OpenUCT :: Browsing by Subject "Clinical Social Work"

Browsing by Subject "Clinical Social Work"

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Open Access
A phenomenology study of clinicians' perspectives on dissociation while working with traumatised children in the South African context.
(2023) Van, Der Walt Ruth; Addinall, Ronald
The statics of children experiencing trauma is extremely high in South Africa, with the expectation of 1 in 3 children experiencing sexual abuse before eighteen years of age. Trauma is defined as experiences which overwhelm the internal resources of a child and changes their perception of their lives and environment. Dissociation is a protective mechanism functioning to shield the conscious from trauma by preventing the processing of these experiences. The researcher was interested in whether dissociation is a phenomenon which is present in children living in South Africa who have a history of trauma. To determine this, the researcher applied a qualitative approach and phenomenological design to the research. The researcher used a purposive sample of sixteen clinicians practicing in the Western Cape metropole, to determine whether dissociation is present and how it appears in children who have a history of trauma. The findings showed that dissociation was found to be present in children who have experienced trauma living in the Western Cape metropole. Furthermore, the data indicated that between 60 and 80% of children who had experienced trauma present with dissociation. The dissociative symptoms and features identified were misbehaviour and daydreaming. Predisposing and precipitating factors were found to be risk factors for the development of dissociation after a trauma is experienced. These factors were the younger the child when the trauma happened the more likely the development of dissociation. Secondly, the type of trauma experienced and a disorganised attachment style with the caregiver. A protective factor identified was the presence of a secure attachment between the child and caregiver before trauma is experienced. The therapeutic treatment of dissociation was described as holistic in nature by involving the child's caregivers. The main therapy used by the participants with children who present with dissociation were based on play therapy techniques and recreating a sense of safety for the child needs to be a primary goal of treatment. Recommendations for further study was given due to the impression of limited understanding and knowledge of dissociation. The findings emphasised the importance of the caregiver being involved in the therapeutic process and therefore it is recommended that clinicians who render therapeutic services to children include the caregivers in the therapeutic process. The data showed that trauma informed polices and interventions need to be developed to further assist children who have a history of trauma and present with dissociation.
Open Access
Absent fathers and their impact on role confusion among adolescent males
(1994) Eastwood, Joan Elizabeth; Smith, Patrick J D
This study is an exploration of theoretical propositions and their integration with a clinical illustration in order to facilitate an understanding of the universal role of the good-enough father in the psychic development of the child. The premise underlying this study rests on the theoretical object relations framework of Margaret Mahler (197 4), extended by Abelin (1971, 1975), and taken into the phase of adolescence by Blas (1967,1985,1991), which provides a solid, clinical basis for understanding the dynamics of the separation-individuation process. This theoretical basis is expanded by an understanding of analytical psychology, providing the Jungian perspective on individuation, which is encapsulated in the archetypal themes of union, separation, and the capacity to sustain the tension of opposites. As a synthesis of these conceptual frameworks, the writer adopts the propositions put forward by Seligman (1986) that the absent father causes the child to remain enmeshed with the mother. Without a father's emotional support, it becomes almost insurmountably difficult for a child to negotiate the unavoidable separation from the mother, a prerequisite for the confirmation of his identity and the establishment of an autonomous lifestyle. As a treatment modality, Seligman (1986) further proposes that the analyst be "used" by the client's unconscious psyche to build up a live paternal presence within, a symbolic reinstatement of the father image, necessary for the crucial completion of the separation-individuation process. With the re-emergence of the father image, thus enabling a reconciliation of the inner parents, the mother can gradually be relinquished. Those aspects of the client's personality which had been committed to a real or imaginary "oneness" with the mother, and were thus unavailable for the enrichment of his own life, are restored to him, making him more "alive". The illustrative case study demonstrates this therapeutic approach with an adolescent boy who experienced father absence and presented in clinical social work practice with the symptomology of role confusion I individuation avoidance.
