Prof. Nicolette Roman (Social Work)

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https://hdl.handle.net/10566/2398

Professor Nicolette Roman

Faculty: Faculty Community and Health Sciences Qualifications: PhD (Psych), MACFS (Cum Laude) My publications in this repository ORICD iD 0000-0002-5656-5348 HPCSA Registration no:PMT 0066753 More about me: here Tel: +27219592970/2277 Fax: +27219592845 Email: nroman@uwc.ac.za

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Healthcare workers’ beliefs, motivations and behaviours affecting adequate provision of sexual and reproductive healthcare services to adolescents in Cape Town, South Africa: a qualitative study
(BioMed Central, 2018) Jonas, Kim; Crutzen, Rik; Krumeich, Anja; Roman, Nicolette V.; van den Borne, Bart; Reddy, Priscilla
BACKGROUND: Adolescents’ sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRH) needs have been prioritized globally, and they have the rights to access and utilize SRH services for their needs. However, adolescents under-utilize SRH services, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Many factors play a role in the under-utilization of SRH services by adolescents, such as the attitude and behaviour of healthcare workers. The aim of this study therefore, was to explore and gain an in-depth understanding of healthcare workers’ beliefs, motivations and behaviours affecting adequate provision of these services to adolescents in South Africa. METHODS: Twenty-four healthcare workers in public SRH services in Cape Town, South Africa participated in this qualitative study through focus group discussions. To fulfill the aims of this study, nine focus group discussions were conducted among the SRH nurses. RESULTS: SRH nurses indicated that they are experiencing challenges with the concept and practice of termination of pregnancy. They explained that this practice contradicted their opposing beliefs and values. Some nurses felt that they had insufficient SRH skills, which hinder their provision of adequate SRH services to adolescents, while others described constraints within the health system such as not enough time to provide the necessary care. They also explained having limited access to schools where they can provide SRH education and pregnancy prevention services in the surrounding area. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses are faced with numerous challenges when providing SRH services to adolescents. Providing the nurses with training programmes that emphasize value clarification may help them to separate their personal beliefs and norms from the workplace practice. This may help them to focus on the needs of the adolescent in a way that is beneficial to them. At the health systems level, issues such as clinic operating hours need to be structured such that the time pressure and constraints upon the nurse is relieved.
The effect of religion on parenting in order to guide parents in the way they parent: a systematic review
(Taylor & Francis, 2017) Petro, Mervyn Ronald; Rich, Edna; Erasmus, Charlene; Roman, Nicolette V.
Religion has a growing influence on parenting, and there remains a need to understand the influence of religious values in order to inform parents, and other professional bodies, on how religious beliefs can influence child-rearing practices. A systematic review was conducted to explore relevant articles during the time period 2004–2014. The aim of the review was to explore the effect of religion on parenting, and to establish effective ways in which religious parents can be guided in parenting. The findings show that religion does influence parenting, and that with intervention aimed at increasing specific skills, parenting practices may improve.
Association between knowledge of child development and parenting: a systematic review
(Bentham Open, 2016) September, Shiron; Rich, Edna; Roman, Nicolette V.
BACKGROUND: Parents who understand early child development are better informed on how to respond to children’s needs. They are also in a better position to identify developmental delays as opposed to a parent with less knowledge of child development. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the review was to systematically appraise quantitative studies to establish the association between knowledge of child development and parenting styles. METHODS: A comprehensive search, through databases namely: Ebscohost (Academic search complete, Africa-Wide information, PsychArticles, SocIndex, Cinahl), JStor, Sciencedirect, Springerlink, Pubmed and Sage was conducted in August 2014 for the previous 12 years. The methodological quality of the studies were independently evaluated and reviewed by two reviewers. RESULTS: The findings indicate that there is an association between knowledge of child development and parenting styles. While there is an association it may be more of a moderating factor. CONCLUSION: Future studies may benefit from using other forms of assessment in con-junction with self report assessments.
Spirituality in the occupational therapy community fieldwork process: a qualitative study in the South African context
(Occupational therapy Association of South Africa, 2017) Mthembu, Thuli Godfrey; Wegner, Lisa; Roman, Nicolette V.
