M.Ed. (Psychology of Education) / The purpose of this study is to determine whether adulthood is indeed influenced by essential family responsibilities. Therefore, an investigation into this facet to adulthood is necessitated.The family unit is responsible for the child's development to adulthood. According to research literature, the responsible parent in the family unit should respectively see to the emotional and material needs of the family on both an individual level as well as a communal level. These responsibilities also include : the creation of a secure environment based on u~conditional love, respect and acceptance; the setting of a good moral example which children may identify with; the emphasis of faithfulness in the marital role; and the creation of and participation in constructive, recreational family activities.These responsibilities will enable parents to fulfill their multi-dimensional educational role. The problem investigated was to ascertain how important these family responsibilities are deemed to be for the development to acceptable adulthood in the Republic of South Africa. Research was therefore undertaken to investigate certain family responsibilities featured prominently in the literature studied. The empirical component of the investigation was based on the implementation of a questionnaire. Concerning validity and reliability, a principal component analysis (PCA) was followed by a principal factor analysis (PFA) in the first order analysis. This was followed by a second order PCA and PFA...

Drawing on developments in the field of family history and studies of families in contemporary settings, the study addresses the question of explaining variations in household patterns. Its empirical basis is a survey of White households in Grahamstown. The surveyed population was broken down in terms of class (occupation) and culture (language) and analyses conducted to determine if there are any statistically significant relationships between these variables and the tendency to reside in particular household structures. The question of 'family ideology' was also addressed as an attempt was made to uncover subjects' views on a variety of family-related issues. On the basis of the research results, a model of the relationship between class, culture and household structure was developed. Its application to a comparison of Black and White household structures in South Africa as well as the United States, is discussed. Finally, attempts at redefining the family are addressed and a new definition of the family proposed.

M.A. (Psychology) / Although the reconstituted family is an ever-increasing phenomenon in society today, there is a shortage of literature and research studies on the subject. It is, therefore, the aim of this study to obtain more information regarding the functioning of this type of family structure. The major part of this study consists of a theoretical literature survey of the functioning of the reconstituted family measured against the healthy and optimal functioning of the traditional nuclear family. The following aspects of healthy functioning in the reconstituted family were reviewed: cohesion, communication, commitment, adaptation, establishment of boundaries, the power structure, the extent of autonomy, acceptance of separation and loss, the perception of reality, and affect. The phases of family development in the reconstituted family were also discussed because of their importance in the evaluation of family functioning. In addition, research literature was used to emphasize the complexity of the reconstituted family's functioning in relation to aspects such as boundaries and family integration. There is, however, a definite gap in research on systemic aspects such as communication and cohesion which relate to positive and optimal functioning in the reconstituted family.

D.Phil. (Social Work) / Both woman and child abuse are pervasive social phenomena that affect woman and children of all races, nationalities, socio-economic groups and cultures. The co-occurrence of woman and child abuse is a social phenomenon that remains largely misunderstood by the public. Although the two categories of abuse often occur together, they are dealt with separately at an intervention level and managed by different institutions, non-governmental organisations and agencies. Child welfare organisations focus on child abuse often misdiagnosing or,ignoring woman abuse and women's organisations focus on woman abuse not making the link between woman and child abuse. This study assumes that the intervention of social workers isinfluenced by their theoretical framework and that a third theoretical framework is required to address this bifurcation in services to abused women and 'children. . This study examines the phenomenon of woman and child abuse co-occurring in the same family system and the implications that this has for practice. The findings of the study show a definite split in services provided to abused children and those provided to abused women. This split is seen not only in service provision but also in the theoretical frameworks of the social workers concerned, as well as the philosophies and mandates of the organisations for which they work. In addition, it was found that the phenomenon of woman and child abuse co-occurring is not well recognised or understood by social workers often leading to inappropriate and ineffective responses. The generalist practice framework is put forward as a means of addressing this phenomenon holistically and effectively. This framework is used to draw on aspects of the child welfare approach as well as the feminist approach and includes aspects of the strengths perspective and developmental social welfare to ensure a contextually appropriate framework. The Generalist Practice Model as described by Kirst, Ashman & Hull (2002) is utilized as a guideline for addressing woman and child abuse in same family systems.

