M.A. (Social Work) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Recent research into the adolescent substance abuser has been motivated by the recognition that the successful rehabilitation of such persons may depend on the development of a positive self-concept. Literature dealing with the Gestalt Therapy, the Adolescent; Chemical Dependency, Addiction and Substance Abuse have been discussed. The various stages and elements of social development of the adolescent were discussed in order to determine whether there exists a correlation between a dysfunctional family life or “unfinished business” and the cause of substance abuse. The interviews conducted with thirteen (13) respondents, who were referred by the court and/or educational institutions, indicate that there is a definite connection between the poor self-concept of the adolescent substance abuser (based on previous traumatic experiences) and substance abuse. The research indicates that the majority of these adolescents choose to abuse substances for comfort – to compensate for the fragmentation in their lives. In accordance with the Gestalt Therapy which advocates an integration of the various elements of the self – a holistic view - the researcher found that it was possible to treat the addiction successfully if the adolescent could deal with the “unfinished business” in his/her past. Consequently, the final Chapter of this study sets out guidelines of the development of a therapeutic programme founded on principles of the Gestalt Therapy. / Dr. E. Oliphant Dr. W.J.H. Roestenburg

Magister Artium - MA / Universally it has been reported that the fundamental change in or breakdown of traditional patterns of family living is a major cause of juvenile crime around the world. Researchers argue althought sequential violence may originate from certain important social and historical conditions - substance abuse primarily fules the cycle of violence. The major causes of delinquency in various countries are related to each nation's economic and social environment. The present study took place in the Correctional Services of the Boland Overberg region. The study aimed to examine the impact of risk factors (environmental conditions) and it's contribution to substance abuse and to determine how these risk factors and the prevalance of substance abuse contributes to criminality. / South Africa

AFRIKAANS: Hierdie navorsingstudie het ten doel gehad om 'n nasorgprogram te ontwikkel vir die benutting deur maatskaplike werkers in die hantering en behandeling van substansafhanklike adolessente. Die misbruik van afhanklikheidsvormende middels word erken as een van die grootste gesondheids- en maatskaplike probleme in Suid¬Afrika. Die eskalerende patrone van dwelmmisbruik en die impak daarvan op die individu en ook op die groter samelewing benodig gespesialiseerde vaardighede om die probleem te verstaan en aan te spreek. Met hierdie behoefte in gedagte is daar besluit om hierdie studie te doen en 'n nasorgprogram te ontwikkel om aan die maatskaplike werker in die praktyk 'n hulpmiddel te verskaf om eff'ektiewe nasorgdienste aan die substansafhanklike adolessent te lewer. Die doel van hierdie ondersoek is om verkennende- en beskrywende navorsing uit te voer na substansafhanklikheid by adolessente. Die kwantitatiewe navorsingsproses is gevolg in die navorsing, alhoewel navorsingsmetodes uit beide die kwantitatiewe- en kwalitatiewe benaderings gebruik is. Daar is twee stellings vir die navorsingstudie geformuleer, naamlik: Daar bestaan 'n leemte aan bestaande bruikbare nasorgprogramme vir die benutting deur maatskaplike werkers in die praktyk vir hulpverlening aan die substansafhanklike adolessent; en dwelmmisbruik neem toe onder adolessente en moet dringend aangespreek word. Die stellings was deur middel van die verkennende navorsingsontwerp en met behulp van persoonlike vraelyste (kwantitatiewe data¬insamelingsmetode) en semi-gestruktuurde aangesig-tot-aangesig onderhoudsvoering (kwalitatiewe data-insamelingsmetode) ondersoek. AIle kwalitatiewe- asook kwantitatiewe data het 'n ooreenkomstige bevestiging op die stellings verskaf. Hierdie data het aangedui dat daar 'n groot leemte aan effektiewe nasorgdienste ten opsigte van die substansafhanklike adolessent bestaan en dat substansafhanklike adolessente as gevolg van oneffektiewe hulpverlening telkens 'n terugval beleef. Verdere navorsing deur middel van die benutting van narratiewe terapie met 'n gesin waar 'n adolessent dwelms gebruik is gedoen. 'n Suid-Mrikaans geformuleerde meetinstrument wat substansafhanklikheid binne die adolessente kultuur en leefwyse, asook eietydse eise en probleme kan vervat en meet, word gevolglik aanbeveel. ENGLISH: The purpose of this research study is the development of an aftercare programme for social workers to use in the handling and treatment of substance dependant adolescents. The abuse of dependant substances is recognised as one of the greatest health and social problems in South Africa. The escalating patterns of drug abuse and the impact thereof on the individual as well as the greater community asks for specialised skills to understand and solve these problems. With this need in mind the researcher decided to develop an aftercare programme, which would serve as a practical guideline for social workers in practice in order to supply effective aftercare services to the substance dependant adolescent. The aim of the study was to investigate substance dependency by adolescents through exploratory- and descriptive studies. The quantitative research process was followed although both the qualitative and quantitative methods were used. Two suppositions were formulated for the research study: A huge gap currently exists for aftercare programs for the assistance of social workers in practice to substance dependant adolescents. These suppositions were investigated through the use of exploratory research design and with the assistance of personal questionnaires (quantitative date gathering method) and semi-structured face-to-face interviewing (qualitative data gathering method). Both quantitative and qualitative data confirmed the formulated suppositions. The data clearly indicated the need for effective aftercare services for substance dependant adolescents, which frequently experience a relapse due to the lack of assistance. Further research can be done through the use of narrative therapy within a family in which an adolescent used drugs. A South African formulated measurement scale, which is able to measure substance dependency within the adolescent culture and way of life, are recommended. / Dissertation (MA (SW))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

