Murder, rape, corruption and gang wars, sounds like something out of a bad movie but for many it is their way of life and not a movie they can stop. Many people today live with the constant threat of attack and the threat is often not by some stranger but someone they know, their neighbour, their uncle, their father, their domestic worker and on occasion even their own mother. As crime escalates more people are asking the question,"Why this rapid increase in crime and why is there such an increase in the number of violent crimes?" South Africa is well known, unfortunately, for its high crime rate and in particular it's exceptionally high violent crime rate. South Africa is rated in the top 10 for the highest murders per capita (UNDOC 2011). Over the past 20 years the number of violent crimes has progressively increased and the reason for this increase needs to be examined. there appears to be a rapid increase in the number of people presenting personality disorders in society. A number of studies have been conducted on the etiology of anti-social personality disorder and on psychopathology. In the past the majority of these studies had been conducted in developed countries and in the past few years a number of studies have started to be conducted in developing countries. Although very interesting with great insight very few have tried to examined any trends and differences between developed and developing countries. During the course of these studies it has been observed that inmates and people exhibiting Psychopathy traits are more likely to commit violent crimes and in addition reoffend. The thesis proposed examines trends between developed and developing countries to find any links between crime and psychopathology and in addition the etiology, prevalence and prevention of psychopathology. The study will identify a number of models utilised to understand violence in society and personality disorders with particular reference to psychopathy. The study is being done in order to obtain a better understanding of a link between psychopathology and escalating crime in South Africa and what, if anything can be done to decrease this prevelance. This thesis outlines a number of diagnostic tools utilised in order to determine if a person is indeed suffering from psychopathy. Each one of these is discussed and the validity of each considered for both developed and developing countries as a diagnostic tool. The study clearly show that there are a number of unanswered questions around psychopathy within South Africa and that more research within a South African context needs to be conducted if this disorder is to be properly understood. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

Thesis (MCom)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The South African health care system is tormented by various challenges ranging from income inequalities, extreme resource scarcities to discrimination and violence. This makes the health care industry a tough work environment for health care personnel to operate in. South Africa has experienced the loss of thousands of nurses over the past decade, either emigrating or leaving the nursing profession altogether (Tshitangano, 2013). Consequently, this trend drew the attention to the well-being of nurses in South Africa. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the level of work engagement among private sector nurses in the Western Cape, together with their levels of job demands, job resources, personal resources, performance and job crafting. This was done using the Job Demands-Resources model (JD-R) of work engagement. The comprehensive JD-R model was tested and the validity of the proposed relationships between the constructs was examined. Moreover, additional paths in the model were proposed and tested. Managerial implications along with practical interventions were derived from the results with the aim to increase nurse well-being and retention. An ex post facto correlational design was used to test the formulated hypotheses in this research study. Quantitative data were collected from 311 nurses employed by a private hospital group by means of non-probability convenience sampling. A self-administered paper copy survey was distributed to hospitals given that they agreed to participate in the research. The survey was voluntary, anonymous and confidential. The survey consisted of five sections and included questions from five existing questionnaires, namely, the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-17) (Schaufeli & Bakker, 2003), the Job Demands-Resources Scale (Rothman, Mostert & Strydom, 2006), the Work Design Questionnaire (Morgeson & Humhprey, 2006), the Psychological Capital Self-Rated Version (PsyCap-24) (Luthans, Avolio, Avey & Norman, 2006), and the Job Crafting Scale (Tims, Bakker & Derks, 2012). In order to test the statistical significance of the hypotheses, the data were subjected to Structural Equation modelling and regression analyses. The results indicated that the nurses experienced a high level of work engagement, and elucidated the fact that job resources, job demands, and job crafting aspects of their jobs are in need of industrial psychologist or managerial interventions. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Suid-Afrikaanse gesondheidsisteem word geteister deur verskeie uitdagings wat onder andere inkomste ongelykhede, ekstreme hulpbron skaarshede, diskriminasie en geweld insluit. Dit maak die gesondheidsindustrie ʼn moeilike werksomgewing vir gesondheidspersoneel om in te werk. Suid-Afrika het duisende verpleegsters oor die laaste dekade verloor as gevolg van emigrasie, terwyl ander die professie in geheel verlaat het (Tshitangano, 2013). Gevolglik het hierdie tendens die aandag getrek na die welstand van verpleegsters in Suid-Afrika. Die primêre doel van hierdie studie was om die vlak van werksbetrokkenheid onder ʼn steekproef van privaatsektor verpleegsters in die Wes-Kaap te ondersoek, tesame met hulle vlakke van werkseise, werkshulpbronne, persoonlike hulpbronne, werksprestasie en posverryking. Die Job Demands-Resources model (JD-R) of work engagement is vir hierdie doel ingespan. Die omvattende model tesame met die geldigheid van die voorgestelde verhoudings tussen die konstrukte is getoets. Addisionele verhoudings is ook voorgestel en getoets. Bestuursimplikasies en praktiese intervensies is van die resultate afgelei en word aan bestuurders voorgelê as moontlike oplossings om verpleegsters se welstand en retensie te verhoog. ʼn Ex post facto korrelasie-ontwerp is gebruik om die geformuleerde hipoteses in hierdie studie te toets. Kwantitatiewe data is van 311 verpleegsters ingesamel wat deur ʼn private hospitaalgroep in diens geneem word. Nie-waarskynlikheid gerieflikheidsteekproeftrekking is gebruik om die steekproef te bepaal. ʼn Self-geadministreerde vraelys is ontwikkel en as harde kopie uitgestuur na dié hospitale wat ingestem het om aan die navorsing deel te neem. Die vraelys is vrywillig, anoniem en konfidensieel ingevul en het uit vyf seksies bestaan. Die vyf seksies se vrae is opgemaak uit verskeie bestaande vraelyste, naamlik, die Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-17) (Schaufeli & Bakker, 2003), die Job Demands-Resources Scale (Rothman, Mostert & Strydom, 2006), die Work Design Questionnaire (Morgeson & Humhprey, 2006), die Psychological Capital Self-Rated Version (PsyCap-24) (Luthans, Avolio, Avey & Norman, 2006), en die Job Crafting Scale (Tims, Bakker & Derks, 2012). Ten einde die statistiese beduidendheid van die hipoteses te toets, is die data deur strukturele vergelykingsmodellering en regressie-ontledings ontleed. Die resultate dui daarop dat die verpleegsters 'n hoë vlak van werksbetrokkenheid ervaar, en dat werkshulpbronne, werkseise en posverrykende aspekte van hulle werk bestuurs- of bedryfsielkundige intervensies verlang.

