time, the need for reconstruction and development exerts increasing pressures on the balance of payments. Guidelines are established for a successful economic adjustment for South Africa. The research concludes that South Africa is certainly in line for a successful transformation. The rigidities are not as extensive as has been the case in Brazil and Zambia. Institutionally, South Africa is sound. However there are still challenges in this area, such as export diversification and economic stability to attract foreign investment.
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Criteria social workers employ in making child custody recommendations
- Authors: Froneman, Anna Petronella
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Custody of children -- South Africa Social work with children -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:696 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006414
- Description: During this study, an attempt was made to investigate the process employed by social workers in conducting child custody evaluations and making decisions related to the process, as well as to provide insight into which criteria are currently being used. The goal was to explore the perceived usefulness of these criteria from the perspective of social work, and to assess the adequacy of the requirements of the custody report in reflecting the above process and decision-making. In order to meet this goal, literature and empirical studies were conducted. The literature study focuses on the history of child custody matters, custody decision-making and legislation, types of custody arrangements, criteria social workers employ in making child custody recommendations, evaluator bias and custody evaluation reports. During the empirical research phase, a non-probability purposive sampling procedure was adopted. Five family counsellors from the office of the family advocate serving the Eastern Cape were selected. After an interview schedule was compiled to cover certain topics and their sequence, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the family counsellors. In order to compare the criteria stated in the interviews with the criteria applied in the custody reports, three cases from each family counsellor were selected and the final custody report and recommendation were studied. This study has revealed the following: some of the family counsellors experience proqlems with the process of custody evaluations; certain aspects regarding the process are not in line with some ofthe literature; some of the criteria used by the family counsellors are not evident in the custody reports and are not discussed in detail; a lack of training exists for the family counsellors; and the family counsellors experience some form of bias. Finally, based on the research findings, recommendations were made regarding the process of custody evaluation, the criteria social workers employ when conducting child custody evaluations, training and bias of family counsellors, the role of the family advocate and possible future research.
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Exploring the needs and experiences of the social worker as an intermediary
- Authors: Jarman, Renette
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Social workers , Mediation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:698 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006419 , Social workers , Mediation
- Description: During this research an attempt was made to gain an understanding of the experiences and needs of the social workers acting as intermediaries for the sexually abused children in the criminal court during the trials of perpetrators. To achieve this, ten social workers that have performed the role of intermediary were interviewed. Research as well as literature on this topic is limited and it is believed that this study will present a valuable basis to pursue in further research as well as assist social workers already rendering intermediary services. Literature that was available was found to be critical of the adversarial system and the negative elements associated with the system, especially for the child witness. The study found that there are many problems associated with the intermediary system. The most important issue is the delay between the decision to prosecute and the trial as this impacts negatively on the child witness. In addition social workers acting as intermediaries are inadequately trained and are not supervised in this role. As a result very few are willing to continue with the procedure. Nevertheless the intermediary system is adjudged better than the adversarial system, especially as the child witness no longer has to face the alleged perpetrator in an open court. The thesis ends with recommendations for addressing the concerns of intermediaries in order to strengthen the system.
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Minor "dings" - major effects? a study into the cognitive effects of mild head injuries in high school rugby
- Authors: Ackermann, Tessa Ruth
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Rugby football injuries , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Complications , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Patients -- Rehabilitation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:2920 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002429 , Rugby football injuries , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Complications , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Patients -- Rehabilitation
- Description: The present study is part of a larger and ongoing research initiative investigating the cumulative cognitive effects of mild head injury in rugby union and focused specifically on high school rugby players. A comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests was administered to top team high school rugby players (n = 47), and a non-contact sport control group of top team high school hockey players (n = 34). Direct comparisons of group mean scores and standard deviations across each neuropsychological test were carried out for the Total Rugby group versus the Total Hockey group as well as for the subgroups Rugby Forwards versus Rugby Backs. A correlational analysis was conducted to ascertain whether a relationship exists between the number of mild head injuries reported by the players and their cognitive test performance. Results of the group comparisons of means and variability on WMS Paired Associate Learning Hard Pairs - Delayed Recall provides tentative indications of the initial stages of diffuse damage associated with mild head injury in the rugby group and provides some evidence for impairment of verbal learning and memory in the Rugby Forwards group. The correlational analysis revealed no significant relationship between number of reported mild head injuries and cognitive performance. The findings and possible latent effects of the multiple mild head injuries reported by the rugby players are discussed in terms of brain reserve capacity theory and suggestions for future research are provided.
