Research Articles (CFS)

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Achievements and challenges for Higher Education during the COVID-19 pandemic: A rapid review of media in Africa
(MPDI, 2021) Sonn, Inge K.; Du Plessis, Marieta; Van Vuuren, Carel D. Jansen
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic struck globally and has affected higher education institutions (HEIs) and their operations, indirectly impacting the progress of the Sustainable Development Goal 4 achieved thus far. This article addresses HEIs achievements and challenges experienced in the wake of the pandemic. Online news media reports played a facilitative role in providing information to the HEI communities. A rapid review exploring online news media messages relating to higher education at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa was utilised. Narrative synthesis was used to analyse the data. The results highlight HEIs achievements, which aim to ensure that all students receive the same level of education and provision in terms of devices and mental health support. However, challenges were also experienced at HEIs and include students feeling uncertainty and fear regarding completing their education. Furthermore, the results also show that not all students received the same level of education due to contextual factors, thus deepening the existing social disparities in Africa. The pandemic provides an opportunity for HEIs to embed the components of global citizenship education into the curriculum and to work in an innovative way to promote Sustainable Development Goal 4.
Adolescent Hookah pipe use: Exploring the role of basic psychological needs and motivation
(SAGE, 2021) Kader, Zainab; Crutzen, Rik; Roman, Nicolette Vanessa
Adolescent hookah pipe use is on the rise despite it being a public health concern. Several studies focus on the external determinants of adolescent hookah pipe use but research focusing on the internal factors motivating adolescents to smoke the hookah pipe is sparse. Drawing on self-determination theory, a contemporary theory of human motivation, this study aimed to explore the basic psychological needs (BPN) and motivation of adolescent hookah pipe users and nonusers in an attempt to explore whether satisfaction or frustration of needs contributes to hookah pipe use.
Alcohol ban during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown: Lessons for preventing foetal alcohol spectrum disorder in South Africa
(AOSIS, 2022) Adebiyi, Babatope O.; Mukumbang, Ferdinand C.
During the two national lockdowns implemented in South Africa to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages were prohibited. There is observational evidence from the literature suggesting a drastic reduction in the emergency and trauma unit admissions in many South African hospitals and clinics with alcohol-related restrictions. This article explores the potential benefits of the restrictions placed on the sale and consumption of alcohol during the COVID-19 pandemic on preventing foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) in South Africa. Following the potential benefits of the alcohol bans, we recommended that the current South African national liquor policy and the 2012 South African government-drafted Bill for Control of Marketing of Alcoholic Beverages should be fully implemented and enforced. Furthermore, the ‘best buys’ by the World Health Organization (WHO) should be adapted (based on local evidence) and executed. Implementing the abovementioned policies can reduce alcohol abuse by limiting and regulating the manufacturing, distribution, advertising, sponsorship, promotion, physical availability and hours of sale of alcoholic beverages in South Africa.
Barriers to effective parenting of adolescent children in resource-constrained communities
(University of Stellenbosch, 2022) Donga, Gift; Roman, Nicolette Vanessa; Benjamin, Fatiema
The study examined barriers to effective parenting of adolescent children in resourceconstrained communities. A qualitative approach was adopted for data collection and analysis. Thematic analysis was applied to data acquired from a sample of parents from resourceconstrained areas in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. Parents interviewed identified the following barriers: financial constraints, peer influence, alcohol and drug abuse, lack of adequate parental time, communication and maturational changes. Given the parental challenges emerging from the findings of the study, greater understanding of the conditions under which effective parenting of adolescent children in resource-constrained societies can be fostered is essential.
Caregiver capabilities: Healthcare interventions for children with developmental disabilities
(AOSIS (pty) Ltd, 2025) Magidigidi-Mathiso, lumka; Frantz, Jose; Filies, Gerard C.
