Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Arts (Counselling Psychology) in the Department of Psychology University of Zululand, 2005. / Programmes addressing psychosocial needs of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS already exist in Sub-Saharan countries (Germann, 2002), yet in South Africa, few if any, of the relief programmes take cognisance of psychological support. Failure to provide psychological support to children orphaned by HIV/AIDS may have negative, long lasting effects like mental illness, crime, street children and these can in turn result in dysfunctional societies. Thus the aims of the present study were to report on findings concerning available psychosocial intervention programmes and to provide information about the effectiveness of these programmes. Using purposive sampling to select research respondents, the researcher collected data personally. A questionnaire was administered to 19 female caregivers at Emoyeni Hospice in Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal to evaluate psychological support intervention in their programmes. The questionnaire was translated to Zulu in order to avoid any misunderstanding. Qualitative and quantitative data analysis was used in order to conclude about the state of psychological interventions for children orphaned by HIV/ AIDS at Emoyeni. Research findings led to the following conclusions: • Care-givers at Emoyeni Hospice do include the component of psychological intervention support in their intervention programme. • The care-givers at Emoyeni Hospice still need to be helped to recognize the importance of letter writing, and facilitating remembrance of the deceased parent/ parents as a technique of psychological intervention. The present study revealed that caregiyers consider spiritual and physical support as important aspects for inclusion in the psychological intervention programme in order to maximize psychological well-being.

Sexual abuse of children is a complex problem that holds far-reaching consequences for the child and his / her family. It is a criminal act of power and control that has an impact on all people regardless of age, race, culture and economic status (Statistics, 2014). The handling of sexual abuse is a service field of social work in which social workers are designated by law to investigate cases of sexual abuse of children and the allegations thereof, according to the Children's Act No 32 of 2005 (SA, 2005). During investigations into child sexual abuse social workers experience intense, powerful feelings that have an emotional impact on the social worker and his / her role functioning (Cussons, 2011:2). It is important for social workers to possess the necessary knowledge, skills and resources to facilitate service delivery (Van Wyk, 2011:65). The objective of this research was to determine the psychosocial needs of social workers during investigations into child sexual abuse in order to establish the nature of social workers' needs, conscious experiences and observable behaviour. The researcher used the qualitative approach. The interpretive descriptive research design as a research strategy was used to determine the psychosocial needs of social workers during investigations into child sexual abuse. Eleven participants took part in the study and data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews with each participant individually. The qualitative data were transcribed into themes and sub-themes to be analysed by a coding system according to the proposed framework of Tesch (in Creswell, 2009:186). Eight themes were identified: (1) role requirements, (2) role expectations, (3) emotional needs, (4) physical needs, (5) social needs, (6) cultural needs, (7) spiritual needs and (8) development and growth. These themes were divided into sub-themes and categories, and appropriate narratives as discussed in the interviews. The information was checked with literature and some conclusions and recommendations were made. Investigations into child sexual abuse are high-intensity cases which require immediate action from social workers. It was found that social workers experienced a strong demand for debriefing and support during their involvement with these investigations. It seems that social workers dealing with these cases experience unique psychosocial needs. If these needs are not addressed, it can lead to negative role functioning, occupational stress and even burnout of these social workers. The following recommendations can be made, namely that: * support working groups be presented for debriefing opportunities; * organizations establish working groups that focus on stress; * child sexual abuse be seen as a speciality field; * social workers be trained as case managers of the investigation into child sexual abuse; * professional role-players involved be trained through workshops in respect of their own and others' obligations; * resources be recruited and obtained. / MSW, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Sexual abuse of children is a complex problem that holds far-reaching consequences for the child and his / her family. It is a criminal act of power and control that has an impact on all people regardless of age, race, culture and economic status (Statistics, 2014). The handling of sexual abuse is a service field of social work in which social workers are designated by law to investigate cases of sexual abuse of children and the allegations thereof, according to the Children's Act No 32 of 2005 (SA, 2005). During investigations into child sexual abuse social workers experience intense, powerful feelings that have an emotional impact on the social worker and his / her role functioning (Cussons, 2011:2). It is important for social workers to possess the necessary knowledge, skills and resources to facilitate service delivery (Van Wyk, 2011:65). The objective of this research was to determine the psychosocial needs of social workers during investigations into child sexual abuse in order to establish the nature of social workers' needs, conscious experiences and observable behaviour. The researcher used the qualitative approach. The interpretive descriptive research design as a research strategy was used to determine the psychosocial needs of social workers during investigations into child sexual abuse. Eleven participants took part in the study and data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews with each participant individually. The qualitative data were transcribed into themes and sub-themes to be analysed by a coding system according to the proposed framework of Tesch (in Creswell, 2009:186). Eight themes were identified: (1) role requirements, (2) role expectations, (3) emotional needs, (4) physical needs, (5) social needs, (6) cultural needs, (7) spiritual needs and (8) development and growth. These themes were divided into sub-themes and categories, and appropriate narratives as discussed in the interviews. The information was checked with literature and some conclusions and recommendations were made. Investigations into child sexual abuse are high-intensity cases which require immediate action from social workers. It was found that social workers experienced a strong demand for debriefing and support during their involvement with these investigations. It seems that social workers dealing with these cases experience unique psychosocial needs. If these needs are not addressed, it can lead to negative role functioning, occupational stress and even burnout of these social workers. The following recommendations can be made, namely that: * support working groups be presented for debriefing opportunities; * organizations establish working groups that focus on stress; * child sexual abuse be seen as a speciality field; * social workers be trained as case managers of the investigation into child sexual abuse; * professional role-players involved be trained through workshops in respect of their own and others' obligations; * resources be recruited and obtained. / MSW, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Stigma and discrimination are now recognised as major factors in the spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). To date, research has focused on how to change individual responses to stigma and discrimination without exploring the social and structural dimensions. Complex community and societal dimensions, such as culture, power and difference need to be explored if progress is to be made in coping with stigma and discrimination. India now has HIV/AIDS prevalence figures to rival sub Saharan Africa. The disease has spread from high-risk populations such as intravenous drug users and commercial sex workers into the general population. Married, monogamous, heterosexual women in slum communities are highly vulnerable. Factors such as caste, class, ethnic group, poverty and social expectations present formidable layers of stigma for these women. They have also faced discrimination since before their birth. HIV/AIDS imposes yet another layer of stigma and discrimination upon their shoulders. The aims of the study were firstly to investigate whether stigma and discrimination existed for these women by documenting and analysing literature on the individual, societal and cultural situation of Indian women living with HIV/AIDS (IWLWHAs). Secondly, the study aimed to identify, evaluate and explore the psychosocial needs and coping strategies of IWLWHAs, to determine the barriers to accessing health services, and describe community perceptions as they were experienced by the participants. / This qualitative research study examined the multiple layers of stigma and discrimination experienced by women infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in a low socio-economic area of Mumbai, India. This was achieved by interviewing women who were benefiting from a home-based service - Positive Living - An integrated home-based care programme for people living with HIV/AIDS under the auspices of the KJ Somaiya Hospital in Mumbai. This programme provides a nutrition and home-based service to the nearby community slums. The conceptual framework used for this study was developed to evaluate the effects of natural disasters such as tsunamis, floods and earthquakes. HIV/AIDS is no less of a tragedy for individuals, families and communities. Within this framework, human capacity or the ability of individuals to cope is linked to social ecology - the relationship between individuals and their community. This dimension overlaps with culture and values. Three other dimensions affect humans - economic status, the environment and living conditions, and physical health. I have developed this framework further to examine threats and strengths which arise from these dimensions, and which affect human resilience. An exploratory case study was considered the most suitable approach to explore these areas, as it permits more sensitivity and richer data, and enhances rigour. In-depth interviews of 45 women in three different age groups, home visits and observations, focus group discussion, key informants, narratives, vignettes and photographs were supported by documentary data collection in triangulation of the data. A reflective journal recorded observations and perceptions in the field during three months in India. / Results from the combined data indicated that IWLWHAs experienced discrimination in their families, communities and health care settings. Fear of future discrimination ensured secrecy which, in turn, prevented them accessing community services which would provide emotional and physical support. A range of reactions was demonstrated by the affected women, half of whom were also infected which added to their burden. Women who could not disclose their condition were extremely isolated, lacked family and community support, feared the future and felt hopeless. Despite their appalling living conditions of poverty, overcrowding, prevalence of disease and pollution, the women displayed a sense of pride, dignity and resilience. Culturally appropriate strategies are necessary to address the lack of education and awareness as only two of the 45 women had any knowledge of HIV/AIDS before their own diagnosis which often followed their husbands' positive status. In addition, the social and cultural dimensions which affect these women have to be explored and examined in order to strengthen the 'shock absorbers' of the family. The community health workers and co-ordinator of the home-based service were vital in providing emotional support and health information to the women. Finally, no change is possible unless men take responsibility for their sexual mores. Policy makers and programmes have to look further for strategies which would engage men in the process to change their attitudes and thus protect vulnerable women and children.