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Perspectives on inter-professional collaboration : mediation
- Authors: Tatchell, Dolores
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Divorce mediation -- South Africa , Custody of children-- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:707 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006519 , Divorce mediation -- South Africa , Custody of children-- South Africa
- Description: This research is based on the continuous search for alternatives in dealing with custody and access of minor children in divorcing families. In spite of the Mediation in Certain Divorce Matters Act, 1987, providing for mediation, it did not lead to the widespread implementation of mediation as an alternative form of dispute resolution in divorce matters. The family advocate as provided for in the Act, serves to protect the interest of minor children in disputes. However, custody evaluation is still used to determine the custody of minor children. Custody evaluation comprises an in depth study and assessment of the structure and functioning of the family made by a social worker and written up in the form of an evaluative report which is then submitted to the family advocate. It occurred to the researcher that there had to be better ways of dealing with custody disputes and consequently the damage done by the parents who fight over their children without any regard for the children’s feelings. It was considered an option to find out from the professionals directly involved with divorce and custody disputes why they have not considered alternatives, such as mediation, to resolve the disputes arising out of a divorce. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five social workers and five attorneys to gain their perspectives on mediation, how the two professions could cooperate to assist divorcing couples and how inter-professional collaboration could be used to promote the use of mediation in East London. The family advocate was identified as a key role player. The possibility of mandatory mediation was raised with recommendations that it be considered. The co-mediation model was raised to enhance inter-professional collaboration. Social workers see their role as mediating custody issues where the attorneys see their role as mediating division of property and assets. Both professions recognize that they have their own unique contribution to make. Both social workers and attorneys have been found to be willing to collaborate with each other to make a mediation service available to divorcing couples
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Social workers perceptions on unionisation and collective bargaining : an exploratory study of the central region of the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Dyakala, Tumeka
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Social workers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Attitudes , Labor unions -- South Africa , Collective bargaining -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:695 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006405 , Social workers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Attitudes , Labor unions -- South Africa , Collective bargaining -- South Africa
- Description: This study explores primarily the views of social workers in the Central region of the Eastern Cape on unionisation and collective bargaining, and at a secondary level the views of their employers and of the trade unions organising social workers, regarding social workers' involvement and non-involvement in these processes. It examines the paradox of compatibility of professionalism and unionism. There are two schools of thought regarding compatibility of professionalism and unionisation one views these concepts as antagonistic whilst the other views these concepts as complementary. Some social workers have been reluctant to participate in trade unions in the past until recently. Reasons advanced for their recent accelerated involvement in trade unions are explored in this study. Social workers views on the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 as the source of the legal framework, within which trade unions and employers interact, through the process of collective bargaining are explored. Proposed alternative mechanisms to these processes as perceived by social workers are closely examined. Semi-structured, self administered questionnaires were distributed to social workers whilst semi-structured interviews were conducted with employer representatives and trade union officials. This helped the researcher to have a broader view of the situation. Findings point to a scenario of disunity of both employers and employees in the social work profession. The study is a pioneering effort in the Central region and sets a way forward for further exploration of this subject. It is hoped that this study will make a worthwhile contribution to the social work profession's industrial relations field
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The development of a WAIS-III short form for use in South Africa
- Authors: Rust, Annegret L
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale , Intelligence tests -- South Africa , Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3047 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002556 , Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale , Intelligence tests -- South Africa , Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale -- South Africa
