The aim of this study was to develop, implement and evaluate a social work empowerment programme for foster parents of sexually abused children. This thesis consists of five sections: SECTION A: Contains the problem statement, objectives and research methodology, the limitations of the study and definitions of key words. The problem statement was formulated as follows: There is no existing scientifically developed and implemented social work empowerment programme for foster parents of sexually abused children available in South Africa. This problem statement resulted in the development of four research objectives. The intervention research model was utilised and implemented within a mixed methodology paradigm. Focus group discussions and the single system design generated quantitative and qualitative data. SECTION B: Consists of four articles combined together, form the research report on the achievement of the objectives. The four articles are: Article 1: The implication of sexual abuse for foster care. The aim of this article is to establish the implications of sexual abuse for foster care by means of a literature study. The impact of child sexual abuse depends on various factors like the age of the child, the amount of force used, the relationship between the child and the perpetrator, and the period over which the abuse took place. The impact of sexual abuse on the child also varies depending on the individual child. In order for the foster parent to assist the foster child to heal from the trauma of child sexual abuse, it is necessary for the foster parent to have knowledge of and insight into such impact on the foster child. Article 2: The empowerment needs of foster parents of sexually abused children. The aim of this article is to establish the empowerment needs of foster parents of sexually abused children. A focus group discussion was used as a method to collect relevant qualitative data. Five (N=5) foster parents with foster children that have been sexually abused, identified from the caseload of a Child Welfare Society in White River and formed part of the discussion group. From the discussion group two categories, namely feelings, experiences and challenges of foster parents of sexually abused foster children and the needs of foster parents of sexually abused foster children were identified. Ten themes and sub-themes were derived and identified. Article 3: The development and implementation of a social work empowerment programme for foster parents of sexually abused children. The aim of this article is to develop and implement a social work empowerment programme for foster parents of sexually abused children. A nine session programme was developed according to the needs identified in the previous article, and implemented over three days to seven (N=7) foster parents, selected according to a non-probability sampling method. It was presented through psychosocial group work as method. Article 4: The evaluation of a social work empowerment programme for foster parents of sexually abused children. The aim of this article was to evaluate the social work empowerment programme and the effect of the programme on the psychosocial functioning of the foster parents of sexually abused children. A single system design was followed to collect data. Three standardised instruments were utilised during pre- and post-test. A self- developed questionnaire was used to gather qualitative data. SECTION C: Summative findings, conclusions and recommendations and contribution of the study. SECTION D: Addendums. SECTION E: Compound list of references. / Thesis (PhD (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

The aim of this study was to develop, implement and evaluate a social work empowerment programme for foster parents of sexually abused children. This thesis consists of five sections: SECTION A: Contains the problem statement, objectives and research methodology, the limitations of the study and definitions of key words. The problem statement was formulated as follows: There is no existing scientifically developed and implemented social work empowerment programme for foster parents of sexually abused children available in South Africa. This problem statement resulted in the development of four research objectives. The intervention research model was utilised and implemented within a mixed methodology paradigm. Focus group discussions and the single system design generated quantitative and qualitative data. SECTION B: Consists of four articles combined together, form the research report on the achievement of the objectives. The four articles are: Article 1: The implication of sexual abuse for foster care. The aim of this article is to establish the implications of sexual abuse for foster care by means of a literature study. The impact of child sexual abuse depends on various factors like the age of the child, the amount of force used, the relationship between the child and the perpetrator, and the period over which the abuse took place. The impact of sexual abuse on the child also varies depending on the individual child. In order for the foster parent to assist the foster child to heal from the trauma of child sexual abuse, it is necessary for the foster parent to have knowledge of and insight into such impact on the foster child. Article 2: The empowerment needs of foster parents of sexually abused children. The aim of this article is to establish the empowerment needs of foster parents of sexually abused children. A focus group discussion was used as a method to collect relevant qualitative data. Five (N=5) foster parents with foster children that have been sexually abused, identified from the caseload of a Child Welfare Society in White River and formed part of the discussion group. From the discussion group two categories, namely feelings, experiences and challenges