Open Access
Adolescents' perceptions of sexual wellbeing
(2022) Olsson, Emeli; Addinall, Ronald
This study explored adolescents' personal understanding of sexual wellbeing among young people aged 16-19 in Langa, Cape Town. The study further explored the participants' understanding of possible promoting and inhibiting factors to sexual wellbeing in their interpersonal and societal context. Twenty participants were selected using purposive sampling. In depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide with open-ended questions. The data was analysed using qualitative research methods. The study revealed the complex nature of sexual wellbeing and how adolescents understand sexual wellbeing in a multi-faceted sense from individual, interpersonal, and societal levels. The most prominent factors of sexual wellbeing on an individual level were identified as maturity, sexual self-concept, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sexual experience. On an interpersonal level the participants identified safer sex practices and consent as important factors of sexual wellbeing. From a societal level, different forms of sexuality knowledge and to be free from discrimination were emphasised. The findings further revealed factors that may promote or inhibit sexual wellbeing in the participants' interpersonal and societal context. The participants identified that communication about sex and sexuality in the family had the potential to promote or inhibit sexual wellbeing. Peer pressure, school sexuality education, and how facilitators at their after-school activity approach sex and sexuality discussions could influence the participants' perceptions of sexual wellbeing. The participants further found that their communities and different forms of media had the potential to influence sexual wellbeing in adolescence. The participants did not perceive themselves as having sexual wellbeing at the moment but discussed several promoting strategies for sexual wellbeing. The participants argued for the importance of positive and supportive communication in their households, and the researcher recommended to further investigate strategies to support caregivers in this role. The participants recommend an improvement of school sexuality education and sexuality information provided at their after-school activities. The researcher supported this recommendation by suggesting comprehensive sexuality education in schools and after-school activities, together with further research into sex-positive approaches to prevention programmes and promoting sexual wellbeing in adolescence.
Open Access
Adoption : parents' perceptions of facilitating factors and challenges in the development of the relationship with their baby
(2016) Henwood, Penelope; Williams, Fatima
The study explored the experiences of parents around their adoption process and relationship-building with their babies. It considered their motivation to adopt and their expectations of what that would entail. Challenges and facilitating factors were examined with regards to how their relationship with their child, rarely new born when placed, grew and developed. The study used Ecological and Attachment theories as theoretical frameworks. This research was conducted using a qualitative research design. Twenty participants (ten adoptive couples) were selected using purposive sampling by an adoption agency and interviewed from a semi-structured interview schedule. Each interview was recorded using a Dictaphone and transcribed by the researcher. Data was thereafter analysed using qualitative methods, specifically analytic induction and open coding. The findings of this study highlighted the complexities of the non-normative transition to adoptive parenthood necessary for many who expected to become parents naturally. The stressors involved include micro and macro preferences for biological kin, fears of not being able to love a child not born to oneself and insecurity around the child returning to their biological parents. It was found that the screening process played a valuable role in lessening these fears, creating support structures and working through loss related to infertility.
Open Access
Adoption reunion : reclaiming the lost object : a psychoanalytic and object relations approach to understanding the adoptee's experience of reunion with the birth mother
(2002) Scordilis, Morag; Becker, Lily
This study explores the adoptee's desire for, and experience of reunion with the birth mother, from within a Psychoanalytic framework, and with an emphasis upon the Object Relations Theory perspective. Adoption reunion may be considered to be an attempt on the part of the adoptee to reclaim the lost object. There are numerous international studies on different aspects of adoption, however, South African studies are sparse. This study seeks to unite the dialectic of the clinical practitioner and adoption practitioner in order to provide a rich and meaningful understanding of post adoption practitioner in order to provide a rich and meaningful understanding of post adoption reunion in South Africa. The study is conducted from 'Within a non-probability framework and is an empirical ethnographic study with a predominantly qualitative, inductive approach, which is exploratory and descriptive in nature. The quantitative research provides width to the in-depth, qualitative data and takes the form of a content analysis. The qualitative aspect of the study employs an in-depth, face- to- face, unstructured interviewing technique, followed by an interview schedule. This approach enables the researcher to enter the world of the adoptee and render it understandable through providing an ''insider" view of the personal narratives and experiences of the subjects. The qualitative sample is comprised of 8 adult adoptees, who experienced face-to-face reunion with the birth mother, while the quantitative sample is comprised of 207 contacts named in the post adoption register of Cape Town Child Welfare between 1989 and i995. The conclusion drawn from the study is that the adoptee's desire for reunion is a health -promoting process which may be motivat0d by both external, social factors as well as intra-psychic forces; the latter resulting from the interruption of early psychic processes. Reunion is seen to be a response to these forces and enables adoptees to establish a mom coherent and integrated sense of Self, and to place themselves within an historical and biological narrative. Adoptees, whilst seeking to reclaim the lost object, do so as a means of reclaiming and completing the Self, the development of which was disturbed as a result of premature Interruption of the primary infant-mother bond. it is further concluded that the value of reunion is not synonymous with the success or outcome of reunion or of the adoption, that the majority of reunion comics are discontinued, and that a negative adoption experience is not more likely to result in the adoptee seeking reunion. Furthermore, reunion constitutes a form of retrospective mourning, which sets the adoptee free to relinquish ties to the lost object and to reclaim Self.
