Thesis (M Social Work (Social Work))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / This study is based on the perceptions and experiences of the psychosocial effect that post natal depression has on the partners of women diagnosed with this illness. Post natal depression is an emotional state of mind experienced by some women after the birth of a baby. In reality, it is a relatively scarce illness that is not openly spoken of in the community. Firstly the researcher will present an overview of the illness, and show the differences between the “baby blues”, post natal depression and post natal psychosis in order to heighten the awareness of this specific illness. Thereafter, the circumstances that lead to the illness as well as the symptoms present are explained since the women’s behaviour can impact on, as well as directly affect, both the partners psychosocial lives. To understand the circumstances in which a partner finds himself, the role of a man and father will be examined. With this in mind, the mans perceptions and experiences are further described with regard to his partner’s depression and how this affects him. Attention is also given to the different methods of treatment of postnatal depression, since the patient and her partner’s lives are directly impacted by professional involvement during the recovery period. This research is based on the opinions expressed by the participants of an existing support group for the partners of depressed women. The group is conducted by the researcher as a social worker in her private practice. Information was obtained through group sessions and followed up by individual interviews with each participant. The participants were required to comment on the way in which post natal depression had affected their relationship with their partners, babies and extended families as well as how they adjusted to the situation. The participants were recruited to describe their emotions with regard to the circumstances and express an opinion on the treatment available. They were also requested to suggest ways of improving the existing methods. The overall conclusion reached in this study is that social workers in the community are faced with a great challenge where post natal depression is concerned. Ideally this illness should be prevented but when it does occur, correct treatment is essential in order to obviate the breakdown of the family. The primary aim of any community is to provide and maintain a healthy family structure with both parents acting as role models. The purpose is to prepare children to develop into balanced adults in order to take their rightful place in society

Thesis (M Social Work(Social Work))--University of Stellenbosch,2009. / A laryngectomy is mostly indicated as treatment for an advanced stage of cancer of the larynx, during which the patient’s voice box is removed. This operation can hold major psycho-social implications for the patient and family. To cope with the challenges in daily life, patients need social support. A lack of available literature and research regarding the role of the social worker in facilitating support groups for these patients and families was identified and motivated this research study. The goal of the study was to gain a better understanding of the laryngectomy patient’s need for support groups in a hospital setting when attending the follow-up clinic at the hospital. A combination of both the exploratory and descriptive research designs together with a combination of mainly a qualitative and to a certain extent the quantitative research approaches, was used. From this, knowledge, insight and an understanding of the need for support groups in a hospital setting from a social work perspective were obtained. Permission to conduct the proposed study was granted by the Committee for Human Research at the University of Stellenbosch. The literature study first focused on medical aspects of a laryngectomy and social work intervention services within a hospital setting as part of the multi-disciplinary approach. Second, psycho-social effects of a laryngectomy from an ecological perspective were discussed, referring to the physical, social and psychological effects of surgery upon the patient and family. Third, support and aftercare were discussed with specific reference to the role of the social worker in offering social support to the patient and family. For the empirical study, twenty laryngectomy patients from the service area of Tygerberg Hospital were involved from January 2008 to May 2008. Criteria for inclusion in the study referred to patients who had their operation not less than three months previously, attended the support group during follow-up visits at the hospital and who had successfully acquired tragea-oesophageal speech. Based on the literature review, a semi-structured questionnaire and face-to-face interview were used as research instruments to overcome the limitation of illiteracy. The results of the investigation mainly confirmed the findings of the literature study namely that laryngectomy patients can benefit from support groups in order to address their need for social support in dealing with daily life challenges. Patients indicated that they mainly needed information regarding post-operative adaptation as this was where problems were mostly experienced. The majority of patients suggested the use of support groups in this regard. Focus was placed on an exploration and description of patients’ needs for such support groups. Benefits of support groups were found to be totally compatible with the role of the social worker. The results therefore gave an indication of social work intervention services and referred to: provision of information, problem-solving, offer of social and emotional support, and promotion of rehabilitation opportunities, thereby improving the patient’s quality of life. Recommendations were aimed at social work intervention services relating to support and aftercare offered to laryngectomy patients and relatives. Future research to develop social work programmes for health care professionals in order to effectively support these patients and their families was proposed. From practical experience of support groups a study regarding the role of pre- and primary schoolchildren or grandchildren in the rehabilitation of laryngectomy patients was also suggested.

