Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Interpersonal friendships fulfil several important functions in the lives of individuals across their lifespan, and cross-group friendships have been shown to be strongly associated with reduced outgroup prejudice (Pettigrew & Tropp, 2006). The emerging literature comparing same-group and cross-group friendships along interpersonal-level variables amongst majority-status participants in Northern Ireland, England, Serbia, and South Africa has consistently shown that same-gender, same-group friendships are rated as greater in overall quality than corresponding cross-group friendships (Swart et al., 2011). The present study aimed to replicate these findings amongst minority-status coloured South African respondents by (1) undertaking between-group comparisons of the mean-level scores reported for same-group and cross-group friendships along nine interpersonal-level variables, namely friendship length, friendship type, friendship closeness, friendship contact, friendship functions, friendship affection, interpersonal trust, positive reciprocal self-disclosure and negative reciprocal self-disclosure; (2) comparing the structural relationships between these interpersonal-level variables across the two friendship conditions; (3) exploring whether attitudes towards a specific outgroup exemplar (closest same-gender white South African friend) generalise towards more positive attitudes towards white South Africans in general; and (4) exploring the extent to which interactions with a specific cross-group friend were related to access with a wider social-network of outgroup peers and the development of further cross-group friendships. Cross-sectional, electronic survey data were collected amongst 302 coloured South African students studying at Stellenbosch University and included 157 respondents in the same-group condition and 145 respondents in the cross-group condition. Results showed that (1) same-group friendships were characterized by significantly greater intimacy and overall quality than cross-group friendships; (2) there exist several differences in the structural relationships between the interpersonal-level and group-level variables across the two friendship conditions; (3) that positive attitudes towards a specific outgroup exemplar generalised to more positive attitudes towards white South Africans in general; and (4) that a single cross-group friend provides valuable access to a broader network of outgroup peers with whom to form further cross-group friendships. These findings not only replicate the results found in the emerging literature (Goosen, 2011; Swart et al., 2011), they further its contributions by providing a comparison with minority-status groups / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Interpersoonlike vriendskappe vervul verskeie belangrike funksies in die lewens van individue in hul leeftyd. Kruis-groep vriendskappe dui aan dat dit in groot mate verbind word met verminderde buitgegroup veroordeeltheid (Pettigrew & Tropp, 2006). Die opkomende literatuur wat selfde-groep en kruis-groep vriendskappe vergelyk langs interpersoonlike-vlak veranderlikes onder meerderheid-status deelnemers in Noord-Ierland, Engeland, Serwië en Suid-Afrika en het gewys dat selfde-geslag, selfde-groep vriendskappe word gegradeer as groter in kwaliteit as ooreenstemmende kruis-groep vriendskappe (Swart et al., 2011). Die huidige, tussen-groep studie het „n poging aangewend om hirdie bevindinge te repliseer deur: (1) die gemiddelde-vlak punte vir selfde-groep en kruis-groep vriendskappe met nege interpersoonlike veranderlikes te vergelyk, naamlik die lengte van die vriendskap, vriendskap tipe, vriendskap nabyheid, vriendskaps kontak, vriendskap funksies, vriendskaps gehegtheid, interpersoonlike vertroue en positiewe en negatiewe wedersydse self-bekendmaking; (2) die strukturele verhoudings tussen hierdie interpersoonlike-vlak veranderlikes tussen die twee vreinskap-kondisies te vergelyk; (3) om te omdersoek of houdings teenoor „n spesifieke buitegroep model (naaste, selfde-geslag blanke Suid-Afrikaanse vriend) veralgemeen tot positiewe houdings teenoor blanke Suid-Afrikaners in die algemeen; en (4) te ondersoek tot watter mate wissel werking met „n spesifieke kruis-groep vriend aan verwant is met toegang na „n breër netwerk van buitegroep lede om verder kruis-groep vriendskappe te ontwikkel. Deursnee, elektroniese vraelyste data was ingesamel onder 302 kleurling Suid-Afrikaanse studente wat aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosh studeer en 157 proefpersone in die selfde-groep vriendskapskondisie as ook 145 proefpersone in die kruis-groep vriendskapskondisie. Die resultate het aangedui dat (1) selfde-groep vriendskappe word gekenmerk deur noemenswaardige hoër vlakke van die interpersoonlike veranderlikes as kruis-groep vriendskappe; (2) daar bestaan verskeie verskille in die strukturele verhoudings tussen die interpersoonlike-vlak en groep-vlak veranderlikes tussen die twee vriendskapkondisies; (3) dat positiewe houdings teenoor „n spesifieke buitegroep model word veralgemeen tot meer positiewe houdings teenoor blanke Suid-Afrikaners in die algemeen; en (4) dat „n enkele kruis-groep vriend waardevol toegang tot „n breër netwerk van buitegroepe lede verskaf en met wie verder kruis-groep vriendskappe geworm word.