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Pietersen, Marisa. "Child care workers' management of sexualised behaviour displayed by children in residential child and youth care centres." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1644.
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Children have been shown to respond differently to the hurt that they suffer at the hands of others. Some of these responses involve internalised behaviours (i.e., repression of feelings, bodily symptoms, etc.); whilst others hurt manifest as externalised behaviours, such as physical attacks on others. These may include sexualised behaviours. The latter is particularly common amongst (but not restricted to) children who have been sexually abused (The American Psychological Association, 2001). For the purposes of this study a distinction is made between developmentally appropriate sexual behaviour and non normative sexualised behaviour which evoke complaints from and discomfort in those involved in the behaviour. The manifestation of these sexualised behaviours is especially pronounced amongst children in institutional care; and hence, it calls for constructive and effective management by the child care workers who are primarily responsible for their safe care and behaviour modification whilst in the institution. This qualitative study – with an exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design – served to explore how the child care workers’ effective management of such behaviours could be enhanced, so that the emotional wellbeing of both the “offender” and the “perpetrator” of this behaviour can be promoted. A non-probability purposive sampling technique was employed to recruit research participants from three different child and youth care centres in Port Elizabeth. A total number of 10 research participants were involved and data was collected up to the point of data saturation. Thematic content analysis was utilised for the analysis of the data and the necessary strategies were employed to enhance the trustworthiness of the data and to meet all the ethical requirements of the study. The main findings alert to the key requirements of Child and Youth Care Workers; it confirms the occurrence of sexualised behaviours; the urgent need for a consistent approach to the management of such behaviours; and for enhanced team work between the helping professionals in the team. The value of the study is embedded in the contributions it can make to practical interventions for children in institutional care, and to the sparse body of knowledge in this area.
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Hixson-Somanchi, Stephanie LaRae. "Working Mothers' Decisions, Experiences and Feelings about using On-Site Childcare." PDXScholar, 2010. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/19.
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On-site childcare is an ever-increasing form of childcare. By understanding the decisions, experiences and feelings of mothers using on-site centers, informed policy decisions about viable childcare models can be made. In the broadest terms current literature reveals that economic, societal, functional, and psychological factors influence a mother's decisions in regards to using childcare. This study used these markers as the basis for the development of questions to ascertain the experiences, feelings and decisions of mothers using on-site childcare. A phenomenological method was used. Twenty-four participants using on-site childcare from four organizations in different industries were located through a snowball sample for in-depth interviews. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded to derive themes of experiences. The findings reveal that on-site childcare impacts previously described effects of childcare. The factors of primary influence are child proximity and organizational support. The influence of close proximity can be seen in the themes of Networking, Organizational System Oneness, Family/Community Perception, Mothering Style, Center Quality, Work Time, Commuting Time, Nursing/Lactation, Guilt, Stress Management, and Employee Loyalty. Organizational assistance and support impact and overlap with proximity as a primary theme source. This can be seen in the themes of Cost, Networking, Organizational System Oneness, Waiting List, Center Quality, Work Time, Commuting Time, Nursing/Lactation, Stress Management and Employee Loyalty. The quality of the childcare, which in large part is made possible by the supporting organization, is held in such high regard that in some cases it overcomes the mother's desire for proximity. The implications of these findings are that high quality on-site childcare provides a significant benefit for mothers, organizations and communities. Family friendly organizational policy and feminist urban planning methods are better informed.
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Öjmyr-Joelsson, Maria. "Children with high and intermediate imperforate anus : aspects of care and psychosocial effects of the malformation /." Stockholm, 2005. http://diss.kib.ki.se/2005/91-7140-531-3/.
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Pike, Nicholas Keith. "'The theory doesn't work here' : an exploratory study of child care practice in a 52-week residential special school." Thesis, Cardiff University, 2012. http://orca.cf.ac.uk/45084/.
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This thesis reports an exploratory study of a residential unit in a special school for young people with complex learning disabilities and challenging behaviour. The study, which draws on ethnographic research methods, describes a relational approach to care based predominantly on ‘common sense’ explanations of behaviour rather than on a coherent knowledge base. Residential carers drew largely on informal models of care and the nature of the child care task was constructed predominantly from the prevailing staff culture of ‘how we do things here’. Staff made very little use of formal planning mechanisms, partly because documents were inaccessible to them, partly because documents were poorly completed and did not always match the observable skills of the young people. Such plans were often predicated on a much higher staff: student ratio than was actually available, and the way shifts were organised made their execution difficult to achieve. The construction of the child care task is illustrated in depth by a detailed examination of two micro-practices: providing meals and using bedrooms. In both cases, the research demonstrated that staff were working in a complex context of conflicting ideas, principles and instructions from a variety of competing sources. However committed to the principles of ordinary living, of choice and control, or to learning from everyday life, given the severity of impairment of some young people, the complexity of the context and the shortage of staff, residential workers had to improvise and often decide for themselves how tasks were to be undertaken, without reference to such plans and programmes as were available. The research suggests that the staff operate in this way because of the anomalous, even liminal, position of the residential special school in relation to mainstream child care practice and the challenges that this poses for staff, school managers and placing authorities.
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Forssell, Anna. "Better safe than sorry? : Quantitative and qualitative aspects of child-father relationship after parental separation in cases involving intimate partner violence." Doctoral thesis, Örebro universitet, Institutionen för juridik, psykologi och socialt arbete, 2016. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:oru:diva-49460.
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The relationship between a child and its parents (caregivers) is essential for the child’s development and well-being. When one of these parents uses violence against the other parent (intimate partner violence, IPV), this will affect the child one way or another: physically, psychologically, cognitively, socially. When two parents separate, the circumstances surrounding contact between the child and its parents change. The aim of this thesis is to analyse – in the context of Swedish parenting ideals and family norms – aspects of children’s relationships (after parental separation) with a father who has used violence against the mother in order to bring forward a foundation to discuss if and under what circumstances a continued contact is in the best interest of the child. The empirical basis for the thesis consists of two different sets of data. The first is qualitative interviews with children living at a women’s shelter (n=10). The second is a subset of data from a large evaluation study investigating support tochildren who had witnessed IPV. The latter material comprises interviews with and psychometric data on 165 mothers and 165 children. Results from the first article show that a majority of the children (75%) had continued contact with their fathers after parental separation, and that even in cases where there were indications of child abuse, about 50% of the children had unsupervised face-to-face contact with their fathers. This high rate can possibly be explained by the assumption (supported in legislation) that children have a need for contact. Further, the second article shows that children with and without contact do not differ in their level of well-being; i.e. contact with a violent father does not have the positive effect on children that has been found in general samples. In the third article, the violent fathers are described by the children as lazy and unreliable. Child–father contact is discussed in terms of why, when and how contact is in the child’s best interest.
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Jimenez, Susanne Allison, and Lori Hai Stooksbury. "The utilization of parent-child visitations for reunification and stability among children and families." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2005. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/2753.
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Glazer, Courtney Anne, and Adrianne Marie Vance. "Process evaluation of treatment with adolescents in residential treatment foster care." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2006. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/3067.
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As the number of children in foster care without a familial placement continues to grow, the child welfare system is turning towards a new placement approach called Residential Treatment Foster Care. This study performed a process evaluation of 30 Residential Treatment Foster Care facilities in Los Angeles County that explored the four characteristics of case plan design, team decision-making, therapeutic intervention, staff training, and overall treatment effectiveness with regards to the number of Absences Without Leave (AWOL) and completion of treatment plan.
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Tang, Yong, and 唐咏. "Obligation of filial piety, adult child caregiver burden, received social support, and psychological wellbeing of adult child caregiversfor frail elderly people in Guangzhou, China." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2006. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B37227385.
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Heese, Margarete. "Die belewing van sosiale ondersteuningsisteme deur vyfjarige kleuters uit histories benadeelde gemeenskappe." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/53368.
