Thesis (MEdPsych)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Trans-national migration to English-speaking countries has become increasingly popular among Asian families. Their aim is for their children to obtain overseas educational credentials and to gain the English language as cultural capital in the global market. Over the past few years, South Africa has been perceived as a place where immigrants, as well as migrants can make a new life for themselves and their families. The study aimed to explore the support given by parents/guardians of Korean migrant learners with regard to the learners' primary schooling experiences. In seeking to understand the phenomenon of parent/guardian support of Korean migrant learners' primary schooling experiences, I use the ecosystemic approach, which is constructed by both the general systems and the ecological theories. I discuss the ecosystemic framework by dividing it into its micro-, meso- and macro-systems. In the research, within the micro- and meso-systems the parent/guardian was considered to be part of a larger system of family, school, education system and community. These systems interact with each other. Acculturation theory, which focuses on psychological adjustment of the migrant learners, influenced the inquiry. Furthermore, Korean migrant families struggle within various ecological social systems outside the family system. These include the educational, physical, mental health, economic and political systems, which can influence the reasons for migration. The matter of cultural differences and the way in which they influence Korean migrant learners' schooling experiences were also explored. The macro-systems analysis includes Bourdieu's theory on cultural capital and the social closure theory. The specific design selected for this study is a case study that is qualitative and explorative in nature. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with individual parents/guardians and a focus group to gather information regarding the support given to Korean migrants in their primary schooling experiences. The data was analysed within the micro-, meso- and macro-systems and themes emerged during the interviews. The findings revealed that the macro-systems focused on the reasons for migration, which were gaining English skills and experiencing the process of globalisation. The study also focused on the micro-systems and thus dealt with the diverse experiences of the participants, which included the family dynamics, the support given to Korean migrant learners and parents'/ guardians' perceptions of schooling experiences. The trans-national migrant families in South Africa vary between 'wild goose families', nuclear families and guardianships. The support given to Korean migrant learners ranges from emotional support (e.g. hugs, kisses and motivation), financial support (e.g. money for various things) and physical support (e.g. transport) to spiritual support (e.g. praying and going to church). It was concluded from the study that cultural capital and global positional competition play an important role in Korean migrant learners' primary schooling experiences. Although these parents/guardians bring the learners to South Africa to move away from the very formal education system of Korea, it seems as if they are still reinscribing familiar patterns of living in South Africa. It is questioned whether it is not better for Korean learners to be educated in Korea. They appear to improve their English language in South Africa, but may be compromised in other areas, such as emotional well-being, which could cause poor psychological adjustment. Therefore it is recommended that more knowledge be gained in order know how to support these learners effectively. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Transnasionale migrasie na Engelssprekende lande het aansienlik uitgebrei onder Asiatiese families. Die rede hiervoor is om oorsese opvoedkundige getuigskrifte vir hulle kinders, en taalvaardigheid in Engels as kulturele kapitaal in die globale mark te verwerf. Oor die afgelope paar jaar was Suid-Afrika ʼn gewilde bestemming waar beide immigrante en migrante saam met hulle families ʼn nuwe toekoms vir hulself kan skep. Daar is met die studie gepoog om ondersoek in te stel na die ondersteuning wat die ouers/voogde van Koreaanse migrante leerders aan die kinders bied met betrekking tot hul skoolervaringe. Die ekosistemiese benadering brei uit op die algemene sisteme en die ekologiese teorieë om die verskynsel van ouer/voog-ondersteuning van Koreaanse migrante leerders tydens die leerders se ervaring in die primêre skool te verstaan. Ek het die ekosistemiese benadering as raamwerk vir my bespreking gebruik deur dit te verdeel in mikro-, meso- en makro-sisteme. Binne die mikro- en meso-sisteme word ouers/voogde bespreek as deel van die wyer sisteem van familie, skool, onderwysstelsel en gemeenskap. Hierdie sisteme is interverweef en in konstante wisselwerking met mekaar. Akkulturasieteorie, wat op die sielkundige aanpassing van die migrant leerders fokus, het hierdie ondersoek gerig. Die Koreaanse migrant families ervaar ook hindernisse binne verskeie ekologiese sosiale sisteme buite die familie-sisteem. Hierdie hindernisse word ervaar binne die opvoedkundige, fisiese en geestesgesondheid-, ekonomiese en politieke sisteme, wat die redes vir migrasie kan beïnvloed, asook die kulturele verskille en hoe dit die Koreaanse migrant leerders se skoolervaringe beïnvloed. Die makro-sisteme fokus op Bourdieu se teorie aangaande kulturele kapitaal en die sosiale sluitingsteorie. Die navorsingsontwerp van hierdie studie is ʼn gevallestudie en is kwalitatief en ondersoekend van aard. Semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude is met die deelnemers en ʼn fokusgroep gevoer om inligting rakende die ondersteuning van Koreaanse migrante leerders in die laerskool te verkry. Die data is ontleed binne die mikro-, meso- en makro-sisteme, asook die temas wat uit die onderhoude met die deelnemers ontstaan het. Die bevindinge het die deelnemers se diverse ondervindings binne die mikro-sisteem aan die lig gebring. Dit sluit in: familie dinamika, deelnemers se ervaring van ondersteuning aan Koreaanse migrante leerders, asook ouers/voogde se persepsies van die Koreaanse migrante-leerders se skoolervarings. Die studie was verder op die makro-sisteme gerig, waar die fokus op die redes vir migrasie was. Laasgenoemde verwys na die verwerwing van Engelse vaardighede en die belewing van globalisasie. Die slotsom van die studie is dat kulturele kapitaal en globale posisionele kompetisie ʼn belangrike rol speel in die Koreaanse migrante leerders se laerskool-ervaring. Alhoewel die ouers/voogde die leerders Suid-Afrika toe bring sodat hulle kan wegbeweeg van die baie formele opvoedingsisteem in Korea, blyk dit egter dat hul presies dieselfde patrone van onderrig en leer in Suid-Afrika beleef. Die vraag is dus: Sal dit nie beter wees vir sulke leerders om in Korea onderrig te ontvang nie? Onderrig in Suid-Afrika bied wel die geleentheid om beter vaardighede in Engels aan te leer, maar die vraag ontstaan: Wat is die prys wat hulle daarvoor moet betaal? In die lig hiervan is my aanbeveling dat meer kennis aangaande hierdie leerders se ervaring verwerf behoort te word ten einde meer effektiewe ondersteuning aan hulle te fasiliteer.