- Description: The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - 3rd Edition (WAIS-III) is the newest of the internationally recognised Wechsler family of intelligence tests. It has been improved in terms of its psychometric properties, neuropsychological assessment abilities and its content. This test is in the process of being standardised by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) in South Africa. As the adapted South African version will be available shortly for use in the multicultural circumstances of South Africa, the application of the various aspects of this test needs to be investigated. This test is very comprehensive and thorough, however its one disadvantage is that it takes on average three hours to administer in its entirety. Thus there is a need to find ways in which to abbreviate the test for particular purposes when time is limited, for example in research, brief clinical assessments or neuropsychological screenings. The concept of abbreviating tests, including the earlier Wechsler intelligence test can be traced back to 1917, when it was asked if all the items on the Binet-Simon scale were required to give an accurate assessment of IQ (Levy, 1968). Since then there have been many short form suggestions made, with many different considerations in mind. These can be divided into two main approaches or methods. Firstly, the number of subtests of the scale can be reduced. Thus with the WAIS-III which consists of 14 subtests in total, an option is to use, for example only four of the subtests to get an estimate of a person's IQ. Secondly, the number of items in each subtest can be reduced. Thus only half the items or even only a third of the items on a subtest can be administered to get an estimate of the persons' performance on each subtest and in this way estimate their overall IQ. Both methods have been used on the WAIS and WAIS-R, although the reduction of the subtests is favoured. Both should now be validated and considered for use with the WATS-III in South Africa. Wechsler tests and their constituent subtests have been found to be differentially effected by race, education, language and socio-economic status (Kaufman, McLean & Reynolds, 1988; Nell 1999). These differences have also been found to impact on the short forms which are suggested, as certain subtests are considered to be more biased towards particular groups than others. Vocabulary and Block Design in particular bias testees who are not as westernised or acculturated towards a largely American and European culture (Kaufman, McLean & Reynolds, 1988). These differences, although often ascribed to race, language or socio-economic status can best be understood more broadly in terms of degree of acculturation (i.e. westernisation) (Shuttleworth-Jordan, 1996) and test-wiseness (Nell, 1999). In South Africa in particular, with its extreme cultural diversity these factors need to be carefully considered when developing short forms. In the present study the development of a short form appropriate to South Africa's diverse cultural circumstances will be approached, through a sample which has been stratified according to gender, first language (English vs. African), quality of schooling received (Private/Model C vs. DET) and level of education achieved (Matric vs. Graduate). Both a subtest reduction method and an item reduction method will be considered to arrive at a short form. The subtest reduction method will be considered further in an attempt to clarify which subtests would be more or less appropriate to include in a short form considering group differences. Finally the thesis will develop suggestions as to which short forms would be best for use in South Africa.
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The Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices Test: a pilot study for the establishment of normative data for Xhosa-speaking primary school pupils in the Grahamstown region
- Authors: Bass, Natalie Tanyia
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Raven's Progressive Matrices , Students -- South Africa -- Psychology , Educational tests and measurements -- South Africa , Intelligence levels -- South Africa , Students -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:2930 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002439 , Raven's Progressive Matrices , Students -- South Africa -- Psychology , Educational tests and measurements -- South Africa , Intelligence levels -- South Africa , Students -- Psychology
- Description: The Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices (CPM) test is used extensively across a wide variety of settings in South Africa, however more appropriate local normative data has yet to be established. The CPM is internationally recognised as a culture-fair test of nonverbal intelligence, designed for use with children between the ages of 5½ and 11½. This pilot study thus sought to establish normative data for this instrument for a population of Xhosa-speaking Primary School children in the peri-urban township area in the Grahamstown region. The booklet version of the test was used and it was administered in group format and according to an alternate method of test administration (using Xhosa instructions) developed by Vass in 1992. The final normative sample consisted of 197 male and 182 female Xhosa-speaking children in Grades Two to Seven (N=379). The results showed (1) a significant effect of age on test scores, where scores increased with age as expected; (2) a consistent tendency for males to outperform females was also noted, however small sample sizes precluded any categorical claims to this effect; (3) no significant effect of education on test scores was observed and finally; (4) and finally, it appeared that the norms generated for this study revealed a tendency to be lower than those obtained by Raven, Court and Raven (1990) during the standardisation of this instrument in the United Kingdom and America. The study concluded that (1) there is an urgent need for more appropriate South African normative data for this test; and (2) that when assessing African children from disadvantaged backgrounds, further research into the effects of cultural and socio-economic factors and gender on non-verbal intelligence (and on performance on this test in particular) is required.