The aim of the study was to explore the influence of social factors on adolescent drug abuse. The researcher's interest in the study evolved from her involvement with adolescent drug patients at Magaliesoord Centre. Drug abuse is recognised as one of the greatest social problems in South Africa. Youth, particularly adolescents, are found to be amongst the high risk groups. The exploratory design was selected for conducting this research. This design is approprate for this study particularly as it is aimed at exploring to what extent social factors influence adolescent drug abuse. A face-to-face structured interview schedule was used as a data gathering instrument. Adolescent drug abuse is a phenomenon which is determined by multiple factors. These factors are imbedded in the cultural and social structures within communities. Family and peer behaviour and standards are for most youth the greatest sources of influence. The objectives of the study were as follows: <ul> <li> To explore the extent to which poor family relationships influence adolescent drug abuse</li><li> To explore the influence of the home environment on adolescent drug abuse</li><li> To explore if peer pressure influence adolescent drug abuse. </li></ul> From the data acquired, it can be concluded that multiple factors influence adolescent drug behaviour. Of the social environmental factors influencing adolescent drug abuse, the family and peers are perceived as having the strongest influence. Poorfamily relationships, particularly those characterized by poor communication between parents and their adolescent children, do contribute towards adolescent drug behaviour. Adolescents who experience their home environment as unstable often resort to drugs as a response to or an escape from their home situation. Peer pressure resulting from association with drug taking friends often lead adolescents to experiment with drugs, thus leading to eventual abuse. Recommendations<ul><li> Parents should strive to create a positive atmosphere within the home. This can be achieved by encouraging open communication amongst the family members</li><li> Parents should communicate openly with their children regarding both acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. This will enable the children to know where they stand in relation to their parents regarding their behaviour. </li><li> Adolescents should be guided in their selection of friends. Parents should know who their children associate with outside the home. </li><li> Children should be encouraged and supported at an early age to take part in recreational activities. This will enable them to use their leisure time constructively. </li></ul> / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

Background. Research shows that 91.2% of inpatients at forensic psychiatric wards have a history of drug use and a third of those patients use drugs frequently. To be able to confront and address patients with substance abuse on the ward, the working staff needs to have adequate competence concerning the ability to understand who the patients are. Aim. The aim of this study was to explore how the working staff use their competence when interacting with patients who are influenced by drugs on forensic psychiatric wards. Method. The study was conducted in the western parts of Sweden and at three forensic psychiatric wards. The study was designed after a qualitative design and based on an empirical approach with interviews. The data was collected by interviewing a total of six informants through semi-structured interviews. The interviews were analysed using a qualitative content analysis. Results. The result ended up in eight themes, showing that informants in this study used their competence to recognize substance abuse, to help the patients navigating around potential dangers and create a caring relation. Further they trusted their experience, but all informants requested further education. Conclusion. The informants in this study expressed that they had good strategies in terms of supporting and rehabilitating patients with substance abuse. All informants requested further education about preventing relapse, knowledge about drug abuse and knowing how to work after a relapse.