122 Leaves printed on single pages, preliminary pages and numbered pages 1-113. Includes bibliography, list of abbreviations, list of definitions, list of tables and figures and list of appendices. Pdf format (OCR). / Thesis (MEd (Educational Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Research into bullying has brought with it an awareness of many aspects of this phenomenon. Firstly, it has shown a distinction between various types of bullying and also how these are further delineated by means of gender. Secondly, by mere omission, it has shown the lack of research on bullying amongst girls. Bullying amongst girls is rife, however the research in this area is limited. The aims of this research are to further explore the complex nature of bullying amongst girls and to gain understanding of its impact; to use the perspectives of the participants to drive intervention and preventative strategies; to dispel the myths which support the practice of bullying; and to raise awareness of an invisible problem, thereby rendering it visible. This interpretive study explores bullying amongst girls by using the perspectives of Grade 5 girls in a parochial school in the Western Cape. The process of inquiry is embedded in the ecosystemic approach and constructivism, which emphasises the importance of context and the belief that knowledge is not passively received, but actively constructed on the basis of the experiences of an individual. Data was collected through the use of semi-structured recorded interviews with focus groups, which were then transcribed verbatim and categorised into themes. The themes which emerged include the varied and complex nature of bullying techniques and the effects of bullying. The main finding was that some girls have innate characteristics which help maintain bullying while others have characteristics which protect them from bullying. The environment also plays a large part in either maintaining bullying or protecting girls from bullying. The implication was that intervention and preventative strategies need to be based on these personal and contextual factors in order to effect change. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Navorsing oor afknouery (bullying) het 'n nuwe bewustheid van vele aspekte van hierdie fenomeen na vore gebring. Eerstens het dit 'n onderskeid tussen verskillende soorte geniepsigheid getoon en ook hoe geniepsigheid verder deur middel van geslag bepaal word. Tweedens het dit ook die gebrek aan navorsing oor geniepsigheid tussen meisies onder die aandag gebring, bloot deurdat dit feitlik nie genoem word nie. Geniepsige gedrag tussen meisies is algemeen, maar navorsing binne hierdie veld is beperk. Die doelstellings van hierdie navorsing is om die komplekse aard van geniepsigheid tussen meisies verder te verken en om 'n begrip van die impak daarvan te verwerf; om die perspektiewe van die deelnemers te gebruik om tussentrede en voorkomingstrategieë te bewerkstellig; om mites wat die praktyk van afknouery ondersteun, te verdryf; en om bewustheid van 'n onsigbare probleem te bemiddel en dit daardeur sigbaar te maak. Hierdie interpretatiewe studie verken geniepsigheid tussen meisies met behulp van die perspektiewe van Graad 5-meisies in 'n kerkskool in die Weskaap. Die ondersoekproses wat gevolg is, is op die ekosistemiese benadering en konstruktiwisme gegrond, wat die belangrikheid van konteks en die oortuiging beklemtoon dat kennnis nie op passiewe wyse bekom word nie, maar aktief op die grondslag van die ervarings van indiwidue gekonstrueer word. Data is met gebruik van semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude met fokusgroepe wat op band opgeneem is, ingesamel, waarna dit woordeliks vanaf opnames getranskribeer en volgens temas gekategoriseer is. Die temas wat na vore gekom het, omvat die wisselende en komplekse aard van afknoutegnieke en die uitwerking van geniepsigheid. Daar is gevind dat sommige meisies ingebore trekke het wat help om geniepsige gedrag te onderhou terwyl ander meisies trekke het wat hulle teen geniepsigheid beskerm. Die omgewing speel ook 'n aansienlike rol in die ondersteuning van geniepsige gedrag of die beskerming van meisies daarteen. Die impliseer dat tussentrede en voorkomende strategieë op hierdie persoonlike en kontekstuele faktore gebaseer moet word om verandering te bewerkstellig.

Bibliography / Thesis (M.A.) -- Stellenbosch University, 1988.

