In Social Work, the term paradigm is used to express a specific perspective on the discipline. There are multiple paradigms in Social Work. They are not in a hierarchical relationship to each other, rather they coexist as alternatives. In contrast, the term paradigm as introduced by Thomas Khun and used in science, assumes the existence and superiority of one the newest paradigm. This thesis discusses similarities and differences in formulating paradigms in Social Work and science. It uses the concept of social functioning to describe and explain paradigms in Social Work.

Postmodernism affects views and lifestyles, which in turn determine how an individual fulfils his roles, meets his needs, and grows and adjusts in his different systems. The nature of this impact on the social functioning of young adults from an ecological systems perspective is relevant for the social work profession and to social work practitioners working with young adults. Discovering more about this impact therefore formed the rationale for this study. In this study, the mixed methods research approach was utilised seeing that it comprises both a qualitative and a quantitative component which, when mixed, provided a comprehensive analysis of the research problem. Young adults’ experiences and views of postmodern society could be considered as phenomena in the ‘real world’ which necessitated a qualitative approach to this study. In order to claim scientific accuracy, the impact had to be quantified. This implied measurement within a quantitative approach in order to produce precise and generalisable statistical findings. The researcher started the empirical study with the qualitative approach. In this manner, rich data could be obtained to assist in the compilation of suitable questions to construct a questionnaire. Sequential timing, within the exploratory mixed methods design, with the qualitative data collected and analysed first, followed by the quantitative data, therefore allowed for the one dataset to build upon the other. Mixing the datasets by means of an exploratory mixed methods research design provided a better understanding of the problem than if either dataset had been used alone. Exploratory factor analysis was used to reduce the data and promote the measurement of the impact of postmodernism. From the conclusions it is apparent that global issues observed in the macrosystem affect all the ecological systems and impact the social functioning of the young adult. The reciprocal impact of people and environmental systems on the social functioning of young adults within a postmodern paradigm was evident in this research. Personal experiences were highly valued, as well as a tendency towards ‘own authority’. Postmodernism affects views and lifestyles, which in turn affects the young adult’s performance of roles and his interactions within all his different social systems. A strong attachment to family and home, as well as the importance of roles as sons/daughters were found. It was found that young adults focus on ‘the self’ and on own needs and satisfactions, with contrasting views on the significance of formal structures, image and consumerism, (electronic) communication and interaction, diversity and personal future. Views regarding an uncertain future and personal roles evolve and change constantly, depending on social and economic factors. An increase in a need for spirituality in postmodern times was found. The contemporary young adult between the ages of 18 and 25 years explores and experiments in terms of identity and lifestyle. Thinking, questioning, feeling and a strong focus on ‘self’ characterise this young adult. Views and values seem to be person-specific and based on emotions and experiences. / Thesis (DPhil)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / hb2013 / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

The aim of the current pilot trial was to evaluate the effects of the group-based FRIENDS for Life (FFL) program on school and social functioning in children with elevated levels of anxiety. Participants were 15 children aged eight to 12 identified by their parents as experiencing elevated levels of anxiety. Children attended six two-hour sessions of the FFL program and completed measures of anxiety, school functioning, and social functioning at pre- and post-treatment. Results indicated nonsignificant reductions from pre- to post-treatment in both child- and parent-report anxiety with large and medium effect sizes, respectively. Working memory scores increased significantly and there was a trend toward a significant increase in academic performance; large within group effects were found for both increases. The increase in academic functioning scores was significant with a moderate effect size only for child-report scores. A significant improvement with a large effect size was found for child-report peer relations scores and significant decreases were found for parent-report asocial behaviour and relational aggression scores, both with moderate effect sizes. Overall, children in this study demonstrated improvements in anxiety, school functioning, and social functioning. While reduction in anxiety is the primary focus of the FFL program additional benefits include improvements in school and social functioning. Though results are encouraging it is important to note that this was an uncontrolled pilot study with a small sample size. Thus results should be interpreted with caution. Nevertheless, the generally positive findings of this trial suggest a larger controlled trial is warranted. If these findings are replicated in a larger trial, the FFL may be a cost-effective, easily implemented, and versatile anxiety prevention program that can help change the trajectory of anxious children’s school and social functioning.

Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) tend to experience social functioning problems, with girls more likely to encounter peer rejection than boys. The present study investigated gender differences in child, parent, and teacher perceptions of social functioning among ADHD and control children. Participants included 119 children (ages 6-11) and their parents. Sixty-one children were previously diagnosed with ADHD. Parents, teachers, and children completed measures assessing the child's social functioning. The results indicate that the relationship between ADHD status and social functioning differs as a function of rater. Teachers and parents reported that ADHD children had lower social functioning than controls, while ADHD and control children reported similar levels of social functioning. Gender differences were found on the child self-report, with girls reporting lower social functioning than boys. In ADHD children the relationship between social functioning and comorbid depression differed as a function of rater. Specifically, among ADHD children with depression, parents rated children as having lower social functioning than did children or teachers. In ADHD children without comorbid depression, however, there were no rater differences. Additionally, no rater differences in social functioning were found between ADHD children with and without a comorbid psychiatric condition. Overall, the results of the current study lend support to the idea that parents, teachers, and children have different perceptions of social functioning. Clinically, these results suggest that interventions could focus on identifying those ADHD children most at-risk for social functioning problems and developing interventions that fit with their perceptions. The limitations of the current study and directions for future research are presented.

Social isolation is commonly reported in individuals with isolated cleft lip and palate (ICLP), and is often cited as due to secondary factors of living with a facial malformation. However, the data are mixed, and the literature is biased to self-report studies. This study aimed to go beyond self-report data, and various components of social functioning were examined in a group of males with and without ICLP. The main aim of the study was to assess and compare social motivation in ICLP, and to relate social adjustment to brain structure. It was predicted that males with ICLP would be more likely to be socially isolated; however, self-concept was predicted to be similar to the comparison group (NC). Additionally, males with ICLP were predicted to have reduced social motivation (i.e., social abulia). Finally, volumes of the medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC) and the cerebellum were predicted to be related to social outcomes. The sample's age range was 13 - 25 years old, and 20 males with ICLP were compared to a group of 20 NC males. MRI scans were obtained from all the participants. As expected, males with ICLP were more likely to be socially isolated. Against predictions, they also had lower self-concept relative to the NC group. However, self-concept was not related to the extent of facial abnormality in the ICLP group. In line with predictions, the study did provide evidence for social abulia as a mechanism for social isolation, as males with ICLP had a more positive attitude after being socially excluded relative to excluded NC males. Unexpectedly however, the groups responded the same to social pressure, as all participants were more likely to take riskier turns in a driving simulator experiment when someone behind them was honking. Finally, social adjustment was significantly correlated with the volume of the mOFC, and posterior cerebellum white matter. Both correlations suggested that individuals with larger volumes were more likely to be better socially adjusted. In conclusion, the study provided evidence for a potentially different mechanism of social isolation in ICLP, and showed that brain morphology may at least partly underlie social dysfunction as well.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women worldwide with one in 29 women diagnosed with breast cancer each year in South Africa (CANSA, 2010). Breast cancer diagnosis and treatment can impact important areas of a woman’s life: her relationship with herself as an individual and woman; her relationship with family members as a mother, wife, daughter and caregiver; her relationship with the environment as community member and career woman and her relationship with her religion and spiritual deity. In the reality of a woman with breast cancer, there are certain roles that arise from her relationship with herself and the world around her. This is related to with social functioning which is the fulfilment of an individual’s roles, that are created by the individual’s interactions with his/her own self, family, society and environment. The diagnosis of breast cancer is marked by mixed emotions from the patient, including shock, denial and anxiety. Cancer treatment includes surgical intervention such as biopsy, lumpectomy and mastectomy; chemotherapy; radiation therapy and hormone therapy. The various cancer treatments have different side effects that the patient needs to cope with and adjust to. Breast cancer has an adverse effect on women and can influence social functioning in different ways during the phases of diagnosis, treatment and recovery. This study focuses on breast cancer’s influence on the social functioning of women. The goal of this study was: to explore the social functioning of women with breast cancer. The research question that guided this study is: how does breast cancer affect the social functioning of women? A qualitative research approach was followed with a collective case study research design. The population for this study was women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and are clients of CANSA Potchefstroom. In this study non-probability, purposive sampling was used to generate a sample. Eight participants who were diagnosed with breast cancer were selected for this study. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with participants. Interviews were voice recorded with the permission of the participants and were transcribed by a contracted professional transcriber. The data were analysed by the researcher and themes and sub-themes were identified. The research findings are presented by providing a profile of the research participants and presenting the thematic analysis of the themes and sub-themes. In support of the findings a literature review and verbatim quotes from the transcriptions are given. The themes include the following: Theme One – Understanding cancer; Theme Two – Social functioning of women with breast cancer within the context of their life world; Theme Three - Social functioning of women with breast cancer within the context of their family and Theme Four - Social functioning of women with breast cancer within the context of their community. The conclusions of this study indicate that breast cancer affects the social functioning of women in different areas of their lives. These women experienced changes in their personalities, spiritual aspects, physical abilities and roles. The family and community are supportive towards patients with breast cancer and this assists the woman diagnosed with breast cancer to cope. The recommendations offered by this study can be used by professionals working with women who are diagnosed with breast cancer, to understand the influence of breast cancer on the social functioning of women and to assist social workers in their intervention with these women. / Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / lmchunu2014 / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