The ongoing war in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has caused sustained trauma on a number of levels and stressors that could easily have debilitating consequences on the mental health of Congolese citizens. The literature further reveals that immigration brings with it a host of additional stressors. The stress related to immigration, an appreciation of diverse cultural understandings of mental health, the burdens and costs of adequate mental health policy and provisioning within developing countries, are concepts that are not well understood nor fully documented. The present study explored the cultural understanding and help-seeking behaviours of Congolese immigrants in South Africa. The purpose of the study was to understand the ways in which Congolese cope with stressors related to immigration. Using SocialIdentity Theory as a partial conceptual framework, the role of acculturation processes in their understanding and help-seeking behaviours regarding mental health challenges, were examined. A platform for participants to suggest suitable ways of responding to improving the management of mental challenges in their community was provided. A qualitative approach, based on Participatory Action Research (PAR) and content analysis to explore the emerging narratives, was used with a Gauteng-based sample to gather the accounts of the lived experiences of Congolese immigrants. A snowball sampling technique enabled twenty-seven respondents to participate in one paired conversation and five focus groups. The emerging findings are critically discussed aligned to the six categories of inquiry structured by the interview schedule, namely, coping strategies since immigration, the understanding of mental health challenges, the possible impact of being immersed in the South African culture, perceptions of mental challenges and persons affected within the Congolese community, the preferred help-seeking behaviours regarding mental health challenges and, finally, their recommendations for improving the management of mental health challenges. The layered meta-analysis of the data consisted of interrogating the thematic categories, then conducting an analytical review aligned to both the pertinent research aim and objectives, as well as related theoretical positions and research findings. v | P a g e The key research question underpinning this study was formulated as follows: “Will immigrating from the DRC to South Africa change the understanding and help-seeking behaviours of Congolese?” The study drew on the processes of acculturation from Social Identity Theory to examine these processes. Participants reported experiencing the effects of acculturation but in different ways. Patterns of assimilation, separation and integration were found. The study therefore served to contribute to our understanding of the effects of acculturation with regard to the cultural understanding and help-seeking behaviours of Congolese immigrants in South Africa regarding mental health. Most significantly, the assumption of high levels of trauma and stress within this vulnerable community were unfounded. Rich and complex survival strategies have emerged requiring refinement of our knowledge about migrant communities. The strengths and relative weaknesses of the study are shared as well as a set of recommendations for future research in this domain. / Psychology / M. Sc.(Psychology)

