The overall objective of this study is to develop and evaluate a social group work empowerment programme which is aimed at alcohol dependent elderly people's needs and strengths. The thesis consists of four sections: Section A refers to the problem statement, research objectives and procedures which were followed. Furthermore the limitations of this study, the definition of key words as well as the composition of the research report are discussed. The problem statement can be condensed as follows: o Journals all over the world have been pleading for decades that alcohol dependent clients should be exposed to special developed treatment programmes. Opposed to this, it was found that treatment centres in South Africa use one programme for all their clients, irrespective of age. This entails an unfair and unjust service delivery model. From these findings a need for a specialized treatment programme for alcohol dependant clients was identified. o The strengths perspective has been successfully implemented in various service areas of social work. Unfortunately it has not yet been implemented in a controlled study with alcohol dependent elderly through group work services. The problem statement leads to four research aims. Developmental and Utilization Research (DR & U-model) was used as the overall research model. This model was implemented within a mixed methodological design model. Interviews and experimental research were used as quantitative approaches, although some qualitative data were also reported. A case study, as a qualitative approach, was also used. Literature studies were conducted on the themes of alcoholism, social group work, as well as the strengths perspective. Section B consists of the four articles that form the report about the research outcomes. Each article is a report about a particular sub-project of the research and each has, as a self-contained unit, an own research aim, research method and report. Each of these is linked with the central aim, objectives and content of the umbrella research project. The four articles are: Article 1: Profile of alcohol dependent elderly people A comprehensive profile of alcohol dependent elderly is drafted based on the results of interviews and case studies with 56 aged participants. Various strengths, such as a spouse, of alcohol dependent elderly were identified. On the other hand needs, such as effective communication skills, were also identified. Article 2: The nature and practice of a strengths perspective with alcohol dependent elderly people The history of the strengths perspective is outlined within a South African and international context. From the literature study as well as interviews with the aged participants (N=56) and social work practitioners (N=27) various strengths and qualities group work services with alcohol dependent elderly people. Opposed to this, it was found that although this perspective holds many advantages for the alcohol dependent elderly person, it is presently not practised at registered treatment centres in South Africa that were involved in this investigation. Advantages, disadvantages and principles of this perspective are also discussed. Article 3: A social group work empowerment programme with alcohol dependent elderly people A social group work empowerment programme was developed for alcohol dependent elderly, aimed at their special needs, strengths and challenges. The programme was developed in the spirit of empowerment, a strengths perspective, healing and wholeness, as well as music therapy. Thirteen group meetings, such as communication, conflict management, handling of mild depression, managing of loss, HIV/Aids and the aged person, as well as religion and spirituality in old age, were developed and presented to the client group. Special concerns for group work with the aged, such as to use a loud voice and to speak clearly, were identified from the literature and empirical research, and was taken into account during the programme presentation. Article 4: The effect of a social group work empowerment programme on the social functioning of alcohol dependent elderly people The programme was implemented with eight (N=8) aged participants in an experimental group. Eight (N=8) aged participants was in a comparative group and they received the current group work programme offered by the targeted treatment centre. The shortened Affectometer 2 (Kammann & Nett) and Personal Multi-Screening Inventory (Perspective College) were used as quantitative measuring tools at four occasions with both groups. Added to that, the experimental group completed a self-developed qualitative questionnaire once after intervention. According to the quantitative data neither the empowerment programme, nor the current group work programme improved the social function of the alcohol dependent elderly people The qualitative data showed exactly the opposite findings for the experimental group. In Section C a summary of the findings and conclusions of the full research project is provided. Furthermore some recommendations are provided, followed by a discussion on the contribution of the study. Section D consists of various addenda, such as the interview schedules that were used for data collection purposes. The thesis is concluded with a compound bibliography. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006

Thesis (Ph.D. (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

