The purpose of this research is to explore a mode of resilience within the context of the traditional African divorced men. A qualitative methodological design was followed, allowing unique experiences to emerge. Four men were interviewed and an in-depth qualitative analysis undertaken, in order to explore the subjective experience of resilience during and after the period of separation and divorce. The study‘s results were presented in the form of integrated and descriptive text. The participants stories were re-encountered through the researcher‘s owns frame of reference in which common themes of the divorced process were constructed. These were elaborated on and a comparative analysis was undertaken to link them to the available literature. This information gained from the research could contribute to the existing research on the impact of divorce and the ability to bounce back positively aftermath of divorce by offering this new perspective from traditional men. This project was done within the selected areas of Vatsonga speaking tribes in the Limpopo province. It was found that the most pivotal aspect of resilience as reported were social support, family support and new environment. Apart from this, the research further explored the biblical teaching on the phenomenon and discovered that:<ul><li> The prevalent universality of marriage seems to confirm the biblical traditional marriage as the divine way of recreating humanity. Furthermore, the bible in both the Old and New Testaments view divorce as contrary to the divine intent. It was noted that Deut 24 does not command or encourage divorce; rather, it simply regulates divorce since it was already happening. </li><li> After a thorough exegesis of the passage and survey of the relevant interpretations in (Matthews), it is clear that Jesus forbade divorce for any reason except adultery. Divorce is unthinkable because it destroys the intended order of creation and God‘s creative act in bringing a man and a woman together in accordance with his order. God is the author of marriage; therefore, he inscribed the call to marriage in our very being by creating us as male and female. Marriage is governed by his laws, faithfully transmitted by his bride, which is the Church. </li></ul> / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Practical Theology / unrestricted

Thesis (M. Soc. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 143-150).

Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 143-150) Also available in print.

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This study investigates the role of resilience in women coping with the life transition of divorce. Five women were interviewed and an in-depth qualitative analysis undertaken, in order to explore the subjective experience of resilience during the period of separation and divorce, and its effect on post-divorce adjustment. In addition, the usefulness of formal divorce support groups to enhance resilience was examined. It was found that the most important aspects of resilience as reported by the women were social support; spirituality; personality traits such as optimism, courage and resourcefulness; an orientation toward the future; and competence/mastery of one's environment (including mastery of one's thoughts and emotions). It appeared that resilience facilitated adjustment in several ways; notably in providing a sense of purpose, control and competence resulting in an experience of personal growth. All of the women felt that they had developed a sense of their own identity and greater self-determination through the process of divorce. Support groups might be potentially effective in providing assistance in dealing with emotional issues such as anger and forgiveness; with skills development such as emotion regulation and cognitive techniques like reframing; as well as practical and informational support. Such groups might also provide a temporary community of social support where divorced women can interact with other people who are experiencing the same things. The study illuminated the subjective, often unique experience of separation and divorce; this emphasises the challenge for divorce groups to offer support which addresses this uniqueness. / Psychology / D.Litt. (Psychology)

This study investigates the role of resilience in women coping with the life transition of divorce. Five women were interviewed and an in-depth qualitative analysis undertaken, in order to explore the subjective experience of resilience during the period of separation and divorce, and its effect on post-divorce adjustment. In addition, the usefulness of formal divorce support groups to enhance resilience was examined. It was found that the most important aspects of resilience as reported by the women were social support; spirituality; personality traits such as optimism, courage and resourcefulness; an orientation toward the future; and competence/mastery of one's environment (including mastery of one's thoughts and emotions). It appeared that resilience facilitated adjustment in several ways; notably in providing a sense of purpose, control and competence resulting in an experience of personal growth. All of the women felt that they had developed a sense of their own identity and greater self-determination through the process of divorce. Support groups might be potentially effective in providing assistance in dealing with emotional issues such as anger and forgiveness; with skills development such as emotion regulation and cognitive techniques like reframing; as well as practical and informational support. Such groups might also provide a temporary community of social support where divorced women can interact with other people who are experiencing the same things. The study illuminated the subjective, often unique experience of separation and divorce; this emphasises the challenge for divorce groups to offer support which addresses this uniqueness. / Psychology / D.Litt. (Psychology)

This study investigates the role of social support in women coping with divorce in mid­ life. Five women were interviewed and a qualitative analysis undertaken, in order to explore the subjective experience of social support during the period of separation and divorce, and its effect on post-divorce adjustment. In particular, the usefulness of formal support groups was examined. It was found that most of the women derived perceived social support from friends and female family members, as well as from their church membership and work environment. It appeared that social support facilitated adjustment in several ways, but most notably in providing esteem support and emotional support which enabled personal growth. All of the women felt that they had developed a sense of their own identity through the process of divorce. Support groups were found to be potentially effective in providing assistance in dealing with emotional issues such as anger and forgiveness, as well as practical and informational support. Such groups might also provide a temporary community where divorced women can interact with other people who are experiencing the same things, thereby freeing them to grieve. The study illuminated the subjective, often unique experience of separation and divorce; this emphasises the challenge for support groups to offer support which addresses this uniqueness. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

This study investigates the role of social support in women coping with divorce in mid­ life. Five women were interviewed and a qualitative analysis undertaken, in order to explore the subjective experience of social support during the period of separation and divorce, and its effect on post-divorce adjustment. In particular, the usefulness of formal support groups was examined. It was found that most of the women derived perceived social support from friends and female family members, as well as from their church membership and work environment. It appeared that social support facilitated adjustment in several ways, but most notably in providing esteem support and emotional support which enabled personal growth. All of the women felt that they had developed a sense of their own identity through the process of divorce. Support groups were found to be potentially effective in providing assistance in dealing with emotional issues such as anger and forgiveness, as well as practical and informational support. Such groups might also provide a temporary community where divorced women can interact with other people who are experiencing the same things, thereby freeing them to grieve. The study illuminated the subjective, often unique experience of separation and divorce; this emphasises the challenge for support groups to offer support which addresses this uniqueness. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)