OpenUCT :: Browsing by Author "Ward, Catherine"

Browsing by Author "Ward, Catherine"

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Open Access
A systematic review of interventions for emotionally dysregulated children
(University of Cape Town, 2020) Timakwe, Ayabonga Mbalentle; Ward, Catherine
Emotion regulatory problems in children, such as uncontrollable tantrums, kicking, and screaming, are a concern for parents. When parents and caregivers have no tools at their disposal to deal effectively with this, they may resort to physical measures of discipline, which may lead to physical abuse and also have negative effects on the wellbeing of the child. There is a need for a set of skills for what to do during these crisis moments. However, the state of evidence on this is unknown. Thus, a systematic review of interventions for emotionally dysregulated children was conducted in order to ascertain the state of evidence and to provide parents, teachers, hospital staff and caregivers with a "toolbox" of skills they can use. The findings of the studies indicated that the skills worked when used in a noncoercive manner. Overall the quality of the studies was weak: most were single-case studies. This review provides tentative suggestions of skills that parents and caregivers may find useful with dysregulated children, but further research into the effectiveness of these skills is needed.
Open Access
Adolescents' perspectives on their treatment as inpatients
(2013) Benjamin, Amy; Ward, Catherine
Adolescent inpatient psychiatric care is an accepted intervention for acute adolescent behavioural and emotional problems, yet little is known about patient experiences of this care. This study explores former patientsâ€™ views of the therapeutic factors involved in the treatment they received at Kenilworth Clinicâ€™s Adolescent inpatient unit in Cape Town, South Africa. Twelve ex-patients were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule; the interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed qualitatively using template analysis. In line with Yalom and Leszczâ€™s (2005) work on the therapeutic factors in group work, some of these therapeutic factors featured as major themes in the interviews, specifically: the imparting of information, universality, group cohesiveness, interpersonal learning and catharsis. Other factors featured minimally or not at all; an attempt is made to understand this as well as the potential value of these factors. In addition to these therapeutic factors, patients generally perceived family sessions as both helpful and difficult. Concerns raised by participants about their treatment experience included underage smoking at the unit, confidentiality in aftercare group and a desire for individual therapy by participants. The recommendations made were for the staff at the unit to maximise the therapeutic space for the factors highlighted as important to the patients, to continue to endeavour to prevent patients without consent from smoking and to use rule-breaking therapeutically as far as possible, and to discuss confidentiality rules and concerns in the aftercare group at every session. Ideas for future research were discussed, these included a questionnaire-based study where both staff and patients rank the therapeutic factors involved in treatment according to perceived value and an outcomes study.
Open Access
An evaluative case study of the YiPSA prison post-release programme in Cape Town, South Africa
(2022) Osbourn, Clinton; Ward, Catherine
This research study explored the perceptions of a group of young men that participated in a prison post-release programme implemented by Young in Prison South Africa (YiPSA) based in Cape Town, South Africa, that used primarily arts-based methods to engage the participants. It aimed to explore their perceptions of whether or not participating in the programme affected their attitudes and behaviour, with a particular focus on factors that are associated with desistance. It also aimed to explore which aspects of the programme they considered to be the most significant in affecting their attitudes and behaviours. The research was conducted using an evaluative case study approach. In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 respondents that had participated in the programme between 2013 and 2015, in order to gain an understanding of their perceptions about how their behaviour had changed and what aspects of the programme they thought were most influential in bringing about these changes. The research found that nearly all the respondents reported that their behaviour had shifted to become more empathetic, and their life skills had improved, most particularly their communication skills. They also reported a decrease in criminal activity and changes in their aspirations to more prosocial ambitions as well as improved self-esteem and a newfound purpose. They also reported that they had experienced a shift in their identities, which many scholars believe is necessary for desistance to be maintained. They attributed these changes to a combination of various factors. This included the sense of belonging that they felt while participating in the programme, which was nurtured by the supportive relationships with staff and the non-judgemental environment. They also referred to learning new skills and exposure to new experiences, which were linked to the creative projects that they completed while attending the programme. The findings of the research indicate that the creative methods that were utilized were an effective way of engaging the young people when they left prison, as they appealed to their interests and gave them opportunities to learn new skills as well as practice behaviours that are associated with desistance. Recommendations are made for the Department of Correctional Service as well as nongovernmental organisations and social service professionals who are working with this target group.
