There are very few extensive sample studies that target normative versus pathological sexual behavioural problems. Debate exists around the role of attachment when treating children who come from chaotic backgrounds. Children from these backgrounds may lack the stability and predictability that they need in order to develop the appropriate skills to regulate their affects, understand and maintain healthy and safe relationships, and develop a strong sense of self and good behavioural control mechanisms. Because of a lack of knowledge regarding sexualised behaviour, social workers working with children in middle childhood may find it difficult to distinguish between appropriate and less appropriate sexualised behaviour in children in their middle childhood. It may happen that appropriate sexualised behaviour in children is labelled as problematic, while the function of the behaviour may in fact be defined as an act of self-nurturing. The researcher has since asked the question about the link between sexualised behaviour and self-nurturing amongst children in children’s homes. The relationship between these two variables can have a significant effect on the way professionals view children who display sexualised behaviour in institutions where there is a lack of affection and significant attachment to adult figures. Children in middle childhood who display sexualised behaviour have specific needs that role players, specifically social workers, have to keep in mind in order for effective intervention to take place. If discrepancies exist in this area, it could impact negatively on the implementation of services rendered to these children. For the proposed study the collective case study design was the most appropriate design as the researcher collected and analyzed qualitative data by to doing semi-structured interviews. The semi-structured interviews were used to gain a detailed picture of participants’ beliefs or perceptions about, or accounts of the particular topic. Qualitative data was analyzed by means of planning for the recording of the data, managing and organizing the data, reading and writing memos, generating themes, categories and patterns in order to prove or contest a hypothesis. In order to ensure the success of the study, the researcher did a pilot study before the main investigation itself and ethical aspects were adhered to by the researcher throughout the study. Through the empirical study, it can be concluded that there is a significant relationship between sexualized behaviour and trauma that children experience. However, when sexualized behaviour as a nurturing mechanism becomes obsessive, compulsive and there is no balance, then only can it be viewed as a problem and should be addressed. It is important to remember that ‘sexual play’ should be seen as a normal part of childhood development. There was general consensus that sexualized behaviour could be regarded as a self-nurturing mechanism. Focus was put on the needs of children and how it related to inappropriate sexualized behaviours and self-nurturing as a need in itself. It was recommended that there should be improved service delivery to children, who manifest with sexualized behaviour, training for professionals and lastly continual research on the subject. AFRIKAANS : Daar is weinig grootskaalse ondersoeke gerig op die normatiewe teenoor die patologiese seksuele gedragsprobleme gedoen. Debatte bestaan rondom die rol van bindings wanneer kinders behandel word wat uit chaotiese agtergronde kom, By kinders vanuit hierdie agtergronde mag die stabiliteit en voorspelbaarheid ontbreek wat nodig is om die toepaslike vaardighede van hul gevoelens, die begrip om gesonde en veilige verhoudings te verstaan en die ontwikkeling van ’n sterk gevoel van eiewaarde en goeie gedragskontrolemeganismes te ontwikkel. As gevolg van die gebrek aan kennis rakende seksuele gedrag, kan maatskaplike werkers wat met kinders in hulle middel-kinderjare te doen het, dit moeilik vind om te onderskei tussen toepaslike en mindertoepaslike seksuele gedrag by hierdie kinders. Dit mag gebeur dat toepaslike seksuele gedrag by kinders as problematies bestempel word, terwyl die funksie van die gedrag egter gedefinieer kan word as ‘n daad van selfkoestering. Die verband tussen seksuele gedrag en selfkoestering by kinders in die kinderhuis word daarom deur die navorser bevraagteken. Die verhouding tussen hierdie twee veranderlikes kan ’n betekenisvolle uitwerking hê op die professionele uitkyk op kinders wat seksuele gedrag openbaar in inrigtings waar daar ’n gebrek is aan affektiewe en betekenisvolle gehegtheid teenoor ’n volwasse figuur. Kinders in hul middelkinderjare wat geseksualiseerde gedrag openbaar, het spesifieke behoeftes wat deur die maatskaplike werker in ag geneem moet word ten einde effektiewe ingryping te verseker. Indien daar teenstrydighede op hierdie gebied bestaan, kan dit ‘n negatiewe impak hê op die implementering van die diens wat aan hierdie kinders verleen word. Die kollektiewe gevallestudie was die mees toepaslike ontwerp vir die voorgestelde studie. Die navorser het kwalitatiewe data ingesamel en ontleed deur middel van semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude. Die semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude is gebruik met