M.A. / A child that is mentally healthy develops psychologically, emotionally, creatively, intellectually and spiritually (Dwivedi & Harper, 2004). Therefore the researcher is of the opinion that the mental health of children is integral in successful development. It was however observed that there are challenges associated with providing for the needs of children with mental health problems. Often attributed to a lack of knowledge, child care workers, social workers and other staff appear to not have the necessary skills, knowledge and resources to deal appropriately with children with mental health problems in child and youth care centres. This study therefore investigates the identified gap in service delivery, and what could be done to minimise it. It attempts to explore the characteristics of a child with a mental health problem, what their emanating needs are, and what guidelines exist that may help to provide for the identified needs. In exploring these guidelines, the roles of different role-players involved on different ecosystemic levels, are also explored. This exploration is conducted by utilising qualitative research methods only. A literature study firstly explores relevant social work, mental health, psychiatric and legislative literature. Secondly, focus groups are conducted with key role-players that work with children with mental health problems. These two sources provide the researcher with information pertaining to the objectives and goal of this research study. The ultimate goal of this study is to provide a management programme to mainstream and specialised child and youth care centres, on how to care optimally for children with mental health problems. When this goal is achieved, the field of social work amid children will benefit tremendously. Not only can such a programme assist in the enhancement of the mental health of children in child and youth care centres, but it may provide the foundation for future development in this.

Text in Afrikaans / A significant percentage of adolescents in children's homes are depressive in consequence of multiple experiences of loss. There is a possibility that experiences of depression are maintained in a systems context. Group therapy using an ecosystemic approach was embarked upon in order to study and to alter within a systems context the phenomenon of depression, the accompanying negative experiential and meaning-assignment worlds of the depressive adolescent girl in a children's home and the interactional behavioural patterns. It was hypothesised that behavioural change brought about in the group therapy context would extend to systems beyond the therapy system. A group of five adolescent girls in a children's home, of whom two were severely depressive, were taken for eight group therapy sessions. The principles of ecosystemic epistemology as a paradigm for family therapy were applied in the sessions. These principles stress inter alia the use of metaphor. Circular questioning was employed in order to explore the relationships within the group. Moments of depression were observed and recorded directly and indirectly according to both linear and circular approaches, and the therapeutic process was described. The manner in which the therapeutic group changed metaphorically by the group itself. A decrease in girls' level of depression was observed during therapy. Their cognitive, affective and normative functioning also changed, and alterations affecting relationships, self-concept and self-realisation could be perceived in the therapeutic process. These changes in relationships and the decrease in the level of depression were confirmed quantitatively. The transfer of these attitudes and relationships to the children's home system was confirmed by interviewing the children's home "parents" of the adolescents involved. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Sielkundige Opvoedkunde)

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

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

Attachment theory has implications for relational functioning across the lifespan. The attachment experience of institutionalised children in South Africa is understudied. Using a psychoanalytic perspective as an addition to thematic analysis of the ASCT, this research aims to add to the functional perspective of attachment, an internal psychic frame of reference with which to view attachment of at risk children in South Africa. Using 58 ASCT protocols, divided between children’s homes and hospitals, stories were analysed using thematic content analysis and discussed with an object relations perspective. Results suggest the inclusion of additional categories of attachment to the current classification system as well as a deeper relational understanding of the experience of insecure attachment. This has implications for the current understanding and classification of attachment.

China is currently facing what I expect to be its most significant challenge to date - a crisis in the care of its rapidly ageing population. The causes of this crisis are complex and multi-faceted and its implications far-reaching from the social, economic and political perspectives. This thesis examines the causes and consequences of the impending aged care crisis in China, with a particular focus on the urban elderly. In addition to extensive interviews with government officials, a sample of 2,000 retires and their children were surveyed in Shanghai as part of my research. My findings from the Research Survey and Questionnaire, together with my observations from site visits to numerous aged care crisis and the associated problems. Of primary concern is the fact that the Chinese government does not have in place an appropriate aged care structure nor a strategy to implement systems to cope with the impending crisis. I conclude that it is imperative the Chinese government recognises both the immediacy and scale of the crisis and acts accordingly. Failure to do so may result in both significant social unrest and severe economic consequences. Recommendations are offered for consideration by the Chinese government in an effort to manage the impending aged care crisis in China. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)