The overall objective of this study is to develop and evaluate a social group work empowerment programme which is aimed at alcohol dependent elderly people's needs and strengths. The thesis consists of four sections: Section A refers to the problem statement, research objectives and procedures which were followed. Furthermore the limitations of this study, the definition of key words as well as the composition of the research report are discussed. The problem statement can be condensed as follows: o Journals all over the world have been pleading for decades that alcohol dependent clients should be exposed to special developed treatment programmes. Opposed to this, it was found that treatment centres in South Africa use one programme for all their clients, irrespective of age. This entails an unfair and unjust service delivery model. From these findings a need for a specialized treatment programme for alcohol dependant clients was identified. o The strengths perspective has been successfully implemented in various service areas of social work. Unfortunately it has not yet been implemented in a controlled study with alcohol dependent elderly through group work services. The problem statement leads to four research aims. Developmental and Utilization Research (DR & U-model) was used as the overall research model. This model was implemented within a mixed methodological design model. Interviews and experimental research were used as quantitative approaches, although some qualitative data were also reported. A case study, as a qualitative approach, was also used. Literature studies were conducted on the themes of alcoholism, social group work, as well as the strengths perspective. Section B consists of the four articles that form the report about the research outcomes. Each article is a report about a particular sub-project of the research and each has, as a self-contained unit, an own research aim, research method and report. Each of these is linked with the central aim, objectives and content of the umbrella research project. The four articles are: Article 1: Profile of alcohol dependent elderly people A comprehensive profile of alcohol dependent elderly is drafted based on the results of interviews and case studies with 56 aged participants. Various strengths, such as a spouse, of alcohol dependent elderly were identified. On the other hand needs, such as effective communication skills, were also identified. Article 2: The nature and practice of a strengths perspective with alcohol dependent elderly people The history of the strengths perspective is outlined within a South African and international context. From the literature study as well as interviews with the aged participants (N=56) and social work practitioners (N=27) various strengths and qualities group work services with alcohol dependent elderly people. Opposed to this, it was found that although this perspective holds many advantages for the alcohol dependent elderly person, it is presently not practised at registered treatment centres in South Africa that were involved in this investigation. Advantages, disadvantages and principles of this perspective are also discussed. Article 3: A social group work empowerment programme with alcohol dependent elderly people A social group work empowerment programme was developed for alcohol dependent elderly, aimed at their special needs, strengths and challenges. The programme was developed in the spirit of empowerment, a strengths perspective, healing and wholeness, as well as music therapy. Thirteen group meetings, such as communication, conflict management, handling of mild depression, managing of loss, HIV/Aids and the aged person, as well as religion and spirituality in old age, were developed and presented to the client group. Special concerns for group work with the aged, such as to use a loud voice and to speak clearly, were identified from the literature and empirical research, and was taken into account during the programme presentation. Article 4: The effect of a social group work empowerment programme on the social functioning of alcohol dependent elderly people The programme was implemented with eight (N=8) aged participants in an experimental group. Eight (N=8) aged participants was in a comparative group and they received the current group work programme offered by the targeted treatment centre. The shortened Affectometer 2 (Kammann & Nett) and Personal Multi-Screening Inventory (Perspective College) were used as quantitative measuring tools at four occasions with both groups. Added to that, the experimental group completed a self-developed qualitative questionnaire once after intervention. According to the quantitative data neither the empowerment programme, nor the current group work programme improved the social function of the alcohol dependent elderly people The qualitative data showed exactly the opposite findings for the experimental group. In Section C a summary of the findings and conclusions of the full research project is provided. Furthermore some recommendations are provided, followed by a discussion on the contribution of the study. Section D consists of various addenda, such as the interview schedules that were used for data collection purposes. The thesis is concluded with a compound bibliography. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006