Open Access
Caregivers' and adolescents' perceptions of a culturally adapted, evidence—based programme for substance-misusing teens
(2020) Chibambo, Vimbayinashe Sithembile; Ward, Catherine; Carney,Tara
Context – The prevalence of problem substance use is a global concern, particularly for adolescents due to their ongoing developmental changes. Amongst other contributory factors, parenting styles adopted by parents and caregivers can either; increase the risks of their children developing substance misuse problems or prevent its onset. Knowledge about the needs and experiences of the caregivers of adolescents who misuse substances is limited and greatly under-researched. Brief interventions (BIs) have been identified as an effective means of tackling this problem-type behaviour among adolescents, including ‘Teen Intervene', which was developed in the US. This evidence-based intervention included a parent component which has been found to further enhance the interventions' positive outcomes. Rationale – In light of the unique caregiver structures in South Africa, the general neglect of their needs in the South African literature with regards to interventions and the high prevalence of adolescent substance misuse in the Western Cape, exploring these needs within the country's context is warranted and necessary. Design and data collection – This was a qualitative study and data for the study was collected in two main phases: through focus group discussions to identify caregivers needs and to explore perceptions of the intervention; and post-intervention interviews with caregivers and adolescents at a 1-month follow-up session. Findings – Template analysis revealed six main themes: 1) Access to knowledge about substance misuse; 2) Parenting skills; 3) Sources of emotional support; 4) Empowerment for female caregivers; 5) Financial concerns; and 6) Alternative solutions to adolescent's involvement in the justice system. Caregivers also reported various feelings that are a direct result of their experiences. Discussion – Caregivers have distinct needs that require designated responses, however, some of these needs can be addressed through their inclusion in treatment interventions for adolescents who misuse substances.
Open Access
Creating a Sustainable Future: Task-shifting for Adolescent Mental Health Care
(2022) Faku, Nqabisa; Ward, Catherine; Lund, Crick
South African adolescents face many historical, political, social, cultural, and economic influences in their lives that are perpetuated based on race and class. Unfortunately, the availability of mental health treatment for at-risk adolescents is inadequate in the current mental healthcare system in South Africa. Project ASPIRE is a counselling mental health programme designed for registered counsellors to deliver age-appropriate mental health services to meet the mental health needs of adolescents in community-based settings. This study aimed to explore the facilitators and barriers to task-shifting in Project ASPIRE through the views and experiences of the registered counsellors, the supervisor, and the adolescents. The researcher conducted semi-structured interviews and used the framework analysis method and thematic narrative analysis to analyze the data. The facilitating factors associated with making the intervention successful were intervention-related factors such as the value of the counselling techniques, flexibility and adaptability of the structure of the sessions and content relevance; supervision and supervisor-related factors such as ongoing supervision and monitoring and evaluation assessments; counsellor-related factors such as patient-tracking duties and upholding diversity, equity and inclusion; and adolescent-related factors such as intrinsic motivation and accessible and appropriate counselling services and sites. The barriers associated with posing challenges to the conditions, design, and structure of the ASPIRE counselling programme were intervention-related factors such as weak referral pathways and the amount of reading required by the patient handbook; contextual factors such as the multiple deprivations that severely disadvantaged Black adolescents and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; supervisor-related factors such as experiencing imposter syndrome, lacking cultural sensitivity training for the Xhosa population and high case volumes; and counsellor-related factors such as the constant disruption of work and supervision schedules caused by fulfilling patient-tracking duties and appointment availability issues. Moving forward, the ASPIRE principal investigators must strategically address the unique challenges that the adolescents, counsellors, and the counsellor supervisor experienced because of the conditions, design, structure, and the limited workforce of the ASPIRE counselling programme to improve the intervention for future trials.
