Thesis (M.Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1993. / Also available in print.

Thèse (M. Serv. Soc.)--Université Laval, 2003. / Bibliogr.: f. 161-173. Publié aussi en version électronique.

Thesis (MNutr)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Obesity has become one of the major conditions contributing towards chronic lifestyle diseases. The management of obesity, in order to prevent chronic lifestyle disease, requires a combination of treatment modalities. There is therefore a constant need to search for innovative behavioural and awareness programmes regarding the treatment of obesity, and to develop innovative strategies to improve compliance and ultimately to change lifestyles. The notion of utilizing short message services (SMS), during a weight reduction progamme to provide regular reminders and information to achieve the aforementioned goals, was therefore used as an intervention in the study. Furthermore a questionnaire validating the effectiveness of the short message service was devised and completed by the recipients of the intervention. The purpose of the questionnaire was to statistically quantify the effectiveness of the SMS as an intervention. Each question had four graded answers, with a score allocated to each - 1 being the least effective and 4 being the most. These values were converted to percentages and according to these percentages a rating of effectiveness was ascertained. Ultimately the study set out to determine whether the intervention had a statistically significant effect on weight reduction, compliance in attending appointments and on the attrition rate. This was a double blinded randomized, controlled study in which 75 participants were recruited at a general medical practice in Gauteng. The sample comprised of three groups. Group 1 (N = 25) had no intervention; Group 2 (N = 25) received a SMS weekly and Group 3 (N = 25) received a SMS three times per week. The weight reduction programme, which included dietary modifications and lifestyle advice was standardized and remained the same for each group. The programme extended over a 12 week period and the questionnaire was completed at the end of the programme. Upon analysis of the results there was a decrease in the mean BMI and waist circumference for all the three groups, with no statistically significant difference (p-value > 0.05) between them. The percentages of the participants completing the programme in each group were – Group 1: 44%, Group 2: 60% and Group 3: 68%. The effectiveness of the intervention was manifested by the compliance of attendance at each visit and the reduced attrition rate in the intervention groups, although this was not found to be statistically significant. The analysis of the scores allocated to the responses of the questionnaire, equated to an outcome of above 75% and was assessed as being very successful in both the intervention groups. In conclusion the use of short message servicing in this weight reduction programme improved the compliance and reduced the attrition rate although not statistically and was perceived by the participants as a successful intervention. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Vetsug (obesiteit) het een van die primêre kondisies geword wat bydrae tot chroniese leefstyl siektes. Die hantering van obesiteit vereis 'n kombinasie van behandelingsmodaliteite, ten einde hierdie siektes te voorkom, Daar is dus 'n konstante soeke na innoverende gedrags- en bewustheidsprogramme rakende die behandeling van obesiteit, asook 'n behoefte om innoverende strategieë te ontwikkel om inskiklikheid te verbeter en uiteindelik leefstyle te verander. Die idee om kortboodskapdienste (SMS) gedurende 'n gewigsverliesprogramme te gebruik om gereelde aanmanings en inligting te kommunikeer ten einde die genoemde doelwitte te bereik, is aangewend as intervensie in hierdie studie. 'n Vraelys is ontwikkel wat die effektiwiteit van die kortboodskapdiens valideer, en is voltooi deur die ontvangers van die intervensie. Die doel van die vraelys was om die effektiwiteit van die SMS as 'n intervensie te kwantifiseer. Elke vraag het vier gegradeerde antwoorde gehad, met 'n telling wat aan elk toegeken is – 1 wat aandui minste effektief en 4 wat aandui die meeste. Hierdie waardes was omgeskakel tot persentasies en na aanleiding van die persentasies is 'n waarde van effektiwiteit bepaal. Uiteindelik was die doel van die studie dus om vas te stel of die intervensie ʼn statisties beduidende effek op gewigsverlies, die nakom van afsprake en uitvalskoerse het. Hierdie was 'n dubbelblind, ewekansige gekontroleerde studie waarin 75 deelnemers gewerf was by 'n algemene mediese praktyk in Gauteng. Die steekproef het bestaan uit 3 groepe. Groep 1 (N = 25) het geen intervensie gehad nie; Groep 2 (N = 25) het 'n weeklikse SMS ontvang en Groep 3 (N = 25) het 'n SMS ontvang drie keer per week. Die gewigsverliesprogramme, wat dieetaanpassings en leefstyl advies ingesluit het, was gestandardiseer en het dieselfde gebly vir elke groep. Die programme het gestrek oor 'n 12 weke periode en die vraelys was voltooi aan die einde van die programme. Analise van die resultate het 'n afname getoon in die gemiddelde LMI (Liggaamsmassa indeks) en middelomtrek vir al drie groepe, met geen statisties beduidende verskil (p-waarde > 0.05) tussen groepe nie. Die persentasies van die deelnemers wat die programme voltooi het in elke groep was Groep 1: 44%, Groep 2: 60% en Groep 3: 68%. Die effektiwiteit van die intervensie was gemanifesteer deur die inskiklikheid van bywoning tydens elke besoek en die verlaagde uitvalkoers in die intervensie groepe, alhoewel dit nie statisties beduidend was nie. 'n Analise van die tellings geallokeer aan die response tot die vraeslys, dui 'n uitkoms aan van bo 75% en was beskou as baie suksesvol in albei die intervensie groepe. Die gebruik van kortboodskapdienste (SMS) in hierdie gewigsverliesprogramme het inskiklikheid verbeter en uitvalskoerse verlaag, alhoewel nie statisties beduidend nie, en was deur die deelnemers beskou as 'n suksesvolle intervensie.

