The Zanzibaris of Durban constitute the smallest minority in South Africa's ethnically diverse society. The largest cluster of Zanzibaris reside in a predominantly Indian area of Bayview, Chatsworth. Their adolescents attend schools with black and Indian peers. The theoretical perspectives of self-esteem and social distance imply that adolescents in such circumstances face a complex task of identity formation. This study compared levels of self-esteem, as measured by the Piers Harris Self Concept Scale, in Zanzibaris, Zulu-speaking blacks and Indian boys and girls aged 13-16 years. The sample consisted of 263 respondents of 3 racial groups (Zanzibaris (n=60); Indians (n=154) and Zulu-speaking blacks (n=49), of both genders drawn from two urban schools in Bayview, Chatsworth (a socio-economically heterogeneous area) in Durban. An adaptation of the Bogardus Social Distance Scale was employed to assess the attitudes of Zanzibari adolescents to other racial groups. These attitudes were examined for gender differences and in relation to self-esteem scores. In view of the sensitivity of the study, parental consent was sought and respondents were briefed before and after administration of the measures. The results were analysed using analysis of variance, t-tests and correlation co-efficients. Interracial comparisons did not uphold the prediction that Zanzibaris would exhibit significantly lower levels of global self-esteem or its six components. Zanzibaris displayed significantly higher scores globally and for five of the components. No significant gender differences were found in self-esteem scores of the entire sample or for each racial group. The prediction, that Zanzibari adolescents in view of their circumstances, would show greater social distance towards blacks than towards Indians was not supported. Zanzibari boys and girls were similar in their ranking of other racial groups in terms of out-group preference, with boys showing greater social distance towards each group. Self-esteem and social distance scores were positively correlated at a non-significant level. This did not support the prediction that minority adolescents who preferred out-groups over in-groups would have lower self-concept scores. The findings are discussed in terms of theories of self-esteem, social identity and contact hypotheses, and contrasted, with those of other studies conducted in South Africa and abroad. Attention is drawn to the strengths and limitations of this study. The findings have implications for policy makers at the level of school and community in order to reduce prejudice and promote intergroup harmony. It is suggested that curriculum packages include social science sessions to explore concepts of tolerance, racism and inter-ethnic communication both at individual and institutional levels. In the light of this study, suggestions are made for further research to inform the discourse around marginalised minorities. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of Natal, 1998.

Women experience abuse from their partners. Adolescent relationship abuse is the main focus of this study. The research intends to create awareness about the abuse of women, research adolescent attitudes and beliefs, challenge cultural norms that oppress women, convey assertive communication as a way out of an abusive situation. Educational theatre, aimed at the mental empowerment of the target audience, should offer a self-discovery to the audience,· and therefore, lead to a change of belief and attitude. The target audience should gain experience from a fictional situation and be prepared for a possible real life situation. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

Text in Afrikaans / The researcher has identified the research problem for the study as the underlying dynamics of physical violence amongst adolescent girls in the school system. The purpose of this study was to investigate these dynamics. The researcher viewed the girls from a holistic perspective and tried to explore and describe the girls' behavior by bringing their environment into consideration. A qualitative study was used to determine the dynamics of physical violence among adolescent girls in the school system. Data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews. From this data it is evident that the dynamics of physical violence among girls is a multi-dimensional and complex phenomenon and cannot be attributed to a single factor. Because of this the researcher tried to make recommendations that touched each level of the girls' functioning. In such a way the researcher tried to address the problem holistically. / Social Work / M.Diac. (Spelterapie)

The aim of the research was to establish the emotional experiences of adolescents who experience a discrepancy between their self-concept and ideal self-concept. An empirical investigation was carried out in order to establish the relationship that exists between the self-concept and the ideal self-concept of adolescents and certain emotions they experience. The investigation further identified the emotions that are prominent in the case of a discrepancy between the self-concept and the ideal self-concept. A Self-concept, Ideal Self-concept and Emotional Profile Index Questionnaire were completed by 250 adolescents. Trust and sociability showed the strongest positive correlations and depression, distrust and aggression the strongest negative correlations with aspects of the self-concept. In most instances no relationship existed between the ideal self-concept of adolescents and the emotions they experience. In terms of a discrepancy between the self-concept and the ideal self-concept, results indicated that trust was the most prominent positive emotion and depression, aggression and distrust the most prominent negative emotions. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

Text in English / Literature notes an increase in the number of children and adolescents diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Several challenges faced by clinicians who diagnose and treat early-onset bipolar disorder have been discussed with particular emphasis being placed on its pharmacological management. The contributions made by psychologists including psychosocial interventions, have been explored in this regard; however, there still exists a paucity of voices in the field of psychology that discuss the experiences surrounding the management of this disorder. Most studies on early-onset bipolar disorder do not distinguish between childhood and adolescent presentations. Adolescence has been recognized herein, as a distinct developmental and transitional phase and thus, it forms the basis of this inquiry. This qualitative study thus explores clinical psychologists’ experiences ofmanaging adolescents diagnosed with bipolar disorder and will be approached from a social constructionist perspective which was selected as a means of exploring the meanings that individuals attribute to their experiences as they engage with others in their environment. A literature review evaluated the current available literature on juvenile bipolar disorder. Clinical psychologists in private practices were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. The participants were selected using purposive sampling. Two pilot studies were used to pre-test the study. One participant took part in pilot study 1 and one in pilot study 2. Thereafter, four semi-structured interviews were held with four participants who took part in the main study. Themes were drawn from the data and were explored using thematic content analysis. An analysis of the themes revealed several shared experiences in clinical psychologists’ management of juvenile bipolar disorder which were similar to what is reflected in the current available literature on early-onset bipolar disorder. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

