Thesis ( M.A. ( Clinical Psychology )) -- University of Limpopo, 2013 / The aim of the study is to investigate the perceptions of alcohol use and its behavioral impact upon learners at Makgofe Area in the Limpopo Province. Quantitative, descriptive research was conducted to determine if there were any differences between the perceptions and the behavioural impact of alcohol use. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. A total number of 100 participants, divided into two groups, took part in the study. Fifty (50) learners, who drink alcohol, formed the experimental group, while another fifty (50) learners, who do not drink alcohol, formed the control group. Data was analysed using SPSS. The study has highlighted the perceptions held by learners and the behavioural impact it has on behaviour. The findings revealed that learners using alcohol perceive its usage positively. It was also found that leaners using alcohol perceive alcohol as having a positive impact on their behaviour. The study concludes by advocating psycho education regarding the use and effects of alcohol at schools around Limpopo Province.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Education in the Department of Educational Psychology in the Faculty of Education at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2006. / The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of substance abuse by senior primary school learners on their development This was achieved via a literature study and an empirical study. In the light of the findings certain recommendations which can assist educators, principals, parents and the Department of Education to plan and take action in order to combat drug abuse and addiction amongst senior primary school learners, were formulated. Schools have always had and will always have significant influence on learners' lives and must therefore be the focus of any effective implementation of arresting strategies. The senior primary school community has in the past and to a certain extent in the present not treated the increasing use of drugs as a priority. This could possibly be because of the many types of legitimate drugs that are available, and which are said to cure, prevent or slow down-diseases and enable people to lead longer, healthier and happier lives. Antibiotics have improved the treatment of infections and vaccines have prevented the spread of diseases such as measles, while analgesics have lessened or eliminated pain. However, it should be the harmful and illegal drugs that parents and the community should be made aware of. Illegal and harmful drugs infiltrate all levels of society, asking no name, title or gender. They come in many names and forms and they will negatively impact on health, sanity, families and finally people's lives. The literature study found that substance abuse affected the physical, psychological (cognitive and affective), social and normative development of the senior primary school learner. For the purpose of the empirical investigation, a self-structured questionnaire for educators was utilized. The data obtained from the completed questionnaires was processed and analyzed by means of descriptive statistics. The findings

