Background and aims: The experiences of primary caregivers of adults with learning disabilities who have committed an offence is a largely neglected area within current literature. However, primary caregivers have an integral role in the provision of care of adults with learning disabilities and this has implications for service provision and rehabilitation. Our understanding of both learning disability and offending behaviour is affected by societal, cultural and political narratives and these have impact on a primary caregivers meaning making. Having identified a gap in our current understanding, this study aims to develop an understanding as to the storied experience of primary caregivers in order to inform clinical practise and raise awareness of the challenges faced. Methodology: A qualitative approach was selected for this research. A purposive sample of five primary caregivers (three females and two males) was recruited through two NHS services and one community based contact. Field interviews were conducted with each participant, audio-recorded and transcribed. Narrative analysis was used to analyse the transcripts, focusing upon the content of information shared, the way in which the narratives were performed and the contextual factors which may influence story co-construction. Analysis and findings: The narratives shared by participants are presented on a group level. Results are divided into two areas. Firstly the primary caregivers stories are presented chronologically in order to orientate the reader to the context in which primary caregivers were operating. The stories refer to ‘life before the offence’, ‘the offence’, ‘life since the offence’ and ‘future stories’. Secondly attention is given to the underlying emotional content of the storied experience, with four predominant emotions identified; Frustration, Anger, Grief and Fear. This gives an emotional underpinning through which we can interpret the emerging plots and subplots, with consideration of the similarities and differences within these. Four plots were identified: ‘Understanding’, ‘Proximity to offspring’, ‘Relationship with self and others’ and ‘Commitment to care giving role’. These narratives highlight both the temporal nature of the caregiving role and how it may be affected by service responses to the individual with learning disabilities and their families. The findings are considered in regards to their clinical relevance and implications for service provision. The strengths and limitations of the study and suggestions for future research are presented along with personal reflections.

The general aim of the study was to investigate how grandparents experience their role as the primary caregivers of their grandchildren in the town of Odendaalsrus. From the literature review the researcher realised that a limited amount of research has been done on Caucasian grandparents as primary caregivers of their grandchildren in the suburban areas of South Africa. The literature however did confirm that the prevalence of the phenomenon of grandparents raising their grandchildren has increased significantly over the past few years. This led to the investigation into how grandparents experience their role as the primary caregivers of their grandchildren. The researcher undertook a qualitative, descriptive phenomenological study. The research was conducted in the rural town of Odendaalsrus. The participants consisted of ten Caucasian grandparents of whom four were male participants and six were female participants. Grandparents who formed part of the research sample were identified based on a set of criteria which was formulated by the researcher. After the participants had been identified, the purpose of the research was explained to them. Informed consent was obtained, where after grandparents shared their experience of their role as the primary caregivers of their grandchildren through an unstructured interview. The interviews were transcribed by the researcher. The transcriptions were reviewed by the researcher, after which themes were identified together with supporting evidence thereof. The results of the study confirmed that, although the phenomenon is increasing the cause thereof are a complex issue. The reasons why grandparents act as primary caregivers of their grandchildren are divergent and include reasons like the death of parents, incompetence of parents due to chronic illness such as HIV/ Aids, alcohol and drug abuse, divorce, teen pregnancies or parents who are just unable to look after their own children. The phenomenon of grandparents as primary caregivers of their grandchildren has consequences for both the grandparents and grandchildren. Grandparents pursuing the primary caregiver role experience intense conflict between the traditional role of a grandparent and the role of substitute parent they are fulfilling now. Their role also includes the financial provider role, the mediator role and the disciplinary role. These roles all have an impact on the interpersonal relationships of these grandparents. Recommendations are made to professionals (social workers, therapists and counsellors) to equip them in assisting grandparents in their experience and to provide them with effective support and advice. / Thesis (MA (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

The general aim of the study was to investigate how grandparents experience their role as the primary caregivers of their grandchildren in the town of Odendaalsrus. From the literature review the researcher realised that a limited amount of research has been done on Caucasian grandparents as primary caregivers of their grandchildren in the suburban areas of South Africa. The literature however did confirm that the prevalence of the phenomenon of grandparents raising their grandchildren has increased significantly over the past few years. This led to the investigation into how grandparents experience their role as the primary caregivers of their grandchildren. The researcher undertook a qualitative, descriptive phenomenological study. The research was conducted in the rural town of Odendaalsrus. The participants consisted of ten Caucasian grandparents of whom four were male participants and six were female participants. Grandparents who formed part of the research sample were identified based on a set of criteria which was formulated by the researcher. After the participants had been identified, the purpose of the research was explained to them. Informed consent was obtained, where after grandparents shared their experience of their role as the primary caregivers of their grandchildren through an unstructured interview. The interviews were transcribed by the researcher. The transcriptions were reviewed by the researcher, after which themes were identified together with supporting evidence thereof. The results of the study confirmed that, although the phenomenon is increasing the cause thereof are a complex issue. The reasons why grandparents act as primary caregivers of their grandchildren are divergent and include reasons like the death of parents, incompetence of parents due to chronic illness such as HIV/ Aids, alcohol and drug abuse, divorce, teen pregnancies or parents who are just unable to look after their own children. The phenomenon of grandparents as primary caregivers of their grandchildren has consequences for both the grandparents and grandchildren. Grandparents pursuing the primary caregiver role experience intense conflict between the traditional role of a grandparent and the role of substitute parent they are fulfilling now. Their role also includes the financial provider role, the mediator role and the disciplinary role. These roles all have an impact on the interpersonal relationships of these grandparents. Recommendations are made to professionals (social workers, therapists and counsellors) to equip them in assisting grandparents in their experience and to provide them with effective support and advice. / Thesis (MA (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

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Yes / Boyer, Dermott, James and MacLeavy discuss the rise of fathers in primary caregiving positions within the United Kingdom following the recessions from 2008 to 2009 and 2011 to 2012 and outline a number of key questions. In this commentary, I consider the aims of their piece, both within contemporary parenting culture and the negotiation of gendered binaries of care. I note that a more intersectional understanding of the decisions that families are making with regard to combining work and childcare is timely.