The aim of the research was to determine the influence of adapted sport on the identity formation of adolescents with a mobility impairment. An empirical investigation was carried out to investigate the relationship between certain variables, such as social relationships and affective constructs, and the identity formation of adolescents with a mobility impairment as information emerged from the literature study. A sample of 140 adolescents with a mobility impairment was drawn using purposive sampling. An instrument to measure the identity formation of adolescents with a mobility impairment was compiled. The data, which were obtained from the implementation of the instrument, were analysed using qualitative content analysis techniques. The major findings of the study revealed that there was no significant difference in the identity of adolescents with a mobility impairment who participated in sport, compared with the identity of adolescents with a mobility impairment who did not participate in sport. There was however, a significant positive correlation between social relationships with friends and parents, and the identity formation of adolescents with a mobility impairment. There was also a positive correlation between affective variables and the identity formation of adolescents with a mobility impairment. The two positive affective constructs with the highest correlation were trustfulness and gregariousness. The negative construct with the highest correlation was depression. Based on the findings, conclusions were drawn and recommendations were made. The relationship of adolescents with their friends and parents, together with the health of adolescents, explained the largest proportion of the variance in the identity formation of adolescents with a mobility impairment, namely 42%. The remaining 58% of the variance in the identity formation has not been significantly explained as yet. The implications for parents and educators are clearly explained. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed.

The purpose of this research study was to explore successes and challenges of Vhutshilo 2 HIV Prevention Programme in reducing HIV Infections amongst Adolescent Girls and Young Women [AGYW] in Alexandra. Qualitative, narrative research design was conducted to explore the experiences of the adolescent girls and young women in the Vhutshilo 2 programme. In order to obtain the data for this research the researcher used focus group interviews. Since the current study did not seek to generalize findings, a purposive sampling approach was seen as appropriate to use for this study. Two groups of respondents participated in the study. The first group of 7 participants were from Ratang Bana Organisation from Alexandra and the second group of 12 participants was from Friends for Life from the Mayibuye site. The data of this research project was analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings revealed that Vhutshilo was successful in achieving its desired results of helping adolescents to adopt healthy sexual behavior, developing positive values and behavior through exploring options, promoting assertiveness, understanding different influences on their lives and coming to their own views and decisions, rather than being told what to do. Recommendations made included taking the Vhutshilo 2 to other places like rural areas as the adolescent girls in the rural areas are at high risk of getting infected by HIV mostly due to cultural practices that expose them to such risks together with ignorance and limited access to health facilities. / Health Studies / M.P.H.

Text in Afrikaans / The research was directed at setting up guidelines for the counsellor dealing with the adolescent in a multicultural environment. The supposition of the study was that the adolescent in a multicultural environment should be treated by the counsellor with cultural empathy, understanding and insight. This process should be free from stereotyping and prejudice. Guidelines were set up using a combination of Gestalt philosophical principles, existing literature and semi-structured interviews with cultural therapy experts. For the purpose of this study Thomas and Rothman's intervention research model was applied. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gain information on the adolescent in therapy, which was combined with information found in literature in order to set up guidelines for counsellors. The researcher concludes that the counsellor dealing with the adolescent in a multicultural environment, has to possess sufficient cultural knowledge, cultural efficiency and cultural empathy to achieve a successful theurapeutic outcome. Guidelines for the counsellor who works with adolescents in a multicultural environment were set up successfully to bridge the current lack of knowledge in the field. / Social Work / M. Diac (Play Therapy)

This study investigated the causes and manifestation of aggression among secondary school learners. Aggression was defined. Various theories of aggression were discussed. From the literature study, nine hypotheses were developed. The study used a quantitative approach by means of a survey design. The research site was a rural, secondary school. A closed-ended questionnaire was used as data collection tool. Only learners were involved as respondents. The impact of various moderator variables was considered. The study discovered that aggressive behaviour is not confined to a specific gender. Above all, female aggression is on the rise. Possible causative factors were confirmed and risk factors were identified. Recommendations were made in line with the findings based on the empirical results. Limitations of the study were also pointed out. / Education Studies / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

This research was undertaken to investigate the role of motivation in influencing secondary school pupils to learn effectively. The researcher determined that without teacher motivation, pupils cannot learn to their full capacity. A number of motivational theories, principles and strategies, were found which if used properly can improve classroom learning. The ultimate decision concerning how and when to use them is in the hands of the teachers. Pupils should be inspired to perform and reach beyond their perceived limits which demands different learning incentives. As becoming adults, pupils must be encouraged to achieve positive learning and discouraged from negative behaviour that could harm their development. Learning motives remain the strongest driving force to improve pupils' performance as they change their learning behaviour towards achieving set goals. To re-establish the true meaning of education, both teachers and pupils should act responsibly as both bear blame for education having lost its meaning. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Philosophy of Education)