Thesis (M.A. (Ndzawulo ya Xitsonga)) -- University of Limpopo, 2012 / Refer to the document / University of Limpopo

D.Litt et Phil. (Psychology) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Thesis (M. A. (Clinical Psychology)) -- University of the North, 2003 / Refer to the document

Thesis (M.A. (Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2015 / The study investigated the psychological factors that compel battered women to remain in abusive relationships. According to statistics in South Africa (SA) one in every five women is battered by her partner, and one in every four of all women in SA are assaulted by their partners weekly. The research approach was qualitative in nature. Sampling for the study was purposive and utilised eight participants who met the criteria for the investigation. The study was conducted at Tshilidzhini Hospital Trauma Centre and The Sibasa Victim Empowerment unit in Thohoyandou, Vhembe District in the Limpopo province. Data was gathered using a semi-structured questionnaire guide. Data was analysed, using Thematic Content Analysis (TCA), to gain an in-depth account of each participant’s experience of abuse. The results of the study indicate that cultural factors still play an important role in facilitating women abuse. The women in the study used religion, denial and avoidance, guilt and self-blame as coping mechanisms. Low self-esteem, depression, cognitive dissonance and relationship hope and commitment were identified as psychological factors compelling battered women to remain in abusive relationships. The study recommended that educational programmes and workshops on woman abuse be provided to empower women in rural areas.

The aim of this study was to explore the self-concept of battered South African women. The ecosystemic approach was used to ground the battering experience. This qualitative framework was exploratory and also included an in-depth analysis of the battering experiences as narrated by abused women. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the data obtained were analysed through the use of the hermeneutic method. The following were the themes that emerged out of the narratives: dominance, control versus loss of control, connection versus disconnection, security versus insecurity, and feelings of degradation. The study provides a holistic understanding of battering and its impact on women’s selfconcept. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

The aim of this study was to explore the self-concept of battered South African women. The ecosystemic approach was used to ground the battering experience. This qualitative framework was exploratory and also included an in-depth analysis of the battering experiences as narrated by abused women. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the data obtained were analysed through the use of the hermeneutic method. The following were the themes that emerged out of the narratives: dominance, control versus loss of control, connection versus disconnection, security versus insecurity, and feelings of degradation. The study provides a holistic understanding of battering and its impact on women’s selfconcept. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

Thesis (Ph.D. (Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / The study investigated the phenomena of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in women in Ehlanzeni District, Mpumulanga, South Africa in order to develop coping guidelines. This is because, one in every four, or a quarter (25%) of all women in South Africa, are assaulted by their partners every week. The study adopted a qualitative approach utilising an exploratory, hermeneutic phenomenological research design. A non-probability sample of ten women, who were victims of IPV, was used. The theoretical framework for the study was Afrocentric theory. This framework was used so that the investigation was underpinned by truly African concepts. The study was conducted at Victim Empowerment Programmes in Mkhuhlu and Acornhoek, Ehlanzeni District in Mpumalanga Province. Semi-structured interviews were used as data collection instruments and analaysed using thematic analysis (TA). The following themes and sub-themes emerged out of the data: Theme 1: Understandings of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV); Theme 2: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) experienced by participants; Theme 3: Reasons for Intimate Partner Violence (IPV); Sub-theme 3.1: Alcohol as a facilitator of IPV; Sub-theme 3.2: Early parenthood as a facilitator of IPV; Sub-theme 3.3: Poverty as a facilitator of IPV and Sub-theme 3.4: Observed behaviour as a facilitator for IPV; Theme 4: The role of lobola/culture in Intimate Partner Violence (IPV); Theme 5: What makes participants stay in abusive relationships (marriages) and Theme 6: Steps, or interventions, taken by participants in order to cope with Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). Based on these findings it was recommended that a study of male perceptions towards IPV, and a nationwide study or studies on IPV, be carried out under the auspices of the Department of Social Development (DoS) and/or the Department of Health (DoH) with the help of relevant non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Coping guidelines for women victims of IPV were developed out of the research findings.

