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.

Doel: Die studie het gepoog om vaders se persepsie en ervaring van uitdagings in hulle verhouding met hul leergestremde kind te verken en te beskryf. Agtergrond: Leergestremdheid is ’n baie algemene probleem by kinders en is bekend vir die negatiewe effek wat dit op die kind self en op die ouers van die kinders uitoefen. Dit blyk dat ’n leergestremde kind addisionele spanning op die ouers plaas. Hierdie studie fokus alleenlik op die vader van ’n leergestremde kind omrede die meeste studies slegs op die moeder-kind-verhouding fokus, aangesien die moeder as die primêre versorger van die kind beskou word. Die navorsingsmetode wat vir hierdie studie gebruik is, was ’n kwalitatiewe navorsingsontwerp. Die populasie het bestaan uit vaders met leergestremde kinders in die ouderdomsgroep van 13 tot 18 jaar en wat as gevolg van intrinsieke oorsake leergestremd is. Die data is aan die hand van semigestruktureerde onderhoude met vyf vaders, asook met ’n groepsgesprek bekom. Die doel was om die vaders se ervaring van hulle verhouding met hul leergestremde kind te ondersoek, waarna tematiese analises gebruik is om data saam te stel. Die elemente van kwalitatiewe verkennende en beskrywende teorie het as breër raamwerk vir die studie gedien. Bevindings: Die vaders het hulle verhouding met hul leergestremde kind as baie frustrerend beskryf en gesê dat hulle ook nie ’n goeie verhouding met hul kind het nie. Gevoelens van teleurstelling het primêr betrekking op die onvoldoende verwagtinge wat die vaders vir hulle kind koester. Hulle gevoel dat hulle geen ondersteuning van die skole en van die breër gemeenskap ontvang nie, het ook tot ’n negatiewe ervaring met die leergestremde kind gelei. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Doel: Die studie het gepoog om vaders se persepsie en ervaring van uitdagings in hulle verhouding met hul leergestremde kind te verken en te beskryf. Agtergrond: Leergestremdheid is ’n baie algemene probleem by kinders en is bekend vir die negatiewe effek wat dit op die kind self en op die ouers van die kinders uitoefen. Dit blyk dat ’n leergestremde kind addisionele spanning op die ouers plaas. Hierdie studie fokus alleenlik op die vader van ’n leergestremde kind omrede die meeste studies slegs op die moeder-kind-verhouding fokus, aangesien die moeder as die primêre versorger van die kind beskou word. Die navorsingsmetode wat vir hierdie studie gebruik is, was ’n kwalitatiewe navorsingsontwerp. Die populasie het bestaan uit vaders met leergestremde kinders in die ouderdomsgroep van 13 tot 18 jaar en wat as gevolg van intrinsieke oorsake leergestremd is. Die data is aan die hand van semigestruktureerde onderhoude met vyf vaders, asook met ’n groepsgesprek bekom. Die doel was om die vaders se ervaring van hulle verhouding met hul leergestremde kind te ondersoek, waarna tematiese analises gebruik is om data saam te stel. Die elemente van kwalitatiewe verkennende en beskrywende teorie het as breër raamwerk vir die studie gedien. Bevindings: Die vaders het hulle verhouding met hul leergestremde kind as baie frustrerend beskryf en gesê dat hulle ook nie ’n goeie verhouding met hul kind het nie. Gevoelens van teleurstelling het primêr betrekking op die onvoldoende verwagtinge wat die vaders vir hulle kind koester. Hulle gevoel dat hulle geen ondersteuning van die skole en van die breër gemeenskap ontvang nie, het ook tot ’n negatiewe ervaring met die leergestremde kind gelei. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

In hierdie studie word ondersoek ingestel na die rolspelers in die Afrikaanse literêre sisteem wat tot kanonisering aanleiding gee. Die literêre sisteem word gekarteer deur die publikasies, resepsie daarvan en openbare debatte daaroor vir die tydperk 2000–2009 te ondersoek. Daar word aandag gegee aan die uitgewersbedryf; mediapraktyke; literêre pryse; vertalings; bloemlesings; literatuurgeskiedenisse; skryfskole; verwerking van literêre werke vir film en die uitvoerende kunste; die impak wat die sensuurwetgewing op die status van skrywers en die bedryf gehad het; leeskringe en ’n aantal kleiner rolspelers soos boeksubsidies, biblioteke, literêre tydskrifte, skrywersverenigings en literêre toerisme. Daar word verder ook aandag gegee aan die wyse waarop hiërargieë in die sisteem tot stand kom, kanonisering bewerkstellig word, knelpunte in die magspel tot uiting kom in veral openbare debatte, en die wyse waarop eksterne faktore op die sisteem inspeel. Die studie wys op die fyn netwerk wat onstaan as verbande tussen verskillende rolspelers in die literêre sisteem van nader ondersoek word. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2013 / Information Science / unrestricted

