published_or_final_version / Social Work and Social Administration / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Sciences

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to explore gay men's relationship with their parents before and after the revelation of their sexual orientation towards their parent(s). Six men, who voluntarily offered to participate in the study, were interviewed by means of a semi-structured interview. These interviews were initially tape recorded and there after transcribed by the researcher. To be included in the study the participants had to comply with the following criteria: i) they had to be male; ii) 18 years or older; iii) have revealed their sexual orientation towards one or both parents; vi) be English or Afrikaans speaking; v) reside within Paarl, Stellenbosch or Cape Town; and vi) accept that no remuneration would be received for participation in this research. The process by which data was analysed mainly included : The organisation of data, the generation of categories, themes and patterns, testing the emerging categories and patterns, seeking alternative explanations, and writing the final report. Findings from the research study include four main themes, with ten sub-themes identified. Firstly, the nature of the relationship between the mother and the gay son before disclosure of the sons' sexual orientation. The associated sub-themes were: i) Confirmation that the revelation was usually first made towards the mother or siblings, ii) the stadium of self-awareness and process of self-empowering of the son about his gay identity before disclosure towards the mother, iii) mentioning that the mother was aware of the sons' sexual preferences before disclosure, and iv) the relationship between mother and son and the supporting role that she plays within the parental context after disclosure. Secondly, the nature of the relationship between the father and the gay son before the revelation of the sons' sexual orientation. The associated sub-themes were: i) mention of a patriarchal system that existed within the parental relationship, which could be linked to the fathers' social perception, including, amongst others, homophobia, and ii) the father/son relationship after disclosure of the sons' sexual orientation. Thirdly, parental involvement regarding acceptance and support after disclosure of the sons' sexual orientation. The associated sub-themes are:i) the avoidance of the gay subject by the parents during communication within the family context, ii) the sensitivity and avoidance of discussions about lovers or companions within the family relationship, and iii) the regularity of contact between the parent(s) and their gay son after disclosure. Lastly, the nature of the relationship between the gay brother and his siblings before the revelation of his sexual orientation. The associated sub-theme were: i) the unconditional acceptance and support of the siblings. These themes are subsequently discussed in terms of existing research literature in this field of study. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om die verhouding wat tussen gay mans en hul ouer(s) bestaan het voor en na openbaarmaking van die seun se seksuele orientasie aan die ouer(s), te verken. Ses mans wat vrywilliglik aangebied het tot deelname aan die ondersoek, is deur middel van 'n semi-gestruktureerde onderhoud ondervra. Hierdie onderhoude is eers op band geneem en daarna deur die navorser verbatim getranskribeer. Die riglyne vir insluiting tot die studie was dat die deelnemers aan die volgende kriteria moes voldoen: i) hulle moes manlik wees; ii) 18 jaar en ouer; iii) alreeds hul seksuele orientasie teenoor een of beide ouers bekend gemaak het; iv) Engels of Afrikaanssprekend; v) woonagtig in Paarl, Stellenbosch of Kaapstad; en vi) aanvaar het dat geen besoldiging vir deelname aan die navorsing ontvang sal word nie. Die proses van data-analise het hoofsaaklik ingesluit: Die organisering van data; die generering van kategoriee, temas en patrone; die toetsing van sigbaarwordende temas; soeke na alternatiewe verduidelikings en die skryf van die finale verslag. Bevindinge uit die navorsingstudie sluit in vier hooftemas met tien subtemas wat gei'dentifiseer is. Eerstens, die aard van die verhouding tussen moeder en gay seun voor die openbaarmaking van die seun se seksuele orientasie. Die geassosieerde subtemas was: i) die bevestiging dat die openbaarmaking meestal eerstens teenoor die moeder of sibbe sou geskied, (ii) die selfbewustheidstadium en die selfbemagtigingsproses van die seun ten opsigte van sy gay identiteit voor die openbaarmaking teenoor dikwels die moeder, (iii) die vermelding dat die moeder bewus was van die seun se seksuele orientasie reeds voor openbaarmaking, en (iv) die moeder-en-seun-verhouding en die ondersteunende rol wat sy binne ouerverband inneem na bekendwording van die seun se seksuele orientasie. Tweedens, die aard van die verhouding