Thesis (MEdPsych (Educational Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Research regarding caregivers in institutions for people with intellectual impairment
has traditionally focussed on aspects of pathology, such as stress and burnout. In
the past three decades there has been a shift towards a stronger focus on
individuals' competencies and strengths. This paradigm shift has contributed to the
development of the term ‘Quality of Life’.
This study focuses on the perceptions of formal caregivers in an institution for the
intellectually impaired about their Quality of Life. The aim was to understand the selfperceived
quality of life of staff caring for adults with intellectual disabilities using
Positive Psychology theories. Based on fortigenic assumptions regarding human
functioning, the influence of stress on formal caregivers and also positive
experiences and the factors that enable these caregivers to rise above hardships of
their occupation, were investigated.
This qualitative interpretive study was conducted in an institution for adults with
intellectually impairment and twelve caregivers at the institution willingly participated.
Data were generated through structured open-ended, informal and a focus group
interview and later analysed thematically. The themes discussed in the study evolve
around the caregivers’ perception of 1) their definition of quality of life, 2) their
current quality of life, 3) the negative factors, stressors, positive experiences and
psychofortological factors impacting on their quality of life, and 4) possibilities for
improving their quality of life.
Based on the relation between the above mentioned themes, the quality of life of the
caregivers appears to be a product of their relationship with the adults with
intellectual disabilities. Therefore, the findings indicate a paradox of care-giving
where the participants not only report on care-giving, but also on care-receiving
within their relationship with the adults with intellectual disabilities. In this relationship
care-giving seems to be a fortigenic factor for the most of the participants and also a
means for interpersonal flourishing.
On the basis of these findings several recommendations are made for further
research, with a view to striving towards improving the quality of life of staff caring for
adults with intellectual disabilities.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/2837 |
| Date | 03 1900 |
| Creators | Wahl, Sindi |
| Contributors | Newmark, R., University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Education. Dept. of Educational Psychology. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | Afrikaans |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | University of Stellenbosch |
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