This study examines through autoethnographic inquiry my research journey in the world of childhood cancer. The unfolding research experience eventually led to the focus of this investigation which is exploring stories of coping with childhood cancer in a support group for parents. Using the principles of ethnographic epistemology this study explores the stories of eight parents whose children were diagnosed with cancer and who decided to join the support group for parents called, TOUCH. An overview of the existing body of knowledge on childhood cancer and the family is presented as well as the value of a social support group in parenting a child with cancer. The need of a conceptual shift in order to understand the problem of parenting a child with cancer is propagated. The stories of eight parents within the setting of a social support group are presented. Through the principles of the qualitative method of ethnography the story of the child's cancer is described by means of emerging themes. The coping mechanisms used to cope in this world of uncertainty and ambiguity, follows. Finally the contribution of the support group is discussed in terms of my relationship with the group member, the group members' communication pattern and what was perceived to be helpful to the group member. The eight stories discussed all follow the same pattern. Four hypotheses emerged from the eight stories described and are presented in the final chapter. The strengths and limitations of the study are discussed as well as recommendations for future research. / Psychology / D. Lit. et Phil. (Psychology)

Submitted by Filipe dos Santos (fsantos@pucsp.br) on 2017-10-19T12:02:34Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Regislaine Leoncio Pereira.pdf: 940942 bytes, checksum: 3107b12e70f9958ec6d190d66d75b5a3 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-10-19T12:02:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Regislaine Leoncio Pereira.pdf: 940942 bytes, checksum: 3107b12e70f9958ec6d190d66d75b5a3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-09-26 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The demographic revolution and the change in the epidemiological profile confront us with an unwanted reality in the aging process. Although old age is not synonymous with illness, many seniors are aging with morbidities that affect their physical and cognitive ability making them dependent on care. In this scenario the figure of the family caregiver or the care professional appears. Researches that has proposed to look at the care done by family members indicates that caregivers often become ill and succumb to the caring process. However, for reasons pursued in this study, the experience is not common to all caregivers, it is possible to find other possibilities of care in caregivers who developed a healthy relationship in this path. This study aims to discuss the issue of care and the elements that may contribute to overcome the difficulties inherent in family care at home. To do so, we rescued the history of a municipal service and interviewed family caregivers who participate in the Caregiver Support Group. The bibliographic survey pertinent to the theme was fundamental to the research. To deepen the research we used the qualitative method which will allow us to observe and understand the different stories of 06 (six) caregivers and their relationship of care to the elderly family. Center for Reference to the Elderly Health (CERESI) in Guarulhos was our scenario of observation and meeting of respondents who answered open questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and life history narratives / A revolução demográfica e a mudança no perfil epidemiológico nos confrontam com uma realidade não desejada no processo de envelhecimento. Embora a velhice não seja sinônimo de doença, muitas pessoas estão envelhecendo com morbidades que afetam sua capacidade física e cognitiva tornando-as dependentes de cuidados. Neste cenário, surge a figura do cuidador familiar ou do profissional do cuidado. Pesquisas que propuseram se debruçar sobre o cuidado realizado por familiar, indicam que não raramente os cuidadores adoecem e sucumbem ao processo de cuidar. Entretanto, por razões perseguidas neste estudo, a experiência não é comum a todos cuidadores, é possível encontrar outras possibilidades de cuidado em cuidadores que desenvolveram uma relação saudável neste percurso. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo discutir a questão do cuidado e os elementos que podem contribuir para a superação das dificuldades inerentes ao cuidado familiar no domicílio. Para tanto, resgatamos a história de um serviço municipal e entrevistamos familiares cuidadores que participam do Grupo de Apoio ao Cuidador. O levantamento bibliográfico pertinente ao tema foi fundamental para a pesquisa. Para aprofunda-la, recorremos ao método qualitativo, que permitirá observar e compreender as diferentes histórias de 06 (seis) cuidadoras e sua relação de cuidado ao idoso familiar. O Centro de Referência à Saúde do Idoso (CERESI) em Guarulhos foi o nosso cenário de observação e de encontro das entrevistadas que responderam a questionários abertos e entrevistas narrativas

The aim of this research was to support new mothers in groups, so that they can function optimally as educators. During the research mothers with babies up to three months of age were used by means of a support group. This research project was done after it became evident from a literature study that new mothers suffered with unique problems during this adaption phase. In the empirical survey the researcher gave attention to the new mothers' specific needs and problems during this trimester. The researcher aimed to explore the experiences of the new mother as educator through weekly group sessions. From the results it was clear that there was a need of support from other mothers that is going through the same experiences. In this way new mothers could receive emotional support and obtain knowledge regarding relevant issues experienced during this unique life phase. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

This study examines through autoethnographic inquiry my research journey in the world of childhood cancer. The unfolding research experience eventually led to the focus of this investigation which is exploring stories of coping with childhood cancer in a support group for parents. Using the principles of ethnographic epistemology this study explores the stories of eight parents whose children were diagnosed with cancer and who decided to join the support group for parents called, TOUCH. An overview of the existing body of knowledge on childhood cancer and the family is presented as well as the value of a social support group in parenting a child with cancer. The need of a conceptual shift in order to understand the problem of parenting a child with cancer is propagated. The stories of eight parents within the setting of a social support group are presented. Through the principles of the qualitative method of ethnography the story of the child's cancer is described by means of emerging themes. The coping mechanisms used to cope in this world of uncertainty and ambiguity, follows. Finally the contribution of the support group is discussed in terms of my relationship with the group member, the group members' communication pattern and what was perceived to be helpful to the group member. The eight stories discussed all follow the same pattern. Four hypotheses emerged from the eight stories described and are presented in the final chapter. The strengths and limitations of the study are discussed as well as recommendations for future research. / Psychology / D. Lit. et Phil. (Psychology)

