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This dissertation attempts to understand what support from the school parents would most value when their child has been diagnosed with a learning disability. The method employed was qualitative in nature, using eight in-depth interviews with the mothers. The interviews confirmed that parents experience emotions similar to those when grieving. They also tend to feel isolated from their communities. Before embarking on a support program the school needs to recognize the depth of these emotions. The interviews also revealed that parents require timeous communication from the teacher. Parents concerns should be taken seriously or time goes by without the disability being attended to. The terminology used by professionals is often not fully understood by parents, and this causes them to feel unsure of how therapy is helping their child in the classroom and what its value is. Various guidelines are offered to support parents with regard to the above-mentioned aspects. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

This study investigates the role of social support in women coping with divorce in mid­ life. Five women were interviewed and a qualitative analysis undertaken, in order to explore the subjective experience of social support during the period of separation and divorce, and its effect on post-divorce adjustment. In particular, the usefulness of formal support groups was examined. It was found that most of the women derived perceived social support from friends and female family members, as well as from their church membership and work environment. It appeared that social support facilitated adjustment in several ways, but most notably in providing esteem support and emotional support which enabled personal growth. All of the women felt that they had developed a sense of their own identity through the process of divorce. Support groups were found to be potentially effective in providing assistance in dealing with emotional issues such as anger and forgiveness, as well as practical and informational support. Such groups might also provide a temporary community where divorced women can interact with other people who are experiencing the same things, thereby freeing them to grieve. The study illuminated the subjective, often unique experience of separation and divorce; this emphasises the challenge for support groups to offer support which addresses this uniqueness. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

Text in English / The discovery that anti-retroviral therapy (ART) is important for human immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV) prevention has increased interest in factors that influence adherence to HIV treatment. Studies have shown that non-adherence to ART results in drug resistance, morbidity and person-to-person HIV transmission. For persons defaulting on or living risky sexual lives, becoming adherent is a life-saving behavioural change, both for themselves and for their sexual partners. HIV/AIDS programmes are trying different innovations to enhance behavioural outcomes of people living with HIV (PLHIV). This study sought to determine the value of support group participation and based on the findings, to develop an evidence-based model for revitalising caregiver social support competencies. The study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, a cross-sectional descriptive design was used to compare PLHIV who participate in support group activities with those who do not, in terms of their behavioural outcomes. Multistage probability sampling was used to select study respondents. Data was collected using a selfadministered questionnaire from 1,676 respondents between February and May 2014. Data was analysed using STATA. Data analysis shows that 47% of respondents had once (ever) participated in support group activities while 53% had never. PLHIV who participated in support group activities differed from those who did not in terms of HIV-related stigma (p=<0.001), positive HIV status disclosure (p=0.005), ART adherence (p=0.021), and sexual risk behaviours (p=0.045). PLHIV who participated in support group activities were more likely to have less internal HIV-related stigma, disclose their positive HIV status, adhere to ART and live less risky sexual lives. The two study groups were not different in terms of perceived social support (p=0.28) and external stigma (p=0.250). More PLHIV obtained social support from health workers (66%) and family members (36%) than from PLHIV support groups (16%). The researcher concludes that participating in support group activities positively impacts on behavioural outcomes of PLHIV, but PLHIV support groups are not the only sources of social support. In the second phase, a model for revitalising PLHIV caregiver social support competencies was developed as a recommendation for assuring PLHIV access to holistic care and support. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

This dissertation attempts to understand what support from the school parents would most value when their child has been diagnosed with a learning disability. The method employed was qualitative in nature, using eight in-depth interviews with the mothers. The interviews confirmed that parents experience emotions similar to those when grieving. They also tend to feel isolated from their communities. Before embarking on a support program the school needs to recognize the depth of these emotions. The interviews also revealed that parents require timeous communication from the teacher. Parents concerns should be taken seriously or time goes by without the disability being attended to. The terminology used by professionals is often not fully understood by parents, and this causes them to feel unsure of how therapy is helping their child in the classroom and what its value is. Various guidelines are offered to support parents with regard to the above-mentioned aspects. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