Open Access
Educating for citizen leadership: exploring the University of Cape Town’s global citizenship programme
(2019) Joseph, Loren; Ward, Catherine
This dissertation explores the University of Cape Town’s Global Citizenship (GC) Programme as a site for teaching citizen leadership. We live in times that are marked by complexity, uncertainty, and a plethora of global challenges, many of which have resulted in injustices in people’s lived experiences. Increasingly ordinary citizens are calling for new ways of leading change which combats social injustices. This form of leadership values social justice, democracy, equity, shared agency, active and engaged citizenship – this is regarded as citizen leadership. Higher education institutions have a role to play in developing student leaders who are equipped with the capacities to confront uncertainty and thrive in a changing world. This study recruited student participants of the GC programme courses. In total, ten students participated in one of four focus group discussions which were guided by semi-structured interviews, and ninety students consented to have their reflective essays on the GC programme courses analysed. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, the participants’ experience of the programme, in the focus group discussions and reflective essays, was examined to determine how they understood citizenship, social justice and leadership in relation to the programme’s teachings. The findings revealed that most students regarded the programme as developing their capacities for active and engaged global citizenship. Most students did not view the programme as teaching leadership; however, based on the definition of citizen leadership, I argue that the programme is indeed a site for teaching this form of leadership. It is recommended that the programme staff make the connection between active and engaged citizenship, social justice, and leadership more explicit in their curricula and teaching. It is believed that this change to the programme will enable students to have a clearer understanding of themselves as leaders prepared for the world beyond university and enabled to bring purposeful change to the world.
Open Access
Educating for citizen leadership: exploring the University of Cape Town’s global citizenship programme
(2019) Joseph, Loren; Ward, Catherine
This dissertation explores the University of Cape Town’s Global Citizenship (GC) Programme as a site for teaching citizen leadership. We live in times that are marked by complexity, uncertainty, and a plethora of global challenges, many of which have resulted in injustices in people’s lived experiences. Increasingly ordinary citizens are calling for new ways of leading change which combats social injustices. This form of leadership values social justice, democracy, equity, shared agency, active and engaged citizenship – this is regarded as citizen leadership. Higher education institutions have a role to play in developing student leaders who are equipped with the capacities to confront uncertainty and thrive in a changing world. This study recruited student participants of the GC programme courses. In total, ten students participated in one of four focus group discussions which were guided by semi-structured interviews, and ninety students consented to have their reflective essays on the GC programme courses analysed. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, the participants’ experience of the programme, in the focus group discussions and reflective essays, was examined to determine how they understood citizenship, social justice and leadership in relation to the programme’s teachings. The findings revealed that most students regarded the programme as developing their capacities for active and engaged global citizenship. Most students did not view the programme as teaching leadership; however, based on the definition of citizen leadership, I argue that the programme is indeed a site for teaching this form of leadership. It is recommended that the programme staff make the connection between active and engaged citizenship, social justice, and leadership more explicit in their curricula and teaching. It is believed that this change to the programme will enable students to have a clearer understanding of themselves as leaders prepared for the world beyond university and enabled to bring purposeful change to the world.