Thesis (M Social Work (Social Work))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / This study endeavours to understand the psychosocial functioning of primary school children involved in a therapeutic horse-riding program. A qualitative study was done using an exploratory research design. Much research has been documented regarding the physical benefits of equineassisted therapy. Little research has however been done regarding the psychosocial functioning of children involved in such projects, and in the field of social work, not much research has been conducted to the knowledge of the researcher. This study was thus motivated by the current lack of research in this area and by the desire to discover whether this form of therapy has a place within the social work field. The literature study firstly explored the various physical disabilities that are most commonly encountered in the therapeutic riding world, namely cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy and epilepsy. The developmental milestones of the primary school child were explored with a view to how these physical disabilities may effect the reaching of these developmental milestones. The concept of rehabilitation psychology was then explored, comparing it with various social work methods, popular theories and perspectives and it was found that there were many overlaps in the two fields. Lastly, the literature study looked at equine-assisted therapy and research that has already been done on this topic. The empirical investigation consisted of case studies on five primary school children from Astra School for the Physically Disabled. A qualitative investigation was done, by means of a focus group held with various key team players in the therapy such as the physiotherapists and riding instructors. Individual interviews were then held with each of the five children. An interview guide was used for both the focus group and the individual interviews. The findings of the investigation were in line with what was found in the literature study, namely that these physically disabled children struggled in reaching their psychosocial developmental milestones. The riding however was shown to have made a significant contribution in the areas of social participation, confidence, selfimage, emotional control, discipline and cognitive and educational stimulation in each of the five children concerned. Rehabilitation philosophy and psychology were found to be in line with much of what social work aims to achieve. In light of the fact that equine-assisted therapy was shown to be a viable means of rehabilitation, and therefore a viable means of reaching social work goals with physically disabled clients, recommendations were made in terms of social work practice, social work theory, social work training, social work research and social work policy regarding the physically disabled client.

Thesis (M Social Work (Social Work))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / The primary objective of this study is to establish a holistic view of performance managementsystem in the Provincial Government and to assess the extent of implementation and the application of performance management, together with the challenges facing the social work managers in this regard. Furthermore it sought to identify the gaps and key priorities required for effective and efficient performance management processes. The study was preceded by a comprehensive literature study whereby the necessisty and purpose of performance mananagement were identified. Furthermore the valuable aspects and the characteristics of performance management in social work have been described. The persons involved in the performance management system were investigated tot determine the nature and scope of the performance managegement system that are implemented. The importance of the participation of both the supervisor (manager) and the social worker was determined. The report highlights the importance of a process approach and uses it as a lens for understanding performance management system. It indicate the change in focus from performance evalution to performanance management, which focuses less on productivity or the input or physical activities applied in achieving the results or outputs as such, but rather on the extent to which predetermined objectives/goals are effectively and efficiently met through the measurement of outputs/results against agreed-upon performance standards. An empirical study wat undertaken where both qualitative and quantitative methodologies were applied to achieve the objective of the research. The quantitative methods comprised out of a questionnaires purely for and data collection and the qualitative approach entailed the open-ended questions in the questionnaire. It sought to identify the gaps and key priorities required for the implentation of an effective and efficient performance management processes. The report highlights the importance of a developmental approach in applying the performance management system.