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There has been an increase in the popularity of adventure programming over the past few years, with the result that the practice of high-risk recreational activities is growing phenomenally. This study examined how students who are enrolled in a full time adventure education programme involving high-risk recreational activities would differ in terms of sensation-seeking, locus of control and self-efficacy when compared to their non-participative peers. The research group devoted a whole year towards an adventure-based gap year programme that utilises high-risk recreational activities as a core aspect of the programme’s curriculum. It was hypothesised that the research group will measure higher in sensation-seeking, locus of control and self-efficacy when compared to the research equivalent group. For this cross- sectional quantitative study, the research group consisted of 25 students participating in the high-risk iALA recreational adventure programme. The research equivalent group consisted of 34 first year university students. The two sample groups were assessed in terms of their attribute differences on Zuckerman’s Sensation-Seeking Scale, Sherer’s General Self-efficacy Scale, and Rotter’s Internal-External Locus of Control Scale. MANOVA and ANOVA analyses were performed in order to analyse the data. The study indicated that there was a significant difference in sensation-seeking between the two samples. There was, however, no significant difference in levels of locus of control and self-efficacy between the two samples. The study’s significant findings support trends in previous studies concerning greater sensation-seeking among participants of high-risk recreation activities. Important considerations for the results obtained are provided together with implications for further research in this field. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Avontuurprogramme het die afgelope paar jaar in gewildheid toegeneem en het tot gevolg dat daar al hoe meer van hoë-risiko ontspanningsaktiwiteite gebruik gemaak word. Hierdie studie ondersoek hoe studente wat aan hoë-risiko ontspanningsaktiwiteite deelneem, verskil ten opsigte van die soeke na sensasie, lokus van kontrole en self-effektiwiteit in vergelyking met hul niedeelnemende portuurs. Die eksperimentele groep het vir ʼn jaar deelgeneem aan ʼn gapingsjaar-avontuurprogram met hoë-risiko ontspanningsaktiwiteite wat ʼn kernsaspek van die kurrikulum uitmaak. Die hipotese was dat die eksperimentele groep hoër sou meet in die soeke na sensasie, lokus van kontrole en self-effektiwiteit as die kontrolegroep. Vir die doel van hierdie kwantitatiewe studie het die eksperimentele groep uit 25 studente bestaan wat aan hoë-risiko ontspanningsaktiwiteite deelgeneem het gedurende die gapingsjaar-avontuurprogram. Die kontrolegroep het uit 34 eerstejaar universiteitstudente bestaan. Ten einde die verskil tussen die twee groepe te assesseer, is Zuckerman se Sensation-Seeking Scale, Sherer se General self-efficacy scale, en Rotter se Internal external locus of control scale gebruik. ʼn MANOVA en ANOVA is gebruik om die data te analiseer. Die studie het getoon dat daar ʼn betekenisvolle verskil tussen die twee groepe was ten opsigte van die soeke na sensasie. Daar was egter geen betekenisvolle verskil in die vlakke van lokus van kontrole en self-effektiwiteit tussen die twee groepe nie. Bevindings van die huidige studie oor die soeke na sensasie het bevindings van vorige studies rakende die soeke na sensasie en hoë-risiko ontspanningsaktiwiteite ondersteun. Belangrike afleidings kan gemaak word uit die resultate wat verkry is wat moontlikhede bied vir verdere navorsing in hierdie veld.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis examines the psychological and social reasons for recidivism among women offenders of the law and explores the impact halfway houses could have on reducing recidivism in SA. Despite the problem of high crime and offender recidivism in SA there is a lack of research into projects within the country that are attempting to address the situation. This paper ascribes to be an authentic voice from one who has had the unique opportunity of observing the SA prison system from within, over a period of 15 years, and one who has sought to assist ex-offenders in their reintegration from prison to society by providing support once outside of prison over the past 10 years. The thesis is auto-ethnographic in design and method. This research examines the reasons for criminal acts among women and seeks to investigate and determine the unique complexities surrounding women and crime. A high prevalence of sexual and physical abuse is corroborated as common precursors to conduct problems in female offenders, while mental ill health is found to be marked among women in prison. Recommendations are made for the establishment of halfway houses in SA and strategies are suggested for the development of such halfway houses. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie verhandeling ondersoek die sielkundige en sosiale redes vir residivisme onder vroue oortreders van die wet en ondersoek die impak wat halfweghuise kan hê op die vermindering van residivisme in Suid-Afrika. Ten spyte van die probleem van hoë misdaad en residivisme in Suid-Afrika is daar nie baie geskryf oor projekte in die land wat probeer om die situasie aan te spreek nie. Hierdie verhandeeling is geskryf om 'n outentieke stem te wees van ‘n persoon wat ‘n unieke geleentheid het om die Suid-Afrikaanse gevangenis stelsel van binne af te sien oor 'n tydperk van 15 jaar, en wat poog om die probleem wat ex-oortreders vind met herintegrasie uit die tronk deur middel van ondersteuning buite die tronk vir die afgelope 10 jaar. Die verhandeling is outo-etnografies in ontwerp en metode. Hierdie tesis neem die redes in ag van kriminele dade onder vroue en poog om die unieke kompleksiteit rondom vroue en misdaad te ondersoek. Die navorsing staaf 'n hoë voorkoms van seksuele en fisiese mishandeling as 'n gemeenskaplike voorloper probleem in vroulike oortreders. Geestesgesondheid is waar geneem onder vroue in die tronk. Die idee van halfweghuise in die Suid-Afrikaanse gemeenskap is op die been gebring. Die artikel stel verder strategie vir die ontwikkeling van die halfweghuise in Suid-Afrika voor.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Focusing on the social-psychological level, where the focus is on negative relationships with others, Agnew’s General Strain Theory (GST) is internationally one of the most widely employed criminological theories explaining the onset and manifestation of youth offending. GST contends that youth are pressured into criminal behaviour by the negative affective states generated by negative relationships, which are characteristically defined as either aversive or not from the perspective of the youth; where especially anger motivates the youth to engage in maladaptive behaviour, resulting in maladaptive coping. Applying data from 81 incarcerated youth from three correctional centres located in the Western Cape province of South Africa, the study focussed on the criminogenic effects of four variables to explain youth offending under the auspices of GST: self-control (using the Self-Control Schedule [SCS]), coping (using the Coping Strategy Indicator [CSI]), perceived social support (using the Social Support Appraisal scale [SSA]) and anger (using the State-Trait Anger Scale [STAS]). Results displayed significant positive correlations between self-control and the use of problem-solving coping, followed by significant positive correlations between self-control and perceived social support from family members, significant positive correlations between anger and the use of avoidant coping, as well as significant positive correlations between self-control and the use of avoidant coping. The results furthermore displayed significant negative correlations between anger and self-control, followed by significant negative correlations between anger and perceived social support from family members and friends respectively. In addition, the problem-solving coping strategy emerged as a significant positive predictor of self-control, whereas the avoidant coping strategy emerged as a significant positive predictor of anger. Anger, however, emerged as a significant negative predictor of self-control, where the social support-seeking coping strategy emerged as a significant negative predictor of perceived social support from family members. Support for the possible application of Agnew’s GST to the context of South Africa was found and inferences made for the implications for intervention, where it was suggested that psychologists and social workers working with the rehabilitation of youth offenders consider the application of multisystem therapy (MST) with youth offenders, as MST aims to influence maladaptive behaviour by changing key aspects of the youth’s social context in ways that promote pro-social behaviour rather than maladaptive behaviour. The study concluded with a recommendation for further longitudinal research to gain a better understanding of the strain-crime relationship that influence youth to engage in maladaptive behaviour, as is mentioned in GST literature. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Met fokus op die sosiaal-sielkundige vlak, veral op negatiewe verhoudings met ander, word Agnew se Algemene Spanningsteorie (AST) internasionaal as een van die mees gebruikte kriminologiese teorieë beskou, wat die ontstaan en die verskyning van jeugmisdaad verduidelik. AST beweer dat jeug druk ervaar om deel te neem aan kriminele gedrag as gevolg van die negatiewe affektiewe toestande wat deur negatiewe verhoudings bepaal word, wat kenmerkend gedefinieer word as óf negatief of nie uit die perspektief van die jeug; waar veral woede die jeug motiveer om betrokke te raak by wanaangepaste gedrag, wat lei tot wanaangepaste omgaan. Deur die toepassing van data van 81 jeuggevangenes van drie korrektiewe sentrums geleë in die Wes-Kaap provinsie van Suid-Afrika, het die studie gefokus op die kriminogeniese gevolge van vier veranderlikes wat jeugmisdaad onder leiding van AST verduidelik: selfbeheer (met behulp van die Selfbeheer Skedule [SCS]), omgaan (met behulp van die Omgaanstrategieskaal [CSI]), waargenome sosiale ondersteuning (met behulp van die Sosiale Ondersteuning Erkenningskaal [SSA]) en woede (met behulp van die State-Trait Woedeskaal [STAS]). Resultate vertoon beduidende positiewe korrelasie tussen selfbeheer en die gebruik van probleemoplossingsomgaan, gevolg deur 'n beduidende positiewe korrelasie tussen selfbeheer en vermeende sosiale ondersteuning van familielede, 'n beduidende positiewe korrelasie tussen woede en die gebruik van vermydingsomgaan, sowel as 'n beduidende positiewe korrelasie tussen selfbeheer en die gebruik van vermydingsomgaan. Die resultate vertoon verder 'n beduidende negatiewe korrelasie tussen woede en selfbeheer, gevolg deur 'n beduidende negatiewe korrelasie tussen woede en vermeende sosiale ondersteuning van familielede en vriende