D.Ed. / World-wide, as well as in South Africa, divorce is on the increase. Divorce appears to be an intensely emotional experience, whilst the problems of families in the process of divorce are unique in each instance. The trauma resulting from divorce is intensified when disputes arise over the distribution of property, the payment of maintenance, and custody of and access to children. Three questions for research arise, namely: "How do the members of a family in the process of divorce interact in their daily lives? How will an educational psychologist's knowledge of this contribute towards a conceptual framework in order to diminish the trauma of divorce and to facilitate adjustment after divorce? and "In what way can the educational psychologist make a contribution in custody disputes that will be in the best interests of the children?" The purpose of this research is, therefore, to examine and describe the process of divorce, to utilise this information to develop an educational-psychological approach towards families in the process of divorce, and, thirdly, to formulate guidelines for handling custody disputes. This qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research focusses on the lives of four groups of respondents in the divorce situation, namely divorced adults, children under the age of 8 years, adolescents whose parents have already divorced, and adolescents from homes where the marriage is in the process of breaking up. The research was carried out in three phases. Phase one comprised the exploration and description of the process of divorce, and this data was used in phase two to generate an approach for educational psychologists. In phase three guidelines were developed for an educational-psychological approach to families in the process of divorce. During phase one the collection of data was done by using explorative multiple case studies. The data was analysed using Giorgi's phenomenological approach and Kerlinger's guidelines for a content analysis. To further augment the data a review of the literature and comparison of the information with similar research has been done. Various themes were identified with regard to divorce as phenomenon and the way the different parties experienced and coped with divorce. During phase two these themes were highlighted as areas that should form part of an educational-psychological approach to families in divorce. During phase three guidelines were developed down for the handling of families-in-divorce. The focus had been especially on the role of the educational psychologist as therapist, mediator end evaluator before, during and after the divorce. Emphasis was specifically placed on the interests of the children, which should take precedence. Criteria for the determination of the best interests of children were also developed. This research aims at contributing to a better understanding of families-in-divorce and also provides a comprehensive approach with guidelines for an educational-psychological approach with regard to divorce referrals.

M.A. (Psychology) / Noller and Callan ( 1991) are of opinion that the success with which the adolescent copes with the main tasks of adolescence is determined by the family environment. Any failure of the adolescent to cope with his developmental tasks effectively, will prevent him from coping successfully with life's demands in future, and cause psychological and social problems (Jooste, 1989). The purpose of this cross-cultural study was to investigate those family qualities that contribute to successful coping with demands of life. The investigation was done within different culture groups as well as within different socio-economic status (SES) groups ...