The aim of this study was to develop, implement and evaluate a social work empowerment programme for foster parents of sexually abused children. This thesis consists of five sections: SECTION A: Contains the problem statement, objectives and research methodology, the limitations of the study and definitions of key words. The problem statement was formulated as follows: There is no existing scientifically developed and implemented social work empowerment programme for foster parents of sexually abused children available in South Africa. This problem statement resulted in the development of four research objectives. The intervention research model was utilised and implemented within a mixed methodology paradigm. Focus group discussions and the single system design generated quantitative and qualitative data. SECTION B: Consists of four articles combined together, form the research report on the achievement of the objectives. The four articles are: Article 1: The implication of sexual abuse for foster care. The aim of this article is to establish the implications of sexual abuse for foster care by means of a literature study. The impact of child sexual abuse depends on various factors like the age of the child, the amount of force used, the relationship between the child and the perpetrator, and the period over which the abuse took place. The impact of sexual abuse on the child also varies depending on the individual child. In order for the foster parent to assist the foster child to heal from the trauma of child sexual abuse, it is necessary for the foster parent to have knowledge of and insight into such impact on the foster child. Article 2: The empowerment needs of foster parents of sexually abused children. The aim of this article is to establish the empowerment needs of foster parents of sexually abused children. A focus group discussion was used as a method to collect relevant qualitative data. Five (N=5) foster parents with foster children that have been sexually abused, identified from the caseload of a Child Welfare Society in White River and formed part of the discussion group. From the discussion group two categories, namely feelings, experiences and challenges of foster parents of sexually abused foster children and the needs of foster parents of sexually abused foster children were identified. Ten themes and sub-themes were derived and identified. Article 3: The development and implementation of a social work empowerment programme for foster parents of sexually abused children. The aim of this article is to develop and implement a social work empowerment programme for foster parents of sexually abused children. A nine session programme was developed according to the needs identified in the previous article, and implemented over three days to seven (N=7) foster parents, selected according to a non-probability sampling method. It was presented through psychosocial group work as method. Article 4: The evaluation of a social work empowerment programme for foster parents of sexually abused children. The aim of this article was to evaluate the social work empowerment programme and the effect of the programme on the psychosocial functioning of the foster parents of sexually abused children. A single system design was followed to collect data. Three standardised instruments were utilised during pre- and post-test. A self- developed questionnaire was used to gather qualitative data. SECTION C: Summative findings, conclusions and recommendations and contribution of the study. SECTION D: Addendums. SECTION E: Compound list of references. / Thesis (PhD (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

The aim of this study was to develop, implement and evaluate a social work empowerment programme for foster parents of sexually abused children. This thesis consists of five sections: SECTION A: Contains the problem statement, objectives and research methodology, the limitations of the study and definitions of key words. The problem statement was formulated as follows: There is no existing scientifically developed and implemented social work empowerment programme for foster parents of sexually abused children available in South Africa. This problem statement resulted in the development of four research objectives. The intervention research model was utilised and implemented within a mixed methodology paradigm. Focus group discussions and the single system design generated quantitative and qualitative data. SECTION B: Consists of four articles combined together, form the research report on the achievement of the objectives. The four articles are: Article 1: The implication of sexual abuse for foster care. The aim of this article is to establish the implications of sexual abuse for foster care by means of a literature study. The impact of child sexual abuse depends on various factors like the age of the child, the amount of force used, the relationship between the child and the perpetrator, and the period over which the abuse took place. The impact of sexual abuse on the child also varies depending on the individual child. In order for the foster parent to assist the foster child to heal from the trauma of child sexual abuse, it is necessary for the foster parent to have knowledge of and insight into such impact on the foster child. Article 2: The empowerment needs of foster parents of sexually abused children. The aim of this article is to establish the empowerment needs of foster parents of sexually abused children. A focus group discussion was used as a method to collect relevant qualitative data. Five (N=5) foster parents with foster children that have been sexually abused, identified from the caseload of a Child Welfare Society in White River and formed part of the discussion group. From the discussion group two categories, namely feelings, experiences and challenges of foster parents of sexually abused foster children and the needs of foster parents of sexually abused foster children were identified. Ten themes and sub-themes were derived and identified. Article 3: The development and implementation of a social work empowerment programme for foster parents of sexually abused children. The aim of this article is to develop and implement a social work empowerment programme for foster parents of sexually abused children. A nine session programme was developed according to the needs identified in the previous article, and implemented over three days to seven (N=7) foster parents, selected according to a non-probability sampling method. It was presented through psychosocial group work as method. Article 4: The evaluation of a social work empowerment programme for foster parents of sexually abused children. The aim of this article was to evaluate the social work empowerment programme and the effect of the programme on the psychosocial functioning of the foster parents of sexually abused children. A single system design was followed to collect data. Three standardised instruments were utilised during pre- and post-test. A self- developed questionnaire was used to gather qualitative data. SECTION C: Summative findings, conclusions and recommendations and contribution of the study. SECTION D: Addendums. SECTION E: Compound list of references. / Thesis (PhD (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

