Bereavement and grief are life changing and universal experiences. People cope with loss of a loved one in many ways. For some the experience may lead to personal growth and for others it could lead to deterioration in their normal functioning. There is no right way of coping with death. The way a person grieves depends on the personality of that person and the relationship with the person that has died. Grief and loss occurs both at work and at home. However, these days, most people spend more of their time at the workplace than at home. Therefore when a colleague dies or one is grieving a death or a loss, the impact on his or her co-workers can be tremendous. The death of an employee can bring the workplace activity to a halt. Anyone who knew the person will experience some degree of shock and anxiety. However, how a person copes with grief is affected by the person’s cultural and religious background, coping skills, mental history, support systems and the person’s social and financial situation. The workplace could therefore be a significant support system that could help a person to cope with the loss. The manner in which grief and loss are managed in the workplace could determine if the employees’ experiences of this loss is dealt with either positively or negatively. The researcher, through consultations with employees at Umgeni Hospital, has learnt that the employees have within a short time period experienced the loss of several colleagues through traumatic events. Some employees are also struggling to cope with losses in their personal lives. The aim of this study was to investigate the need for an employee bereavement support programme at Umgeni Hospital. The objectives of this study were: <ul> <li> To conceptualize theoretically employee bereavement and its impact in the workplace as well as the support strategies for employees.</li> <li> To conduct an empirical investigation into the need for an employee bereavement support programme at Umgeni Hospital.</li> <li> To provide recommendations to the hospital management on the need for a bereavement support programme at Umgeni Hospital based on the information gained from this research.</li> </ul> A quantitative research approach was used to assist the researcher understand this need. Applied research focusses on problem solving in practice. In this study applied research was used as the findings of this exploratory study determined the recommendations to management on the need for an employee bereavement support programme at Umgeni Hospital. The data collection method was hand delivered questionnaires. The population for the study was 422 employees. However, systematic sampling was used to chose a sample of 70 employees. These questionnaires were pilot tested on 5 employees that did not form part of the actual study. The data was analysed using the SPSS statistical package, interpreted and displayed using table format and various graphical presentations. The goal of the study was to investigate the need for an employee bereavement support programme at Umgeni Hospital. This goal was definitely achieved as the study determined not only that there is definitely a need for an employee bereavement support programme at Umgeni Hospital but also the exact or specific needs of the employees with regards to the programme itself. This study would therefore definitely add value to the hospital and its employees as it will assist hospital management in developing an appropriate bereavement support programme to assist their employees in the future. Copyright / Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

Text in Afrikaans, abstract in Afrikaans and English / Different methods of calculation of the loss of support of minor children, are investigated. According to one method (A), one first has to establish that the deceased's income was not all absorbed for his/her own maintenance. Only if there is surplus income available, it can be inferred that the deceased contributed towards the maintenance of the minor children and that the children have suffered a loss. According to another method (B) both parents' income are added and then divided between the family members. The minor child's loss of support is an amount which represent his/her share in the deceased's own income - a child automatically suffers a loss according to this method, in the event of death of a parent. Method B ought to be applied, because it is consistent with the reciprocal duty of support between spouses and the duty of spouses to maintain children. / Verskillende metodes om die verlies aan onderhoud van afhanklike kinders te bereken word ondersoek. Volgens een benadering (A) moet eers vasgestel word of die oorledene se inkomste nie alles geabsorbeer is vir sy /haar eie onderhoud nie. Slegs indien daar surplusinkomste was, kan aanvaar word dat die oorledene bygedra het tot die onderhoud van die minderjarige kinders en dat die kinders 'n verlies ly. Volgens die ander benadering (B) word beide ouers se inkomste bymekaar getel en dan tussen die gesinslede verdeel. Elke minderjarige kind se verlies aan onderhoud is 'n bedrag wat sy/haar aandeel in die oorlede ouer se afsonderlike inkomste verteenwoordig - 'n kind ly outomaties volgens hierdie metode 'n verlies. Metode B behoort meestal aanwending te vind, aangesien dit in ooreenstemming is met die wederkerige onderhoudsplig tussen gades en die plig van ouers om hul kinders te onderhou. / Private Law / LL. M. (Law)