The aim of the study is to do qualitative research with the help of phenomenological strategy on the effect of cell phone use on the peer group relationships of early adolescents within the framework of the systems theory. The population existed of early adolescents aged between 13 and 15 years old in grades 8 and 9. Information was initially obtained through a written assignment where by the early adolescents described their cell phone use and their relationships with their peers. Thereafter three focus group discussions were held to obtain data saturation. Data was then thematically analysed and five themes with categories were identified. Findings and deductions were made regarding the cell phone as communication medium and the importance of the cell phone for the early adolescent, as well as with regard to the effect the cell phone may have on peer group relations. Lastly it is indicated that the cell phone can also be employed as a instrument of recreation within the context of the cell phone and peer group relations. It is concluded that cell phone use has an effect on peer group relations. Early adolescents find a real opportunity to exercise their social skills with their peer group through the cell phone as medium. Regarding this research done with these specific early adolescents, the study concludes that the cell phone has a positive influence on peer group relations as it creates a feeling of “belonging” amongst them. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The aim of the study is to do qualitative research with the help of phenomenological strategy on the effect of cell phone use on the peer group relationships of early adolescents within the framework of the systems theory. The population existed of early adolescents aged between 13 and 15 years old in grades 8 and 9. Information was initially obtained through a written assignment where by the early adolescents described their cell phone use and their relationships with their peers. Thereafter three focus group discussions were held to obtain data saturation. Data was then thematically analysed and five themes with categories were identified. Findings and deductions were made regarding the cell phone as communication medium and the importance of the cell phone for the early adolescent, as well as with regard to the effect the cell phone may have on peer group relations. Lastly it is indicated that the cell phone can also be employed as a instrument of recreation within the context of the cell phone and peer group relations. It is concluded that cell phone use has an effect on peer group relations. Early adolescents find a real opportunity to exercise their social skills with their peer group through the cell phone as medium. Regarding this research done with these specific early adolescents, the study concludes that the cell phone has a positive influence on peer group relations as it creates a feeling of “belonging” amongst them. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Older people often experience loneliness and depression, especially those dependent on institutional care. The loneliness can be attributed to multiple losses such as the loss of physical and cognitive abilities, the loss of relationships with familiar environments, the loss of significant others, as well as changing contact with family members and friends. The strategy commonly used by older people to deal with such feelings of loss, is to reminisce on such losses as well as on the lost or altered relationships. This strategy might result in a situation where the focus older people have on the past prevents them from recognizing the potential of relationships in their immediate environment. In order to make older people more aware of meaningful relationships in their immediate environment, the method of appreciative inquiry was used. Appreciative inquiry uses questioning as an intervention. Questions were formulated in such a way that the positive aspects of possible relationships in interpersonal environments were emphasised. The aim of the appreciative inquiry was to determine what relationship qualities older people experience as meaningful or effective. A qualitative and investigative research method was used in an attempt to investigate older people's subjective experiences of the relationships they have in the residential care facility. Participants to the study were volunteers who permanently reside in a residential care facility for older people in Gauteng, South Africa. Textual- and visual data was collected through the use of the World Café method, where the participants were divided into three separate groups of approximately six members each. Group discussions were facilitated as group leaders alternated with various activities between the groups. Sheets of A2 paper served as tablecloths allowing participants to conveniently jot down notes from the group discussion, and also to draw symbolic representations of their subjective experiences of the relationships they enjoy in their immediate environment. Data gathered in the various groups was then visually displayed so that a focus group discussion could occur. Crystallization confirmed the trustworthiness of the findings. Crystallization is an approach where data is combined using two or more genres of representation of socially constructed meanings as well as different methods of data analysis. In this study, several different data collection methods were used, including the use of symbols, group discussions and a focus group. The data analysis comprised of a combination of several methods of analysis, being thematic analysis, interactive pattern analysis and the visual analysis of posters. Approval pertaining to the ethical aspects of the research project was obtained from the North-West University. From the findings it became apparent that essential relationship qualities such as confirmation, empathy, unconditional acceptance and clarity of self-presentation between the residents spontaneously developed out of the safe and enabling interpersonal environment created by the management. This safe and enabling interpersonal environment is characterized by predictability, interpersonal flexibility, confirmation, congruence and empathy. According to this research, it can be argued that residents in this specific care facility were still able to identify and describe relationships that