Open Access
Emergency medicine registrars' attitudes towards youth violence prevention interventions in Cape Town emergency centres
(2017) De Man, Martin; Ward, Catherine; Geduld, Heike
Background: The City of Cape Town, South Africa, has a large youth violence problem with the highest percentage of non-natural deaths per age group in Cape Town occurring between 15 and 24 years of age. Many authorities suggest that youth violence is preventable and there is a fast growing international knowledge base on how emergency centres (ECs) and EC personnel can contribute to youth violence prevention (YVP). In order to utilise this opportunity most effectively, it is important to understand the challenges faced by EC staff, their perceptions of youth violence, and their willingness to engage in YVP interventions in the EC. There is currently no known EC-based YVP intervention in South Africa. Objectives: This study explored the perceptions and attitudes of Cape Town emergency medicine doctors on youth violence, their role in YVP and how it applies to their practice in the EC. Methods: Semi-structured focus groups, each with 3-5 Cape Town emergency medicine (EM) registrars, were conducted, using five basis questions for discussion to elicit participants' perceptions of and attitudes towards YVP. Data saturation was reached after three focus groups. Thematic analysis as described by Braun and Clarke was carried out on the focus group data sets. Results: The three focus groups were all diverse in terms of race, gender, and level of training. In terms of the "Extent of the problem" themes around acceptability and increased burden were explored."Youth Violence Prevention in the EC" focused on the need for a champion, role of the emergency doctor vs. other stakeholders and sustainability issues. Conclusions: EM registrars in Cape Town have a very limited knowledge of YVP in general and specific to the EC. They are faced with immense challenges that relate to patient load, violence directed to EC personnel, and a sense of despair or despondence in terms of ability to effect change. Concerns about the possible implementation of YVP interventions were sustained funding and sustainability in general. These and other factors influenced attitudes towards EC initiated YVP. Notwithstanding challenges, this study has shown an overwhelmingly positive attitude of EM registrars towards the concept of YVP intervention in the EC, and them being the champion or co-champion of it. Recommendations: It is recommended that EM registrars in their training time should receive theoretical and practical training on YVP which can lead to increased awareness of YVP issue, the need to know resources in the community, and in the future will make it easier to implement a pilot intervention project in a selected EC. Further research is needed on a relevant screening tool to identify high risk patients in local ECs.
Open Access
Emergency service workers' coping in response to traumatic events : associations with psychiatric symptoms
(2007) Stanley, C J; Ward, Catherine; Thomas, Kevin
This study aimed to explore the relationship between coping strategies and posttraumatic symptomology in emergency service workers in the Western Cape. Three fundamental coping strategies were assessed: seeking social support, problem-solving, and avoidance. I hypothesised that seeking social support and problem-solving would be associated with decreased levels of psychiatric symptoms, while avoidance would be associated with increased levels of psychiatric symptoms.
Open Access
Evaluation of the Cape Town Drug Counselling Centre: a theory and outcomes-based approach
(2013) Duffett, Lynda; Ward, Catherine
This study examined treatment response and participant characteristics amongst substance misusing clients of a Cape Town low-cost out-patient treatment programme.A theory-based approach to the evaluation was used and substance use outcomes of participants were measured over the three time periods of admission, 6- weeks postadmission (immediately after the intervention) and 10-weeks post-admission as were elements of the Centre's causal chain mechanism: Relationships between the domains of motivation (comprising the three sub-scales of Recognition, Taking Steps and Ambivalence), drug-taking confidence (self-efficacy), Alcoholics/Narcotics Anonymous affiliation and previous clean time against levels of substance use and severity of dependence at each time point were measured. Substance use and levels of severity of dependence should decline over time. As Self-Efficacy, Taking Steps and NA/AA Affiliation scores increase, so substance use levels and levels of severity of dependence should decrease. Higher scores of Recognition and Ambivalence should be associated with higher levels of substance use and severity of dependence. Forty seven percent of participants reported abstinence of all substances at 10-week follow-up and a further 13% abstained from all substances with the exception of alcohol which they had used only once or twice. Reductions in use of individual substances were high: 95% of participants who, on admission, reported use of methaquolone (mandrax), 89% of heroin users, 84% of cocaine users and 73% of methamphetamine users reported abstinence of those drugs at 10-week follow-up. Self-Efficacy and Taking Steps scores significantly increased over time and were also significantly associated with reduction in substance use and severity of dependence. Higher Recognition scores were significantly associated with higher levels of substance use at admission and 10-week follow-up. There was an inverse association between amount of exposure to the treatment programme and levels of substance abuse and severity of dependence. NA/AA affiliation was low at all time points and did not appear to be associated with reductions in substance use. As substance use and substance dependence significantly decreased and as measurable elements in the chain of causal mechanisms changed over time consistent with programme causal theory, and as the change in those elements impacted on levels of substance use in a significant way, it can be tentatively suggested that there was a treatment programme effect.