In view of the unprecedented escalation in unplanned teenage pregnancies in South Africa, this research study sought to explore contributing factors, consequences, challenges, needs and coping strategies surrounding teenage pregnancy. The study was based on a qualitative research paradigm. The research used purposive sampling as a strategy to target three particular categories of individuals for investigations (i.e. parents/caregivers, teenagers and teachers). Semi-structured interview schedules were the instruments used to gather data during face-to-face interviews with the participants. The sample consisted of eight teenage mothers and one expectant teenage mother in Grade 9 to Grade 12; six parents who had children who had experienced teenage pregnancy and six teachers who were or are teaching teenagers. In order to analyze the qualitative data, a typical form of thematic content analysis was utilised. The main conclusion based on the research findings was that the challenges, needs and coping strategies perceived by the three groups of participants were similar and associated with one another. Although most of the most of the findings coming to the fore have also been apparent in previous research studies, it enhanced the knowledge and understanding of the phenomenon of teenage pregnancy from a triangulation perspective, namely teenagers and primary role players in their lives. It is hoped that the recommendations made, based on the research findings, will lead to improved social work intervention strategies, and services offered by other people responsible for addressing this social problem in the South African context..

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of the Adaptive Tasks Framework for assessing parental needs when providing primary care for their child with a chronic health condition. A qualitative descriptive methodology framed the study and two methods were employed to collect data: a secondary analysis of existing interview data from seven parents of children with chronic health conditions and interviews with four parents who were currently providing primary care for their child with a chronic health condition. The data was analyzed using content analysis, whereby interview data was explored to determine if it fit into one or more of the eight adaptive tasks categories. Parents reported needs in all of the eight adaptive tasks categories, with the need for information regarding their child's chronic health condition being the foremost concern among parents. The need for caring, empathetic, and patient health care professionals who are sympathetic to the informational needs of parents, while at the same time acknowledging their expertise, was the second need expressed by the parents in this study. Implications of these findings for nurses is that the Adaptive Tasks Framework provides a useful tool for assessing parental needs when managing their child's chronic health condition and for determining areas in which the parents may require support.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of the Adaptive Tasks Framework for assessing parental needs when providing primary care for their child with a chronic health condition. A qualitative descriptive methodology framed the study and two methods were employed to collect data: a secondary analysis of existing interview data from seven parents of children with chronic health conditions and interviews with four parents who were currently providing primary care for their child with a chronic health condition. The data was analyzed using content analysis, whereby interview data was explored to determine if it fit into one or more of the eight adaptive tasks categories. Parents reported needs in all of the eight adaptive tasks categories, with the need for information regarding their child's chronic health condition being the foremost concern among parents. The need for caring, empathetic, and patient health care professionals who are sympathetic to the informational needs of parents, while at the same time acknowledging their expertise, was the second need expressed by the parents in this study. Implications of these findings for nurses is that the Adaptive Tasks Framework provides a useful tool for assessing parental needs when managing their child's chronic health condition and for determining areas in which the parents may require support.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of the Adaptive Tasks Framework for assessing parental needs when providing primary care for their child with a chronic health condition. A qualitative descriptive methodology framed the study and two methods were employed to collect data: a secondary analysis of existing interview data from seven parents of children with chronic health conditions and interviews with four parents who were currently providing primary care for their child with a chronic health condition. The data was analyzed using content analysis, whereby interview data was explored to determine if it fit into one or more of the eight adaptive tasks categories. Parents reported needs in all of the eight adaptive tasks categories, with the need for information regarding their child's chronic health condition being the foremost concern among parents. The need for caring, empathetic, and patient health care professionals who are sympathetic to the informational needs of parents, while at the same time acknowledging their expertise, was the second need expressed by the parents in this study. Implications of these findings for nurses is that the Adaptive Tasks Framework provides a useful tool for assessing parental needs when managing their child's chronic health condition and for determining areas in which the parents may require support. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Nursing, School of / Graduate

As traditional family roles change and circumstances at home become increasingly varied in contemporary society, the experiences of children also undergo change. For instance, when fathers take on primary caregiving responsibilities, those differing circumstances also impact their children. Therefore, it is important for researchers to study how changing parental roles affect children in the home. Through the use of qualitative research design, this research focuses on how the experiences of children within the home may be impacted when fathers are the primary caregiver. Although previous research has examined several aspects of family dynamics with so-called stay-at-home fathers, research has not yet evaluated how full-time fathering in the home may impact children's educational and school experiences. This thesis describes six fathers' and six mothers' perspectives about their children's school experiences when the father provides childcare in the home while the mother works full-time outside the home. Results suggest that division of roles in a family can affect some areas of children's experiences and responses implied there are multiple interacting variables that contribute to the parental influences on children. Mothers focus on the social experiences of their children as components of overall school experience. Fathers more frequently talked about the emotional and behavioral components of school experience. The results inform the disciplines of family science, teacher education, and school psychology of key considerations when working with children in this nontraditional family arrangement.