Open Access
An exploration into the stressors and coping strategies of parents caring for children living with Autism spectrum disorder
(2020) Baker, Robyn; Bruyns, Cindee
This study sought to understand the experiences and challenges of parents caring for a child living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A qualitative research design was used to explore the stressors faced, coping strategies used, and support mechanisms needed by parents caring for a child living with ASD within South Africa. Non-probability sampling was used to select 20 respondents, initially using purposive and then snowball sampling techniques, until the target sample size was reached and data saturation had occurred. Respondents consisted of South African mothers who care for a child living with ASD, and who live in Cape Town, Johannesburg, or Durban. Data was collected with the use of semi-structured one-on-one interviews, and was analyzed according to Tesch's (1990) eight steps of analysis. The study found that there were various practical stressors for respondents regarding caring for a child living with ASD. This included the stressors of managing their child's difficult behaviours, respondents' high levels of anxiety as a result of these behaviours, and difficulties communicating with their child. Stressors also included the high cost of care and interventions, difficulty finding appropriate schooling, and the need to consult multiple professionals before receiving the diagnosis. The respondents' psychological stressors included experiencing grief and loss once their child was diagnosed, hurt from other's lack of understanding of ASD, and their concerns about their child's future. Various coping mechanisms were found to be used by respondents, including accepting the child with their diagnosis, increasing in patience and empathy, and attempting to manage and prevent their child's difficult behaviours. Another coping mechanism was to utilize a blend of interventions, for example Occupational and Speech Therapy, which catered to their child's unique ASD-presentation. Support mechanisms that were found to be beneficial to respondents were informal and consisted of support from family and from other parents caring for a child with ASD. This study concluded that caring for a child with ASD has many challenges, especially when one is the child's parent and primary caregiver. It also concluded that respondents displayed resilience towards these challenges by utilizing various coping and support mechanisms available to them. Numerous recommendations arose from this study, the most salient of which was for health care professionals (HCPs), which included social workers, as well as parents caring for a child living with ASD to educate themselves and others with regards to ASD. Another recommendation was for HCPs to link these parents with affordable and appropriate education and intervention options for their children.
Open Access
The Assessment of self-esteem before and after a therapeutic milieu programme
(1999) Sujee, Shahieda; Becker, Lily
The present quasi-experimental study was conducted in ward G22, a milieu therapy unit at Cape Town’s Groote Schuur Hospital. It examines self-esteem of patients prior to and subsequent to completion of the therapeutic milieu programme, using a self-report questionnaire, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. This questionnaire was used to measure the level of self-esteem after completion of a 9-12 week stay in G22. The questionnaire was administered to twenty-three successive patients admitted to the unit. Of these one terminated prematurely by committing suicide, while the questionnaire was re-administered to the remaining twenty-two subjects in the final week of their treatment. Protocols were computer scored and quantitatively analysed using Wilcoxon Rank Sum and Signed Rank tests of significance. This analysis indicated that there was a general improvement in self-esteem of subjects after completion of the therapeutic milieu programme, while there was a significant improvement in self-esteem of older subjects when compared with the younger subjects. Other variables such as language, gender and length of stay did not significantly affect the results.
Open Access
The attitude of different therapists to cluster B personality disorder
(2002) Maritz, Anita; Becker, Lily
This study aims to explore therapists' attitudes, and therapeutic work with patients diagnosed with cluster B personality disorder, that is anti-social, narcissistic, borderline or histrionic personality disorder, in accordance with the diagnostic criteria as described in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual. The study also aims to discuss treatment choices for patients diagnosed with anti-social, narcissistic, borderline or histrionic personality disorder as well as the value and use of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual as diagnostic tool.