This study investigates the role of social support in women coping with divorce in mid­ life. Five women were interviewed and a qualitative analysis undertaken, in order to explore the subjective experience of social support during the period of separation and divorce, and its effect on post-divorce adjustment. In particular, the usefulness of formal support groups was examined. It was found that most of the women derived perceived social support from friends and female family members, as well as from their church membership and work environment. It appeared that social support facilitated adjustment in several ways, but most notably in providing esteem support and emotional support which enabled personal growth. All of the women felt that they had developed a sense of their own identity through the process of divorce. Support groups were found to be potentially effective in providing assistance in dealing with emotional issues such as anger and forgiveness, as well as practical and informational support. Such groups might also provide a temporary community where divorced women can interact with other people who are experiencing the same things, thereby freeing them to grieve. The study illuminated the subjective, often unique experience of separation and divorce; this emphasises the challenge for support groups to offer support which addresses this uniqueness. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

Text in English / The discovery that anti-retroviral therapy (ART) is important for human immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV) prevention has increased interest in factors that influence adherence to HIV treatment. Studies have shown that non-adherence to ART results in drug resistance, morbidity and person-to-person HIV transmission. For persons defaulting on or living risky sexual lives, becoming adherent is a life-saving behavioural change, both for themselves and for their sexual partners. HIV/AIDS programmes are trying different innovations to enhance behavioural outcomes of people living with HIV (PLHIV). This study sought to determine the value of support group participation and based on the findings, to develop an evidence-based model for revitalising caregiver social support competencies. The study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, a cross-sectional descriptive design was used to compare PLHIV who participate in support group activities with those who do not, in terms of their behavioural outcomes. Multistage probability sampling was used to select study respondents. Data was collected using a selfadministered questionnaire from 1,676 respondents between February and May 2014. Data was analysed using STATA. Data analysis shows that 47% of respondents had once (ever) participated in support group activities while 53% had never. PLHIV who participated in support group activities differed from those who did not in terms of HIV-related stigma (p=<0.001), positive HIV status disclosure (p=0.005), ART adherence (p=0.021), and sexual risk behaviours (p=0.045). PLHIV who participated in support group activities were more likely to have less internal HIV-related stigma, disclose their positive HIV status, adhere to ART and live less risky sexual lives. The two study groups were not different in terms of perceived social support (p=0.28) and external stigma (p=0.250). More PLHIV obtained social support from health workers (66%) and family members (36%) than from PLHIV support groups (16%). The researcher concludes that participating in support group activities positively impacts on behavioural outcomes of PLHIV, but PLHIV support groups are not the only sources of social support. In the second phase, a model for revitalising PLHIV caregiver social support competencies was developed as a recommendation for assuring PLHIV access to holistic care and support. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Emotional abuse is a problem experienced worldwide, crossing all economic, educational, social and ethnic segments of all societies. Overtime, many empirical researchers concentrated on studying the occurrence and impact of physical abuse on women but neglected to study the effects of emotional abuse on the woman's physical and mental health. But with time, researchers began to realise that emotional abuse also had a great impact on the lives of women. Therefore, a detailed exploration of emotional abuse between intimate adult partners has only recently emerged in the literature. Though it is difficult to separate emotional abuse from other forms of abuse, many women in our research who were provided with a definition of emotional abuse identified and confirmed that they have been emotionally abused in their past or are being abused in their current intimate relationships. This research project focused mainly on women who suffered and have survived the wounds of emotional abuse in intimate relationships. Group work is aimed at the growth and development of the individual. This study reports on an in-depth analysis of the arrangements and formulation of the structure of support groups, and the effectiveness of the functioning of these groups. Participants who joined the support groups in this research, were women who have undergone therapeutic intervention and are/or were engaged in a healing process that involved reintegration, implementation and maintenance of therapeutic goals. Support groups do provide a place where people can share their experiences in a safe environment, and where they can symbolise their experiences and consequently make them more acceptable to the self. It has been concluded in this research that support groups were effective in giving members the opportunity of helping each other to heal from the wounds of emotional abuse by being supportive, giving feedback, making helpful suggestions and providing useful information necessary for their growth and development. Therefore, participants who joined the support groups agreed that they have benefited by receiving the encouragement and support from one another, which contributed towards their process of healing emotionally, and in turn, caused them to change from being helpless victims to survivors of emotional abuse. / Sociology / D. Phil (Sociology)