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Religion plays a significant role in the structuring of people's identities and perceptions and also has the potential to playa fundamental role to determine how communities respond to HIV/AIDS. Faith-based organisations are respected in their communities and have existing resources, structures and systems in place. People who are diagnosed with HIV often turn to the church where they receive emotional and spiritual support. The primary objective of this study was to determine the knowledge of religious leaders about HIV/AIDS and their attitudes towards people living with it. A non-experimental quantitative research design was used in this study and the data was gathered through a structured questionnaire. The respondents were not exceptionally informed about the transmission of the HI-virus, but their knowledge around the risk of specific sexual behaviour was high and their attitudes towards PLHA generally positive. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geloof speel "n belangrike rol in die vorming van "n mens se identiteit en persepsies en het ook die potensiaal om gemeenskappe se reaksie rakende MIV/Vigs te bepaal. Geloofsorganisasies word in hul gemeenskappe gerespekteer en het bestaande hulpbronne en stelsels in plek. Mense wat MIV postitef gediagnoseer word, wend hul dikwels na hierdie organisasies waar hul emosionele en geestelike ondersteuning ontvang. Die doel van hierdie navorsing was om die kennis en houdings van geloofsleiers rondom MIV/Vigs en die mense wat daarmee leef te bepaal. "n Nie-eksperimenteel kwantitatiewe navorsingsontwerp is gebruik, en die data is deur middel van "n gestruktureerde vraelys ingesamel. Hoewel die respondente se kennis omtrent die oordrag van die MI-virus nie voldoende was nie, het hul die nodige kennis rondom die risiko van spesifieke seksuele gedrag gehad. Hul houdings rondom MIV/Vigs en mense wat daarmee leef was positief.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study was undertaken to address the need for a multi-sectoral approach to sexuality education among adolescents. The rise in teenage pregnancies and the rapid spread of the HIV virus urged the researcher to assess how different sectors within communities can work together to sexually educate adolescents. The goal of the research is to initiate planning of prevention- and educational strategies among all sectors of the community. It is hoped that these programmes may provide adolescents with the necessary skills to make informed decisions regarding their sexuality. The use of a multi-sectoral approach to sexuality education was evaluated by means of a exploratory study and a comparison between the findings of questionnaires and existing literature. In chapter two the nature of sexuality education is assessed. Chapter three focuses on the specific multi-sectoral approach to this sexuality education. In chapter four the findings of the empirical study is discussed. Recommendations for further research is made in chapter five. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die behoefte vir ’n multi-sektorale benadering tot seksualiteitsopvoeding was die hoof uitgangspunt van die studie. Met die verhoging in tienerswangerskappe en die verspreiding van die MIV-virus was dit vir die navorser belangrik om ondersoek in te stel na hoe verskillende sektore in die gemeenskap kan saamwerk om sodoende adolessente van seksualiteitsopvoeding te voorsien. Hierdie navorsing het ten doel om ’n raamwerk vir maatskaplike werkers in diens van gesinsorganisasies daar te stel vir die benutting van ’n multi-sektorale benadering tot seksualiteitsopvoedingsprogramme vir adolessente. Holistiese, jeugvriendelike intervensie en dienslewering deur multi-sektorale samewerking word ten doel gestel. By wyse van ’n verkennende studie asook ’n vergelyking tussen die bevindinge van vraelyste en bestaande literatuur was die kwessie rondom die benutting van ’n multisektorale benadering tot seksualiteitsopvoedingsprogramme geevalueer. In hoofstuk twee behandel die skrywer die aard van seksualiteitsopvoedingsprogramme en fokus op ’n multi-sektorale benadering tot sodanige programme in hoofstuk drie. ’n Bespreking oor die empiriese ondersoek wat geloots is word in hoofstuk vier gegee en in hoofstuk vyf word aanbevelings vir verdere studie gemaak.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Sexual harassment is an old problem for the women who are its victims but is relatively new as a social issue. Studies carried out in South Africa and internationally indicate that sexual harassment is a problem in virtually every organisation and that a substantial proportion of working women are the recipients of unwanted sexual attention in the workplace. A number of misconceptions, myths as well as stereotyping regarding sexual harassment in the workplace have added to the frustration female employees experience in trying to have their sexual harassment complaints recognised. Like many organisations, the South African Police Service (SAPS) knows the problem exists, but is unaware of its full extent or the destructive effects it has