Thesis (DPhil (Sociology and Social Anthropology))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / The aim of the study was to design an alcohol abuse prevention program for the workplace
that was based on a sound program theory. Ultimately the study aimed to indicate an
approach to the improvement of social service programs by the incorporation of program
theory in the design, implementation and evaluation of social service programs.
In the first phase of the study the program theory was developed. Literature studies on the
prevention of alcohol abuse and on program evaluation were done. This was followed by a
survey in the workplace to determine alcohol consumption and abuse, factors contributing to
alcohol consumption, workplace factors contributing to abuse and attitudes towards the
responsible consumption of alcohol. The survey was complemented by focus group
discussions. Eight hundred and fifteen respondents completed the survey. The most
important findings were that 46% of respondents indicated that they drink alcohol, nine
percent could be classified as alcohol dependent according to the Michigan Alcoholism
Screening Test (Selzer, 1971) and 24% of men and 15 % of women drank at risky levels.
The most important factors contributing to alcohol consumption were social problems, social
drinking and dependence. Workplace factors contributing to alcohol consumption were the
lack of control, availability of alcohol, social pressure to drink and the quality of work. The
program theory was formulated from the results of the literature study, the survey and the
focus group discussions. The all-inclusive program theory was that life skills training will lead
to a reduction in frustration and therefore a reduction in the abuse of alcohol, within a positive
work environment.
In the following phase the program was implemented and evaluated. The program consisted
of life skills training, supervisor training and the revision of the alcohol policy. Quantitative
and qualitative methods were used to test the program theory and evaluate the program.
The life skills program was tested by means of an experimental design. The experimental
groups showed an improvement in psychosocial functioning, but the differences were not
statistically significant. The intervention had no significant effect on the consumption of
alcohol. Respondents’ knowledge about the moderate drinking of alcohol improved
significantly, but attitudes towards moderate drinking were not affected. Supervisor training
was done to improve relationships at work and to lower frustration. Supervisors improved
their knowledge of managing a troubled employee significantly and felt more comfortable in
managing troubled employees after the training. The substance abuse policy of the
workplace was revised successfully.
The study contributes significantly to the methodological improvement of substance abuse
prevention programs in the workplace and illustrates the importance of program theory in the
design and evaluation of social programs. The study also illustrates how a process of
formative evaluation can be used to improve social programs. More specifically the value of
a systematic process of program development and program evaluation has been
demonstrated, including that an in depth problem analysis has been done, an intensive and
collaborative process of theory development has been undertaken and a rigorist evaluation
design (with quantitative and qualitative components) has been applied.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/1221 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Steenkamp, Wilhelmina Carolina |
| Contributors | Mouton, J., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Sociology and Social Anthropology. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | Afrikaans |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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