Open Access
Battered women's perceptions of an intervention service
(2004) Freed, Jeanne; Collins, Kathleen
Bibliography: leaves 114-120.
Open Access
Brief dynamic psychotherapy : an exploration of attitudes and practice among a group of local clinicians - some implications for training
(1988) Becker, Lily; Isaacs, Gordon
This study explores brief dynamic psychotherapy as a model of intervention with the individual adult client. The rationale for examining this area emanated from a few aspects. Firstly, increasing numbers of research studies indicated that the median length of psychotherapy, whether in private practice, or in community mental health centres, was actually of brief duration, whether planned or not; secondly, emerging studies indicated the proven effectiveness of brief intervention; and thirdly, the current emphasis on practice accountability with a more conscious use of time and outcome, were motivating factors to explore this model in practice. In addition, the study aimed to explore elements from the broader psychoanalytic tradition, which could be shaped and offered within a brief dynamic model of therapy.
Open Access
The Cape Town juvenile assessment centre and the transformation of the youth justice system
(2003) Cowley, Denzil; Graser, Roland
The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Young People at Risk (IMC) undertook a comprehensive analysis of the Child and Youth Care system, including the Juvenile Justice system in South Africa and made recommendations for transformation thereof. Various transformation initiatives in the Child and Youth Care System stimulated the researcher's interest in the progress of the implementation of transformation policies. In particular the policies related to the Juvenile Justice system at the Cape Town Juvenile Justice Assessment Centre were of interest to the researcher. Services and legislation governing youth in conflict with the law was fragmented. New legislation was needed that incorporated national and international instruments to protect the rights of children and to regulate the juvenile justice system. Since the establishment of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Young People at Risk (IMC) in 1996, various documents, policies, discussion papers and draft legislation have been published. The aim of this study is to determine to what extent the recommendations in these various documents have been implemented at the Cape Town Juvenile Assessment Centre. The aim of the Cape Town Juvenile Assessment Centre is to assess all youth in conflict with the law in the magisterial district and, where possible, to divert the case away from the justice system. From the findings of the study it is clear that the Cape Town Juvenile Assessment Centre has progressed far on the continuum of implementing the transformation policies. The probation officers in particular had excellent insight into the transformation process and the implementation of practice principles. It was also clear that every effort was made to make services child and family centred. Diversion options are implemented where possible and detention of juveniles in prisons was reduced drastically. The Cape Town Juvenile Assessment Centre has good relationships with other role-players. Services are co-ordinated through a monthly co-ordination meeting, where role-players like the Departments of Social Services, Justice, South African Police Services and NICRO are represented. In summary, the Cape Town Juvenile Justice Assessment Centre has made commendable progress in implementing policy recommendations and policy related to the transformation of the juvenile justice system. There is, however, room for improvement, particularly with the after-hour assessments. Delegating decision-making powers to all prosecutors will streamline the diversion process. Diversion options for second- or third-time offenders should be developed. Furthermore, not enough support is given to youth in conflict with the law and their families in that very few of them are referred to welfare organisations for continued services.
Open Access
A case study of the use of feminist psychotherapy with women who have had abortions
(1990) Horwitz, Melanie; Moss-Morris, Val
In this study the use of feminist psychotherapy with a woman who has had an abortion is explored. A survey of the literature shows that this approach to psychotherapy is based on a philosophy that women's pathology is inextricably linked to the patriarchal influences of society that have devalued and disempowered women. Abortion, as a specific women's issue, is contextualised within this framework, illustrating that these influences compound women's physical and psychological distress when having an abortion. The case study method is employed to explore the use of this feminist approach in a four month period of psychotherapy with a woman who had an abortion. This highlights how patriarchal influences in the family and religion create major stress factors that affect women's experience of abortion. In particular, the conflicts that centre around women's sexuality that are evoked by the abortion are addressed. The study also demonstrates how the use of this approach may bring out the positive meaning of the abortion for women, as in this case where the abortion was seen as the beginning of the important process of separation. The study concludes that feminist psychotherapy is a beneficial approach to utilise when working with women who have had an abortion.