Thesis (MEdPsych)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / Includes bibiliography / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: At birth every human being is at the starting point of many different journeys: journeys of discovery and change, and journeys of mental and physical growth. Most children follow a similar path of physical and mental growth to adulthood, achieving predetermined milestones at approximately the same age. But what happens to a child who cannot follow this path, a child born without a map? How do the diagnosis and subsequent educational journey of the child affect the parents of that child, parents who find themselves disabled by their experiences of parenthood and life? This study is an autoethnography. It was undertaken to reflect on the physical and emotional journey two parents experienced in finding an educational niche for their son who was diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Delay – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), an Autism Spectrum Disorder. In an attempt to engage and involve the non-academic audience, while at the same time addressing the analytical needs of the researcher audience, evocative autoethnographic co-constructed narratives were combined with analytic autoethnography. Not only did I aim to fill in some of the gaps in researcher knowledge about South African parents’ experiences in finding educational support for their children with pervasive developmental delays, but I also wanted to provide knowledge, hope and encouragement to other parents, especially those parents who are at the start of a journey leading to a brighter future for their child with special needs. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: By geboorte bevind elke mens hom by die beginpunt van verskeie reise: reise van ontdekking en verandering, en reise van geestelike en fisieke groei. Die meeste kinders volg ‘n gelyksoortige roete van geestelike en fisieke groei na volwassenheid, deur voorafbepaalde doelwitte op naastenby ooreenstemmende ouderdomme te bereik. Maar wat gebeur met ‘n kind wat nie hierdie pad kan volg nie, ‘n kind wat sonder ‘n roetekaart gebore word? Hoe beïnvloed die diagnose en gevolglike opvoedkundige reis van daardie kind sy of haar ouers, ouers wat hulself gestremd bevind in hul ervaring van ouerskap en die lewe? Hierdie studie is ‘n outo-etnografie. Dit reflekteer op die fisieke en emosionele reis deur twee ouers onderneem, in hul soeke na ‘n geskikte onderwysnis vir hul seun wat met PDD-NOS1, ‘n Outisme Spektrumversteuring, gediagnoseer is. In ‘n poging om die nie-akademiese gehoor te betrek, maar terselfdertyd die analitiese behoeftes van die navorsergehoor aan te spreek, is die tegnieke van stemmingsvolle outo-etnografiese mede-saamgestelde narratiewe en analitiese outo-etnografie gekombineer. Ek het nie slegs ten doel gehad om sommige gapings in navorsing rondom die ervarings van Suid-Afrikaanse ouers van kinders met Outisme Spektrumversteurings te vul nie, maar ook om kennis, hoop en aanmoediging te gee aan ander ouers, veral daardie ouers wat aan die begin staan van ‘n reis na ‘n beter toekoms vir hul kind met spesiale behoeftes.

Thesis (MEd)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / Bibliography / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: As a grade R teacher in South Africa, the researcher was disturbed by the extent of aggressive behaviour amongst children (aged 4 years to 6 years). Other teachers involved with the same class were of the opinion that the aggressive behaviour had a detrimental effect on their instructional time and motivation. Schools, teachers and other support personnel of staff have developed many cognitive and social support programmes to encourage positive behaviour, including reducing aggressiveness. Some programmes are in individual format and others in group format. However, the problem with these types of support programmes is that they are hard to come by due to cost and lack of knowledge among personnel. A child's full development is influenced negatively when in a negative atmosphere or situation (which includes abuse, aggression or discouragement). During 2011, the researcher took her dog to visit her class informally. It started when the class was having a discussion on pets and the researcher wanted to show the class how to groom and take care of a pet dog. The school’s staff and the researcher noticed a calmer and friendlier atmosphere amongst the children after the visits. This positive experience led to reading related literature and the researcher found substantial recent literature that increased her interest in the subject. The literature review suggested that the positive effects of animals in classrooms and on children should be explored and shared with teachers and schools, hence this study. The question arose whether this method could possibly provide the type of support South African children need to become caring, empathic and understanding of the world around them and each other. This research study was undertaken to explore the influence of the visits of a dog on the learners’ aggressive behaviour and teachers' opinions, which were of great value. This qualitative study took place within an interpretive paradigm. A case study design was used, as the focus was on an in-depth explanation of how a dog influenced the aggressive behaviour in the grade R class as a single bounded system. The study took place over a period of eight successive weeks. The data collection methods employed were questionnaires to gather biographical data, individual semi-structured interviews and observation during free play. Data were analysed by means of content analysis. Research findings indicated a positive influence on the learners' aggressive behaviour after eight weeks of the P.A.T. (Pet Assisted Therapy) dog visits. Positive behaviour in general was also witnessed and, most importantly, the participating teachers were of the opinion that the class was easier to manage and more time could be spent on instruction. The participating teachers provided different perspectives as they were involved in the class in different ways. However, the conclusion was that the positive influence of PAA on the learners' aggressive behaviour was mainly due to how some individual learners were influenced, which changed the interaction among all the learners. It is recommended that further studies be done on the time available to teachers to address aggressive behaviour to achieve a long-term result compared to just solving the problem at the occurrence of aggressive behaviour, and how PAA influences the learners in their other microsystems as well. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die navorser, 'n graad R opvoeder, vind die intensiteit en die hoeveelheid van aggressiewe gedrag onder graad R leerders kommerwekkend. Ander onderwysers betrokke by dieselfde klas se opinie was dat die aggressiewe gedrag onder die leerders 'n uiters negatiewe impak op die opvoeding van die leerders het. Verskeie kognitiewe en sosiale ondersteunings- programme vir die aanmoediging van positiewe gedrag in die klaskamer is reeds deur opvoeders, skole en ondersteunende personeel ontwikkel. Die navorser is egter van mening dat die finansiële omstandighede van verskeie skole en die kennis van die onderwysers wat moontlik die strategieë moet implementeer, die gebruik van sulke programme beperk . Leerders wat in negatiewe opvoedingsomstandighede (wat misbruik, aggressiwiteit of ontmoediging insluit) geplaas is, word negatief beïnvloed. Die navorser het gedurende 2011 haar eie hond skool toe geneem om by die weeklikse tema oor 'diere' aan te sluit. Die doel was om aspekte van hoe 'n mens na jou hond omsien met die leerders te bespreek. Die skoolpersoneel en die navorser (as opvoeder) het opgelet dat 'n kalmer atmosfeer onder die leerders geheers het nadat die navorser se troeteldier die klas besoek het. Dit het daartoe gelei dat die navorser leeswerk oor die onderwerp onderneem het. Vele onlangse bevindinge wat die onderwerp nog meer interessant gemaak het, is opgespoor. Een van die klasse in die betrokke skool het aggressiewe gedrag onder die leerders ervaar wat die onderwyser se motivering om te onderrig negatief beïnvloed het. Dit het gelei tot die gevallestudie wat die gebruik van 'n hond in die klaskamer as 'n moontlike metode om Suid-Afrikaanse kinders te motiveer om ‘n gevoel van omgee, empatie en begrip van die wêreld om hulle en ander te ontwikkel. Die navorsing het die moontlike invloed van gestruktureerde besoeke deur 'n hond op die gevallestudieklas ondersoek. Omdat die aggressiewe gedrag ook deur die onderwysers ondervind word en dit hul opvoedingstaak affekteer, was hulle opinies van groot belang. Die kwalitatiewe studie is onder die interpretatiewe paradigma onderneem. 'n Gevallestudieformaat is gebruik en was daarop gerig om die invloed van die hond op die leerders se aggressiewe gedrag grondig te verstaan. Die studie het oor 'n tydperk van agt opeenvolgende weke plaasgevind. Kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetodologie is gebruik. Dit het ’n doelbewuste streekproef van deelnemers, vraelyste vir biografiese data, individuele semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude, observasies om die informasie wat uit die onderhoude verkry is, te ondersteun en inhoudsanalise vir die ontleding van die data (veldwerknotas) omvat. Die navorsingsbevindinge het ‘n afname in aggressiewe gedrag onder die leerders na die agt weke van die intervensie (hond se besoeke) getoon. Algemene positiewe gedrag is waargeneem en die belangrikste bevinding was dat die deelnemende onderwysers van mening was dat die klas meer hanteerbaar was en meer tyd tot hul beskikking vir die opvoeding van leerders toegelaat het. Die onderwysers kon verskeie perspektiewe uitlig aangesien elk op 'n ander manier by die klas betrokke was. Daar was 'n duidelike kommentaar dat PAA 'n invloed op individuele leerders uitgeoefen het en dit het die interaksie onder die leerders in die klas beïnvloed. Die navorser stel voor dat verdere studies onderneem word om te bepaal hoeveel tyd onderwysers benodig om 'n langdurige positiewe effek op leerders se aggressiewe gedrag te bewerkstellig, eerder as om telkens wanneer ‘n probleem opduik ‘n oplossing te vind wat moontlik nie op die lang duur effektief sal wees nie. Verder kan ondersoek ingestel word na hoe PAA die leerders se gedrag buite die klas beïnvloed.

Thesis (MEdPsych)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / Includes bibliography / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There has been a paradigm shift occurring in the field of educational psychology over the last few decades from a predominantly medical approach towards a more inclusive and systemic approach. This development has called for a change in the way educational psychologists conceptualise problems, as well as an expansion in their practices in order to provide effective support services. However, the question arose which theoretical approach educational psychologists currently espouse and implement. This study therefore endeavoured to explore the theoretical approaches underpinning educational psychologists’ practice, with a focus on those professionals working within District Based Support Teams (DBSTs) in the Western Cape.Within this broad aim, the research aimed to identify which theoretical approach(es) the educational psychologists personally espouse and which theoretical approach(es) is/are espoused within the DBSTs. A further objective was to determine what the practice of their theory-in-use entailed. This information would ascertain whether the educational psychologists’ espoused theories and theory-in-use correspond. Qualitative research within the interpretive/constructivist paradigm was employed for the research design. The participants included eight educational psychologists practising within District-Based Support Teams (DBSTs) in the Western Cape. Data was collected by means of an extensive literature review, self-administered questionnaires and individual interviews and analysed using qualitative thematic analysis and interpretation. The key findings of this research revealed that the educational psychologists in this study personally espouse a systemic approach to their practice of educational psychology. However, it was revealed that this approach is not necessarily adopted by all members of the DBSTs. Furthermore, the educational psychologists themselves experience many challenges in implementing this theory. Their theory-in-use at the Education District Offices incorporates both medical and systemic approaches. Assessment of learners is largely based on a medical model, whilst the interventions and support they provide appeared to be focused on a more systemic level. It was concluded that the theory that the educational psychologists personally espouse; the theory espoused within DBSTs; and the theory-in-use within the DBSTs, do not entirely correspond. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: ’n Paradigma skuif wat die laaste paar dekades plaasgevind het in die veld van opvoedkundige sielkunde, het meegebring dat die benadering verander het vanaf ‘n hoofsaaklik mediese model na ‘n meer inklusiewe en sisteem gebaseerde model. Hierdie ontwikkeling vra dat opvoedkundige sielkundiges probleme op nuwe maniere konseptualiseer, asook hul praktyk uitbrei om effektiewe ondersteuningsdienste te kan verskaf. Die vraag watter teoretiese benaderings opvoedkundige sielkundiges tans onderskryf en implementeer, het onstaan. Hierdie studie poog dus om te ondersoek watter teoretiese raamwerke opvoedkundige sielkundiges se praktyke onderlê, en fokus op die opvoedkundige sielkundiges wat werk binne die Distriksgebaseerde Ondersteuningsspanne (DBSTs) in die Wes-Kaap. Binne hierdie breë doelwit, word deur die navorsing gepoog om die teoretiese benadering(s) wat opvoedkundige sielkundiges binne die DBSTs persoonlik aanhang sowel as die teoretiese benadering(s) wat binne hierdie DBSTs gepropageer word, te identifiseeer. ‘n Verdere mikpunt was om vas te stel wat die deelnemers se praktyk (teorie-in-gebruik) behels. Hierdie inligting sou dit moontlik maak om vas te stel of die teorie voorgestaan en die teorie-in-gebruik ooreenstem. Kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetodologie vanuit ‘n