Thesis (MA(MW))--University of Stellenbosch,2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: An exploratory study was done on prevention programmes of substance abuse by high school learners. This was done in order to: explore the factors leading to substance abuse by high school learners; explore the conditions for successful substance abuse programmes and compare it with existing programmes; and to determine how prevention programmes for high school learners can be used in South-African schools. The motivation for this study emerged as a result of the researcher’s involvement in prevention programmes for adolescents in schools and on farms at the South-African Council for Alcohol and Drug Dependency (SANCA) in the Paarl area. The objective of this study is to provide guidelines to social workers for the effective implementation of substance abuse prevention programmes for high school learners. The literature study confirmed the need for effective prevention programmes and highlighted the focus om the factors which leads to substance abuse. Emphasis is placed on risk and protection factors involved with substance abuse. SANCA in Paarl’s adolescent community’s risk and protective factors was investigated, because of the necessity to identify these factors before a prevention programme can be designed. The universum is the grade 10 learners of six schools in the Paarl area. One learner out of each class represented the sample of 48 respondents. The study was done trough a structured questionnaire. A combination of qualitative and quantitative information, through the use of open and close-ended questions, was gathered. The results of this study confirmed the results of the literature study, namely that the most important factor leading to substance abuse, is peer group influence. However, a combination of strategies and programmes are needed to develope a suitable programme for the specific community. The recommendations focus on four areas. Firstly the conditions are described for an effective prevention programme regarding the role of social workers, the use of assessment, evaluation, models, theories and approaches. Secondly, recommendations are made for techniques and general approaches. The third area gives directions for programme content. The last area recommends a possibility for future research: the process, roles and type of training needed to implement an effective and sustainable support group system in schools, must be tested. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: ’n Verkennende studie vir voorkomingsprogramme vir middelmisbruik deur ho¨erskoolleerders is gedoen ten einde: die faktore wat tot middele-misbruik deur ho¨erskoolleerders aanleiding gee, te ondersoek; die voorwaardes vir suksesvolle middele-misbruikvoorkomingsprogramme te verken en met bestaande programme in verband te bring; en te bepaal hoe voorkomingsprogramme aan ho¨erskoolleerders in Suid-Afrikaanse skole benut kan word. Die motivering vir die studie het gespruit uit die navorser se betrokkenheid by die Suid- Afrikaanse Raad vir Alkohol- en Dwelmafhanklikes (SANRA) met die aanbied van voorkomingsprogramme vir adolessente, op plase en in skole in die Paarl-omgwing. Die doel van hierdie studie is dus om riglyne vir maatskaplike werkers daar te stel vir die effektiewe implementering van voorkomingsprogramme vir middelmisbruik deur ho¨erskoolleerders. Die literatuurstudie het die behoefte aan effektiewe voorkomingsprogramme bevestig en die faktore wat lei tot middelmisbruik is ook uitgelig. Daar is veral gefokus op die risikoen beskermingsfaktore hierby betrokke. Die studie is ingelei deur ’n ondersoek na die risiko- en beskermingsfaktore wat ’n rol speel in die adolessente gemeenskap van SANRA (Paarl), aangesien dit noodsaaklik is om hierdie faktore te identifiseer voordat ’n voorkomingsprogram ontwerp word. Die universum is graad-10 leerders van ses skole in die gebied. Een leerder uit elke klas het die steekproef, van 48 respondente, verteenwoordig. Die ondersoek is aan die hand van ’n gestruktureerde vraelys gerig. Kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe inligting is deur middel van ’n kombinasie van oop en geslote vrae ingesamel. Die resultate van hierdie ondersoek het die literatuurstudie bevestig, naamlik dat die hoof faktor wat aanleiding gee tot middelmisbruik, portuurgroepinvloede is. ’n Kombinasie van verskeie strategie¨e is nodig om geskikte programme vir spesifieke gemeenskappe te ontwerp. Die aanbevelings fokus op vier areas, naamlik die voorwaardes vir ’n effektiewe voorkomingsprogram rakende die rol van die maatskaplike werker, die gebruik van assessering, evaluering, modelle, teorie¨e en/of benaderings en aanbevelings ten opsigte van tegnieke, programvoorstelle en programinhoud. Die vierde en laaste area maak ’n aanbeveling vir verdere navorsing: ’n Ondersoek na die proses, rol van en tipe opleiding nodig om ’n effektiewe en volhoubare ondersteuningsgroepstelsel in skole te implementeer.

Adolescent substance abuse is a major problem facing the world today. In order to understand the reasons for adolescent substance abuse behaviour, various theoretical perspectives were utilised and strategies to curb substance use were also identified. The study was conducted in the rural areas of Zeerust, North West province of South Africa. The participants included 12 male adolescents, whose ages ranged from 12 to 15 years. A qualitative, explorative research design was employed. Data was gathered using semi-structured interviews, genograms and observations. Thematic analysis was used to analyse audio-taped data. The study found that substances abused by the participants include alcohol, nicotine, cannabis and heroin. Their reasons for using these substances include individual, family and environmental factors. However, peer group pressure was identified as the primary factor for adolescent substance use. This study emphasises the painful nature of substance abuse among adolescents, yet at the same time it succeeds in highlighting the strategies that can be employed to address substance abuse among adolescents. In addition, this study recommends a concerted effort by all the stakeholders in addressing the substance abuse problem. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

Adolescent substance abuse is a major problem facing the world today. In order to understand the reasons for adolescent substance abuse behaviour, various theoretical perspectives were utilised and strategies to curb substance use were also identified. The study was conducted in the rural areas of Zeerust, North West province of South Africa. The participants included 12 male adolescents, whose ages ranged from 12 to 15 years. A qualitative, explorative research design was employed. Data was gathered using semi-structured interviews, genograms and observations. Thematic analysis was used to analyse audio-taped data. The study found that substances abused by the participants include alcohol, nicotine, cannabis and heroin. Their reasons for using these substances include individual, family and environmental factors. However, peer group pressure was identified as the primary factor for adolescent substance use. This study emphasises the painful nature of substance abuse among adolescents, yet at the same time it succeeds in highlighting the strategies that can be employed to address substance abuse among adolescents. In addition, this study recommends a concerted effort by all the stakeholders in addressing the substance abuse problem. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)