Magister Artium - MA / There is widespread concern in the democratic South African context over economic inequalities. However, given the problems of poverty, unemployment and inequality, there is a need to consider economic restitution. Restitution is used in public policy often without conceptual clarity. This study is situated in the field of economic ethics; therefore it will contribute to philosophical and more specifically ethical discourse on the concept of economic restitution. The focus of the study is on South African economic policy documents released by the government in response to current economic inequalities in the period between 1994 and 2014. Such policy documents include the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP, 1994); Growth Employment and Redistribution Programme (GEAR, 1996); Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative South Africa (AsgiSA, 2005); Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP, 2007) and its iterations; New Growth Path (NGP, 2010); and the National Development Plan (NDP, 2012). This study focuses on how the concept of restitution is understood in South African policy documents in the period between 1994 and 2014 in response to current economic inequalities. It identifies implicit and explicit references to the concept of economic restitution; describes the scope of the term as used in such policy documents; analyses and compares how the term restitution is understood; and indicates any emerging patterns in this regard.

Les familles d’enfants ayant un trouble du spectre de l’autisme (TSA) peuvent avoir recours à différentes interventions afin de favoriser leur développement, leur inclusion et leur participation sociale. Parmi ces interventions, l’intervention comportementale intensive (ICI) est un programme offert universellement au Québec à tous les enfants ayant un TSA de moins de six ans. Selon la littérature scientifique, son efficacité est généralement reconnue, bien que les effets soient variables d’un enfant à l’autre (Institut national d’excellence en santé et en services sociaux [INESSS], 2014). Certaines études proposent que des caractéristiques des enfants soient liées à des gains supérieurs chez ces derniers (Eldevik et al., 2012; Makrygianni et Reed, 2010), bien que ces associations ne soient pas toujours observées (Weitlauf et al., 2014). D’autres études ont aussi permis d’identifier des caractéristiques des programmes qui peuvent avoir un effet sur les résultats de l’ICI (Makrygianni et Reed, 2010; Virués-Ortega, 2010). Toutefois, une grande majorité des écrits relatifs à l’efficacité de l’ICI se sont peu ou pas intéressés à l’implantation de ce programme. Selon le modèle de Fixsen et Blase (2008) démontrant l’importance de la formation des intervenants sur la fidélité d’implantation d’un programme d’intervention et par conséquent, sur l’efficacité de ce dernier, il est essentiel de vérifier si la formation des intervenants appliquant l’ICI influence les changements observés chez les enfants TSA suite à l’intervention. Les rares données disponibles sur la fidélité d’implantation de l’ICI indiquent qu’il existe une grande variabilité dans les pratiques des différentes organisations, entre autres, parmi les CRDITED du Québec (Gamache, Joly et Dionne, 2011). La formation reçue en vue de l’implantation du programme pour les intervenants serait un des enjeux importants. Notre étude est nécessaire, puisqu’elle est une des seules à mettre en lien des données de diverses sources (intervenants et enfants) pour tenter d’identifier les facteurs qui favorisent une réponse positive au programme ICI. L’objectif de celle-ci est de vérifier si les caractéristiques de la formation académique des intervenants, leur formation à l’ICI ou au plan national de formation au TSA (PNFTSA) de même que leur supervision obtenue dans le cadre de leur travail sont liées à l’évolution du profil de développement et des comportements adaptatifs d’enfants âgés entre deux et cinq ans, ayant un TSA, qui reçoivent des services d’ICI au Québec. Pour répondre à cet objectif, 93 enfants ainsi que les intervenants attitrés au dossier de ces enfants provenant de 10 CRDITED ont participé à cette étude. Deux instruments de mesure différents ont été utilisés pour recueillir les variables prédites. Le nombre d’enfants et d’intervenants se distingue donc en fonction des instruments de mesure complétés. Le niveau de développement de l’enfant (la communication, la motricité et les comportements inadaptés) a été mesuré auprès de 55 enfants par les intervenants au T0 et au T1, et ce, par l’instrument normalisé PEP-3 (Schopler, Lansing, Reichler et Marcus, 2005). Les données relatives aux comportements adaptatifs des 38 autres enfants proviennent du test normalisé ABAS-II (Harrison et Oakland, 2003) rempli par les intervenants des enfants au T0 et au T1. Pour leur part, les données portant sur les caractéristiques professionnelles des intervenants ont été recueillies à partir d’un questionnaire autocomplété de fidélité d’implantation inspiré de Gamache et al., 2011), ainsi que de Love, Carr, Almason et Petursdottir (2009) au T0. En plus d’analyses bivariées, des analyses en régression hiérarchiques ont permis de vérifier ces liens tout en contrôlant pour l’âge et le genre des enfants, l’expérience en TSA et au poste des intervenants ainsi que le dosage de l’ICI donné à l’enfant. Pour le PEP-3, les résultats révèlent que la formation des intervenants au PNFTSA est significativement reliée à l’évolution des enfants aux échelles de Communication, de Comportements inadaptés et du score moyen à l’instrument. Seule l’échelle de Motricité n’a pas permis d’établir de lien avec les variables de formation et de supervision des intervenants et l’évolution des scores des enfants du T0 au T1. En ce qui concerne l’ABAS-II qui mesure le score des comportements adaptatifs des enfants sur les plans Conceptuel, Social et Pratique, seule la composante Pratique de l’outil s’est avérée liée à la variable de formation des intervenants au PNFTSA, une fois les variables de contrôle insérées dans le modèle. Toutefois, celle-ci est liée négativement, c’est-à-dire que les enfants obtiennent des scores plus élevés dans la composante Pratique lorsque les intervenants de l’ICI n’ont pas de formation au PNFTSA. Outre la mortalité statistique importante ainsi que les contraintes de temps et de budget, cette étude permet de mettre en lumière que les changements observés chez les enfants, en termes de profil de développement et de comportements adaptatifs, après avoir reçu une année de services ICI au Québec, sont relativement peu influencés par certaines caractéristiques de formation et de supervision de leurs intervenants. Seule la formation liée au PNFTSA parvient à influencer les résultats des enfants, soit positivement pour les scores de communication du PEP-3 et négativement pour les scores de l’échelle pratique de l’ABAS-II. Ainsi, cette étude contribue à l’avancement des connaissances sur les facteurs liés aux caractéristiques des intervenants susceptibles d’influencer les résultats des enfants recevant des services d’ICI. Elle permet aux dirigeants des CRDITED au Québec de réfléchir sur l’importance d’accorder du temps et un budget aux intervenants afin qu’ils puissent obtenir une formation adéquate spécialisée pour bien implanter l’ICI, telle que la formation du PNFTSA.

In this study an attempt was firstly made to define, describe and explicate the phenomenon of HIV/AIDS providing a basis for understanding the multidimensional nature, key characteristics and impact of HIV/AIDS in terms of its background, the current status as well as the future of the epidemic. Literature concerning HIV/AIDS in general, global and in particular the South African situation was discussed. Secondly the concept AIDS orphans was investigated after which grounding, description and explanation of the problems and needs of AIDS orphans were presented in order to give a clear picture of challenges faced by these children. Problems of orphan-hood such as legal and ethical issues, socio-emotional issues, educational issues, financial issues and child-headed households were identified. The study focused on early adolescent AIDS orphans therefore adolescence, as a life phase with specific emphasis on early adolescence was reviewed. Hereafter, the researcher presented a newly self-developed life skills programme for early adolescent AIDS orphans (i.e. AIDS ORPHANS LIFE SKILLS PROGRAMME) followed by all the empirical research findings, a general summary, conclusions and recommendations. The broad aim of the study was to develop and empirically test the effectiveness of a life-skills programme for early adolescent AIDS orphans. Two research questions and a hypothesis were formulated for the study. The research questions included: (a) what is the nature and prevalence of socio-emotional needs and problems of early adolescent AIDS orphans? (b) What are the life skills needed by early adolescent AIDS orphans? Accordingly the hypothesis of the study read: If early adolescent AIDS orphans undergo a life-skills programme then their skills will be enhanced in order to cope better with their socio-emotional needs and problems. In the context of applied research the type of research conducted in this study was intervention research. This type of research was relevant for this particular study because it is a problem-solving process seeking an effective intervention programme for the promotion of life skills for early adolescent AIDS orphans. In view of the fact that the AIDS orphan situation is a crises for the whole nation innovative preventative positive educational programmes for children orphaned by AIDS are deemed pivotal. The focus of this research study was two-folded using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. The first phase of the study was qualitative and explorative in nature. The aim of the researcher was to have a broader understanding of the phenomenon HIV/AIDS, the socio-emotional needs and problems of and life skills needed by early adolescent AIDS orphans in South Africa. The focus of the second phase was to develop a life skills programme for early adolescent AIDS orphans, based on