Browsing by Subject "experiences"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    A welfare deservingness approach to the COVID-19 grant: an exploration of the social and economic experiences of unemployed youth in South Africa
    (2024) Madangatye, Inenceba; Kubeka, Khosi
    For the longest time, South African youth have not been prioritized in social protection policies (Barford, Coutts, & Sahai, 2021). However, given the current socioeconomic depravations, it can be argued that young people meet the criteria of neediness required to be considered for a permanent welfare policy. The primary objective of this study was to use a welfare deservingness approach to the COVID-19 grant to explore the social and economic experiences of unemployed youth in South Africa. This study used an explorative qualitative research design to gain insight into the attitudes and perceptions that unemployed youth have about receiving the COVID-19 grant. Information was also collected to understand the influence that receiving the COVID-19 relief grant has on the social experiences and economic participation of the youth. Additionally, the purpose of the study was to gauge youth perspectives about continued support in the form of a possible basic income grant. In-depth individual qualitative interviews were conducted with 16 participants who were aged between 21 to 35 years old: at an average age of 25. A subjective or purposive sampling method was used to inform the data collection process, this is a non-probability sampling technique which is useful for gathering qualitative information from a particular population of participants. The study’s findings revealed that youth are desperate for paying job opportunities that can ensure financial stability. Although many of the participants thought the R350 grant money helped in the ways that it could, they also expressed how little this income was in the post-pandemic society. Participants conveyed that the COVID-19 grant does little to alleviate the psychological distress that they feel in response to the dire unemployment crisis. Also, young people expressed their frustrations with the payment delays and system failures associated with the grant. A new comprehensive social protection policy that includes the youth is the recommendation of this study. Based on the findings, this study concluded that young people are struggling to attain certain freedoms, despite the assistance of the COVID-19 grant. Resultantly, it is also recommended that a multidisciplinary approach to welfare deservingness be considered for the youth of South Africa, one which addresses the high unemployment crisis affecting the youth.
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    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.
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    Exploring the experiences of parents' involvement in supporting children with dyslexia in Maseru, Lesotho
    (2025) Mahao, Nts’epase; Hoosa, Shanaaz
    This study aimed to explore the experiences of parents' involvement in supporting children with dyslexia in Maseru, Lesotho. The research enquiry was rooted in Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory for parental involvement. The study employed a qualitative research design, specifically phenomenology research approach, through face-to-face semi-structured interviews to gain insights and an understanding of parents' experiences regarding their involvement in supporting a child with dyslexia. The interviews were conducted with 12 participants who have lived in Maseru, Lesotho and their child was diagnosed with dyslexia. The diagnosis was carried out by their special education teacher. The sample was selected through purposeful sampling method. To analyse the data, thematic analysis was employed. The findings of this study revealed that parents' involvement in supporting their child is influenced by their lack of knowledge of dyslexia. As a result, their emotional experiences, experiences in seeking a diagnosis from professionals for their child, limited access to resources and information, their experiences with home-based involvement and parents' experiences with mainstream and special education needs (SEN) schools, were shaped by their lack of knowledge of dyslexia. The presence of a child with dyslexia was also noted to have an effect on family dynamics including the parent-child relationship, sibling relationship and parents' expectations. Furthermore, parents were observed to have insufficient support to help them in supporting their child, mainly relying on social support and spiritual support. The study emphasises the need for increased public awareness, policy development and institutional support to enhance parental involvement and improve outcomes for children with dyslexia in Maseru, Lesotho. Recommendations include developing dyslexia-specific interventions, training for educators and healthcare professionals (HPCs), and greater collaboration between parents, school, HCPs and policymakers.
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    Exploring the perspectives of health service providers on mental health policy and interventions for school children in the Western Cape, South Africa
    (2021) Mgoqi, Khusela; Shung-King, Maylene
    Background: Mental health is recognised as a critical public health challenge globally, yet child and adolescent mental health receive low priority, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Children and adolescents spend a significant proportion of their lives in school, suggesting that educational settings are potentially important environments where child and adolescent mental health (CAMH) can be strengthened to improve early identification and treatment. This study explored the perspectives of key service providers on needs, barriers and facilitators of child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in schools in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Methods: This study employed an exploratory qualitative approach. In-depth individual interviews were conducted by one of the authors (SM), and the first author (KM) conducted a thematic analysis on the interview data. Results: There were nine interviewees selected who were diverse health service providers involved in child and adolescent health which included school doctors, school nurses, psychiatrists, occupational therapist, clinical nurse and mental health nurse. Thematic findings were grouped under: a) perceived needs, b) barriers and c) facilitators. The need to improve intersectoral collaboration, following a referral pathway, a strong multidisciplinary team (MDT) and integration of services were all identified important in the delivery of CAMHS. The neglect of CAMHS in both education and health sectors and limited resources were identified as barriers. Facilitators included intersectoral collaboration, task shifting from nurses and doctors to community health workers, and committed health workers. Conclusion: CAMHS receives very low priority in comparison to other health issues such as HIV/TB in South Africa. There is an urgent need to address CAMHS in South Africa, and the school setting is an important site of intervention. Intersectoral collaboration, task-shifting, continuous training of teachers and health professionals are potential strategies that could be used to strengthen access to CAMHS in education sector and have integrated services in the Western Cape Province.
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    Karoo farmers living and working experiences in protracted drought conditions: a case study
    (2021) Reynolds, Megann; Goodman, Suki; Conradie, Beatrice
    In the South African context, a geographical region prone to the occurrence of frequent and intense periods of drought, the emergence of climate conditions reaching new extremes raises concerns of adaptability to sustain living and work well-being in such circumstances. The realisation of economic, social, environmental and psychological impacts resultant from drought conditions is particularly relevant to farmers, an occupation group who are often characterised by socio-economic vulnerability in South Africa. Consequently, this research seeks to explore the yet undocumented experiences of farmers living and working in the current drought conditions, located in the Karoo region of South Africa. A further aim of this research is to explore how these experiences have affected farmers' psychological well-being, as well as understanding the coping mechanisms they have used to deal with this long-standing crisis situation. The present study adopted an exploratory case study design using an interpretivist paradigmatic stance. Based on research conducted and reviewed within the climate change domain, it was understood that farmers' experiences of working in drought conditions were complex, context specific and differed amongst individuals. Therefore, knowledge was viewed as subjective as there was no particular, correct path to knowledge as it emerged through various contexts. The case under study was Karoo farmers in the Western Cape province. Their living and working experiences, and coping mechanisms were specific to their surrounding landscapes and chosen type of farming. Furthermore, this case study was particularly concerned with farmers who retained close living, working and cultural relationships to their natural environments. Consequently, the unit of analysis in this study was the individual. A purposive sampling strategy was adopted and a total of eight participants were interviewed. An inductive approach to analysing the data was undertaken, using Braun and Clarke's (2006) Thematic Analysis. Three major themes emerged during the analysis with a number of associated sub-themes. The results describe the sample's shared ecological grief experiences due to both implicit and explicit impacts resultant from sustained drought conditions. The negative psychological outcomes the sample endured as a result of these experiences, demonstrates the implication of living and working in such conditions for work and psychological well-being. The common coping mechanisms employed over this time are also extracted from the themes. The discussion presents the findings of this study through the lens of the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach framework, to understand how drought conditions presents barriers to these farmers sustaining their well-being.