Thesis (MTech(Public Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2006 / One of the challenges facing the South African community is the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The epidemic not only disrupts the economy but one of its emerging impacts is through the children who are left orphaned. The challenge has come at a time when economic circumstances are making it difficult for extended families to lend a helping hand to children who are orphaned as a result of HIV/AIDS. The children left behind are usually left on their own or are absorbed through care and support centres which are being becoming popular. The challenge of these care and support centres has come at a time when an increase in abuse by the personnel of care and support centres has emerged internationally. Communities can no longer turn a blind eye to the atrocities that are being experienced by the children within these centres. This challenge is double edged as communities feel isolated by the care and support centres which are based within their communities. The challenge is how communities can breach the gap between children within care and support centres and children who are left on their own. The care and support centres available for HIV/AIDS orphans in Khayelitsha are predominantly run by foreign donors, which limit community participation. This has led to the isolation of community members and care and support centre staff and the core problem of this study will address the evaluation of the care and support centres. Questions such as what happens to children's properties after their parents' death, and do they belong in care and support centres or within their communities arise. These are the areas which will be scrutinized in the study. Areas in which this thesis will attempt to provide insights and make concrete recommendations. Simultaneously with the extensive exploration of care and support centres available for HIV/AIDS orphans theories include the : • Available care and support centres • Community participation within care and support centres • The concept of "ubuntu' in relation to family existence It is hoped that the focus on the care and support centres available for HIV/AIDS orphans will make some contribution to effective care and support centres in this areas, thereby increasing community participation which in turn will revive the concept of ubuntu within communities. Finally, recommendations such as the direct involvement of community members is required to attain which services the care and support centres can offer to the community and how the community play an active role within care and support centres will be offered in this thesis, as informed by the survey results, to effectively manage care and support centres for HIV/AIDS orphans in Khayelitsha.

Thesis (DPhil (Social Work))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / The study aimed to explore and describe the experiences, perceptions and needs of unmarried adolescent fathers and to assess the attitudes and attentiveness of selected social workers and organisations that provide services to adolescent parents. In view of the position in which teenage fathers find themselves and with regard to stereotyping and the disregard for their role as fathers, no concerted attempt is made by organisations to provide services to them. They are marginalized and despite changes in legislation and a Bill of Human Rights their needs are not attended to. A mixed research methodology was employed in conducting this exploratorydescriptive study. The study was advertised in the waiting rooms of relevant organisations, in consultation with pregnancy help centres, social work agencies and youth services. Those who responded were interviewed according to inclusion criteria for the study and those who did not qualify were referred to appropriate services. Confidentiality was assured and consent to participate in the study was discussed. A non-random sample of 32 participants was identified, ranging from 13 to 19 years were located of who 15 agreed to participate. Further attrition resulted in the sample being reduced to 12. Interview schedules were used to facilitate the discussion and to ensure that all participants were asked the same questions. The second part of the study explored the attitude and attentiveness of services to adolescent parents. All organisations providing such services were invited and seven eventually agreed to participate. Of these, four indicated that they were participating in their personal capacity. Interviews were guided by an interview schedule which aimed to explored attitude, attentiveness and capacity to provide services to unmarried teenage fathers. The findings of the study revealed that teenage fathers want to be involved with their children, but social stereotyping, unrealistic expectations of partners and family, and social discrimination militate against them. However, the support of family and the natal partner and her family, are factors that determine continued involvement. Services were perceived and experienced as negative and dismissive of their role as fathers.

Thesis (M Social WOrk (Social Work)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / This research provides an overview of foster care and investigates the support and training of foster parents as well as the issues foster parents need to manage on a regular basis. The basic premise for this research is the importance of social workers becoming aware of the issues foster parents manage on a regular basis as well as the support and training needs of foster parents. It is important for foster parents to receive support as well as social workers and family care organisations to develop and implement appropriate training programmes for foster parents on an ongoing basis. Fostering affects and requires the involvement of the entire foster family as well as relevant role players and professionals. It is therefore necessary to consider the foster parents and foster family as part of the larger fostering arena, and not to be supported and trained in isolation. The nature of the foster placement will inevitably influence the development of the foster child, meeting the needs of the foster child as well as the effect that the placement has on the foster family. The purpose of this research is to broaden the theoretical knowledge of professionals working with foster parents, and specifically social workers and family care organisations, in identifying foster parent’s training and support needs. This research report includes an investigation of the issues foster parents and foster families manage on a regular basis as well as the nature of and benefits of support and training for foster parents. Knowledge of these issues foster parents manage while fostering will increase the awareness and the ability of the social worker or other professionals to provide training and support to the relevant foster parents.