Open Access
Child care workers and HIV infected/affected children
(2011) Smith, Allison Jayne; Addinall, Ronald
The objectives of this study are to explore stressors and challenges faced by child care workers working with HIV infected/affected children, their causes, what support is available to them and, finally, current and recommended coping strategies. The study explored the perceptions of 8 child care workers through 2 focus groups using a semi-structured interview schedule as the data collection tool. The findings reveal that the primary challenge experienced is working with traumatised children and working for long hours away from their children, who are often at home alone. It was also found that they not fear infection when working with HIV infected children. The primary recommendation was that child care workers receive regular counselling and that day care centres are established in low income areas to care for their own children.
Open Access
Child disruptive behaviour problems, problem perception and help-seeking behaviour
(2017) Stadler, Sophia; Holtzhausen, Leon
Disruptive behaviour problems in early childhood are found to be associated with many negative long-term outcomes, such as antisocial behaviour, adolescent delinquency, and substance abuse (Kellam, Werthamer-Larsson & Dolan (1991), as cited in Butler, 2005:1). Even after adolescence this arises, for, as Vogel (2008:16) states the 'frequency of behavioural problems or challenging behaviour among the youth of today often predicts the size of our future prison population'. These findings clearly highlight the importance of early identification of behavioural problems, adequate preventative intervention (Butler, 2005:1) and the necessity for early intervention to prevent their continuity, since behaviour problems are found to worsen without treatment (Loeber, 1982, cited in Butler, 2005:1). The goal of this study is to gain an understanding of disruptive behaviour in primary school learners. To achieve this goal, the objectives of this are to explore the nature of child disruptive behaviour problems; to explore parents and teachers' problem perception of child disruptive behaviour; to explore the problem threshold of parents and teachers toward child disruptive behaviour; and to explore their help-seeking behaviour. The study's aim, therefore, is to better understand and gain more insight in child disruptive behaviour problems before a threshold is reached by parents and teachers and help is sought from social service professionals. The study uses an exploratory qualitative research design to gain insight into child disruptive behaviour problems, problem perceptions and help-seeking behaviour in the Southern Cape Karoo District in the Western Cape. Child disruptive behaviour patterns were analysed along a three-point continuum (from less severe - 'preventative'; to moderate - 'early intervention'; and most severe - 'statutory') based, on problem perceptions of parents, teachers and social service professionals. In addition, the present study examines parents and teachers' problem thresholds to identify help-seeking behaviour and sources. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the participants according to appropriation and availability. Parents and teachers were contacted to participate voluntarily in the research from schools in the area - Acacia Primary School, Baartmansfontein Primary School, Buffelsriver Private Primary School and Matjiesfontein Primary School. The social service professionals who participated consisted of social workers, social auxiliary workers and police officials from the Department of Social Development, Child Welfare SA and the South African Police Service. The study consisted of a broad range of child ages and parental ages. Parent participants also included biological and foster parents. Data was gathered by means of a semi-structured interview schedule administered during 24 individual interviews. The schedule is based on information obtained from the literature review relevant to the models and theories selected. Previous research done by Jessica Hankinson in 2009 in America on child psychopathology, parental problem perception, and help-seeking behaviours was used as a reference for creating the data collection tool, since she also focused on child behavioural problems and used similar models in the theories. This tool was created in such a way as to be relevant to the South African context. The findings confirmed the serious nature of child disruptive behaviour amongst primary school learners, including abusive behaviour, assault, bullying, fighting, swearing, theft, criminal involvement, substance abuse, truancy and school dropouts. The participants were found to be able to perceive their child's problem behaviour and to perceive themselves to be competent parents in dealing with disruptive behaviour. Child disruptive behaviour was found to have a significant effect on classroom learning. Despite legislation banning this, the participants still resort to punitive corrective measures. Stigma related to professional services and the privacy of the family are found to be very relevant in help-seeking efforts. This lead to the conclusion that child disruptive behaviour may become a normal and acceptable phenomenon, and thus leads to late reporting - and social services being contacted only as a last resort. The most important recommendation resulting from the study indicates that there is a need for prevention and early intervention services for child disruptive behaviour. This should address the escalation of the behaviour that later results in the need for statutory services. The study further indicates that various sectors (social workers, teachers, community structures and the departments) need to collaborate and form partnerships in order to enhance the early reporting of children in need and the accessibility and availability of services rendered in rural areas. This could enhance the early identification, reporting and service delivery in order to find problem resolutions.