onderskeidelik, sowel as tussen waargenome sosiale ondersteuning van familielede en die gebruik van sosiale ondersteuningsoekende omgaan. Verder, met die regressie-ontleding het probleemoplossingsomgaan na vore gekom as 'n beduidende positiewe voorspeller van selfbeheer, terwyl vermydingsomgaan na vore gekom as 'n beduidende positiewe voorspeller van woede. Woede het egter na vore gekom as 'n beduidende negatiewe voorspeller van selfbeheer, waar die sosiale ondersteuningsomgaan na vore gekom het as 'n beduidende negatiewe voorspeller van waargenome sosiale ondersteuning van familielede. Ondersteuning vir die moontlike toepassing van Agnew se AST in die konteks van Suid-Afrika was gevind en afleidings gemaak vir die implikasies vir ingryping, waar dit voorgestel word dat sielkundiges of sosiale werkers, wat met die rehabilitasie van jeugmisdadigers werk, gebruik maak van multi-sisteem terapie (MST), aangesien MST die doel het om wanaangepaste gedrag te beïnvloed deur die verandering van die belangrikste aspekte van die jeug se sosiale konteks op maniere wat pro-sosiale gedrag, eerder as wanaangepaste gedrag, bevorder. Die studie het afgesluit met die voorstel dat verdere longitudinale navorsing aanbeveel word om 'n beter begrip van die spanning-misdaad verhouding te kry wat 'n invloed speel op jeug betrokkenheid by wanaangepaste gedrag, soos genoem in AST literatuur.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Considering the growing poverty and unemployment in South Africa, there is clearly an urgent need for development, particularly among the historically disadvantaged communities where the level of inequality is the highest. Sport has been viewed by a number of scholars as a possible vehicle for developing communities. In this regard, involvement in sport and exercise has been linked to psychological wellbeing, capacity building and skills development among adolescents, which leads to the empowerment of individuals. This study investigates the functioning of a Sport Development Academy, which uses canoeing as a mechanism to improve the quality of lives of people living in a rural community in The Valley of a Thousand Hills in Kwa-Zulu Natal. This qualitative investigation targeted a group of seven young men, between the ages of nineteen and twenty-nine years old, who were interviewed in order to examine their lived experiences as a result of participating in the Academy and the extent to which the Academy impacted positively on their lives. The Positive Youth Development Paradigm, Bronfenbrenner’s Eco-Systems Theory and the Athlete-Coach relationship view, was used as a lens through which the research findings were examined. The Athletes in the Academy learnt a number of values and skills such as hard work, determination and respect. They became involved in pro-social behaviors as opposed to anti-social behaviors due to their participation in the sport development programme. This participation resulted in the gaining of social capital which can lead to upward social mobility. The capacity of these athletes has also been improved. These above factors improve the psychological wellbeing of the individuals and equip them with essential values and skills that make them more employable. The research findings suggest that the involvement of the seven young men in the Academy produced a number of positive impacts. Therefore, the results of the research indicate that sport can be used, to a certain extent, as a vehicle through which development can occur. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Groeiende armoede en werkloosheid in Suid-Afrika dui dat daar duidelik 'n dringende behoefte vir ontwikkeling, veral onder die voorheen-benadeelde gemeenskappe is waar die vlak van ongelykheid die hoogste is. Sommige navorsers sien sport as 'n moontlike voertuig vir die ontwikkeling van hierdie gemeenskappe. In hierdie verband word betrokkenheid in sport en oefening gekoppel aan sielkundige welstand, kapasiteitsbou en die ontwikkeling van vaardighede onder tieners wat lei tot die bemagtiging van individue. Hierdie studie ondersoek die funksionering van 'n sportakademie wat gebruik maak van die sport kanovaart as 'n meganisme om die gehalte van die lewens van mense te verbeter wat woon in die landelike gemeenskap van die Vallei van 'n Duisend Heuwels in Kwa -Zulu Natal. Hierdie kwalitatiewe ondersoek van 'n groep van sewe jong mans, tussen die ouderdomme van negentien en nege-en-twintig jaar oud, het bestaan uit onderhoude wat gevoer is om hul ondervindinge te ondersoek as 'n gevolg van hul deelname aan die Akademie en die mate waarin dit ‘n positiewe impak op hul lewens gehad het. Die Positiewe Jeugontwikkeling Paradigma, Bronfenbrenner se Ekosisteemtoerie en die atleet - afrigter verhouding is gebruik as 'n lens waardeur die bevindinge ondersoek is. Die atlete in die Akademie het 'n aantal waardes en vaardighede aangeleer soos harde werk, deursettingsvermoë en respek. Hulle het betrokke geraak in pro-sosiale gedrag in teenstelling met anti-sosiale gedrag as gevolg van hul deelname in die ontwikkelingsprogram. Dit het gelei tot die toename van hul sosiale kapitaal wat gelei het tot groter sosiale mobiliteit. Die kapasiteit van hierdie atlete is ook verbeter. Die bogenoemde faktore het gelei tot die verbetering van hul sielkundige welstand en om hulle toe te rus met noodsaaklike waardes en vaardighede om hulle meer geskik te maak vir toekomstige loopbane. Die navorsing dui verder daarop dat die betrokkenheid van die sewe jong mans in die Akademie 'n aantal positiewe invloede tot gevolg het. Die resultate van die navorsing dui dus daarop dat sport tot ‘n sekere mate gebruik kan word as 'n middel waardeur ontwikkeling kan plaasvind.