Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The death of a parent calls on the family to utilize all its resources in order to adapt
successfully and maintain normal family functioning. Within the mental health field a
paradigm-shift from pathology-based to health-oriented is underway. Integral to this
health-oriented paradigm is resilience, the ability to rebound after being stressed or
challenged, as well as being able to rise above adversity and to survive stress. Family
resilience theory emphasizes the role that family characteristics, behaviour patterns and
capabilities play in cushioning the impact of stressful life events and in assisting the family
in recovering from crises (McCubbin, Thompson, & McCubbin, 1996). Using a crosssectional
survey research design, the present study aimed to explore and explicate those
resiliency factors which enable families to adjust and adapt successfully after the loss of a
parent. Families in which the death of a parent took place 1 to 3 years ago, and in which
the eldest child was between 12 and 19 years old were approached to take part in this
study. Thirty nine families completed questionnaires, as well as an open-ended question
in which they were asked to report the most important factors or strengths which they felt
helped their family through the stressful period. Results indicate that intrafamilial support
such as emotional and practical support amongst family members, and family hardiness
characteristics such as the internal strengths and durability of the family unit, contribute to
resilience within the family. Individual characteristics, such as positive personality
characteristics like optimism, are as important. Support from extended family and friends,
as well as support obtained from religious and spiritual beliefs and activities, were reported
as facilitating successful adjustment to the loss. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die dood van 'n ouer vereis dat 'n gesin alle bronne moet benut ten einde suksesvolle
aanpassing en gewone gesinsfunksionering te handhaaf. Binne die geestesgesondheidsveld
is daar 'n paradigma-verskuiwing vanaf patologie-gebaseerd na
gesondheidsgeoriënteerd. Integraal tot hierdie gesondheidsgeoriënteerde paradigma is
veerkragtigheid, die vermoë om terug te bons, uit te styg, en te oorleef nadat teëspoed
ervaar is. Gesinsveerkragtigheidsteorieë beklemtoon die rol wat gesinseienskappe,
gedragspatrone en bekwaamhede speel met betrekking tot die versagting van die impak
van stresvolle lewenservaringe, asook die gesin se herstel na die krisis (McCubbin,
Thompson, & McCubbin, 1996). 'n Dwarssnit opname-navorsingsontwerp is gebruik om
die veerkragtigheidsfaktore te identifiseer en te beskryf wat gesinne help om suksesvol na
die dood van 'n ouer aan te pas. Gesinne waar 'n ouer tussen een en drie jaar vantevore
gesterf het, en die oudste kind tussen 12 en 19 jaar oud is, is genader vir deelname aan
hierdie ondersoek. Nege-en-dertig gesinne het vraelyste sowel as 'n oop-end vraag
voltooi waarin hulle gevra is om die belangrikste faktore te beskryf wat hul gesin deur die
stresvolle periode gehelp het. Resultate dui daarop dat intragesinsondersteuning soos
emosionele en praktiese ondersteuning, en gesinsgehardheid met kenmerke van interne
sterkte en die volhoubaarheid van die gesin as eenheid, bygedra het tot
gesinsveerkragtigheid. Individuele eienskappe soos optimisme het net so 'n essensiële rol
gespeel. Ondersteuning van familie en vriende, asook ondersteuning as gevolg van
godsdienstige en spirituele oortuigings en aktiwiteite, was fasiliterend in die suksesvolle
aanpassing na die dood van 'n ouer.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/52434 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Human, Berquin |
| Contributors | Greeff, A.P., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Psychology. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 32 p. |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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