Doctoral Degrees (Social Work)
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Browsing Doctoral Degrees (Social Work) by Author "Ferreira, S. B."
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Item Open Access 'n Ekologiese perspektief op geweld teenoor vroue in saamwoon-en huweliksverhoudings(University of the Free State, 1999-11) Schoeman, Hendrik Pieters; Ferreira, S. B.English: A literature study, complemented by an empirical investigation during which both quantitative questionnaires and qualitative interviews with female victims of violence are utilised, is conducted to explore and describe violence against women in cohabiting and marital relationships from an ecological perspective, in order to tune in scientifically founded social work service rendering to the phenomenon. During the investigation, there is moved away from a linear approach to violence to a more comprehensive, holistic perspective, which brings about an assessment of social problems and needs in interactional terms, namely that violence is a result of maladjustment in the person and environmental relationship. The phenomenon is approached as a symptom of disfunctioning in the ecological system and as a result of the mutually influencing interactional processes that take place between the individual system and the ecological context. A variety of multifactoral, circular causal factors are identified by analysing four levels of the ecological system, namely the individual level, the family level, social structural level and the sociocultural level, but also of the levels' mutual influence upon one another. At the individual level, an analysis takes place of psychopathologies and characteristics associated with female victims and violent males. The ways in which their families of origin influence the concerned persons' current behaviour and purport regarding their situations are analysed, whilst the role of power in violent behaviour, the relation between the use of alcohol and chemical substances and violence and factors influencing female victims' decision making about the violent relationships, are also explored and described. Two circular theoretical frameworks, namely the structural approach of Salvador Minuchin and the multigenerational approach of Murray Bowen, are utilised for an analysis of family systems disfunctioning where violence against women in cohabiting and marital relationships occur. Due to the structural approach's emphasis on the disfunctioning of the family system where symptomatic behaviour occurs and its focus on the function of the symptomatic behaviour for the maintenance of a rigid, non-progressive family systems equilibrium, a meaningful structural exploration of violence prone family systems is made possible. The application of concepts from Bowen's theory on violence prone family systems, is especially useful for the exploration of the involved persons' emotional reactivity, triangulation both inside and outside of the family system and for the multigenerational recurrence of violent behaviour through various generations. During the analysis of social structural aspects that allegedly contribute to the establishment and maintenance of violence against women in cohabiting and marital relationships, the focus is on the influence of economic realities (illiteracy, unemployment and poverty) in the unique South African context. An analysis of service rendering initiatives, structures and professions involved in the prevention and treatment of the phenomenon and how female victims of violence experience these services and structures, is also done. Sexism, sex role stereotyping, norms regarding marriage and the family, the general acceptance of violence and myths related to violence against women in cohabiting and marital relationships, are contributing and maintaining factors focused on during an analysis of the sociocultural level of the ecological system. These factors possibly contribute to a elirnate/socio culture in which females are regarded as inferior to and as the property of men and where men are allowed to rule them, while the general acceptance of violence, gives rise to community desensitisation regarding the phenomenon. Due to the comprehensive nature of the ecological perspective, it not only serves as a directionindicator to the social work profession, but also to other professions and service rendering structures for continued research and for the pro- and reactive development and implementation of preventative and treatment programmes regarding the phenomenon.Item Open Access ’n Ekologiese perspektief op pleegsorg as alternatiewe sorg vir kinders(University of the Free State, 2009-11) Böning, Anna Elizabeth; Ferreira, S. B.English: The aim of this research was to undertake a holistic exploration and description of the practice of foster care in order to develop a more scientifically based approach to service delivery. By means of the literature study and empirical investigation, which included qualitative as well as quantative methods, a comprehensive analysis were undertaken at all levels of the ecological analysis systems. Not only were specific obstacles identified that are detrimental to service delivery in the practice of service delivery, but the objective also was to come up with strengths and solutions by integrating the strengths perspective with the conceptual framework of the ecological perspective. To this end, frameworks for the assessment of the individual, family, structures and institutions, as well as socio-cultural aspects were each presented individually, where after an integrated assessment framework for holistic assessment was compiled. By means of the empirical qualitative and quantative investigations it was confirmed that the practice of foster care is overburdened with the incidence of serious social phenomena like poverty, AIDS-related deaths, dysfunctional families and inadequate parental functioning. It was confirmed that social workers are confronted with high case loads and that service delivery centres on administrative and statutory procedures, while very little comes of intervention and prevention services in particular. Further demands are made on the practice by the implementation of new children’s legislation, which is aimed at prevention and early intervention programmes, before any statutory intervention en foster-care placing can be justified. Much more manpower and resources are needed and the subsidising of prevention and development programmes, as well as better remuneration of social workers, should seriously be considered by non-governmental organisations in particular. The development of foster-care group schemes could alleviate