tussen vader en gay seun voor openbaarmaking van die seun se seksuele orientasie. Die geassosieerde subtemas was: (i) die vermelding van 'n patriargale sisteem wat binne gesinsverband bestaan het, en wat ook saamhang met die vader se sosiale persepsies wat onder andere homofobie insluit, en (ii) die vader-en-seun-verhouding na die bekendwording van die seun se seksuele orientasie. Derdens, ouerbetrokkenheid in terme van aanvaarding en ondersteuning na bekendwording van die seun se seksuele orientasie. Die subtemas wat hieruit gevloei het, was: (i) die kommunikatiewe vermyding van die gay onderwerp deur die ouer(s) binne gesinsverband, (ii) die sensitiwiteit en vermyding van gesprekke oor minnaars of metgeselle binne ouerverband, en (iii) die gereeldheid van kontak tussen ouer(s) en gay seun na bekendwording van die seun se seksuele orientasie. Laastens, die aard van die verhouding tussen gay broer en sibbe voor openbaarmaking van die broer se seksuele orientasie. Die geassosieerde subtema was: (i) die onvoorwaardelike aanvaarding en ondersteuning deur die sibbe. Die temas is vervolgens bespreek in terme van bestaande navorsingsliteratuur oor die onderwerp.

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

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What are the factors that shape views and attitudes toward the family, and how are these views and attitudes influenced in changing cultures? Do culture, social change/economic development, childhood experiences, and gender influence family centredness and democratisation? Are there different levels of factors that impact on family centredness and democratisation? If so, how are these factors interlinked? The studies discussed in detail in this thesis investigated family perceptions across cultures and generations, looking closely into specific aspects of family views and attitudes and various factors that impact on them. This thesis attempts to answer these questions by conducting three experiments. Study I (described in Chapter 3), which was conducted in Hungary, South Korea, and Canada (total N=403), tested a hypothesised model based on the literature review (Chapter 2). The study looked at cultural differences in family centredness and democratisation, and the impact of cultural orientation, gender, economic growth (national-level), Postmodernist Values, and political beliefs on perceptions of family centredness and democratisation. Study II (described in Chapter 4), conducted in the US and South Korea amongst young individuals in their late teens or early twenties, and their parents' generations, mostly in their forties and fifties (total N= 230). It expanded on the model by adding Schwartz' value dimensions, self-beliefs, and broader aspects of family perceptions. Furthermore, Study II investigated the intergenerational differences and the impact of childhood experiences by comparing data from two generational groups. Study III (Chapter 5) was conducted in four cultures, Canada, Britain, South Korea, and Japan on 539 university students, in order to ascertain cultural influences on values, beliefs, and family centredness and democratisation. Study III also investigated the interlinks between the factors in each culture more specifically using multi-group analysis method in SEM (Structural Equation Modelling). The final chapter summarises and discusses the implications of the major findings from these studies, and makes note of possible methodological issues. Overall, cross-cultural differences in value priorities, self-beliefs, political beliefs, and perceptions of family centredness and democratisation were found. Generation/age, country-level economic growth and gender were significant predictors for values, beliefs and family views and attitudes discussed in this work. Women and younger generations were more likely to endorse the Autonomous-Related Self-belief, believe in the importance of family democratisation. Stronger belief in the Autonomous-Related self led to higher emphases on family centredness and democratisation. Significant relationship was also found between family centredness and democratisation and individual-level values and beliefs, where stronger democratic beliefs led to stronger belief in the importance of family democratisation, higher endorsement of Self-Transcendence values predicted higher levels of family centredness and democratisation, and stronger Consevation Values predicted higher level of family centredness. By investigating factors influencing family centredness and democratisation, the current work probed into the family in the contemporary world. In line with Kagitcibasi's new model of family change, this thesis demonstrates that certain features of family views and relationship, including perceptions of family centredness, are likely to persist, and contends the individualisation theorists' (e.g., Beck, 1997; Giddens, 1992) negative predictions for the future of the family.