Text in Afrikaans, abstract in Afrikaans and English / Different methods of calculation of the loss of support of minor children, are investigated. According to one method (A), one first has to establish that the deceased's income was not all absorbed for his/her own maintenance. Only if there is surplus income available, it can be inferred that the deceased contributed towards the maintenance of the minor children and that the children have suffered a loss. According to another method (B) both parents' income are added and then divided between the family members. The minor child's loss of support is an amount which represent his/her share in the deceased's own income - a child automatically suffers a loss according to this method, in the event of death of a parent. Method B ought to be applied, because it is consistent with the reciprocal duty of support between spouses and the duty of spouses to maintain children. / Verskillende metodes om die verlies aan onderhoud van afhanklike kinders te bereken word ondersoek. Volgens een benadering (A) moet eers vasgestel word of die oorledene se inkomste nie alles geabsorbeer is vir sy /haar eie onderhoud nie. Slegs indien daar surplusinkomste was, kan aanvaar word dat die oorledene bygedra het tot die onderhoud van die minderjarige kinders en dat die kinders 'n verlies ly. Volgens die ander benadering (B) word beide ouers se inkomste bymekaar getel en dan tussen die gesinslede verdeel. Elke minderjarige kind se verlies aan onderhoud is 'n bedrag wat sy/haar aandeel in die oorlede ouer se afsonderlike inkomste verteenwoordig - 'n kind ly outomaties volgens hierdie metode 'n verlies. Metode B behoort meestal aanwending te vind, aangesien dit in ooreenstemming is met die wederkerige onderhoudsplig tussen gades en die plig van ouers om hul kinders te onderhou. / Private Law / LL. M. (Law)

Text in Afrikaans / Die doel van hierdie studie was om die aard en negatiewe gevolge van die verlies- en treurproses te ondersoek, en riglyne daar te stel vir die terapeutiese hantering van die verlies- en treurproses. Aan die hand van ‘n literatuurstudie is die aard, gevolge en terapie-benaderings met betrekking tot die verlies- en treurproses bestudeer. Die Opvoedkundig-sielkundige Relasieteorie is verken, en is as raamwerk in ’n empiriese studie gebruik. Die hantering van die verlies- en treurproses is kwalitatief ondersoek. Deur terapeutiese intervensie in drie deelnemers se verlies- en treurproses, is insig verkry met die oog op die samestelling van ’n terapieprogram, sowel as vir riglyne vir die terapeut en die kliënt. Ek het wegbeweeg van navorsing wat primêr beskrywend van aard is en op diagnostiese oorwegings fokus, na raamwerke waar intervensie-strategieë en spesifieke tegnieke gebruik kan word wanneer die terapeut en die kliënt betrokke is in deurlopende psigoterapie. Die navorsingsresultate toon dat dit belangrik is om nie slegs op die verlies te fokus nie, maar ook op onopgeloste kwessies wat vantevore in die kliënt se lewe plaasgevind het. Insig en kennis van hulleself, hul verhoudings, verdedigingsmeganismes, emosies, denke en gedrag, en die invloed wat dit op hulle verlies- en treurproses het, was nodig sodat die kliënte hul ongewenste aangeleerde gedrag kon wysig, om sodoende hulleself beter te verstaan in die hantering van hulle verlies en die treurproses. / The purpose of this study was to investigate the nature and negative consequenses of, and to set guidelines for the therapeutic handling of the loss and grief process. A literature study was undertaken to determine the nature, consequences, and therapeutic techniques, with regard to the loss and grief process, based on Psychological Relations theory. By means of therapeutic intervention in the three participants’ loss and grief processes, I gained insight to compose a therapeutic programme, as well as therapeutic guidelines and intervention strategies and specific techniques that can be used when the therapist and the client are involved in continuous psychotherapy. The results of the study indicated that it is important to focus on unresolved issues that happened earlier in the client’s life. Insight in the person as a whole, is required to be able to understand themselves better in the handling of their loss and the grieving process. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Voorligting)

