Given the focus on cognitive-developmental trends in how children understand rich and poor, many researchers have developed a concern that research has ignored the influences of children's contexts. For this reason this study aimed to build on previous research (particularly that by Leahy, 1981, and by Bonn et al.,1999) by combining the cognitive-developmental model with the need to recognize contextual influences inherent in children's understandings of social constructs, while relating this to a theoretical framework which can provide a more thorough picture of the way in which children understand rich and poor. This was done using a qualitative interpretive design. Specifically this involved a combination of focus groups and drawing activities with a group of 20 South African children from a local government, former model C, primary school located in a relatively lower socioeconomic area in Pietermaritzburg, in which their perspectives and understandings of socioeconomic status were explored. In applying the sociocultural approach in data analysis, Rogoff's (1995, 1998) notion of the sociocultural three planes of analysis were used to examine how the children's accounts reflect the personal, interpersonal, and contextual factors. Within each of these planes, the principles and methods of a sociocultural discourse analysis using interpretive repertoires was applied, with a focus on the respective level. Results revealed that while the trends in the children's ideas were consistent with Leahy's (1981) cognitive developmental trends, the particular ideas expressed by the children were embedded and predominantly informed by the social and cultural context of the interpersonal group, their everyday lives, and South African society. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

Four Muslim senior wives, 35 years and older, were interviewed about their experiences in a polygamous marriage. The Theory of Gender and Power was used to understand some of the emerging themes in the gendered relationships between men and women in polygamous relationships. Thematic content analysis revealed the overarching theme of power. The women expressed helplessness in the face of a practice that they consider objectionable on the one hand, but that they feel compelled to tolerate because their religion permits it. In order to cope with their pain there was a need to assign blame for their husband's remarriage. Blame was attributed to both internal and external causes. Senior wives equate polygamy with "infidelity" and therefore perceived it as an act of betrayal, Consequently, this led to feelings of anger, rejection, pain and jealousy, and subsequently the nonacceptance of the junior wife into the marital dyad. The women reported feelings of loss with regard to the marital relationship, such as loss of financial support, trust, self esteem, identity, dignity and sense of self. For these senior wives, polygamy resulted in loss of sexual exclusivity, shared intimacy and security, which was accompanied by feelings of humiliation and degradation. The women believed that polygamy resulted in straining the relationship between children and their fathers. Children were reported to have experienced emotional, behavioural and academic problems. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2004.

Transactional sex is associated with high-risk HIV transmission behaviours. Published prevalence rates of this behaviour are varying and the sensitive nature of this behaviour may inhibit self-report disclosure. A two-phase study, involving qualitative analysis of focus group discussions on transactional sex, and a subsequent survey employing different self-report methods amongst a population of female tertiary education level students (N=305) was undertaken. The Unmatched Count Technique (UCT) and the Self-Administered Questionnaire (SAQ) in both computer and paper modes were compared in terms of disclosure levels yielded and socially desirable response scores. Base rates of transactional sex as yielded by the UCT were comparable to those of published research. No statistically significant results were obtained for differences in disclosure levels of transactional sex between the UCT and the SAQ. Performance of the UCT was mixed, demonstrating that the reliability and validity of findings obtained by the UCT are contingent on many factors, and further research regarding this is required. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) largely remains an unknown form of neurodevelopment disorder, despite the global trend of increasing prevalence. South Africans, in general, have little awareness and knowledge about this relatively rare form of neuro-developmental disorder which could so easily be misunderstood due to the major areas of difficulty experienced by children with ASD. The aim of this study is to explore African parents’ experiences in relation to having an atypically developing child who is eventually diagnosed with ASD. A qualitative approach was adopted in this study, so that the researcher could gain a “rich” description of the participants’ experiences of raising a child with ASD. The pathways and steps taken to arrive at this diagnosis and their reactions to the diagnosis were a central aspect of this research. Eight black South African parents (mothers and fathers) of children who have been diagnosed with ASD, were interviewed to ascertain their understanding of their both typical developmental patterns and their child’s atypical development, the experience of getting the diagnosis and the experience of how raising a child with ASD has been and is for them as African parents. The data obtained was analysed using thematic analysis. The results suggested that African parents experience and understanding of ASD is largely influenced by their frames of reference. Further, the parents turned to their traditional beliefs when faced with challenges. However, other interventions such as religion and finally the western practices were explored by the parents. This study therefore concludes that the African parents understanding and experiences of raising a child with ASD is initially influenced by the parents cultural frame of reference and later by western exposure. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

Introduction: There is little empirical evidence on voluntariness of participation in clinical trials due to absence of acceptable measures and universally accepted conceptual frameworks of voluntariness. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Zimbabwe to examine participants’ motivations, levels of voluntariness and perceptions about the effect of offers, pressures and threats on decision making. One hundred participants were recruited from an ongoing diagnostic trial. Questionnaires adapted from published research, the Perceived Coercion Scale and Voluntariness Ladder were used for data collection. Results: The need to access diagnostic services and treatment for tuberculosis was the main motivation for enrolment in the trial. Participants were not coerced to particpate in the trial but were offered bus fare. The offer had no effect on their decision to enroll in the trial. Conclusion: Immediate health benefits have a key impact on participants’ decisions to enrol in a clinical trial of a diagnostic technique. A comprehensive conceptual framework together with validated tools for assessing voluntariness in African contexts should be developed. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