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An exploration of the factors which promote and impede correctional supervision effectiveness with regard to the juvenile or youth offenders
- Authors: Van Zyl, Claudette
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Juvenile corrections , Juvenile delinquency , Juvenile delinquents. , Social work with juvenile delinquents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:709 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006529 , Juvenile corrections , Juvenile delinquency , Juvenile delinquents. , Social work with juvenile delinquents
- Description: Youth Crime is increasing at an alarming rate and imprisonment as the only measure of punishment has become a contentious issue for the South African Correctional Services. National and international awareness has been raised about young people at risk in the 1992 campaign" Justice for the children: No child should be caged". In the words of Ruth Morris: " Prisons are not the greatest. They breed bitterness and crime, destroy people who work and live in them and its not nice to cage your fellow human beings. Prisons cost more than the best university education, while giving appalling results". (1993 (1) SA 476). The question that needs to be asked is whether imprisonment really does effect the punitive motives of deterrence, retribution, protecting the community and rehabilitation of the offender. The introduction of correctional supervision as a sentencing option has ushered in a new phase in our criminal justice system. The South African Model of correctional supervision is described as a community-based sentence that is served within the community and the probationer is subject to stringent conditions such as house arrest, community service, monitoring and the attendance of treatment programmes. The study aimed to: * identify the variables that appear to be operating in determining the successful and or unsuccessful correctional supervision sentences with young offenders; (the terms effectiveness and successful are used interchangeably). * contribute to a better understanding of working with young offenders in the community and to make positive recommendations concerning their rehabilitation. The design applied in this study was the exploratory-descriptive design. It was exploratory since the field of correctional supervision at this stage is not well developed and descriptive because the researcher described features of this phenomenon. This was combined with an empirical investigation that explored the youths experience on correctional supervision. Another component of the empirical investigation consisted of how the parents or significant other as well as the supervision committee perceived the respondents adjustment on correctional supervision. The findings of the empirical investigation clearly showed that although the respondents found house arrest extremely difficult to comply with, their overall functioning and adjustment in the community was positive. Factors that emerged from the study that can promote a successful correctional supervision sentence were factors such as positive support systems that can instill discipline, no involvement in gangsterism, no family pathologies such as alcoholism, family violence and financial problems. Factors such as negative attitude of staff members, familial problems, stringent house arrest conditions, financial problems impeded the youths functioning on correctional supervision. The correctional social worker together with the multi-disciplinary team both have a cardinal role to play in the treatment of the young offender. The various professions with their expertise have a major role to play in the treatment programmes geared to assist the young offender to reintegrate and function positively in the community
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An investigation into the implementation of group work, as a method of social work intervention, in health settings in South Africa
- Authors: Caires, Juliet Margarita
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Social group work , Community health services -- South Africa , Medical care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:691 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006373 , Social group work , Community health services -- South Africa , Medical care -- South Africa
- Description: This research aims to discover whether social workers employed in health settings in South Africa use group work as a method of intervention with patients. It attempts to explore in which hospitals (or particular patient populations) group work is considered possible, and to discover to what extent social workers in health settings consider group work to be beneficial to patients. It also attempts to discover some of the potential difficulties experienced in initiating group work in medical settings. An effort is also made to establish, from social workers active and experienced in the field of medical social work,what place group work might have in the broader context of health services in the future. Data was obtained through the use of mailed questionnaires, which were sent to 186 health settings, across South Africa. These settings were chosen according to the following priorities: i) those known to have social workers ii) services offered (e.g. oncology, psychotherapy) iii) size of the setting iv) geographical location (both urban and rural in all nine provinces). The sample included general public and private hospitals, psychiatric hospitals (both public and private), mining hospitals and other health settings such as old age homes and facilities for the mentally retarded and for alcohol and drug rehabilitation (accompanied by a medical facility). Responses were received from 90 health settings, with 64 of these being completed questionnaires. The majority of responses came from public hospitals, and the least from the mining hospital category. Findings of this study indicate that group work is used by 50% of the health settings in South Africa. Groups are most often therapeutic or educational in nature, are run on average once a week for an hour, and are usually of open membership. Group work is not used in some health settings, most commonly due to insufficient time (on the part of the social worker). From the findings, it seems that many more social workers would like to run groups for patients than they do presently. The benefits of group work are acknowledged by the majority of this study's sample of social workers, and if solutions could be found to problems such as heavy caseloads and insufficient time, more social workers would choose to use group work than are doing so currently. Group work is considered to be a feasible method, both in the hospitals and at primary health care level. With South Africa's growing emphasis on primary health care, and the proposed inclusion (by the Department of Health) of social work services at this level, it is important that social workers find a way in which to meet the needs of patients at both levels. With group work, this may be possible.
