Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, School of Social Service Administration, June 2003. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Families in communities remain vulnerable and, apart from poverty, face a host of other crises and challenges on a daily basis. Amongst the challenges that families face, children are affected most. Services targeting families with very young children therefore are imperative. This study was aimed at exploring the impact of family preservation and family reunification services on families in South Africa, with a focus on the Eastern Cape Province. To answer the research questions of this study, the research adopted a mixed methods design known as methodological triangulation. The study incorporated two sets of participants, Social Workers and heads of families that benefit from family preservation and family reunification services. The total sample for the study included 260 participants; 220 of the participants were heads of families and 40 of the participants were Social Workers. Questionnaires were administered to 200 heads of families and 20 Social Workers selected by means of the random sampling technique. In addition, 20 heads of families and 20 Social Workers who participated in in-depth interviews were purposively selected. The quantitative data were analysed by means of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and qualitative data were categorised with the use of themes and subthemes

The aim of this thesis was the reflection of the values of marriage and the associated phenomenon of divorcing. The work focuses on the comparsion of the Christian concept of marriage that was decisive, especially in history and concept that is currently enforced. At the phenomenon of divorce refers to the possible causes and consequences. Also reflects the importance of social work in relation to family, whose can help prevent or solve problems in the family and preventing divorce. Understanding and experiencing the marriage has changed over the years and therefore changed position on the issue of divorce.

Assessment tools have been used for various purposes, including for protecting children from maltreatment. The main aim of this study was to to evaluate and determine the relevance of the Family Assessment for Leased Developed Countries (FALDC) assessment tool for child protection services in the Eastern Cape Province. The research was conducted using the social developmental welfare approach (Patel, 2005) and ecological systems theory (Healy, 2005). The study made use of the qualitative research method; in doing so the study made use of the case study design. In using the qualitative research method, focus group discussions were conducted with 29 social workers involved in child protection services. The findings of the study indicated that the FALDC assessment tool provides information useful for child protection services even though it contains sections that are regarded as less relevant to child protection. The study also founded that the FALDC assessment tool is relevant to child protection in the South African context, yet it needs to be aligned so that it provides much of the information desired by those involved in child protection. A conclusion drawn from this study is that the FALDC assessment tool appears to be relevant for child protection services. The FALDC assessment tool needs to be adjusted taking into consideration other aspects important to child protection in the South African child protection context.

FundaÃÃo de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Cearà / A famÃlia era uma das principais prÃticas de sociabilidade engendradas pelos escravos do Cariri. AtravÃs de sua experiÃncia, os cativos formaram diversos arranjos familiares, que excediam a noÃÃo tradicionalmente ideal de matrimÃnio e nÃcleo familiar. Em meio a essa multiplicidade, constituiu-se uma famÃlia mista, na qual os laÃos de parentesco dos escravos ultrapassaram os limites de sua condiÃÃo social e alcanÃaram os livres e libertos que trabalhavam e conviviam a seu lado. O processo de combinaÃÃo entre condiÃÃes sociais diferentes desencadeou a mistura de distintos tons percebidos nas peles da populaÃÃo livre e cativa, tanto que, ao chegar na segunda metade do sÃculo XIX, a famÃlia escrava era mestiÃa, caracterizada pela enorme quantidade de Cabras, Caboclos, Negros e Mulatos.

M.A. / South Africa has an exceptionally high divorce rate. The stressful nature of parental separation and divorce results in higher susceptibility of children to psychological, social, academical and health problems. Parental ability to deal with the divorce transition largely influences the long term adjustment of children after divorce. An effective empirically researched based parentfocused educational programme which addresses the most essential divorce related issues and the effects thereof on children, can be of exceptional value. Supplying parents with sufficient knowledge and information regarding divorce as a process, as well as the way it effects children of different ages en developmental stages, will assist the parents in making better choices concerning the children. By educating parents about the effect of prolonged interparental conflict on children and by supplying them with constructive conflict management skills, the negative consequences of divorce on children may be minimised or even eliminated. In this study an educational programme (k.i.d.s.) was assessed by using a one group pretest- postest design. K.i.d.s. is a short, informative and user friendly educational programme. It comprises two, two hour sessions, scheduled two weeks apart. Statistical significance was achieved when pretest-posttest results were compared regarding knowledge on conflict and the divorce process. Participants also reported a significant decline regarding negative conflict behaviour. An overall high level of consumer satisfaction with the program was reported. Despite the small study sample, the positive results of this study proves the k.i.d.s. program to be a potential promising preventative and intervention method for use with divorcing parents. / Mrs. H.F. Ellis

Magister Commercii (Industrial Psychology) - MCom(IPS) / Work and family are the central and salient domains in an individual's life. Juggling work and family life have always been a challenge for many employees and families (Hammer et al., 2005). However, with the increased interest in the construct of workfamily enrichment, more attention was given to the positive influences across the life domains. Grzywacz and Butler (2005) found that work-family enrichment improved mental and physical well-being. The objective of this study was twofold; (i) to explore and add to existing research done on work-family enrichment and (ii) investigate the relationships between workfamily enrichment, psychological health and subjective wellbeing of employees within a financial services organisation in South Africa. Three hundred and forty seven questionnaires were administered and one hundred and sixty eight completed questionnaires were returned. Purposive sampling was used to select employees to participate in the study. Data was collected by a self-developed biographical questionnaire, Calson, Kacmar, Wayne, and Grzywacz's (2006) Enrichment Scale, General Health Questionnaire developed by Kalliath, O'Driscoll and Brough (2004) and the Personal Wellbeing Index developed by the International Wellbeing Group (2006). The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse the data and to interpret the descriptive and inferential statistics. Specifically the Pearson Moment Correlation analysis and the T-Test was used. The results indicated that a relationship between work-to-family enrichment and psychological health exist. There was a significant relationship for family-to-work enrichment and psychological health. Furthermore, results indicated a significant relationship between work-to-family enrichment and subjective wellbeing. A significant relationship between family-to-work enrichment and subjective wellbeing was also found. However, no significant differences were found for gender for both work-to-family and family-to-work enrichment. Future considerations, theoretical implications and recommendations for organisations are discussed.

Reconciling work and family life has been the topic of intense discussion in Europe over the past decade, in large part because the continent's declining and aging population makes it necessary to attract the widest possible range of European society into the labor force. One of the available segments comprises mothers and fathers with very young children. This thesis analyzes the formulation of family policy in the Czech Republic and its support in the aarea of reconciling family and professional life. The analysis herein is based on a comparison of international practices. The goal of this work is to evaluate the formulation of the relevant instruments of family policy that are intended to help people successfully balance family and work.

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