This research was aimed at the development, implementation and evaluation of an empowerment programme for parents with children in their middle childhood, focused on temperament analysis. The motivation for this study stemmed from the absence of relevant programmes in the field of social work concerning different temperaments and needs of children that parents does not understand or meet. Intervention research was applied. A two-phase research approach was undertaken. In phase 1, a qualitative research was used to do a need assessment. The need assessment was done by means of two focus group discussions with ten parents in each group. The following research question was formulated for this phase: What is the needs of parents related to a programme that focus on temperament analysis for children in there middle childhood. This data complemented the literature study which was undertaken and provided information that established the contents of the empowerment programme. The research question could therefore be answered. The qualitative approach was used in phase 2 as the single-system design. The following research hypothesis was formulated for this phase: If an empowerment programme that includes a temperament analysis is attempted with parents, a significant change in their knowledge in handling and understanding of their children should realise. The empowerment programme for parents with children in their middle childhood consisted of six sessions and was implemented over a period of two weeks. Four parents and one single parent undertook the empowerment programme. A group assessment was undertaken with the five children of the parents who attended the empowerment programme. The focus of the group assessment was to determine a tendency to respond. The self-designed questionnaire was completed prior to the empowerment programme and thereafter. This instrument of measurement confirmed the hypothesis. Conclusions and recommendations for the utilization of the programme in future research were formulated as a result of the research study. / Thesis (PhD (Human Movement Science))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is described as a crisis by the Global Report (UNAIDS 2004:13). Swaziland¡¦s King Mswati III also declared the HIV/AIDS epidemic as a disaster when the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate increased from 3.9% in 1992 to 42.6% in 2004 (MOHSW 2004:3). In responding to the increasing numbers, the Government of Swaziland established various programmes; one of them being the Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) services to meet societal needs. The MOHSW designed guidelines to be utilized when training nurses to be pre and post HIV test counselors (TASC 2003:2). The period of training ranges between 1 to 2 weeks, after which they are deployed to the VCT centres where nurses provide counseling and testing, treatment of opportunistic infections and distributing antiretroviral drugs. Much research has been done in Swaziland on HIV/AIDS however; there is insufficient knowledge on the impact of HIV/AIDS on nurses working at the VCT services. The objectives of the study were to: ,,« Explore and describe the experiences of nurses working in the VCT services. ,,« Explore and describe the experiences of clients receiving VCT services. ,,« Design and develop an empowerment programme for nurses working in the VCT services in Swaziland. ,,« Formulate and describe guidelines for the implementation of the programme. In this qualitative study, the exploratory descriptive and contextual methodology was utilized to look into lived experiences of nurses and clients. This was done within the adaptation of the intervention Design and Development genre proposed by Rothman and Thomas (1994). Data was collected through purposive sampling and analysed according to Tesch¡¦s methods (Tesch 1990:890) The study revealed one major theme; constant experience of stress that was related to psychological and physical factors (categories). Nurses identified the complexity of HIV/AIDS, shortage of staff, lack of social support, lack of a supportive working environment, and a need for staff development under psychological factors. Clients identified stigma and discrimination. Constant exhaustion and development of medical conditions were identified as physical factors that led to constant experience of stress. Conclusions drawn from the data analysis revealed that nurses were stressed and felt disempowered at working in the VCT services. An empowerment programme was designed and developed to enable these nurses to deal with issues and VCT services for rendering quality care and enjoy the work they do. Guidelines were formulated to implement the empowerment programme. The study concluded with the identification of limitations and recommendations for future endeavours. / Health Studies / D.Litt. et Phil.