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Thesis (MEd)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Preshool children from historically disadvantaged communities are often not stimulated or supported in their early childhood development. Therefore these children are often not school ready for formal education. In previous studies it is reported that the mother has an important role to play in the preschool development of her child. In a community where parents are struggling to survive, the question is if those parents are in a position to support their children. The purpose of this study is to ascertain how the preschool child perceives his social support systems. In a qualitative research design five year old children from a disadvantaged community on the West Coast took part in the study. Out of the study it appears that the preschool child visualizes one of their parents and in some cases a grandparent as their most important support system. The facts however are that the parents in this community due to a shortage of time, education and knowledge of how to stimulate their children, do not playa supporting role in their early childhood development. To support preschool children in this situation the parents as well as any other people involved should be made aware of their responsibilities in this regard. They should be equipped with the knowledge and competencies to enable them to support their preschool children. It is important that intervention strategies are directed not only at the parents but to all in whom the preschool children place their trust
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kleuters uit histories benadeelde gemeenskappe word dikwels nie genoeg in hul vroeë kinderontwikkeling gestimuleer en ondersteun nie. Dit het tot gevolg dat hierdie kinders nie gereed is vir die formele onderrigsituasie wanneer hulle moet skool toe gaan nie. Uit die literatuur het geblyk dat die ouer, veral die moeder 'n groot verantwoordelikheid het ten opsigte van haar kind se voorskoolse ontwikkeling. In 'n gemeenskap waar ouers in 'n stryd om oorlewing gewikkel is, ontstaan die vraag egter of die ouers in staat is om 'n ondersteuningsrol te vervul. Die doel van hierdie ondersoek is om vas te stel hoe die kleuter sy sosiale ondersteuningsisteme ervaar. In 'n kwalitatiewe navorsingsontwerp het vyfjarige kleuters uit 'n histories benadeelde gemeenskap aan die Weskus aan die ondersoek deelgeneem. Uit die ondersoek het geblyk dat die kleuters een van hulouers of in enkele gevalle 'n ouma as hul vernaamste ondersteuningsisteem visualiseer. Die feit is egter dat die ouers uit hierdie gemeenskap weens 'n tekort aan tyd, opvoeding en die kennis om hul kleuters te stimuleer nie werklik 'n ondersteuningsrol speel in hul kleuters se vroeë kinderontwikkeling nie. Om kleuters in hierdie situasie te ondersteun moet hulouers, maar ook enige ander persone wat betrokke is by die kleuter se ontwikkeling, bewus gemaak word van hul verantwoordelikheid en ook toegerus word met die kennis en vaardighede om dit te kan doen. Dit is belangrik dat intervensiestrategieë nie net op die ouer sal fokus nie, maar op alle ander persone in wie die kleuter vertroue het.
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Cardoso, Gracielle Feitosa de Loiola. "(RE) produção de famílias “incapazes”: paradoxos à convivência familiar de crianças e adolescentes institucionalizados." Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo, 2017. https://tede2.pucsp.br/handle/handle/20274.
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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES
The objective of this research was to know the experiences of access to services / public policies of families with children in an institutional reception situation and the repercussions for the return to the relationship with their children. It is a relational object that pulsates in lands that are very strongly intertwined between the Single Social Assistance System and the Justice System. To carry out this study presupposes a complex movement that shows a saturated web of historical, cultural, political, economic and social mediations. From this perspective, we chose the qualitative research, carried out with the support of the oral source, as a way of getting as close as possible to the reality and historical processes experienced and counted by the subjects participating in the research. The narrative of three women, Cristina, Nega and Margareth, whose stories intersect not only through the institutionalization of their children, but also through a daily life that is crossed by inequalities, violence and abandonment. In order to help in this process, the narratives of workers working in the Justice System and the Single Social Assistance System also came on the scene: two social workers and an lawyer working in CREAS, an social worker and an psychologist from the Municipal Reception Service, an social worker of the Reception Service for children up to 06 years old, and four tutorial advisers. The orality allows us to understand how subjects give meaning to reality, the possibility of "giving life" to what is set in procedural records, medical records, reports and PIAs, to know the lives and stories behind the persons held As negligent, incapable or dependent. Thus, allowing access to other contours and living beyond the inability to care for their children. It was tried to raise questions that contribute so that families with institutionalized children have access to a social protection citizen and, the destitution of the familiar power, can be more and more an exception
Objetivou-se com a pesquisa conhecer as vivências de acesso aos serviços/políticas públicas de famílias com filhos em situação de acolhimento institucional e as repercussões para o retorno ao convívio com seus filhos. Trata-se de um objeto relacional que pulsa em terrenos que se entrelaçam muito fortemente entre o Sistema Único de Assistência Social e o Sistema de Justiça. Realizar esse estudo pressupõe um movimento complexo, que evidencia uma trama saturada de mediações históricas, culturais, políticas, econômicas e sociais. Partindo dessa perspectiva, escolhemos a pesquisa qualitativa, realizada com o suporte da fonte oral, como forma de nos aproximarmos o mais perto possível da realidade e dos processos históricos vivenciados e contados pelos sujeitos participantes da pesquisa. O fio condutor que teceu a sua construção foram as narrativas de três mulheres, Cristina, Nega e Margareth, cujas histórias se intercruzam não apenas pela institucionalização dos seus filhos, mas também por um cotidiano atravessado por desigualdades, violências e abandonos. Para auxiliar nessa tessitura também entraram em cena as narrativas de trabalhadores que atuam no Sistema de Justiça e no Sistema Único de Assistência Social, sendo: dois assistentes sociais e uma advogada atuando no CREAS, uma assistente social e uma psicóloga do Serviço de Acolhimento Municipal, uma assistente social do Serviço de Acolhimento para crianças de até 06 anos e, quatro conselheiros tutelares. A oralidade nos permite compreender a forma como os sujeitos dão significado a realidade, a possibilidade de “dar vida” ao que está posto nos autos processuais, nos prontuários, nos relatórios e nos PIAs, de conhecer as vidas e histórias por traz das pessoas tidas como negligentes, incapazes ou dependentes. Possibilitando, assim, o acesso a outros contornos e viveres para além da incapacidade de cuidarem de seus filhos. Buscou-se levantar questionamentos que contribuam para que famílias com filhos institucionalizados tenham acesso a uma proteção social cidadã e, a destituição do poder familiar, possa ser cada vez mais uma exceção
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Azong, Jecynta A. "Economic policy, childcare and the unpaid economy : exploring gender equality in Scotland." Thesis, University of Stirling, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/1893/22827.
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The research undertaken represents an in-depth study of gender and economics from a multi-disciplinary perspective. By drawing on economic, social policy and political science literature it makes an original contribution to the disciplines of economics and feminist economics by advancing ideas on a feminist theory of policy change and institutional design. Equally, the study develops a framework for a multi-method approach to feminist research with applied policy focus by establishing a pragmatic feminist research paradigm. By espousing multiple research philosophies, it extends understanding of gender differences in policy outcomes by connecting theories from feminist economics, feminist historical institutionalism and ideational processes. Jointly funded by the Economic and Social Research Council UK and the Scottish Government, this project attempts to answer three key questions: What is the relative position of men and women in the Scottish economy and how do childcare responsibilities influence these? Which institutions, structures and processes have been instrumental in embedding gender in Scottish economic policy? To what extent and how is the Scottish Government’s approach to economic policy gendered? Quantitative analysis reveals persistently disproportionate differences in men and women’s position in the labour market. Women remain over-represented in part-time employment and in the public sector in the 10years under investigation. Using panel data, the multinomial logistic regression estimation of patterns in labour market transitions equally reveal disproportionate gendered patterns, with families with dependent children 0-4years at a disadvantage to those without. Qualitative analysis indicates that these differences are partly explained by the fact that the unpaid economy still remains invisible to policymakers despite changes in the institutional design, policy processes and the approach to equality policymaking undertaken in Scotland. Unpaid childcare work is not represented as policy relevant and the way gender, equality and gender equality are conceptualised within institutional sites and on political agendas pose various challenges for policy development on unpaid childcare work and gender equality in general. Additionally, policymakers in Scotland do not integrate both the paid and unpaid economies in economic policy formulation since social policy and economic policy are designed separately. The study also establishes that the range of institutions and actors that make-up the institutional setting for regulating and promoting equality, influence how equality issues are treated within a national context. In Scotland, equality regulating institutions such as parliament, the Scottish Government, equality commission and the law are instrumental variables in determining the range of equality issues that are embedded in an equality infrastructure and the extent to which equality issues, including gender, are consequently embedded in public policy and government budgets. Significantly despite meeting all the attributes of an equality issue, unpaid care is not classified as a protected characteristic in the Equality legislation. These institutions can ameliorate, sustain or perpetuate the delivery of unequitable policy outcomes for men and women in the mutually dependent paid and unpaid economy. Thus, economic, social and political institutions are not independent from one another but are interrelated in complex ways that subsequently have material consequences on men and women in society. In summary, there are interlinkages between the law, labour market, the unpaid economy, the welfare state and gendered political institutions such that policy or institutional change in one will be dependent on or trigger change in another. These institutions are gendered, but are also interlinked and underpin the gender structure of other institutions to the extent that the gendered norms and ideas embedded in one institution, for example legislation or political institutions, structure the gendered dimensions of the labour market, welfare state, and the unpaid economy. By shedding light on institutional and political forces that regulate equality in addition to macroeconomic forces, the analysis reveals the important role of institutions, policy actors and their ideas as instrumental forces which constantly define, redefine and reconstruct the labour market experiences of men and women with significant material consequences.