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Burnout levels have been found to be high among nurses in both public and private hospitals in South Africa. Burnout is defined within the human services as a syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and reduced personal accomplishment that can occur among individuals who work with people in some capacity. High levels of burnout have been linked to nurses’ intention to leave the profession, which places additional strain on an already struggling public health system characterised by a shortage of nurses in South Africa. The primary aim of the present cross-sectional correlational study was to determine the proportion of the variance in burnout among nurses accounted for by the linear combination of certain demographic characteristics and occupational stress factors. Secondary aims were to determine the relationship between such factors and burnout levels and to determine the average level of burnout and occupational stress factors reported. A convenience sample of 110 nurses was recruited from a public hospital located in the Western Cape. An analytical survey design for the collection of quantitative data was used. The results of hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that workload, interpersonal conflict at work, job status, organisational constraints, and HIV/AIDS stigma by association significantly predicted burnout levels. The linear combination of these variables accounted for 38% of the variance in emotional exhaustion, 32% of the variance in depersonalisation, and 12% of the variance in personal accomplishment. Death and dying-related stress and age did not predict burnout levels. Age was also the only predictor variable not significantly associated with burnout levels. Although burnout levels were not found to be high on average, 34% of the sample reported high levels of emotional exhaustion. A high average level of workload was also reported. It is recommended that future research should focus on the development and evaluation of interventions to ameliorate burnout among South African nurses. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hoë vlakke van uitbranding is bevind onder verpleegkundiges in beide openbare en private hospitale in Suid-Afrika. Uitbranding word binne die menslike dienste gedefinieer as 'n sindroom van emosionele uitputting, depersonalisasie en verminderde persoonlike vervulling wat kan voorkom onder individue wat werk met mense in een of ander hoedanigheid. Hoë vlakke van uitbranding is gekoppel aan verpleegkundiges se voorneme om die professie te verlaat, wat bykomende druk plaas op 'n reeds sukkelende openbare gesondheidstelsel gekenmerk deur 'n tekort aan verpleegkundiges in Suid-Afrika. Die primêre doel van die huidige deursnee- korrelasionele studie was om te bepaal hoeveel van die variansie in uitbranding onder verpleegkundiges voorspel word deur die lineêre kombinasie van sekere demografiese eienskappe en beroepstresfaktore. Sekondêre doelwitte was om die verhouding tussen sodanige faktore en uitbrandingsvlakke te bepaal en om die gemiddelde vlak van uitbranding en beroepstresfaktore soos gerapporteer te bepaal. ’n Gerieflikheidsteekproef van 110 verpleegkundiges is gewerf uit 'n openbare hospitaal geleë in die Wes-Kaap. 'n Analitiese opname-ontwerp vir die insameling van kwantitatiewe data is gebruik. Die resultate van hiërargiese meervoudige regressie-ontledings het aangedui dat werkslading, interpersoonlike konflik by die werk, werkstatus, organisatoriese beperkinge , en MIV/VIGS stigma deur assosiasie uitbrandingsvlakke beduidend voorspel het. Die lineêre kombinasie van hierdie veranderlikes was verantwoordelik vir 38% van die variansie in emosionele uitputting, 32% van die variansie in depersonalisasie, en 12% van die variansie in persoonlike vervulling. Dood en sterfte-verwante stres en ouderdom het nie uitbrandingsvlakke voorspel nie. Ouderdom was ook die enigste veranderlike wat nie beduidend geassosieer was met uitbrandingsvlakke nie. Alhoewel dit bevind is dat gemiddelde vlakke van uitbranding nie hoog is nie, het 34% van die steekproef hoë vlakke van emosionele uitputting gerapporteer. 'n Hoë gemiddelde vlak van werkslading is ook aangemeld. Dit word aanbeveel dat toekomstige navorsing toegespits behoort te word op die ontwikkeling en evaluering van ingrypings om uitbranding onder Suid-Afrikaanse verpleegkundiges aan te spreek.

Thesis (MA)-- Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Family caregivers play a large role in the lives of traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors. This study explored the experiences of family members who care for TBI survivors in the Western Cape. Emphasis was placed on the challenges and resources that were associated with the caregiving role. A qualitative exploratory research design was implemented, whereby thematic analysis was utilised to examine the semi-structured interviews that were conducted with 12 female family caregivers of TBI survivors. Several challenges emerged, namely trauma, consequences of a TBI, responsibilities, lack of support, unawareness, financial burden, emotional challenges and coping. Several resources were also identified, namely the road to recovery, social support, financial resource and