die doel om ’n gedetailleerde prentjie van die deelnemers se menings oor, persepsies van en verklarings rakende die onderwerp te skets. Kwalitatiewe data is ontleed by wyse van die beplanning van die data-opname, bestuur en organisering van die data-opname, lees en skryf van memos, ontwikkeling van temas, en kategorieë en patrone om die hipotese te bewys of te betwis. Ten einde die sukses van die studie te verseker het die navorser ’n voorafstudie voor die hoofnavorsing gedoen. Die navorser het aan alle etiese vereistes gedurende die navorsing voldoen. Deur die empiriese studie wat gedoen is, kan daar tot die gevogtrekking gekom word dat daar ‘n betekenisvolle verband is tussen die geseksualiseerde gedrag en die trauma wat die kinders beleef het. As geseksualiseerde gedrag, as ’n meganisme tot selfaktualisering, obsessief, kompulsief en ongebalanseerd is, dan kan dit beskou word as ’n probleem en moet dan aangespreek word. Dit is egter ook belangrik dat ‘seksspeletjies’ gesien moet word as normal in kinders se ontwikkeling. Daar was algemene konsensus dat geseksualiseerde gedrag beskou kan word as ’n meganisme tot selfkoestering. Fokus word geplaas op die behoefte van die kind en hoe dit in verhouding staan tot die onvanpaste geseksualiseerde gedrag en selfkoestering as ‘n behoefte. Verbeterde dienslewering vir kinders in wie geseksualiseerde gedrag manifisteer, opleiding vir professionele werkers en laastens voortdurende navorsing rakende die onderwerp, word aanbeveel. Copyright / Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of discourses on homeschool educators’ and homeschool learners’ perceptions of homeschooling and the embodiment thereof in their homeschool practices. The literature confirms the importance of an in-depth investigation to study homeschool educators’ and homeschool learners’ experiences, values, norms, perceptions and discourses with regard to teaching and learning as well as the outcomes set by the homeschool educators. The various systems that the homeschool educators and homeschool learners participate in influence one another. Only when the unique context with its underpinning viewpoints, values, perceptions and discourses is understood will it be possible to see whether the outcomes set by the homeschool educator(s) have been attained. Knowledge in this regard can contribute to an increased understanding of the unique and complex homeschool context and the implications for teaching and learning as well as policy development regarding homeschooling. The unique nature of each homeschool practice emphasizes the importance of an in-depth study regarding the context, which can be seen as a form of subculture, which should be investigated closely in order to gain a deeper and richer understanding of this form of education. The discourses that the homeschool educators and homeschool learners subscribe to are part of this subjective frame. Understanding the discourses can contribute to a better understanding which will enable professionals to provide adequate support to homeschools in a well grounded and responsible manner. A multiple case-study of four homeschools was conducted, each involving the educators, fathers and learners in unstructured interviews and responses on a single projection plate, and including three observation sessions of day-to-day homeschooling activities. The aim of the interviews was to learn about the homeschools from the participants’ perspective. The projection plate was administered to tap into the participants’ personal meanings, thus enhancing the truth value of the research. The observation sessions were intended to yield insight into participants’ behaviour. Finally, a reflective interview was conducted with the homeschool educator for clarification and verification of specific matters. The data analysis entailed a selective discourse analysis of the interview data to the model of discursive psychology, identifying the participants’ primary and secondary discourses, and analysing and discussing a selection of their discursive statements. The projection plates were interpreted and compared to the interview data. The observation data were reviewed to examine the homeschool educators’ and homeschool learners’ behaviours and establish the degree of congruency among their interviews, projections and behaviours. Results and findings were interpreted within the framework provided by the bio-ecological model of Bronfenbrenner. Findings: The discourses that the homeschool educators subscribe to originate from the macrosystemic level and directly influence their perceptions and practices in homeschooling. Therefore, each homeschool is unique; each homeschool practice and many of the perceptions can only be understood and explained through closer investigation of the discourses subscribed to in the microsystem of the family. The discourses form the context of the homeschool and homeschool practices are embedded in this context. The reasons for homeschooling and all aspects that form part of the day-to-day functioning of the homeschool are driven by the discourses. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Educational Psychology / unrestricted