The ANC government’s quest for economic transformation in the post-apartheid South Africa came up with black economic empowerment policy. Equal participation in the economy especially for the previously disadvantaged was one of the stated aims of black economic empowerment. This study discusses black entrepreneurs’ perceptions of business transformation in Durban in the context of lack economic empowerment. Qualitative interviews were conducted with fourteen black entrepreneurs that were indentified and located through purposive and snowball sampling methods. The study found out that while there is an appreciation of BEE policy and the transformation that has already taken place, there is also a healthy criticism, discontent, skepticism and impatience over the pace of transformation and implementation of BEE policy. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is described as a crisis by the Global Report (UNAIDS 2004:13). Swaziland¡¦s King Mswati III also declared the HIV/AIDS epidemic as a disaster when the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate increased from 3.9% in 1992 to 42.6% in 2004 (MOHSW 2004:3). In responding to the increasing numbers, the Government of Swaziland established various programmes; one of them being the Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) services to meet societal needs. The MOHSW designed guidelines to be utilized when training nurses to be pre and post HIV test counselors (TASC 2003:2). The period of training ranges between 1 to 2 weeks, after which they are deployed to the VCT centres where nurses provide counseling and testing, treatment of opportunistic infections and distributing antiretroviral drugs. Much research has been done in Swaziland on HIV/AIDS however; there is insufficient knowledge on the impact of HIV/AIDS on nurses working at the VCT services. The objectives of the study were to: ,,« Explore and describe the experiences of nurses working in the VCT services. ,,« Explore and describe the experiences of clients receiving VCT services. ,,« Design and develop an empowerment programme for nurses working in the VCT services in Swaziland. ,,« Formulate and describe guidelines for the implementation of the programme. In this qualitative study, the exploratory descriptive and contextual methodology was utilized to look into lived experiences of nurses and clients. This was done within the adaptation of the intervention Design and Development genre proposed by Rothman and Thomas (1994). Data was collected through purposive sampling and analysed according to Tesch¡¦s methods (Tesch 1990:890) The study revealed one major theme; constant experience of stress that was related to psychological and physical factors (categories). Nurses identified the complexity of HIV/AIDS, shortage of staff, lack of social support, lack of a supportive working environment, and a need for staff development under psychological factors. Clients identified stigma and discrimination. Constant exhaustion and development of medical conditions were identified as physical factors that led to constant experience of stress. Conclusions drawn from the data analysis revealed that nurses were stressed and felt disempowered at working in the VCT services. An empowerment programme was designed and developed to enable these nurses to deal with issues and VCT services for rendering quality care and enjoy the work they do. Guidelines were formulated to implement the empowerment programme. The study concluded with the identification of limitations and recommendations for future endeavours. / Health Studies / D.Litt. et Phil.