Open Access
Evaluation of the Parent Centre's positive parenting skills training programme: a randomised controlled trial
(2015) Lester, Soraya Natalie; Ward, Catherine
This dissertation is both an assessment of the fidelity, and outcomes, of a parenting programme. The programme is implemented by The Parent Centre, a non-profit organisation (NPO) which provides a range of support services for caregivers of children. The primary audience for this dissertation includes programme stakeholders such as the organisation's director, programme manager and programme facilitators. The programme theory underpinning this intervention was created in collaboration with programme stakeholders and expert opinion. Briefly, this theory assumes that by participating in the parenting programme, caregivers are likely to benefit from learning positive parenting techniques which, when used, will catalyse improvements in the relationship they have with their children, and their children's behaviour. A literature review of similar programmes' effectiveness was conducted to assess its plausibility. This review found evidence which largely supported the programme's theory. This programme theory helped guide the focus of the evaluation. A total of nine evaluation questions were formulated. Two of these aimed to determine whether the programme was implemented with fidelity. The remaining seven aimed to determine the extent to which the programme was effective in improving its intended parent and child outcomes. A range of measures were employed to answer these questions. Implementation fidelity was assessed through asking programme facilitators to complete sessional checklists, collect programme attendance and participant homework checklists for each session. A randomised controlled trial design was used to assess programme outcomes; pre and post-test interviews were conducted in people's homes which utilised a range of measures. The programme was found to be implemented with high levels of fidelity. Despite high levels of engagement also being demonstrated by those who attended, attendance rates were overall quite low. Limited evidence for programme effectiveness was found using both an intention to treat analysis, and after conducting a second analysis which took into consideration a moderator of programme effectiveness i.e., programme attendance. Poor levels of programme attendance, as well as ceiling effects on some measures at pre-test , changes in the control group over time due to control group participants accessing other parenting assistance, reactivity to the questionnaire, and finally having the post-test conducted immediately after the programme was completed , are all factors which likely contributed to one finding limited evidence for programme effectiveness. Despite these factors hindering one's ability to determine programme effectiveness, further analyses are tentatively recommended based on the results that were found. Once participants have been allowed further time to practice programme skills, it is possible that programme effects may be found. Therefore, a long-term follow-up will likely allow one to come to a stronger conclusion regarding programme effectiveness. Finally, a few recommendations are made with regards to programme design, content, delivery and monitoring of outcomes. Continued emphasis on praise, and some coverage of consistent discipline may increase the programme's effectiveness. Keeping group sizes smaller and including only parents of children of the specified ages will help ensure it is relevant to programme participants. Introducing a basic pre and post programme completion questionnaire will allow The Parent Centre to track outcome achievement over time and facilitate an understanding of participant demographics. More recommendations will be able to be made once the one-year follow-up is completed. This dissertation addresses the gaps in the literature regarding parenting programme effectiveness in South Africa, and low and middle-income countries in general.