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REBANE, Marit. "The start of inequality : evidence from Italian time-use data." Doctoral thesis, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/1814/49144.
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Defence date: 28 November 2017Examining Board: Professor Fabrizio Bernardi (Supervisor), European University Institute; Professor Jonathan Gershuny, University of Oxford; Professor Martin Kohli, European University Institute; Professor Maria Letizia Tanturri, University of Padua
The thesis consists of three empirical studies which explore the origins of various social inequalities arising at early ages. Italian Time Use Survey data from 2003 and 2009 is used. First, the educational and developmental gradients in childcare are under observation. More educated parents are expected not only to spend more time with children, i.e. the education gradient in child care, but also to alter their childcare time in order to cater children´s developmental needs more, i.e. the developmental gradient in childcare. The empirical results show that: (i) highly educated mothers alter the composition of active childcare time to suit children´s developmental needs more than less educated mothers; (ii) the developmental gradient in fathers´ childcare time only exists for certain activities and child ages; (iii) interesting time-use patterns of compensation emerge for couples with different educational backgrounds. Second study compares the time use of children from single-mother and intact families, using propensity score matching. The time diaries of children between age 3 and 10 years are scrutinized. Given the multitude of literature on the negative aspects of witnessing parental break-up, and being raised by a single-mother, the results are somewhat surprising. No systematic and large differences in the use of free time between the treatment and the control group. The greatest difference concerns daily meals with parent(s) that are about a quarter of an hour shorter in single-parent families. Third empirical study adds the perspective of different parental investments by children´s birth order which serves as an indicator of relative disadvantage. The analytical sub-sample consists of families with two and three children aged from 3 to 11 years. The contribution to available studies is (i) connecting the diaries of both parents and all children in the family by place codes, which enables to (ii) scrutinize the link between birth order and parental childcare investments by parental education. Results indicate that each day second-born children receive on average 88 minutes and third-born children 114 minutes less interactive care compared to their first-born sibling, while controlling for children´s age, gender, and other characteristics. The disadvantage arising from birth-order is about 47 minutes smaller if mother has secondary or tertiary education. Siblings fixed effects models underline that the differences in investing time in children are greater between families than inside families.
Chapter 2 'Double advantage or disadvantage? the effect of parental education on child care' of the PhD thesis draws upon an earlier version published as an article 'Double advantage or disadvantage? Parental education and children's developmental stages in Italy' (2015) in the journal 'Electronic International Journal of Time Use Research (eIJTUR)'
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Dwyer, Michelle Margaret. "Child care, who cares? : a critique of child care in Canada." Thesis, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/10602.
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Today in Canada, child care is not perceived by the government, nor its citizenry,
as a public good. Despite numerous reports from economic, health, social and
psychological experts, Canadians remain complacent about the inadequate child care
provisions in our country. As a society, we do not demand, or even anticipate, the public
provision of universal, affordable, accessible child care. Instead, Canadians consider the
care of children to be a predominantly private issue; unworthy of significant government
intervention or assistance. Consequently, parents and children must improvise within a
privatized, ad hoc, market-oriented patchwork of individualized child care arrangements.
While it is true that certain "special" cases are acknowledged to deserve the
government's support, - for example Aboriginal children and children with special needs,
as well as the children of "welfare moms" - their exceptional status serves to reinforce the
notion that the care of children is primarily a private parental responsibility.
The purpose of this paper is to analyze and critique the current child care system
(or lack thereof) in Canada. In addition, I intend to show that existing child care
arrangements are unsatisfactory not only because of the immediate consequences for
parents, children, and child care workers, but because of the way in which the privatized
purchasing of child care reinforces other systemic shortcomings in our patriarchal,
racialized, capitalist society. I will argue that current attitudes toward child care in
Canada, as part of a patriarchal capitalist and racialized paradigm, rely on and perpetuate
detrimental notions of class, gender and race, to the disadvantage of all citizens. Finally,
I will discuss the possibilities for meaningful reform of the Canadian approach to child
care.
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Penfold, Wendy Leigh. "Social reactions to child sexual abuse : a child-centred perspective on helpful and harmful experiences in the aftermath of disclosure." Thesis, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/2833.
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Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a problem of increasing intensity both internationally and within the context of South Africa. While various studies have investigated the post-rape experiences of CSA survivors, few have studied these experiences from a child-centred perspective. The current study thus seeks to explore the personal views of children and their ways of seeing the world in relation to their helpful and harmful experiences in the aftermath of disclosure. The sample was taken from an NGO, located on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal, which deals specifically with issues affecting abused children. The sample consisted of 20 child rape survivors, between the ages of 5 and 17. Qualitative interviews were conducted in isiZulu by a trained Counselling Psychologist, who served the role of both interviewer and counsellor. Interview transcripts were translated into English and analyzed thematically. Data were organized within an ecosystemic framework in an attempt to conceptualize experiences at various systemic levels. Results indicate varying helpful and harmful experiences with regard to familial, community, institutional, and
broader macrosytemic levels of influence. Harmful experiences at the institutional level appeared to have to do with the lack of information shared with the children as to the nature of the proceedings, and what was expected of them, rather than with the post-rape medical examination. Reactions of significant others, in particular the primary caregiver, were found to have a
significant impact upon the child’s own feelings towards the sexual abuse. Fear of revictimization, disbelief regarding the minimum punishment afforded to the perpetrator, and feelings of being tricked, deceived, and let down by the perpetrator, were other common themes within the data.Thesis (M.Soc.Sci.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.
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Mavangira, Vimbai Precious. "Psychosocial experiences of perinatally HIV infected adolescents residing in child and youth care centers in Pretoria." Thesis, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/10156.
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The roll-out of Anti-retroviral Therapy in South Africa has enabled perinatally HIV infected children to reach the adolescent phase. It is important to acknowledge that the psycho-social experiences of perinatally HIV infected children differ from other adolescents. This study explored the psychosocial experiences of perinatally HIV infected adolescents residing in Child and Youth Care Centres in Pretoria. Using qualitative interpretive-descriptive methodology, the sample consisted of eight perinatally HIV infected adolescents, two social workers and ten child and youth care workers from two Child and Youth Care Centres. Data was collected using semi-structured in-depth interviews with perinatally HIV positive adolescents and two focus groups were held with child and youth care workers and social workers. The use of these two data collection methods enhanced the reliability and trustworthiness of the data.
Using social constructionism as the key conceptual framework, there were four key themes and subthemes that distilled from the interviews and focus groups. The results revealed that perinatally HIV infected adolescents have difficulties discussing their status and that they used blocking as a coping strategy to avoid the subject. Disclosure was difficult for the adolescents as they were acutely aware of stigma and discrimination. With regards to adherence to medication there was lack of self-efficacy as the adolescents relied mostly on Child and Youth care workers and social workers. Finally in both Child and Youth Care centres, lack of on-going disclosure and discussion about HIV hindered the availability of psychosocial support services.
This study concludes that child and youth care centres should develop programs which focus on support topics such as sexuality, disclosure and self-esteem. The Department of Social development should implement psychosocial support training specifically for Child and Youth care workers and Social workers working with perinatally HIV positive children.Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.
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Hall, Katharine Jane. "Children’s spatial mobility and household transitions: a study of child mobility and care arrangements in the context of maternal migration." Thesis, 2017. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/24138.