<p>Social dysfunction is a hallmark of schizophrenia and leads to significant disability and distress. Decreased positive and increased negative affect predict poorer social functioning in those with schizophrenia. Social functioning and affect have traditionally been measured in the laboratory; yet, these methods are limited. Experience sampling methods (ESM) offer more immediate, ecologically valid assessments of these constructs. The purpose of this study was to examine social functioning and affect in schizophrenia using a novel form of ESM that passively collects audio data. The two primary hypotheses were: 1) clinical status (schizophrenia versus control) will predict social functioning, level of positive affect, and level of negative affect; and 2) the relationship between clinical status and affect will be moderated by context (social versus non-social). Additional exploratory aims tested the convergent validity between traditional, laboratory-based assessments of social functioning and this novel ESM. Data was collected from 38 people with schizophrenia and 36 control participants; Results partially supported the hypotheses. As expected, laboratory measures of social functioning revealed that those with schizophrenia performed worse than controls. ESM measures of social functioning found that the schizophrenia group interacted with others at the same rate as the control group but did not exhibit as much social engagement. ESM measures of affect revealed the schizophrenia group reported more negative affect than controls, but no differences in positive affect were found. Social context did not moderate the relationship between clinical status and affect. Lastly, correlations between laboratory measures and ESM measures of social functioning were significant for the schizophrenia group but not the control group. Results further our understanding of social functioning and affect in those with schizophrenia and yield important implications for future work.</p>

<p>Social functioning encompasses interactions with people across situations of varying complexity. Given the frequency of observed social impairments in individuals with schizophrenia, there is a need to identify mechanisms that influence social functioning impairments. One proposed mechanism is metacognition, a mental process that enables the integration and interpretation of mental states and experiences. Impaired metacognition can inhibit one’s ability to engage and navigate through our social world. In individuals with schizophrenia, both social functioning and metacognitive deficits are profound. This study examined three hypotheses. Following Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy (MERIT), (1) individuals will show improvements in social functioning; (2) individuals will show improvements in metacognitive abilities; and (3) improvements in social functioning will be associated with improved metacognitive abilities. </p>

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