published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1984.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1988.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1985.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1985.

This thesis research is an ethnographic account of how identity and a sense of community are discursively constructed and managed among participants in mutual aid groups. Research findings are based upon interview and observational data collected from two support groups located in a Canadian city. While members' accounts provide a basis for interpreting the meaning of support as experienced, researcher observations focus on discursive identification practices. My interpretation sheds light on the dynamic interplay between notions of community, symbolic boundary and identity. Participant stories grounded in experiential knowledge, serve as critical connecting nodes in the construction and reproduction of community and as legitimate leverage to resist denied agency. These case study findings suggest how support, community and identity are collectively accomplished, in part, by managing symbolic boundaries through positioning practices. An understanding of these micro-processes has practical implications for the development of mutual aid groups to meet health and social needs. / xiv, 310 leaves ; 29 cm.

The HIV and Aids pandemic not only has an impact on women but also on men. Young people in their early and late adolescent years, between the ages 12 and 24 years of age, find themselves in a period of exploration and experimentation that can enhance high-risk sexual behaviour. In research done in South Africa it was estimated that half of all young men and woman are sexually active by the age of 16. Unfortunately, we in South Africa live in an era where HIV and AIDS do not allow such behaviours and this situation makes male youths one of the most vulnerable groups in our society to be infected by the HI-virus. This study focused on male youths on ARV therapy (ART). The antiretroviral therapy requires maximum adherence from the people living with HIV and AIDS. Adherence to antiretroviral therapy poses a great challenge to the youth, especially if they are unemployed and have families who depend on them for financial as well as emotional support. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a social group work empowerment programme on male youths undergoing ARV therapy. To achieve the aim of this study the following objectives were set: • To investigate the needs of male youths on ARV therapy in a rural area. This objective was achieved by obtaining a theoretical perspective from the literature as well as undertaking empirical research by means of the interviewing process. According to these findings male youths on ARV therapy have many needs, such as the need for more information on ARV therapy, the role of the Departments of Health and Social Development, the role of social workers, and how to disclose their HIV status to people other than their family members. •To determine the role of social group work in empowering male youths who are on antiretroviral therapy to cope with the illness and ARV therapy by means of a literature study. It was important for the researcher to do a literature study on social group work to enhance her knowledge and skills, because this is a method of social work that she not often implemented in practice. • To develop and implement a social group work programme for male youths on ARV therapy. The social group work empowerment programme for male youth on ARV therapy was implemented over nine group work sessions and tested on 10 respondents who were part of the needs assessment and were willing to be part of the group work programme in the rural area of the Motheo District. The programme consisted of nine group sessions with different topics discussed in each session for the empowerment of the target group. According to the group members, they acquired adequate skills to enable them to act properly in solving their problems. The programme impacted a lot on how they felt about themselves and the circumstances around them. • To evaluate the effectiveness of the social group work empowerment programme on male youths on ARV therapy. This objective was achieved in the sense that the general satisfaction of the young men had increased according to the Generalized Contentment Scale (GCS) of Perspective Training College. The measuring scale was utilized before the first session started, at the end of the fifth session (in the middle measurement phase), and at the end of the last session. The findings from the research indicated that significant personal growth had taken place among the male youth on ARV therapy in a rural area. Scientifically proven research emerged from this study and proved that a well-designed social group work empowerment programme can enhance the social functioning and general contentment of the male youths on ARV therapy. / Thesis (PhD (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