on employees and the workplace. As sexual harassment usually occurs in private, the women in the SAPS who are being harassed usually do not know how to react or how to handle the harassing situation and conseq uently suffer in silence. Most female employees despair of having the traditionally male dominated management component in the SAPS understand how much sexual harassment humiliates and frustrates them. They also despair of having the support of managers in addressing the problem of sexual harassment in the workplace. Even though the SAPS has a sexual harassment policy, the problem of sexual harassment continues to occur in the workplace. The only protection for the organisation and its employees, is prevention, or lacking that, immediate and appropriate action, following notification of a sexual harassment complaint. Prevention is only likely when the sexual harassment policy has been well communicated to all parties and enforced consistently and fairly. Inher capacity as a social worker in the SAPS, the researcher became aware that even though managers and employees are aware that this type of misconduct occurs, they avoid addressing this sensitive issue because of a lack of proper guidelines. Therefore, the aim of the study was to present guidelines for the composition of a training programme for the implementation of the existing policy document regarding the handling of sexual harassment in the SAPS. The purpose was to ensure that intervention and prevention of sexual harassment in the SAPS will be handled more effectively. Existing literature on the subject of sexual harassment was studied and presented in a theoretical framework. The history, legislation and dimensions of sexual harassment in the workplace i.e. internationally as well as in South Africa and the SAPS, were discussed. The development and consequences of sexual harassment for the organisation and all employees concerned were emphasized. Preventative measures and implementation guidelines for addressing sexual harassment in the SAPS, were explored. The prevalence of sexual harassment in the workplace and the subsequent experience(s) of and effects on female employees regarding such harassment (in the SAPS) is brought into focus. Exploratory - descriptive research was done with the aid of a questionnaire as an instrument for data-collection, at police stations in one area of the West Metropole in the SAPS (Western Cape) where social workers are rendering services. The opinions and attitudes of female employees with regard to their experience(s) or knowledge of the occurrence and the handling of sexual harassment in the SAPS, were determined. Information obtained from the questionnaire is presented in six categories, namely : demographic characteristics of respondents, behaviour of male employees toward female employees, the person(s) responsible for the sexual harassment incident, reactions to the sexual harassment incident, effects of sexual harassment experience(s) on women as well as on the workplace and the addressing of sexual harassment in the workplace. Conclusions and recommendations are made regarding the opinions, knowledge and sexual harassment experiences of female employees in the SAPS as well as how sexual harassment should be handled by various parties such as managers and social workers employed by the SAPS. The implementation of a sexual harassment training programme can be of great value to the South African Police Service and all its employees, provided the staff at management level, professional personnel (social workers, psychologists and personnel practitioners) and all other levels of employees commit themselves to working together on addressing and preventing sexual harassment in the workplace. Regular evaluations should be done by the social worker after the sexual harassment training programme has been implemented, in order to determine the effectiveness of the prevention training programme for addressing sexual harassment in the SAPS. Social workers in the SAPS should endeavour to clarify the extent of the problem of sexual harassment and should bring the seriousness of the problem to the attention of managers and all other employees. Social workers therefore have a crucial role in assisting with the implementation of the organisation's sexual harassment policy and in doing further research regarding sexual harassment in the workplace. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Seksuele teistering is 'n ou probleem vir die vroue wie die slagoffers daarvan is, maar dit is relatief nuut as 'n sosiale kwessie. Studies wat in Suid-Afrika en internasionaal uitgevoer is, dui aan dat seksuele teistering 'n probleem in feitlik elke organisasie is en dat 'n aansienlike getal werkende vroue ongewensde seksuele aandag in die werkplek ervaar. Die bestaande wanopvattings, mites sowel as stereotiperings wat in die werkplek voorkom rakende seksuele teistering, dra by tot die frustrasie wat vroulike werknemers ervaar in hul poging om die bestuur hul klagtes oor seksuele teistering te laat insien. Soos baie organisasies, is die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens (SAPD) bewus dat die probleem voorkom, maar onbewus van die omvang daarvan of die skadelike gevolge wat dit inhou vir werknemers en die werkplek. Aangesien seksuele teistering gewoonlik plaasvind in privaatheid, weet die vroue in die SAPD wat geteister word gewoonlik nie hoe om te reageer of hoe om die teisterende situasie te hanteer nie. Gevolglik ly hulle in stilte. Baie vroulike werknemers is in vertwyfeling oor hoe om die bestuurskomponent in die SAPD, wie tradisioneel oorheers word deur mans, te laat besef hoe vernederend en frustrerend seksuele teistering vir hulle is. Hulle is ook desperaat om die ondersteuning van bestuurders te kry ten einde die probleem van seksuele teistering in die werkplek aan te spreek. Alhoewel die SAPD oor 'n beleidsdokument vir seksuele teistering beskik, kom die probleem van seksuele teistering steeds voor in die werkplek. Die enigste beskerming vir die organisasie en die werknemers, is voorkoming of indien dit ontbreek, onmiddellike en gepaste optrede nadat 'n klagte van seksuele teistering aangemeld word. Voorkoming kan slegs geskied indien die beleid ten opsigte van seksuele teistering, goed bekend gemaak word aan alle partye en dit konsekwent en regverdig toegepas word. Die navorser het in haar kapasiteit as maatskaplike werker in die SAPD bevind dat alhoewel bestuurders en werknemers bewus is dat hierdie tipe misdryf voorkom, hulle die hantering van die sensitiewe probleem ontwyk as gevolg van 'n gebrek aan behoorlike riglyne. Die doel van die studie was gevolglik om riglyne daar te stel vir die samestelling van 'n opleidingsprogram vir die implementering van die bestaande beleidsdokument vir die hantering van seksuele teistering in die SAPD. Die doel was om te verseker dat intervensie en voorkoming van seksuele teistering meer effektief hanteer sal word in die SAPD. Bestaande literatuur ten opsigte van die onderwerp van seksuele teistering is bestudeer en aangebied in 'n teoretiese raamwerk. Die geskiedenis, wetgewing en omvang van seksuele teistering op internasionale vlak, sowel as in Suid-Afrika en die SAPD is bespreek. Die ontwikkeling en gevolge van seksuele teistering vir die organisasie en al die betrokke werknemers is beklemtoon. Voorkomingsmaatreëls en riglyne vir die implimentering van die bestaande beleidsdokument oor seksuele teistering in die SAPD is verken. Die voorkoms van seksuele teistering in die werkplek en die gevolglike ervaring(s) en effek daarvan op vroulike werknemers in die SAPD is in fokus gebring. 'n Verkennende-beskrywende studie is gedoen met behulp van 'n vraelys, as instrument vir data-versameling, by polisiestasies in een area van die Wes-Metropool in die SAPD (Wes- Kaap) waar maatskaplike werkers dienste lewer. Die opinies en houdings van vroulike werknemers met betrekking tot hul ervaring(s) of kennis is bepaal ten opsigte van die verskynsel en die hantering van seksuele teistering in die SAPD. Inligting verkry vanaf die vraelys, is aangebied in ses kategorieë naamlik: demografiese kenmerke van respondente, gedrag van manlike werknemers teenoor vroulike werknemers, die persoon verantwoordelik vir die seksuele teisterende insident, reaksies ten opsigte van die seksuele teisterende insident, effekte wat die seksuele teistering ervaring(s) vir die vroue en die werkplek inhou asook die aanspreek van seksuele teistering in die werkplek. Gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings is gemaak rakende die opinies, kenmerke en ervarings van vroulike werknemers ten opsigte van seksuele teistering in die SAPD, asook ten opsigte van die hantering van seksuele teistering deur die verskeie partye soos, byvoorbeeld bestuurders en maatskaplike werkers in diens van die SAPD. Die implementering van 'n opleidingsprogram ten opsigte van seksuele teistering kan waardevol wees vir die Suid- Afrikaanse Polisiediens en al die werknemers mits die bestuurders, professionele personeel (maatskaplike werkers, sielkundiges en menslike hulpbronbestuur) hulself verbind tot samewerking ten opsigte van die aanspreek en voorkoming van seksuele teistering in die werkplek. Gereelde evaluerings deur die maatskaplike werker moet gedoen word na die implementering van die seksuele teistering opleidingsprogram, ten einde die effektiwiteit van die voorkomingsprogram te bepaal vir die aanspreek van seksuele teistering in die SAPD. Maatskaplike werkers in die SAPD moet hulself beywer om duidelikheid te verkry oor die omvang van die probleem van seksuele teistering en moet die erns van die probleem onder die aandag bring van bestuurders en alle ander werknemers. Maatskaplike werkers het dus 'n beslissende ondersteuningsrol om te vervul ten opsigte van die implimentering van die organisasie se beleid vir seksuele teistering, asook om verdere navorsing ten opsigte van seksuele teistering in die werkplek aan te moedig.