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Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Development Theory and Policy, School of Economics and Business Science, University of the Witwatersrand, June 2017South Africa has uniquely high rates of parental absence from children’s lives. Apartheid-era restrictions on population movement and residential arrangements contributed to family fragmentation, particularly when adults – mainly men – migrated to work in cities and on the mines. Despite the removal of legal impediments to permanent urban settlement and family coresidence for Africans, patterns of internal and oscillating labour migration have endured, dual or stretched households continue to link urban and rural nodes, and children have remained less urbanised than adults. Importantly for children, migration rates among prime-age women have increased, alongside falling marriage rates, declining remittances and persistently high unemployment. Households, and women especially, may have to make difficult choices about how to manage the competing demands of child care and income generation. It is the mobility patterns and household configurations arising from these strategies that are the focus of this research. The thesis uses a mixed-method approach to explore children’s geographic mobility and care arrangements. Using micro data spanning two decades, it traces children’s co-residence arrangements with parents and describes changes in household form from the perspective of children. It maps recent patterns of child migration within South Africa using four waves of a national panel study and compares these with patterns of maternal migration to reveal various dynamics of migration in mother–child dyads: co-migration, sequential migration, independent migration, and immobility. The child-focused analysis augments the existing migration literature, which has tended to focus on adult labour migration and ignore children or regard them as appendages of migrants. A single, detailed case study spanning three generations of mothers adds texture to the analysis by demonstrating the complexity of household strategies and plans for child care in the context of female labour migration. This in turn helps to reflect on the value of micro data for describing and analysing household form and migration patterns, particularly among children.
XL2018
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Mkhize, Zethu Maud. "Social functioning of a child-headed household and the role of social work." Thesis, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/1898.
Full textAbstract:
A family is a basic unit of society. Among the many functions that are performed by a family, is the task of providing for its children's needs while simultaneously transmitting the society's way of life. The functioning of the family takes place through a parent-child relationship. It is therefore significant for the family to carry out parental tasks in order to give a sense of security, a sense of companion and belonging, a sense of responsibility, sense of purpose and direction to its members.
Although there are many factors that pose a threat to family functioning, the scourge of the HIV/AIDS pandemic cannot be underestimated. As the disease has advanced over time, it has negatively impinged on the children's lives. Children are losing their parents to HIV/AIDS opportunistic illnesses and this has resulted in the burgeoning of child-headed households. The phenomenon of a child-headed household presents a shift from a structural family since a significant subsystem of a family (i.e the parental subsystem) is non-existent.
The study presents an in-depth investigation into the social functioning of a child-headed household. The aim was to come to a better understanding about issues that surround households that are headed by children. The social institutions with whom the household co-exists have been scrutinised in order to determine the ways in which these institutions impact upon the social functioning of child-headed households. The study highlights that child-headed households are a deviation from the norm and they create a situation where needs of children are unmet and their rights are eroded. The role of social work in mobilising resources to meet the unmet needs and championing for the rights of the children has been investigated.
Case studies of ten families were conducted in the three districts of KwaZulu-Natal an area in South Africa that has widely been reported as hardest hit by the pandemic. A research team was constituted which designed a protocol for conducting case studies and collected data. Social workers also participated in the study with an aim of exploring guidelines for social service delivery with regard to a child-headed household.
The study found that children are increasingly exposed to aspects of multiple care-giving through lack of parental care and a changing family structure. It was also revealed that the HIV/AIDS pandemic is shattering children's lives and reversing many hard won children's rights. In spite of the transition in the family life cycle, the family remains the central institution in the children's lives. The scourge of HIV/AIDS poses a great challenge to society. Children are left on their own without visible means of support. The problems of children develop into great magnitude in spite of policies that are in place.
The findings of the study point to implications for a practice model that is aimed at
co-ordinating services for effective service delivery. The researcher has presented suggested guidelines based on the findings of the study. These guidelines include the role of social work in ensuring that the social functioning of the children in child-headed households is enhanced and that social justice for these children is promoted. A protocol for intervention in child-headed households is provided. This would ensure that interventions in bringing about desired change in the lives of the children, produce sustainable results on a significant scale.Social work
D. Phil.(Social Work)
18
Du, Preez Riëtte. "An ethnographic study of caregiving at a daycare centre for divelopmentally challenged children." Thesis, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/4685.
Full textAbstract:
In this qualitative study the researcher explores the experiences of various caregivers at a day
care centre for developmentally challenged children. This study also attempts to draw a
distinction between the experiences of formal and informal caregivers’ experiences. The study is
underpinned by two assumptions: 1) that in order to obtain a rich understanding of a
phenomenon, the views and voices of a variety of individuals need to be considered and 2) that
cultural values and practices play a significant role in the way individuals experience a certain
phenomenon. The experiences of both formal and informal caregivers are documented using
thematic analysis. An analysis of the participants’ global themes revealed that
“education/learning/skills development” and “communication barriers” were common themes
among both participant groups. Each participant group also expressed unique experiences such
as “being a parent”, “becoming a foster parent” and “being useless as a professional-in-training”.
Focal areas for further research are highlighted.Clinical Psychology
M.A. (Clinical Psychology)
19
Sibanda, Joyce. "Factors influencing primary health care services utilisation by children living in child-headed households in a rural community of Swaziland." Diss., 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/19195.
Full textAbstract:
Text in EnglishBackground: Children living in child-headed households have health needs that require treatment and care. Matsanjeni is one of the poorest socio-economic areas of Swaziland with the high number of children orphaned by HIV and AIDS who are often living without adequate family and social supports. These conditions are known for increasing people vulnerability to diseases and hindering access and utilization of health services. However, children living in child-headed households in Matsajeni community do attend the primary health care (PHC) services on regular basis. What influence the utilization of the above services by children living in child-headed households in the Matsanjeni community is not clear and well documented. Aim of the study: To explore and describe the views of children living in child-headed households in a rural community of Swaziland regarding factors influencing their utilization of PHC services. Design: A qualitative descriptive design was used to guide the study. Purposive sampling was used to select the most senior child from child-headed households in a rural community. Semi-structured individual face-to-face interviews were used to generate data. Data saturation was reached after twenty interviews. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse data. The researcher used Andersen behavioural model was to identify and organised the emerged themes. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Ethics Committees of the University of South Africa and the Ministry of Health of Swaziland. Results: Fear to develop a deadly disease, perceived seriousness of the condition, desire for compliance to medical treatment, and community support emerged as enablers of primary health care services utilisation among children living in child-headed households. While lack of money, ignorance, shortage of healthcare personnel, negative behaviour and attitude of health professionals, long waiting hours, unreliable transportation system, and long distance emerged as inhibitors of primary health care services utilisation among children living in child-headed households. Conclusion and recommendation: The results of this study add to our understanding factors that positively and negatively influence the utilisation of primary health care services among children living in child-headed households in rural communities. The findings suggest that the utilisation of primary health care services among children living in child-headed households is influenced by need for care-enabling resources-experience of care triad. Behavioural and social welfare interventions are needed to enhance the utilisation of primary health care services among this vulnerable section of the community in Swaziland. Recommendation for further research is also articulated.
Health Studies
M.A. (Public Health)
20
Mapurazi, Michelle Nyarai. "The nature of collaboration between social workers and Isibindi child and youth care workers in rendering services to orphans and vulnerable children." Diss., 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/21704.
Full textAbstract:
Text in EnglishOrphans and vulnerable children are increasingly forming a larger portion of the South African population. The escalating number of these children in communities is caused mainly by the loss of parents to HIV/AIDS. This poses a huge challenge for the government and organisations rendering social welfare services to these orphans and vulnerable children. This qualitative study sought to explore and describe the nature of collaboration between social workers and child and youth workers in rendering services to orphans and vulnerable children in the Free State province. The non-probability sampling technique of purposive sampling guided the data collection process using in-depth one on one semi structured interviews as a data collection method. Finally the data was analysed by means of Creswell’s data analysis spiral followed by the principles of Guba for data verification. The ethical considerations adhered to throughout this study were informed consent, right to privacy, avoidance of deception, debriefing of participants, management of information. The rationale was that overlapping boundaries exist when the two professions work together in addressing the needs of orphans and vulnerable children. The findings of the research confirmed that there are no clear guidelines on the collaboration of social workers and child and youth care workers, although personal efforts are made for a healthy working relationship. Recommendations were made in relation to the findings.