Open Access
Client's perceptions of the oncology social work service at cancer care
(2018) Variawa, Tasneem; Williams, Fatima
This study explored clients’ perceptions of the oncology social work services offered at three Cancercare practices in Cape Town. It considered their motivation for using the service as well as their overall experience of the service. Positive aspects as well as the challenges encountered with the service were examined concerning the frequency and nature of intervention, and their professional relationship with the social workers. The research was conducted using a qualitative research design, more specifically phenomenology. Sixteen participants were selected using purposive sampling by the researcher. They were interviewed face-to-face using a semi-structured interview schedule. The data obtained were analysed using qualitative methods. The findings of this study highlighted the value of a psychosocial service accessible to cancer patients. Psychosocial responses to diagnosis and treatment included the need for information, psychological support for the patient and family, and an assorted range of practical needs. Findings also highlighted the complexities surrounding public perceptions of social workers and psychologists, and the blurred boundaries between the professions in terms of services offered. Participants identified six aspects of the service that were helpful. The challenges encountered with the service were presented in terms of the lack of clarity on the role of the social worker and the need for specific information about the service and external resources. Recommendations were made around the distribution of information within the practice and participants requested regular post-treatment support. Further recommendations were made in terms of professional contact within a public setting, early intervention and future research.
Open Access
A comparative study of lower grade and higher grade pupils at a Jewish community school with regard to intelligence, self-concept and adjustment
(1987) Reid, Cherry Lynn; Sippel, Gerd; Sturgeon, Shona
A comparison of Lower Grade and Higher Grade pupils with regard to intelligence, self-concept and adjustment. 29 Lower and 29 Higher grade pupils in Stds 8 and 9 at a Jewish community day school were compared with regard to their I Q scores, self-concepts and adjustment level. These variables were measured on the following tests: The NSAGT; the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale and the PHSF Relations Questionnaire. The data from the two groups were compared by means of a t-test for small samples and the results demonstrated a significant difference (p≤0,01) for I Q scores and for self-concept but did not reveal a significant difference on most of the 12 sub-scales of the PHSF Relations Questionnaire. As regards the latter, a significant difference (p<0,05) was obtained on the sub-scale Sociability - S for female pupils and a significant difference was obtained on sub-scales Self-Confidence (p≤0,01) and Formal Relations (p≤0,05) for male pupils. The significant difference in I Q scores can be partially understood in terms of the selection criteria for admission to the Lower Grade class. The significant difference in self-concept can be attributed to the difference on the Intellectual and School Status sub-category. The lack of significant differences on the other sub-scales suggest that factors other than academic achievement are important in terms of self-concept formation for example:- class structure; membership of peer groups; extra-mural activities and family relationships. The lack of significant difference between Lower and Higher Grade pupils in the area of ,adjustment can perhaps be explained in terms of the Lower Grade pupils' relatively high scores on other sub-categories of the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale i.e. it was only as regards intellectual status that the Lower Grade perceived themselves as less able.
Open Access
Cultural issues in the treatment of hospitalised, malnourished children : an exploratory-descriptive study of the attitudes of health professionals and mothers in a rural hospital setting
(1998) Motswaledi, Mmabotsha; Mackintosh, Ian
Culture plays a significant role in the treatment of certain illnesses and in the maintenance of good health in communities. In hospitals, professionals are constantly faced with medication non-compliance and other defaulting behaviour by health consumers or patients due to lack of their sensitivity towards cultural issues. It is true that most Africans are faced with a dilemma of choosing between Western treatment approaches and their own traditional healing. Therefore some may need still to adopt both Western and African approaches. The study examines the attitudes of both the professionals and mothers with malnourished children towards the cultural values linked to the treatment modalities. An exploratory- descriptive method is used as a focus for the study. Because of the illiteracy of the mothers, an interview schedule was used to collect data and get impressions about certain issues. A questionnaire was used to collect data from the professionals; which included nurses, an occupational therapist, a physiotherapist, and people working for the Kwashiorkor Centre. Both the literature review and other studies showed that there is a difference in attitudes regarding cultural issues in the treatment of malnourished children between the health consumers and the health professionals. Findings of this study revealed negative attitude towards mothers who used traditional medicine before coming to hospital. Mothers felt that they were reprimanded regarding their cultural value systems. This study includes recommendations that health professionals need to be sensitive to the cultural belief system of the health consumers for better compliance and service delivery. It is recommended that health care providers be aware of their value systems and above all respect those of the consumers. To facilitate better participation in health education programmes it is important that these programmes are culturally sensitive.