the information collected in the first phase of the study and then to empirically test the effectiveness of the newly developed life skills programme. The researcher used semi-structured interviews with a schedule to collect qualitative data during the first phase of the research. During the second phase, the researcher utilised a self-constructed group administered questionnaire to collect quantitative data before and after implementation of the life skills programme (pre-test and post-test). In order to explore the socio-emotional needs and problems of and life skills needed by early adolescent AIDS orphans, a phenomenological design seemed appropriate. The research design was selected to reach the first three objectives of the study, namely: To conceptualise theoretically the phenomenon of HIV/AIDS and AIDS orphans, the specific characteristics, needs and problems of early adolescents as well as life skills for early adolescents; a) To explore and identify the nature and prevalence of socio-emotional needs and problems of early adolescent AIDS orphans; b) To explore and identify the life skills which AIDS orphans, in their early adolescent phase need to improve their coping capabilities; Qualitative data through semi-structured interviews with a schedule was collected. The sample thus included 40 respondents i.e. 10 social workers, 10 caregivers and 20 AIDS orphans. The empirical research findings based on the first part of the study confirmed that HIV/AIDS has forced vast numbers of children into precarious circumstances, putting them at high risk of becoming infected with HIV. AIDS orphans are especially vulnerable to HIV infection for a host of social and economic reasons including poverty, sexual exploitation, violence, and lack of access to HIV information and prevention services. The consequence of this is that children are often socially isolated and deprived of basic social services. The findings further confirmed that there are currently no life skills programmes specifically designed for early adolescent AIDS orphans in South Africa. Deficiencies in life skills contribute to the vulnerability and exploitation of these children. Life skills were viewed as crucial in improving the quality of life of AIDS orphans. Life skills can enable adolescents to develop sound and positive view of life. The researcher also applied the comparison group pretest-posttest design (i.e. a quasi-experimental comparison group pretest-posttest design) with respondents to reach the last three objectives of the study, namely: a) To develop a life-skills programme for early adolescent AIDS orphans; b) To empirically test the effectiveness of the developed life skills programme for early adolescent AIDS orphans; and c) To suggest practical recommendations for further utilisation of the newly developed life skills programme for early adolescent AIDS orphans. The researcher developed a life skills programme for early adolescent AIDS orphans namely AIDS Orphans Life Skills Programme. The evaluation of the self-developed life skills programme for early adolescent AIDS orphans was done by a self-constructed group administered questionnaire in the pre-test i.e. before implementation of AIDS orphans life skill programme, and post-test with both the experimental (30 respondents) and comparison group (30 respondents). The sample thus included a total of 60 early adolescent AIDS orphans and the empirical data was collected to include 2 measurements once before and once after the intervention (AIDS orphans life skills programme). The findings confirmed that there was a statistical significance difference in the experimental groups life skills (i.e. sense of identity and self-esteem, communication, assertiveness, self-awareness, coping and stress management, decision making, problem solving, conflict management and a healthy life style) with a 95% chance that the results were due to AIDS Orphans Life Skills. There was not statistical difference in the experimental groups critical and creative thinking skills. Nine out of ten key elements of AIDS orphans life skills programme were thus successful in that they promoted life skills amongst early adolescent AIDS orphans. AIDS orphans life skills programme is perceived as having had the impact that was hoped for. / Thesis (DPhil (Social Work))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Social Work / unrestricted

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Early Childhood development is an important phase of development, wherein the trajectory of the child’s life can potentially be determined. However, not all children experience positive outcomes, and many present with psychopathology. In particular, psychopathology in children will manifest as either externalizing behaviours or internalising behaviours. The treatment of internalising disorders becomes increasingly complex, as there isn’t always outward behaviour to give evidence to the inward difficulties. Literature amplifies the importance of the role of the parent in ensuring the well-being of the child and in working towards healthy developmental outcomes.