could effectively satisfy their needs – despite having experienced multiple losses associated with the aging process and/or losses in their particular lives. This study hence holds important implications for the creation of an interpersonal context by management in order to promote wellbeing among older people that reside in residential care facilities. / Thesis (MA (Clinical Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The aim of this study is to explore and describe children’s experiences of the repositioning of their psychological birth order in a reconstituted family. The aim of this study is also to contribute to a better understanding of this phenomenon to aid the parents of these children as well as professionals working with such families. The systems theory was used as the meta-theory of this study. Gestalt field theory formed the connection between the systems theory and Adlerian theory, to portray the interaction between the individual and the different subsystems of which they are part, and formed the lens through which the study was done. Adlerian theory was used to explain the subsystems function in the micro system, with the focus on children’s experiences of the repositioning of their birth order in a reconstituted family. A qualitative research method with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used as research design. Eight children took part in this study. The researcher used semi-structured interviews to explore their experiences of the repositioning of their psychological birth order and the data was analysed thematically. The researcher had a discussion with the participants’ parents to determine the children’s psychological birth order and to obtain background information regarding the original and reconstituted families. The findings indicated that children’s experiences in relation to their parents and siblings had the most profound effect on how they experienced the repositioning of their psychological birth order in a reconstituted family. It seemed that participants preferred their parents treating them congruent to their psychological birth order within the reconstituted family and they experienced incongruent treatment to their psychological birth order, as negative. Participants enjoyed being favoured by their parents. If the sibling who caused the repositioning was favoured, or his or her parents unfairly blamed the relevant participant, it contributed to tension in the sibling and child-parent relationships. Participants seemed to associate less time spent with parents as well as less attention from parents with step- and half-siblings in the reconstituted family. Participants expressed less responsibility in the reconstituted family as a favourable aspect and more responsibilities in the reconstituted family as a unfavourable aspect of being repositioned. In the participants’ experiences, which related to their siblings, the children seemed to defend their psychological positions in their renegotiation for new positions and roles in the reconstituted family often resulting in power struggles and sibling rivalry. Age and gender differences played a role in this process. When participants were ineffective in their negotiation of a new position within the new sibling subsystem, feelings of isolation were reported. Participants experienced frustration when they were unsuccessful in their negotiations regarding former roles associated with their psychological birth order in the new family system. Participants expressed companionship with a step- or half-sibling of the same gender as a favourable experience in their repositioning. The time elapsed since the reconstitution of the family, seemed to play an important role in how children experienced the repositioning of their psychological birth order. / Thesis (MA (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Older people often experience loneliness and depression, especially those dependent on institutional care. The loneliness can be attributed to multiple losses such as the loss of physical and cognitive abilities, the loss of relationships with familiar environments, the loss of significant others, as well as changing contact with family members and friends. The strategy commonly used by older people to deal with such feelings of loss, is to reminisce on such losses as well as on the lost or altered relationships. This strategy might result in a situation where the focus older people have on the past prevents them from recognizing the potential of relationships in their immediate environment. In order to make older people more aware of meaningful relationships in their immediate environment, the method of appreciative inquiry was used. Appreciative inquiry uses questioning as an intervention. Questions were formulated in such a way that the positive aspects of possible relationships in interpersonal environments were emphasised. The aim of the appreciative inquiry was to determine what relationship qualities older people experience as meaningful or effective. A qualitative and investigative research method was used in an attempt to investigate older people's subjective experiences of the relationships they have in the residential care facility. Participants to the study were volunteers who permanently reside in a residential care facility for older people in Gauteng, South Africa. Textual- and visual data was collected through the use of the World Café method, where the participants were divided into three separate groups of approximately six members each. Group discussions