This thesis deals with the relationship between family and kindergarten. It is mainly focused on communication, through which there is a mutual interaction and relationship builded between teachers and parents. In the communication both actors must strive for the best possible cooperation, since only in this case they can reach their common goal, which is the smooth development and overall development of the child's personality. The theoretical part defines the concept of communication. It analyzes current family and nursery schools as an institution and deals with the relations between them. It also mentions the conflict and some types of barriers that can lead to difficulties in the interaction. The practical part is based on research done through questionnaires which was aimed to teachers and parents. The result presents their subjective evaluation of communication.

Duas dimensões afetam fortemente a vida das pessoas, o trabalho e a família. A dual career, favorece a relação trabalho-família, pois o envolvimento dos cônjuges no atendimento das demandas das duas esferas possibilita o avanço da carreira ao mesmo tempo em que se ajustam na vida familiar. Estar seguro nessa relação endossa a prontidão para lidar com as mudanças de carreiras. A adaptabilidade de carreira envolve a capacidade de um indivíduo de usar vários recursos para lidar com mudanças na carreira. Dessa forma, a fim de conhecer os recursos que as pessoas casadas utilizam para se ajustar ao mundo dinâmico atual, este trabalho propôs-se a compreender como se dão as configurações familiares de pessoas casadas na relação dual career, sob o enfoque da adaptabilidade de carreira? Com base no objetivo proposto, foi realizada uma pesquisa descritiva e quantitativa, com 634 participantes, dos quais 331 pessoas eram casadas e com filhos e 303 pessoas eram casadas e sem filhos. Os resultados foram obtidos pela análise descritiva de dados, utilizando-se a Análise Fatorial Exploratória e análise de conglomerados (cluster). Os resultados a partir dos grupos com filhos e sem filhos revelaram os seguintes agrupamentos: casados com filhos; resolvidos, balanceados, desamparados e desapaixonados. Para o grupo de pessoas casadas e sem filhos outros quatro agrupamentos se destacam, sendo: os indiferentes, desapegados, influenciados e apegados. Os resultados obtidos permitiram caracterizar o perfil de pessoas casadas com filhos e sem filhos, verificando quais deles demonstraram domínios de adaptabilidade de carreira quando relacionadas a perspectiva da dual career. Para aqueles que sentem o apoio (do cônjuge ou organizacional), a adaptabilidade de carreira é percebida, demonstrando que a cooperação e o suporte social estimulam o acesso aos recursos de enfrentamento interno e reforçam as respostas apropriadas as decisões de carreira. / Two dimensions strongly affect the lives of people, work and family. The dual career favors the work-family relationship, since the involvement of the spouses in meeting the demands of the two spheres makes it possible to advance the career while adjusting for family life. Being secure in this relationship endorses readiness to cope with career changes. Career adaptability refers to the ability of an individual to use various resources to deal with career changes. Thus, in order to know the resources which married people use to adjust to the current dynamic world, this study aims to verify how the family configurations of married people work in the dual career relationship, under the approach of career adaptability. Based on the objective, a descriptive and quantitative survey was conducted with 634 participants, of whom 331 were married with children and 303 people were married without children. The results were obtained through descriptive data analysis, using exploratory factorial analysis and cluster analysis. The results from the groups with children and without children revealed the following groupings: married with children; resolved, balanced, helpless and dispassionate. For the group of married without children, four other groups stand out: the indifferent, detached, influenced and attached. The results obtained allowed to characterize the profile of married people with children and without children, verifying which of them demonstrated domains of career adaptability when related to the perspective of the dual career. For those who feel the support (of the spouse or organizational), career adaptability is perceived, demonstrating that cooperation and social support stimulate access to internal coping resources and reinforce appropriate responses to career decisions.