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SAPS members' experience of diversity and diversity training within the SAPS
- Authors: Everton, Wilma
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Police -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Cross-cultural orientation , Sex discrimination in criminal justice administration -- South Africa , Discrimination in criminal justice administration -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:2973 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002482 , Police -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Cross-cultural orientation , Sex discrimination in criminal justice administration -- South Africa , Discrimination in criminal justice administration -- South Africa
- Description: During this study, an attempt was made to explore the opinions and attitudes of members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) towards issues of diversity before, immediately after and three months after participating in diversity training workshops presented by the SAPS Training Division during 1997 in Port Elizabeth. The aim of this thesis was not to assess the diversity training itself, but to discover if the training, as currently presented, in any way influenced the attitudes of participants. In order to meet this goal, literature and empirical studies were conducted. The literature study sets the theoretical foundation pertaining to the history of the SAPS and the attitudes and prejudices of and diversity among SAPS members. During the empirical research phase, a non-probability purposive sampling procedure was adopted. Four of a range of diversity workshops presented by the Training Division of the SAPS during 1997 were selected for the purpose of this study. An internal SAPS process was used to nominate members to attend the workshops. The researcher requested the participants in each of the four workshops to complete a self-administered questionnaire before as well as after the workshop concerned. Immediately after each of the four workshops, a short interview was held with each attendee. To explore the stability of any change evident from responses on the questionnaires completed after the workshops, the attendees were again requested to complete the same questionnaire three months later. To increase the validity of any conclusion that attitudinal change was related to the workshop, a control group was used. This study has revealed that a cross-spectrum of SAPS members of both sexes and diverse racial backgrounds believe that various forms of discrimination exist within the SAPS. It confirmed that the diversity training presented by the SAPS Training Division is a useful instrument to heighten members' awareness of the different norms and customs of other cultural/ethnic groups and of the necessity that the SAPS should be constituted of a cross-spectrum of racial groups reflecting the South African society. Finally, based on the research findings, recommendations were made involving management and its supportive services and diversity training.
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The psychological adjustment of middle managers after revolutionary organisational change
- Authors: Coates, Nicholas Robert
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: Psychology, Industrial -- South Africa Organizational change -- South Africa Organizational change -- Psychological aspects Management -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3190 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008554
- Description:
With the accelerated process of political and socio-economic transformation in South Africa, revolutionary organisational change has become a given in contemporary South African business life (Human & Horwitz, 1992). For revolutionary organisational change to succeed in South Africa, middle managers who represent the 'cement' of the organisation, need to adjust at the individual level. However, the literature on organisational change remains curiously silent about individual adjustment (Ashford, 1988). The goals of the research were firstly, to recount the middle manager's perceptions and experiences of revolutionary organisational change. Secondly, to detail the psychological re-
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Barrier-free tourism in the natural environment for people with physical disabilities with specific reference to Eastern Cape facilities
- Authors: Chapman, Sally Lynn
- Date: 1998
- Subjects: People with disabilities -- Travel -- South Africa , People with disabilities -- Services for -- South Africa , Game reserves -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Trails -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:693 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006384 , People with disabilities -- Travel -- South Africa , People with disabilities -- Services for -- South Africa , Game reserves -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Trails -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Social workers are becoming increasingly involved in community projects, thus allowing them to reach more people. One of these areas involves the sensitising of society in the removal of barriers which prevent people with disabilities from living balanced and integrated lives. One aspect requiring particular attention is the natural environment which, until recently, has been neglected. In order to increase the knowledge of the researcher in the field of environmental accessibility, twenty six people with physical disabilities were interviewed to ascertain which factors they saw as important and relevant when assessing the natural environment. Their ideas were incorporated into practical assessments of a game reserve and a possible hiking trail for people with disabilities. As it is of vital importance to include the consumers in studies of this nature, selected people with varying abilities and disabilities assisted in these "hands on" studies. Qualitative interviews were also conducted on the owners of facilities who were in the process of making their facilities accessible. This allowed the researcher and selected people with disabilities to evaluate positive and negative experiences, thus adding to their knowledge base and building capacity for people with disabilities
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English communication in the hospitality industry: the employees' perspective
- Authors: Hobson, Josephine Mary
- Date: 1998
- Subjects: Hospitality industry -- Employees -- Training of -- South Africa , English language -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Foreign speakers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:2992 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002501 , Hospitality industry -- Employees -- Training of -- South Africa , English language -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Foreign speakers
- Description: The purpose of this research project was to explore the English communicative competency of management and supervisory level employees within the South Mrican hospitality industry. The Pro lit English Written Assessment, a competency-based assessment tool, was used to establish a relatively objective measure of the English communicative competency of nineteen managers and supervisors. Thereafter thirteen of these respondents were interviewed to determine their perceptions of their English communicative competency and the impact thereof on their work situation, as well as their perceptions of their learning needs and recommendations for intervention. The researcher selected a multi-method approach to the investigation and sought both quantitative and qualitative data. The assessment revealed that the English reading and writing ability of the respondents is distinctly lower than their recorded education level and inadequate in relation to the tasks they are expected to perform at work. The interviews indicated that the respondents are not aware of their lack of English communicative competency or the implications thereof. However, the respondents expressed important insights into the factors that should be taken into account when planning an educational intervention III an organization. These included the need to incorporate English second language learning principles, to treat the learner as an individual, to involve the learner in the decision-making process, to consider the practical concerns of the learner and to ensure that the programme content is appropriate. Recommendations for human resource practices and research in the hospitality industry are presented.