were facilitated as group leaders alternated with various activities between the groups. Sheets of A2 paper served as tablecloths allowing participants to conveniently jot down notes from the group discussion, and also to draw symbolic representations of their subjective experiences of the relationships they enjoy in their immediate environment. Data gathered in the various groups was then visually displayed so that a focus group discussion could occur. Crystallization confirmed the trustworthiness of the findings. Crystallization is an approach where data is combined using two or more genres of representation of socially constructed meanings as well as different methods of data analysis. In this study, several different data collection methods were used, including the use of symbols, group discussions and a focus group. The data analysis comprised of a combination of several methods of analysis, being thematic analysis, interactive pattern analysis and the visual analysis of posters. Approval pertaining to the ethical aspects of the research project was obtained from the North-West University. From the findings it became apparent that essential relationship qualities such as confirmation, empathy, unconditional acceptance and clarity of self-presentation between the residents spontaneously developed out of the safe and enabling interpersonal environment created by the management. This safe and enabling interpersonal environment is characterized by predictability, interpersonal flexibility, confirmation, congruence and empathy. According to this research, it can be argued that residents in this specific care facility were still able to identify and describe relationships that could effectively satisfy their needs – despite having experienced multiple losses associated with the aging process and/or losses in their particular lives. This study hence holds important implications for the creation of an interpersonal context by management in order to promote wellbeing among older people that reside in residential care facilities. / Thesis (MA (Clinical Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The aim of this study is to explore and describe children’s experiences of the repositioning of their psychological birth order in a reconstituted family. The aim of this study is also to contribute to a better understanding of this phenomenon to aid the parents of these children as well as professionals working with such families. The systems theory was used as the meta-theory of this study. Gestalt field theory formed the connection between the systems theory and Adlerian theory, to portray the interaction between the individual and the different subsystems of which they are part, and formed the lens through which the study was done. Adlerian theory was used to explain the subsystems function in the micro system, with the focus on children’s experiences of the repositioning of their birth order in a reconstituted family. A qualitative research method with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used as research design. Eight children took part in this study. The researcher used semi-structured interviews to explore their experiences of the repositioning of their psychological birth order and the data was analysed thematically. The researcher had a discussion with the participants’ parents to determine the children’s psychological birth order and to obtain background information regarding the original and reconstituted families. The findings indicated that children’s experiences in relation to their parents and siblings had the most profound effect on how they experienced the repositioning of their psychological birth order in a reconstituted family. It seemed that participants preferred their parents treating them congruent to their psychological birth order within the reconstituted family and they experienced incongruent treatment to their psychological birth order, as negative. Participants enjoyed being favoured by their parents. If the sibling who caused the repositioning was favoured, or his or her parents unfairly blamed the relevant participant, it contributed to tension in the sibling and child-parent relationships. Participants seemed to associate less time spent with parents as well as less attention from parents with step- and half-siblings in the reconstituted family. Participants expressed less responsibility in the reconstituted family as a favourable aspect and more responsibilities in the reconstituted family as a unfavourable aspect of being repositioned. In the participants’ experiences, which related to their siblings, the children seemed to defend their psychological positions in their renegotiation for new positions and roles in the reconstituted family often resulting in power struggles and sibling rivalry. Age and gender differences played a role in this process. When participants were ineffective in their negotiation of a new position within the new sibling subsystem, feelings of isolation were reported. Participants experienced frustration when they were unsuccessful in their negotiations regarding former roles associated with their psychological birth order in the new family system. Participants expressed companionship with a step- or half-sibling of the same gender as a favourable experience in their repositioning. The time elapsed since the reconstitution of the family, seemed to play an important role in how children experienced the repositioning of their psychological birth order. / Thesis (MA (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.