interpretatiewe/konstruktivistiese paradigma is gebruik in die ontwerp van die navorsing. Die deelnemers was ag opvoedkundige sielkundiges wat binne die DBSTs van die Wes-Kaap praktiseer. Data is versamel deur ‘n uitgebreide literatuur oorsig, self ingevulde oop vraelyste en individuele onderhoude. Die data is geanaliseer deur van kwalitatiewe tematiese analise en interpretasie gebruik te maak. Die kernbevindinge van die studie het gedui op ‘n sistemiese benadering tot hul praktyk, wat deur die opvoedkundige sielkundiges persoonlik onderskryf word. Die bevindige het ook gedui daarop dat nie al die lede van die DBSTs dit aangeneem het nie. Verder ervaar die opvoedkundige sielkundiges self verskeie uitdagings ten opsigte van die implementering van sodanige teoretiese benadering. Die teorie-in-gebruik binne die Onderwys Distrikskantore bevat beide mediese model benaderings sowel as meer sistemiese benaderings. Die assessering van leerders is grootliks gebaseer op ‘n mediese model, terwyl die intervensies en ondersteuning wat gebied word blyk meer sistemiese onderlê te wees. Dit kom dus vooras of die teorie wat opvoedkundige sielkundiges persoonlik aanhang, die teorie wat binne die DBSTs onderskryf word, en die teorie-in-gebruik binne die DBSTs nie noodwendig ooreenkom nie.

Thesis(MEdPsych)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition that, at present, affects approximately one out of every 100 children globally and indications are that the prevalence thereof is steadily on the rise. ASD is a complex neurological condition that impairs social interaction, communication and behaviour. Research on the wide-ranging effects of ASD and its unique characteristics in each child with ASD is widely available. Several studies refer to the fact that ASD has an impact on the family unit, but very few researchers have investigated the support that families from different cultural groups in South Africa are enjoying whilst raising a child with autism. The current situation being what it is means that professionals and families have very little data on the subject and inadequate support is available to address the specific needs of families who are raising a child with autism. The aim of this study was to investigate the support structures of three families from three different cultural groups in South Africa who were raising a child with autism. The central issue that was researched was the support structures available to parents raising a child with autism, and how parents access that support. This is a qualitative study within an interpretive research paradigm. In this case study, the methods of data collection comprised semi-structured interviews, observations and reflective journals. This design embraced qualitative research methods that could expose the uniqueness of each family’s experience and allowed participants the freedom to express this. The three families, who were purposefully selected for this study, were from different cultural backgrounds. One of the children in each family met the criteria published in the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fourth edition, text revision (American Psychiatric Association, 2000) for Autism or Pervasive Developmental Disorder not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). The study found that the parents in the three families received support from their spouses and the neuro-typical siblings. The families also enjoyed physical support, financial support and emotional support from different sources. Parents reported feeling supported when others show acceptance and understanding of their children’s deficits and when such others are prepared to ‘go the extra mile’. The three families also perceived information and guidance as a valuable source of support. Even though they had firm support structures in place, they also reported on the lack of support available to them. All three families enjoyed these forms of support, but it was interesting to find out that the families received the support from different sources. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Outisme of outisme spektrum versteuring (OSV) is 'n toestand wat tans ongeveer een uit elke 100 kinders wêreldwyd affekteer en daar is aanduidings dat die voorkoms daarvan steeds toeneem. OSV is 'n komplekse neurologiese toestand wat swak sosiale interaksie, kommunikasie en gedrag tot gevolg het. Navorsingsresultate oor die breë gevolge van OSV en die unieke eienskappe daarvan in elke kind met OSV is algemeen beskikbaar. Verskeie studies verwys na die feit dat OSV 'n impak het op die gesinseenheid, maar tot dusver het baie min navorsers die ondersteuning ondersoek wat gesinne uit verskillende kulturele groepe in Suid-Afrika tydens die opvoeding van 'n kind met outisme geniet . Die huidige situasie voorsien professionele mense en gesinne van baie min data oor die onderwerp en onvoldoende ondersteuning is beskikbaar om die spesifieke behoeftes van gesinne met 'n kind met outisme aan te spreek. Die doel van hierdie studie was om ondersoek in te stel na die ondersteuning wat gesinne in verskillende kultuurgroepe in Suid-Afrika tydens die opvoeding van ‘n kind met outisme geniet. Die sentrale ondersoekvraag het betrekking gehad op ondersteuningstrukture vir gesinne met ‘n kind met outisme binne hul kultuurgroep, sowel as die wyse waarop die gesinne toegang tot die ondersteuning verkry. Die studie was kwalitatief van aard binne 'n interpretatiewe navorsingsparadigma en ’n gevallestudie is as navorsingsontwerp gekies. Data is deur middel van semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude, waarnemings en reflektiewe joernale ingesamel. Die kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetodes omvat die uniekheid van elke gesin se ervaring en laat deelnemers die vryheid om uitdrukking daaraan te gee. Drie gesinne is doelbewus vir hierdie studie gekies. Die gesinne moes oor die volgende kenmerke beskik: Hulle moes uit verskillende kulturele agtergronde (Afrikaan, Wit en Indiër) kom. Hul kind moes voldoen aan die kriteria in die Diagnostiese en Statistiese Handleiding van geestesversteurings, vierde uitgawe, teks hersiening (2000) vir Outisme of pervasieve ontwikkelingsstoornis nie anders gespesifiseer nie (PDD-NOS). Verskeie etiese beginsels is vir hierdie studie nagekom om te verseker dat die navorsing eties was. Die studie het bevind dat die ouers in die drie gesinne ondersteuning van hul gades en die neurotipiese broers en susters van die kind met outisme ontvang het. Die gesinne het ook fisiese ondersteuning, finansiële steun en emosionele ondersteuning vanuit verskillende bronne geniet. Die gesinne het aangedui dat hul ondersteun voel wanneer hul kinders se afwykings aanvaar word, begrip daarvoor getoon word en andere bereid was om die ‘ekstra myl te loop’. Die drie gesinne het ook inligting en leiding as waardevolle bronne van ondersteuning ervaar. Selfs al het die families sterk ondersteuningstrukture in plek gehad, het hulle ook die gebrek aan ondersteuning uitgelig. Al drie gesinne geniet die bogenoemde vorme van ondersteuning, maar dit was interessant om uit te vind dat die families hierdie ondersteuning vanuit verskillende bronne ontvang het.