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Testing Guidano's model of psychopathology in eating-disordered individuals : a multiple case study
- Authors: Hajayiannis, Helen
- Date: 1998
- Subjects: Psychology, Pathological Eating disorders -- Case studies Guidano, V F Eating disorders -- Etiology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3192 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008557
- Description: This thesis sets out to critically examine Guidano's model of psychopathology in eating-disordered individuals . The literature review highlights the diverse etiological approaches that have been taken in understanding eating disorders. Guidano's model is presented as an alternative to traditional approaches . It is a developmental, unitary model of psychopathology, conceptualised within a systems/process-oriented approach to organised complexity. Within a qualitative framework, case study methodology is utilised to test the viability and limitations of Guidano's model. Four in-depth case histories are presented which offer appropriate material for the testing of the model. The data is analysed using the reading guide method and presented in terms of the four features of Guidano's model: (1) dysfunctional patterns of attachment; (2) sense of self; (3) major themes on systemic coherence; (4) common coping strategies. The findings of the research support Guidano's model of psychopathology in eating-disordered individuals. The findings are: (1) attachment styles are ambiguous, "intrusive, and enmeshed; participants experience a disappointment in the preferential attachment relationship; (2) that participants' sense of self is blurred and wavering; (3) the major theme on systemic coherence is the oscillation between seeking and avoiding intimacy; (4) common coping strategies are: the seeking of supportive intimacy with minimal self-exposure; withdrawal into the self; perfectionism; the development of an eating disorder; continuous thoughts about food, eating, and weight which prevents participants from becoming aware of the real issues confronting them. An evaluation of Guidano's model in terms of its specific contribution to knowledge and research on the role of father in child and adolescent psychopathology, as well as how father effects evidence in eating disorders, demonstrates the model's value as an explanatory tool and raises implications for future treatment, theory, and research practices of eating-disordered individuals.
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The development of academic literacy in the first-year psychology course at Rhodes University: an assessment of the tutorial programme
- Authors: Amos, Trevor Lawrence
- Date: 1998
- Subjects: Psychology -- Study and teaching (Higher) , Psychology -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Academic achievement -- South Africa , College student development programs -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:2923 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002432 , Psychology -- Study and teaching (Higher) , Psychology -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa , Academic achievement -- South Africa , College student development programs -- South Africa
- Description: This research is concerned with the cognitive development of students in higher education. Specifically, it is recognised that the demands facing students are different to those previously encountered in secondary education. These demands include being able to master what Strohm Kitchener (1983) calls ill-structured problems and learning the groundrules of their academic disciplines. This is termed academic literacy. Current thought in academic development proposes that students need to be shown how to mobilise their cognitive processes to meet these demands. It is argued that this is best accomplished when such activities are integrated into the discipline itself as opposed to being an add-on process. Taking into account the social and dialectical nature of learning (Vygotsky, 1978), academic development and academic literacy are seen to best occur within the tutorial system. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the 1997 first-year Psychology tutorial programme at Rhodes University, Grahamstown to assess how academic literacy was being developed. A qualitative research approach was followed, guided by the ten stage evaluation model of education programmes (Jacobs, 1996) and an adapted version of the Context, Input, Process and Product approach to evaluation (Parlett and Hamilton cited in Calder, 1995, p.25). Using indepth interviews, data was gathered from eight first year students, seven staff members and one programme co-ordinator. Focus groups were used to gather data from nine tutors. Further data collection techniques included observation of tutor briefing sessions and tutorials as well as documentary research. Data was analysed using qualitative data analysis techniques (Coffey & Atkinson, 1996). The Psychology Department at Rhodes University aims to integrate the development of academic literacy into mainstream teaching at the first year level through its tutorial programme. The Department has conceptualised its understanding of academic development as the development of academic, vocational and professional literacy which is rather unique. Academic literacy is defined and conceptualised further in a list of pre-determined skills (reading, writing and general skills) to be developed incrementally. This conceptualisation of academic literacy tends to neglect to include the mobilisation of relevant cognitive processes explicitly and the implementation tends to remain implicit. A lack of tactical strategies to implement academic development is evidence of the difficulty in moving from the philosophical level of academic development to the practical level. The programme is perceived as disorganised and lacking in a co-ordinated or incremental development of the predetermined skills.