Current research in the field of geriatric audiology focuses on the audiological assessment and management. However there is a lack of published work describing the perspectives of the geriatric individuals with a hearing loss regarding the audiological service delivery received. This study aimed to determine the perspectives of the geriatric individuals with a hearing loss in this regard. Convenience sampling was utilised to recruit 50 geriatric individuals who wore hearing aids, in Gauteng. A two phase methodology was employed in this study. Phase one included a questionnaire aimed to determine the geriatric individuals’ perspectives of the audiological assessment and management processes conducted by the audiologist. Phase two, a focus group discussion regarding audiological service delivery, included 7 geriatric individuals who were randomly selected from the 50 geriatric individuals in phase one of the study. Results revealed that geriatric individuals with a hearing loss; perceived the audiological services received as adequate. However the results obtained from the questionnaire indicate that the majority of these geriatric individuals were not provided with a full test battery of assessment and management procedures as required. Therefore South African audiologists need to evaluate the assessment and management procedures used when working with the geriatric population. AFRIKAANS : Resente navorsing in die veld van geriatriese oudiologie fokus hoofsaaklik op oudiologiese evaluering en behandeling. Daar bestaan egter beperkte literatuur wat geriatriese individue met ‘n gehoorverlies se persepsies beskryf oor die proses van evaluering en dienslewering. Gevolglik was die doel van hierdie studie om geriatriese individue met ‘n gehoorverlies se persepsies aangaande oudiologiese dienste te bepaal. ‘n Twee-fase metodiek is in hierdie studie aangewend. ‘n Vraelys is in fase een gebruik om 50 geriatriese individue met ‘n gehoorverlies en wat gepas is met gehoorapparate, se persepsies aangaande oudiologiese dienslewering te bepaal. Sewe geriatriese individue het deelgeneem aan die tweede fase, naamlik ‘n fokusgroepbespreking aangaande oudiologiese dienslewering. Resultate dui daarop dat geriatriese individue met ‘n gehoorverlies die oudiologiese dienste wat hulle ontvang het as voldoende ervaar, Die meerderheid van die geriatriese individue het egter aangedui dat ’n.volledige oudiologiese toetsbattery nie tydens die evaluasieproses uitgevoer is nie en toepaslike gehoorapparaatevaluering- en passingsprosedures nie gevolg is nie. Die implikasies hiervan is dat oudioloë werksaam in Suid-Afrika die evaluering- en behandelingsprosedures wat toegepas word vir die geriatriese populasie, voortdurend moet evalueer en aanpas. Copyright / Dissertation (M. Communication Pathology)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology / unrestricted

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to investigate the perception and handling of interpersonal conflict within the gender spectrum compilation of biological sex and gender identity. Methods: The research of this study was conducted by means of a theoretical study and a quantitative empirical analysis. Literature analysis and scientific theories form the basis for the first three chapters of this study. These include the philosophies of Karl Marx and Max Weber, followed by a detailed discussion on the dynamics of conflict. The empirical analysis utilized cross-sectional survey design, with a combined convenience quota sample of employees (n=133) within the company taken. This consisted of top management, middle management and lower management. The empirical study utilized the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) and the Rahim Organisational Conflict Inventory-II (ROCI-II). The Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) provided self-determining assessments of masculinity and femininity in terms of the respondent’s self-reported control of socially desirable, stereotypically masculine and feminine personality characteristics. The Rahim Organisational Conflict Inventory-II (ROCI-II) measured the present methods of conflict management specifically within an organizational environment. Results: It was noted that there was no difference in how pure biological sex (males and females) perceived and handled conflict within the workplace; but there was a difference in how the different gender identity groups (masculine males vs. feminine males and feminine females vs. masculine females) perceived and handled conflict. Conclusion: This study highlighted the conflict-dynamics within the gender-spectrum of a large South African sugar manufacturing company. Results of the study proved that the motivation towards this study was achieved in the sense that, although there were no differences in how different genders perceive and handle conflict, differences were found in the different gender identities within each of those genders. It is recommended that further research include a comparative study between two or three manufacturing companies to see how different companies within the same industry deviate from or resemble the results of this study. Further research could also determine whether there are differences, by cross-checking all four gender identity groups (masculine males, feminine males, feminine females and masculine females) using the MANOVA statistical procedure. / MCom (Labour Relations Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to investigate the perception and handling of interpersonal conflict within the gender spectrum compilation of biological sex and gender identity. Methods: The research of this study was conducted by means of a theoretical study and a quantitative empirical analysis. Literature analysis and scientific theories form the basis for the first three chapters of this study. These include the philosophies of Karl Marx and Max Weber, followed by a detailed discussion on the dynamics of conflict. The empirical analysis utilized cross-sectional survey design, with a combined convenience quota sample of employees (n=133) within the company taken. This consisted of top management, middle management and lower management. The empirical study utilized the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) and the Rahim Organisational Conflict Inventory-II (ROCI-II). The Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) provided self-determining assessments of masculinity and femininity in terms of the respondent’s self-reported control of socially desirable, stereotypically masculine and feminine personality characteristics. The Rahim Organisational Conflict Inventory-II (ROCI-II) measured the present methods of conflict management specifically within an organizational environment. Results: It was noted that there was no difference in how pure biological sex (males and females) perceived and handled conflict within the workplace; but there was a difference in how the different gender identity groups (masculine males vs. feminine males and feminine females vs. masculine females) perceived and handled conflict. Conclusion: This study highlighted the conflict-dynamics within the gender-spectrum of a large South African sugar manufacturing company. Results of the study proved that the motivation towards this study was achieved in the sense that, although there were no differences in how different genders perceive and handle conflict, differences were found in the different gender identities within each of those genders. It is recommended that further research include a comparative study between two or three manufacturing companies to see how different companies within the same industry deviate from or resemble the results of this study. Further research could also determine whether there are differences, by cross-checking all four gender identity groups (masculine males, feminine males, feminine females and masculine females) using the MANOVA statistical procedure. / MCom (Labour Relations Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Afrikaans text / Met hierdie studie is beoog om leerders se persepsies van skool vas te stel en om riglyne vir ouers daar te stel om leerders met negatiewe persepsies van skool te hanteer. Daar is beoog om hierdie riglyne deur middel van praktiese modelle en werksvelle te implementeer sodat ouers begrip vir kinders se persepsies kan verkry en dat konflik opgelos kan word deur middel van positiewe kommunikasie. In die literatuurstudie word ondersoek ingestel na persepsievorming en die oorsake vir die vorming van negatiewe persepsies van skool. ‘n Persepsie word gevorm deurdat betekenis aan ‘n ervaring, op grond van die persoon se verwysingsraamwerk gegee word. Interne- sowel as eksterne faktore speel ‘n rol wanneer persepsies gevorm word. Eksterne faktore behels die verhouding met rolspelers soos: die ouers, die skool en onderwysers, die portuurgroep en die leerder se verhouding met homself. Interne faktore wat in hierdie studie ondersoek is, behels: lokus van kontrole, motivering, emosionele probleme, kognitiewe probleme en gedragsprobleme.Die navorsingsprobleem is verken met behulp van ‘n loodsondersoek as ‘n voortoets en diagnostiese vraelys wat deur die navorsingsgroep van 50 leerders voltooi is. Onderhoude is met vyf leerders gevoer oor hulle ervaringe en behoeftes met betrekking tot hulle persepsies van skool. Bevindinge dui aan dat ongeveer ‘n vyfde van die skool se leerders oor ‘n negatiewe persepsie van skool beskik. In die vraelys is leerders se persepsies ten opsigte van verskeie rolspelers vasgestel. Daar bestaan behoefte by leerders dat ouers betrokke en ondersteunend sal wees en dat ouers begrip vir hulle persepsies sal toon. Deur middel van praktiese diagramme en werksvelle is begrip en positiewe kommunikasie tussen ouer en kind bewerkstellig. In Hoofstuk 6 word praktiese riglyne aan ouers gegee oor hoe om sy kind, met ‘n negatiewe persepsie van skool, te hanteer. Op hierdie wyse is gepoog dat leerders positiewe ervaringe sal geniet; ‘n positiewe verwysingsraamwerk sal vorm en sodoende positiewe persepsies van skool sal vorm. ‘n Bydrae is ten opsigte van ouerleiding gelewer. Ouers word toegerus om ‘n kind met negatiewe persepsies van skool met begrip te hanteer. / The aim of this study was to determine learners’ perceptions of school and to provide guidelines for parents to deal with negative perceptions of school. These guidelines were implemented using practical models as well as work sheets. These were specifically aimed at enhancing parents’ understanding of the negative perceptions and resolving conflict through positive communication. In the literary study, the constitution of perceptions as well as