Text in Afrikaans / Die doel van hierdie studie was om die aard en negatiewe gevolge van die verlies- en treurproses te ondersoek, en riglyne daar te stel vir die terapeutiese hantering van die verlies- en treurproses. Aan die hand van ‘n literatuurstudie is die aard, gevolge en terapie-benaderings met betrekking tot die verlies- en treurproses bestudeer. Die Opvoedkundig-sielkundige Relasieteorie is verken, en is as raamwerk in ’n empiriese studie gebruik. Die hantering van die verlies- en treurproses is kwalitatief ondersoek. Deur terapeutiese intervensie in drie deelnemers se verlies- en treurproses, is insig verkry met die oog op die samestelling van ’n terapieprogram, sowel as vir riglyne vir die terapeut en die kliënt. Ek het wegbeweeg van navorsing wat primêr beskrywend van aard is en op diagnostiese oorwegings fokus, na raamwerke waar intervensie-strategieë en spesifieke tegnieke gebruik kan word wanneer die terapeut en die kliënt betrokke is in deurlopende psigoterapie. Die navorsingsresultate toon dat dit belangrik is om nie slegs op die verlies te fokus nie, maar ook op onopgeloste kwessies wat vantevore in die kliënt se lewe plaasgevind het. Insig en kennis van hulleself, hul verhoudings, verdedigingsmeganismes, emosies, denke en gedrag, en die invloed wat dit op hulle verlies- en treurproses het, was nodig sodat die kliënte hul ongewenste aangeleerde gedrag kon wysig, om sodoende hulleself beter te verstaan in die hantering van hulle verlies en die treurproses. / The purpose of this study was to investigate the nature and negative consequenses of, and to set guidelines for the therapeutic handling of the loss and grief process. A literature study was undertaken to determine the nature, consequences, and therapeutic techniques, with regard to the loss and grief process, based on Psychological Relations theory. By means of therapeutic intervention in the three participants’ loss and grief processes, I gained insight to compose a therapeutic programme, as well as therapeutic guidelines and intervention strategies and specific techniques that can be used when the therapist and the client are involved in continuous psychotherapy. The results of the study indicated that it is important to focus on unresolved issues that happened earlier in the client’s life. Insight in the person as a whole, is required to be able to understand themselves better in the handling of their loss and the grieving process. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Voorligting)

Changing working conditions in South Africa are currently characterised by various challenges to individuals in the workplace, such as affirmative action, voluntary severance packages and discharges. Discharges are often associated with employment insecurity and threatening loss of employment. Insecurity about employment can be very stressful to remaining workers after a discharge process. Their lack of control over what happens to them, can lead to high levels of stress and deteriorating attitudes in the workplace. Insecurity about employment may last for months or even years and could have a negative influence on not only the “mental health” of the individual worker, but also on their entire existence. A psychological approach to threatening loss of employment on its own is inadequate. The spiritual needs of human beings should also be taken into account. Therefore pastoral care and support should be available to people in order to help them to cope effectively with painful, frustrating and frightening situations. The threat of loss of employment requires a holistic approach to helping. At present holistic approaches include emphases on holistic medicine, meditation, prayer and the role of spiritual healing. Pastoral care is increasingly taking note of what is happening in the secular professions and how it can be supportive. This development challenges the practical theologian to be part of a multi-disciplinary approach when dealing with people who are subject to the threat of loss of employment. The aim of this study is to examine the possibilities of a holistic approach as part of pastoral support to persons experiencing threatening loss of employment. Although pastoral care can benefit from a multi-disciplinary approach to threatening loss of employment, this cooperation is not a simple or straightforward matter. Pastoral care is in need of guidelines for its relationship with psychology and for how to deal with faith in the counselling process. In order to provide some guidelines for pastoral care for individuals who feel a protracted threat of loss of employment, this study will make use of Gerkin’s model for pastoral care which will be brought into dialogue with a cognitive behavioural therapeutic model. Pastoral care should not focus on only “problem-solving”, but the counsellee should experience that healing takes place within the “pastoral relationship”. In this “relationship” the counsellee should always be reassured that human suffering cannot separate people from the love of God as it was revealed in Christ. Pastoral care may never lose sight of the Christian traditions that shaped its identity and should strive for an approach to counselling in which the Bible as testimony to God’s love is taken seriously. Pastoral care should take the lead in involving the Christian community in caring for one another and for the human needs in the wider community. A strong, healing Christian community that is open to the challenges and opportunities in secular society can make a contribution to a global partnership. / Dissertation (MA (Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Practical Theology / MA / unrestricted

