The present study explored the interaction between paediatric asthma and family functioning, within the context of family systems theory. Eight families, each with an asthmatic child between the ages of 8 and 15, were included in this study. In each case, the parents were interviewed and completed a quantitative measure, the Family Assessment Device, The results indicated that each family has a unique way of functioning and of integrating the child's asthma into its lifestyle. Factors found to be involved in the mutual impact of paediatric asthma and family functioning were the size of the family, the severity of the child's condition, the ways in which the family copes with the stress of asthma, communication patterns between parents, compliance with family rules and boundaries, and the affective responsiveness and involvement of family members. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

Family resilience is the ability of a family to rebound from adversities, often stronger than before. To be knowledgeable on the characteristics and processes that render individuals and their families resilient, contribute to family well-being. Using a qualitative research approach and an interview guide, the researcher focused on developing a better understanding of the manifestation of family resilience as part of a family’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances and life in its dynamic form. Family resilience as an interactive process over time, normalizes resilience as part of the day to day living of the family and its members, including the young and the old. The domains of family resilience are, organizational patterns, adaptability, protective processes (including family risks, family strengths and protective/buffering factors), communication processes and family belief systems that, in synergy with one another, render families resilient. The research results confirmed the presence of characteristics and processes of family resilience amongst social work client families in South Africa. Depending on the challenges families my face, all families are either more resilient or less resilient. The latter most often needing additional support, such as social work intervention. South African policies should be family-focused and urge for a strengths-based approach towards enhancing family resilience and ultimately family well-being. Service providers need to give recognition to the fact that all families have challenges that need to be faced, but that families also have strengths to be drawn-upon to address and overcome these challenges. This implies that social work interventions that impact on the lives of families, should be rendered from a family resilience perspective and strengths-based approach, with the family as focal point for service delivery. / Social Science / M.A. (Social Work)

Family resilience is the ability of a family to rebound from adversities, often stronger than before. To be knowledgeable on the characteristics and processes that render individuals and their families resilient, contribute to family well-being. Using a qualitative research approach and an interview guide, the researcher focused on developing a better understanding of the manifestation of family resilience as part of a family’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances and life in its dynamic form. Family resilience as an interactive process over time, normalizes resilience as part of the day to day living of the family and its members, including the young and the old. The domains of family resilience are, organizational patterns, adaptability, protective processes (including family risks, family strengths and protective/buffering factors), communication processes and family belief systems that, in synergy with one another, render families resilient. The research results confirmed the presence of characteristics and processes of family resilience amongst social work client families in South Africa. Depending on the challenges families my face, all families are either more resilient or less resilient. The latter most often needing additional support, such as social work intervention. South African policies should be family-focused and urge for a strengths-based approach towards enhancing family resilience and ultimately family well-being. Service providers need to give recognition to the fact that all families have challenges that need to be faced, but that families also have strengths to be drawn-upon to address and overcome these challenges. This implies that social work interventions that impact on the lives of families, should be rendered from a family resilience perspective and strengths-based approach, with the family as focal point for service delivery. / Social Science / M.A. (Social Work)

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) represents an effective treatment for individuals with severe mental illness. Though studies estimate that as many as half of all people with severe mental illness are parents, little is known about consumers receiving ACT services who are parents. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to 1) estimate the prevalence of parent ACT consumers, 2) identify current ACT team policies and practices for treating parent consumers, and 3) examine the perspective of parent consumers served by ACT teams. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed via two separate studies. In study 1, eighty-two ACT providers from 76 teams across the United States and Canada were surveyed to determine the prevalence of parent ACT consumers, ACT team policies for identifying the parental status of consumers, treatment services available for parent consumers, and provider attitudes about parent consumers. Providers estimated roughly 21.6% of ACT consumers were parents. Less than half of providers (46.3%) reported formally asking about parental status during intake and only 20.7% providers belonged to ACT teams that provide special programs/services designed for parent consumers. The majority of providers (75.6%) reported negative or mixed attitudes about parents with severe mental illness. In study 2, seventeen parents with severe mental illness being served by ACT teams were interviewed about parenting, the relationship between parenting and severe mental illness, parenting needs, and suggestions for improved treatment services for parents. All parents were able to identify at least one positive aspect of parenting and most parents (76.5%) also identified negative aspects of parenting. Loss of custody emerged as a significant parenting problem, with the majority of parents (88.2%) experiencing loss of custody at least once. Given the difficulties of being a parent and having to manage a severe mental illness, parents expressed interest in several parent-focused treatment services, including family therapy, parenting skills, communication skills training, resources/finances for children, and social support groups with peers. When asked about overall satisfaction with ACT services, most participants with adult children (87.5%) reported having no unmet parent-related needs and high satisfaction (4.63 out of 5) with ACT services, whereas parents with young children (77.8%) reported having numerous unmet parenting needs and low satisfaction (3.78 out of 5) with ACT services. Thus, the age of participants’ children was a significant factor, indicating that the ACT treatment model may not be adequately serving parents of young, dependent children. Overall, findings suggest the need for more attention and focus on parent consumers, including formal identification of consumers’ parental status and improved parent-related treatment services and support