Open Access
A formative and outcome evaluation for a substance abuse treatment programme
(2011) Gumpo, Hlalani; Ward, Catherine
Substance abuse is a social problem that has contributed to a burden on the justice system. In South Africa, this problem has been found to be prevalent in Cape Town, the capital of the Western Cape. Methamphetamine, alcohol, cannabis, heroin and cocaine are the most commonly used drugs for which people have sought treatment. These substances are associated with violent behaviour and mental health behaviours which then result in criminal activities. Treatment however is not easily accessible for some socio-economic groups as it is expensive and geographically inaccessible. Alternate methods of treatment in the form of community interventions have been implemented in response to the need for treatment in these disadvantaged communities. This report is an evaluation of one such intervention based in Hanover Park, Cape Town.
Open Access
My kids are then my life : mothering in the context of intimate partner violence
(2014) Rodrigues, Donita; Ward, Catherine
Intimate partner violence is a pervasive public health problem in South Africa, which has devastating effects on a victim’s emotional and physical wellbeing. These abused women often need to parent their children under aversive conditions. With the aim of capturing abused women’s mothering experiences using their own voice, twelve mothers from four shelter facilities in the Cape Metropole engaged in individual, semi-structured interviews. A grounded analysis of the data, located within a phenomenological framework, revealed that the women’s investment in their intimate relationship and mothering were intertwined, with their commitment to the former taking precedence during the earlier part of the relationship given their desire for a loving relationship. The accumulative effects of increased violence, increased awareness of the impact of IPV on their mother-child relationship and children’s wellbeing, coupled with diminished faith in their partner’s ability to change motivated the women to disinvest from their intimate relationship and invest in their mothering. This study provides insight into the subjective mothering experiences of abused women, with due consideration to their process of abuse. Future research which pays equal and simultaneous attention to abused women’s experiences of mothering and their relationship with their partner will be useful in contextualising abused women’s mothering by considering the influence of their intimate relationship. Parenting programmes, in shelter and community settings within South Africa, which adopt a collaborative approach whereby abused women are actively involved in setting outcome goals, may assist abused women to focus on their positive maternal attributes and encourage a supportive and comforting climate amongst abused women.
Open Access
My mom is not interested : a case study of a daughter and her intellectually disabled mother
(2010) Joubert, Susan; Swartz, Sally; Ward, Catherine
"Intimate attachments to other human beings are the hub around which a person's life revolves, not only when (she) is an infant or a toddler or a schoolchild but throughout (her) adolescence and (her) years of maturity as well, and into old age" (Bowlby 1980, p. 422). The attachment literature is a growing area of interest, with renewed focus pioneered by Bowlby. In the South African context attachments to primary caregivers have been under siege of the apartheid group areas act, migrant labour, endemic poverty, widespread HIV/Aids and ongoing political uncertainty. As disorganised attachments in early life result in complex relational disturbance, this research paper commences with a detailed review of the literature on disorganised attachment. It describes the intergenerational transmission of disorganised attachment in one particular case. The research concludes with a reflection on the challenges of interventions in cases of this kind, where resources are limited and work is complex and intransigent.
Open Access
Non-violent discipline options for caregivers and teachers: a systematic overview of the evidence and exploration of the role of attunement
(2020) Quail, Karen; Ward, Catherine
Violence against children is a widespread problem with devastating consequences, and corporal punishment is a risk factor for more serious forms of physical abuse. One reason for the persistence of corporal punishment may be lack of awareness of positive disciplinary alternatives. At the other extreme, lack of awareness of positive options may lead to permissive parenting, which also has negative outcomes for children. The primary objective of this research was to find, and explore the state of the science on, individual non-violent interventions for challenging behavior, in so doing forming a “toolkit” for use by caregivers and teachers. To meet this objective, a systematic overview of systematic reviews was conducted. In the course of the overview, aside from information on the individual discipline tools, data relevant to attunement was collected and explored. Attunement describes sensitive responsiveness of caregivers towards their children, understanding and matching the child's needs and signals with appropriate responses. Results of the overview show that a wide range of evidence-supported interventions exist, many of which have been found effective with severely challenging behavior. Further, evidence was found suggesting the importance of attunement in optimal use of these discipline tools. Practical implications of these findings are discussed and gaps in the research highlighted.