D.Cur. / The purpose of this study was to generate an interpersonal communication skills approach for adolescents. Through this approach adolescents will be given an opportunity to formulate new stories on their interpersonal communication skills in the form of stories about constructive communication skills. This will enable adolescents to maintain their important interpersonal relationships. Adolescence is a period characterised by the occurance of many adjustments and changes. Continually higher demands are made from adolescents in terms of career choices, the choice of friends, release from parents and parental homes, development of autonomy and the successful completion of the adolescent developmental phase. The climate of reconciliation in the post apartheid South Africa pressurise adolescents even more. Sources of support is consequently of great importance to adolescents during this phase of change. Sources of support for example the families of adolescents, members of the community and especially the peer group plays a significant role. interpersonal relationships with the aforementioned groups of persons and individuals must be maintained in order to ensure continued support during and in order to successfully complete the developmental phase of adolesence. This requires constructive interpersonal communication skills. It is however evident that adolescents do not posess all of the required constructive communication skills which would enable them to maintain these important interpersonal relationships. The abovementioned lead to the following questions which were addressed in phase one, -two and -three of this research: Over which interpersonal communication skills do adolescents posess? Which specific interpersonal communication skills needs to be addressed in the interpersonal communication skills approach in order to maximise adolescent's ability to communicate interpersonally with a view to improve, maintain and restore their mental health? Which guidelines can be given for the operationalising of the interpersonal communication skills approach for adolescents? A qualitative, investigative, descriptive and contextual design was followed. The research was conducted in three phases with a pre-phase which preceeded phase one of the research. A topical scenario to be utilised in the course of the research was established in the pre-phase of the research through group interviews with adolescents. In phase one of the research role play was conducted and written dialogue was obtained based on the scenarios identified in the pre-phase. An interpersonal communication skills approach was generated in phase two of the research. In phase three of the research certain guidelines were described for the operationalising of the approach. The researcher concluded from the results obtained in phase one of the research that the interpersonal communication of adolescents included in this research were characterised by an entanglement within four repetative circular interpersonalcommunication patterns. These four repetative circular interpersonal communication patterns are initiated and maintained by certain feelings, thoughts and behaviour. The four repetative circular interpersonal communication patterns are the following: Recurrent circular interpersonal patterns of defocusing and externalizing the topic under discussion; Recurrent circular interpersonal patterns of struggling for power between the adolescent and the other conversationist; Recurrent circular interpersonal patterns of not listening to the other conversationist; and Recurrent circular interpersonal patterns of not focusing on feelings while conversating.

Family resilience is the ability of a family to rebound from adversities, often stronger than before. To be knowledgeable on the characteristics and processes that render individuals and their families resilient, contribute to family well-being. Using a qualitative research approach and an interview guide, the researcher focused on developing a better understanding of the manifestation of family resilience as part of a family’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances and life in its dynamic form. Family resilience as an interactive process over time, normalizes resilience as part of the day to day living of the family and its members, including the young and the old. The domains of family resilience are, organizational patterns, adaptability, protective processes (including family risks, family strengths and protective/buffering factors), communication processes and family belief systems that, in synergy with one another, render families resilient. The research results confirmed the presence of characteristics and processes of family resilience amongst social work client families in South Africa. Depending on the challenges families my face, all families are either more resilient or less resilient. The latter most often needing additional support, such as social work intervention. South African policies should be family-focused and urge for a strengths-based approach towards enhancing family resilience and ultimately family well-being. Service providers need to give recognition to the fact that all families have challenges that need to be faced, but that families also have strengths to be drawn-upon to address and overcome these challenges. This implies that social work interventions that impact on the lives of families, should be rendered from a family resilience perspective and strengths-based approach, with the family as focal point for service delivery. / Social Science / M.A. (Social Work)

Family resilience is the ability of a family to rebound from adversities, often stronger than before. To be knowledgeable on the characteristics and processes that render individuals and their families resilient, contribute to family well-being. Using a qualitative research approach and an interview guide, the researcher focused on developing a better understanding of the manifestation of family resilience as part of a family’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances and life in its dynamic form. Family resilience as an interactive process over time, normalizes resilience as part of the day to day living of the family and its members, including the young and the old. The domains of family resilience are, organizational patterns, adaptability, protective processes (including family risks, family strengths and protective/buffering factors), communication processes and family belief systems that, in synergy with one another, render families resilient. The research results confirmed the presence of characteristics and processes of family resilience amongst social work client families in South Africa. Depending on the challenges families my face, all families are either more resilient or less resilient. The latter most often needing additional support, such as social work intervention. South African policies should be family-focused and urge for a strengths-based approach towards enhancing family resilience and ultimately family well-being. Service providers need to give recognition to the fact that all families have challenges that need to be faced, but that families also have strengths to be drawn-upon to address and overcome these challenges. This implies that social work interventions that impact on the lives of families, should be rendered from a family resilience perspective and strengths-based approach, with the family as focal point for service delivery. / Social Science / M.A. (Social Work)