Open Access
Developing an evidence-based foster mother screening tool for cluster foster care in the Western Cape, South Africa
(2016) Simula, Kelebogile; John-Langba, Johannes
Within the formal child welfare system in South Africa, foster care is considered the preferred form of alternative care for children removed from their biological families and who are unavailable for adoption. This reflects the belief that the family is ideal environment best suited for optimal child survival and development. Although many South African children have benefitted from court-ordered foster care in the last two decades, however ineffective screening, training and preparation of foster carers have posed challenges to meeting the needs of children in need of alternative care. Utilizing general systems and attachment theories, the purpose of this study was to explore perceptions about developing an evidence-based tool for the screening of eligible foster mothers of children in cluster-foster care in South Africa. The study employed a qualitative research approach to data collection and analysis. A semistructured interview schedule was used to explore the perspectives of 12 social workers and four foster mothers about context-specific criteria for screening foster mothers within the clusterfoster care system in South Africa. Results indicate that a reliable and valid tool for screening eligible mothers in cluster foster care settings in South Africa should include a standardized assessment of parenting skills and psychological wellbeing of potential foster mothers in addition to the normative sociodemographic background assessments. Emotional and financial support were also shown to be crucial in ensuring the retention of foster mothers within the context of high attrition rates of foster parents in South Africa. The findings of this study underscore the importance of using an evidence-based screening tool to recruit potential foster mothers in South Africa and the need to assess the psychosocial wellbeing of potential foster mothers in addition to background checks.
Open Access
Die psigo-maatskaplike aspekte van homoseksualiteit:'n veld-en dokumentêre studie met spesiale verwysing na psigiatriese maatskaplike werk in Suid-Afrika
(1972) Strydom, Katinka J D; Helm, Brunhilde
Die benadering wat in hierdie studie toegepas is, is dié van die psigiatriese maatskaplike werker. Dit beteken dat die fokus hoofsaaklik op die psigo-maatskaplike aspekte van homoseksualiteit, sowel as die maatskaplike funksionering van die homoseksuele persone, gerig is. Die basiese kennis van die psigiatriese maatskaplike werker is geleë in persoonlikheidsontwikkeling wat ten nouste met die psigo-seksuele ontwikkelingstadia saamval. Gesinsdinamika sowel as persoonlikheidsdinamika is dus faktore wat as essensiële studiemateriaal deur die psigiatriese maatskaplike werker beskou word. Die studie moes egter uitgebrei word om ander aspekte ook te behels, veral weens die hoogs-gekompliseerde en menigvuldige aard van hornoseksualiteit as verskynsel. Sosiologiese faktore wat die sosiale milieu van die mens grotendeels bepaal, moes ingesluit word, asook die toepassing van sosiale sanksies wat ten nouste saamhang met verskynsels soos stigma, konflikte en baie ander veranderlikes. Regsaspekte kon allermins oor die hoof gesien word - hulle bepaal die raamwerk waarin homoseksueles lee£ en weerspieël in belangrike wyses die houdings van die gemeenskap. Terapie moes ook bespreek word, beide om die bydrae van maatskaplike werk te bestudeer en om die bydraes van ander beroepe in verband te sien.
Open Access
Emotional incest: an exploratory study of therapists' perceptions of the phenomenon and their experiences with it in couple therapy practice
(2012) Johnson, Tamsyn; Addinall, Ronald
This research study explored the phenomenon of emotional incest; otherwise conceptualised as the emotionally enmeshed parent-child relationship. The study focused on the perceptions and experiences of therapists who have encountered the phenomenon in their work with couples presenting for therapy; where one partner in the couple war or is currently involved in a parental relationship charactersised by emotional incest. The research investigated therapists' perceptions of the phenomenon of emotional incest and explored the nature of its manifestation amongst the therapists' own caseloads. The study also examined therapists' perceptions and experiences of the impact that emotional incest has on the relationships of the couples they are working with and explored the approaches therapists take in addressing this issue in practice.