BACKGROUND: Spirituality is an integral part of communities; it is influenced by the environment and provides meaning and purpose to occupations. However, spirituality has been a controversial concept within the profession of occupational therapy and is the cause of much debate with a range of viewpoints emerging among students and educators practising in communities. However there has been limited research carried out on spirituality in the community fieldwork process in a South African context. METHODS: An exploratory-descriptive qualitative study was used to explore occupational therapy educators’ and students’ perceptions regarding spirituality in the community fieldwork process, using focus group discussions which were thematically analysed. RESULTS: Three themes emerged: students’ exposure to spirituality in community settings, community development strategies and perceived enablers of spiritual occupations. The results indicated that community entry, asset-based community development and empowerment strategies of locality development seemed to assist students in their exposure to spirituality in communities. These strategies enhanced students’ understanding of the role of spiritual occupations in which community members collectively engage in order to improve their social participation and connectedness. CONCLUSIONS: The findings provided an understanding of and insight into spirituality in the occupational therapy community fieldwork process. These findings may help us to understand the significance of experiential learning regarding spirituality in communities
An application of intervention mapping as a phased approach in developing a family-centred programme to reduce violence in the family
(Bentham Open, 2017) Ryan, Jill; Roman, Nicolette V.
AIM: To describe the application of intervention mapping in the development of a family-centred approach to reduce violence in the family. METHODS: Development towards a family-centred approach is described, in which only the first three steps of the five intervention mapping steps have been detailed. These three steps unpacked as phases. Phase I, a family violence needs assessment which includes a policy analysis. Phase II determines appropriate theoretical and practical approaches through systematic reviews and lastly, Phase III as a Delphi study. RESULTS: Intervention mapping as a form of programme development is inclusive of all relevant stakeholders and allows diverse engagement with family-centred information through its structured development process. CONCLUSION: Family violence should be seen as a holistic phenomenon which affects all members of the family and future interventions must be mindful of this to address family violence effectively.
An exploration of the family resilience needs of a rural community in South Africa: a sequential explanatory mixed methodological study design
(Springer Verlag, 2017) Isaacs, Serena; Roman, Nicolette V.; Savahl, Shazly
The aim of the study is to identify and explore family resilience needs in a rural community in the West Coast region of South Africa. An explanatory mixed methodological sequential design was implemented. Firstly, Sixbey’s (2005) Family Resilience Assessment Scale, was employed to conduct the quantitative assessment via a door-to-door sample of convenience identified with the assistance of a local nongovernmental organisation. Of the 656 participants, 39.8% were male and 60.2% were female, with an average age of 37.90 years (standard deviation 13.92). Secondly, four focus groups involving 27 community participants provided qualitative data. Results from the quantitative assessment show that family connectedness and utilising social and economic resources were the lowest scoring, and belief systems the highest scoring, dimensions in family resilience. Based on the quantitative findings and the discussions, three thematic categories emerged: community and family challenges; community belief systems; and current family functioning and organisational patterns. A number of families and groups within the community were able to provide feedback, recommendations and work collaboratively in this study. This contributed to the argument we make for the transformative mixed methods paradigm that is discussed. This study provides further insight into the theory of family resilience.
Homeless in Observatory, Cape Town through the lens of Max-Neef's Fundamental Human Needs taxonomy
(SUN, 2017) Schenck, Rinie; Roman, Nicolette V.; Erasmus, Charlene; Blaauw, Phillip (Derick); Ryan, Jill
The suburb of Observatory, also affectionately known as ''Obs'', is one of the older suburbs of the City of Cape Town, home to multiple cultures, a student population from the University of Cape Town, a variety of churches, the Provincial Government Groote Schuur Hospital, the Government Psychiatric Hospital Valkenburg, and the home of the South African Astronomical Observatory built in 1897 - hence the name of the suburb. It is one of the oldest areas of Cape Town. Unfortunately Observatory also has a high crime rate and many homeless people. In the beginning of 2014 concerned community members of Observatory approached the authors of this article to conduct a research study to profile the homeless in Observatory. The aim of this article is therefore to describe the profile of the homeless in Observatory, Cape Town and to develop some understanding of the lives of the homeless.