Thesis (MSocialWork)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The research originated from the researcher's interest in the effect of high-risk pregnancy, premature birth and infancy on the emotional well-being of parents. The research undertaken particularly focused on exploring the psychosocial experiences of parents with a premature infant. The study aimed at investigating various social work intervention strategies that can be applied to address the problematic factors parents with a premature infant are confronted with. The purpose of this research is to provide a theoretical knowledge basis, in order to set guidelines for social work intervention, to ensure effective service rendering to parents with premature infants. The research report includes a review of the literature discussing premature labour and birth, the premature infant and the psychosocial experiences of parents. Social work in health care, kangaroo care, crisis intervention, family therapy and grief counselling are also discussed to create a theoretical knowledge basis in order to serve as a guideline for social workers, to ensure effective and efficient social work service rendering to parents with a premature infant. The empirical research involved the use of both qualitative and quantitative methods to explore the psychosocial experiences of parents and the effectiveness of social work intervention. The population admitted in the Military hospital during the period 2001 to 2003 consisted of +- 60 cases. To enable the researcher to conduct the research study 50% of the overall population was used which resulted in a sample of 20 respondents consulted in the period 2002 to 2003. The respondents were invited to a group meeting where questionnaires, which included open-ended and closed questions, were used to collect the data. The results obtained were analyzed and compared to relevant literature in order to assess the reliability of the research. Conclusions were drawn and recommendations were offered from the findings of the study. The fmdings of this study serve as a guideline for professionals, specifically social workers in the medical setting, to be able to render an effective service to parents with a premature infant. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die oorsprong van hierdie navorsing het ontstaan na aanleiding van die navorser se belangstelling rakende die effek wat hoë-risiko swangerskap, premature kraam en die premature baba op die emosionele welstand van die ouer het. Die navorsingsondersoek fokus spesifiek daarop om die psigo-sosiale ondervindinge van ouers te verken. Die studie poog ook daarin om verskeie maatskaplike intervensiestrategieë te ondersoek wat aangewend kan word om die problematiese faktore waarmee ouers gekonfronteer word aan te spreek. Die doel van die navorsing is om 'n teoretiese kennisbasis daar te stel wat as riglyne benut kan word vir die implementering van maatskaplikewerk-intervensie ten einde 'n effektiewe diens aan ouers met premature babas te kan lewer. Die navorsingsverslag bied 'n oorsig van die literatuur waarin premature kraam, die premature baba en die psigo-sosiale ondervindinge van ouers in diepte bespreek word. Verskeie maatskaplike intervensiestrategieë word ook bespreek met verwysing na maatskaplike werk in die gesondheidsektor, kangaroosorg, krisisingryping, gesinsterapie en rouberading. Die empiriese studie sluit in die benutting van beide die kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe metodes ten einde die psigososiale ondervindings van ouers met premature babas te verken asook die effektiwiteit van maatskaplikewerk-intervensie te ondersoek. Die totaal ouers met premature babas opgeneem in die Militêre hospitaal vir die tydperk 2001 tot 2003 het +- 60 gevalle beloop. Ten einde dit dus vir die navorser moontlik te maak om die navorsingstudie te kan onderneem is 50% van die populasie betrek in die navorsingstudie waaruit 'n steekproef van 20 respondente saamgestel is met wie gekonsulteer is in die periode 2002 tot 2003. Die respondente is genooi na 'n groepvergadering waartydens vraelyste uitgedeel is om data te bekom. Oop en geslote vrae is ingesluit in die vraelyste. Die resultate en bevindinge verkry is geanaliseer en vergelyk met die literatuur om die betroubaarheid van die navorsing te toets. Gevolgtrekkinge is gemaak en aanbevelings daarop gebaseer is na aanleiding van die bevindinge van die studie aangebied. Die bevindinge van hierdie studie kan aangewend word as 'n riglyn vir professionele persone met spesifieke verwysing na maatskaplike werkers in die gesondheid sektor, om 'n effektiewe diens te kan lewer aan ouers met premature babas.

This study firstly investigates the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and the resulting deaths from an international, African and South African perspective. These statistics provide a backdrop to the phenomenon of grandparent-headed households. The needs of orphans and the characteristics of grandparent-headed households are explained. The researcher describes the services offered to these households by a number of supporting agencies internationally and in South Africa. Erik Erikson’s model of psychosocial development is used as a structure to explain childhood grieving during the various psychosocial development stages, including adolescence. The views and experiences of a number of South African grandparent-headed households are described as well as the views of stakeholders offering support to these families. Lastly the researcher offers guidelines to professionals and lay people who endeavour to empower grandparents who fulfil the role of parents in the context of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

The aim of this study was to explore absent fathers' experiences. This involved determining absent fathers' conceptualisation of fatherhood, exploring the psychological well-being of absent fathers, and how absent fathers cope with being absent from their children‟s lives. An ecosystemic approach was employed as the epistemology to understand the participants in terms of organisation of their behaviour in social contexts. Qualitative research was used, and in-depth interviews were conducted to collect the data. The research found that these fathers' experiences of being absent from their children's lives have negatively affected several aspects of their lives, both emotionally and behaviourally. Furthermore, the study concluded that fathers who are absent from their children‟s lives, while aware of the roles they need to play, seem unable to fulfil these roles. Lastly, the absent fathers revealed a tendency to react ambivalently towards their identities as fathers. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

