Social Work / Maatskaplike Werk (E-Journal)
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PERCEPTIONS OF NYAOPE USERS REGARDING THERAPEUTIC SERVICES AT PRIVATE IN-PATIENT TREATMENT CENTRES IN GAUTENG
Full text linkNational data indicate that young adults are increasingly vulnerable to the harmful use of nyaope –an illicit drug. Consequently, there is a need for appropriate treatment services. This study aimedto explore and describe the experiences of nyaope users regarding therapeutic services at privatein-patient treatment centres in Gauteng, South Africa. A qualitative study operationalised througha case study design, specifically an instrumental case study, involved 11 cases/participants whowere recruited through a three-phase non-probability sampling process at treatment centres in twoGauteng metropoles. Following a method of reflexive thematic analysis, four themes withassociated sub-themes, are reported. Recommendations focus on tailored service delivery attreatment centres and addressing limitations in policies
PERCEPTIONS OF SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS REGARDING THE ASSET-BASED COMMUNITY-DRIVEN DEVELOPMENT (ABCD) APPROACH: A SOUTH AFRICAN STUDY
Full text linkAsset-based community-driven development (ABCD) has gained momentum in social work education over the last ten years. This mix-method study presents students’ perceptions of the relevance and application of ABCD in social work education at two universities in South Africa. The students perceived ABCD as a relevant approach that shifts community members from a deficit orientation focused on lack and needs to one in which people utilise their assets and take ownership of their own future. However, students experienced challenges in facilitating community members’ movement from being passive recipients of services and benefits to seeing themselves as change agents driving their own development. The results are intended to contribute to curricular and pedagogical improvements
EXPLORING RECIPROCITY IN GRANDPARENT-GRANDCHILDREN CARE: THE CASE OF MDLANKOMO LOCATION, LIBODE IN THE EASTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA
Full text linkIn South Africa, there appears to be a paradigm shift where the majority of the country’s children are taken care of by their grandparents. This article explores the states of reciprocity existing in grandparent-grandchildren care in Mdlankomo location, Libode of the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The study utilised a qualitative approach to explore the perceptions of grandparents on reciprocity between them and their grandchildren. Nine grandparents were interviewed. The findings revealed that grandparents manifested love for their grandchildren, who also reciprocated the gesture; delinquent behaviours of grandchildren exasperated their grandparents; the conflict between grandparents and grandchildren ensued when children suspected the abuse of their children’s welfare grant by their grandparents. The researchers urge the Department of Social Development and NGOs working in the children’s domain to strengthen the programmes for the well-being of older persons and children
IMPLEMENTATION OF ADOPTION IN SOUTH AFRICA: PERSPECTIVES FROM PRACTITIONERS IN THE WESTERN CAPE
Full text linkIn South Africa adoption as a form of alternative care had decreased despite a supportive legal and policy environment. This qualitative exploratory study explored adoption policy implementation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four social workers and two magistrates implementing adoption in the Western Cape. Data were thematically analysed using Lipsky’s theory of street-level bureaucracy. Results indicate significant problems in implementation, including lack of adoption services by the Department of Social Development (DSD) social workers; overuse of foster care; and difficulties in registration of the birth of abandoned babies and babies assumed to be foreign. Recommendations for practice are provided
BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE PARENTING OF ADOLESCENT CHILDREN IN RESOURCE-CONSTRAINED COMMUNITIES
Full text linkThe study examined barriers to effective parenting of adolescent children in resource-constrained communities. A qualitative approach was adopted for data collection and analysis. Thematic analysis was applied to data acquired from a sample of parents from resource-constrained 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.  