This study focussed on the development and pilot testing of a research based preemployment core skills programme for young adults in order to equip them for the open labour market, to improve the young adults’ knowledge and application of employment core skills, which in turn could increase the likelihood of securing employment. This programme can also help to alleviate unemployment and poverty by contributing to the social development of young adults, enhancing human capital development, increasing opportunities to reach full educational potential, enhancing economic development and increasing the opportunity to be self-sufficient and raising the quality of life. The motivation for this study is based on the high unemployment amongst young adults, the lack of intervention programmes that address core skills for employment for young adults that are making the transition from school to work in South Africa and the apparent lack of core skills support for young adults at places of employment. The study was conducted from an ecological systems perspective which is relevant for the social work profession and to the “help professional” who engages with young adults. The applied research was used and a quantitative research approach was undertaken by using self-administered and group-administered questionnaires to collect data in a standardised way under controlled circumstances with procedures planned prior to the commencement of the study in order to test a hypothesis. The study was conducted in two phases namely (A) an exploration of core employment skills needed by young adults by using a quantitative descriptive survey research design and (B) the development and pilot testing of a pre-employment core skills programme for young adults by using a one-group pretest-posttest design to assess the change in knowledge of core skills of young adults through the deployment of an intervention of the programme. The discussion of young adulthood as a life phase highlighted the nature of human development. The discussion of the different development theories gave a good indication of what development tasks are of importance during young adulthood and especially in terms of preparation for entering into the labour market (career). Unemployment has various impacts on the young adult who in turn has an effect on the social system and the economy of South Africa. From the empirical findings of phase A and combining the literature study it became apparent that young adults who can communicate well, solve problems and work with others are more employable as they can assume an active, adaptive and responsible role in the workplace and society. This information was used to develop a pre-employment core skills programme for young adults. The conceptual programme model, the experiential learning approach and problem-based learning were used for the basis of the core skills programme. The aim of the core skills programme was to enhance the young adults’ knowledge and application of core skills necessary for employment and their employment opportunities. The findings from phase B indicate that the developed programme did enhance the young adults’ knowledge of core skills necessary for employment and that the developed programme can be implemented with young adults between the ages of 18-25 years. / Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / tm2015 / Social Work and Criminology / MSW / Unrestricted

In the context of the high unemployment and poverty rates in South Africa, this research was undertaken to explore the best practices of successful international public works programmes (PWPs) around the world. The aim was to develop a strategy for poverty alleviation and job creation with respect to the infrastructure sector of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) in South Africa. The purpose of the EPWP is to make the unemployed more employable through offering beneficiaries temporary employment and training opportunities. In the literature review, the strategy for poverty alleviation and job creation was formulated in terms of the design elements and implementation aspects of PWPs. This strategy was then used to evaluate the infrastructure sector of the EPWP. The data collection took the form of interviews with key informants who are directly involved with the infrastructure sector of the EPWP. The nature of the enquiry was qualitative, with narrative and content analysis used to explore the data. The research found that, overall, the design elements and the implementation aspects of the infrastructure sector of the EPWP are not appropriate for enabling the unemployed to become more employable on a large scale. Based on the international best practices, recommendations were then put forward as improvements which would enable the infrastructure sector of the EPWP to achieve its objectives more effectively. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Thesis(MPA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / The purpose of the study was to investigate the implementation of skills development programmes in the public service. The study was conducted in the Office of the Premier. The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of the implementation of skills development programmes in the Office of the Premier in the Mpumalanga Provincial Government. This was done to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges that unit managers face during the implementation of skills development programmes in the area of study. The relevant data was obtained through empirical investigation and interviews. This data was obtained from the seventy (70) respondents who participated in the study. To achieve this process, the researcher obtained quantitative data from fifty (50) officials and qualitative data from twenty (20) managers. The study revealed that there were challenges that hamper the implementation of skills development in the Office of the Premier. Problems related to Acts of Parliament, inadequate feedback, lack of impact assessment, clarity on policy guidelines and a lack alternative strategies were regarded as the main challenges faced by the stakeholders on the implementation of skills development in the area of the study. However, there were also benefits that were derived from Human Resource Development indicated by the respondent related to enhancement of good performance and career advancement in the Office of the Premier. The study has suggested and recommended the empowerment of officials on issues related to legislation and clarity of policies. The study also recommended that the senior managers should also conduct impact assessments and develop alternative strategies that may enhance skills development in the area of the study. The implementation of the recommendations and the findings may assist the stakeholders to enhance the implementation of skills development in the Office of the Premier