The link between parenting approaches and health behavior: a systematic review
(Routledge, 2017) Davids, Eugene Lee; Roman, Nicolette V.; Leach, Lloyd
The familial home environment, where parenting takes place, plays an important role in the health behaviors that children and adolescents engage in and has implications on health and well-being in later life. Lifestyle-related behaviors predispose children and adolescents to the global burden of non-communicable and other lifestyle-related diseases. This review therefore examined and described previous studies looking at the associations between health behaviors and parenting approaches. It suggests that engagement in health behaviors, which promotes overall health and well-being, was associated with autonomy, supportive parenting, parental encouragement, behavior control, parental nurturance, warmth and responsiveness, and parental involvement. The review highlights the gap in literature focusing on the health behavior of children and adolescents as well as on parenting. In addition, the review also provides an overview of the continents where fewer studies have examined the presented associations. The findings presented also serve as a guide for program development and implementation to address the increase in non-communicable and other lifestyle-related diseases.
Preadolescent psychological well-being: determining the association with maternal psychological control and family environment
(University of the Western Cape, 2012) Roman, Nicolette V.
Background: Methods: Results: Conclusion: Keywords: The family and parents could either provide protective factors or initiate vulnerability for children who are exposed to a high-risk environment such as crime in a community. The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between maternal psychological control, family environment (cohesion and conflict) and the psychological well-being (self-esteem and satisfactionwith life) of preadolescents. A quantitative approach with a cross-sectional correlational design was used to obtain self-reported data from 412 preadolescents. The mean age of participants was 11 years with themajority being female (60%) in Grade 5. The Coopersmith Self-esteem Inventory and the Satisfaction with Life Scale were used to assess the psychological well-being of preadolescents, the Parent Psychological Control Questionnaire for psychologically controlling parenting practices and the Family Environment Scale for family functioning. The results suggest that scores were relatively high on both self-esteem and satisfaction with life. Mothers were not perceived as applying strong psychologically controlling parenting practices. Families were perceived as being more cohesive and had less conflict. Regression analysis results show that the combination of family environment and maternal psychological control accounted for 22% of the variance in self-esteem and 12% of the variance in satisfactionwith life. The findings provide an understanding of how enhancing and hindering environments could predict psychological well-being of children. Interventions for parents should include a broad family-based perspective so as to show parents the implications of their choice of parenting on child well-being.
Experiences of adolescents who lost a parent to aids in the Western Cape, South Africa: a qualitative study
(University of the Western Cape, 2015) Somsetsu,; Erasmus, Charlene; Lukelelo, Nomvuyo; Roman, Nicolette V.
BACKGROUND: AIDS related deaths of parents have resulted in large numbers of children being orphaned. Adolescence, a particularly vulnerable period in a child's developmental life is characterised by uncertainties, role confusion and identity crises. This stage becomes even more complex when adolescents lose their parents through AIDS. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of adolescents who have lost their parents through AIDS. METHODS: In-depth interviews were conducted with 8 adolescents between 14-17 years old who had lost a parent to AIDS. A thematic analysis of the transcripts was performed. RESULTS: Some of these adolescents had to grow up quickly, so as to engage in parental roles before they were of appropriate age. The participants had to endure multiple stresses. The maternal grandparents were seen as the most suitable support compared to the paternal grandparents. CONCLUSIONS: When placing these children into foster care it is important to consider close relatives or members of the community that these children are familiar with. Trauma counselling should be afforded to adolescents who lost their parents due to AIDS. Interventions are urgently needed that are suitable to the local context and that address bereavement as well as other issues that affect the day-to-day lives of these adolescents. Additional studies are needed to identify factors that promote resilience among these adolescents and the role of paternal family in caring for adolescent orphans.
Perceived childhood exposure to domestic violence: The risk for adult revictimisation
(UNISA, 2015) Ryan, Jill; Rich, Edna; Roman, Nicolette V.