Thesis (MEdPsych)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / Includes bibliography / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa attracts a significant number of refugees and immigrants from poverty-stricken and war-ravaged African nations who come in search of greener pastures. As this population continues to grow, immigrant learners have begun to experience South African schools in an array of uniquely challenging ways (Vandeyar, 2010). This influx of foreigners has increased the diversity in South African classrooms and presents challenges for the foreign learner as well as for the school. While several studies have been undertaken to examine educational factors relating to the education of foreign learners in South Africa, the psychosocial experiences of these learners have not received research attention. The present study sought to understand the psychosocial experiences of immigrant learners in South Africa. The theoretical framework of the study was guided by Erikson’s psychosocial theory. Within the framework of Erikson’s psychosocial theory (Passer & Smith, 2008; Plotnik, 1993), psychological factors such as self-esteem, self-identity, self-efficacy and confidence, as well as social factors such as language, culture and peer relations, were explored in an attempt to understand their adjustment to learning in a culturally different environment. A basic qualitative research design was utilised. Participants were voluntarily recruited at a primary school in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Purposive sampling was used to identify nine immigrant learners between the ages of six and twelve, who had at least attended the first-grade level in their native countries, for participation. Data were collected through the draw-and-tell technique, interviews and observations and analysed by means of thematic content analysis. The recurring themes derived from the interviews indicated that immigrant learners experience psycho-social challenges that involve the accent of the English language, establishment of friendships and bullying. These challenges have had a negative impact on their self-confidence, self-efficacy and self-esteem and their characters have also been changed in trying to adapt to the environmental demands. It is anticipated that the findings of the study will contribute to the development of meaningful support strategies for immigrant learners. The recommendations made include that the school must devise school policies which promote acknowledgement and acceptance of diversity within the school. There is a need for activities that accommodate diverse learners within the school. Learners need to share and enlighten each other about their cultural values and morals. Activities may involve role-plays at assembly, and having different weeks of commemorating or celebrating the different cultures of different learners within the school. The host learners also need to participate in these activities. Adopting the circle of courage philosophy, that is, sense of belonging, respect, generosity and industry, should be the starting point for the school and all learners. Bringing in the circle of courage can assist the whole school in accepting and understanding one another. The circle of courage is a model of empowerment; it is a philosophy in support of ‘reclaiming environments’ for learners. Future studies should investigate the identified themes using a quantitative approach, as well as undertake a comparison of the immigrant learners’ experiences with those of the host learners. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid-Afrika het groot aantrekkingskrag vir ‘n aansienlike aantal vlugtelinge en immigrante vanaf armoede- en oorlog-geteisterde volkere in Afrika wat ‘n beter heenkome soek. Namate hierdie bevolking toeneem, kry immigrantleerders in skole in Suid-Afrika met ‘n unieke reeks uitdagings te doen (Vandeyar, 2010). Die instroming van vreemdelinge het die diversiteit in Suid-Afrikaanse klaskamers laat toeneem en stel uitdagings aan die buitelandse leerder sowel as aan die skool. Alhoewel verskeie studies reeds is onderneem om opvoedkundige faktore met betrekking tot die opvoeding van buitelandse leerders in Suid-Afrika aan te spreek, het die psigososiale ervarings van hierdie leerders nog nie die aandag van navorsers gekry nie. Die huidige studie verteenwoordig ‘n poging om die psigososiale ervarings van immigrantleerders in Suid-Afrika te ondersoek. Die teoretiese raamwerk van die studie is deur Erikson se psigososiale teorie gerig. Binne die raamwerk van Erikson se psigososiale teorie (Passer & Smith, 2008; Plotnik, 1993), word psigologiese faktore soos selfagting, self-identiteit, selfdoeltreffendheid en vertroue, en sosiale faktore soos taal, kultuur en verhoudings met die portuurgroep ondersoek in ‘n poging om die leerders se aanpassing aan die leer in ‘n omgewing met ‘n verskillende kultuur te verstaan.. ‘n Basiese kwalitatiewe navorsingsontwerp is gebruik. Vrywillige deelnemers is by ‘n primêre skool in die Wes-Kaap Provinsie van Suid-Afrika gewerf. Nege immigrantleerders van tussen ses en twaalf jaar oud wat reeds vir minstens een jaar in hul land van herkoms skoolgegaan het, is deur middel van ‘n doelgerigte steekproeftrekking vir deelname geïdentifiseer. Data is met behulp van die teken-en-vertel tegniek, onderhoude en waarneming ingesamel en met behulp van tematiese inhoudsontleding geanaliseer. Die terugkerende temas wat in die onderhoude na vore gekom het, het aangedui dat die immigrantleerders psigososiale uitdagings betreffende die aksent van die Engelse taal, stigting van vriendskappe en afknouery ondervind het. Hierdie uitdagings het hul selfvertroue, selfdoeltreffendheid en selfagting nadelig aangetas en hulle het geaardheid laat verander in die poging om by die eise van die omgewing aan te pas. Die verwagting is dat die bevindings van die studie ‘n bydrae tot die ontwikkeling van betekenisvolle ondersteuningstrategieë vir immigrantleerders sal lewer. Voorstelle wat gemaak word behels dat die skool ‘n beleid moet daarstel wat erkenning en aanvaarding van diversiteit in die skool bevorder. Daar is ‘n