Research Articles (CFS)

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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.
Utilization of cervical cancer screening services and its associated factors in Iran: a case–control study
(BMC, 2023) Dadipoor, Sara; Alav, Azin; Kader, Zeinab; Kakhak, Hadi Eshaghi Sani; Mohseni, Shokrollah; Shahabi, Nahid
Background Considering the high incidence rate of cervical cancer (CC) in Iran, screening is an efective way of reducing the impact of the disease due to early detection. Thus, the recognition of the factors afecting the use of cervical cancer screening (CCS) services is essential.The present study aimed to determine the associated factors of CCS in women living in the suburbs of Bandar Abbas in the south of Iran. Methods The present case–control study was conducted between January and March 2022 in the suburban areas of Bandar abbas. Two hundred participants were assigned to the case group and 400 participants were assigned to the control group. A self-constructed questionnaire was used to collect the data. This questionnaire contained demographic information, reproductive information, knowledge of CC, knowledge of CCS and access to the screening. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were run to analyze the data. The data were analyzed in STATA 14.2 at a signifcance level of p<0.05. Results The mean and standard deviation of participants’ age in the case group was 30.33±4.892, and in the control group was 31.35±6.149. The mean and standard deviation of knowledge in the case group was 10.21±1.815 and in the control group was 7.24±2.447. The mean and standard deviation of access was 43.72±6.339 in the case and 37.17±4.828 in the control group. The results of multivariate regression analysis showed the following factors increased the odds of CCS: knowledge (OR medium=18.697, OR high=13.413), access (OR medium=4.028, OR high=8.126), being married (OR=3.193), being educated (OR diploma=2.587, OR university degree=1.432), middle and high SES (OR Middle=6.078, OR Upper=6.608), and not smoking (OR=1.144). Also, women’s reproductive status, including history of sexually transmitted diseases (OR=2.612), use of oral contraceptives (OR=1.579), sexual hygiene (OR=8.718). Conclusions In the light of the present fndings, it can be concluded that besides increasing suburban women’s knowledge, their access to screening facilities should be improved. The present fndings showed the need to remove the barriers to CCS in women of low SES to increase the rate of CCS. The present fndings contribute to a better understanding of factors involved in CCS.
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.
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.
Strategies and best practices that enhance participation in regular physical activities among undergraduate university students: A systematic review protocol
(BMJ Publishing Group, 2022) Johannes, Chante; Onagbiye, Sunday O; Roman, Nicolette V
Physical activity has health benefits, including lowered obesity, diabetes and hypertension levels. However, participation in regular physical activities among undergraduate students is declining and, instead, physical inactivity sets the path for sedentarism. Strategies and best practices used to enhance participation in regular physical activities among undergraduate students are beneficial for mitigating sedentariness and promoting healthy lifestyles. Therefore, this study aims to present a systematic review protocol that focuses on the strategies and best practices used to enhance participation in regular physical activities among undergraduate university students
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.
Peer pressure and social acceptability between hookah pipe users and non-users among a sample of South African adolescents
(South African Medical Association, 2022) Davids, H. L.; Roman, Nicolette Vanessa; Rich, Edna Grace
Hookah pipe smoking is a high-risk phenomenon which is widely seen as an acceptable social practice, but the extent of its acceptability is not very clear among South African youth, nor is the influence of peers very clear. Objective. To establish a link between social acceptability and peer pressure and to compare this relationship among hookah pipe users and non-users in a sample of South African adolescents. A cross-sectional comparative correlation study was conducted among Grade 9 adolescents attending secondary schools in the Metro East Education District in Cape Town. The final sample comprised 270 participants. A questionnaire was used to collect data which were analysed using SPSS.
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.
Support programmes for parents of children with intellectual disabilities: A scoping review protocol
(BMJ Publishing Group, 2022) Marais, Janene Elizabeth; Wegner, Lisa; Mthembu, Thuli
Evidence shows that parents of children with intellectual disabilities experience high levels of stress, emotional challenges and higher levels of depression. Despite these challenges, support for parents has tended to be peripheral in healthcare services of children. There is a lack of research attention given to support programmes for parents of children with intellectual disabilities despite the importance of parenting for the optimal development of children with intellectual disabilities.
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.
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.
Stakeholders’ perspectives on the barriers to accessing health care services in rural settings: A human capabilities approach
(Bentham Science Publishers, 2021-04-12) Chinyakata, Rachel; Roman, Nicolette V.; Msiza, Fikile B.