coping. These findings suggest that although caregivers who care for a family member who sustained a TBI face several challenges through the caregiving task, these individuals have a number of resources that help them to cope. Interventions that focus on psycho-education have been identified as an important need amongst the participants of this study. In addition, the need for support groups were highlighted as an important way in which many of the challenges that these caregivers experience could be addressed. Caregivers also expressed a need for more active involvement of health care professionals with regard to the provision of guidance, empathy and information. It seems as if the caregivers view the relationship between themselves and the health care professionals involved in the treatment of their family member who sustained a TBI as very important. It was however evident from the findings of this study that the caregivers are generally not satisfied with the quality of the interaction between the health care professionals and themselves. This study’s findings serve as a basis for future research studies on the experiences of family caregivers of TBI survivors in the Western Cape. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gesinsversorgers speel ’n groot rol in die lewens van oorlewendes van traumatiese breinbeserings (TBB). Hierdie studie het die ervaringe van gesinsversorgers van TBB-oorlewendes in die Wes-Kaap verken. Die fokus is op die uitdagings en hulpbronne wat geassosieer word met die versorgingsrol. ’n Kwalitatiewe ontwerp is geïmplementeer, waarby tematiese analise gebruik is om die semigestruktureerde onderhoude van 12 vroulike gesinsversorgers van TBB-oorlewendes te bestudeer. Verskeie uitdagings het na vore gekom, naamlik trauma, gevolge van TBB, verantwoordelikhede, gebrek aan ondersteuning, onbewustheid, finansiële las, emosionele uitdagings en hantering. Die hulpbronne wat geïdentifiseer is, het die pad na herstel, sosiale ondersteuning, finansiële hulpbron en hantering ingesluit. Intervensies wat fokus op psigo-opvoeding is geïndentifiseer as ’n belangrike behoefte onder die deelnemers aan die studie. Hierbenewens is ook ’n behoefte aan ondersteuningsgroepe uitgelig as ’n belangrike wyse om die vele uitdagings wat hierdie versorgers ervaar aan te pak. Die versorgers het ook ’n behoefte ervaar aan meer aktiewe betrokkenheid van gesondheidskundiges ten opsigte van die voorsiening van leiding, empatie en inligting. Dit blyk dat versorgers die verhouding tussen hulself en die gesondheidskundiges betrokke by hul gesinslid met die TBB as belangrik beskou. Desnietemin blyk dit duidelik uit die bevindinge van hierdie studie dat versorgers oor die algemeen nie tevrede is met die kwaliteit van die interaksie tussen die gesondheidskundiges en hulself nie. Die bevindinge van hierdie studie dien as basis vir toekomstige navorsing oor die ervaringe van gesinsversorgers van TBB-oorlewendes in the Wes-Kaap.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Maternal drinking during pregnancy and its consequences are a growing health concern worldwide. It has also been identified as a significant problem in South African communities with some of the highest prevalence rates of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) reported in South Africa. The primary aim of this study was to explore how women in a South African community in the Northern Cape Province perceive the personal and general risk of drinking during pregnancy. The secondary aims were to ascertain whether there was evidence of unrealistic optimism, to examine whether there were personal characteristics that are associated with high or low risk perception, and to examine women‟s knowledge of FASD. A total of 128 women from De Aar in the Northern Cape, an area with a high prevalence of FASD, and therefore drinking during pregnancy, were recruited to take part in the study. Participants had previously taken part in a FASD prevention programme. Questionnaires were administered assessing the perception of the risk posed to a participant‟s own child should she drink during pregnancy, and the risk posed to others‟ children should they drink during pregnancy. The questionnaire also contained questions on FASD knowledge and demographic variables. Participants were between 18 and 44 years of age and reported high rates of unemployment. Most women had more than one child and 7.8% had a child diagnosed with FASD. No evidence for unrealistic optimism was found. Multiple regression analyses revealed both FASD knowledge, and the perception of how easy it would be for oneself to stop drinking, were significant predictors for both personal and general risk. A model including the perception of general risk, FASD knowledge and the perception of how easily one could stop drinking accounted for the most variance in the perception of personal risk (66.4%). Perception of personal risk on its own was the strongest predictor of the perception of general risk accounting for 56.1% of variance. There was no significant correlation between passage of time and FASD knowledge, but possible gaps in FASD knowledge were identified. The study provides an overview of the perception of the risk of drinking during pregnancy in the target population. It also suggests improvements to the research design and materials for further research. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Moederlike drankgebruik gedurende swangerskap en die gevolge daarvan word wêreldwyd met groeiende kommer beskou. Dit is ook as ʼn wesenlike probleem in Suid-Afrika geïdentifiseer, met van die hoogste voorkomssyfers van Fetale Alkohol Spektrumafwykings (FASA) wat in Suid-Afrika aangeteken is. Die primêre doel van hierdie studie was om, in ʼn Suid-Afrikaanse gemeenskap in die Noord Kaap provinsie, die persepsie van persoonlike en algemene risiko van drink tydens swangerskap onder vrouens, te ondersoek. Die sekondêre doelstellings was om vas te stel of daar bewyse van onrealistiese optimisme is; te bepaal of daar persoonlike eienskappe is wat korreleer met ʼn hoë of lae risiko-persepsie, en om ook die vroue se kennis van Fetale Alkohol Spektrumafwykings (FASA) te ondersoek. 128 vroue van De Aar in die Noord-Kaap is gewerf om aan die studie deel te neem. Die gebied het 'n hoë FASA voorkoms, en dus ook alkoholgebruik tydens swangerskap. Deelnemers het voorheen deelgeneem aan 'n FASA voorkomingsprogram. Vraelyste is voltooi rakende die persepsie van die risiko vir 'n deelnemer se eie kind sou sy tydens swangerskap drink, en die risiko vir ander se kinders, sou hulle tydens swangerskap drink. Die vraelys het ook vrae oor FASA kennis en demografiese veranderlikes ingesluit. Deelnemers was tussen 18 en 44 jaar oud en het hoë vlakke van werkloosheid gerapporteer. Meeste vrouens het meer as een kind gehad en 7.8% het ʼn kind wat met FASA gediagnoseer is gehad. Geen bewyse vir onrealistiese optimisme is gevind nie. Meervoudige regressie-ontleding het bevind dat beide FASA-kennis en die persepsie van hoe maklik dit vir ‟n deelnemer self sou wees om op te hou drink, beduidende voorspellers vir beide persoonlike en algemene risiko is. 'n Model wat die persepsie van algemene risiko, FASA-kennis en die persepsie van hoe maklik 'n deelnemer self kan ophou drink, het die grootste variansie in die persepsie van persoonlike risiko verduidelik (66,4 %). Persepsie van persoonlike risiko op sy eie, was die sterkste voorspeller van die persepsie van algemene risiko, opsigself verantwoordelik vir 56,1% van die variansie. Daar was geen beduidende korrelasie tussen die verloop van tyd en FASA kennis nie, maar moontlike gapings in die kennis van FASA is geïdentifiseer. Die studie bied 'n oorsig van die persepsie van die risiko van drankgebruik tydens swangerskap in die teikenbevolking. Dit stel ook verbeteringe vir die navorsingsmetodiek voor vir toekomstige navorsing.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Pregnant women living in South African peri-urban settlements face many challenges for their health and the health of their infants. Current health care services face many constraints and are not able to meet all the needs of pregnant mothers. Home-visiting programmes implemented by community health workers can alleviate these constraints. The current RCT assessed the effectiveness of the Philani Plus Intervention Program that addressed HIV, alcohol, maternal and child nutrition and mental health. The effectiveness of the intervention was assessed by measuring infant social withdrawal behaviour using the modified Alarm Distress Baby Scale (m- ADBB). A total of 681 cases were randomised into control (N=330) and intervention groups (N=351) and assessed using the m-ADBB. A cut-off score of two and above was used to determined significant social withdrawal behaviour. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and cross-tabulation initially, followed by analysis of variance and multilevel modelling. Results indicated a prevalence of 46.7% of social withdrawal behaviour; however, no significant differences between groups were found. The current prevalence was substantially higher in comparison to the only other published study using the m-ADBB. Furthermore, the prevalence rate was also significantly higher compared to the majority of other studies using the original Alarm distress Baby Scale (ADBB). The high prevalence of social withdrawal behaviour found in this study indicates an increased risk for suboptimal infant development. Further research regarding social withdrawal behaviour and the casual mechanisms associated with the development of such behaviour is needed. Furthermore, validation of the m-ADBB in different settings is needed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Swanger vroue wat in Suid-Afrikaanse buitestedelike nedersettings woon staar baie uitdagings in die gesig met betrekking tot hul gesondheid en die gesondheid van hul babas. Huidige gesondheidsdienste is baie beperk en is nie in staat om in al die behoeftes van swanger moeders te voorsien nie. Huis-besoek programme wat deur gemeenskaplike gesondheidswerkers geïmplementeer word, kan hierdie beperkings verlig. Die huidige RCT het die effektiwiteit van die Philani Plus Intervensie Program wat MIV, alkohol, voeding en geestelike gesondheid aanspreek, geassesseer. Die effektiwiteit van die intervensie is geassesseer deur sosiale onttrekkingsgedrag met behulp van die gewysigde Alarm Nood Baba Skaal (m-ADBB) te meet. ‘n Totaal van 681 gevalle is lukraak in kontrole (N = 330) en intervensie groepe (N = 351) verdeel en geëvalueer volgens die m-ADBB. 