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research investigates the indicators, different role players and the assessment process of intentional physical injuries to children who are hospitalized. The basic premise for this research is the importance of professionals working with children in acquiring skills and knowledge on handling physically abused children. Physical abuse affects and requires the involvement of the entire family of the physically abused child. It is therefore necessary to consider the physically abused child as a part of the larger family system, and not assessed or treated in isolation. The purpose of this research is to broaden the theoretical knowledge of professionals working with children, and specifically social workers, in identifying and assessing physically abused children. This research report includes an investigation of risk factors, consequences and the adjustment process of physically abused children. Knowledge of these indicators of physical abuse will increase the awareness and the ability of the social worker or other professional to identify the injury as intentional. The assessment process by the multi-professional team in the hospital is also examined, focusing on the central role of the social worker in managing cases of physically abused children. The phases of the assessment process, the role of each team member, the various techniques applied as well as factors influencing assessment are described. The empirical research involved the use of both qualitative and quantitative methods in order to explore the theoretical part of the research. This section can be divided into three phases. The first phase included setting up a profile, over a period of four months, of physically abused children under the age of five, who were admitted to the hospital and their families (N = 24). Of this sample, the characteristics and circumstances of four parents/perpetrators (n = 4) were investigated in the form of interviews, which formed part of the second phase of the empirical research. The third phase included conducting a survey with the social workers (n = 5) that assessed physically abused children in the hospital. This was done III the form of questionnaires, which included closed and open-ended questions. The findings and responses of the respondents were analyzed and compared with the findings from previous studies undertaken by various authors. The findings of this research can be used as guidelines for professionals in general who work with children, and more specifically social workers in a hospital that assess children presenting with intentional physical injuries. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie navorsing ondersoek die aanduidende faktore, die rolspelers en die asseseringsproses van fisies mishandelde kinders wat gehospitaliseer word. Die uitgangspunt is die noodsaaklikheid van professionele persone wat met kinders werk, en veral maatskaplike werkers, om kennis en vaardighede te hê, ten einde kinders wat fisies mishandel is te kan hanteer. Omdat die hele gesin van die mishandelde kind geaffekteer word en betrokke is, is dit belangrik om die fisies mishandelde kind nie in isolasie, maar as deel van die familie sisteem te kan benader. Die navorsingsondersoek het ten doel om die teoretiese kennis basis van professionele persone wat met kinders werk, en spesifiek maatskaplike werkers, oor die identifisering en assesering van fisies mishandelde kinders uit te brei. Ten einde maatskaplike werkers se kennis van die probleem onders aandag uit te bou, vervat die navorsingsverslag 'n bespreking van die risiko faktore, gevolge en aanpassingsproses van die fisies mishandelde kind. Kennis van hierdie aanduiders sal die bewusdheid asook die vermoë van professionele persone om die fisiese mishandeling te identifiseer, verhoog. Die asseseringsproses deur die multiprofessionele span in die hospitaal word ook ondersoek, met fokus op die sentrale rol van die maatskaplike werker in die hantering van fisies mishandelde kinders. Die fases van die asseseringsproses, die rol van elke spanlid, verskeie tegnieke en faktore wat assesering beïnvloed, word bespreek. Die teoretiese doel van die verslag word uitgebrei in die empiriese ondersoek, deur 'n bespreking van die bevindinge wat deur veskeie metodes verkry is. Kwalitatiewe asook kwantitatiewe metodes is benut tydens die drie fases van die empiriese ondersoek. Die eerste fase was die opstel van 'n profiel wat oor 'n tydperk van vier maande geneem is, van fisies mishandelde kinders wat toegelaat is in die hospitaal en hul gesinne (N = 24). Vanuit hierdie streekproef, is die eienskappe en omstandighede van vier ouers/oortreders (n = 4) ondersoek deur middel van onderhoude, wat die tweede fase van die ondersoek bevat. Die derde fase was om 'n opname te doen met die maatskaplike werkers (n = 5) wat die fisies mishandelde kinders in die hospitaal asseseer. Die bevindinge en response van die respondente is geanaliseer en vergelyk met die bevindinge van vorige studies wat deur verskeie outeurs onderneem is. Die bevindinge van hierdie navorsing kan as 'n riglyn gebruik word deur professionele persone wat oor die algemeen met kinders werk, en meer spesifiek maatskaplike werkers wat fisies mishandelde kinders in 'n hospitaal asseseer.

