The prevalence of divorce within society is reflected in the rising divorce rate worldwide. Consequently, divorce has become more accepted, although adolescents from divorced families are considered at risk for maladjustment. The aim of this study is to give a voice to adolescents who have experienced their parents' divorce and to highlight their resilience despite the challenges they faced. The epistemological framework is social constructionism. In-depth interviews with two adolescents who have experienced the divorce of their parents were undertaken. The method of analysis used was `Thematic content analysis'. The participants' stories were recounted through the lens of the researcher in the form of themes. Recurring themes in these stories were elucidated and linked with the literature. This study allowed rich and detailed descriptions about adolescents' experiences to emerge, which the researcher hopes will broaden the therapeutic understanding of the complexities of divorce for the adolescents who survive it. / Psychology / MA (Clinical Psychology)

The research deals with the empowerment of adolescent victims of family violence. The purpose of the study was to give an account of the therapeutic intervention process of two case studies, by means of a descriptive, qualitative type of research. This research was executed via semi-structured interviews by the researcher. The population in the study was limited to adolescent victims between the age of twelve to eighteen years, who are victims of family violence. The sample in this study was two respondents. The children are students at a high school in Roodepoort. After completion of the empiric study it was concluded that the adolescent who is exposed to family violence, is empowered if a therapeutic process - like the one suggested by Oaklander (1994:289) which applies gestalt play therapeutic techniques - is followed. As clearly shown in the literature, the researcher came to the conclusion that family violence has a destructive effect on the adolescent and that he can be empowered by gestalt play therapy. OPSOMMING Die navorsing handel oor die bemagtiging van adolessente slagoffers van gesinsgeweld. Die doel van die studie was om deur middel van 'n beskrywende, kwalitatiewe tipe navorsing die terapeutiese intervensieproses van twee gevallestudies te beskryf. Hierdie navorsing het met behulp van semi-gestruktureerde onderhoudvoering geskied. Die populasie in die studie was begrens tot adolessente slagoffers tussen die ouderdom twaalf tot agtien jaar wat slagoffers van gesinsgeweld is. Die steekproef in hierdie studie was twee respondente. Die kinders is verbonde aan 'n hoërskool te Roodepoort. Daar is na afloop van die empiriese studie tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat indien 'n terapeutiese proses - soos wat deur Oaklander (1994:289) voorgestel word met die benutting van gestaltspelterapeutiese tegnieke - deurloop word, die adolessent wat aan gesinsgeweld blootgestel word, bemagtig word. Soos ook uit die literatuur duidelik blyk, het die navorser die afleiding gemaak dat gesinsgeweld vernietigend op die adolessent inwerk en dat hy deur gestaltspelterapie bemagtig kan word. / Social work / MDIAC (PLAY THERAPY)

During the researcher's work with looked after children for the past four years, it became clear that adolescent placements were much more likely to break down than others. Although there is some literature about foster placement breakdowns, the researcher did not really get an answer as to the causes of adolescent placement breakdowns. This study therefore explores causal factors of adolescent placement breakdowns as seen by foster carers, adolescents and professionals. It is evident from this study that there are no easy answers. Although the adolescent, as much as any other child, craves to belong, to be listened to and be respected, it seems that it is not always possible for foster carers to put this into practice, given the challenging behaviour that adolescents often display. Recommendations are based on relevant literature and the empirical study, in the hope that it might be useful to those with an interest in this field. / Social Work / M.Diac. (Play Therapy)

The impact of adolescent human trafficking for sexual exploitation is of such a nature that it interferes with the attainment of adolescent developmental tasks that would lead to the ability to become independent adults. This interference offers specific challenges to service providers. The goal of this study was therefore to develop an in-depth understanding of service providers’ perceptions of the experiences of adolescents trafficked for sexual exploitation with a view to inform social work services. The research methodology entailed the use of the contextual, explorative and descriptive research designs within a qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Data analysis led to the identification of themes, sub-themes and categories that addressed the goal of the study. A literature control was conducted to verify the data and to draw conclusions and make recommendations for social work service delivery. / Social Work / M. A. (Social Science)

Social work / M.A. (Social Work)