Introduction: Citizens of developing countries are often in vulnerable situations because of illiteracy, unfamiliarity with medical interventions, effects of war resulting in famine, and extreme poverty. The health-related conditions that arise out of these situations however make research in these populations vital and increasing funding for research on diseases that affect the world 's poor is making such research possible. The resulting tension between the need for research and the possibility of exploitation of participants' vulnerability, mandates the development of reliable ways of ensuring that participants' consent is voluntary, adequately informed and well understood. The Nuremberg Code emphasises the requirement of voluntariness in informed consent by insisting that participants should be able to exercise freedom of choice without the intervention of any element of force, fraud , deceit, duress, or other forms of constraint or coercion. Aim: This study assessed research participants' understanding and voluntariness of informed consent in a clinical trial. Methods: The study design was a cross-sectional analysis of the informed consent process. It consisted of qualitative and quantitative components. It was a cross-sectional survey of 75 research participants in a malaria clinical trial using questionnaires in the from of forced-choice check lists and patient self-report to assess voluntariness and understanding of informed consent. Data were analysed using SPSS V 17. Results: All the respondents involved in the clinical trial gave consent before they were recruited. The reasons for consenting to participate in the clinical trial ranged from the opportunity to get treatment (28%), opportunity for diagnosis of ailments (32%), to prevent illness (36%) and to receive information about medical care (4%). The major benefits participants attributed to taking part in the research were the opportunity to obtain treatment (59%), diagnostic tests (35%) and education (6%). Among the research participants, 10.7% believed that they should be paid for participation and about 8% felt that payment could influence their decision to participate because it could act as a motivation. They could however not proffer an amount that they would consider significant enough to influence their decision. There was no significant association between factors that influenced participation and age (p=0.533), sex (p=0.342), education (p=0.078), religion (p=0.144) and marital status (p=0.239). Almost all (98.7%) participants claimed that they had understood the information given to them during the consent procedure and they all gave consent without consulting anybody apart from the medical personnel.The majority of respondents - 74 (98.7%) - stated that they were not allowed to go home with the informed consent document, while 1(1 .3%) of the respondents said there was no need to go home with the informed consent document. In the assessment of understanding using the forced-choice checklist, however, only 37% understood issues concerning randomization of participants and only 28.8% understood issues about compensation for research related injury. Discussion and Conclusion: In this study, the voluntariness of participants was influenced by factors related to the benefits accrued through participation. The need for participants to make free and informed choices based on adequate information given by the investigator cannot but be emphasized as a right and not a privilege. In light of the limited understanding about randomization and injury compensation identified in this study, there is a need for additional protection of vulnerable populations. This could be in the form of allowing adequate time to enable the improvement of participants' understanding of the consent form, using innovative ways of explaining complex concepts such as randomization, and providing the necessary support to facilitate participants' right to self-decision, except when they are incapable of consenting. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

Background. An inherent challenge in HIV prevention studies is making sure that trial participants understand the information. This study explored trial participants’ perceptions and comprehension of the informed consent process in a pre-exposure HIV prevention study. Method. Face-to-face in-depth interviews, using a study guide, were held with twenty interviewees purposively selected from ex-participants of an HIV prevention study. Audio-recorded data were transcribed, translated, coded using NVivo 8, and analysed according to themes. Results. The participants were all women between the ages of 18 and 40. Participants felt that key information had been given during the informed consent process. Most felt that the process of obtaining informed consent was rushed with some participants citing a need for more time to make a decision regarding participation. Some participants felt pressured to sign consent forms. Some found it difficult to ask questions and mixed feelings existed on male partner involvement in the decision-making process. Conclusions: Participants experienced the consent process as rushed and most only fully comprehended study concepts with time. Their concerns necessitate the reassessment of informed consent processes in a developing world setting. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

Using a qualitative and interpretive approach, this research focuses on the training and support needs of crisis interventionists volunteering at an organisation for the abused. This research developed out of a need identified by the board for recommendations to be made in order to compile a new training manual as well as to explore and improve the support services offered to volunteers at the organisation. The research used a thorough examination of the current literature available dealing with crisis intervention and intimate partner violence both nationally and internationally to provide a framework and standard for all recommendations. This was then supplemented with a participatory and interpretive approach to understand the experiences of the crisis interventionists themselves currently volunteering at the organisation. The major themes that emerged from the data included an understanding of the current training process, the impact of volunteering for the desk, the impact and importance of organisational culture and the organisation and self care techniques used by the volunteers. These were then interpreted in terms of their relevance to the training and support needs of the volunteers looking specifically at the training process to ensure an ideological shift and information retention as well as explore supportive services that would be the most beneficial and accessible to the volunteer. The research was then able to provide the most appropriate recommendations for the organisation going forward. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

