A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree: PhD (COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY) IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY FACULTY OF ARTS UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND, 2010. / Empowerment is an act of enriching someone within a certain context to gain inner self-control. The best way of understanding empowerment is to focus on its process rather than outcome. It is also important to determine the structure upon which empowerment is likely to exist. As a result, this study was about the exploration of the interaction between empowerment as a process and the self-help group which forms a structural basis of empowerment. Therefore, the main focus of the research study was to investigate specific processes through which one goes to achieve empowerment when participating in a self–help group for divorced women.The qualitative research method, which incorporated participant observation, semi-structured interviews and focus group,formed the basis for the process of data collection and analysis. The sample consisted of 10 divorced women who participated in a self-help group for a contracted period of eight weeks. The findings of the research study suggested that, the process of empowerment within a self-help group structure is interactive rather than linear. The process of empowerment through the self-help group encounters included discovering the reality of the divorced status, the role of frustration in the process of empowerment, critical reflection as the powerful force behind the process of empowerment and taking charge of one’s life as a motivational factor that facilitated the self-help group activities and the process of empowerment. The only interpersonal factor that was significant in the study was the role of social support by group members in the process of empowerment. The conceptualization of the process of empowerment in the context of the self-help group, that emerged from the study, was remarkably distinct from the conceptualization of empowerment that has been depicted in the literature. Therefore, a significant finding in this study was how the self–help group can facilitate the process of empowerment for divorced women, which contrasted with other studies in which a sense of community was critical to personal empowerment. The interactions which were both positive and negative with others were the foundations for the process of empowerment in the form of critical reflections.

The search for balance in my life reflects my attitude towards life itself. In seeking balance, in juggling my strengths and weaknesses, my joys and my sorrows, I seek affirmation that I am living the life I want to live. This thesis offers my own definition of balance, and outlines why it is important and how it manifests itself in my life. In examining my own story, I offer lessons to those who seek balance in their own lives. Without being prescriptive, these lessons illuminate my own views while reminding me to live life my way. What is work/ life balance? What role does exercise play in finding balance? What can we learn from losing a loved one? Can we re-examine how to explore life’s big decisions? Why is important to always have something to look forward to? And why would someone want to study this topic? By approaching these questions using Scholarly Personal Narrative, I invite the wisdom of other scholars to influence my own views. Yet while these scholars – and the equally important wisdom from friends and loved ones – help shape my perspective, the stories I offer are, ultimately, my own. Through these stories, through my “lessons to myself,” I seek equanimity and clarity in my approach to life.