Die doel van die navorsing was om vanuit „n waarderingsperspektief 'n kwalitatiewe ondersoek te doen oor ouers se betrokkenheid by hul kinders se leerproses in 'n landelike omgewing. Die populasie het bestaan uit ouers met kinders in 'n primêre skool in 'n landelike omgewing, te Wellington. Inligting is bekom deur die voer van individuele onderhoude met ouers en 'n fokusgroeponderhoud. Data is ontleed en drie temas met subtemas en kategorieë is geïdentifiseer. Bevindinge en gevolgtrekkings is gemaak met betrekking tot ouers se betrokkenheid by hul kinders se leerproses. Daar is bevind dat ouers wel betrokke is by hul kinders se leerproses. Ten opsigte van hierdie navorsingstudie word tot die slotsom gekom dat die ouers deurentyd betrokke is by hul kinders se leerproses en hoë ideale vir hulle kinders koester. Ongeag lang werksure probeer hulle steeds betrokke wees. Die ouers wil graag vir hul kinders net die beste gee en koester beter beroepe vir hulle kinders. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Die doel van die navorsing was om vanuit „n waarderingsperspektief 'n kwalitatiewe ondersoek te doen oor ouers se betrokkenheid by hul kinders se leerproses in 'n landelike omgewing. Die populasie het bestaan uit ouers met kinders in 'n primêre skool in 'n landelike omgewing, te Wellington. Inligting is bekom deur die voer van individuele onderhoude met ouers en 'n fokusgroeponderhoud. Data is ontleed en drie temas met subtemas en kategorieë is geïdentifiseer. Bevindinge en gevolgtrekkings is gemaak met betrekking tot ouers se betrokkenheid by hul kinders se leerproses. Daar is bevind dat ouers wel betrokke is by hul kinders se leerproses. Ten opsigte van hierdie navorsingstudie word tot die slotsom gekom dat die ouers deurentyd betrokke is by hul kinders se leerproses en hoë ideale vir hulle kinders koester. Ongeag lang werksure probeer hulle steeds betrokke wees. Die ouers wil graag vir hul kinders net die beste gee en koester beter beroepe vir hulle kinders. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Tesis voorgelê ter verwerwing van die graad Magister in Opvoedkunde in die Opvoedkunde Fakulteit van die Cape Peninsula University of Technology / Suid-Afrikaanse leerders vaar teleurstellend in lees en wiskunde gemeet aan leerders van ander lande. Die Departement van Basiese Onderwys se deurvoersyfer is baie swak en bykans die helfte van die leerders wat met hul skoolopleiding begin het, voltooi dit nie. Verskeie programme en aksies word deur die Departement van Onderwys, asook nieregeringsorganisasies geloods om hierdie probleem te bowe te kom en ook om die leerders se vordering te meet. Landelike gebiede in Suid-Afrika ondervind die grootste voorkoms van armoede en ongeletterdheid. ʼn Groot aantal leerders in landelike skole ervaar leerinperkings en benodig ekstra ondersteuning. Die internasionale en nasionale beginsel van Inklusiewe Onderwys as onderwysstelsel beveel onderwys vir almal en ouerbetrokkenheid ten sterkste aan. Hierdie studie ondersoek die ondersteuning aan ongeletterde ouers wie se kind ʼn leerinperking ervaar. ʼn Vennootskap tussen skool en huis het ʼn positiewe impak vir al die rolspelers – die skool, die leerder en die ouers. Die doel van hierdie studie is om die aard en die mate van ondersteuning, as deel van so ʼn vennootskap met ongeletterde ouers, vas te stel wanneer hul kind ʼn leerinperking ervaar, om hulle in staat te stel om hul kind tuis te kan ondersteun met sy akademie. Binne ’n interpretatiewe navorsingsparadigma is ʼn kwalitatiewe navorsingsbenadering gebruik. Data is ingesamel deur ʼn literatuuroorsig, semi-gestruktureerde individuele en fokusgroep-onderhoude, publieke dokumentasie en veldnotas. Data-analise het deur middel van ʼn induktiewe proses plaasgevind. Die navorsingsbevindinge dui daarop dat ongeletterde ouers in landelike skole beperkte ondersteuning ontvang oor hoe om hul kind met die leerinperking te help met sy struikelblok tot leer. Verskeie aanbevelings na afloop van die navorsingsbevindinge het ten doel om ongeletterde ouers van landelike skole te bemagtig om hul kind met die leerinperking te ondersteun.

Attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) describes children that show inappro-priate behaviour in two categories, i.e. 1) Inattention and 2) Hyperactivity-impulsivity and which are maladaptive and inconsistent with their developmental level. ADHD impacts the whole life of a child diagnosed with it. One of these areas that is impacted is the relationship between child and parent. As found in a thorough literature study, much research has been done on the relationship between parents and their children diagnosed with ADHD. No research has been done on parents’ experience of the dialogic relationship, according to the Gestalt theory, with their children that are diagnosed with ADHD. The dialogic relationship was research specifically in the context of the five principles of the dialogic relationship, i.e. inclusion, presence, confirmation, commitment to dialogue and non-exploitation. In this qualitative study nine parents’ experience of their dialogic relationship with their child in the middle childhood, diagnosed with ADHD was explored and described. A case study was used as research design to study how participants give meaning to the phenomenon that is being studied. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven mothers and two fathers after which data was thematically analysed. The trustworthiness of the study and ethical aspects applicable to the study were discussed and the limitations of the study were listed. It was found that parents apply inclusion and presence in their relationship with their child with ADHD. The application of confirmation and commitment to dialogue is a bigger challenge because the children’s behaviour results in parents reacting negatively rather than giving acknowledgement. Sometime it is difficult for parents to commit to the dialogue because the children withdraw from the interaction. The researcher made recommendations for parents of children with ADHD, for professionals who are working with children with ADHD and for further study in this field. / Thesis (MA (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) describes children that show inappro-priate behaviour in two categories, i.e. 1) Inattention and 2) Hyperactivity-impulsivity and which are maladaptive and inconsistent with their developmental level. ADHD impacts the whole life of a child diagnosed with it. One of these areas that is impacted is the relationship between child and parent. As found in a thorough literature study, much research has been done on the relationship between parents and their children diagnosed with ADHD. No research has been done on parents’ experience of the dialogic relationship, according to the Gestalt theory, with their children that are diagnosed with ADHD. The dialogic relationship was research specifically in the context of the five principles of the dialogic relationship, i.e. inclusion, presence, confirmation, commitment to dialogue and non-exploitation. In this qualitative study nine parents’ experience of their dialogic relationship with their child in the middle childhood, diagnosed with ADHD was explored and described. A case study was used as research design to study how participants give meaning to the phenomenon that is being studied. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven mothers and two fathers after which data was thematically analysed. The trustworthiness of the study and ethical aspects applicable to the study were discussed and the limitations of the study were listed. It was found that parents apply inclusion and presence in their relationship with their child with ADHD. The application of confirmation and commitment to dialogue is a bigger challenge because the children’s behaviour results in parents reacting negatively rather than giving acknowledgement. Sometime it is difficult for parents to commit to the dialogue because the children withdraw from the interaction. The researcher made recommendations for parents of children with ADHD, for professionals who are working with children with ADHD and for further study in this field. / Thesis (MA (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Risk behaviour amongst adolescents represents a major public health challenge in South Africa particularly when considering the statistics on sexually active youth, adolescent pregnancies, smoking, drinking and drug abuse amongst the youth. Although various reasons can be given to explain this phenomenon, the parent–adolescent relationship has proven to be a huge factor in the prevention of risk behaviour. However, even though the importance of such a relationship has been proven, risk behaviour amongst adolescents still persists. This study specifically looks at the dialogical parent–adolescent relationship and how adolescents who engage in risk behaviour are affected by the relationship and how it can prevent risk behaviour. The content of section A explains the orientation towards the research, the problem rationale and the goals and objectives of the study. The researcher followed a qualitative approach as she tried to obtain an understanding of adolescent risk behaviour and how the nature of the dialogical parent–adolescent relationship could prevent such risk behaviour. Semi–structured interviews were conducted with five girls and three boys who lived in Pretoria, as well as with their parents. The adolescents were between the ages of 14 and 17 and all engaged in risk behaviour. In section B a literature study is given with a brief outline of the methodology that was used. Specific focus falls on the findings of the study. Section C contains the summary, evaluation and conclusions of the overall study. This research was done in order to make recommendations to parents of adolescents who engage in risk behaviour as a possible way to prevent it. This study highlighted how unprepared and uninformed parents were in terms of their parental skills and the needs of their adolescent children. The study also highlighted the need of the adolescents to be validated, and the lack of understanding and warmth in the manner that their parents relate to them. Adolescents still need parental guidance and a sense of belonging. The very poor relationships that exist between parents and adolescents strengthened the researcher’s hypothesis that the adolescents get involved in a range of dubious activities and their parents’ ineffectiveness to intervene and assist their adolescents through these challenging times, may lead to risk behaviour. / Thesis (M.A. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Risk behaviour amongst adolescents represents a major public health challenge in South Africa particularly when considering the statistics on sexually active youth, adolescent pregnancies, smoking, drinking and drug abuse amongst the youth. Although various reasons can be given to explain this phenomenon, the parent–adolescent relationship has proven to be a huge factor in the prevention of risk behaviour. However, even though the importance of such a relationship has been proven, risk behaviour amongst adolescents still persists. This study specifically looks at the dialogical parent–adolescent relationship and how adolescents who engage in risk behaviour are affected by the relationship and how it can prevent risk behaviour. The content of section A explains the orientation towards the research, the problem rationale and the goals and objectives of the study. The researcher followed a qualitative approach as she tried to obtain an understanding of adolescent risk behaviour and how the nature of the dialogical parent–adolescent relationship could prevent such risk behaviour. Semi–structured interviews were conducted with five girls and three boys who lived in Pretoria, as well as with their parents. The adolescents were between the ages of 14 and 17 and all engaged in risk behaviour. In section B a literature study is given with a brief outline of the methodology that was used. Specific focus falls on the findings of the study. Section C contains the summary, evaluation and conclusions of the overall study. This research was done in order to make recommendations to parents of adolescents who engage in risk behaviour as a possible way to prevent it. This study highlighted how unprepared and uninformed parents were in terms of their parental skills and the needs of their adolescent children. The study also highlighted the need of the adolescents to be validated, and the lack of understanding and warmth in the manner that their parents relate to them. Adolescents still need parental guidance and a sense of belonging. The very poor relationships that exist between parents and adolescents strengthened the researcher’s hypothesis that the adolescents get involved in a range of dubious activities and their parents’ ineffectiveness to intervene and assist their adolescents through these challenging times, may lead to risk behaviour. / Thesis (M.A. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

This study investigated the nature of the psycho-social needs of the parents of a child with encopresis. Gaps were identified in the literature that indicated that there is little information available on the needs of parents who are confronted by the complex dysfunction resulting from encopresis. During the course of the empirical investigation, which involved interviews with the parents of children suffering from encopresis, it was confirmed that these gaps do exist. The aim of this study was to determine what parents’ psycho-social needs were with regard to their child if their child is suffering from encopresis. In order to reach this aim, a number of objectives were set. The first objective was to establish a knowledge base by means of a literature review and discussions with experts in the field of encopresis. Information was gathered with regard to the physiological mechanism of encopresis, the role of toilet routine in the origins and development of encopresis, the effect of encopresis on the family system and the psycho-social aspects that maintain this dysfunction. The second objective was to obtain empirical data on the psycho-social needs of the parents of a child with encopresis. The third objective was to draw conclusions and to make recommendations on the basis of the results of this study in respect of parents’ psycho-social needs. The recommendations, which are presented in written form, can serve as recommendations to be used in providing assistance in the practice. The empirical study took the form of one-on-one interviews with the assistance of a semi-structured interview schedule within a phenomenological strategy. The respondents were the parents of children in whom encopresis has been medically diagnosed. The aim of using a phenomenological strategy was to determine what meaning respondents attach to their everyday life. The phenomenological strategy was followed as part of an explorative study. The explorative study was designed to elicit information allowing greater insight into the actual practical situation. The parent couples were selected by the researcher by means of a process of purposeful sampling. Transcripts of the interviews were made after the interviews had been completed and this data was analysed and interpreted. The interview schedule that was used is included in Appendix A. Because encopresis is a highly sensitive topic, respondents were given a letter of informed consent to read and sign. An example of this letter is attached as Appendix B. The empirical data obtained by means of the semi-structured interviews emphasised the following key themes: · The parents’ primary need is information on the nature and causes of encopresis. · The parents’ second most urgent need is the skills to cope with a child with encopresis. Parents indicated that the complex and unpleasant nature of encopresis puts great demands on their parenting skills. · The third central theme that emerged was the need for