This study is a need assessment for the establishment of an HIV and AIDS support group within the South African Police Services (SAPS), Head Office Divisions and the purpose was to explore the extent to which an HIV and AIDS support group was needed for HIV and AIDS-infected and affected personnel within the South African Police Services (SAPS). The SAPS employees as well as HIV and AIDS programme managers participated in the study. A combination of quantitative and qualitative data was used in the study. The former was obtained from a survey of 90 SAPS personnel based at the SAPS Head Office Divisions in Pretoria. The latter, on the other hand, was obtained from in-depth interviews with five SAPS HIV and AIDS programme managers, also based at Head Office Divisions in Pretoria.The overall results showed that an internal workplace HIV and AIDS support group for infected and affected employees was seen as necessary to deal with the psycho-social and emotional needs of the personnel. The study participants were generally of the view that such a support group would go a long way in addressing some of the challenges and obstacles – such as stigma, discrimination, judgement and so forth – faced by HIV and AIDS-infected and faced employees within the SAPS. In general, it was envisaged that a workplace support group would create a warm and caring environment that would enable employees to feel safe and supported by their colleagues – including commanders and managers – in dealing with their HIV and AIDS situations. / Health Studies / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV and AIDS)

This study is a need assessment for the establishment of an HIV and AIDS support group within the South African Police Services (SAPS), Head Office Divisions and the purpose was to explore the extent to which an HIV and AIDS support group was needed for HIV and AIDS-infected and affected personnel within the South African Police Services (SAPS). The SAPS employees as well as HIV and AIDS programme managers participated in the study. A combination of quantitative and qualitative data was used in the study. The former was obtained from a survey of 90 SAPS personnel based at the SAPS Head Office Divisions in Pretoria. The latter, on the other hand, was obtained from in-depth interviews with five SAPS HIV and AIDS programme managers, also based at Head Office Divisions in Pretoria.The overall results showed that an internal workplace HIV and AIDS support group for infected and affected employees was seen as necessary to deal with the psycho-social and emotional needs of the personnel. The study participants were generally of the view that such a support group would go a long way in addressing some of the challenges and obstacles – such as stigma, discrimination, judgement and so forth – faced by HIV and AIDS-infected and faced employees within the SAPS. In general, it was envisaged that a workplace support group would create a warm and caring environment that would enable employees to feel safe and supported by their colleagues – including commanders and managers – in dealing with their HIV and AIDS situations. / Health Studies / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV and AIDS)

This dissertation of a limited scope focuses on the Heads of Departments’ perceptions of the Integrated Quality Management System for teachers at selected quintile 5 Primary Schools in the East London Region of the Eastern Cape Province. It reveals the positive and negative aspects of the staff appraisal system, its implementation and purpose, as well as views on its improvement. By means of a qualitative case study and the Cognitive Evaluation Theory as theoretical framework, the researcher has determined that the Performance Measurement component of the appraisal system has a detrimental effect on the intrinsic motivation of teachers and that it should be separated from the Developmental Appraisal. Individual interviews with the Heads of Departments revealed the need for revising the assessment rubric in order for Performance Measurement to be conducted effectively. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Education Management)

High prevalence of mental illness in South African and limited Mental Health Care (MHC) resources call for ways to supplement the overburdened system to meet the rehabilitative and supportive needs of service users as stipulated in the MHC Act no. 17 of 2002. Various psychological, social, and financial difficulties plaguing MHC users require holistic treatment intervention to help them cope with their conditions. This study explored the meaning of a Tshwane District community-based support group for MHC out-patients to help illuminate the value the group had for the members. A Social Constructionist epistemology informed the qualitative research approach. Data were collected by conducting semi-structured interviews and employing a collage-making method. The main themes illuminated by thematic analysis suggest that the group provided the members with a sense of belonging, mental and physical mobilisation and stimulation, a source of support, multiple learning experiences, and contributed to personal transformation and growth. / Psychology / M.A. (Social Science (Research Consultation))

High prevalence of mental illness in South African and limited Mental Health Care (MHC) resources call for ways to supplement the overburdened system to meet the rehabilitative and supportive needs of service users as stipulated in the MHC Act no. 17 of 2002. Various psychological, social, and financial difficulties plaguing MHC users require holistic treatment intervention to help them cope with their conditions. This study explored the meaning of a Tshwane District community-based support group for MHC out-patients to help illuminate the value the group had for the members. A Social Constructionist epistemology informed the qualitative research approach. Data were collected by conducting semi-structured interviews and employing a collage-making method. The main themes illuminated by thematic analysis suggest that the group provided the members with a sense of belonging, mental and physical mobilisation and stimulation, a source of support, multiple learning experiences, and contributed to personal transformation and growth. / Psychology / M.A. (S.S. (Research Consultation))