behoefte aan aktiwiteite wat diverse leerders binne die skool akkommodeer. Leerders behoort hul kulturele en morele waardes met mekaar te deel en mekaar daaroor in te lig. Aktiwiteite sou rolspel gedurende byeenkomste kon insluit, en verskillende weke sou daaraan toegewy kon word om die verskillende kulture van verskillende leerders in die skool te gedenk of te vier. Die gasheer leerders moet ook by hierdie aktiwiteite betrek word. Aanvaarding van die Circle of Courage filosofie, wat die gevoel van saamhorigheid, respek, ruimhartigheid en ywer omvat, behoort die beginpunt vir die skool en al die leerders te word. Om die Circle of Courage in te voer kan die hele skool help om mekaar te aanvaar en te verstaan. Die Circle of Courage is ‘n model vir bemagtiging; ‘n filosofie wat die ‘terugwinning van omgewings’ vir leerders ondersteun. Toekomstige studies behoort met behulp van ‘n kwantitatiewe benadering ondersoek in te stel na die geïdentifiseerde temas, en ook ‘n vergelyking van die ervarings van die immigrantleerders en gasheer leerders te tref.

Thesis (MEd(Psych))-- Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The background experiences of adolescents removed from their families and placed in residential care are often characterised by trauma, abuse and neglect, resulting in significant psychological and developmental implications. However, as a result of their negative past experiences, many of these individuals view other people, including helping professionals, with mistrust or apprehension, influencing their openness to and thus the effectiveness of traditional psychotherapeutic interventions. Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is explored within this study as an alternative non-invasive approach which aims to meet the emotional and developmental needs of vulnerable and difficult-to-reach adolescents. Innate characteristics of horses seem to encourage individuals to engage fully in the psychotherapeutic process making them well-suited to the role of co-therapist within the therapeutic team. This study aimed to explore the experiences of adolescents living within residential care who had participated in an EAP program for approximately eight months, and the affects their participation had within their lives. A qualitative study founded within the interpretive paradigm was used to gain insight into the research questions. Participants were selected using purposive and convenient sampling techniques. Following this, data was obtained through semi-structured interviews, the researcher’s reflective journal, and a focus group discussion. Inductive data segmentation and reassembling techniques were utilised to analyse the data. The findings were integrated and presented as a case study. The research findings indicated that the participants experienced various learning and development opportunities through their participation in EAP. They were able to establish connections which led to improved psychological, social, and physical well-being. The implicit integration of the Circle of Courage principles of mastery, belonging, generosity and independence within the EAP process was also explored and documented for the first time within this text. The findings were related to resilience theory in order to depict EAP as a psychotherapeutic approach which serves to foster resilience for vulnerable adolescents, namely those placed within residential care in this study. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die agtergrond ervaringe van adolessente wat verwyder is uit hul ouerhuise en in residensiële sorg geplaas is, word dikwels gekenmerk deur trauma, mishandeling en verwaarlosing, met beduidende gepaardgaande sielkundige - en ontwikkelingsimplikasies. Voortvloeiend uit hul negatiewe ervaringe van die verlede, is dit moeilik vir sommige van hierdie individue om ander mense, en dit sluit professionele mense in die hulp-professies in, te vertrou en sonder bedugtheid te benader. Dit beïnvloed hul openlikheid en dus die effektiwiteit van tradisionele psigoterapeutiese intervensies. Perd-ondersteunde psigoterapie (Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, EAP) word ondersoek in hierdie studie as ‘n alternatiewe, nie-indringende benadering, waarvan die doel is om die emosionele - en ontwikkelingsbehoeftes van weerlose en moeilik-bereikbare adolessente mee aan te spreek. Dit wil voorkom asof ingebore eienskappe van perde individue aanmoedig om ten volle deel te neem aan die psigoterapeutiese proses, en dit maak die perde baie geskik om as hulp-terapeute op te tree binne die terapeutiese span. Hierdie studie beoog om die ervaringe van adolessente in residensiële sorg, en wat vir agt maande deelgeneem het aan ‘n EAP program, te ondersoek, sowel as die effek wat hierdie deelname op hul lewens gehad het. ‘n Kwalitatiewe studie gebaseer op die interpretatiewe paradigma is gebruik om insig te verkry in die navorsingsvrae. Deelnemers is geselekteer deur doelgerigte - en gerieflikheidstegnieke te gebruik. Hierna is data verkry deur semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude, die navorser se reflektiewe joernaal en ‘n fokusgroep onderhoud. Induktiewe data segmentasie en hersamestellingstegnieke is gebruik om die data te analiseer. Die bevindinge is geïntegreer en aangebied as ‘n gevallestudie. Die bevindige van die studie dui aan dat die deelnemers verskeie leer- en ontwikkelingsgeleenthede ervaar het deur hul deelname aan EAP. Hulle was in staat om konneksies te maak wat bygedra het tot sielkundige, sosiale en fisiese welsyn. The research findings indicated that the participants experienced various learning and development opportunities through their participation in EAP. Die implisiete integrasie van die beginsels van die ‘Circle of Courage’, naamlik bemeestering, behoort aan, ruimhartigheid en onafhanklikheid, is binne die EAP proses ondersoek en vir die eerste keer in hierdie teks gedokumenteer. Die bevindinge is vergelyk met veerkragtigheid teorie om EAP as ‘n psigoterapeutiese benadering te beskryf wat veerkragtigheid aanmoedig by weerlose adolessente, naamlik dié wat in residensiële sorg geplaas is en aan hierdie studie deelgeneem het.

