This thesis aimed to: (a) design a factorially valid survey to assess sub-themes relating to ‘involvement opportunities’ (IOs), which are an antecedent variable in the sport commitment model (Wilson et al., 2004); (b) examine the placement of enjoyment alongside IOs in the sport commitment model; (c) determine the pathways (i.e., direct and/or indirect) by which specific IOs sub-themes affect functional and obligatory commitment and if they differ in number, strength and direction of association (Choosakul et al., 2009); and (d) examine differences between recent initiates compared to those who have been more continuously involved (Chu & Wang, 2012) in Masters swimming. Based on exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of survey data from 725 swimmers (260 males, 465 females, M age = 50.5, range = 25-92), results confirmed a 10 factor solution of IOs sub-themes. Structural equation modeling demonstrated that the number, direction, and strength of associations between specific IOs sub-themes and commitment vary depending on commitment type, as do the nature of direct and indirect pathways affecting commitment. Invariance testing showed recent initiates and continuously-involved swimmers to be invariant across measurement and structural models. Overall, results support the need to measure and assess IOs at the level of the sub-theme and to consider a bi-dimensional (Santi et al., 2014; Wilson et al., 2004) sport commitment model.

A qualitative, descriptive, contextual study design was used to describe the role of antenatal services in supporting teenage pregnant girls in Leribe district of Lesotho. The study population consisted of all teenage pregnant girls between 13-19 years of age. Non-probability convenient sampling technique was used to identify potential participants. Data was collected by means of tape-recorded in-depth individual, semistructured interviews and analysed using Tesch’s descriptive method of qualitative data analysis (Creswell 2009:186). The findings of this study revealed that teenage pregnant girls require comprehensive antenatal services that are sensitive to the needs related to their age. Strategies in which antenatal services can be strengthened to support teenage pregnant girls better were described / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

A qualitative, descriptive, contextual study design was used to describe the role of antenatal services in supporting teenage pregnant girls in Leribe district of Lesotho. The study population consisted of all teenage pregnant girls between 13-19 years of age. Non-probability convenient sampling technique was used to identify potential participants. Data was collected by means of tape-recorded in-depth individual, semistructured interviews and analysed using Tesch’s descriptive method of qualitative data analysis (Creswell 2009:186). The findings of this study revealed that teenage pregnant girls require comprehensive antenatal services that are sensitive to the needs related to their age. Strategies in which antenatal services can be strengthened to support teenage pregnant girls better were described / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)