Social Work
M.A. (Social Work)
21
Ndava, Netsai Rejoice. "Social work services for child-headed households in Virginia in the Free State Province." Diss., 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/25103.
Full textAbstract:
Text in EnglishChild-headed households are a reality in South Africa, and extensive research has advanced its causes and the children’s coping mechanisms. Social workers identify children in need, refer them to SASSA for social grants, facilitate foster care placements and offer psychosocial support services. This study sought to determine the nature of social work services rendered to children in such households in Virginia in the Free State. Qualitative exploratory, descriptive and contextual research was used to reach the goal of the study. Thirteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirteen participants who were selected through purposive sampling. The data collected was analysed using the eight steps of Tesch (in Creswell, 2009) and verified through Guba’s method of trustworthiness (Krefting, 1991). The services rendered to child-headed households (CHHs) through individual, group and community work were inadequate due to lack of resources including a shortage of social workers due to a general dissatisfaction with salaries. Participants suggested the need to build the capacity of the available staff through staff training and improved access to available resources in order to strengthen the nature of services rendered to CHHs.
Social Work
M.A. (Social Work)
22
Woldeyohannes, Moges Jemaneh. "The roles and challenges of household care giving in child headed households affected by HIV/AIDS : the case of 10 child households heads in Addis Ababa." Diss., 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/3484.
Full textAbstract:
Ethiopia faces large and growing numbers of child household heads, mainly due to AIDS-related parental deaths. Many of them are vulnerable to abuse and are forced to look after themselves and their siblings, drop out of school and find work.
This exploratory study employed qualitative research methods using purposive sampling. The aim was to ascertain how child household heads affected by AIDS adapted to changed life circumstances. The study entailed fieldwork for five weeks in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, where evidence was gathered from 10 selected households headed by children (aged 12 to18), their siblings and key informants.
It was found that all the children in the study are in dismal living conditions although some reported feelings of satisfaction and happiness. The need to provide special recognition and support to child household heads and their siblings by policy makers and service providers in Ethiopia is highlighted.M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)
Social Work
23
Thithi, Potetsa Elizabeth. "Perceptions of midwives and pregnant women of the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV programme at the ante-natal care unit and maternity ward at the Johan Heyns community health centre in tne Sedibeng District, Gauteng." Diss., 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/18667.
Full textAbstract:
The study reports on the perceptions of the midwives and pregnant women of the
PMTCT of HIV programme at the antenatal care and maternity ward at the Johan Heyns
Community Health Centre. A qualitative approach was adopted to conduct the study.
Purposive sampling was used to select participants and was informed by social
behavioural theories. Data was collected using interviews and analysed using thematic
categorisation. The findings show that at the first PMTCT encounter participants had
little to no knowledge of the PMTCT programme, generally displayed a lack of interest,
experienced emotional distress, and fear at the thought of having to disclosing their
HIV-positive status to their partners/family and had certain trepidations about
participating in the PMTCT programme. The participants’ perception on their roles was
that their roles were interlinked, midwife needs the recipients (pregnant woman) and
pregnant woman needs the provider (midwife) therefore one cannot do PMTCT without
the other. The study recommends that the capacity building of pregnant women be
optimised, that PMTCT awareness campaigns for women of childbearing age should be
a priority and PMTCT skills to be prerequisite for midwives deployed to ANC clinics and
maternity ward units.Health Studies
M. A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)
24
Van, Beek Liezel. "Between a baby and a boardroom : social constructions of mothers' employment decisions." Diss., 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/26662.
Full textAbstract:
Text in English, isiZulu and AfrikaansThe topic of work-life balance has gained much attention in recent years. A focal point remains the effects of maternal employment on the well-being of women and children, despite shifts in society towards gender equality. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of mothers who either had chosen to stay at home after having children or to continue with full-time employment; and how their decision impacted their lives. This qualitative study, based on the Social Constructionist paradigm, and Second Order Cybernetics and Feminist Theories, included interviews with four full-time employed and four stay-at-home South African mothers. The data were analysed using hermeneutic analysis. The findings suggest that the participants’ tensions regarding motherhood and employment were strongly influenced by structural obstacles at work and at home, interpersonal relationships with other mothers, as well as intrapersonal experiences. Breastfeeding was identified as a prominent topic within the various themes.
Eminyakeni yamuva nje ukulinganisela phakathi komsebenzi nokuphila kwasekhaya kube undabamlonyeni. Indaba eseqhulwini kuseyiwo umthelela wokusebenza komama enhlalakahleni yabesimane nezingane, yize sekube nezinguquko emphakathini endabeni yokulingana kobulili. Inhloso yalolu cwaningo kwakuwukuhlola lokho okwehlele omama abakhethe ukuhlala ekhaya ngemva kokuzalwa kwezingane noma abaqhubeka besebenza isikhathi esigcwele; nokuthi isinqumo sabo sibe namuphi umthelela ekuphileni kwabo. Lolu cwaningo olwalubheka umnyombo, olusekelwe embonweni weNhlanganyelo Yomphakathi, kanye ne-Cybernetics Yohlelo Lwesibili Nemibono Yabalweli Besifazane, lwalubandakanya izingxoxombuzo nomama abane baseNingizimu Afrika abasebenza isikhathi esigcwele kanye nabanye abane abahlala ekhaya. Ulwazi lwahlaziywa kusetshenziswa uhlaziyo lokucubungula okulotshiwe. Okwatholakala kubonisa ukuthi izinto ezaziyingqinamba kubabambiqhaza ngokuphathelene nokuba umama nokusebenza zazilawulwa kakhulu yizithiyo zesikhundla emsebenzini nasekhaya, ubudlelwano nabanye omama, kanye nalokho ababhekana nakho uma bezihlola ekujuleni. Ukuncelisa ibele kwakubhekwa njengesihloko esiqavile phakathi kwalezo zihloko ezinhlobonhlobo.
Die kwessie van ‘n werk-lewe balans geniet die afgelope paar jaar baie aandag. 'n Brandpunt in die literatuur is steeds die gevolge van ma’s se indiensneming op die welstand van vroue en kinders, ondanks verskuiwings in die samelewing ten opsigte van geslagsgelykheid. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die ervarings van vroue te ondersoek wat óf kies om tuis te bly, óf om voltyds te bly werk wanneer hulle kinders kry; en hoe die besluit hul lewens beïnvloed. Die kwalitatiewe studie, gebaseer op ‘n sosiaal-konstruksionistiese uitgangspunt, en ekosistemiese en feministiese teorieë, het onderhoude met vier voltydse werknemers en vier tuisbly ma’s in Suid-Afrika ingesluit. Die data is ondersoek met behulp van hermeneutiese analise. Die bevindinge dui daarop dat die deelnemers se spanning rakende.
Psychology
M.A. (Psychology)
25
Thiele, Shelley. "Exploring the feasibility of foster care as a primary permanency option for orphans." Diss., 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/927.
Full textAbstract:
In the wake of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, welfare organisations in Vryheid situated in northern KwaZulu-Natal have noted dramatic increases in requests for foster care placements for orphaned children. In many instances, orphans have lived by private arrangement with extended families for several years. However, families are increasingly overwhelmed with the burden of overextending scarce resources, forcing them to seek welfare assistance.
Community-based responses to the crisis are regarded as top priority. This study examines literature regarding child care alternatives for orphans, focussing on foster care as the primary option. A study was conducted which explored community perceptions towards the local orphan crisis and foster care in particular. Findings revealed that although the adage 'Blood is thicker than water' still applies, foster care cannot stand alone. Alternate forms of care-giving need to be found to avoid plunging orphan care into further crisis.Social work
M.A.(Social Science (Mental Health))
26
Moeketsi, Ramathabathe Rossy. "Exploring the involvement of children in the decisionmaking process about their future." Diss., 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/3397.
Full textAbstract:
The researcher wanted to explore the experiences of children who removal by a social worker either to an institution or to foster homes. The researcher wanted to find out if the behaviour of absconding could be explained by using systems theory, contructivism, cybernetics and person- centered theory.
The researcher hypothesized that children abscond from alternative care as a means of communicating with the social worker involved as well as any other person significant in their lives.
The study wanted to explore how these children perceived their involvement in the decision making process of their removal. The researcher only interviewed children who had absconded from the alternative care placements.