Thesis (MEdPsych)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The worldwide increase in the diagnosis of autism, the immense pressure parents experience in raising a child with autism, as well as the accessibility of internet-based support, provided a unique opportunity to research parents’ experiences in such an online community. Knowledge about their experiences, the value and meaning of an online support group in their daily lives, as well as which parents access online support, could shed light on how online communities could possibly be better utilised to provide instant and low-cost information and support to parents who are otherwise excluded from face-to-face support groups due to various constraints. Additionally, research about online support groups for autism in South Africa seems to be non-existent. This research could contribute significantly to the gap in knowledge about South African parents’ experiences. The aim of the study was to engage with South African parents participating in a Facebook support group in finding out what value (positive or negative) it adds to their lives and determining the meaning they ascribe to their participation in this group. This was a qualitative study based on a social constructionist theoretical framework as it is concerned with how every person’s reality is shaped through social interaction with others, as well as through the historical and cultural influences in that person’s life. Participants for this study were purposively selected and data was collected through observations of their exchanges within the Facebook support group, as well as through an electronic interview questionnaire. These interactions and correspondence were analysed using thematic analysis. The research findings indicated the multifaceted role that the Facebook support group plays in the lives of each parent who participated. The amount of support they derived from the group and the value of the group depended on each parent’s unique needs and experiences, as well as their unique interpretations of the interactions within the group. Their interactions within the group showed, however, that the group provided a platform where they were able to construct their own identities as autism parents as the experts of their children’s lives, as well as advocates in the realm of autism. Their experiences were in line with international literature on online support groups. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die wêreldwye toename in die diagnose van outisme, die geweldige druk wat ouers ervaar om ʼn kind met outisme groot te maak, asook die toeganklikheid van internet-gebaseerde ondersteuning, het ʼn unieke geleentheid geskep om navorsing te doen oor ouers se ervarings in sodanige aanlyn gemeenskap. Kennis rakende hulle ervarings, die waarde en betekenis van ʼn aanlyn ondersteuningsgroep in hulle daaglikse lewens, asook watter tipe ouers aanlyn raad soek, sou lig kon werp op die onderwerp van hoe sulke aanlyn gemeenskappe moontlik beter aangewend kan word ten einde onmiddelike en goedkoop inligting en ondersteuning te bied aan ouers wat andersins uitgesluit word van kontak-ondersteuningsgroepe as gevolg van verskeie beperkings. Hierdie navorsing kan ʼn belangrike bydrae lewer tot die verbetering van die gebrekkige kennis oor aanlyn ondersteuningsgroepe vir outisme in Suid-Afrika. Hierdie navorsing kan grootliks bydra tot die gebrekkige kennis oor Suid-Afrikaanse ouers se ervarings. Die doel van hierdie studie was om betrokke te raak by ouers wat deelneem aan ʼn Facebook ondersteuningsgroep ten einde vas te stel watter waarde (positief of negatief) dit toevoeg tot hulle lewens, asook om te bepaal watter betekenis hulle heg aan hul eie deelname aan die groep. Hierdie was ʼn kwalitatiewe studie gebaseer op ʼn sosiaal-konstruksionistiese teoretiese raamwerk, aangesien dit gemoeid was met hoe elke persoon se realiteit beïnvloed word deur sosiale interaksie met ander, asook die historiese en kulturele invloede in daardie persoon se lewe. Deelnemers aan hierdie studie was doelgerig gekies en data is deur waarneming van hul interaksie binne die Facebook ondersteuningsgroep versamel, asook deur ‘n elektroniese onderhoudsvraelys. Hierdie interaksies en korrespondensie is deur tematiese analise ontleed. Die navorsingsbevindings het die veelkantige rol wat die Facebook ondersteunings-groep in die lewens van elke deelnemer gespeel het, aangetoon. Die mate van ondersteuning wat elkeen uit die groep ontvang het, asook die waarde van die groep, was afhanklik van elkeen se unieke behoeftes en ervarings en elkeen se unieke vertolking van die interaksie binne die groep. Die ouers se interaksie binne die groep het egter aangedui dat die ondersteuningsgroep ʼn platform daargestel het waar hulle hulle eie identiteite as outisme ouers, en kundiges oor hul kinders se lewens, kon konstrueer. Benewens dit was hulle ook kampvegters op die terrein van outisme. Hulle ervarings stem ooreen met internasionale literatuur rakende aanlyn ondersteuningsgroepe.