PhD (Sociology) / Department of Sociology / The purpose of the study was to explore and understand the circumstances, which influence abused female breadwinners to stay in nuptial contracts and to model coping strategies for their plight. The study was qualitative in nature and an explorative case study design of abused married female breadwinners who had reported cases at Thohoyandou Victim Empowerment Programme (TVEP) trauma centers in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa was used. A critical case purposive sample was used to draw a cross-sectional sample of 12 participants from a total population of 1800 female breadwinners who reported cases between 2010 and 2015. The data collection methods were; in-depth interviews, focus group discussions from the same participants and key informants‟ interviews from three TVEP female managers. The three data collection techniques ensured triangulation for more complete and well-validated outcomes of the study. The data analysis method was the Van Mann. The study found out that a plethora of circumstances that involves the following; culture, the desire to take care of children, culture, religion, social needs, social status and entrapment influences abused married female breadwinners to stay in abusive marriages. As a result, they are forced to devise some coping strategies that include; problem solving strategies, reporting to the police, protection orders, seeking refuge, alcohol abuse and dependence, counselling, religious intervention, social support to cope with their plight. Establishing the reasons was critical in coming up with intervention methods that may help to curb abuse and coping strategies that may assist them in their plight. / NRF

Thesis (M. A. (Clinical Psychology)) -- University of the North, 2003 / Refer to the document

Thesis (M.A. (Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2015 / The study investigated the psychological factors that compel battered women to remain in abusive relationships. According to statistics in South Africa (SA) one in every five women is battered by her partner, and one in every four of all women in SA are assaulted by their partners weekly. The research approach was qualitative in nature. Sampling for the study was purposive and utilised eight participants who met the criteria for the investigation. The study was conducted at Tshilidzhini Hospital Trauma Centre and The Sibasa Victim Empowerment unit in Thohoyandou, Vhembe District in the Limpopo province. Data was gathered using a semi-structured questionnaire guide. Data was analysed, using Thematic Content Analysis (TCA), to gain an in-depth account of each participant’s experience of abuse. The results of the study indicate that cultural factors still play an important role in facilitating women abuse. The women in the study used religion, denial and avoidance, guilt and self-blame as coping mechanisms. Low self-esteem, depression, cognitive dissonance and relationship hope and commitment were identified as psychological factors compelling battered women to remain in abusive relationships. The study recommended that educational programmes and workshops on woman abuse be provided to empower women in rural areas.

PhD (Sociology) / Department of Social Work