Thesis (M.A. (Criminology and Criminal Justice)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / This study intended to explore Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) against women in the Seshego Zone 1 area, which is situated in the Polokwane Municipality of the Limpopo Province. The different types of IPV against women, the prevalence of IPV against women, the causes of IPV against women, the reasons for not reporting IPV against women, as well as the available measures taken to combat this scourge guided this study. This study followed a qualitative research approach, where 17 participants were purposively selected, and this was coupled with snowball sampling. Face-to-face in depth semi-structured interviews were utilised to collect data to explore the IPV against women. The collected data was analysed by means of Inductive Thematic Content Analysis (TCA). The responses were audio recorded and written down to add value to the study findings. Themes and sub-themes were solicited from the participants’ verbatim expressions. This study established that the rate of IPV against women cases are high and has been increasing during the period of study because the victims are not taken seriously when reporting. It was also confirmed that jealousy and poverty are the major causes of IPV against women in the area. The victims often fail to seek support and do not report to the police when the violence takes place. It was also evident that most people seem to lack exposure on the issues of IPV against women and the lack of economic and employment opportunities in the area hinder women empowerment against violence and this should be urgently addressed. This study recommends that the local police should learn to take the cases of IPV against women seriously so that the rate of violence can decrease and the victims of IPV against women should be able to identify the signs and prevalence of this practice to effectively prevent it. Moreover, the victims should be encouraged to report cases to the police, and they must demand progress reports on the cases. As a result, the women continue to suffer due to violence in the study area. Moreover, this study suggests that there must be local support groups for women who experience violence in the community to help in detailing the consequences of IPV against women. This should be aided by various awareness campaigns to alert men that IPV against women is a criminal offence, and it is punishable. The government should also support women to start small businesses to reduce full dependence on their partners, thereby reducing the risks of IPV.

M.A. / The purpose of this study is to tell the story of sexual revictimisation of coloured women. The epistemological framework of this study is an integrated one including both modem and postmodern approaches to the study of revictimisation. The dominant postmodern approach is that of constructivism. Both quantitative and qualitative methods of research are used to collect and analyse the data. The story of revictimisation was recounted firstly through responses to a questionnaire by a sample of coloured women within the context of a coloured community. Secondly, the unique stories of sexual revictimisation were re-authored through the co-author's lens in the form of themes that emerged from the stories told by each of the three narrators. The effects of sexual revictimisation, as well as the specific ways each narrator survived their abuse experiences was discussed. Recurring themes evident in the stories of all three narrators were elucidated in a co-constructed story of stories. A comparison between the quantitative research results, the qualitative story constructions and the literature on sexual revictimisation concluded the re-constructed story where the numerous stories, within either a unique, cultural or universal context, were integrated into a conceptual whole. The information gained could serve as guidelines for those working with adult survivors of child sexual abuse within a coloured context. An understanding of sexual revictimisation and the risk factors involved in the effects of child sexual abuse may be useful in the prevention of sexual revictimisation.

Violence against women is a global phenomenon and it has over the past three decades occupied a central position in international discourse. Despite the extensive literature, little has been documented about the social support services offered to the abused women in shelters. A qualitative research approach was employed in this study to explore, describe, and contextualise the experiences and challenges of social workers in the social support services rendered to abused women in shelters. The participants were selected using purposive sampling, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with social workers involved in rendering services to abused women in shelters in Gauteng. Ethical issues were taken into consideration. Data were analysed using Tesch’s eight steps (in Creswell, 2009) and verified using Guba and Lincoln’s model (in Krefting, 2003) to test the trustworthiness of the data. The key findings of the study highlight the important role that social workers who provide social services to abused women in shelters play in the process of empowerment and protection of these women, who benefit from the social support service programmes that the shelters render on a daily basis. These findings also reveal that due to limited resources, the social workers cannot provide these social support services effectively without assistance. This study also reflects the need for a multidisciplinary approach, and emphasises the need for other stakeholders such as the SAPS, Health, Home Affairs, Department of Social Development, and the embassies of foreign countries to play a more significant role within the sheltering services in order to provide a comprehensive service to abused women. It is clear that social workers have limited professional support and experience many challenges in rendering social services. / Social Work / M.S.W. (Social Work)