Police officers have a significant role to play in the stability, economic growth, and development of South Africa. Therefore, it is critical for the South African Police Service (SAPS) to have police officers who are engaged in their work. However, given the high levels of crime and violence in South Africa, and the ensuing dangers associated with police work, many of these situations are experienced as stressful, often resulting in psychological distress. On the contrary, some police officers, regardless of the stressful nature of their job, seem to enjoy their work and exert greater effort in dealing with these stressors. The purpose of this study was to provide a qualitative description of occupational stress and work engagement as perceived and experienced by police officers in the SAPS Dog Unit. The researcher’s interest in this research topic, emanated when, as part of a Psychometry Internship at the SAPS, the researcher was involved in psychometric evaluation of police officers who wanted to join the Dog Unit. The researcher had the opportunity to interview police officers who acknowledged that, despite being aware of the stressful nature of the job, they were willing to deal with these stressors. Furthermore, a comprehensive search of literature revealed that there are no qualitative studies exploring perceptions and experiencesof occupational stress and work engagement of police officers in the Dog Unit. This motivated the researcher to conduct this study to fill in the gap of qualitative research literature. A qualitative research design was used and the transactional approach to stress formed the theoretical premise of this study. A purposive non-probability sampling technique resulted in10 interviews being conducted with both male and female dog handlers at the SAPS Dog Unit in Durban. The researcher utilised a semi-structured interview schedule and all audio-taped interview data was analysed using thematic content analysis. The findings of the study suggest that individual differences and situational factors are useful in explaining how stressors produced different reactions in police officers at the Dog Unit based on their cognitive appraisal of work demands. The most common sources of occupational stress experienced by participants include: (a) task related stressors, (b) organisational stressors, and (c) personal stressors. With regard to these stressors, the results suggest that organisational stressors greatly affect participants compared to task-related stressors. With regard to perceptions and experiences of work engagement, the results reveal that perceptions of work engagement spanned over six domains: (a) inner calling, (b) an active choice to become a police officer, (c) to serve and protect, (d) sense of duty, (e) recognition, and (f) to form an identity. Interestingly it was found that the following resources positively influenced work engagement, namely, social support, skills and abilities, peer support, and self-efficacy. In addition, findings suggest that positive appraisals of work situations and being immersed in one’s job significantly influenced participant’s experiences of work engagement. Thus, the findings suggest that adequate resources and positive appraisals can promote engagement even when the conditions for engagement are less than optimal.This study contributes greatly to the evolving body of knowledge on occupational stress and work engagement and provides a unique context specific perspective to understanding how police officers in the Dog Unit perceive and experience occupational stress and work engagement. Prior to the present study, no studies had been undertaken to specifically understand perceptions and experiences of police officers in the Dog Unit. It has become clear that further research in this regard is required to bring about a deeper understanding of the perceptions and experiences of occupational stress and work engagement of police officers in the Dog Unit. The objective being to provide more support to police officers to ensure the stability, economic growth, and development of South Africa. In contrast to studies which show that high job demands and lack of job resources negatively impact employee engagement, findings from this study show that despite being exposed to conditions that are less favourable for engagement, police officers at the Dog Unit are engaged. An understanding of police officer’s perceptions and experiences of occupational stress and work engagement may provide direction for strategies to provide more support to dog handlers and improve work engagement in the Dog Unit. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

The increasing levels and more frequent use of alcohol among females especially those in younger age groups has been noted with concern worldwide. However qualitative data on this problem is limited. This study therefore aimed to explore qualitatively factors contributing to female adolescents' alcohol use and abuse, their knowledge regarding risks associated with alcohol use and abuse and to understand the contextual and environmental factors that render female adolescents vulnerable to engage in drinking behaviours. This study was guided by the Prototype / Willingness model. The data was collected using two (2) focus groups and five (5) individual semi-structured interviews with Grade 9 female high school learners. Data analysis was done using thematic analysis. The findings of the study indicated that there are various individual, social as well as contextual factors contributing to alcohol use among female learners. These factors include age onset, low self-esteem, influence of significant others e.g. parents, peers, celebrities, media alcohol adverts especially through Television, easy availability and accessibility of alcohol as well as lack of law enforcement on selling of alcohol to minors. Protective factors emerged from the findings and these include parental monitoring, high self-esteem and good mother-daughter attachment. The study also indicated various positive perceptions why female adolescents use alcohol. These included perceiving alcohol use as fun, “cool” and glamorous, as a coping mechanism as well as a symbol of adult status and being “Western”. Although female adolescents have knowledge of most of the health and social consequences of alcohol most of them believe that they cannot be affected and they still continue to plan to use alcohol. Several recommendations are also presented. These could assist female learners, parents (and other caregivers), community members, policy makers, researchers, program developers especially those interested in adolescent health as well as other stakeholders e.g. South African Police Services (SAPS) and Department of Education etc. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.