The study found that all the children interviewed perceived that they were not involved in any way in the process of removal. They all saw their removal as a form of punishment for something they did wrong, but they did not get an opportunity to discuss with their parents or significant others. They also perceived their absconding as an effort to rectify the situation. A lot of anger and suspicion towards social workers was encountered during the study.
In terms of the theories mentioned above, these perceptions are the children’s own reality, which might differ from the realities as created or perceived by social workers.
It is hypothesized that social workers who use the Child Care Act 74/83 and its regulations in the removal of children, do it to protect the children from risky situations as their job responsibility requires.
This study indicates that the children did not experience removal as protection. Instead of children feeling protected in the alternative care, they felt blamed, judged and unhappy about their removal and excluded from the process.
The researcher made a few suggestions that could be considered when social workers removing children to alternative care.
It is recommended that social workers involve the children and their parents or significant others in the entire process of deciding the future of any children in their (parents’) care.
However, if removal is deemed necessary, just telling or informing children that they will be removed for their own safety is not enough. Children might not perceive the situation as dangerous. Instead, they might see the social worker as posing a danger to them and their families and thus try to shut the social worker and what s/he says out of their minds.
Findings safe ways to involve children and families in the decisions about their future may require of social workers to revive their academically acquired knowledge in this respect.Social Work
M.A. (Social Sciences (Mental Health))
27
Kapesa, Mary Joyce. "Understanding resilience and coping in child-headed households in Mutasa District, Zimbabwe." Thesis, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/20007.
Full textAbstract:
Text in EnglishZimbabwe had 50 000 child-headed households (CHH) in 2002 and by 2010, the figure had gone up to more than 100 000, making Zimbabwe the African country with the highest number of CHH (UNICEF & UNAIDS 2010). These statistics gave rise to the sprouting of many organisations and programmes aimed at catering for the needs of the affected children. Not much attention is given to what the CHH can do for themselves and how they have be surviving without outside help. The present study explored the resilience factors and coping strategies used by children living in CHH in the Mutasa District, Zimbabwe. The mixed method concurrent triangulation design was used in the study and a constructionist theoretical framework was adopted. Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect data from 28 children in CHH, 46 community members, 24 teachers, 25 child service professionals, 10 advisory panel members, 3 government officials involved in policy formulation and implementation and 5 members of the CHH’s extended family. The Resilience Scale was administered to the CHH and the Tree of Life and problem solving activities were carried out with the children. Resilience scores obtained from the children in CHH were in the high to very high category of resilience. The qualitative data was thematically analysed. The research findings indicate that children in CHH use problem focused coping strategies. Their resilience is anchored in both individual and environmental factors. A Bidirectional Model of Resilience that is based on the findings emerged from the study.Three pathways to resilience that are embedded in this model were identified, furthermore the Self-Efficacy Strengths-Focused Model of Coping was proposed. Intervention strategies to foster resilience in CHH should focus on creating coping enabling environments and strengthening individual characteristics.
Psychology
Ph.D. (Psychology)
28
Fuhri, Emmarentia Magritha. "The psychological effect on grandchildren when being raised by their grandparents." Diss., 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/14155.
Full textAbstract:
The focus of this study was to investigate psychological effect on grandchildren when
they are being raised by their grandparents. Considerable research has been done on the
psychological effect on the grandparents, but very little on the effects on grandchildren,
especially in South Africa.
By means of a mainly qualitative investigation, empirical data were collected through informal
discussions, observations and projection media from four families and seven grandchildren in total.
The findings yielded a number of common themes among all the grandchildren, and yet
others showed the influence of the attitude of the grandparents towards the situation.Educational Studies
M. Ed. (Guidance and counseling)
29
Tissiman, Lindy Michelle. "An exploration of the life-experiences of AIDS-orphans in kinship foster care in South Africa." Diss., 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/3254.
Full textAbstract:
Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
have many devastating impacts, including the growing number of AIDS-orphans left without
care. In the study, semi-structured interviews, incomplete sentences and Kinetic family drawings
were used to explore the life-experiences and perceptions of AIDS-orphans living in kinship
foster care, from a Gestalt perspective. The study revealed that the majority of the AIDS-orphans
included were making good contact at the contact boundary and all the respondents were not
familiar with the term 'foster care'. The researcher therefore recommended that children are
educated about foster care at school, thus possibly increasing the awareness of foster care in
South Africa, thus possibly increasing the provision of homes for the vastly growing numbers of
AIDS-orphans in our country and perhaps make a difference in society.Sociology
M. Diac. (Play therapy)
30
Van, Busum Kelly M. ""Nobody asked if I was ok:" C-section experiences of mothers who wanted a birth with limited medical intervention." Thesis, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/1805/5585.
Full textAbstract:
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)This thesis project aims to address the following question: How do women who were planning a vaginal birth with limited medical intervention experience an unplanned c-section? Specifically, this research project involved: completing in-depth interviews with 15 women who planned a vaginal birth with limited medical intervention but instead experienced an unplanned c-section between six months and two years ago; discovering and describing the nature of the birth the mothers originally envisioned for their child; exploring the women’s experiences with, and feelings about, the birth itself and how it might differ from what they envisioned; developing a better understanding of how these experiences and feelings affected the women during the first two years following the birth; describing any challenges they faced and how, if at all, they managed such challenges; and identifying strategies that could be used to improve the experience of women recovering from an unplanned c-section who envisioned a vaginal birth with limited medical intervention.
31
Hamza, Endris Hussien. "The socio-economic situation of orphans and vulnerable children in Dessie Town, Ethiopia." Diss., 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/6564.
Full textAbstract:
This study was a situation analysis of the socio-economic conditions of orphans and vulnerable children in Dessie Town. Specifically the study assessed the educational attainment, economic status, social isolation, adjustment, discrimination and psycho-social status of OVCs, the characteristics of the care-givers of OVCs and the support systems for OVCs. Therefore, 270 OVCs, 130 guardians and 4 OVCs service-providing organisations were selected as respondents. A survey research design was used. The study found that OVCs and their households faced problems such as school dropout, low educational performance; economic and food insecurity, lack of adequate clothing; social isolation and emotional hardships due to separation of siblings; discrimination, and neglect. Children’s housing conditions, toilet facilities, and access to clean water and health facilities were poor. The majority of guardians were unemployed and unable to fulfil the needs of the OVCs in their care. It is recommended that support systems for OVCs be strengthened.Sociology
M.A. (Sociology)
32
Bande, Evidence. "An exploration of the psychosocial needs of orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV and AIDS in Gokomere, Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe." Diss., 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/18792.
Full textAbstract:
The study explored the psychosocial needs of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) affected by HIV and AIDS in Gokomere, a rural area of Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe. The participants of the study included OVCs, caregivers and members of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and faith-based organisations (FBOs). The data was gathered using semi-structured in-depth interviews and a focus group discussion. The audio-taped data was transcribed, coded and interpreted to generate themes, categories and sub-categories. The main psychosocial needs of OVCs affected by HIV and AIDS were found to be the need for relationships, succession planning, social protection and emotional and spiritual support. Kinship care emerged to be the most important form of care for OVCs while home-based care and child-headed households emerged as new forms of care for OVCs. This study recommends that coordinated efforts by the government, NGOs/FBOs/CBO and the community at large is needed to address the challenges facing OVCs affected by HIV and AIDS.Health Studies
M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)
33
Phuthi, Kesiwe. "Investigating the psycho-social needs of orphaned adolescent learners in the context of HIV and AIDS : a case study of a high school in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe." Diss., 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/14331.
Full textAbstract:
Orphans from child care institutions and from extended families attend the same schools as non-orphans. They are often given the same psycho-social support yet it is clear that they have different psycho-social needs. Their backgrounds are usually different from those of other adolescent learners because, often, they would have observed or nursed sick parents who eventually died from AIDS-related illnesses. This qualitative study aimed at investigating the psycho-social needs of orphaned adolescent learners in child care institutions and those in extended families in the context of HIV and AIDS. The study further sought to find out how the psycho-social needs affected the HIV- and AIDS-affected orphans’ school performance and social behaviour. In-depth interviews were conducted with four orphaned learners from child care institutions and four from extended families using open-ended questions. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Findings of the study were that the psycho-social needs of AIDS-affected orphans in families were met by relatives more than those of AIDS-affected orphans in child care institutions. The results of the study also revealed that there was not much difference in school performance between HIV- and AIDS-affected orphans from extended families and those from child care institutions. Thus this study contributes to Sociological and Behavioural literature in the area of HIV and AIDS as well as the education literature of the vulnerable groups like orphans. The school offered psycho-social support en masse with no special programme for orphans affected by HIV and AIDS for fear of stigmatising the orphans.Health Studies
M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)
34
Naidoo, Ceilan Vailu. "Supporting orphaned learners through the school based support team : a case study." Thesis, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10593.