The prevalence of domestic violence is described as pervasive with a majority of victims being females and perpetrators being males. Often females who experienced domestic violence had been previously exposed to family violence during childhood. The aim of the study was therefore to investigate the perceived childhood exposure to domestic violence as a predisposing factor for revictimisation in adulthood. The study used a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional correlation design. The sample consisted of 77 female participants from shelters across Cape Town, Western Cape. The study employed an adapted version of the Child Exposure to Domestic Violence (CEDV) Scale. The questionnaire was divided into three sections, namely demographic details, types of exposure to domestic violence the adult may have experienced as a child, and current adult experiences of domestic violence. The data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences V21 (SPSS). Results suggest that there is a significant positive relationship between past perceived experiences of domestic violence and present perceived experiences of domestic violence. Limitations and recommendations are stipulated for proposed intervention strategies and further study expansion on this topic.
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.
Research capacity development in a South African higher education institution through a north-south collaboration
(Unisa Press, 2014) Frantz, Jose M.; Leach, Lloyd; Pharaoh, Hamilton; Bassett, Susan; Roman, Nicolette V.; Smith, M.R.; Travill, Andre L.
One of the constraints that prevent higher education institutions (HEIs) in developing countries from engaging in effective and essential research is a lack of research capacity. This study reports on a north-south collaboration between a group of Flemish universities and an HEI in South Africa with the specific goal of improving productivity, quality and capacity amongst researchers. A collaborative project with multiple subprojects was established in 2003, and extended over two consecutive five-year phases. Document analysis was conducted of annual reports, monitoring and evaluation reports, curriculum vitae of participating members, and progress reports of students and supervisors during this time. The findings of the study illustrate the extent to which research capacity objectives can be achieved through a north-south partnership. Members of the collaboration were able to develop intra- and inter-disciplinary partnerships that resulted in maximising the capacity- building efforts, enhancing both individual and institutional research --capacity--.
Relationship between student preparedness, learning experiences and agency: Perspectives from a South African university
(Health and Medical Publishing Group, 2016) Roman, Nicolette V.; Titus, Simone; Dison, Arona
One of the more discernible needs that challenges universities is addressing the level of preparedness of students entering the higher education environment. Students expect to participate in active learning, while at the same time adopting a certain level of agency to successfully pass through higher education. To determine the relationship between student preparedness, learning experiences and agency of students in the Faculty of Community and Health Sciences (FCHS), University of the Western Cape (UWC), Cape Town, South Africa. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 266 (N=578) convenience sampled 3rd-year students in the FCHS. Data were collected with an instrument constructed from items of evaluation from the departments in the FCHS and other validated instruments. Findings suggest that 3rd-year students perceive themselves as moderately prepared on enrolling at UWC (mean (SD) 13.74 (1.86)); current learning experiences are favourably indicated (94.04 (15.32)). On average, students perceive themselves to be agents of their own learning (51.56 (8.79)). Furthermore, a significantly positive relationship was found between learning experiences and agency. This study broadens our understanding of the Vygotskian perspective of the zone of proximal development, where students bring their own knowledge, interact with lecturers who scaffold their learning, and then become agents in their own learning.
Perceptions of parenting styles in South Africa: The effects of gender and ethnicity
(Cogent OA, 2016) Roman, Nicolette V.; Makwakwa, Thembakazi; Lacante, Marlies
Parenting style is an area of research which is emerging in South Africa. Previous research notes significant differences between ethnic groups in terms of parenting. In a country as diverse as South Africa, which has also evolved from an era of separatism and segregation, comparing parenting styles across ethnic groups is an interesting topic. This is a comparative study using a cross-sectional design. The Parenting Style and Dimension Questionnaire was used to collect the data. The final sample consisted of 746 participants with a mean age of 20.48 (SD = 1.96) years; 36% males and 64% females. The results found maternal authoritative parenting style to be the most prevalent across and within groups, but there were also significant differences between and within groups. Fathers’ parenting style was perceived as significantly different in three ethnic groups, but mothers’ parenting styles were not perceived as significantly different.