In this investigation an attempt was firstly made to define, describe and explicate the phenomenon of substance abuse among the youth, providing a basis for understanding the multidimensional nature of adolescent substance abuse, in terms of its etiology and consequences. Secondly, the development, risk and consequences of adolescent substance use and abuse were investigated after which different components of substance abuse prevention among adolescents was studied. Hereafter, the researcher presented a self-developed substance abuse prevention programme for early adolescents in KwaZulu Natal (i.e. Project Skills Development) followed by all the empirical research findings, a general summary, conclusions and recommendations. Two research questions as well as a hypothesis and three sub-hypotheses were formulated for the study. The research questions included: (a) what is the nature and prevalence of substance abuse among early adolescents in KwaZulu Natal? and (b) what is the state of existing substance abuse prevention programmes for early adolescents in KwaZulu Natal? Accordingly, the hypothesis of the study read: If early adolescents undergo a school based substance abuse prevention programme then their attitudes, knowledge and skills towards substance abuse will be influenced in a positive way. From this, three sub-hypotheses was worded: (a) If early adolescents undergo a school based substance abuse prevention programme then their attitudes towards substances and substance users, will be influenced in a positive way, (b) if early adolescents undergo a school based substance abuse prevention programme then their substance specific knowledge will increase, and (c) if early adolescents undergo a school based substance abuse prevention programme then their personal and social skills will be enhanced. The selected research approach for the study was the combined quantitative-qualitative approach and the type of research, identified as Intervention Design and Development. An exploratory and descriptive research design were selected to reach the first three objectives of the study, namely: (a) To conduct the investigation within a theoretically founded reference frame by undertaking a relevant literature study of the phenomenon of substance abuse, substance abuse among early adolescents and substance abuse prevention among the youth. (p> (b) To identify the nature and prevalence of substance abuse as a problematic human condition among early adolescents in KwaZulu Natal. (c) To undertake a critical review of the state of existing substance abuse prevention programmes for early adolescents in KwaZulu Natal. The researcher also applied the comparison group pretest-posttest design (i.e. a quasi-experimental/associative design) with respondents to reach the last three objectives of the study, namely: (a) To develop a substance abuse prevention programme among early adolescents in KwaZulu Natal. (b) To implement the substance abuse prevention programme among early adolescents in KwaZulu Natal. (c) To evaluate the substance abuse prevention programme among early adolescents in KwaZulu Natal with a view to recommend further utilisation in practice. Empirical research findings based on the nature and prevalence of substance abuse among early adolescents in KwaZulu Natal confirmed that alcohol was still the most popular legal drug among the youth in KwaZulu Natal with cannabis the most popular illegal substance. Herewith, empirical findings based on the review of the state of existing substance abuse prevention programmes for early adolescents in KwaZulu Natal suggested that two substance abuse prevention programmes, namely Life orientation (Curriculum 2005) and Teenagers Against Drug Abuse (TADA) programme from SANCA seem to be more effective on preventing adolescent substance abuse than the DAP (Drug Abuse Prevention programme) of the Department of Social Welfare and Population Development or Community Education programme by the South African Narcotics Bureau (SANAB). Other Social Welfare Non-Governmental Organisations in KwaZulu Natal (e.g. Durban Children Society, “Natal Christelike Vroue Vereniging” and “Christelik-Maatskaplike Diens”) do not render any substance abuse prevention services to the youth as this is seen as a core function of SANCA. The evaluation of the self developed substance abuse prevention programme for early adolescents in KwaZulu Natal, i.e. Project Skills Development was done by means of a self-constructed group-administered questionnaire in the pre-test i.e. before implementation of Project Skills Development, and post-test with both the experimental (25 respondents) and comparison group (25 respondents). The sample thus included a total of 50 early adolescents and the empirical data was collected to include 2 measurements, once before and once after the intervention (Project Skills Development). Empirical findings confirmed that there was a statistical significant difference in the experimental groups (a) attitudes to drugs and drug users, and (b) drug knowledge, with a 95% chance that the results were due to Project Skills Development and not to chance. There is not a statistical significant difference in the experimental groups’ personal and social skills after exposure to Project Skills Development even though a positive movement (i.e. in the development of assertiveness skills) did occur among the respondents. The 1st two of the three sub-hypotheses is thus confirmed with a positive movement identified in the 3rd hypothesis. / Thesis (DPhil (Social Work))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

Magister Artium (Child and Family Studies) - MA(CFS) / Substance abuse among adolescents is a global problem and South Africa is no exception. In the Western Cape there is an alarming popularity and increased use of an illicit highly addictive substance, locally known as 'tik-tik'/methamphetamine. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the neurotoxic effects of this substance and there is an urgent need to address the 'tik-tik' problem in the Westen Cape. Tik/methamphetamine has thus become a great concern to educators, social workers and health practitioners in the province. The goal of this study was to explore the life-world of the adolescent methamphetamine/'tik-abusers' in order to describe their experiences of personal, social and environmental issues in the process of tik-addiction. / South Africa

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