Summaries in Afrikaans and English / ADHD is a well-known disorder affecting approximately 8% of children in South Africa. Despite years of research and development re the disorder, it seems that parents and teachers sometimes do not have the ability to handle a child with ADHD. Since a lot of the information is contradictory, confusion exists among parents and teachers who act as the support system of the child with ADHD. ADHD is a serious and destructive disorder and can influence the child’s social functioning negatively. Due to continuous failure, the child with ADHD has a low self-esteem. These aspects are the point of reference for the aim of this study, namely the development and implementation of a Gestalt therapeutic intervention plan aimed at the empowerment of the child with ADHD in the middle childhood years, his supporting systems and the evaluation of the impact thereof. The empirical data was gathered by a process of intervention research. A combination of the qualitative and quantitative approach was used. During the use of the qualitative method, a quasi-experimental one-group-pretest-posttest design was utilized. During the qualitative phase, the phenomenological perspective was used. An in-depth literature study was done in respect of ADHD, the theoretic basis of ADHD, the child with ADHD in the middle childhood years and the ADHD from a Gestalt therapeutic perspective. This literature study was the starting point for the development of the comprehensive holistic intervention plan. The intervention plan consists of three programmes: Firstly an empowering program of six sessions aimed at the child in the middle childhood years with ADHD – attention was given to emotional awareness and the dealing with unfinished business. Secondly an empowering programme aimed at the parents consisting of four parental guidance sessions, and thirdly an empowerment programme aimed at the teachers, consisting of two workshops. / AandagTekortHiperaktiwiteitsVersteuring (ATHV) is 'n welbekende versteuring wat ongeveer 8% van SuidAfrikaanse kinders be'invloed. Ten spyte van jarelange navorsing en die verbetering van begrip vir die versteuring, blyk dit dat ouers en onderwysers steeds nie altyd oor die vermoe beskik om 'n kind met A THV te hanteer nie. Aangesien daar baie teenstrydige inligting beskikbaar is, word verwarring geskep by ouers en onderwysers, wat as die kind met A THV se steunstelsels moet dien. A THV is 'n ernstige en verwoestende versteuring en kan die kind se maatskaplike funksionering negatief be'invloed. As gevolg van voortdurende mislukking het die kind met ATHV dikwels 'n lae selfwaarde. Hierdie aspekte het as uitgangspunt gedien vir die doel van die ondersoek, naamlik die ontwikkeling en implementering van 'n Gestaltterapeutiese intervensieplan gerig op die bemagtiging van sowel die kind met A THV in die middelkinderjare, asook sy steunstelsels, en om die impak daarvan te evalueer. Tydens die ondersoek is 'n proses van intervensienavorsing gevolg wat 'n gekombineerde kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe navorsingsmetode is. In die benutting van die kwalitatiewe metode is 'n kwasie-eksperimentele een-groep-voortoets-natoetsstrategie benut. By die kwalitatiewe metode is vanuit die fenomenologiese perspektief gewerk. 'n Diepgaande literatuurstudie is gedoen ten opsigte van ATHV, die teoretiese begronding van ATHV, die kind met ATHV in die middelkinderjare en ATHV vanuit 'n Gestaltterapieperspektief. Hierdie literatuurstudie het as basis vir die ontwikkeling van 'n omvattende holistiese intervensieplan gedien. Die intervensieplan bestaan uit drie programme. Eerstens 'n bemagtigingsprogram van ses sessies gerig op die kind met A THV in die middelkinderjare waar die klem geplaas is op emosionele bewuswording en die hantering van onvoltooidhede. Tweedens 'n bemagtigingsprogram gerig op die ouers tydens vier ouerleidingsessies. Derdens 'n bemagtigingsprogram gerig op die onderwysers bestaande uit twee werkwinkels. Gestaltterapie het nie slegs as teoretiese verwysingsraamwerk tydens die ondersoek gedien nie, maar Gestaltterapeutiesemetodes is ook benut tydens die implementering van die intervensieplan. Resultate vanuit die empiriese gegewens dui aan dat die ouers en onderwysers se kennis ten opsigte van ATHV verbeter het, want hulle het hanteringstrategiee aangeleer en begin toepas, en daar was beter begrip tussen die skool en die ouers waarby die kinders gebaat het. Die kinders se selfwaarde is ook verhoog en hulle maatskaplike funksionering het verbeter. / Social Work / D. Diac. (Play Therapy)