Background: Developmental disabilities (DDs) involve impairments affecting children's abilities, impacting development and necessitating specialised care. Many caregivers face challenges caring for these children, lacking access to supportive healthcare interventions. Addressing this issue aligns with United Nations (UN) goals for ensuring access to quality services for children with disabilities and their caregivers. Objectives: This study aimed to systematically review and synthesise evidence on healthcare interventions enhancing caregiver capabilities for children with DDs, identifying intervention types, components and effectiveness. Method: Our systematic review analysed peer-reviewed English-language studies from 2014 to 2024, focusing on interventions for caregivers of children with DDs. The review investigated healthcare interventions designed to enhance caregiver capabilities across diverse cultural contexts, examining international research to understand strategies supporting caregivers of children with DDs. Results: We found significant improvements in caregiver well-being through five interventions. Parent education reduces stress and improves parenting. Peer support decreased isolation while counselling enhanced family functioning. Condition-specific interventions increased intervention adherence among minorities. Combined interventions showed strong positive effects, especially when tailored. Comprehensive programmes greatly improved caregiver quality of life. Further research is needed for underserved communities and culturally adaptive interventions. Conclusion: Our review indicates potential positive parental impacts with limited evidence. Small samples warrant future research using larger studies, emphasising rigorous methods, cultural adaptation and diverse community representation. Contribution: Our review identifies promising intervention types and highlights the need for further research to optimise caregiver support and promote access to quality services.
The challenges experienced by parents when parenting a child with hearing loss within a South African context
(Routledge, 2021) Davids, Ronel; Roman, Nicolette; Schenck, Catherina
The purpose of the current study was to explore the challenges experienced by hearing parents when parenting a child with hearing loss. Using a qualitative purposive sampling design, interviews were conducted with 13 parents (9 mothers, 4 fathers) residing in Cape Town, South Africa. Four salient themes emerged, namely: 1) communication is difficult, hard, and frustrating; 2) lack of knowledge and information about hearing loss makes it difficult to parent; 3) little or no support makes for a lonely journey; and 4) support identified by parents for parents. The findings of the study have important implications for collaboration and partnerships between parents and health and family practitioners within South Africa for the design and development of supportive interventions for parents parenting a child with hearing loss.
A comparison of the relationship between parental efficacy and social support systems of single teen mothers across different family forms in South African low socioeconomic communities
(BCM, 2021) Coert, Samantha L.; Adebiyi, Babatope O.; Roman, Nicolette V.
Teenage parenting is recognised as one of the greatest health and social problems in South Africa. Research in South Africa has shown that by the age of 18 years, more than 30% of teens have given birth at least once. Teen mothers may feel disempowered because they are ‘othered’ and consequently, may develop forms of resistance which in most cases may inhibit their ability to parent. Social support is therefore, an imperative intervention for successful teen parenting but this is not clearly understood in South Africa. This study aimed to compare the relationship between parental efficacy and social support systems of single teen mothers across different family forms.
The contribution of parental factors to adolescents’ deviant behaviour in South Africa: Evidence from three rural communities in South Africa
(MDPI, 2022) Chinyakata, Rachel; Roman, Nicolette Vanessa; Donga, Gift T.
Challenges associated with adolescents are prevalent in South African societies. During the adolescence stage, children may become involved in deviant behaviour. Although a significant number of studies have focused on the factors that contribute to adolescents’ deviant behaviour, including parental factors, there is paucity of research specifically in rural communities. This study explores the contribution of parental factors to adolescents’ deviant behaviour in rural communities in South Africa. Guided by the qualitative approach, the present study makes use of semi-structured interviews to collect data and thematic analysis to analyse data. The parental factors identified include less parental supervision, a lack of support, an absence of parental discipline, parent’s lack of concern and the inability of parents to be role models.
Covid-19 daily realities for families: A South African sample
(MPDI, 2022) October, Kezia Ruth; Petersen, Lisa Rene’; Adebiyi, Babatope
The COVID-19 pandemic affected families globally. Empirical research has been explored to understand the impact of COVID-19 on families across countries, however, there are limited findings of how COVID-19 has affected the daily realities of families in South Africa. This study used an exploratory qualitative research approach to explore the experiences of COVID-19 for South African families. Findings suggest that the negative outcomes of COVID-19 experienced by South African families included a shift in the daily routines, restrictions on family events, lack of socialization and loss of connections, family conflicts, financial constraints as well as psychological impacts. On the contrary, the positive outcomes included increased family time and communication, cleanliness, and good health status, and improved financial management. Implications for future research should include research focused on the health impacts of COVID-19 on diverse family structures, family compositions, and family dynamics. In-depth research and findings can assist in developing policies and interventions for families.