A construção do Sistema Único de Saúde trouxe sem dúvida uma melhora do acesso com a ampliação da oferta dos serviços, contudo, ainda há grandes desafios para se alcançar um modelo de assistência eficaz, resolutivo e universal. Necessário se faz promover mudanças na formação profissional de modo a aproximá-la dos princípios do SUS, como a integralidade da assistência, e do conceito ampliado de saúde, entre outros, com o desenvolvimento de competências que dêem conta da complexidade do trabalho em saúde para atenção integral e humanizada à população brasileira. A formação para área da saúde deve ter como objetivos a transformação das práticas profissionais, estruturadas a partir da problematização do processo de trabalho e sua capacidade de construir o cuidado para as várias dimensões e necessidades em saúde. Assim, esta investigação tem como objetivo analisar uma experiência de aprendizagem do estágio da Observação da Relação Mãe-Bebê-Família (ORMBF) como ferramenta para a constituição de sujeitos competentes para a produção de cuidados, na perspectiva da integralidade da assistência à saúde. O estágio acontece em uma parceria da Faculdade de Ciências e Letras com o Centro de Saúde Escola da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, ambas da Universidade de São Paulo, para estudantes do 4º e 5º anos da Faculdade de Psicologia. O material empírico se constituiu dos registros de observações de 5 famílias efetuadas durante o ano de 2003, sendo utilizada a análise temática. Na análise do material foi possível a articulação dos núcleos de sentido: preparo para o encontro e postura do observador, a disponibilidade da família para o observador, se deparando com uma realidade diferente – o impacto com o cotidiano das famílias, a comunicação como elemento fundamental para a interação e a construção da interação e do vínculo. Estes núcleos de sentido apontaram para um grande tema: o aprendizado para a interação, na perspectiva da clínica ampliada para atenção integral à saúde. Todos estes elementos da ORMF que compõem a aprendizado para interação, na realidade, identificam o observador participante privilegiado para compreender a complexidade do processo saúde e doença, com responsabilização e vínculo com a família que se propôs conhecer, campo de competência para atenção integral à saúde. Revelam aprendizado pela experiência e, também, novos conteúdos a serem pensados por pensadores implicados com a mudança dos modelos de atenção à saúde e de ensino. / The construction of the Single Health System (SHS) has undoubtedly led to a better access, offering a wider range of services. However, great challenges remain ahead if we want to reach an efficient, problem-solving and universal care model. Professional formation needs to get closer to the principles of the SHS, such as care integrity, and to a broader health concept, among others, developing competencies that are able to handle the complexity of health work, with a view to delivering integral and humanized care to the Brazilian population. Hence, health formation has to aim for the transformation of professional practices, structured on the basis of the problematization of the work process and its capacity to construct care for different health dimensions and needs. Thus, this research aims to analyze a learning experience during a training period in Observation on the Mother-Infant-Family Relation (OMIFR) as a tool for developing competent subjects for care delivery, from the perspective of integral health care. This training period is part of a partnership between the University of São Paulo School of Sciences and Languages and the Ribeirão Preto Medical School Teaching Health Center and directed at 4th and 5th-year students from the School of Psychology. 5 families were observed in 2003. The records of these observations were used as empirical material and were subject to thematic analysis. This analysis revealed the following clusters of meanings: preparation for the meeting and observer’s attitude, family’s availability for the observer, facing a different reality – the confrontation with the family’s daily reality, communication as a basic element for interaction and the construction of interaction and bonding. These clusters pointed towards one large theme: learning for interaction, from the perspective of an expanded clinical practice to provide integral health care. All of these OMIFR elements that constitute learning for interaction actually identify the participant observer, who is in a privileged position to understand the complexity of the sickness and health process, being answerable to and bonding with the family (s)he aimed to get to know, which is a competence area for integral health care. They disclose learning through experience, as well as new contents that should be taken into consideration by thinkers who are committed to changing health care and teaching models.