Magister Artium - MA (Child and Family Studies)

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An exploration of the reasons for self-sabotage by survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) during various stages of an intervention programme from a selected women’s shelter in the Cape Metropole
(University of the Western Cape, 2023) Lange, Joy; Gerard, Filies
Shelters for battered women serve as a place of refuge and provide protection. Shelters interrupt the violence against women and their children and act as places of reflection and support and provide women with a bridge out of despair to a life free from violence. Shelters often facilitate opportunities for empowerment so that women can plan for their future and acquire the necessary resources to build a new life for themselves. However, there are women who tend to have internal barriers to personal growth and development and tend to self sabotage their development by returning to the previous situation rather than ‘moving on’. The aim of this study was to explore the reasons for self-sabotage by survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) during various stages of an intervention programme from a selected women’s shelter in the Cape Metropole. The study utilised an explorative qualitative methodological approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five survivor’s and a focus group discussion was held with six shelter staff members. The collected data was analysed using a thematic analysis method. Four themes emerged from the study: IPV survivors’ childhood experience; IPV survivors’ adulthood experiences; IPV survivors’ reason for self-sabotage after receiving services from the shelter and what the perceptions were of services rendered by the shelter in the Cape Metropole. The findings established that the overall outcomes of this study have shown that the reasons for self-sabotage by IPV survivors, who participated in this study, were as a result of the complex interrelationship of adverse childhood experiences, mental ill health, low self-worth and intimate partner violence.
Impact of maternal methamphetamine (“tik”) use on the cognitive development and school readiness of children in early childhood development: a systematic review
(University of the Western Cape, 2023) Willemse, Abigail; Erasmus, Charlene
Methamphetamine (MA) is one of the most used synthetic simulants globally and is reportedly the second most prevalent illicit drug. The abuse of methamphetamine among pregnant women is a growing problem worldwide. Exposure to this drug affects children's prenatal and postnatal development, which manifests in the growing child during early childhood development (ECD). Therefore, the current study examined the impact of maternal methamphetamine (‘tik’) use on children’s cognitive development and readiness for school. A systematic review study design was utilised in order to obtain the findings of the study. A systematic review is the reviewing of diverse and inter-related studies in order to provide an interpretive understanding of an issue and present a balanced and impartial summary. The present systematic review critically filtered and evaluated peer-reviewed, full-text studies in the English medium between the years 2010 to 2020 of available research relevant to this particular research question: “What is the impact of maternal methamphetamine use on the cognitive development and school readiness of children in early childhood development?”.
The phenomenon of absent fatherhood: Perceptions, experiences and challenges of absent fathers and adolescent children
(University of the Western Cape, 2023) Moila, Witness; Erasmus, Charlene
The escalating statistics of children who are growing up without the involvement of their fathers is a serious social problem not only in South Africa but globally. Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) (2021) indicates that 42% of children is South Africa live with their mothers only as compared to 4% of children who only live with their fathers. The statistics highlight the seriousness of the problem of absent fatherhood in South Africa. The study aimed to explore the perceptions, experiences and challenges of absent fathers and adolescent children regarding absent fatherhood. Bowen’s family systems theory was used as the theoretical framework underpinning this study. The study used a qualitative approach and an explorative and descriptive design. Collected data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) steps of thematic data analysis, and the five themes which emerged were: perceived causes of absent fatherhood, constructions of fatherhood, factors influencing fathers’ absence, adolescents’ experiences of absent fatherhood and challenges faced by adolescents with absent fathers.
Exploring the help-seeking behaviour of mothers with premature babies in public sector hospitals
(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Safi, Nazeefah; Roman, Nicolette
Help-seeking behaviour is important so that an individual does not reach a stage of helplessness and hopelessness. For mothers, who had premature babies, this becomes very important because the mother is potentially vulnerable or challenged with the care of her fragile baby. These challenges can cause emotional distress to the mother and can affect her ability to seek help. The information regarding the help-seeking behaviour of mothers with premature babies in public hospitals is not well documented. This study aimed to explore the help-seeking behaviour of mothers who had given birth to premature babies in public sector hospitals.
Exploring whether family involvement and support can assist in substance abuse treatment of relatives
(University of the Western Cape, 2023) Mkosana, Thandeka; Rich, Edna
Whilst abuse of substances creates issues at the individual level, its influence has always extended to the entire family of the substance abuser. It has been found that stress and the inability of the person to distinguish between right and wrong should be regarded as the main reason for the person to take illicit drugs. Substances of abuse include taking drugs, such as cannabis, cocaine, amphetamines, sedatives, opiates, inhalants, hallucinogens, along with the consumption of alcohol often referred to as alcohol and other drugs (AOD). The effect of substance abuse, as identified from the research, proves that the substance abuser suffers health, social and psychological issues after becoming addicted to licit and illicit drugs.