the causes of the constitution of negative perceptions was investigated. A perception is established when a person gives meaning to an experience based on that person’s frame of reference. Internal and external factors play a part when perceptions are constituted. External factors in this study entail the relationship with parents, school and teachers, peer group and the learner's relationship with himself. Internal factors referred to in this study are locus of control, motivation, emotional problems, cognitive problems and behavioural problems. vii The research problem was explored using a pilot investigation as pre-test. A diagnostic questionnaire was also completed by 50 learners. Five learners were interviewed about their experiences and needs specifically in relation to their perceptions of school. Findings show that approximately one fifth of the learners of the school have negative perceptions of school. In the questionnaire, the learners’ perceptions with respect to a variety of role players were determined. There is a definite need for parents to be involved and supportive. Learners also need them to show understanding for their perceptions. Positive communication and understanding between parents and learners were established through practical diagrams and work sheets. In Chapter 6 practical guidelines are given to equip parents to understand how to handle the child with negative perceptions. The aim of this was to encourage learners to enjoy positive experiences, to form a positive frame of reference and therefore develop positive perceptions of school. A contribution towards parental guidance was made. Parents are left equipped to deal with a child with negative perceptions of school. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Sielkundige Opvoedkunde)

Summaries in English, Afrikaans and Tswana / The purpose of this study was to explore and develop understanding of nurses and midwives’ perceptions and attitudes towards the implementation of CPD, aiming to provide them with a platform to make recommendations to enhance the attendance of CPD.The study was conducted in a public regional hospital in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The purposive exploratory descriptive qualitative research method was used. Data was collected through Focus Group Discussions. Participants comprised of three focus group discussions. A semi-structured guide with open –ended questions was used and discussions were recorded with an audio recorder which were transcribed verbatim. Content analysis of the data was done. The study yielded themes, sub-themes and codes during analysis. Participants perceived CPD to have benefits to keep nurses updated with knowledge, skills and improvement of attitudes. It improves quality patient care. However, they identified staff shortage, time constraints and lack of internet connection as the major challenges. / Die doel van hierdie studie was om ‘n begrip van die houdings en persepsies teenoor die implementering van voortgesette professionele ontwikkeling (VPO) van verpleegkundiges en vroedvroue te verken, ten einde ‘n platform vir aanbevelings daar te stel om die bywoning van VPO te bevorder. Die studie was in 'n openbare streekshospitaal in die provinsie Limpopo, Suid-Afrika gedoen. ‘n Kwalitatiewe, doelgerigte, verkennende en beskrywende navorsingsmetode was gebruik om data is deur middel van drie fokusgroepbesprekings in te samel. ‘n Semi-gestruktureerde onderhoudegids met oop vrae was gebruik om klankopnames van gesprekke, verbatim te transkribeer. Data was ontleed deur middel van inhoudsanalise. Temas, subtemas en kodes is tydens die analise geïdentifiseer. Die deelnemers het VPO as voordelig beskou in terme van die opdatering van verpleegkundiges se kennis, vaardighede en houdings. Gehalte pasiëntsorg word sodoende verbeter. Hulle het egter personeeltekort, 'n gebrek aan tyd, en toegang tot die internet as ‘n struikelblok geïdentifiseer. / Maikaelelo a dipatlisiso tse (research), e ne e le go sekaseka le go tlhabolola kutlwisiso ya baoki le babelegisi ka ga tebo le maikutlo a bona mabapi le tshimololo ya go thlabolola dithuto bale tirong “CPD”. Maikaelelo e ne e le go ba neela tšhono ya go dira ditshwaelo go oketsa dipalo tse di tsenang dithuto tsa CPD. Dipatlisiso tse di diretswe kwa dipetleleng tsa kgaolo tsa botlhe, Porofenseng ya Limpopo mo Aforikaborwa. Go dirisitswe mokgwa wa dipatlisiso wa ‘purposive exploratory descriptive qualitative research’ mo di patlisisong tse. Dikitso di kgobokantswe go ya ka mokgwa wa lekgotla ‘Focus Group Discussion’. Batsayakarolo ba ne ba arogantswe ka ditlhopha tse tharo tsa ‘focus group discussions’. Kaedi e e rulagantsweng e e nang le dipotso tsa boitlhalosi- ka- botlalo e dirisitswe mme dipuisano tsa gatiswa ka rekhoto ya kgatiso-modumo morago tsa kwalwa fatshe ka mokgwa o di builweng. Tshekatsheko ya diteng tsa dikitso tse e dirilwe ka go latela mokgwa wa ‘content analysis’. Dipatlisiso tse dineetse molaetsa mogolo, melaetsanyana le melao ka nako ya ditshekatsheko. Batsayakarolo ba bone gothlabolola dithuto bale tirong ‘CPD’ go nale mosola mo tsweletsong ya go neela baoki kitso, bokgoni le tokafatso ya maitshwaro. E tokafaditse boleng ba tlhokomelo ya balwetse. Le fa go ntse jalo, ba supile fa tlhaelo ya baoki, dinako tsa go dira le go tlhoka kgokelelo ya enthanete e le dikgwetlho tse kgolo. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