This research was undertaken to establish the effect incarceration of individuals in the total institution called prison has on the incarcerated individuals. A literature study along with an empirical study, with 17 ex-inmates, was completed to explore the environment and circumstances of the institution called prison and the effect it has on the prisoners it incarcerates. Issues discussed include the prison environment, the prisonisation process, the inmate code and the process of incarceration. Also discussed are the presence, activities and influence of the gangs within the prison environment. It would appear that prison has a lasting effect on most prisoners and limited rehabilitative value, although there does appear to be some deterrence value. The subject begs further investigation, especially among a wider mix of inmate type, in order to deliver further recommendations to the South African Department of Correctional Services. / Social work / M.A.(Social Science)

This study followed a qualitative research approach, and semi-structured interviews regarding the subject matter were conducted with the knowledgeable and experienced respondents in the Gauteng traffic-related departments. A literature review was also conducted to provide a comprehensive understanding of the research problem in both local and international context. The research stresses the fact that motorists are continuing to lose their lives on Gauteng province, as a result of violent traffic disputes, therefore people suffer financial, physical, psychological as well as social effects as a consequence of such actions. The findings revealed that all the traffic stakeholders are working cooperatively towards implementing the crime prevention strategic plans, but for policing road rage in particular there is no specific strategy in action. In addition, this study reveals that it is impossible for the traffic police to curb road rage incidents because the latter occur as a result of unpredictable human behavior. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Policing)

MPH / Department of Public Health / This study was about work related stress among social workers in the Greater Giyani Municipality, South Africa. Work related stress among social workers globally can be attributed to a number of factors that are either internal or external to the workers. When not addressed, work related stress may have tremendous impact on the workers, their productivity and even health. The aim of this study was to explore the sources of work related stress among social workers in selected offices in Greater Giyani Municipality, South Africa. This study adopted a qualitative research design making use of exploratory approach. The study was conducted at Unigaz social work offices, Greater Giyani Municipality, South Africa. The study sample was chosen from the target population of social workers using non-probability purposive sampling. Data were collected using an interview guide and analyzed using thematic analytical approach. To ensure trustworthiness, credibility and dependability of the study findings, the researcher pre-tested the interview guide to ascertain if it will enable the researcher to get the desired information. The researcher adhered to the following ethical principles: Informed consent, deception of respondents, confidentiality and anonymity, voluntary participation and avoidance of harm to respondents The study revealed that work related stress among social workers results from a variety of factors. These factors are either organisational such as poor remuneration, workload etc. or extra-organisational factors such as lack of support from family members. The study recommends that the Department of Social Development should put in place Employee Wellness Offices in all districts as a measure to curb and deal with work related stress among social workers. / NRF

Text in Afrikaans / Approximately 50 percent of all marriages end up in divorce according to estimates. Thirty percent of divorcees enter into wedlock again within one year from being divorced, thereby creating a reconstructed family. The child in the late middle childhood years experiences some unique challenges during the reconstruction of the family due to influences such as the parent-child relationship, parenting styles and the start of puberty. The purpose of this qualitative study is to determine the child's psychological experience within the reconstructed family and to provide guidelines to parents (and co-therapists) on how to deal with children during the reconstruction process. The qualitative method of research was applied as it is a more informal research procedure and the boundaries of the study subject are reasonably wide and undefined. The method provides an adaptable strategy regarding problem formulation and data collection, which allow semi-structured interviews, observations and field notes, and enable the researcher to obtain first hand knowledge and understanding of the problem. / Social Work / M. Diac.(Play Therapy)

Teenage pregnancies are currently a social problem in South Africa and in the rest of the world. Social workers are involved with teenage girls by providing guidance during their pregnancies and face many challenges by accepting this role. The objective of this qualitative study was to identify and describe the needs of social workers when guiding pregnant teenage girls. A conceptual framework with the Gestalt approach as the theoretical framework for the study was stated after which an empirical study took place. In-depth interviews took place with nine social workers. Results were then verified in a focus group discussion. From the empirical data themes and sub themes were identified and verified with relevant literature. These themes and sub themes were then interpreted through the Gestalt approach. Conclusions and recommendations were made to social workers and interdisciplinary teams, which form part of the network that are involved with pregnant teenage girls. / Thesis (M.Diac. (Spelterapie)

