Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Alberta, 1997. / Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, Department of Rural Economy. Also available online.

M.A. (Social Work) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

For this investigation two types of observations used: Texas's private and public institutions that provide residential treatment to children severely handicapped and children served by those facilities. The overall result showed that the distance between the child's home and the treatment facility is great for public institutions than for private.

published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Social Sciences

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

D.Litt. et Phil. / Refer to full text to view abstract

A problems/needs inventory enquired into special social-psychological-emotional problems experienced by seniors in care facilities, due to arthritis. The inventory was based on three questions: are there any such problems? If so, what are they? And, what could be done by facility staff to help relieve such problems? This was the first stage in a proposed larger project: to develop a Social Work component dealing with such special problems, in order to augment an existing staff training program, and to test, evaluate, revise and implement the complete program package. A community-based approach was used. The Department of Social Work Services at the Arthritis Society produced a listing of key areas of concern at a brainstorming session; health-care and social-service professionals were surveyed by interview or by the Delphi Technique; a seniors' arthritis support group participated in a Nominal Group Technique session; care-facility staff met to discuss relevant issues; and, data was gleaned from current literature by a content analysis method. There was general agreement that seniors in care with arthritis do have special social-psychological-emotional problems because of the disease, and also there was consistency regarding the nature of these problems. Analysis of the data led to findings that included the following propositions: A sense of self-reliance and of social integration are essential to well-being. Limitations on movement, and the effects of chronic pain and of pain medication are associated with significant social-psychological emotional problems among seniors in care with arthritis. Two principles of care were identified: 1) support and encourage independence; and, 2) support and encourage social integration. The propositions will be applied to the development of the content of the Social Work component of the training program. Also, many respondents made important recommendations regarding methods and format for the training program. These are included in this paper. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

LD2668 .T4 1954 H35 / Master of Science

No description available.

The number of orphans in South Africa is reaching crisis levels. This is a cause for concern. Most of the deaths seem to be due to the HIV/AIDs pandemic. Children left orphaned have to develop coping strategies. The focus of this study is on the perceptions the orphaned children have of their lives, the attributions they make for events, and the ways they cope. Most importantly, the study is interested in how they cope with loss and then recreate meaning and purpose. To assist these children, it is important to understand their feelings and thoughts after loss, and how they manage to adapt to new environments. This is only possible by giving the children voice and to see life through their eyes. A sample of ten orphans was randomly selected from a list of schools and learners provided by the Department of Education. Adolescents were chosen because they are generally more articulate than younger children, about their emotions and experiences. Five orphans from an informal settlement orphanage in Inanda, and five from a secondary school in the same area were interviewed. A semi-structured interview schedule and diaries were used to collect data from the children. Discourse Analysis was the method used to construct meaning of the material generated. Because the interviews were conducted in the first language of the children, translation into English was necessary. The Appendices provide sample transcripts. Some of the findings of the study were surprising. For example, it was evident that several of the children preferred living in an orphanage to being with relatives, who had, in some instances, offered to foster them. Abuse, alcohol misuse and marginalisation were cited as reasons. The assumption of the researcher had been that family would always be the better option. It was also found that the informal fostering of orphaned children from extended families meant that government grants were not forthcoming. Financial stresses and strains frequently resulted in the maltreatment of fostered children. Poverty and crime in the informal settlement studied seem to bring added burden to children already traumatised by death and the forced moving of home. Another feature that was significant, is the number of fathers who were "absent" when fostering became necessary for the children. Either through force of circumstances or choice, fathers who were still living frequently did not play a part in their children's lives. The recommendations of the study focus on rectifying the anomalies just outlined. Schools, in particular, need to recognise their role in alleviating the daily plight of orphaned children. Academic achievement often redeems a life that is tenuous and painful because it creates the possibility of something better in the future. Through effort the children can take greater charge of their lives. / Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of Durban-Westville, 2003.