The purpose of the study was to investigate the possibility ofusingJlelational Theory as a basis for the design of a support group programme for divorced single-parent families. This programme aimed at improving their interpersonal relationships and then to form new identities realistically, thus helping them to self-actualise. The categories of involvement, experience and meaningful attribution as well as the stages of awareness, exploration, personalisation and change initiation formed the basis of the programme. The effects of marital disruption on the interpersonal relationships and identities of singleparent families were also examined through a literature review. Pre and posttest interviews were conducted individually with single parents and their children to evaluate the effectiveness of the support group programme. The pretest interviews were administered a month before the implementation of the programme and the posttest interviews done two months after to gauge the longitudinal effect of the programme. The interviews and the progranune included the following aspects : awareness, exploration and evaluation of relationships (including aspects such as parental and spousal conflicts, parent alignment and parent availability, sibling rivalry and parent-child interaction); awareness, exploration and evaluation of identities (including identity conflicts stemming from role strain, role reversals and parent alignment); self-evaluation and selfactualisation. The conclusions from the literature study, the outcome of the support group progranune and the results of the interviews confirmed that marital disruption does adversely affect the interpersonal relationships of single-parent families and their formation of new, realistic identities. Single-parent families attribute unrealistic meaning to relationships and identities causing problematic relationships and identity conflicts. The nature and quality of the relationships also affect the formation of realistic identities resulting in a failure to self-actualise. In conclusion, the support group programme helped the single-parent families to attribute realistic meaning to their relationships and identities, resulting in improved relationships and the formation of realistic identities / D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

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)

Text in Afrikaans / Hierdie studie handel oor die implementering van groepsterapie met adolessente koshuisdogters, waarvan die ouers geskei is. Die navorser het bevind dat die meeste koshuisdogters se probleme nie in een dag per week, deur 'n diensdoenende onderwyser in die koshuis aangespreek kan word nie. Hierdie bevinding het die vraag laat ontstaan of groepsterapie in die koshuis geimplementeer kan word. Daar was nie voldoende literatuur in sake groepsterapie by normale kinders nie en daarom is 'n loodsstudie van stapel gestuur. Die doelstelling van die studie is om groepsterapie te implementeer by adolessente koshuisdogters. Daar was baie koshuisdogters, waarvan die ouers geskei is, en daarom is die steekproef verder verfyn. 'n Praktiese handleiding, insluitende werkkaarte, is saamgestel sodat groepsterapie vir enige Opvoedkundige Sielkundige toeganklik kan wees. Die groepsterapie is prakties geimplementeer. Die navorsing bevestig dat groepsterapie met adolessente koshuisdogters, waarvan die ouers geskei is, geimplementeer kan word. / This study deals with the implementation of group therapy with adolescent girls in hostels, whose parents are divorced. The researcher came to the conclusion that teachers, who do duty in the hostel, once a week, cannot give enough attention to those girls who have problems. This conclusion raised the question of whether it would be feasible to implement group therapy in the hostel. There was insufficient literature, concerning group therapy with normal children, and therefore the researcher initiated a pilot study. The aim of the study was to implement group therapy with adolescent girls in the hostel. There were many girls in the hostel whose parents were divorced and so the sample was further curtailed. A practical manual including worksheets were compiled to be easily accessible to any Educational Psychologist doing group therapy. The group therapy was practically implemented and confirmed that group therapy can be implemented. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Sielkundige Opvoedkunde (Voorligting))

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)

Text in Afrikaans / Hierdie studie handel oor die implementering van groepsterapie met adolessente koshuisdogters, waarvan die ouers geskei is. Die navorser het bevind dat die meeste koshuisdogters se probleme nie in een dag per week, deur 'n diensdoenende onderwyser in die koshuis aangespreek kan word nie. Hierdie bevinding het die vraag laat ontstaan of groepsterapie in die koshuis geimplementeer kan word. Daar was nie voldoende literatuur in sake groepsterapie by normale kinders nie en daarom is 'n loodsstudie van stapel gestuur. Die doelstelling van die studie is om groepsterapie te implementeer by adolessente koshuisdogters. Daar was baie koshuisdogters, waarvan die ouers geskei is, en daarom is die steekproef verder verfyn. 'n Praktiese handleiding, insluitende werkkaarte, is saamgestel sodat groepsterapie vir enige Opvoedkundige Sielkundige toeganklik kan wees. Die groepsterapie is prakties geimplementeer. Die navorsing bevestig dat groepsterapie met adolessente koshuisdogters, waarvan die ouers geskei is, geimplementeer kan word. / This study deals with the implementation of group therapy with adolescent girls in hostels, whose parents are divorced. The researcher came to the conclusion that teachers, who do duty in the hostel, once a week, cannot give enough attention to those girls who have problems. This conclusion raised the question of whether it would be feasible to implement group therapy in the hostel. There was insufficient literature, concerning group therapy with normal children, and therefore the researcher initiated a pilot study. The aim of the study was to implement group therapy with adolescent girls in the hostel. There were many girls in the hostel whose parents were divorced and so the sample was further curtailed. A practical manual including worksheets were compiled to be easily accessible to any Educational Psychologist doing group therapy. The group therapy was practically implemented and confirmed that group therapy can be implemented. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Sielkundige Opvoedkunde (Voorligting))