Challenges faced by unaccompanied minor-refugees in South Africa
(Stellenbosch University, 2016) Magqibelo, Lungile; September, Shiron; Roman, Nicolette V.; Londt, Marcel P.
This qualitative study explored the experiences of unaccompanied minor-refugees from Zimbabwe to South Africa. Ten (10) participants, from a shelter in Limpopo Province, were selected using Purposive sampling. Five childcare workers also participated. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the minors and a focus group with the childcare workers to collect the data. Thematic analysis was applied for data analysis. The findings revealed that services by statutory social workers were limited, compared to services by social workers employed in non-governmental organisations. The results highlighted the vulnerability to exploitation and a sense of hopelessness that refugee children experience in South Africa
A generational exploration of coloured identity in post-apartheid South Africa: marching towards a new personhood
(University of the Western Cape, 2014) Roman, Nicolette V.
During the early history of South Africa, in what would become the Western Cape province, Europeans (from Dutch, German, French, and Portuguese) mixed racially and culturally with Cape slaves (from Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Mozambique) and the indigenous Black (Khoisan) population; the resultant multiracial/multicultural group was the Cape Coloureds. With the dismantling of apartheid, South Africa’s core cultural framework and hierarchy shifted, and concurrently, so too did society’s understanding of racial and cultural identities. Issues of group membership, race and identity have become more personal affairs and less driven by state policies and rhetoric. The study examines the impact of these changes, focus groups with two generations of Coloured South Africans (aged 20 – 67) were conducted. Questions focused on race, racial identity, and their perceptions of Coloured identity in the post-Apartheid era.
Political socialization of the youth: an examination of the family as an agency for youth citizenship in South Africa
(NOVA Science, 2015) Roman, Nicolette V.; Esau, M.V.
This study examined the role of the family in the political socialization of the youth. Two hundred and seventy-five (275) youth completed the self-administered questionnaire that was adapted from the Afrobarometer Round 4. The results show that significant positive relationships between parent-adolescent communication and family active citizenship, youth active citizenship and political attitudes of the youth exist. Family active citizenship was also significantly positively related to active citizenship. Two separate hierarchical regression analyses were conducted. Model 1 predicted active citizenship of youth with the final model accounting for 11% of the variance for youth active citizenship. In Model 2, using political attitudes as the predictor, the final model accounted for 26% of the variance of political attitudes of youth.
The effect of family functioning and basic need satisfaction on decision-making styles of adolescents: a rural South African sample
(University of the Western Cape, 2014) Roman, Nicolette V.
Families are complex and diverse, but essentially are the cornerstone of society. There is very limited research regarding the role family functioning and basic psychological needs play in the decision-making styles of adolescents. This is the first known study to be conducted with these variables within a rural community. This study therefore aims to examine the relationship between the variables under study.
The prevalence of intimate partner violence in the family: a systematic review of the implications for adolescents in Africa
(Oxford University Press., 2013) Roman, Nicolette V.; Frantz, Jose M.
Background. Intimate partner violence (IPV) and its multiple effects are well documented in Western research, but these are not adequately described in Africa. The effects of IPV on adolescent health and well-being are not conclusive. Objective. The aim of this review was to systematically appraise prevalence studies conducted on the African continent to establish the prevalence of IPV and the implications of exposure on adolescents in Africa. Methods. A comprehensive search was conducted in May 2012 for the previous 10 years, using databases such as Ebscohost (Medline, CINAHL, PsyArticles), Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), Project Muse and BioMed Central and also specific journals Lancet, and JSTOR. Two reviewers independently evaluated the methodological quality of the studies reviewed. Results. Seven eligible epidemiological studies were included in this review. Five of the studies were conducted in South Africa, one in Liberia, and another was a multi-country study that included Egypt, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia. The prevalence of IPV in African countries ranged from approximately 26.5% to 48%. All studies reported exposure to family violence during childhood. Conclusion. The findings support the global burden of IPV. There is also a need for standardized tools to determine IPV in Africa and a clear definition that can be used in research to allow comparison with future IPV studies. In addition, the studies point to a need for interventions focusing on adolescents exposed to family violence.

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