of foster parents of sexually abused foster children and the needs of foster parents of sexually abused foster children were identified. Ten themes and sub-themes were derived and identified. Article 3: The development and implementation of a social work empowerment programme for foster parents of sexually abused children. The aim of this article is to develop and implement a social work empowerment programme for foster parents of sexually abused children. A nine session programme was developed according to the needs identified in the previous article, and implemented over three days to seven (N=7) foster parents, selected according to a non-probability sampling method. It was presented through psychosocial group work as method. Article 4: The evaluation of a social work empowerment programme for foster parents of sexually abused children. The aim of this article was to evaluate the social work empowerment programme and the effect of the programme on the psychosocial functioning of the foster parents of sexually abused children. A single system design was followed to collect data. Three standardised instruments were utilised during pre- and post-test. A self- developed questionnaire was used to gather qualitative data. SECTION C: Summative findings, conclusions and recommendations and contribution of the study. SECTION D: Addendums. SECTION E: Compound list of references. / Thesis (PhD (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

The objective of this study is to explore the impact of a social group work programme in the lives of adolescent orphans in foster care in the North–West province who are also affected by HIV and AIDS, and to enhance their social functioning. Keywords: Adolescent, foster care, foster parent, social work, social group work, empower, family, orphan, HIV and AIDS There are a growing number of children in need of care in South Africa who are placed with foster parents. The biggest reason for foster placement is due to the rising mortality rate of biological parents due to HIV and AIDS. Section A refers to the problem statement, research objectives, research procedures and research methodology. The limitations of the research are also investigated and the definitions of key words. The research was conducted in two phases. The needs assessment was conducted in phase one and the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the social group work programme in phase two. The problem statement in section A is based upon the following: It was found that insufficient research is being conducted on the problems and circumstances of adolescent orphans in South Africa. It is evident that the physical and emotional needs of adolescent orphans are not being fulfilled. The HIV and AIDS pandemic have a negative effect on the quality of daily life for orphans under foster care. The problem statement gave rise to five research aims. The overarching research design conformed to the Development and Utilization Research model. The model was divided into five phases that guided the research. The single–system design was used to gather quantitative and qualitative data. A literature study was conducted around the themes of foster care, foster parents, social group work, and circumstances of the foster care situation. Section B consists of the four articles that form the report on the research outcomes Each article is dealt with as a self–contained unit focusing on specific research objectives that were achieved via specific research methods. These methods were employed to collect the necessary data for the design and evaluation of the social group work programme. Article 1: The circumstances and needs of the adolescent orphan in foster care. The aim of this article is to identify the circumstances and needs through a self–designed and structured schedule. Thirty adolescent orphans in foster care from the researcher's case load were identified to take part in the research. Twenty adolescent orphans were selected by means of accidental sampling. Ten (N = 10) were selected for the experimental group and ten (N = 10) were selected for the control group. The results indicated the problems and needs experienced by adolescent orphans. These could be used for discussion during a social group work programme designed to provide knowledge, teach skills, and improve the social functioning of the group. Article 2: The role of the social worker during service delivery to adolescent orphans in foster care. The nature and extent of foster care in the North–West province was investigated by means of the completion of questionnaires. The role of the social worker regarding services to adolescent orphans in foster care was also investigated. A self–structured questionnaire was used for data collection purposes and 85 questionnaires were sent to social workers in the North–West province. The results show the state of existing programmes and the opinions of social workers on topics that could be included in a social group work programme. The data was used in Article 2. Article 3: A social work intervention programme for adolescent orphans in foster care. The programme was developed according to the data received from the 30 (N=30) adolescent orphans in foster care and the 85 (N=85) social workers in the North–West province. The programme was presented to 30 (N=30) adolescent orphans in foster care. Social group work was used as method to present the programme. The group gained knowledge and received skills training, both of which served to enhance their social functioning. Article 4: The evaluation of a social group work programme for adolescent orphans in foster care The purpose of this article is to evaluate the social group work programme. Three standardized measuring instruments were used. The Generalized Contentment Scale, the Index of Family Relations, and the Personal Self–esteem Profile were used. These instruments were used three times: once before intervention, once during intervention and once after intervention. The control group 10 (N=10) also completed the questionnaire three times but did not attend the social group. A self–developed questionnaire was completed before and after each session. A self–developed evaluation was completed after the final session to assess the effectiveness of the programme. Section C - Summary, conclusions and recommendations. Section D - contains the appendices with the results of the three standardized measuring instruments that were used for data collection. Section E - Contains the Bibliography. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

