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.

This clinical study explored the significance of the experience of an absent father on the identity formation of women in an attempt to understand the psychological effect of father absence and the role this experience plays in terms of the daughter's, confidence, self esteem, social identity and intimate relationships. The influence on resiliency of the absent father experience is also a critical aspect of this research. The two theoretical frameworks that guide this clinical study are: the psychodynamic approach, more specifically, objects relations, and self psychology, and Bowens’ family systems theory. The research method is a qualitative design to develop an in-depth understanding of the sample population of twenty adult women who had grown up without a father and live in the geographical area of Cape Town. Data was collected using an in-depth, semistructured interview, facilitated by open-ended questions contained in an interview guide. A wide range of conditions affected participants in the study. Presence of a positive caregiver experience in early childhood appeared to play a role in the psychological well-being of the women. The quality of the women's relationships also appeared to be influenced by their early relational experiences. Poverty was the cause of hardship for many of the participants. Some of the women experienced shame and an internal poverty of worthlessness resulting from perceived rejection and abandonment by their fathers. These psychological experiences were found to influence social interactions and they were often less socially engaged than their peers. The women were generally resilient, at least to some degree and received a measure of support from others, however many felt they were their own most reliable resource.

Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Bibliography : leaves [97-102]

Bibliography: leaves 68-73. / This study aims to understand the difficulties students are experiencing within the separationindividuation process of adolescence which could be impacting on their optimal process of growing up. The rationale for doing this research arose from the researcher's work with adolescents, in a school setting, who were presenting with difficulties in a number of areas. Bios' (1967, 1979) theory of adolescence, as a second separation-individuation process of development, provided a useful basis for understanding and examining the difficulties with which the students were dealing. The literature review traces a developmental process, drawing on Psychoanalytic and Object Relation Theorists, towards adolescence. This process highlights the links between early and later development and the importance of optimal early development on later developmental processes. Adolescence, as a second separation-individuation stage of development, is discussed.

AIMS OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the effectiveness of a brief multiple family group psychoeducation programme with families, who have a family member with schizophrenia, currently being treated as patients of Valkenberg Hospital. i) To assess families' knowledge about schizophrenia ii) To assess their present levels of functioning. iii) To assess their support systems. iv) To assess objectives i), ii) and iii) via a pre-test questionnaire in which the sample group of families give their responses in personally conducted interviews. v) To undertake action research whereby a psychoeducation model is introduced and families are exposed to a one day educational skills workshop followed up by six weekly family sessions. vi) To administer a post-test questionnaire to assess the impact of psychoeducation on families.

Includes abstract. / Includes bibliographical references. / This explorative study of the experiences and needs of foster carers of HIV positive children in the Western Cape was carried out in order to gain an understanding about this particular group of foster carers and their subjective experiences and needs in relation to the care of their foster children. Foster care is currently the main form of care available to HIV positive children in South Africa, who are no longer in the care of their parents. For this reason, it is important to understand the challenges and needs of foster carers as they care for their foster children. It is hoped that some of the insights gained by this study may lead to further study in this field and could inform policy, planning and intervention.

Bibliography: pages 120-135. / Sibling relationships, sibling separation and the implications thereof have received secondary consideration compared to parent/child relationships in social work practice. This exploratory study examines sibling relationships and the separation of siblings in foster care. The researcher mainly made use of a literature survey and included a pilot study to evaluate the effectiveness of the 'Sibling Contact Day', a project run by Child Welfare Society, Cape Town. The researcher interviewed twenty siblings and their caregivers who participated in the project using a structured questionnaire. The literature available proved that sibling ties are important and have positive influences on human development. Sibling loyalties take years to develop and are stronger when the parental system is weak and sibling accessibility is high. Being separated from brother(s) and/sister(s) requires that sibling relationships have to be re-negotiated. It frequently implies the loosening of sibling ties and the reduction of closeness, which can severely affect the child's identity formation. Results of the pilot study revealed that 55% of the children were separated when they entered into foster care. Only 20% keep in regular contact with each other and 40% did not have contact with their sibling(s) before the 'Sibling Contact Day'. Most children responded positively to meeting their sibling(s). Although only 5% of the children kept in contact as a result of the 'Sibling Contact Day', it seems to justify the continuation of the project on a yearly basis.

This exploratory study on the coping mechanisms of caregivers in the Western Cape was undertaken in order to gain a better understanding of what caregivers experience and utilise in order to cope with their role as caregivers. Informal caregivers are the primary carers for people with a severe mental illness living within communities. They often carry a significant burden in this role and have many stresses which they need to deal with. It is therefore essential that a better understanding of their experience is gained in order to provide relevant support services and interventions. Hopefully the insights gained in this study will contribute to the formation of policies and interventions for caregivers which are appropriate and lead to further research in this field. This study was a qualitative study, conducted with 18 caregivers who participated in in-depth interviews. The results show that there is a large variety of both positive and negative coping mechanisms which caregivers employ dealing with the challenges and stresses they face. Positive coping mechanisms ranged from: making use of services and facilities available, working or keeping busy, knowledge of mental illness, support from family and friends, faith, finding the right doctor for the mentally ill person, support from hospital or clinic staff, looking after self and using challenges to grow, having lots of patience, taking one day at a time and listening to others' stories. Some of the negative coping mechanisms were: ignoring the mentally ill person or cutting off emotions, taking on all responsibility for the mentally ill person or controlling them, using verbal threats or abuse, isolating themselves and using medication to cope. The carers interviewed were also able to identify and access a number of social support mechanisms and systems available to them. Some of these provided psychological and emotional support, others provided physical / practical help and many provided both. The predominant social support mechanisms and systems were: hospitals and clinics, family and friends, churches and faith, support groups, Cape Mental Health and various NGOs. Participants in the study spoke about challenges and barriers in their role as carers. The research indicates that there are two main divides: challenges tend to be concerned with the person they are caring for while barriers tend to be external factors which carers have to deal with. Common challenges which carers face are: drug or alcohol use by the mentally ill person, unpredictable and disturbed thinking and behaviour, issues with medication and non-compliance, lack of person's insight, isolation and withdrawal from family life, lack of understanding from family and friends, financial problems. Barriers which are more external to the family unit include: lack of adequate medical services and facilities for the mentally ill person, lack of support services for the carer, lack of suitable accommodation for mentally ill people, carers not included in the treatment team and plan, police not helpful when asked for assistance with a mentally ill person, negative perceptions of mental illness in society. Recommendations of the study are for further research in this field; that mental health care services provide more support and interventions for caregivers; and that clear policies are developed and implemented for caregivers.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 73-77). / 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.