The aim of this study was to explore absent fathers' experiences. This involved determining absent fathers' conceptualisation of fatherhood, exploring the psychological well-being of absent fathers, and how absent fathers cope with being absent from their children‟s lives. An ecosystemic approach was employed as the epistemology to understand the participants in terms of organisation of their behaviour in social contexts. Qualitative research was used, and in-depth interviews were conducted to collect the data. The research found that these fathers' experiences of being absent from their children's lives have negatively affected several aspects of their lives, both emotionally and behaviourally. Furthermore, the study concluded that fathers who are absent from their children‟s lives, while aware of the roles they need to play, seem unable to fulfil these roles. Lastly, the absent fathers revealed a tendency to react ambivalently towards their identities as fathers. / Psychology / M. A. (Clinical Psychology)

This study firstly investigates the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and the resulting deaths from an international, African and South African perspective. These statistics provide a backdrop to the phenomenon of grandparent-headed households. The needs of orphans and the characteristics of grandparent-headed households are explained. The researcher describes the services offered to these households by a number of supporting agencies internationally and in South Africa. Erik Erikson’s model of psychosocial development is used as a structure to explain childhood grieving during the various psychosocial development stages, including adolescence. The views and experiences of a number of South African grandparent-headed households are described as well as the views of stakeholders offering support to these families. Lastly the researcher offers guidelines to professionals and lay people who endeavour to empower grandparents who fulfil the role of parents in the context of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

The aim of this study was to develop, implement and evaluate a psycho-educational programme to enhance the efficacy of parents of adolescents. Thus, the research project can be identified as formative, evaluative research. To this end, an investigation was undertaken to determine how the efficacy of parents of adolescents could be enhanced through an understanding of: * the life phase of adolescence; * the life phase of parents of adolescents; * the role of parents of adolescents; * factors influencing the parenting of adolescents (e.g., generational effects and the influence of family structure on parenting); * the challenges facing adolescents and their parents which may hamper parenting efficacy; * factors which assist parents of adolescents to overcome challenges and improve their parenting efficacy; * parenting skills which foster parenting efficacy; and * the nature of a psycho-educational programme which could enhance the efficacy of parents of adolescents. A literature study provided the theoretical background to the development of the above mentioned programme. In the next phase of the study, a psycho-educational programme was developed based on the literature review, a study of similar programmes and a pilot study conducted with parents. The programme aimed at helping parents to become aware of their parenting practices, to encourage them to increase knowledge and understanding of themselves and of their adolescent children and to develop personal strategies and skills to cope with parenting challenges. The programme was implemented with a group of 21 parents of adolescents (five fathers and sixteen mothers) living in George, South Africa during sessions held once per week over a period of six weeks. Participants were divided into three groups: six single parents; eight parents of nuclear families; and seven parents from blended-extended families. Data was collected qualitatively during each meeting. In addition, focus groups were conducted at the end of the six weeks. The findings indicated that the programme enhanced the efficacy of the participating parents in supporting the development of their adolescent children. / Educational Studies / D.Ed (Psychology of Education)

The aim of this study was to develop, implement and evaluate a psycho-educational programme to enhance the efficacy of parents of adolescents. Thus, the research project can be identified as formative, evaluative research. To this end, an investigation was undertaken to determine how the efficacy of parents of adolescents could be enhanced through an understanding of: * the life phase of adolescence; * the life phase of parents of adolescents; * the role of parents of adolescents; * factors influencing the parenting of adolescents (e.g., generational effects and the influence of family structure on parenting); * the challenges facing adolescents and their parents which may hamper parenting efficacy; * factors which assist parents of adolescents to overcome challenges and improve their parenting efficacy; * parenting skills which foster parenting efficacy; and * the nature of a psycho-educational programme which could enhance the efficacy of parents of adolescents. A literature study provided the theoretical background to the development of the above mentioned programme. In the next phase of the study, a psycho-educational programme was developed based on the literature review, a study of similar programmes and a pilot study conducted with parents. The programme aimed at helping parents to become aware of their parenting practices, to encourage them to increase knowledge and understanding of themselves and of their adolescent children and to develop personal strategies and skills to cope with parenting challenges. The programme was implemented with a group of 21 parents of adolescents (five fathers and sixteen mothers) living in George, South Africa during sessions held once per week over a period of six weeks. Participants were divided into three groups: six single parents; eight parents of nuclear families; and seven parents from blended-extended families. Data was collected qualitatively during each meeting. In addition, focus groups were conducted at the end of the six weeks. The findings indicated that the programme enhanced the efficacy of the participating parents in supporting the development of their adolescent children. / Educational Studies / D.Ed (Psychology of Education)