'n Afsnypunt van twee en hoër is gebruik om beduidende sosiale onttrekkingsgedrag te bepaal. Data is aanvanklik ontleed met behulp van beskrywende statistiek en kruis-tabulering, gevolg deur analise van variansie en multi-modelle. Resultate toon 'n 46,7%-voorkoms van sosiale onttrekkingsgedrag, maar het egter geen beduidende verskille tussen groepe getoon nie. Die huidige voorkoms was aansienlik hoër in vergelyking met die enigste ander gepubliseerde studie wat gebruik gemaak het van die m- ADBB. Verder was die voorkomssyfer ook aansienlik hoër in vergelyking met die meerderheid van die ander studies wat gebruik gemaak het van die oorspronklike Alarm Nood Baba Skaal (ADBB). Die hoë voorkoms van sosiale onttrekkingsgedrag dui op 'n verhoogde risiko vir suboptimale baba ontwikkeling. Verdere navorsing oor sosiale onttrekkingsgedrag en die meganismes wat verband hou met die ontwikkeling van sulke gedrag, is nodig. Verder word die bekragtiging van die m-ADBB in verskillende instellings benodig.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Families with a transracially adopted child are confronted with normal family crises, crises due to the adoption as well as challenges specific to a transracial family. When this transracial family is a single-parent family, it could be assumed that the challenges the family faces will be even more. Consequently, the need developed to investigate characteristics and family patterns which contribute to family adaptation in crises in the single-parent family where a child from a different race than the parent has been adopted. The research question in this study was: “What are resilience factors in single-parent transracial families?” The strength perspective formed the basis of this study and the theories of Walsh (2003) and McCubbin and McCubbin (1996) provided the theoretical grounding. An explorative research design was used to address the research question. Data were collected by means of semistructured interviews and conventional content analysis was performed to analyse the data by using the Atlas.ti. computer program. Interviews were conducted with six white women who adopted a child or children from a different race than themselves. These women were all single parents living in the Western Cape, South Africa. At the time of the study, the ages of these transracially adopted children ranged from three to 10 years. A biographical questionnaire and an in-depth interview with each participant were used to collect the data. The results indicated that an important resilience factor in the transracially adopted family is equipping the adopted child with specific skills to cope with crises that may result due to his/her unique situation. Effective preparation of the adoptive mother before adoption, social contact and the support of the extended family were also found to be important resilience factors. Family routines, openness about the adoption and the utilisation of external resources were identified as important sources of resilience for the single-parent transracial family. The results of this study provide important information to the potential transracially adopting parent to prepare him/herself for transracial adoption. The results of this study also provide important information to everyone involved in transracial adoption (for example the social worker) in South-Africa. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gesinne met ʼn aangenome kind van ʼn ander ras as die ouer(s) word gekonfronteer met alle normale gesinskrisisse, krisisse wat ontstaan weens die aanneming, sowel as uitdagings wat spesifiek aan ʼn transrasgesin gestel word. Indien die transrasgesin ʼn enkelouergesin is, kan daar verwag word dat verdere uitdagings aan hierdie gesin gestel sal word. Gevolglik het die vraag ontstaan watter gesinskenmerke en -patrone ʼn bydrae lewer tot gesinsaanpassing in krisissituasies in enkelouergesinne waar ʼn kind van ʼn ander ras as die ouer aangeneem is. Gevolglik was die navorsingsvraag in hierdie ondersoek: “Wat is veerkragtigheidskenmerke van enkelouer-transrasgesinne?” Die sterkteperspektief het as uitgangspunt vir hierdie studie gedien en die teorieë van Walsh (2003) en McCubbin en McCubbin (1996) is as teoretiese grondslag benut. ʼn Eksploratiewe navorsingsontwerp is gebruik om die navorsingsvraag te ondersoek. Data is deur middel van semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude ingesamel en konvensionele inhoudsontleding is gedoen om ingesamelde data met behulp van die Atlas.tirekenaarprogram te ontleed. Onderhoude is met ses wit vroue wat ʼn kind of kinders van ʼn ander ras as hulself aangeneem het, gevoer. Hierdie vroue is almal enkelouers en woonagtig in die Wes-Kaap, Suid-Afrika. Tydens die ondersoek het die ouderdomme van die transrasaangenome kinders gewissel tussen drie en 10 jaar. ʼn Biografiese vraelys en ʼn diepgaande onderhoud met elke deelnemer is gebruik om data in te samel. Daar is bevind dat ʼn belangrike veerkragtigheidsfaktor in die transrasaangenome gesin is om die transrasaangenome kind toe te rus met vaardighede om potensiële krisisse rakende sy/haar transrasaangenome status effektief te hanteer. Die effektiewe voorbereiding van die moeder voor aanneming, sosiale kontak en die ondersteuning van die uitgebreide familie is ook as belangrike veerkragtigheidsfaktore in die transrasgesin geïdentifiseer. Spesifieke gesinspatrone, openlikheid oor die aanneming en die benutting van eksterne hulpbronne help ook die transrasgesin om krisissituasies effektief te hanteer. Hierdie inligting is ʼn belangrike hulpbron vir potensiële aanneemouers ten einde hulle effektief voor te berei vir die aanneming van ʼn kind van ʼn ander ras as hulself. Die resultate van hierdie studie verskaf ook belangrike inligting aan die ondersteuningspartye (byvoorbeeld die maatskaplike werker) wat betrokke is by transrasaanneming in Suid-Afrika.