Despite efforts to achieve universal access to health care by various stakeholders globally, most developing countries continue to face serious health delivery challenges, especially in rural areas. Introduction: These inhibit individuals and communities’ ability to obtain health care services when needed and the freedom to use health care. Although issues of access to health care have been widely researched in South Africa, a detailed account on access to health care in particular communities is necessary for developing interventions that are tailored to the specific needs of that community. Understanding the accounts of stakeholders to the perceived barriers to access to health care services can help comprehend the issues that hinder people from accessing health care. Therefore, this study explored the stakeholders’ perspectives on the barriers to accessing health care services in rural settings in South Africa. Methods: A qualitative approach was used to guide the collection and analysis of the data. Data were collected from a sample of stakeholders selected from three rural areas in South Africa and analysed through thematic analysis. According to the stakeholders interviewed, there are some barriers that exist in the community that impede access to health. Reusults: These are limited or lack of health care facilities and personnel, shortages of medicine, distrust in the health care providers, opening hours of health care facilities and financial constraints, which resulted in the perceived poor health status of the people in those rural areas. Conclusion: This study calls for multifaceted health care reforms and strategies to address infrastructure deficiencies, human resources and medicine shortages to ensure equitable provision of high-quality public services. These strategies or measures must be tailored to the specific needs of rural communities. © 2021 Chinyakata et al.
The structure of children's subjective well-being
(Frontiers Media, 2021) Savahl, Shazly; Casas, Ferran; Adams, Sabirah
Research on children’s quality of life and subjective well-being has advanced over the past decade largely as a result of developments in childhood theory, children’s rights legislation, and the shift toward positive social science. However, in line with the uncertainty regarding the conceptualization of subjective well-being, the structural configuration of children’s subjective well-being has not been considered in the literature. In the current study, we present and test a model of children’s subjective well-being, which includes global (context-free items assessing overall and general well-being, without reference to a specific aspect of life) and specific (domain-based items assessing a specific aspect of life) cognitive components, and positive and negative affect. We further test the fit structure of a hierarchical structural (second-order) model of children’s subjective well-being. Finally, we test the measurement invariance of the hierarchical model across age and gender. We use data from the third Wave of the Children’s Worlds Survey.
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).
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.
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.
A pooled prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in South Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
(BMC, 2021) Adebiyi, Babatope O.; Mukumbang, Ferdinand C.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) remains a global public health problem. South Africa is estimated to have the highest recorded prevalence of FASD. However, no study has systematically evaluated the available prevalence studies to provide estimates that may facilitate effective planning and delivery of prevention and management services. Therefore, we propose to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to report a pooled estimate of the FASD prevalence among children, youth and adults in South Africa.We will include quantitative (cohort and cross-sectional) studies that reported on the prevalence of FASD in South Africa. We will search databases such as Academic Search Complete, Education Resource Information Center (ERIC), SocINDEX, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health and PsycARTICLES), Scopus, Science Direct, Springer Link, JSTOR, SAGE journals, PubMed, Web of Science and Sabinet. The references of included studies will be searched for additional studies on the prevalence of FASD. The search will be from inception to October 2021. Screening of (titles, abstracts and full text of the potentially relevant articles) will be done by two independent authors using software. All disagreements will be resolved by discussion. A standardised data extraction form will be designed for the extraction. Two authors will independently extract the data from the selected articles and all disagreements will be resolved by discussion. We will use a tool developed by Munn and colleagues to critically appraise all the included studies. The primary outcome will be the proportion of individuals with FASD in South Africa.
Prevalence of bullying victimisation among primary school children in South Africa: a population-based study
(BMC, 2021) Manuel, D.; Adams, S.; Mpilo, M.; Savahl, S.
Bullying victimisation (BV) among children in South Africa has been identified as a major public health concern. While several studies report on the prevalence rates of BV, there is currently a dearth of research that reports on the prevalence of BV among a national sample of primary school children. This study determines the prevalence rates of BV among a nationally representative sample of school-going children in South Africa across provinces, age, and gender. The sample comprised 7067 children (boys = 45.6%; girls = 54.4%) between the ages of 10–12-years attending 61 primary schools across the nine provincial regions of South Africa.
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 role of local government in promoting a sense of belonging as an aspect of social cohesion: A document analysis
(UKZN, 2021) Khaile, Fundiswa T; Roman, Nicolette V; Davids, Gregory J
Local government in South Africa is expected to contribute towards efforts to realise the constitutional vision of building national unity, diversity, belonging, social justice and a cohesive society. Municipalities as spheres of government closest to communities are expected to contribute towards this constitutional vision by facilitating among other things a sense of belonging as an aspect of social cohesion. However, there is insufficient evidence of what and how municipalities should facilitate a sense of belonging as an aspect of social cohesion. Accordingly, this paper explores various government documents to determine what is envisaged for municipalities to facilitate a sense of belonging as an aspect of social cohesion. The study utilised a qualitative document analysis method to explore what government highlights as the role of a municipality pursuing social cohesion through the facilitation of a sense of belonging. The analysis indicates that most government documents do not provide explicit and coherent approaches and objectives to be pursued by municipalities to facilitate social cohesion and a sense of belonging. Thus, the article found that documents make reference to social cohesion, but these references are not comprehensive enough.

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