SUMMARY The aim of this research is to investigate doctors‘ and nurses‘, working at Kaunas Medical University Clinics in subdivision of surgical section approach to patients‘ psychosocial needs. The tasks of this research – to settle doctors‘ attitude towards importance of psychosocial services for patients and their families, to investigate what specialists render psychosocial assistance for patients and estimate the doctors‘ attitude to the importance of employing this specialist in the departments. The research was accomplished in 2004 – 2005. 103 respondents i.e. doctors, nurses and carers took part in this research. In order to accomplish this research, using foreign literature sources, collaborating R. Butkeviciene (KMU) together with L. Roff and D.L. Klemmack (Alabama University, USA) was designed a questionnaire. Got information was computed using statistical program. It was estimated, that according to doctors‘ attitude, it is important to render psychosocial assistance for patients and their families. There was not any employee, rendering psychosocial assistance, in the departments where worked respondents. Most of medics, who took a part in the research, think, that it is important, that in their departments should be employee rendering psychosocial services for patients.

The purposes of this study are a) to explore the construct of "marital commitment" in order to achieve a more clear definition of it; b) to identify the component factors involved in the construct; and c) to design and develop an instrument for assessing the construct.

Anger in the context of motherhood is still an insufficiently discussed and underresearched topic. The theoretical part of this thesis summarizes knowledge from the domains of anger, and in particular its sudden ego-dystonic attacks, stress, and psychosocial needs, or more precisely motivational goals and schemata, which lead to their satisfaction or prevent their frustration, and in the context of motherhood seeks potential causes of anger and highlights its consequences. The empirical part of this thesis is based on quantitative research design, namely an online administered cross-sectional study, for which four inventories - Anger Attacks Questionnaire (AAQ), Rage Attacks Questionnaire (RAQ-R), Inventory of Approach and Avoidance Motivation (FAMOS), and Incongruence Questionnaire (INK) - were localized into the Czech setting. Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was the last instrument used in this study. The research sample consisted of 257 adult women with an only child of up to 36 months of age and the study looked into the differences in subjective experience of mothers with anger attacks (N = 138) and without anger attacks (N = 119) with regard to the last three months. In the domain of psychosocial needs, the greatest intraindividual deficits for mothers with anger attacks emerged in the following...