Open Access
Parental engagement in parent training interventions: findings from the Sinovuyo Caring Families Project
(2017) Wessels, Inge Marie; Ward, Catherine
Background: Poor parental engagement in parent training programmes is problematic as it wastes resources, affects prevention research, and prevent parents from engaging in programming that may benefit them. Understanding predictors of engagement, and how it relates to programme outcomes, is central to developing efficient interventions. There has been very little research into these relationships in low- and middle-income countries, like South Africa, and so this study sought to investigate them in the Sinovuyo Caring Families Programme (SCFP) when it was evaluated via randomised controlled trial (N = 296 parent-child dyads) in South Africa. Methods: Mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to explore baseline predictors of enrolment, attendance, and level of home practice completion among intervention group participants. Additionally, qualitative data on the barriers and facilitators of engagement was collected via semi-structured interviews with 32 of these participants. This data was analysed thematically. Finally, generalised linear mixed methods were used to investigate whether there was an association between attendance and programme outcomes. Results: Lower levels of parenting stress, greater use of physical discipline and lower use of psychological discipline significantly predicted the odds of enrolling. There were no significant predictors of attendance, while there was an effect of facilitation pair on the extent of home practice completion. According to qualitative findings, structural, programmatic, and personal factors all affected engagement in the SCFP. Commonly mentioned barriers included alcohol abuse, financial constraints, and a lack of readiness to change. Facilitators of engagement included a greater sense of motivation and family buy-in. Conclusion: Since higher attendance was associated with greater programme benefits, more effort is needed to support enrolment and retention. Parent training interventions should consider parents' readiness for change. Motivational interviewing approaches at the start may help to increase engagement. Programme implementers should also minimise financial barriers to access, such as by providing transport money before the first session or situating programme venues close to participants' homes. Programmes cannot be viewed in isolation of other community problems, such as alcohol abuse, that may affect participants.
Open Access
Parenting : risk and protective factors for mothers with a history of exposure to family violence.
(2012) Moolla, Shereen; Ward, Catherine
This study aimed to assess the influence of intimate partner violence and early childhood abuse on women’s current parenting, and to identify other factors which aid or interrupt positive parenting and how these factors might affect their children’s’ behaviour. Method: Women from the greater Cape Town region in South Africa who had a child between the ages of 3 and 8 years, and who were concerned about the behaviour of that child, were recruited from agencies in low-income contexts serving battered women or providing child care. Interviews were conducted with 203 women, and measures included the Conflict Tactics Scale, the Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scale, the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST), the Parent Stress Index, the General Health Questionnaire, International Child Abuse Screening Tool, the Parenting Sense of Competence, the Duke Support Scales and the Eyberg Child Behaviour Index.
Open Access
Parenting programmes in South Africa: investigating design and evaluation practices
(2012) Wessels, Inge; Ward, Catherine; Dawes, Andrew
Parenting programmes have been shown to have wide-ranging benefits, including the prevention of behavioural and emotional problems in children as well as child maltreatment. The majority of research conducted on parenting programmes is from high-income countries, with little available knowledge on programmes within low- and middle-income countries, such as South Africa. This study sought to identify, as far as possible, the range of parenting programmes offered in South Africa and investigate their design and evaluation practices in relation to best practices. It also sought to identify high-quality programmes which could be scaled-up successfully. This is particularly important in South Africa due to the country’s high rates of violence and child maltreatment.
