Browsing by Author "Davids, Charl"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Exploring the lived experiences of individuals in a substance abuse treatment programme in Cape Town
    (University of the Western Cape, 2019) Benjamin, Fatiema; Davids, Charl; Pedro, Athena
    Substance use is a worldwide health concern that has received significant attention as it is often related to deleterious outcomes. Various treatment programmes have been made available to assist people and their families who misuse substances, to aid rehabilitation and equip people with the necessary tools with the aim of preventing possible relapse. The Western Cape Province has been identified as experiencing the highest increase of substance use, with Cape Town being disproportionately affected. Substance use treatment and prevention programmes are therefore an increasingly important means of addressing substance use and related harms. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of individuals in relation to the treatment they received at a treatment facility in the Cape Town area. As such, the researcher made use of the phenomenological approach as a theoretical framework as it aims to describe the lived experiences of individuals in relation to a particular phenomenon. Furthermore, a qualitative methodological framework was utilised to explore the experiences of individuals who received substance use treatment. Ten participants were purposively selected from an outpatient substance use treatment facility in Cape Town. Focus group discussions were used to collect data and the data were analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Findings suggest that there were various reasons participants sought treatment. This includes the challenges they experienced in both their personal and occupational lives as well as the realization of the negative effects substance use had on them physiologically. Findings also revealed that the environmental setting individuals were in fostered their treatment; the various aspects of the programme provided by the treatment facility had a significant contribution to their recovery and improved relationships with others; receiving support from family and friends were important in service providers treatment retention as well as individuals ability to identify the changes within themselves since receiving treatment. Overall, results indicate that the treatment programme helped participants in their recovery and enhanced personal relationships, self-perception as well as personal and occupational growth. Findings suggest that there are various reasons as to why people seek treatment and although this may differ, the treatment modality they were provided with contributed substantially to their recovery. Furthermore, this study will contribute to the literature and understanding the ways in which treatment fosters recovery, personal growth and relationships.
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    Exploring the utilisation of the “law of attraction” in the sport of kickboxing from an African perspective
    (University of the Western Cape, 2015) Cloete, Josh Cassius; Young, Marie; Travill, Andre; Davids, Charl
    The law of attraction, which is referred to as a pseudo-science by most scientists, focuses on the ability of athletes to reach deep within their soul/ energy sources to re-align their thoughts and feelings in order to achieve their desired outcomes or goals. This study explores whether kickboxers within the African continent are using the phenomenon of the law of attraction in order to enhance their kickboxing performances. In context of law of attraction, kickboxers attract achievements or experiences that they focus on into their life’s, weather these are positive or negative. This means that if they stay focused on the good and positive things in their lives, they will automatically attract good and positive things into their lives. Being part of the cosmic Universe, we are, in our smallest form, nothing but energy with magnetic abilities, hence, we have the ability to attract things or push things away. This belief can contribute to the fulfilment of the desires of kickboxers and can ultimately enhance their sport performances. A qualitative methodology was followed to explore the use of the law of attraction by kickboxers within the sport of kickboxing to achieve optimal results. The population of this study was chosen from kickboxers in countries within the continent of Africa where kickboxing is practiced. These participants were elite athletes (international competitors). A semi-structured interview guide (questionnaire) was used to interview selected kickboxers. Data was recorded and analysed in order to verify the use of the phenomenon of the law of attraction. It was found that most of the participants were unaware that they were utilizing elements of law of attraction and that some elements are intertwined with various sport psychological tools being utilised for sport enhancement. Findings further indicated that the thought process of the participating kickboxers was occupied by various desires or goals that needed to be achieved. The kickboxers found it difficult to prioritize or to streamline their thoughts and this created a situation where energy flowed in the wrong direction. Their feelings in terms of what they thought, what they wanted to achieve and what they could achieve must be in sync. This did not come out strongly because the kickboxers concentrated on their own physical capabilities and kickboxing skills and, at the same time, felt very stressful prior to a kickboxing contest. It was recommended that the phenomenon of law of attraction should be explored more extensively in relation to its application in kickboxing and moreover in sport. It is further recommended that the study be repeated exploring the perspectives of the coaches in the application of law of extraction in their coaching techniques. This study concludes that the law of attraction is not used to its fullest extent in the practice of kickboxing even though some elements were already used by kickboxers.
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    Family functioning and satisfaction: A comparative study between hookah users and non-users
    (African journal of primary health care & family medicine, 2019) Roman, Nicolette; Rich, Edna; Davids, Charl; Benjamin, Fatiema; Taylor, Matthew
    BACKGROUND: Although there has been an exponential growth in hookah use on a global scale, research within the context of South Africa is very limited. While hookah use is known internationally to be a health and addiction risk, the focus is on university students and not on families. AIM: This study aims to compare the family functioning and family satisfaction among hookah users and non-users. SETTING: This study was conducted in low or middle-high class socio-economic status areas of Cape Town, South Africa. METHODS: A quantitative method was employed to test for significant differences with a sample of 1193 participants, in which each participant represented a family. An independent t-test was used to test for significant differences between hookah users and non-users. RESULTS: One-third (34%) of the participants indicated that they smoked hookah pipe, with the general age of onset being 16.5 years. In trying to understand the family context, it was found that 28% of hookah users indicated that the hookah pipe was used as a means of socialising with others in the family, and 24% of parents indicated that they were more accepting of family members smoking the hookah pipe. Findings also suggest that families of hookah users have less cohesion, expressiveness and family satisfaction, and more conflict and permissiveness than families of non-users. CONCLUSION: This study provides and extends knowledge regarding the family in hookah pipe use. This information could assist in reducing hookah pipe use, and building healthier and more resilient communities by formulating prevention and intervention strategies to reduce hookah use.
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    How well are families doing? A description of family well-being in South Africa
    (Chinese General Practice Press, 2016) Roman, Nicolette V.; Isaacs, Serena; Davids, Charl; Sui, Xin-Cheng
    BACKGROUND: As a result of South Africa's unique socio-political history and diverse cultures, the South African family is neither simple to describe nor easy to understand. The new family policy strives to strengthen South African families but the research on family well-being is very limited. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the wellbeing of a sample of families from low socioeconomic communities in the Western Cape South Africa in terms of family resilience, family satisfaction, parenting styles, family structure and family functioning. METHODS: The study utilised a descriptive survey design and sampled 358 adult family members. RESULTS: The results indicate that although family functioning is challenged, parents are perceived to be utilising an authoritative parenting style and having a father present enhances family satisfaction. The results also describe families as displaying low to average levels of family resilience. CONCLUSION: This study provides a descriptive study of a sample of families in the Western Cape, South Africa. Overall the families in this study are not doing very well. The implications and significance of these findings are further explained.