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Women's experience of abortion : a qualitative study
- Authors: Taylor, Gaye Lesley
- Date: 1998
- Subjects: Abortion , Abortion -- South Africa , Women -- Counseling of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:708 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006522 , Abortion , Abortion -- South Africa , Women -- Counseling of
- Description: Abortion is an emotive topic that always raises strong feelings. The purpose of this study, however, is not to focus on the religious, political or moral questions surrounding abortion. Abortion is a reality and in South Africa, where it has only recently become legal, there is a need to have an understanding of the effects on women in order to provide counselling services. There is also a need to provide services for the many women who have had illegal terminations in the past. This study reviewed the most recent literature on the subject and the researcher takes the view that although the scientific literature states there is little long term psychological effect of abortion, the non-positivist literature which records women's experiences tells another story. Some of the problems with the scientific literature is that psychological effects are not defined and there may be political motivation for the study, ie. an attempt is made to prove that the health costs are not high for abortion because there is little long term effect. The researcher, however, feels this does a disservice to women who have had abortions because there is a failure to provide counselling services. Some members of the feminist movement also deserve criticism because in their haste to give women their rights they fail to allow a woman to thoroughly explore her options beforehand and to provide support services afterwards. The researcher, however, also identified a new theme in the literature which has been called a maturing of the feminist viewpoint that along with the right to abortion, women also have a right to the mixed feelings that go with making, what is for many, a very painful decision. There is a recognition that abortion is about loss and thus there is a corresponding need to acknowledge women's need to mourn and to provide services. The study does not include the experience of women who seek abortions for reasons of poverty. It also excludes the experience of women who have abortions as a result of rape, incest or harm to the foetus. It is a qualitative study and a non-probability sampling technique which comprised snowball and purposive methods was used to identify respondents. In-depth semi-structured interviews using a broad theme of questions were conducted with five respondents. The women were asked to tell the stories of their abortions: their and their partner's feelings before and after, how they decided and the actual experience. They were also asked to identify counselling requirements, what they found helpful and what would have helped. The literature and the findings support the researcher's view that women who find themselves with an unexpected pregnancy need an opportunity to objectively consider all their options, namely keeping the baby, adoption or abortion, and to have an objective counsellor assist them in vigorously considering these. If they decide on a termination they need to be given as much information as possible about the procedure and about how they are likely to feel. Afterwards counselling should be made available and women should be encouraged to use the service. They need to be assisted to explore all ways of coming to terms with it such as through dream work, dialogueing with the unborn child through a letter and for those with religious beliefs seeking absolution from the church. There is a great need for a Christian and other religious ministry in this regard. Self-help therapies such as support groups can also be helpful
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Die ontwikkeling van 'n plattelandse tak van die ACVV 1900-1996
- Authors: du Plessis, Alette Marjorie
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: Afrikaanse Christelike Vrouevereniging -- History , Charities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Cradock -- History , Afrikaners -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Cradock -- Charities -- History
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:694 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006387 , Afrikaanse Christelike Vrouevereniging -- History , Charities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Cradock -- History , Afrikaners -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Cradock -- Charities -- History
