Research regarding the imprisonment of a family member has mainly focused on the effects of parental imprisonment on the children in that family. Literature indicates that the child of an imprisoned parent has to deal with numerous challenges, including stigma and shame related to their parent‟s arrest and imprisonment. Other common feelings these children might experience include anger, confusion and sadness. Furthermore these children often experience pressure related to keeping the imprisonment a secret from those close to them. These children might also face multiple separations from the imprisoned parent, experience changes with regards to residence, school and friendships, adoption of adult roles and responsibilities, financial distress, lack of supervision and more. When compared to literature regarding parental imprisonment relatively few studies have been done on the effects of imprisonment on the family as a whole, especially in the South African context. The available research indicates there are numerous implications for the family as a whole. Some of these implications include stigma, financial stress, role changes within the family, relational problems between family members (including extended family), challenges in dealing with the criminal justice system and emotional distress (feelings of loneliness, anxiety, isolation and worry). The aim of this study was to explore and describe the changes that take place in family functioning when a member of that family is imprisoned as they are perceived by the members of the nuclear family. A qualitative description (descriptive) research approach was used in this study. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants. Six voluntary participants (all family members of imprisoned individuals) from four families were recruited. Participants were aged between 15 and 75, consisted of one male and five females. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. These interviews were audio recorded and then transcribed. Initial questions for the semi-structured interviews were obtained using the McMaster Model of Family Functioning as a guiding framework. Therefore, first deductive (directed) content analysis was used, after which thematic analysis was then done on the transcribed data. From the analysis two main themes and nine subthemes emerged. It was found that participants relied more on their family members for problem solving, were generally more open-hearted and honest with their communication towards each other while limiting potentially distressing communication and they experienced changes in the roles and responsibilities within the family. Participants also reported experiencing new emotions (positive and negative) and experienced increased support, understanding and involvement from their family members. They furthermore experienced changes in behaviour control and household rules ranging from rigid to laissez-faire and often fluctuating between these. Some participants reported experiencing more support from outside the family. Participants furthermore reported feeling stigmatised and isolated within their communities. They also experienced gaining resilience and inner strength and found strength through their religious beliefs. The findings of this study can‟t be generalized due to the limited demographic variability and small sample size. Limited research is available regarding the changes in family functioning after the imprisonment of a family member in the family as a whole, especially in the South African context. The identification of religion and resilience (as subthemes identified from the data) as they relate to coping is probably the most important contribution of this study as it is not discussed in any of the models of family functioning mentioned in this study, including the McMaster Model of Family Functioning. It is recommended that further research focus on both resilience and religion as they relate to coping and possibly contribute to family functioning after the imprisonment of a family member. It is furthermore suggested that specific intervention programs be developed to help families function effectively after the imprisonment of a family member. These intervention programs might include group work with different families or working with individual families either with skills development, psycho-education or therapeutically. / MA (Clinical Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Research regarding the imprisonment of a family member has mainly focused on the effects of parental imprisonment on the children in that family. Literature indicates that the child of an imprisoned parent has to deal with numerous challenges, including stigma and shame related to their parent‟s arrest and imprisonment. Other common feelings these children might experience include anger, confusion and sadness. Furthermore these children often experience pressure related to keeping the imprisonment a secret from those close to them. These children might also face multiple separations from the imprisoned parent, experience changes with regards to residence, school and friendships, adoption of adult roles and responsibilities, financial distress, lack of supervision and more. When compared to literature regarding parental imprisonment relatively few studies have been done on the effects of imprisonment on the family as a whole, especially in the South African context. The available research indicates there are numerous implications for the family as a whole. Some of these implications include stigma, financial stress, role changes within the family, relational problems between family members (including extended family), challenges in dealing with the criminal justice system and emotional distress (feelings of loneliness, anxiety, isolation and worry). The aim of this study was to explore and describe the changes that take place in family functioning when a member of that family is imprisoned as they are perceived by the members of the nuclear family. A qualitative description (descriptive) research approach was used in this study. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants. Six voluntary participants (all family members of imprisoned individuals) from four families were recruited. Participants were aged between 15 and 75, consisted of one male and five females. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. These interviews were audio recorded and then transcribed. Initial questions for the semi-structured interviews were obtained using the McMaster Model of Family Functioning as a guiding framework. Therefore, first deductive (directed) content analysis was used, after which thematic analysis was then done on the transcribed data. From the analysis two main themes and nine subthemes emerged. It was found that participants relied more on their family members for problem solving, were generally more open-hearted and honest with their communication towards each other while limiting potentially distressing communication and they experienced changes in the roles and responsibilities within the family. Participants also reported experiencing new emotions (positive and negative) and experienced increased support, understanding and involvement from their family members. They furthermore experienced changes in behaviour control and household rules ranging from rigid to laissez-faire and often fluctuating between these. Some participants reported experiencing more support from outside the family. Participants furthermore reported feeling stigmatised and isolated within their communities. They also experienced gaining resilience and inner strength and found strength through their religious beliefs. The findings of this study can‟t be generalized due to the limited demographic variability and small sample size. Limited research is available regarding the changes in family functioning after the imprisonment of a family member in the family as a whole, especially in the South African context. The identification of religion and resilience (as subthemes identified from the data) as they relate to coping is probably the most important contribution of this study as it is not discussed in any of the models of family functioning mentioned in this study, including the McMaster Model of Family Functioning. It is recommended that further research focus on both resilience and religion as they relate to coping and possibly contribute to family functioning after the imprisonment of a family member. It is furthermore suggested that specific intervention programs be developed to help families function effectively after the imprisonment of a family member. These intervention programs might include group work with different families or working with individual families either with skills development, psycho-education or therapeutically. / MA (Clinical Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The purpose of this research was to determine family patterns which limit the optimal functioning of the child in middle childhood with Bipolar Disorder and Cerebral Palsy. To achieve this goal a thorough literature study was performed with regard to the child with Bipolar Disorder and Cerebral Palsy. The nature, causes and state of these two conditions in the family were investigated. Cresswell's combined model of research namely the "dominant-less-dominant" model of investigation was used. The less dominant part of the research was quantitative where the "Hudson scale: Index of Parental Attitudes" was used. This is a standardised questionnaire that aims to measure the attitudes of parents. The qualitative part of the research produced more information regarding the above-mentioned aspects. Unstructured interviews with the family, as well as the multi-disciplinary team currently involved with the family were conducted. The "One shot case study" was used to determine the significance of negative family patterns. This is an in-depth study of a single unit and required that the researcher become part of the family and family activities for a specific period of time. From this specific family, patterns were identified which limit the child with Bipolar Disorder and Cerebral Palsy to optimal functioning. From the results it was clear that significant family patterns exist in this family which limit the child. The research question could therefore be answered and certain themes could be identified. With regard to dimensions of family functioning, significant patterns around affection, behaviour control, value transmission, structure, communication and external systems were identified which limit the child to optimal functioning. Through this the researcher comes to the conclusion that family functioning has a significant influence on the optimal functioning of the child with an affective disorder and disability. With these results in mind, it is important that families are guided in the handling of children with affective disorders and disabilities, so that these children too, can reach optimal functioning. / Thesis (MSD (Play Therapy))--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted