Magister Artium (Psychology) - MA(Psych) / There is widespread evidence that exposure to community violence is escalating at an alarming rate, not only in South Africa, but worldwide. The literature indicates that the cohort affected is primarily children and adolescents. Whilst a significant amount of empirical research focuses on exposure to community violence and the identification of risk and protective factors, there is a paucity of initiatives providing in-depth investigations into the dynamics of these factors. An explorative study grounded in the meanings which adolescents assign to risk and protective factors is essential to provide comprehensive and sensitive care to adolescents exposed to community violence. The aim of this study was to explore adolescents’ perceptions and understandings of the risk and protective factors related to community violence exposure in a low-income community in Cape Town. The current study utilised the PPCT model as it allowed the researcher to explore the way in which risk and protective factors function within different systems. Data was collected from 50 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 15. Five focus groups were used to collect the data, consisting of ten participants each, both males and females. Participants were purposively selected from a high school located in a low-income community in Cape Town. The ethical guidelines stipulated by the UWC and the WCED were strictly followed. Prior to the focus group interviews, informed consent and assent were obtained from both parents and participants. Participants were informed of their rights in the research process. The information collected from participants was analysed by means of a theoretical thematic analysis. This type of thematic analysis aims to identify information gathered, examined and described in rich detail, according to themes from the text, as proposed by Braun and Clarke (2006). This study aimed to contribute to the development of effective interventions and to add to the knowledge base of studies focusing on risk and protective factors associated with exposure to community violence among adolescents

Magister Artium - MA / An extensive literature review on child well-being has signified a dearth in relevant South African research on the current topic. It has been established that the interplay of hope, life satisfaction and income level exerts a great impact on the well-being of children. Hence, this study aims to investigate the relationship between hope and life satisfaction among children in low and middle income communities in Cape Town. More specifically, the study aims to ascertain the moderating effect of income level on the relationship between hope and life satisfaction. The 3P Model of Subjective Well-Being (SWB) was used as a theoretical position conceptualising this study. The model categorizes the components of subjective well-being under temporal states of the Past, the Present and the Prospect (future), and therefore proposes that we evaluate our lives across these temporal states. The study used secondary data from the Children’s Worlds: International Survey on Children’s Well Being (2012). Data was collected across all 12 year old participants, within each participating school, by means of purposive sampling, with a total of 1004 participants. The questionnaire administered, incorporated Huebner’s (1991) Student Life Satisfaction Scale (SLSS) and Snyder’s et al. (1997) Children’s Hope Scale. Data was analysed by means of correlational analysis and results revealed that there is a significant relationship between hope and life satisfaction for both low and middle income communities. The Process Tool for Moderation Analysis revealed that income level moderates the relationship between hope and life satisfaction. Moreover, this relationship appeared to be stronger for the low income group than for the middle income group. Hence, this finding suggests that hope has a more pronounced impact on life satisfaction for the low income group than for the middle income group.

Magister Artium (Psychology) - MA(Psych) / Parental knowledge and experiences regarding autism spectrum disorder have a huge effect on the life of the caregiver. Once a child has been diagnosed and needs treatment, parents/caregivers have to adjust in many ways. The adjustment will vary depending on the needs of the child at that particular point. Caregivers to an autistic child have to acquire comprehensive knowledge regarding autism spectrum disorder. A support system plays a pivotal role in the raising of an autistic child. The objective of this study was to explore the knowledge, experiences and coping mechanisms of single mothers raising an autistic child in a low-income community in Western Cape Province. A qualitative research approach was employed to gain access to the experiences of single mothers raising an autistic child, and in-depth interviews were conducted with six single mothers from a low-income community. Transcriptions were analysed in accordance with the approach of thematic analysis. Results indicated that participants experience many challenges: lack of knowledge, inexperience, personal challenges, and society’s perceptions of autism were highlighted. Participant’s social support given by family, community and organisations they allowed for coping and resilience to outweigh the challenges. The single mother’s experiences varied however the resilience has allowed them to cope and gain the needed inner strength to embrace the experience each day. Further research is needed to highlight fathers’ experiences and their coping mechanisms in raising an autistic child.

Childhood obesity is a prevalent chronic condition affecting millions of children and adolescents in the United States and is rising in record-breaking numbers among African Americans in low-income communities. Guided by the social cognitive theory, the purpose of this evidence-based project was to understand the impact of an educational intervention on parents' perceptions of childhood obesity risk factors, weight status, and prevention strategies in a rural South Carolina community. A convenience sample of parents who attended a church-based community health promotion service in a low-income area (n = 10), aged 28 to 54, completed The Childhood Obesity Perceptions survey before and after the completion of the educational program. The pretest and posttest responses were analyzed with paired sample t tests and frequency tables. There were several responses with a statistically significance change (p < .05), including the impact of obesity on the development of diabetes, stroke, cancer, and bone or joint problems. Survey participants strongly agreed (90%) that they could help their children live a healthier lifestyle by initiating preventive strategies which include providing healthy snacks and increasing exercise. Findings suggest that African American parents in low-income communities would benefit from regularly occurring education on the prevention of childhood obesity, including information on healthy diet choices, exercise, and the risk factors for childhood obesity. By educating parents, healthcare providers and community leaders can begin forming community health and childhood obesity prevention programs that support positive social change and help low-income families to achieve healthy lifestyles.