skills with regard to handling the siblings of an encopretic child. The encopretic child makes very insistent demands on parents and the siblings within the family system react in ways that require particular parenting skills. · The fourth central theme is the parents’ need for support with regard to their own emotions. Parents indicated that tension and frustration arose in their relationship in respect of the demands made by an encopretic child and that they needed support and understanding. · The fifth key theme was the parents’ need for understanding and support from professional role players with regard to encopresis. The parents indicated that they required this understanding and expertise particularly from the medical role players, as well as the school system. · The sixth theme is the need for support from the social community. Parents expressed a clear need for the support of family, friends and the wider social community, since the parents and the family can become completely socially isolated. · The seventh theme was the need for a support group for the parents of children with encopresis. · The eighth theme was the parents’ need for greater awareness in the broader community about encopresis. Parents expressed a need for greater media awareness about encopresis. The research has shown clearly that among these parents there is a great need for information, coping skills and support with regard to various aspects surrounding a child with encopresis. Parents expressed a particular need for support groups to address their psycho-social needs. On the one hand, these needs as expressed by the respondents suggest guidelines for practical assistance to the parents of children with encopresis. On the other hand, they also suggest areas for further research. / Dissertation (MSD (Play Therapy))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

The aim of this study was to explore and describe the experience of an only-child adolescent’s lived experience of parental divorce. Gestalt field and phenomenological theory in conjunction with current literature provided an overview of the theoretical underpinnings pertaining to the study. A qualitative research approach with a case study of an only-child adolescent dealing with parental divorce was conducted in an ethical manner by means of two face to face, one-on-one, in depth interviews. Two main themes were identified. The first being experienced feelings associated with grief and bereavement, which revealed feelings of anger in the notion that the participant’s childhood was lost as a result of the divorce and being caught between the parental conflicts. The participant seemed to take it upon herself to take care of those significant to her in fear that she would lose them and that the loss would continue to be repeated. It was further revealed that when the only-child adolescent felt a loss of her own identity she in turn felt out of control. The second theme identified was; experience pressure due to being an only-child. Pressure in being an only-child was very significant surrounding the participant. The participant shared a great deal of feelings pertaining to feeling lonely and longing for a sibling. As parents in divorce situations seem to be focussed on their divorce often the child suffers from stress and the unrealistic expectations parents often have surrounding their children. In this study the only-child could not seem to cope with the pressure and in times of despair made use of coping mechanisms, mainly that of cutting to compensate for the emotional pain experienced. The researcher is of the opinion that the study delivered new found awareness into the only-child adolescent’s lived experience of parental divorce and is in hope that the new found results are utilised as a platform for further studies about this vulnerable population. / MSW (Play Therapy), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The aim of this study was to explore and describe the experience of an only-child adolescent’s lived experience of parental divorce. Gestalt field and phenomenological theory in conjunction with current literature provided an overview of the theoretical underpinnings pertaining to the study. A qualitative research approach with a case study of an only-child adolescent dealing with parental divorce was conducted in an ethical manner by means of two face to face, one-on-one, in depth interviews. Two main themes were identified. The first being experienced feelings associated with grief and bereavement, which revealed feelings of anger in the notion that the participant’s childhood was lost as a result of the divorce and being caught between the parental conflicts. The participant seemed to take it upon herself to take care of those significant to her in fear that she would lose them and that the loss would continue to be repeated. It was further revealed that when the only-child adolescent felt a loss of her own identity she in turn felt out of control. The second theme identified was; experience pressure due to being an only-child. Pressure in being an only-child was very significant surrounding the participant. The participant shared a great deal of feelings pertaining to feeling lonely and longing for a sibling. As parents in divorce situations seem to be focussed on their divorce often the child suffers from stress and the unrealistic expectations parents often have surrounding their children. In this study the only-child could not seem to cope with the pressure and in times of despair made use of coping mechanisms, mainly that of cutting to compensate for the emotional pain experienced. The researcher is of the opinion that the study delivered new found awareness into the only-child adolescent’s lived experience of parental divorce and is in hope that the new found results are utilised as a platform for further studies about this vulnerable population. / MSW (Play Therapy), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015