Determinants of adolescent Hookah pipe use: A systematic review
(Routledge, 2019) Kader, Zainab; Roman, Nicolette Vanessa; Crutzen, Rik
Adolescent hookah pipe use is increasing at a rapid rate, thus posing a major public health concern globally. The hookah pipe is a gateway substance to other substances that may be more harmful. Yet, at present, little is known about why adolescents are so drawn to this mechanism. It is this gap that this study attempted to fill. This study, therefore, aimed to review the determinants of adolescent hookah pipe use. An electronic search of 12 databases identified studies investigating determinants of adolescent hookah pipe use. Twentyfive studies sampling a total of 88,988 adolescents who use the hookah pipe were included. This study found that adolescent hookah pipe use is determined by an interplay of family factors, peer/friends factors, individual factors, school factors, the actual hookah pipe mechanism, advertisements, and awareness of hookah pipe lounges or bars. Prevention and early intervention strategies aimed at reducing adolescent hookah pipe use is needed.
Developing a logic model of change for the determinants of parental nurturance in the first 1000 days: A mixed-method study protocol
(Public Library of Science, 2021) Goldschmidt, Tessa; Adebiyi, Babatope O.; Roman, Nicolette V.
Parents play a key role in providing nurturance and nurturing care to their child during the first 1000 days which is important for optimal child development. Various factors have been found to influence parenting but the contribution of these factors toward parental nurturance within the first 1000 days is not yet known in the South African context. This paper describes a protocol for a project that aims to develop a logic model of change for the determinants of parental nurturance in the first 1000 days in the South African context.
Editorial: New directions and trends in parenting research
(Frontiers Media, 2024) Nicolette Vanessa Roman; Yosi Yaffe; Dorit Alt
Background: For centuries, the study of child socialization has focused primarily on understanding the effects of traditional parenting styles, dimensions, and behaviors on the developmental trajectories and outcomes of children and adolescents. While these core issues remain highly significant, recent research in parenting aims to broaden our understanding by exploring contemporary aspects and fields within this domain. Parenting science has expanded significantly over the past five decades to understand parenting, the parent- child relationship, child development and the adjusted adult. The shift has been from behaviorism to attachment and child development, positive parenting, and the role of technology. More recently there has been an increased focus on father involvement, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), genetics and epigenetics, the role of culture on parenting and evidence-based interventions providing more scientifically backed parenting programs and interventions. The findings and insights stem from the studies included in the current Research Topic resume those recent trends in parenting research and further enhance our knowledge of the numerous factors that influence parenting and its impact on children’s and adolescents’ development. Key areas of interest include cultural and gender significances in parent-child relationships, the importance of other socialization agents, parental mental health, unconventional or novel parenting patterns alongside traditional parental behaviors, parenting children with disabilities, and family dynamics that influences children’s creative and academic outcomes. By exploring these exciting directions in parenting research, we can deepen our understanding of how various elements affect parenting practices and outcomes, ultimately contributing to the wellbeing of children and adolescents.
Exploring barriers to social cohesion in rural South African communities: a family-centred qualitative study
(Elsevier B.V., 2025) Nicolette, Vanessa Roman; Fundiswa, Khaile; Olaniyi, Joshua Olabiyi; Human, Anja
In South Africa, the need to strengthen social cohesion has become increasingly important considering various pressing challenges, particularly within family and community structures. Addressing these issues is crucial for promoting solidarity and inclusion among all South Africans. This study explores the barriers to social cohesion in two rural South African communities using a family-centred approach. It adopts a family centred perspective to develop targeted interventions that support communities, government officials, and policymakers in tackling critical social challenges, including trust deficits, feelings of non-belonging, family instability, and economic disparities across municipalities. The study utilized a qualitative, exploratory design, drawing on data collected from two rural communities in South Africa: Lambert's Bay in the Western Cape and Philippolis in the Free State Province. A total of 19 participants were engaged, comprising 11 parents and 8 community stakeholders. Data collection was conducted through in-depth, face-to-face interviews in participants’ preferred languages to ensure accuracy and comfort. Data analysis followed Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis approach, supported by Atlas.ti software, to systematically interpret the findings. The results identified seven key themes: family instability and domestic violence, inequality and economic disparity, lack of trust in relationships, racial discrimination, limited access to education and skills development, feelings of non-belonging and substance abuse and violence. These findings underscore the significance of family instability as a central factor in broader social cohesion. It is recommended that interventions adopt a family-centred approach. The study concludes with high-level policy and community intervention recommendations to support these efforts.