The HIV and Aids pandemic not only has an impact on women but also on men. Young people in their early and late adolescent years, between the ages 12 and 24 years of age, find themselves in a period of exploration and experimentation that can enhance high-risk sexual behaviour. In research done in South Africa it was estimated that half of all young men and woman are sexually active by the age of 16. Unfortunately, we in South Africa live in an era where HIV and AIDS do not allow such behaviours and this situation makes male youths one of the most vulnerable groups in our society to be infected by the HI-virus. This study focused on male youths on ARV therapy (ART). The antiretroviral therapy requires maximum adherence from the people living with HIV and AIDS. Adherence to antiretroviral therapy poses a great challenge to the youth, especially if they are unemployed and have families who depend on them for financial as well as emotional support. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a social group work empowerment programme on male youths undergoing ARV therapy. To achieve the aim of this study the following objectives were set: • To investigate the needs of male youths on ARV therapy in a rural area. This objective was achieved by obtaining a theoretical perspective from the literature as well as undertaking empirical research by means of the interviewing process. According to these findings male youths on ARV therapy have many needs, such as the need for more information on ARV therapy, the role of the Departments of Health and Social Development, the role of social workers, and how to disclose their HIV status to people other than their family members. •To determine the role of social group work in empowering male youths who are on antiretroviral therapy to cope with the illness and ARV therapy by means of a literature study. It was important for the researcher to do a literature study on social group work to enhance her knowledge and skills, because this is a method of social work that she not often implemented in practice. • To develop and implement a social group work programme for male youths on ARV therapy. The social group work empowerment programme for male youth on ARV therapy was implemented over nine group work sessions and tested on 10 respondents who were part of the needs assessment and were willing to be part of the group work programme in the rural area of the Motheo District. The programme consisted of nine group sessions with different topics discussed in each session for the empowerment of the target group. According to the group members, they acquired adequate skills to enable them to act properly in solving their problems. The programme impacted a lot on how they felt about themselves and the circumstances around them. • To evaluate the effectiveness of the social group work empowerment programme on male youths on ARV therapy. This objective was achieved in the sense that the general satisfaction of the young men had increased according to the Generalized Contentment Scale (GCS) of Perspective Training College. The measuring scale was utilized before the first session started, at the end of the fifth session (in the middle measurement phase), and at the end of the last session. The findings from the research indicated that significant personal growth had taken place among the male youth on ARV therapy in a rural area. Scientifically proven research emerged from this study and proved that a well-designed social group work empowerment programme can enhance the social functioning and general contentment of the male youths on ARV therapy. / Thesis (PhD (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Thesis (Ph.D. (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

The study was conducted in Heuningvlei community in the Kgalagadi District Municipality in the Northern Cape Province. This study was part of the "Tshwaragano Project" with the general aim of empowering the disadvantaged communities in rural areas. The aim of this research was to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a social group work empowerment programme for poverty stricken families in rural areas of the Northern Cape Province. To achieve this aim, the following objectives needed to be attained: • To study the psycho-social effects of poverty on rural families. This objective was achieved by means of a critical review and analysis of the relevant literature. It is therefore concluded that poverty is the most problematic social problem facing the South African society today. It is a global problem that troubles many families in South Africa and affects people both psychologically and socially. • To determine the fundamental causes of poverty on rural families and their strengths to survive. This investigation indicated that poverty in the SADC region is reflected in the low levels of income, and high levels of human deprivation. Unemployment is also the greatest single cause of deep poverty in rural areas. These factors can be traced back to education and illiteracy of Heuningvlei community members. There is close association between poverty and lack of education. Poor or non existent of agricultural practices also bears reference to the alarming rates of poverty in rural areas. • To design and implement a social group work empowerment programme for poverty stricken rural families. This programme was presented successfully over a stretch of eight group sessions to sixteen community members and was exceptionally appropriate to improve their knowledge regarding poverty. They also received skills to start their own income generating projects. By means of this programme the members of the group also enhanced their social functioning • To evaluate the effectiveness of a social group work programme in empowering poverty stricken rural families. The evaluation of the programme was done by means of a measuring scale instrument called Personal Multi-screening Inventory (PMSI) scale developed by the Perspective Training College in Potchefstroom. The results obtained through this evaluation indicated that a social group work empowerment programme had brought a significant change in the lives of the members. It was therefore concluded that the programme was successful and effective in the sense that members felt that there was a transition in their lives. Group members indicated that the Tshwaragano social group work empowerment programme provided a positive growth in their lives and it was a learning opportunity that shifted their thinking, for instance the discouragement of the feeling of "apathy" and dependence on the government. In summary it can be stated that proof has emerged from this research that a scientifically founded, well-planned social group work empowerment programme can undoubtedly be applied to improve the social functioning of poverty stricken rural families. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.