- Description: Die ACVV is een van die oudste gesinsorgorganisasies in Suid-Afrika en die oudste vrou-welsynsvereniging. Die organisasie is in 1904 gestig, maar dit word bewys dat dit in werklikheid ouer is. Die ontstaan is die gevolg van noodlenigingswerk wat in sovele Kaaplandse dorpe en stede aangepak is deur die Afrikaanse vroue om sover moontlik die smarte van die Anglo-Boere-oorlog te verlig. Dit was veral in die jare 1900 en 1902 toe plaaslike komitees in verskeie dorpe gestig is om eetware, klere en leesstof aan die krygsgevangenes in die kamp te stuur en later aan die vroue in konsentrasiekampe. Hieruit kan afgelei word dat die organisasie ontstaan het met oorlewing as oogmerk. Toe die oorlog verby is, het die begeerte posgevat om van hierdie komitees iets blywends te maak. Lambrechts en Theron (1959:31) bepaal dat daar drie tydperke onderskei word by die nagaan van die werksaamhede van die ACVV. In die bestudering van die plaaslike omstandighede word die stelling as waar bewys, maar word die tydperke aangepas om die situasie in 'n wyer spektrum waar te neem. Die eerste tydperk word hoofsaaklik gekenmerk deur die groei van die vereniging en die reelings wat getref is vir die doeltreffende organisasie van die werk wat verrig is deur vrywillige werkers. Die tweede tydperk val saam met 'n algehele nuwe benadering teenoor welsynswerk wat gevloei het uit die vermeerderde kennis en studie van Sosiale Wetenskappe en die vraagstuk van verarming in Suid-Afrika na die jare van droogte en depressie. 'n Derde tydperk is geëidentifiseer waarin die land tred gehou het met die wereldtendens waarin die staat 'n groter aandeel in welsynsdienste begin neem het. 'n Toenemende toepassing van die beleid van staatshulp aan partikuliere organisasies is 'n erkenning van staatsweë dat daar bepaalde take is wat beter deur hierdie organisasies vervul kan word. Dit het ACW-takke in staat gestel om maatskaplike werkers aan te stel in gesubsidieerde poste. Die ACVV se dienste het gedurig ontwikkeling getoon en het noodleniging, gesinsorgdienste, groepdienste en residensiële sorg ingesluit. Dienste het sekondêr ontwikkel en baie klem is op bejaardesorg geplaas wat onder andere die oprigting en bestuur van tehuise en dienssentrums tot gevolg gehad het. Gesinsorgwerk vorm die eintlike kern van die werksaamhede van die ACVV, want al sy ondernemings het ten doel die bevordering van 'n gesonde gesinslewe. Dienste van die vereniging aan die individuele gesinslid het steeds ten doel om beter by sy gesin, en gevolglik ook beter by die samelewing aan te pas. 'n Duidelike ontwikkeling word beskryf wat vanaf 1990 tot 'n punt van verdere veranderinge gedryf word deur omstandighede buite die ACVV. Die belangrikste hiervan is 'n dramatiese verandering in regeringsbeleid waarby die ACVV moes aansluit. Dit het wesentlike aanpassings meegebring op die gebied van werksarea en die kliêntesisteem, aangesien die ACVV in die verlede hoofsaaklik in die behoeftes van die blanke kultuurgroep voorsien het. Later het subsidievereistes die vereniging verhoed om buite hierdie beperkings te werk. Die aanpassings het egter nie tot gevolg gehad dat die vereniging doelstellings, waardes en norme moes laat vaar nie. Verskeie rolspelers is betrokke by praktiese en basiese dienslewering tot besluitneming op die hoogste vlak. Die ACVV se struktuur het grootliks dieselfde gebly met die Kongres as hoogste gesag. Die dienste van die Hoofbestuur het sodanig uitgebrei dat dit leiding kon bied aan takke op grondvlak. Dit is deurgaans duidelik dat die vrywillige werker binne die organisasie die kern en basis vorm waarop die vereniging voortbestaan. Die ACVV sal in die toekoms steeds In rol het om te vervul in 'n veranderde omgewing wat uitdagings bied vir dienslewering en waar uitgebreide behoeftes ten opsigte van maatskaplike ontwikkeling bestaan
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The role of drinking fathers in later contradictions and choices in the lives of married women
- Authors: Meyer, Jennifer Anne
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: Adult children of alcoholics -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3018 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002527 , Adult children of alcoholics -- Psychology
- Description: This qualitative, interpretive research sought to elicit explanations for certain contradictions and choices in the lives of four married women who were autonomous and assertive in their careers, yet non-assertive and compliant in their married lives. Such contradictions appeared both in their projected stories and semi-structured interviews. It had been expected that these projected stories would reveal autonomy and assertiveness, in line with the white, middle-class, feminist values of the subjects, but they had not. Explanations for these apparent contradictions were attributed to the effects of being children of alcoholic fathers. While the subjects' socialisation and vulnerability to family ideology provided certain explanations for the presence of such contradictions, an object relations account of the unconscious need to resurrect an ideal father and repair the generic family provided a more probable explanation,and accounted for their traditional gender role behaviour as ideal wives in spite of their non-traditional, feminist behaviour outside of marriage.
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