Doctoral Degrees (Social Work)
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Browsing Doctoral Degrees (Social Work) by Subject "Divorce"
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
Results Per Page
Sort Options
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 Maatskaplikewerkhulpverlening aan gesinne in egskeidingsituasies(University of the Free State, 2010-03) Heyns, Letisia Susanna; Du Plessis, M. J. M.English: Divorce is a serious problem phenomenon that is increasing in our society, whilst numeruous households in our community are affected by it. Insufficient information is available with regard to the type and extent of social work services that should be rendered to families in divorce situations. The focus is essentially on specific areas such as the legal aspects attached to divorce. There is no uniformity in social work services that are rendered to families in divorce situations. The danger therefore might be that the family members should struggle on their own through the trauma of their divorce situations. This issues therefore forms the motivation for the study. The focus was, during the literature study, on the theoretical foundation of social constructionism which was used as the conceptual framework for the study. The literature overview focuses further on the narrative approach which results from the social constructionism and has been utilized as a strategy during the study. The literature study also focused on the three most prominent divorce models described in the literature as well as the most important services and resources which are available to families in divorce situations. An overview was given about the meaning and reality constructions which the different family members attached to their divorce situations. The literature overview was completed with a discussion of the participatory action research which was used as research method during the empirical study. The literature study was supplemented with an empirical study according to a qualitative investigation. Participatory action research was utilized as the method of research. Adult white males and – females who were in the process of divorce, or either already been divorced, as well as a limit number of some of the children of the participants were involved in the research. Individual interviews, groupdiscussions and a workshop were utilized to establish the needs and existing reality constructions of the participants. Groupdiscussions were done mostly on weekly basis and took approximately ninety minutes per discussion. During the interaction processes and the action phase of the participatory action research, the narrative approach was utilized as strategy. The participants got the opportunity to define their problem dominated themes and to externalized it by means of the utilization of the narrative approach. Unique outcomes were identified gradually in the participants stories which were then again utilized as the basis in the developing of new narratives. The new story includes specific outcomes and planning, focussed on the needs and problems identified by the participants. As the participants put into effect their actions and planning they succeeded in completing the tasks which were identified as relevant to cope with their divorce situation. The process of interaction which took place throughout the research lead to a continuous process through which participants changed and/or transformed their existing reality constructions concerning their divorce situation. This resulted in behavioural change of the participants. The “definitional ceremonies” confirmed the new stories which were facilitated through witnesses. “Remembering conversations” provided the opportunity to participants to arrange persons and resources in such a way that those who support the new narratives becomes more prominent in their lives. During the “taking it back practices” the contributions of participants to the life of the researcher were acknowledged. The life of the researcher therefore was described more richly. In accordance with participatory action research, participants were recruited throughout the project and become part of the project for the divorced (or persons in the process of a divorce) within the church community where the research was conducted. The process of participatory action research became entangled with the process of social work service delivery to individuals and families in divorce situations in such a way that the research became a sustainable modus operandi towards such individuals. The social worker could gradually take less responsibility for the process. The narrative approach seems to be an ideal stategy to implement participatory action reseach and eventually, as in this research project, to render social work services to families in divorce situations. As the process unfolds the participants were able to successfully complete the tasks that are necessary to adjust to their divorce situation.