Open Access
Participants' and implementors' views on the adaptation of the Parenting for Lifelong Health Teen Programme to address both violence against children and violence against women
(2022) Davidson, Natalie; Ward, Catherine
This study collected views about how the Parenting for Lifelong Health (PLH) Teen programme might be adapted to include a more explicit focus on preventing VAW (in addition to its current strength in preventing VAC) and engagement of fathers for the Zimbabwean context. Violence against women (VAW) and violence against children (VAC) intersect in various and damaging ways. Parenting programmes have been identified as a potentially successful way to deal with both simultaneously, given the effect of violence in the family on parenting and the importance of parenting as a key point of intervention to prevent present and future violence. Participants were caregiver and teen (10-17 years) participants of the PLH Teen programme and fathers, mothers and teens (10-17 years) who were not PLH participants; as well as PLH facilitators, from the Mazowe district, Zimbabwe. Qualitative data were collected via Zoom for the individual interviews with the facilitators of the PLH programme and WhatsApp for focus group discussions for the rest of the participants, given the current global pandemic. The findings of this study and a review of relevant literature suggest that a gender-transformative approach, the inclusion of a community focus and the active recruitment and engagement of fathers is needed in terms of the process for the adapted programme. In terms of the content for the adapted programme, the study's findings suggest that there is a need to strengthen and expand the existing communication and conflict resolution skills to consider the couple and the parent-teen relationships and interactions. They also suggest that the budgeting and saving component in the current PLH Teen Programme could perhaps include business skills. Lastly, this study suggests that there is potential for the future use of virtual data collection in low- and middle income countries where there is limited access to video conferencing. This study contributes both to the important work preventing VAW and VAC in one programme as well as the future use of messaging services such as WhatsApp as a data collection tool.
Open Access
Properties of the Albama parenting questionnaire in isiXhosa speaking sample
(2014) Madalane, Mzwandile Sylvester; Ward, Catherine
The high levels of violence in South Africa are of great concern. Harsh and inconsistent parenting practices have been shown to put children at risk of becoming aggressive. The Alabama Parenting Questionnaire (APQ) has proven useful in international studies for detecting the kind of parenting that is associated with aggression in children. There is very limited literature on parenting among isiXhosa-speaking people and other South Africa ethnic populations. lsiXhosa-speaking parents/guardians, who have at least one child between six and eighteen years old and who live around the Cape Town metropole, were chosen as the focus of the study. The purpose of the study was to investigate (a) whether the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire is a useful tool to assess parenting among isiXhosa-speaking parents/guardians and (b) what the psychometric properties of the APQ are in an isiXhosa-speaking sample. The study used a mixed-methods approach. The first part of the study was of a qualitative nature, where the researcher conducted cognitive interviews with nine isiXhosa-speaking parents/guardians in order to pre-test the initial isiXhosa APQ. The participants were asked what they understood the items of the APQ to mean, the difficulties they experienced in understanding some of the items of the APQ, and also why they responded to the items of the APQ as they did. The outcome of this qualitative part was a revised isiXhosa APQ. The second part of the study was quantitative, where the researcher, as part of a research team, conducted quantitative interviews using the APQ and the Externalising Problems subscale of the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) with 313 isiXhosa-speaking parents/guardians about their parenting practices and the behaviours of their children. The results showed that the isiXhosa-speaking participants engaged in positive and involved parenting practices as well as in inconsistent and harsh disciplinary practices. Exploratory factor analysis was done, which suggested a new five factor solution of the APQ in this sample, of which only two factors (named positive and involved parenting practices and inconsistent parental discipline and supervision) had sufficient internal consistency to be deemed as reliable. Finally, negative parenting practices (i.e., lack of positive and involved parenting practices, inconsistent parental discipline and harsh disciplinary practices} were confirmed to be associated with aggression in children. The latter suggested that the APQ is a valid tool to use in an isiXhosa-speaking sample. The significance of the study is firstly that a possible short form isiXhosa version of the APQ is presented. This tool is seen as appropriate and useful to identify parenting practices that are associated with child aggression among isiXhosa-speaking people. Secondly, the study has thrown light on some of the parenting practices among isiXhosa-speaking parents/guardians. Lastly, the study has confirmed what existing literature has said about lack of positive parenting practices, inconsistent parental discipline and/or harsh discipline being significantly associated with aggression in children.