Exploring the dating experiences of young adult males who have had childhood exposure to family violence (fv)
(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Hlomayi, Abygail Wadzanay; Rich, E
Family violence (FV) is recognized globally as one of the most widespread social problems. In most of these cases, children are unseen and vulnerable secondary victims despite the parental effort to reduce the likelihood of witnessing the violence. Consequently, exposure to FV has physical, social, and psychological detrimental effects which, in turn, negatively impact all developmental stages. This study aimed to explore the dating experiences of young adult males who have had childhood exposure to FV
An exploration of parental connection and the human capability of emotion in the first 1000 days of life
(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Marshall, Chalmaine C.; Roman, Nicolette
Emotions play an important part in our well-being and connections with others. It contributes to the connection between the caregiver and the baby in the first 1000 days. Experiences provided through the interactions between the caregiver and the baby impact the baby’s emotional and brain development. It creates mental pictures in babies’ brains, which may influence their sense of self-worth and their perceptions about the trustworthiness of other people. Parents’ quality of care may affect the baby’s social, emotional, and intellectual development. Since connectedness with the baby is an essential aspect of parenting, this study explores the human capability of emotion and its contribution to connectedness with the baby in the first 1000 days of life.
An exploration of the management systems supporting learners affected by HIVAIDS in schools
(University of the Western Cape, 2023) Mitchell, Frederick Rudolf; Roman, Nicolette
Learners affected by Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS), are particularly vulnerable to poor nutrition, mental and physical health abuse, and poverty. This negatively impacts learning and teaching. For these students to study well, they need support from the educational system. However, how school management systems support orphaned and vulnerable learners affected by HIV/AIDS is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to explore how the management systems support learners affected by HIV/AIDS in schools. A qualitative research methodology with an explorative approach was utilised to conduct the study.
Exploring the practical implementation of two of the evidence-based parenting programmes in a small rural community.
(University of the Western Cape, 2023) Dippenaar, Wilmi; Roman, Nicolette
Many parents in South Africa face difficult obstacles when it comes to parenting. Evidence-based parenting programmes are a key to success to help parents to work in a more positive way with their children. In Touwsranten, the evidence-based Parenting for Lifelong Health (PLH) programmes have been implemented. Although these programmes have been tested in randomised controlled trials, the implementation process of the programmes has not been explored. This research aimed to explore the implementation of the PLH parenting programmes using the four phases of the EPIS framework. EPIS refers to exploration, preparation, implementation and sustainment phases.
Social workers experiences of the implementation of a developmental social welfare approach: An qualitative exploratory study
(University of the Western Cape, 2003) Forward, Denise Kathleen; Terblanche, S.
The White Paper for Social Welfare (1997) introduced a developmental social welfare approach. This document has been drawn up with the participation of key stakeholders in the welfare field. It was however social workers who were responsible for the implementation of the policy. It's important that, after five years, the experience of social workers in the implementation of the policy guidelines be explored. This was necessary in order to give feedback to policymakers. The goal of the research was to explore a selected group of social workers experiences about the implementation of the social developmental welfare approach. The study used the qualitative approach in order to explore what social workers experiences were regarding the implementation of the social developmental approach. The researcher made use of focus groups and interviews to collect data. This enabled the researcher to collect rich information about social work experiences and to stimulate new ideas. The data was analysed by clustering themes and topics as they emerged and coding them. The topics and themes were then reduced and arranged in categories. The data was verified by basing it on four aspects namely: truth value, applicability, consistency and neutrality. The outcome of the research indicated that social workers on all levels and at different organizations acknowledge the need for and potential value of the guidelines for a developmental social welfare approach. The dire need for professional and volunteer human resources and supportive structure for the implementation of the guidelines leaves both professional helpers and client systems frustrated.
Gender masculinities of present fathers: Perceptions, experiences and challenges of fathers living with children
(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Nanima, Barbara Rachel; Erasmus, Charlene
Fathers play a key role in the life of a child in a family. In South Africa, statistics indicate that 71% of children who have a male adult living in the family, only 36% live with their biological parents. This predicament is exacerbated by the fact that culture presents gender masculinities as a key aspect that informs how fathers treat their children. Gender masculinities refer to socially constructed stereotypes that inform attributes, behaviours, and roles that are generally associated with boys and men. This study explored the perceptions, experiences and challenges of present fathers with regard to gender masculinities.
An exploration of emotion-focused parenting of parents living in low and high socioeconomic communities, Kleinmond, Western Cape
(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Februarie, Doreen; Roman, Nicolette
A parent is responsible for caregiving to a child and is a significant other with whom a child has a long-term, unique, and irreplaceable emotional bond. Emotion-focused parenting is described as a practice in which an individual who is responsible for caregiving to a child interacts and engages with children in such a way to encourage them to demonstrate their emotions, affection, and understanding and acceptance thereof. Due to limited research conducted in South Africa on emotion-focused parenting practices, this study explored parents understanding of emotion-focused parenting, characteristics of emotion-focused parenting and emotion-focused parenting practices of parents living in low and high socioeconomic communities.
Aspirations, expectations and challenges of youth that have aged out of foster care in Bonteheuwel, Western Cape
(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Janse-Pieterse, Joeline; de Jongh, Jo-Celene
Foster care is perceived to be the best and most widely applied form of alternative care for children apart from their maternal home, because it most often occurs within the family context and is intended to offer safety and protection to children. Children placed in foster care often remain in foster care until they turn 18 years of age. However, all too frequently, they age out of foster care without any support services. Some of the foster care youth who have aged out of foster care often fall prone to negative influences and circumstances in the community such as toxic relationships with their biological family, unemployment, living on the streets, or fall prone to gangsterism.