The research dealt with three girls in middle childhood years, in a children’s home, who were experiencing difficulties with self-blame. These difficulties were addressed through play therapy sessions using the ‘gestalt’ approach with the life story book as an aid. The motivation for the study originated during discussions with the social workers at the Abraham Kriel/Maria Kloppers Children’s Home. During these discussions the researcher became aware of the vast number of children in the caseloads of the social workers at Abraham Kriel/Maria Kloppers Children’s Home, who blame themselves for being removed from their parents’ custody. The purpose of the study was to determine whether the life story book could be used as an aid in play therapy sessions focussing on the self-blame of girls in middle childhood years, living in a children’s home. To achieve the goal of this study, a literature study was done regarding the middle childhood years, self-blame, the child in a children’s home and the use of the life story book in play therapy. An empirical study was conducted on the use of the life story book regarding the self-blame of three girls in the middle childhood years, living in a children’s home. Finally the researcher made conclusions and recommendations regarding the use of the life story book, after taking into consideration both the literature study and the empirical study. The investigation was based on applied research. For the purpose of this study, three girls in middle childhood years living in a children’s home were identified by means of purposive sampling. The girls participated in six play therapy sessions each. From this empirical research, it was clear that the life story book could be successfully used in play therapy, focussing on self-blame, with the three girls in middle childhood years living in a children’s home. As an outcome of this study, conclusions and recommendations were formulated. / Dissertation (MSD (Play Therapy))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Social Work / unrestricted

Please read the abstract in the section dissertation. Copyright / Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

Summaries in English and Afrikaans / Any loss in an adolescent's life may lead to shattered dreams. Therapists, who work with adolescents who have experienced a loss must support and guide them to develop an awareness of their needs, impulses and dreams. Therapists must furthermore be aware of the factors that contributed to a turning point for the adolescents who managed to recreate their dreams. Adolescents' dreams are influenced by the current circumstances in South Africa, as well as their parents' perceptions and parenting styles. The loss of what could have been, after a loss, must also be addressed. The gestalt therapist establishes the process of awareness in the here-and-now. Furthermore, the adolescent must be guided to accept responsibility for his own choices and to purposeful create a new life dream. / Enige verlies in adolessente se lewens kan lei tot verbrokkelde lewensdrome. Terapeute wat werk met adolessente wat 'n verlies ervaar het, moet hul ondersteun en begelei sodat hulle bewustheid kan ontwikkel van hul behoeftes, drange en drome. Terapeute moet verder bewus wees van die faktore wat 'n keerpunt meegebring het by die adolessente wat wei hul drome kon herskep. Adolessente se lewensdrome word beinvloed deur die huidige omstandighede in Suid-Afrika, sowel as deur hul ouers se persepsies en ouerskapstyl. Die verlies aan dit wat kon wees, na afloop van 'n verlies moet dus ook aangespreek word. Die gestaltterapeut bewerkstellig die bewusmakingsproses in die hier-en-nou. Verder moet die adolessent gelei word om verantwoordelikheid te neem vir sy eie keuses en om doelbewus 'n nuwe lewensdroom te skep. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Play Therapy)