Thesis (MSocialWork)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Workers absenteeism is a problem for many companies in South Africa. The absenteeism of workers affects the productivity of companies. The social worker in the industry plays a key role in the managing of workers absenteeism. One of the goals of social work in the industry is to enhance the productivity of workers. Consequently there is a lack of specifically South African research on the social factors that influence worker absenteeism and the role of the social worker to manage worker absenteeism. A survey of international literature forms the starting point for the research undertaken to fill this gap. The influence of social factors on worker absenteeism is described. Three worker absenteeism approaches, namely economical, psigological and sociological approaches are being used to describe the social factors that influence worker absenteeism. The literature view also offers management strategies to help combat worker absenteeism. In the study there is being focused on the female worker because the empirical study takes place at a company that manufactures clothes. The empirical study describes the social factors that influence the absenteeism of female workers working in the manufacturing company. Proposals are made concerning ways to combat worker absenteeism, taking into account the important role the social worker in the industry plays in managing worker absenteeism. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Werknemerafwesigheid is vir baie fabrieke en firmas in Suid-Afrika 'n ernstige probleem. Die werksafwesigheid van werknemers veroorsaak dat die produktiwiteit van fabrieke en firmas beïnvloed word. Die maatskaplike werker in die bedryf kan 'n belangrike rol speel in die hantering van werknemerafwesigheid, omdat dit 'n doelstelling van maatskaplike werk in die bedryf is om die produktiwiteit van werknemers te verhoog. Derhalwe is daar 'n gebrek aan spesifieke Suid-Afrikaanse navorsing oor die maatskaplike faktore wat werknemerafwesigheid beïnvloed, en wat die maatskaplike werker se rol is om werksafwesigheid te beperk. 'n Literatuurstudie word aangebied as vertrekpunt vir die navorsing wat onderneem is om genoemde leemte aan navorsing te vul. Die invloed van maatskaplike faktore op werknemerafwesigheid word bespreek. Drie benaderings tot werknemerafwesigheid, naamlik ekonomiese, sielkundige en sosiologiese benaderings word geondersoek waaronder die maatskaplike faktore wat werknemerafwesigheid beïnvloed, bespreek word. Die literatuuroorsig bied ook bestuurstrategieë om die werksafwesigheid van werknemers te bekamp. Daar word spesifiek op die vroulike werknemer gefokus omdat die empiriese ondersoek by 'n klerevervaardigingsfabriek plaasvind. Die empiriese ondersoek handel oor die maatskaplike faktore wat die werksafwesigheid van vroulike fabriekarbeiders beïnvloed. Na aanleiding van die bevindinge van die ondersoek word aanbevelings vir die hantering van werknemerafwesigheid gemaak. Dit geskied met inagneming van die belangrike rol wat die maatskaplike werker in die bedryf kan speel in die hantering van werknemerafwesigheid.

Thesis (MSocialWork)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this study an explorative and a descriptive design has been implemented with the aim of obtaining knowledge, insight, and understanding of the psycho-social implications of a cleft lip and/or cleft palate for the individual child as well as the family. The motivation for this study was a result of the lack of knowledge on the psycho-social adjustments of an individual/child with a cleft lip and/or cleft palate and his/her family. The researcher became conscious of this lack during a full preliminary inquiry and this lack has been confirmed by the Department of Social Work as well as the Department of Maxillo-Facial-and Oral Surgery at Tygerberg Hospital. The aim of this study is therefore to create guidelines concerning social welfare interference in families after the birth of a baby with a cleft lip and/or cleft palate, in order to improve psycho-social functioning. The literature study included occurrence and incidence, embryological development, etiology of cleft lip and/or cleft palate as well as the psycho-social implications for the individual/child and the family. The medical aspects, namely the etiological and embryological development of cleft lip and/or cleft palate only serves as a background for the medical social worker that forms part of the interdisciplinary team of a cleft palate/lip clinic. This research focuses primarily on the psycho-social implications of a cleft lip and/or cleft palate on the individual/child as well on the family. The literature study also included the theoretical perspectives which determine the social worker's task and the system and strength perspective has been focused on. These perspectives have been implemented according to the development-aimed approach. The researcher decided to involve ten pre-school children with congenital deformity, between the ages of one month to