Exploring male practitioners’ perceptions, experiences and challenges in early childhood development
(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Ntsukumbini, Vuyiseka; Erasmus, Charlene
Gender balance is a major area of interest within the field of social work studies. Many males who are interested in venturing into careers that are associated with early childhood development have been not offered enough support by society. This study aimed at exploring male practitioners’ perceptions, experiences and challenges in early childhood development (ECD). A qualitative approach with an exploratory – descriptive research design was utilised. Three themes were identified and the findings show that the male practitioners are self-motivated to take jobs in ECDs. It was also discovered that there is a perception about male practitioner’s roles and also debunked stereotypes.
A descriptive study of the teenagers against drug abuse programme as implemented at high schools in the Cape Metropolitan area
(University of the Western Cape, 2001) Banda, Errol; Kotze, Fourie
ln the Cape Metropolitan Area the drug industry has exploded, and the reality is that teenagers are the main target group of drug lords. TADA [eenagers Against Drug Abuse] is a prevention programme operating in high schools with the aim to prevent drug use amongst students.Since its implementation, the programme has not been evaluated to determine its effectiveness. Furthermore, the TADA programme is not widely known within the educational sector. Consequently, the TADA groups find it difficult to expand it.
The dyad’s (older adult and adult child/grandchild) perceptions regarding legacy beliefs within a family context
(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Tuswa, Babalwa; Mthembu, Thuli
Legacy beliefs have remarkably gained interest in the field of child and family studies, however, there is little known about the perceptions of Black African families.This study determined the dyads’ perceptions regarding legacy beliefs within a family context in Khayelitsha Township in the Western Cape Province, South Africa.A cross-sectional descriptive research study was conducted with 600 (300 older adults and 300 adult children/grandchildren) conveniently selected dyads from the Black African families between the ages of 40 and 83 years.
Exploring resilience in South African adults exposed to childhood domestic violence (dv)
(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Olivier, Gershwille Zynodean; Rich, Edna
Despite an individual's demographic makeup, domestic violence (DV) is one of the most widespread problems in the globe. Children in South Africa (SA) are frequently exposed to domestic violence (DV), which leaves them with both physical and emotional wounds. To conduct the study, Humanities and Social Science Research Ethics and Child Welfare SA approval was required to do the study and to obtain research participants. The study included ethical principles like autonomy, confidentiality, voluntary participation, and do no harm in this study. This study utilized semi-structured interviews and a qualitative research methodology to explore the experiences of three males and five females, ages 25 to 38, who were exposed to childhood domestic violence. The researcher was able to obtain detailed narrative descriptions from the research participants by using an exploratory, descriptive method. Snowball sampling was utilized to recruit research participants.
An exploration of school strategies enabling teachers in mainstream schools to support learners with Asperger’s Syndrome
(University of Western Cape, 2021) Goliath, Charlene; Roman, Nicolette
Having good educational policies that are in-line with international inclusive standards is a positive step in addressing previous educational inequalities in South Africa. The Department of Education’s White Paper 6 policy document of 2001 states that by 2021 most mainstream (primary) schools, would operate as Full-Service schools, that will be equipped and supported to meet the diverse needs of all learners. In addition, great emphasis is placed on the pivotal role the mainstream classroom teacher will play in the inclusion process.The purpose of this study was to explore school strategies that will enable teachers to support learners with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) as prior to the completion of this thesis it was unclear which strategies were used in order to support these learners.
An exploration of human capabilities of parents with children (0-8 years) with disabilities
(University of the Western Cape, 2021) Magidigidi, Lumka; Roman, Nicolette
Parenting a child with a developmental disability has a significant impact on the lives of parents and/or caregivers as well as how the family functions. This is often due to the changes in life routines that are necessary to provide for childcare may therefore require certain capabilities of carers. There is limited research conducted on the human capabilities of parents with disabled children in South Africa. This study, therefore, explored the human capabilities of parents or caregivers with children younger than eight years with developmental disabilities. This study used a qualitative methodological approach to explore the experiences of the parents of children with developmental disabilities.
Residential caregivers’ perceptions of adolescents’ preparedness, as they transition from residential care
(University of Western Cape, 2021) Mlambo, Florida Nyasha D; Londt, Marcel
The National Policy on Orphans and Vulnerable defines an orphan as a child, who has lost one, or both parents, and is under the age of 18, while a vulnerable child is one, who is in need of care and protection. The Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) are placed in residential childcare facilities (RCCFs), such as children’s homes, shelters, safe havens, or any other alternative form of care. They are provided with psychosocial support, depending on the facility, in which they are placed.Failure to provide proper and specialised care by the caregivers could prove harmful to the overall wellbeing of the child, resulting in children with developmental difficulties, poor interpersonal relationships, mental health difficulties, behavioural difficulties, and poor academic achievement.

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