Much has been said and written over recent years about Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. There is a certain amount of confusion as to what exactly the condition constitutes and controversy continues to rage regarding treatment. A significant number of children appear to be affected. Previously, parents and teachers ·were blamed for failing to discipline effectively. Often, the difficulties remained undiagnosed and untreated. Thanks to the wisdom of so many experts who have generously shared their knowledge and considerable expertise, there is an increased awareness of ADHD. Although there is no cure, there are ways to manage the difficulties. However, early diagnosis and intervention is critical. Since many different symptoms are associated with the disorder, a multi-modal treatment plan has been found to lead to a better outcome. For the purpose of this study, a multi-modal programme was planned to address the needs of a small group of children with ADHD and their parents. The intention was to empower the parents, within a supportive group environment, by providing them with knowledge about the disorder and guidelines for managing the difficult behaviour. In addition, an attempt was made to change the negative behaviour patterns of the children through the medium of story-telling. It was hoped that by reducing the levels of parental stress, parents would be more competent to cope with their educational demands, so that their children could be guided more positively towards adulthood. The results of the programme were positive. Teachers and parents reported better behaviour by the children. The parents' stress levels were reduced. The parents expressed greater understanding about the disorder and a hopefulness that they could better manage their children. They felt they had benefitted from the advice given by other parents who were facing similar challenges. However, they felt that a short-term programme was insufficient to address all their needs and they expressed a need for ongoing support. In view of the chronicity of the disorder and the constantly changing needs of the child on his journey towards adulthood, cognisance was taken of the fact that longterm intervention is essential. / Psychology of Education / D.Ed. (Psychology of Education)

Emotional abuse is a problem experienced worldwide, crossing all economic, educational, social and ethnic segments of all societies. Overtime, many empirical researchers concentrated on studying the occurrence and impact of physical abuse on women but neglected to study the effects of emotional abuse on the woman's physical and mental health. But with time, researchers began to realise that emotional abuse also had a great impact on the lives of women. Therefore, a detailed exploration of emotional abuse between intimate adult partners has only recently emerged in the literature. Though it is difficult to separate emotional abuse from other forms of abuse, many women in our research who were provided with a definition of emotional abuse identified and confirmed that they have been emotionally abused in their past or are being abused in their current intimate relationships. This research project focused mainly on women who suffered and have survived the wounds of emotional abuse in intimate relationships. Group work is aimed at the growth and development of the individual. This study reports on an in-depth analysis of the arrangements and formulation of the structure of support groups, and the effectiveness of the functioning of these groups. Participants who joined the support groups in this research, were women who have undergone therapeutic intervention and are/or were engaged in a healing process that involved reintegration, implementation and maintenance of therapeutic goals. Support groups do provide a place where people can share their experiences in a safe environment, and where they can symbolise their experiences and consequently make them more acceptable to the self. It has been concluded in this research that support groups were effective in giving members the opportunity of helping each other to heal from the wounds of emotional abuse by being supportive, giving feedback, making helpful suggestions and providing useful information necessary for their growth and development. Therefore, participants who joined the support groups agreed that they have benefited by receiving the encouragement and support from one another, which contributed towards their process of healing emotionally, and in turn, caused them to change from being helpless victims to survivors of emotional abuse. / Sociology / D. Phil (Sociology)