Exploring barriers to social cohesion in rural South African communities: A family-centred qualitative study
(Elsevier B.V., 2025) Olabiyi, Olaniyi Joshua; Roman, Nicolette Vanessa; Khaile, Fundiswa; Human, Anja
In South Africa, the need to strengthen social cohesion has become increasingly important considering various pressing challenges, particularly within family and community structures. Addressing these issues is crucial for promoting solidarity and inclusion among all South Africans. This study explores the barriers to social cohesion in two rural South African communities using a family-centred approach. It adopts a family centred perspective to develop targeted interventions that support communities, government officials, and policymakers in tackling critical social challenges, including trust deficits, feelings of non-belonging, family instability, and economic disparities across municipalities. The study utilized a qualitative, exploratory design, drawing on data collected from two rural communities in South Africa: Lambert's Bay in the Western Cape and Philippolis in the Free State Province. A total of 19 participants were engaged, comprising 11 parents and 8 community stakeholders. Data collection was conducted through in-depth, face-to-face interviews in participants’ preferred languages to ensure accuracy and comfort. Data analysis followed Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis approach, supported by Atlas.ti software, to systematically interpret the findings. The results identified seven key themes: family instability and domestic violence, inequality and economic disparity, lack of trust in relationships, racial discrimination, limited access to education and skills development, feelings of non-belonging and substance abuse and violence. These findings underscore the significance of family instability as a central factor in broader social cohesion. It is recommended that interventions adopt a family-centred approach. The study concludes with high-level policy and community intervention recommendations to support these efforts.
Exploring childhood experiences and family contexts as risk factors for drug use in the lives of young drug users in the Western Cape, South Africa
(Taylor & Francis, 2023) Rich, Edna Grace; Londt, Marcel; Holtman, Lorna
The use of drugs amongst adolescents and youth has become a global phenomenon and South Africa is no exception. This paper aims to explore the familial contexts and childhood experiences leading up to the drug-taking pathways of young drug users. A qualitative approach was utilized to gather demographic from a purposive sample of 41 young (14–19 years) drug users, at five drug treatment centres in the Western Cape of South Africa. Additionally, participants could agree to participate in an in-depth interview or to provide a written life history account. A thematic data analysis was applied, and the results uncovered a range of family-related risk factors such as family structure (single motherhood and absent fatherhood), and other negative family functioning and practices such as troubled parent-child relationships, poor family communication/interactions, parental/family substance abuse, and conflict-ridden, stressful and often violent and abusive family situations. The findings suggest that prevention initiatives should focus on strengthening family functioning by reducing high conflict, stress, violent and abusive family situations, as well as aim to enhance the caregiver-child relationship. Prevention strategies should encourage live-in and non-live-in fathers to be actively involved in the lives of their children and should aim to reduce parental/caregiver substance abuse.
Exploring the perspectives of South African parents and primary caregivers living in low-income communities on what children need to thrive within the first 1000 days of life
(MPDI, 2020) Adebiyi, Babatope O.; Goldschmidt, Tessa; Roman, Nicolette V.
The first 1000 days is recognised as a critical period for the development of children. What children need to thrive in this particular phase of development may be different from any other phase. In South Africa, parents’ perception of children’s needs within the first 1000 days of life could be considered as emerging. Therefore, this study aims to explore the perspectives of South African parents and primary caregivers on what children need to thrive within the first 1000 days. An exploratory qualitative study design was used to explore the parents’ understanding of what children need to thrive in the first 1000 days. A purposive sampling approach was employed to select parents and primary caregivers in low-income communities. In all, thirty respondents participated in the study. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. During the analysis, four themes emerged. The themes included (1) the importance of parenting, care and support; (2) children’s need for holistic development; (3) parental roles; and (4) sharing responsibilities. Parents and primary caregivers living in low-income communities understand what children need to thrive within the first thousand days of life. The study could assist policymakers and service providers to design appropriate interventions for parents within these communities.