This research study focuses on the sexual encounters of teenagers. Teenagers do not always have private intimate places of their own and tend to use school grounds, toilets and classrooms to engage in sexual activities. Recently, various newspapers published articles about teen pregnancy and sex on school grounds. The alarming rate of sexual activities at schools among South African teenagers became a driving force for the researcher to investigate this phenomenon. The goal was to develop in-depth understanding of the experiences of teenagers being engaged in sexual activities at school and social work support required. A qualitative approach was employed following explorative, descriptive and contextual research designs. The study was conducted in the Gauteng province. Semi-structured interviews were employed to collect data. Purposive sampling was utilised. Analysis of data was conducted according to Tesch (cited in Smit, 2002) and Guba's model (cited in Shenton, 2004) was employed for data verification. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Science (Social Work))

The impact of adolescent human trafficking for sexual exploitation is of such a nature that it interferes with the attainment of adolescent developmental tasks that would lead to the ability to become independent adults. This interference offers specific challenges to service providers. The goal of this study was therefore to develop an in-depth understanding of service providers’ perceptions of the experiences of adolescents trafficked for sexual exploitation with a view to inform social work services. The research methodology entailed the use of the contextual, explorative and descriptive research designs within a qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Data analysis led to the identification of themes, sub-themes and categories that addressed the goal of the study. A literature control was conducted to verify the data and to draw conclusions and make recommendations for social work service delivery. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Science)

Text in English / Learner pregnancy in secondary schools of South Africa is a public health problem that requires the involvement of parents, teachers and health workers in order to promote maternal and child health and retain learners in school. The aim of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of teachers, parents and pregnant learners regarding facilitation of health for pregnant learners and then develop a model to facilitate social support for pregnant learners attending secondary schools in order to attain and maintain health for the mother and her newborn baby and prevent school dropout. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual theory generating study was conducted using semi-structured interviews to collect data from ten pregnant learners, ten teachers and five parents who were purposely selected and voluntarily participated. Data was analysed using Tesch’s open coding method where six themes emerged. The themes were then discussed with literature control. The findings revealed that pregnancy amongst secondary school learners in Limpopo Province is a challenge to teachers, parents and pregnant learners regarding social support for pregnant learners to continue attending school and remaining healthy. A concept analysis was performed and revealed facilitation of social support as the main concept, and then other concepts related to it were identified and classified. The model was developed through the steps of theory generation and was then submitted to a panel of experts for evaluation who found it useful to nursing practice and society in general. The model promotes interaction between the role players in education to address learner pregnancy and can also be useful in addressing other challenges in the schools. It is facilitated by a school health nurse but can also be facilitated by a teacher or a social worker in cases where a school health nurse is not available. The guidelines for the implementation of the model were formulated and described. Pregnant learners, as recipient of social support, should submit themselves to the support offered by the social network and communicate their needs openly to the professional nurse, their parents and teachers, so that they can receive adequate social support. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies) / 1 online resource (xv, 206 pages) : illustrations (some color), maps (some color)

The prevalence of divorce within society is reflected in the rising divorce rate worldwide. Consequently, divorce has become more accepted, although adolescents from divorced families are considered at risk for maladjustment. The aim of this study is to give a voice to adolescents who have experienced their parents' divorce and to highlight their resilience despite the challenges they faced. The epistemological framework is social constructionism. In-depth interviews with two adolescents who have experienced the divorce of their parents were undertaken. The method of analysis used was `Thematic content analysis'. The participants' stories were recounted through the lens of the researcher in the form of themes. Recurring themes in these stories were elucidated and linked with the literature. This study allowed rich and detailed descriptions about adolescents' experiences to emerge, which the researcher hopes will broaden the therapeutic understanding of the complexities of divorce for the adolescents who survive it. / Psychology / MA (Clinical Psychology)

During the researcher's work with looked after children for the past four years, it became clear that adolescent placements were much more likely to break down than others. Although there is some literature about foster placement breakdowns, the researcher did not really get an answer as to the causes of adolescent placement breakdowns. This study therefore explores causal factors of adolescent placement breakdowns as seen by foster carers, adolescents and professionals. It is evident from this study that there are no easy answers. Although the adolescent, as much as any other child, craves to belong, to be listened to and be respected, it seems that it is not always possible for foster carers to put this into practice, given the challenging behaviour that adolescents often display. Recommendations are based on relevant literature and the empirical study, in the hope that it might be useful to those with an interest in this field. / Social Work / M.Diac. (Play Therapy)