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Beyond a mere happening against the canvas of life : the experience of resilience in relocated families

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The present study chiefly aimed to explore, identify and clarify the role that familial
capabilities, characteristics and resources (collectively referred to as resilience factors)
play in cushioning the impact of relocation on the family unit and assisting the family to
recover from this crisis. The study emanates from the salutogenic paradigm, focusing on
resilience, rather than mere pathology. The main theoretical basis of this investigation
resides in the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation (McCubbin
& Thompson, 1991). The study claims distinction in terms of its amalgamation of a
combined cross-sectional survey research design and qualitative analysis in identifying
and describing the critical familial resilience factors. Self-report questionnaires were
completed by either a parent (husband or wife) or by both a parent and an adolescent
child as representatives of the family. A total of sixty-eight families completed the
questionnaires, including an open-ended question. The results identified (i) traits and
abilities of individual family members, (ii) the family system’s internal resources and
support, (iii) familial integration and stability, (iv) the family unit’s utilisation of their
internal strengths and durability to manage problems outside of their boundaries, (v)
social support, as well as (vi) a passive appraisal coping style amidst the crisis, as
important resilience-enhancing resources. It is hoped that this information could be used
to develop more effective, culture-bound therapeutic intervention programmes that may
prevent problems, foster family resilience and affirm the reparative potential of families.
In so doing, South African families in need may be supported, strengthened and
empowered. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie ondersoek is gefokus op die identifikasie en beskrywing van gesinsvermoëns,
eienskappe en hulpbronne (waarna gesamentlik verwys word as
veerkragtigheidsfaktore) wat meewerk om die impak van hervestiging op die
gesinseenheid te demp en bystand te lewer aan die gesin om van hierdie krisis te
herstel. Die studie is gedoen vanuit die salutogeniese paradigma en plaas klem op
veerkragtigheid, eerder as op patologie. McCubbin en Thompson (1991) se “Resiliency
Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation” is benut as teoretiese basis. ’n
Dwarssnit opname-navorsingsontwerp is gebruik om kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe data
te versamel en te ontleed in die identifisering en beskrywing van kritiese
gesinsveerkragtigheidsfaktore. Selfrapporteringsvraelyste is voltooi deur òf ’n ouer (man
of vrou) òf ’n ouer en adolessente kind, as verteenwoordigers van die gesin.
Verteenwoordigers van 68 gesinne het vraelyste sowel as ‘n oop vraag voltooi. Die
resultate dui op (i) trekke en vermoëns van individuele gesinslede, (ii) die gesinsisteem
se interne hulpbronne en ondersteuning, (iii) gesinsintegrasie en stabiliteit, (iv) die
gesinseenheid se benutting van hul interne sterkpunte en duursaamheid om probleme
buite die gesinsgrense te hanteer, (v) sosiale ondersteuning, sowel as (vi) ’n passiewe
waarderingshanteringstyl temidde van die krisis, as belangrike
veerkragtigheidskenmerke. Hierdie bevindinge kan gebruik word om meer effektiewe,
kultuurgebonde terapeutiese intervensieprogramme te ontwikkel, wat probleme
voorkom, gesinsveerkragtigheid fasiliteer en die herstellende potensiaal van gesinne
bevestig. Op dié manier, kan gesinne wat hulle moet hervestig, ondersteun, versterk en
bemagtig word.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/16480
Date12 1900
CreatorsHoltzkamp, Joanita
ContributorsGreeff, A. P., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Psychology.
PublisherStellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
Languageen_ZA
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
RightsStellenbosch University

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