“INTO NJE – IT’S JUST A THING…”: BEING A LESBIAN IN A RURAL AREA
Full text linkThe South African Constitution prohibits discrimination against individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation, yet the experiences of lesbians across various contexts is different. A thematic analysis of 10 in-depth qualitative interviews with lesbian students from rural areas expands the limited knowledge base on this issue. Although these students are studying in an urban area, this article explores the experience of lesbians in rural areas in the light of the prevailing discourses on homosexuality. The findings revealed that due to certain religious and traditional beliefs, lesbianism continues to be perceived by many, for example, as “just a thing”, unnatural, a passing phase, an embarrassment and a sin. These prevailing constructions often deterred lesbian youths from being themselves, thus forcing them to manage multiple identities between rural and urban contexts. Social workers as well as other human rights advocates should, through their research and practice, aim to make communities aware of human rights discourses that promote affirmation, safety and support for the LGBTQI population in rural areas
THE PERCEPTIONS OF STUDENTS IN AN OPEN DISTANCE LEARNING (ODL) INSTITUTION ON LIFE SKILLS AS AN HIV AND AIDS PREVENTION STRATEGY
Full text linkMost people, including university students, are faced with the challenge of preventing infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). There is a need to ensure that students, future graduates and the future workforce enter the workforce as health-conscious citizens. This descriptive, explorative, qualitative study was conducted among students of the University of South Africa (Unisa), and it explored the students’ perceptions of developing life skills as an HIV and AIDS prevention strategy. Focus group discussions were used as a means of data collection. The data collected were subjected to content analysis. The perception of the students showed that life skills may play a crucial role in the prevention of HIV and AIDS. The study revealed that learning about life skills is absent from the students’ curriculum, and students want it to be included in their education. Some recommendations were made: the inclusion of HIV and AIDS education in the students’ curricula and qualification; student support services should provide services that go beyond the provision of medication and condoms to include counselling services for students on mental health, behaviour and general health; compulsory life skills workshops and educational sessions should be made available to students at the beginning of registration cycles; and topics for the life skills workshops should encompass aspects that are related to HIV and AIDS as well as those that are not HIV- and AIDS-related
EXPERIENCES OF GRANDMOTHERS LOOKING AFTER GRANDCHILDREN EXHIBITING DELINQUENT BEHAVIOURS IN HILL CREST LOCATION, ALICE TOWNSHIP, EASTERN CAPE: IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIAL WORK
Full text linkOlder persons face an array of challenges with regard to parenting a delinquent grandchild. The study adopted a qualitative approach with the use of an explorative and descriptive design, with data collected from in-depth interviews with grandparents, communities and probation officers. The study also adopted phenomenology as the specific research approach. Findings revealed that grandparents parenting their grandchildren face the pernicious experiences of grandchildren’s delinquency; financial challenges and poverty; and deterioration of their health and social life. This paper recommends that the government prioritise the grandparents’ vulnerability to address the delinquency of their grandchildren and ensure that they are freed from such a pernicious preoccupation. Policies should be developed to ensure that grandparents above the age of 60 years should not assume full custody of children, as they are also a vulnerable population
A RESILIENCE LENS ON HOMELESS OLDER PERSONS IN THE CITY OF TSHWANE: AN ILLUMINATION THROUGH PHOTOVOICE
Full text linkThis qualitative study explores and describes the resilience of homeless older persons in the City of Tshwane, South Africa. Eleven participants, recruited purposively, participated in photovoice activities supplemented with semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed through reflexive thematic analysis and trustworthiness was ensured. Findings indicate that conflict, abuse, family disappointment, unemployment, mental health challenges, declining mobility, isolation and a lack of access to services are risk factors hindering resilience. Religion, support and socialisation, amongst other things, are identified as protective factors enabling resilience. Recommendations for resilience-informed biopsychosocial gerontological social services to homeless older persons are offered to navigate towards better-than-expected outcomes
USING GROUP WORK INTERVENTIONS TO ADDRESS THE PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPACT OF EXPOSURE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON ADOLESCENTS
Full text linkGiven the high prevalence rate of domestic violence (DV) in South Africa, one in four adolescents reportedly comes from a home where they are exposed to DV. The effects of exposure to domestic violence on adolescents are adverse and lifelong; therefore, providing effective treatment is crucial. Group work has proven to be effective in some international studies, but South Africa has limited research on this question, particularly on the psychosocial impact of DV exposure and the necessary effective interventions. Through an ethnography qualitative approach, this study aims to expand the limited knowledge base. Participants were observed during a group work process for a period of 8 weeks, the objective being to determine their psychosocial functioning after exposure to domestic violence. Drawing from social learning theory, the findings of the study suggest that adolescents can benefit from group work interventions. The results showed that the group participants’ psychosocial functioning improved significantly after the intervention. Based on the findings, policy and practice recommendations for adolescents exposed to domestic violence are made