Full textAbstract:
M. Ed. (Educational and Learning Support)Society has never before experienced a human tragedy of the magnitude caused by the orphan crisis. Life for the estimated 4 million orphans in sub-Saharan Africa is often desperate where children attempt to care for themselves and each other without adequate adult· support. Orphaned children are not only traumatized by the loss of their parents, they then also lack adult guidance during crucial developmental stages of their lives, and educational concerns are usually neglected. The social costs that emerge are juvenile crime, reduced educational levels, unskilled workers and a general burden on the state. With the introduction of the School Based Support Teams (SBST) in an attempt to further the implementation of inclusive education, schools have become aware of the need to support all learners in their community, including orphans. This study investigated the nature of the role played by the SBST of a primary school in their endeavours to support orphaned learners. During their work with the orphans, the SBST encountered many challenges that emerged as diverse needs of the children were revealed.Initially, the focus was on meeting lower order needs such as food, clothing, shelter and school equipment. In meeting these needsthe SBST embraced a position of collaboration with local businesses and child welfare organisations in providing the necessary resources. Help was also given in the planting of a vegetable garden, with an irrigation system which was tilled by volunteers from the parent community. School uniforms were provided by the Department of Social Development and the Rotary club. With time however, the SBST, started taking an additional responsibility, such as obtaining identity documents, applying for child grants and arranging for social worker involvement in the management of foster parents and custody. Caregivers and foster parents were approached and aided in their applications for exemption from paying school fees and close collaboration with custody courts was maintained. Working more deeply with the orphans, higher order needs emerged regarding grieVing for lost parents, the need to re-establish social groups and family ties, and the need for spiritual guidance and a sense of hope for the future. Responding to this additional challenge the SBST established a link with the local church to provide counselling support for the orphans. The schools guidance department conducted a workshop for the teachers on basic counselling and bereavement counselling which serve to empower the staff to deal with the orphans' emotional trauma on a daily basis. Since the orphaned learners were now being physically and emotionally supported, learning problems emerged due to their previous interruptions in schooling. The SBST called on the expertise of remedially trained teachers to provide extra classes and supervise homework for these learners in an attempt to address their scholastic backlog. Selected orphans were loaned solar powered reading lamps for use at home where there is no electricity. Orphaned learners were also encouraged to participate in the school's sporting and extra-mural programme and the necessary sport gear and arrangements were facilitated by the SBST. As the nature of the SBST's involvement deepened, a sub-committee was established, the welfare portfolio, whose sole responsibility was the well-being of the school's orphans. In managing the growing orphan population in the school, they compiled a database of the orphans in the school detailing their specific problems, needs, home circumstances and the actions required by the school in supporting each child's individual needs. A workshop was conducted for the foster parents and caregivers on budgeting and using the child care grants wisely for the orphans. Since it was revealed that some caregivers were abusing the funds on alcohol and neglecting the orphans in their care. The welfare committee also negotiated half price transport fees with the local taxi service in the transportation of orphaned learners to and from school. Apartnership was established with the local police station to gain their support. Should any orphaned learners report physical abuse, they would be respectfully treated. The systemic and collaborative nature of the role of the SBST in this primary school is highlighted in this case study. Without the visionary focus and strategic planning of the SBST in supporting the orphaned learners, they would probably have dropped out of school. Thus the transformation of the SBST into a broad-based structure which networks with a myriad of sources is crucial in fostering inclusive educational practices in South African schools.
35
Jones, Sylvia Lynn. "The interaction between paediatric asthma and family functioning." Diss., 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/786.
Full textAbstract:
The present study explored the interaction between paediatric asthma and family functioning, within the context of family systems theory. Eight families, each with an asthmatic child between the ages of 8 and 15, were included in this study. In each case, the parents were interviewed and completed a quantitative measure, the Family Assessment Device, The results indicated that each family has a unique way of functioning and of integrating the child's asthma into its lifestyle. Factors found to be involved in the mutual impact of paediatric asthma and family functioning were the size of the family, the severity of the child's condition, the ways in which the family copes with the stress of asthma, communication patterns between parents, compliance with family rules and boundaries, and the affective responsiveness and involvement of family members.Psychology
M.A. (Psychology)
36
Germann, Stefan Erich. "An exploratory study of quality of life and coping strategies of orphans living in child-headed households in the high HIV/AIDS prevalent city of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe." Thesis, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/2395.
Full textAbstract:
A distressing consequence of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and of the increasing numbers of orphans and decreasing numbers of caregivers is the emergence in ever larger numbers of child-headed households (CHHs). The complexity of issues affecting CHHs and the lack of research on this subject means that CHHs are not well understood. This sometimes prompts support agencies to provide emotionally driven recommendations suggesting that it is better for a child to be in an orphanage than to live in a CHH. This exploratory study, involving heads of 105 CHHs over a 12 month period and 142 participants in various focus group discussions (FGD) and interviews, suggests the need for a change in perspective. It addresses the question of CHH quality of life, coping strategies and household functioning and attempts to bring this into a productive dialogue with community child care activities, NGO and statutory support and child care and protection policies.
Research data suggests that the key determining factor contributing towards the creation of a CHH is `pre-parental illness' family conflict. Another contributing factor is that siblings want to stay together after parental death. Quality of life assessments indicate that despite significant adversities, over 69% of CHHs reported a 'medium' to 'satisfactory' quality of life and demonstrate high levels of resilience. As regards vulnerability to abuse, it is found that while CHH members are more vulnerable to external abuse, they experience little within their household. Contrary to public perceptions about CHHs lacking moral values, CHH behaviour might actually be more responsible than non-CHH peer behaviour as their negative experiences appear to galvanize them into adopting responsible behaviour. Community care and neighbourhood support in older townships are better established compared with newer suburbs. Sufficient community care capacity enables CHHs to function, thus avoiding a situation where households disintegrate and household members end up as street children. CHH coping responses seem to be mainly influenced by individual and community factors, and by social, spiritual and material support. The interplay between these and the CHH's ability to engage in the required coping task impacts on the coping outcome at household level.
National and international government and non-governmental child service providers in Southern Africa need to recognize that an adequately supported CHH is an acceptable alternative care arrangement for certain children in communities with high adult AIDS mortality and where adult HIV-prevalence exceeds 10%.Development Studies
D. Ltt. et Phil. (Development Studies)
37
Petty, Ann. "The Welbedacht East parents’/ primary caregivers’ perceptions and practices of ‘good enough’ parenting and the development of a locally specific parenting support intervention." Thesis, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/26466.
Full textAbstract:
Intensifying interventions to improve the quality of care that children receive from parents/
primary caregivers is mandated by several strategic objectives, such as the National Plan
of Action for Children 2012-2017 (South Africa 2012), the White Paper on Families in South
Africa (2013), and the Children’s Amendment Act 41 of 2007 (South Africa 2007). Parenting
programmes remain popular parenting interventions (Daly, Bray, Bruckauf, Byrne,
Margaria, Pecnik & Samms-Vaughan 2015:18; Richter & Naicker 2013:9) reporting
outcomes of enhanced parent-child relationships, improved behaviour of children, and
reduced parental stress. There is a concern that parenting programmes offered in South
Africa lack evidence of their efficacy (Wessels 2012:9) and cultural and contextual
relevance for the recipients (Begle, Lopez, Cappa, Dumas & de Arellano 2012:56; Richter
& Naicker 2013:1). The study developed a locally specific parenting support intervention for
parents/ primary caregivers living in the low-cost housing development of Welbedacht East
using the Intervention Development Design model. Parents/ primary caregivers were
involved throughout the study, contributing to the intervention’s applicability, as well as its
contextual and cultural relevance. Bioecological and social inclusion theories framed the
study.
A qualitative research approach supported by an exploratory, descriptive and contextual
design was used. Two purposive samples (parents/ primary caregivers and community
champions) were recruited. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect the data.
Thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke 2006) produced the findings that were presented at a
consultation workshop attended by research participants and relevant stakeholders where
the parameters of the intervention were determined. These were subsequently developed
into the elements and intervention protocols by four indigenous community experts following
the Delphi process. Lincoln and Guba’s (1985) approach to trustworthiness as presented
by Porter (2007:85) and Thomas and Magilvy (2011:152) was used. Cultural competence
was maintained throughout and ethical considerations were observed to circumvent harm
to participants and uphold the integrity of the research process.
The perceptions of the parents/ primary caregivers were consistent with scholarly indicators
of ‘good enough’ parenting, but the contextual stressors they experienced challenges their
ability to fulfil some of these indicators. An intervention was needed to increase parental
capacity to improve parent-child relationships, cultivate life skills for improved psychological health, and advance the financial independence of parents.
It was concluded that a parenting programme on its own would fail to address the most
pressing needs of parents/ primary caregivers living in disadvantaged circumstances and
custom-made parenting support interventions were needed to increase parental capacity to manage the structural challenges that compromised parenting, such as socioeconomic
interventions of a social developmental nature.Social Work
D. Phil. (Social Work)
38
Dunga, Ntombifikile Sylvia. "An investigation of the services provided by the Bhambayi Drop-in Centre in Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal for orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV and AIDS." Diss., 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/19999.
Full textAbstract:
The purpose of the study was to investigate the services provided by the Bhambayi Drop-In Centre in Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal for orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs).
Qualitative research design and in-depth interviews with key informants and foster parents of the OVCs were conducted. The study found that the services which are provided by the Centre enabled the orphans and vulnerable children to enjoy life as normally as possible and to experience life meaningfully. As beneficiaries of the Bhambayi Drop-In Centre the children had access to education and two meals per day.
Beyond meeting such basic needs, the study also found that Centre instilled a sense of belonging and community in the children. Access to social grants enabled the children’s basic needs to be met. In addition foster parents played a crucial role in taking care of orphans and vulnerable children.Health Studies
M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)
39
Gono, Melania. "The experiences, challenges and coping resources of AIDS-orphans heading households in an urban area in the Free State." Diss., 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/18759.
Full textAbstract:
HIV and AIDS related deaths have left numerous children heading households as the
number of adults dying from this pandemic increased significantly. The goal of this
study was to gain an in-depth understanding of the experiences, challenges and coping
resources of AIDS-orphans heading households in an urban area in Free State using a
qualitative study. The research revealed that the level of suffering faced by these
children began with their parents’ illness. This was further worsened by the death of
the parents. These children are in most instances not absorbed by their extended
families as the traditional safety nets are stretched to their limits. Children heading
households were forced to take up adult responsibilities prematurely and as such
encounter challenges on daily basis. The study concluded that the child headed
families are a reality in South Africa and need lots of support from the government and local communities.Social Work
M.A. (Social Work)
40
Mkhonta, Nkosazana Ruth. "Guidelines for support of orphaned and vulnerable children being cared for by their grandparents in the informal settlements of Mbabane, Swaziland." Thesis, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/2958.
Full textAbstract:
The AIDS pandemic has generated a large number of orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) in Swaziland, as it affects the reproductive age group. Most of the OVC are being cared for by their grandparents who are old, poor and suffer from degenerating diseases of old age. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the needs and support available for OVC under the care of grandparents in the informal settlements of Mbabane, Swaziland in order to develop guidelines for their care and support. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual study was conducted to identify the needs of the OVC and type of support provided by organizations for these children. Data was collected using unstructured and semi-structured interviews.
The study was conducted in three phases each addressing a research objective. In the first phase which was to identify the needs of OVC, twelve grandparents who cared for OVC in the informal settlements participated. For the second phase seven managers of organizations that provide support to OVC in the informal settlements participated. The third phase was the development of guidelines by the researcher and validated by participants and experts. The study highlighted the needs of OVC, the nature of the existing support structure and type of support provided by organizations for these children. The findings revealed that the OVC have developmental support, protection support, psychosocial support and support for survival needs. The themes identified from the analysis of the type of support provided by organizations were developmental, partnership, protection, psychosocial and support for survival needs. The organizations' support was inconsistent and inadequate to meet these needs due to the large number of OVC. Some
of the weaknesses of organizations were indicated as donor dependency and lack of coordination and collaboration among organizations. The study highlighted partnership as fundamental to the successful implementation of the guidelines.Health Studies
D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)
41
Van, den Berg Elisabeth D. C. "Factors influencing the capacity of extended families to provide psychosocial support to AIDS orphans." Diss., 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/2150.
Full textAbstract:
Statistics on HIV/AIDS are alarming. Very little is known about how communities are actually coping with this disease and what methods seem to be working to empower them to deal with it.
Psychosocial distress is one of the dimensions of the impact of AIDS on children and families, and stresses the necessity to enhance the capacities of extended families and friends to be able to deal with these psychosocial issues.
Using qualitative research and a case study as the strategy of inquiry, this dissertation of limited scope explores and describes the factors influencing the capacity of extended families in providing psychosocial support to AIDS orphans.
A literature study was done to give a theoretical overview on the following aspects:
* AIDS orphans
* The extended family and HIV/AIDS
To reach the first objective of this study, an empirical study was done and semi-structured interviews were used to obtain information from four extended families in the Mukwe area of the Kavango Region in Namibia.
The literature study and the empirical study enabled the researcher to draw conclusions on the factors which influence the capacity of extended families to provide psychosocial support to AIDS orphans.
The information was analysed, interpreted and published in this research report so as to reach the other objectives of this study.Social Work
M. Diac. (Play therapy)
42
Moime, Winnifred Motsei. "The effect of orphanhood on the psychosocial development of pre-primary and primary school learners." Thesis, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/2694.
Full textAbstract:
D.Ed. (Psychology of Education)Although the human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is still very much a silent issue in South Africa, the AIDS pandemic has become a public problem which is threatening to a significant proportion of the population of South Africa (Heartbeat 2002:1; Kaseke and Gumbo 2001:53). HIV infections are on the rise and people are dying every day of AIDS related diseases (Msomi, 2000:8). Thus, the overall aim of this research was to determine how the HIV/AIDS orphans’/vulnerable children’ psychosocial status is affected by the HIV/AIDS disease. The study was conducted in the Bojanala Region of the North West Province. A purposeful sampling was used because four (4) schools were suggested by the Department of Social Services in the Rustenburg Area due to their high populace with HIV/AIDS orphans. The other four (4) schools were suggested by the Auxiliary Services Division in the Bojanala Region of Education. The literature revealed that failure on part of the parent, guardian and/or teachers to meet the psychological needs of the child at a certain stage in his/her development may result in personality disorders, which can become a potential danger and a source of unhappiness to the individual him/herself (cf. 2.5). Furthermore, it was evident from the literature that chronic parental illness may have a traumatic effect on young children because both parents may neglect a child (cf. 4.2). The literature also revealed that children should not be viewed as passive recipients of assistance, but as active participants who play a key role in the development of responses to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Receiving quality services is a right and a need not only of AIDS orphans, but also of all children (cf. 4.6). From the quantitative data analysis, the following findings emerged, that HIV/AIDS orphans/vulnerable children are optimistic about their future. Children do not blame themselves for their parents’ death. Arising from this research certain conclusions were drawn, recommendations were made and areas for possible future research were suggested.
Teacher Education
43
Zivor, Jacqueline Carol Ann. "Self-esteem of aids orphans: a descriptive study." Diss., 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/2034.
Full textAbstract:
In the light of the child's self-esteem that is affected by traumatic events, the goal of the research was to explore and describe the self-esteem of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. The researcher made use of a quantitative research method. 30 (N=30) respondents, both male (n=16) and female (n=14), between the ages of 11 to 15, were randomly sampled for inclusion in the study. Each participant completed a self-report measure of self-esteem, The Culture-free Self-esteem Inventory for Children, which yielded a score of Global Self-esteem, as well as in four sub-domains including: General, Social, Academic and Parent-related Self-esteem.
The results of this study demonstrated that the participants experienced a lowered self-esteem. These findings were explored in light of a literature review, after which conclusions and recommendations were provided.Social Work
M. Diac. (Play Therapy)