This study aims to explore locus of control and care from the perspective of older people (aged
60 years and older) in relation to younger people. Nine older people (8 female and 1 male)
living in the Vaalharts community in the Northern Cape province of South Africa participated in
the research.
From the perspective of older persons, locus of control in intergenerational relations
refers to how they subjectively evaluate the control they exert in relation to the younger
generation and the broader environment. The extent to which older persons subjectively evaluate
rewards and punishments from the interpersonal context and the broader environment will
inform the manifestations of control (internal or external). Internal locus of control refers to the
subjective evaluation by older people: that they are in control of their lives and the environment,
and that they can give and receive care. Older people with an external locus of control believe
that their lives and environment are uncontrollable and governed by external factors. Little
research has focused on locus of control and care in intergenerational relationships.
The research was approved by the human research ethical committee of the Faculty of
Health Sciences in the North-West University. Guidelines provided by the Health Professions
Council of South Africa for psychologists were followed during and after the research process.
A qualitative research approach was used. The participants were first selected by using
purposive sampling. Data were gathered over three days by using the Mmogo method®. The
older people were asked to make something using these materials to illustrate their experiences
or the way in which they experienced care in relationship to younger people. The participants
had the opportunity to explain their presentations and prompting questions were asked. The data
were analysed by using thematic and visual analyses. Trustworthiness was ensured by testing for
credibility, transferability, dependability and comformability.
The data revealed four themes. First, the older people expressed internal locus control in
relation to the younger people by accepting responsibility to care for them. In relation to the
environment, they used the land proactively. In doing so, they demonstrated the expectation of
being rewarded for their efforts: the land would provide them with the food as a reward. Second,
older people demonstrated strategies associated with internal locus of control in relation to the
younger people and the environment. They modelled expected behaviour, educated the younger
people and monitored their school work. It is only in relation to disciplining younger people that
older people demonstrated external locus of control. They sought external assistance to
discipline the younger people, which included appeals to the police, God and the researchers.
Third, the outcomes of the strategies to exercise control over the younger people were not
effective, as the subjective expressions of disappointment and the rejecting behaviour of the
younger people showed. Last, the older people tried to gain control over the younger people by
applying escalating attempts at corporal discipline. These findings, in contributing to an
understanding of locus of control and care, may be used to facilitate positive relationships
between younger and older people, which are vital for both generations‟ well-being. / MA (Research Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:nwu/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/15203 |
| Date | January 2014 |
| Creators | Du Preez, Lynné |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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