Text in Afrikaans / Die doel van hierdie studie was om te bepaal hoe volwasse enkel-tweelinge hul lewens ervaar na die verlies van hul mede-tweeling. ‘n Kwalitatiewe empiriese ondersoek is gedoen met die doel om die behoeftes van enkel- tweelinge tydens die hantering van tweelingverlies en die rouproses te bepaal. Literatuur toon aan dat die oneffektiewe hanteringsvaardighede wat gebruik word tydens tweelingverlies kan lei tot emosionele, kognitiewe, identiteits-, verhoudings- en gedragskwessies. Die literatuur dui verder aan dat daar agt temas is wat bepaal of hierdie kwessies tydens die lewe van die enkel-tweeling gaan voorkom. Die agt temas is naamlik die effek van ouerlike gesindheid, negatiewe aspekte om ‘n tweeling te wees, skuldgevoelens, polarisasie, die tweelingband, versagtende omstandighede en die effek van die verlies op die verhouding met ander. ‘n Meervoudige gevallestudie met ‘n narratiewe analitiese proses is in die studie gevolg. Agt deelnemers het ‘n self-opgestelde vraelys voltooi. Daarna is semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude gevoer om die temas wat verband hou met die vraelys verder te ondersoek. ‘n Opvolg in-diepte onderhoud is ‘n maand later met elke deelnemer gevoer waartydens hulle hul ervaring as enkel-tweeling bespreek het. Die eerste verwagte uitkoms was om die behoeftes van die enkel-tweeling wat tweelingverlies hanteer, te verstaan. Die tweede verwagte uitkoms was om by te dra tot kennis oor tweelingverlies en rou by die enkel-tweeling. Die bevindinge toon aan dat vier onverwagse temas vanuit die studie na vore gekom het, naamlik geheimhouding rakende die bestaan van ‘n mede- tweeling, voel soos ‘n aangenome kind, die kwessie van geloof as prominente faktor in die genesingsproses en die tweeling identiteit wat behou wil word. Riglyne is aan opvoedkundige sielkundiges gegee om hul toe te rus om die enkel-tweeling se verlies en rou te verstaan. ‘n Bydrae ten opsigte van kennis oor tweelingverlies en rou by enkel-tweelinge is gemaak. / The purpose of this study was to determine how adult twinless twins experience life following the loss of their co-twin. A qualitative empirical investigation was conducted in order to establish the needs of twinless twins in dealing with twin loss and the bereavement process. Literature indicates that ineffective coping mechanisms used in the loss of a twin, could result in emotional, cognitive, identity, relationship and behavioural issues. The literature further indicates that there are eight themes which determine whether these problems will culminate during the life of the twinless twin. These eight themes are: the effect of parental attitude, negative aspects of being part of a twin, feelings of guilt, polarisation, the twin connection, mitigating circumstances and the effect of loss on the relationship with others. The study followed a multiple case study research design with a narrative analytical approach. Eight participants completed a self-structured questionnaire. Thereafter semi-structured interviews were conducted to further explore themes related to the questionnaire. A follow-up in-depth interview was conducted with each participant one month later during which they described their experiences of being a twinless twin. The first anticipated outcome was an understanding of the needs of a twinless twin in dealing with loss of his or her twin. The second expected outcome was to add to the body of knowledge about twin loss and bereavement in twinless twins. The findings show that four unexpected themes emerged from the study, namely: secrecy regarding the existence of a co-twin; feeling like an adopted child; the issue of faith as a prominent factor in the healing process, and maintaining a twin identity. Guidelines are given to equip educational psychologists to understand twin loss and bereavement in twinless twins. The study contributed towards knowledge of twin loss and bereavement in twinless twins. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Sielkundige Opvoedkunde)