six years as well as their mothers, who are from the service area of the Tygerberg Hospital in the research. The study was determined by a combination of qualitative as well as quantitative research methods, namely structured interviews as well as structured questionnaires. The results of this research confirmed the results of the literature study to a great extent, namely that individuals/children with a congenital deformity, as well as their families, are a highrisk group for psycho-social problems. These psycho-social problems indicate relationship problems in the family, cognitive problems for the individual/child as well as social adjustment problems for the individual/child and the family. Therefore the results gave an indication of what the content of intervention programmes for this target group should be. The recommendations focused on three areas, namely general recommendations concerning prenatal clinics where the cleft lip and/or cleft palate should be identified, general recommendations concerning guidelines for the social worker before intervention in the target group starts and recommendations with the aim of creating guidelines for social welfare intervention, in order to limit the psycho-social implications on the individual/child. The recommendations include further research in order to address society's ignorance concerning cleft lip and/or cleft palate. This research should focus on the development of social welfare programmes which, by primary prevention, aim at improved informing the society of this deformity. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Verkennende sowel as 'n beskrywende ontwerp is in hierdie studie geïmplementeer ten einde kennis, insig en begrip oor die psigo-sosiale implikasies van 'n gesplete lip en/of verhemelte vir individu/kind sowel as die gesin te verkry. Die motivering vir hierdie studie het na vore gekom weens die leemte rakende kennis oor die psigo-sosiale aanpassings van 'n individu/kind met 'n gesplete lip en/of verhemelte en sy/haar gesin. Die navorser het van hierdie leemte bewus geword tydens 'n volledige voorondersoek en hierdie leemte is deur die Departement Maatskaplike Werk sowel as die Departement Kaak- en Mondchirurgie te Tygerberg Hospitaal bevestig. Die doel van hierdie studie is dus om riglyne daar te stel ten opsigte van maatskaplike intervensie met gesinne ná die geboorte van 'n baba met 'n gesplete lip en/of verhemelte, ten einde psigo-sosiale funksionering te verbeter. Die literatuurstudie het die voorkoms en insidensie, embriologiese ontwikkeling, etiologie van gesplete lip en/of verhemelte sowel as die psigo-sosiale implikasies vir die individu/kind en die gesin ingesluit. Die mediese aspekte, naamlik die etiologiese en embriologiese ontwikkeling van gesplete lip en/of verhemelte dien slegs as agtergrond vir die geneeskundige maatskaplike werker wat deel vorm van die interdissiplinêre span van 'n gesplete verhemelte/lip kliniek. Hierdie navorsing fokus primêr op die psigo-sosiale implikasies van gesplete lip en/of verhemelte op die individu/kind sowel as op die gesin. Die literatuurstudie het ook die teoretiese perspektiewe wat die maatskaplike werker se taak rig, ingesluit en daar is op die sisteem- en sterkteperspektief gefokus. Hierdie perspektiewe is aan die hand van die ontwikkelingsgerigte benadering geïmplementeer. Daar is besluit om tien voorskoolse kinders met kongenitale deformiteit, dus tussen die ouderdomme van een maand tot ses jaar sowel as hul moeders, wat vanuit die Tygerberg Hospitaal se diensarea afkomstig is, by die ondersoek te betrek. Die ondersoek is deur 'n kombinasie van kwalitatiewe sowel as kwantitatiewe navorsingsmetodes, naamlik gestruktureerde onderhoude sowel as gestruktureerde vraelyste, gerig. Die resultate van hierdie ondersoek het tot 'n groot mate die bevindinge van die literatuurstudie bevestig naamlik dat individue/kinders met 'n kongenitale deformiteit, sowel as hul gesinne, 'n hoë risikogroep vir psigo-sosiale probleme is. Hierdie psigo-sosiale probleme dui byvoorbeeld op verhoudings-probleme in die gesin, kognitiewe probleme vir die individu/kind sowel as sosiale aanpassingsprobleme vir die individu/kind en die gesin aan. Die resultate het dus 'n aanduiding gegee van wat die inhoud van intervensieprogramme vir hierdie teikengroep behoort te wees. Die aanbevelings het op drie areas gefokus naamlik algemene aanbevelings ten opsigte van voorgeboorteklinieke waar gesplete lip en/of verhemelte geïdentifiseer moet word, algemene aanbevelings ten opsigte van riglyne vir die maatskaplike werker voordat intervensie met die teikengroep begin en algemene aanbevelings ten einde riglyne daar te stel vir maatskaplike intervensie, sodat die psigo-sosiale implikasies op die individu/kind beperk word. Die aanbevelings sluit in verdere navorsing ten einde die onkunde van die samelewing ten opsigte van gesplete lip en/of verhemelte aan te spreek. Hierdie navorsing moet fokus op die ontwikkeling van maatskaplikewerk-programme wat deur primêre voorkoming die samelewing beter aangaande die deformiteit inlig.