Every organization has a corporate image (beyond its control) which is mainly formed by its corporate identity (which it can control). This means that organizations have to manage their images. A positive image is particularly important for non-profit organizations, since these organizations depend on the goodwill of their publics for their existence. NG Welsyn is a well known welfare organization, famous for its bond with the Dutch Reformed church. Its two main sources of income, namely the state and members of the church have different opinions about the spending of funds. The state expects NG Welsyn to play a role in transformation, while members of the church want their needs to be catered for first. This, along with the decrease in funds from church members forced NG Welsyn to research its image among Dutch Reformed church members. In order to determine the image of NG Welsyn, an external public relations audit was formed through the use of questionnaires, focus groups and semi-structured interviews. Theoretical knowledge with regard to corporate image and identity as well as attitude formation was used as theoretical framework within the context of strategic communication management by non-profit organizations. The attitudes of church members on the elements of corporate identity were researched to determine the organization's image. The results show that the church members don't have a positive or negative image of NG Welsyn, since they don't have enough information about the organization. There is currently no relationship between the two parties. The main conclusion is that NG Welsyn can improve its image by the strategic management of communication with important publics. / Thesis (M.A. (Communication Studies))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Every organization has a corporate image (beyond its control) which is mainly formed by its corporate identity (which it can control). This means that organizations have to manage their images. A positive image is particularly important for non-profit organizations, since these organizations depend on the goodwill of their publics for their existence. NG Welsyn is a well known welfare organization, famous for its bond with the Dutch Reformed church. Its two main sources of income, namely the state and members of the church have different opinions about the spending of funds. The state expects NG Welsyn to play a role in transformation, while members of the church want their needs to be catered for first. This, along with the decrease in funds from church members forced NG Welsyn to research its image among Dutch Reformed church members. In order to determine the image of NG Welsyn, an external public relations audit was formed through the use of questionnaires, focus groups and semi-structured interviews. Theoretical knowledge with regard to corporate image and identity as well as attitude formation was used as theoretical framework within the context of strategic communication management by non-profit organizations. The attitudes of church members on the elements of corporate identity were researched to determine the organization's image. The results show that the church members don't have a positive or negative image of NG Welsyn, since they don't have enough information about the organization. There is currently no relationship between the two parties. The main conclusion is that NG Welsyn can improve its image by the strategic management of communication with important publics. / Thesis (M.A. (Communication Studies))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Objective The present study aimed to explore women's perceptions and experiences of childbirth by unplanned Caesarean section. Background New motherhood is characterised as a profound change, and research suggests that the psychological effects of childbirth can be significant and far–reaching for some women. The processes occurring during a traumatic birth experience could affect a woman's emotional and psychological state, and she may experience considerable adjustment difficulties in adapting to unfulfilled expectations of delivering her baby naturally. Methods In–depth interviews explored 10 women's lived experiences of childbirth, after which thematic content analysis was used to synthesise data. The elements of phenomenological theory served as a broad framework for the structuring, organizing and categorizing of data, with interpretation aimed at gaining a greater understanding of women's internalised childbirth accounts. Findings Women described their contact with medical personnel, as well as the physical, environmental, and emotional aspects of their unplanned Caesarean sections, as distressing and traumatic. A sense of loss of control was the most significant contributor to women's negative childbirth experiences. Feelings of failure and disappointment were primarily related to unmet expectations and a lack of preparedness. Negative experiences were mediated by attentive caregiving, inclusion in decision–making, and support from loved ones. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Clinical Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.