the demands made on the practice of foster care, because monitoring and supervisory services could be implemented in group context as well as by other social services groups. Furthermore, it also lessens the demand for foster parents, of which there is a huge shortage. Proposals are made regarding better coordination at regional level regarding the recruiting, selection and training of foster parents, which can be dealt with more economically as a speciality area. A greater awareness is awarded to the role and function of other social services professions such as the social auxiliary worker and child and youth careworkers, in order to enable social workers to focus more on the professional performance of their duties. The composition of multi-disciplinary teams and the promotion of interdepartmental collaboration are also emphasised, enabling service delivery to the foster child to be spread across a wider spectrum. The little success that is achieved with services dealing with the reuniting of families also points at the lack of real rehabilitation services in the case of biological parents. Foster placing on a long-term basis mostly takes place with relatives, which is mainly only monitored statutorily. Children placed in foster care with grandmothers and in child-headed households are also particularly vulnerable and therefore support systems in communities in particular should be applied by volunteers in order to offer placing stability and extra support to enable the child to remain within a family context for as long as possible. The outcomes of foster care are therefore dependent upon the interaction between different role players and institutions, and should be better managed and controlled. Thus policy directives and legislature, which currently have unrealistic expectations in many respects measured against the realities in practice can be realised better. The information in the research report is regarded as comprehensive and holistic with regard to the reciprocal influence of risky and protective factors in the practice of foster care. The focus is not specifically on intervention or assistance, but rather a description and exploration of the current state of the practice of foster care. Valuable information was obtained from the literature study and the qualitative and quantative empirical study, which can be regarded as reliable and valid to utilise as resource for further research, adjustments to policy and training in theory as well as in practice.Item Open Access 'n Gestaltgroepwerkprogram in maatskaplike werk vir toesighoudende, geskeide ouer(University of the Free State, 2005-04) Viljoen, Alma; Schoeman, H. P.; Ferreira, S. B.English: Divorce is an increasing problem which influences the lives of a great number of parents and children in South Africa. The increasing number of divorce cases in South Africa and the impact which custodian, divorced parents have on the adjustment of their children to the divorce situation, serve as the main motivation for this study. The research problem which is the focus of this study is the design and development of a gestalt group work programme for custodian, divorced parents in the early adult phases’ awareness, self-support and integration. The first four phases of the intervention research design and development model are used as the research design. Intervention research is regarded as suitable because as applied research, it focuses on guiding researchers and practitioners to develop effective interventions to address existing human and social problems. To develop a gestalt group work programme, a literature study is undertaken during which the focus is on a theoretical perspective of gestalt therapy as conceptual framework, gestalt group work as therapeutic intervention form and gestalt group work activities and – techniques. A literature review is given next in regard to divorce and potential factors which can influence custodian, divorced parents’ adjustment to the divorce situation in the early adult phase. Although other therapeutic approaches may also be relevant, gestalt therapy is seen as the appropriate conceptual framework for the design and development of a group work programme for custodian, divorced parents on account of the holistic element, theoretical point of departure and objectives which are upheld. To complement the literature study, an empirical study is undertaken in the form of a qualitative study. For the purposes of this study six Afrikaans speaking custodian, divorced parents (both genders), between 20 and 40 years old, are involved. Non-probability selection, namely purposeful test sample out of the universe of participants were chosen for one gestalt group work session (120 minutes) per week, over a period of ten weeks with a concept-gestalt group programme for their awareness, self-support and integration. During programme implementation qualitative data in regard to participants’ experiences and reactions are collected by means of direct, systematical and participatory observation where after research data is observed and judged by an independent observer – an expert in the field of gestalt therapy. Qualitative observations which is made during the implementation of the concept programme, is described by means of case studies, through a comprehensive explanation of each participant as well as the group’s reaction during each gestalt group work session. The results and assessment of the information of the six participants which is obtained from the case studies, is done by means of aims and goals of each gestalt group work session, the covering objectives of gestalt therapy and -group work, objectives in regard to each group member, objectives in regard to group level and gestalt moments. The group process as well as each group member (participant) is assessed continiously by means of the five levels of neurosis. As a result of the study the conclusion is reached that gestalt therapy offers a suitable framework for a group work programme for custodian, divorced parents’ awareness, selfsupport and integration. Because of the holistic outlook and objectives of the programme, participants are equipped to move through the levels of neurosis at group level as well as individually to function as conscious, self-supporting and integrated units. Recommendations with regard to the content and course of the programme, as well as to training and further research, are formulated as a result of the conclusions.Item Open Access 'n Gestaltspelterapiehulpprogram in maatskaplike werk vir juniorprimêre skoolkinders se emosionele intelligensie(University of the Free State, 2000-10) Blom, Barendina; Ferreira, S. B.English: The increasing emphasis world wide on the importance of emotional intelligence skills with regard to the adjustment of the child as a whole, as well as the increasing measure to which emotional problems are found to be occurring in children, serve as the main motivation for this study. This study focuses on the design and development of a gestalt play therapy aid programme that concentrates on the emotional intelligence of junior primary school children, by means of an exploratory and descriptive investigation. A programme such as this could possibly be aimed al providing scientifically based social work service rendering to junior primary school children. The first four phases of the intervention research design and development model are used as the research design. Intervention research is regarded as suitable because, as applied research, it focuses on the highlighting of, or the offering of possible solutions to, practical problems that normally include certain forms of intervention. A literature study is undertaken, during which a theoretical perspective on both emotional intelligence and gestalt therapy is offered. Furthermore, aspects influencing the emotional competence components of the junior primary school child’s emotional intelligence as well as play therapy techniques and activities from a gestalt theoretical perspective are brought into focus, and these may be used in an aid programme for the emotional intelligence of junior primary school children. Abilities and skills with regard to two personal emotional competence components, namely self-awareness and emotional self regulation, as well as two interpersonal emotional competence components, namely empathy and the regulation of emotions in others, are selected as emotional competence components of the emotional intelligence o f the junior primary school child. Although other therapeutic models may be applicable, the gestalt play therapeutic approach is used for the development of an aid programme for these components. The reason for this is that the aims and theoretical starting points of this approach are compatible with the skills which should be mastered by the junior primary school child with regard to the emotional competence components of his emotional intelligence. To complement the literature study, an empirical study has also been undertaken. This takes the form of a qualitative study, in which five participants are involved in a draft gestalt play therapy aid programme relating to their emotional intelligence, for one session per week, for a period o f twelve weeks. Throughout this programme, their experiences and reactions during the programme implementation are obtained by means of direct systematic and participatory observation. After the completion of the programme their parent(s) are involved in an informal interview, in order to verify the qualitative observations of the researcher during the study. The qualitative observations made by the researcher during the sessions are described in the form of case studies. The data which has been collected as a result of the case studies may then be analysed into categories and sub-categories that have been identified from the preceding literature study. As a result of the study the conclusion is reached that gestalt play therapy offers a suitable framework for an aid programme for the emotional intelligence o f junior primary school children. The aims of the gestalt play therapeutic approach are related to the skills that should be mastered by junior primary school children with regard to the personal emotional competence components of their emotional intelligence. The therapeutic process of gestalt play therapy and the variety o f play therapy techniques and activities that may be utilised from the gestalt theoretical perspective during each phase, offer a logical method by which the skills of junior primary school children may be integrated, with regard to the emotional competence components of their emotional intelligence. Recommendations with regard to the content and course o f the programme, as well as to training and further research, are formulated as a result o f the conclusions.Item Open Access A social work programme for the development of the spiritual strengths of midlife women(University of the Free State, 2013-11) Weyers, Annette; Ferreira, S. B.English: Modern society is distinguished by on-going social change that restructures the ways in which individuals live, forcing them to reappraise their coping strategies continually. The midlife transition of women has not escaped the changes brought about by modern society. Many of the challenges women face in midlife are brought about by the changes introduced by modernity. A noted change is the developmental designs of previous generations that have become defunct, compelling women to shape new midlife developmental patterns innovatively. These women are now recruiting spiritual strengths to invigorate growth and support adaption in this phase of life. A key argument of this study is that that spirituality has the capacity to be a source of strength and that women can access their spiritual strengths to support their midlife transition. Furthermore, the study also maintains that social work’s mission to promote clients’ wellbeing compels a holistic approach that recognises the role of spiritual strengths in advancing a sense of wellbeing. Thus, primarily directed by the strengths perspective’s stance that all individuals have strengths, capacities and resources that can be mobilised to enhance their quality of life, the study set about delineating guidelines for a social work programme to facilitate the identification and mobilisation of spiritual strengths to support women’s midlife transition in order to enhance a sense of wellbeing. Based on the literature review and the empirical investigation, the study concludes that women’s midlife developmental patterns are indeed customised to fit their own experiences of midlife, and are therefore variable. Furthermore, for many midlife women their spirituality and spiritual strengths are vital to their adaption to midlife, and they are keenly interested in expanding their spiritual strengths. Thus, informed by the empirical investigation and literature review, the study recommends guidelines for a programme pertaining to potential material to be included; modes of actions to be undertaken; possible format; and the preparation and role of the social worker. It is further recommended that the programme be adjusted sensitively to meet the requirements for the identification and development of the spiritual strengths as they apply to every individual group of midlife women.