The objective of this study is to explore the impact of a social group work programme in the lives of adolescent orphans in foster care in the North–West province who are also affected by HIV and AIDS, and to enhance their social functioning. Keywords: Adolescent, foster care, foster parent, social work, social group work, empower, family, orphan, HIV and AIDS There are a growing number of children in need of care in South Africa who are placed with foster parents. The biggest reason for foster placement is due to the rising mortality rate of biological parents due to HIV and AIDS. Section A refers to the problem statement, research objectives, research procedures and research methodology. The limitations of the research are also investigated and the definitions of key words. The research was conducted in two phases. The needs assessment was conducted in phase one and the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the social group work programme in phase two. The problem statement in section A is based upon the following: It was found that insufficient research is being conducted on the problems and circumstances of adolescent orphans in South Africa. It is evident that the physical and emotional needs of adolescent orphans are not being fulfilled. The HIV and AIDS pandemic have a negative effect on the quality of daily life for orphans under foster care. The problem statement gave rise to five research aims. The overarching research design conformed to the Development and Utilization Research model. The model was divided into five phases that guided the research. The single–system design was used to gather quantitative and qualitative data. A literature study was conducted around the themes of foster care, foster parents, social group work, and circumstances of the foster care situation. Section B consists of the four articles that form the report on the research outcomes Each article is dealt with as a self–contained unit focusing on specific research objectives that were achieved via specific research methods. These methods were employed to collect the necessary data for the design and evaluation of the social group work programme. Article 1: The circumstances and needs of the adolescent orphan in foster care. The aim of this article is to identify the circumstances and needs through a self–designed and structured schedule. Thirty adolescent orphans in foster care from the researcher's case load were identified to take part in the research. Twenty adolescent orphans were selected by means of accidental sampling. Ten (N = 10) were selected for the experimental group and ten (N = 10) were selected for the control group. The results indicated the problems and needs experienced by adolescent orphans. These could be used for discussion during a social group work programme designed to provide knowledge, teach skills, and improve the social functioning of the group. Article 2: The role of the social worker during service delivery to adolescent orphans in foster care. The nature and extent of foster care in the North–West province was investigated by means of the completion of questionnaires. The role of the social worker regarding services to adolescent orphans in foster care was also investigated. A self–structured questionnaire was used for data collection purposes and 85 questionnaires were sent to social workers in the North–West province. The results show the state of existing programmes and the opinions of social workers on topics that could be included in a social group work programme. The data was used in Article 2. Article 3: A social work intervention programme for adolescent orphans in foster care. The programme was developed according to the data received from the 30 (N=30) adolescent orphans in foster care and the 85 (N=85) social workers in the North–West province. The programme was presented to 30 (N=30) adolescent orphans in foster care. Social group work was used as method to present the programme. The group gained knowledge and received skills training, both of which served to enhance their social functioning. Article 4: The evaluation of a social group work programme for adolescent orphans in foster care The purpose of this article is to evaluate the social group work programme. Three standardized measuring instruments were used. The Generalized Contentment Scale, the Index of Family Relations, and the Personal Self–esteem Profile were used. These instruments were used three times: once before intervention, once during intervention and once after intervention. The control group 10 (N=10) also completed the questionnaire three times but did not attend the social group. A self–developed questionnaire was completed before and after each session. A self–developed evaluation was completed after the final session to assess the effectiveness of the programme. Section C - Summary, conclusions and recommendations. Section D - contains the appendices with the results of the three standardized measuring instruments that were used for data collection. Section E - Contains the Bibliography. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.