M.A. (Social Work) / Divorce mediation is at this stage accessible mainly to those people married in terms of " the common law. One of the main reasons for this is that social workers lack the knowledge and skills needed to mediate custody during the dissolution of the customary marriage. This explorative-descriptive study aims to develop guidelines for social workers that can be used in resolving custody disputes between parties married in terms of the customary law. A qualitative approach using an inductive strategy was followed to achieve this aim. The research question was formulated as "what guidelines do social workers need to mediate custody during the dissolution of the customary memeqe": A literature review, focusing on the customary marriage and the dissolution of the customary marriage as well as the structure and process of divorce mediation, was firstly undertaken. Secondly a questionnaire was drawn up as part of the pre-test and completed by eight social workers working as family counsellors at the different Offices of the Family Advocate in the Republic of South Africa. The aim of this pre-test was to determine whether social workers are familiar 'with mediating custody during the dissolution of the customary marriage as well as to assess their needs in terms of knowledge and skills pertaining to the research problem. From the results of the pre-test as well as the literature study an unstructured interview schedule was compiled and used to guide a focus group interview with four respondents familiar with the principles of the customary union and the dissolution of the customary union. The purpose of the focus group interview was to identify guidelines social workers can use when mediating custody during the dissolution of the customary union. After having compared the results of the focus group interview with the relevant literature certain conclusions were drawn and recommendations made. In conclusion to this study guidelines were designed to be used by social workers when mediation custody during the dissolution of the customary marriage.

Text in Afrikaans / Divorce is a prominent phenomenon that affects thousands of children in South Africa. The point of departure for this research is that children in divorce situations require therapeutic guidance in order to manage their experience of loss. The research problem formulated was concerned with the lack of guidelines for Gestalt play therapists to address those losses experienced by children during the latency period. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to provide a guideline in order to ensure a meaningful therapeutic experience for children in the latency period. In order to reach this goal, the research process was guided by qualitative research. Triangulation was used as a data collection technique, in order to achieve this goal of investigating children who experience loss and behavioural responses. The value and suitability of Gestalt therapy during the therapeutic management process was examined. Stemming from the process and integration of results obtained in the empirical investigation, guidelines consisting of six diverse phases were developed and explicated. The goal of the research was therefor achieved with the application of: A guideline for Gestalt play therapists in addressing loss through divorce in children in the latency period. / Social work / M. Diac. (Spelterapie)

Text in Afrikaans / Divorce is a prominent phenomenon that affects thousands of children in South Africa. The point of departure for this research is that children in divorce situations require therapeutic guidance in order to manage their experience of loss. The research problem formulated was concerned with the lack of guidelines for Gestalt play therapists to address those losses experienced by children during the latency period. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to provide a guideline in order to ensure a meaningful therapeutic experience for children in the latency period. In order to reach this goal, the research process was guided by qualitative research. Triangulation was used as a data collection technique, in order to achieve this goal of investigating children who experience loss and behavioural responses. The value and suitability of Gestalt therapy during the therapeutic management process was examined. Stemming from the process and integration of results obtained in the empirical investigation, guidelines consisting of six diverse phases were developed and explicated. The goal of the research was therefor achieved with the application of: A guideline for Gestalt play therapists in addressing loss through divorce in children in the latency period. / Social work / M. Diac. (Spelterapie)

Divorce is a phenomenon that affects the emotional, physical and social wellbeing of the divorcees and those close to them. The situation becomes complicated if the affected person has a responsibility of providing caring and nurturing services to the sick, either as a manager or as a practitioner. The extent of how the impact of divorce affects the performance of professional nurses in their roles as carers and as managers was unknown. The nature and quality of services that they render to their patients, their coping strategies and the support systems were unknown. The purpose of the study was to describe and explore the impact of divorce on work performance of professional nurses at the East London Hospital Complex with the aim of ensuring high quality patient care. The objectives of the study were to: explore and describe the lived experiences of female divorced professional nurses with regard to the impact of divorce on their work performance; identify their coping strategies and their support systems. An exploratory descriptive and contextual qualitative research design was used. A phenomenological approach was used. The participants were twelve (12) divorced female professional nurses. The purposive and snowball sampling as non-probability sampling techniques were used. An interview guide was used to conduct the interviews. Audiotape was used for recording the data. Tesch’s steps (1990) of analyzing qualitative data guided the data analysis process. According to the lived experiences of the participants, divorce is traumatic and painful with emotional, physical, financial and social impact. It had a negative impact on the professional nurses’ work performance. The coping strategies included acceptance of the reality, studying, involvement with club and church activities. Support was available from the families, church, friends, and colleagues. Recommendations are that: the employee assistance program be marketed more effectively by hospital management and be included in the hospital, departmental and unit orientation programmes; that a dedicated psychologist, as well as preventive intervention programs, be made available to employees dealing with divorce.

This qualitatively oriented Practical Theology research journey, informed by postmodernism and social constructionism, was based on a narrative enquiry into the healing and renegotiation of identity of five "faithful spouses" post infidelity and divorce. These conversations occurred within a small group context, where narratives were spoken and witnessed (pastoral therapeutic gatherings), and were aimed at enabling the participants to remember and re-author preferred identities and new ways of being. This dissertation attempts to bring together the narratives of the participants, the literature, narrative therapy and pastoral care. My research curiosity was prompted by my mother's experience of divorce, and by the myriad number of conversations I have had with both "infidels" and "faithful spouses" in my pastoral practice. This research journey examines the process of co-creating, along with my fellow travellers (research participants), a viable model of divorce recovery in the face of infidelity and divorce. / Practical Theology / M.Th. (Pastoral Theology)