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: STUDY AIM The aim of the study is to explore the psychosocial characteristics of HIV positive clients who are yet to achieve viral load suppression after six months of commencing ARV at Sundumbili CHC in order to plan positive intervention strategies. RESEARCH DESIGN Non-experimental quantitative design was used in carrying out the study. The data was collected through retrieval of information from clinic records and completion of questionnaires to clients on ARV who met the inclusion criteria and consented to participating in the study. A total of 51 adults aged more than 18 years that were initiated in 2010/2011 and still access their treatment at Sundumbili CHC were enrolled into the study. They were selected through convenience sampling. FINDINGS Psychosocial challenges still exist among research participants whose viral load results were not suppressed after six months on ARV. This affected the adherence of some of them to their antiretroviral treatment. CONCLUSION Given the rural nature of Sundumbili and surroundings where the bulk of the patients reside, there are several psychosocial challenges affecting the patients. No known previous study has been undertaken to ascertain the psychosocial characteristics of this group of patients and the impact they may have on viral load suppression after six months of treatment. The study is therefore significant as the findings have provided more insight into the plight of the patients. It is envisaged that the recommendations from the study will assist the relevant management staff in the department in planning and subsequently implementing more positive intervention strategies. The strategies should be targeted at improving the quality of care of the HIV positive clients and attending to their psychosocial needs. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: STUDIEDOELWIT Die doel van die studie was om ondersoek in te stel na die psigososiale kenmerke van MIV-positiewe kliënte wie se virustellings ná ses maande van antiretrovirale (ARV) behandeling by die gemeenskapsgesondheidsentrum op Sundumbili steeds nie onder beheer was nie, ten einde positiewe intervensiestrategieë te beplan. NAVORSINGSONTWERP ’n Nie-eksperimentele kwantitatiewe ontwerp is gebruik om die studie te onderneem. Die data is ingesamel deur die herwinning van inligting uit klinieklêers sowel as die afneem van vraelyste onder kliënte op ARV’s wat aan die insluitingsmaatstawwe voldoen en tot deelname aan die studie toegestem het. Altesaam 51 volwassenes bo die ouderdom van 18 wat in 2010/2011 met ARV behandeling begin het en dit steeds by Sundumbili-gemeenskapsgesondheidsentrum ontvang, is in die studie opgeneem. Dié groep is deur middel van geriefsteekproefneming gekies. BEVINDINGE Psigososiale uitdagings was steeds te bespeur by navorsingsdeelnemers wie se virustellings nog nie ná ses maande op ARV’s onder beheer was nie. Dit het sommige se behandelingsgetrouheid beïnvloed. GEVOLGTREKKING In die lig van die landelike aard van Sundumbili en omgewing, waar die meeste van die pasiënte woon, kom pasiënte voor verskeie psigososiale uitdagings te staan. Daar is klaarblyklik nog nooit vantevore ’n studie onderneem om die psigososiale kenmerke van hierdie groep pasiënte, en die moontlike impak daarvan op die onderdrukking van virustellings ná ses maande van behandeling, te bepaal nie. Hierdie studie is dus waardevol, aangesien die bevindinge groter insig in die lot van die pasiënte bied. Daar word beoog dat die aanbevelings uit die studie tersaaklike bestuurspersoneel in die Departement van Gesondheid sal help om meer positiewe intervensiestrategieë te beplan en gevolglik in werking te stel. Die strategieë behoort daarop afgestem te wees om die gehalte van sorglewering aan MIV-positiewe kliënte te verbeter en in hul psigososiale behoeftes te voorsien.

Text in Afrikaans / Approximately 50 percent of all marriages end up in divorce according to estimates. Thirty percent of divorcees enter into wedlock again within one year from being divorced, thereby creating a reconstructed family. The child in the late middle childhood years experiences some unique challenges during the reconstruction of the family due to influences such as the parent-child relationship, parenting styles and the start of puberty. The purpose of this qualitative study is to determine the child's psychological experience within the reconstructed family and to provide guidelines to parents (and co-therapists) on how to deal with children during the reconstruction process. The qualitative method of research was applied as it is a more informal research procedure and the boundaries of the study subject are reasonably wide and undefined. The method provides an adaptable strategy regarding problem formulation and data collection, which allow semi-structured interviews, observations and field notes, and enable the researcher to obtain first hand knowledge and understanding of the problem. / Social Work / M. Diac.(Play Therapy)