Exploring the perspectives of South African parents and primary caregivers living in low-income communities on what children need to thrive within the first 1000 days of life
(MDPI, 2021) Adebiyi, Babatope O.; Goldschmidt, Tessa; Benjamin, Fatiema; Sonn, Inge K.; Roman, Nicolette V.
The first 1000 days is recognised as a critical period for the development of children. What children need to thrive in this particular phase of development may be different from any other phase. In South Africa, parents' perception of children's needs within the first 1000 days of life could be considered as emerging. Therefore, this study aims to explore the perspectives of South African parents and primary caregivers on what children need to thrive within the first 1000 days. An exploratory qualitative study design was used to explore the parents' understanding of what children need to thrive in the first 1000 days. A purposive sampling approach was employed to select parents and primary caregivers in low-income communities. In all, thirty respondents participated in the study. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. During the analysis, four themes emerged. The themes included (1) the importance of parenting, care and support; (2) children's need for holistic development; (3) parental roles; and (4) sharing responsibilities. Parents and primary caregivers living in low-income communities understand what children need to thrive within the first thousand days of life. The study could assist policymakers and service providers to design appropriate interventions for parents within these communities.
Family resilience and the Covid-19 pandemic: A South African study
(MDPI, 2022) Rich, Edna G.; Butler-Kruger, Letitia; Sonn, Inge K.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic created various challenges for individuals and families across the globe. Many countries went into a state of disaster and applied strict lockdown regulations to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus. Although the sudden changes in livelihoods impacted families globally, this research is limited to understanding how families connected and resolved conflict during the pandemic. The current study therefore aimed at exploring how family dynamics and resilience in South African families were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was conducted qualitatively in the Western Cape, South Africa, with 31 participants. The results indicated that families in the Western Cape had trouble adjusting to the imposed restrictions; however, some of these families used the time they had together to adapt and find new ways of building their relationships and strengthening their bonds.
Family-centered interventions for intimate partner violence: A systematic review
(AJOL, 2019) Ryan, Jill; Roman, Nicolette V.
The effect of intimate partner violence (IPV) has a spill-over effect on all family members, and as such, any intervention directed at IPV should include all family members directly affected. The spill-over effect indicates that if one part of the family system (e.g. parents) experiences discord or conflict, it may affect the other parts of the family system (through e.g. the parent-child relationship). The aim of this paper was to systematically review family-centered interventions aimed at addressing IPV. Intervention studies were systematically collected from data bases such as PubMed, BioMed Central, SABINET, SocIndex, PsycArticles, and Academic Search Complete for the time period 2005-2015. These studies were methodologically appraised, and results presented according to the RE-AIM framework. Familycentered interventions focused on IPV yielded long-term positive results in improving parent-child interaction, including reductions in IPV, trauma symptoms of mothers, and problematic child behaviours.
How South African families protected themselves during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study
(MDPI, 2022) Donga, Gift T; Omukunyi, Bernard; Adebiyi, Babatope O
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a cluster of cases of ‘viral pneumonia’— ‘Coronavirus Disease 2019’ (COVID-19)—in Wuhan City, the People’s Republic of China on 31 December 2019. To curb the spread of the virus, various containment measures were introduced. However, no study has explored how families protected themselves during the pandemic. Therefore, this study explored how families protected themselves during the COVID-19 pandemic using a qualitative exploratory design. Thirty-one adult participants, representing families in the Western Cape province of South Africa, were virtually interviewed. The sampling approach was both convenient and snowball. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The results show that families followed and adapted to the mainstream protection measures as implemented by the South African government but in addition believed that adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions would protect them from contracting the virus. Therefore, the government and other stakeholders should support families in making it easier to protect themselves during the current and future pandemic(s).

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