Social Work / Maatskaplike Werk (E-Journal)
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SURVIVING A LARYNGECTOMY: THE VIEWS OF POST-OPERATIVE CANCER PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES
Get PDFMajor advances in cancer detection and treatment options have now afforded cancer patients the prospect of a longer life. This places various demands upon patients, families and social workers in the field of oncology. A combination of quantitative and qualitative research approaches was used to explore the survivorship experiences of patients and families who presented with an advanced stage of larynx cancer, where a total laryngectomy was indicated, implying removal of the entire larynx. Findings of the study reveal that patients and families mobilise both inner strengths and social support to adapt to inevitable physical changes that follow a laryngectomy
PSYCHOSOCIAL HUMANITARIAN INTERVENTIONS IN THE GLOBAL SOUTH: THE POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF SOCIAL WORK AND COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY
Get PDFThis article makes the case for the fields of social work and community psychology to contribute to psychosocial humanitarian interventions in the global South. Many countries in the majority world face humanitarian crises, including war, political turbulence and in some cases genocide. In this article I examine some of the interventions that have demonstrated some efficacy in ameliorating psychosocial problems associated with conflict and war; I examine the role of mental health professionals in preparing survivors of war crimes and human rights abuses for testimony in post-conflict truth commissions; and I examine the complementary role of community psychologists and social workers in the context of conflict-related work. In defining a role for social workers and community psychologists, I identify areas of common concern for psychosocial humanitarian aid workers, namely an awareness of power relations, the potential mismatch of cultural zeitgeists between the professions of social work and psychology and the populations they serve, and the cultural sensitivities associated with what is considered to be therapeutically appropriate
EXPLORNG PARTICIPATORY PARITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION: EXPERIENCES OF SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS
Get PDFThis study uses the principle of participatory parity (PP) espoused by Fraser (2008, 2009) for exploring social work students’ experiences of enabling and constraining factors in advancing their engagement with and involvement in a specific university. This study therefore explores factors related tothis phenomenon using Fraser’s framework. Eight participants volunteered to form part of this qualitative study using three methods of participatory learning action (PLA) data collection, namely, the river of life, community maps and focus group discussions. Findings explore whether the economic, cultural and political dimensions of PP limit or facilitate student engagement and involvement
INDUCTING FIRST-YEAR SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS: REFLECTIONS ON A DISCIPLINE-SPECIFIC APPROACH TO ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT
Get PDFFirst-year students at tertiary education institutions face multiple problems including under-preparedness, financial problems and adjustment to university. In response, some universities have introduced generic academic development programmes. In contrast, three educators from the Department of Social Work at the University of the Witwatersrand (UWits) engage in a reflective analysis of a discipline-specific academic development programme. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse transcripts of two focus group interviews with students and reflective reports written by two educators on strategies used to design the programme. Findings suggest that this programme meets the unique needs and professional identity development of Social Work students
EXPERIENCES AND CHALLENGES FACED BY FAMILIES DEALING WITH DELINQUENT CHILDREN IN BOTSWANA
Get PDFSexual abuse is not being reported adequately. Teachers are in an ideal position to deal with and report sexual abuse, but they are not sufficiently trained in this regard. Therefore it was necessary to evaluate whether training programmes could be effective. The research that informed this article focused on presenting a specific training programme to twenty primary school teachers after which two focus group interviews were conducted. The aim was to explore the participants’ perceptions regarding the programme. The teachers benefitted from the relevant information, they valued the group consolidation, they felt confident about sharing experiences and they were more prepared to act in sexual abuse cases
CHALLENGES FOR REHABILITATION OF SENTENCED OFFENDERS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF UNIT MANAGEMENT IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES: BETHAL MANAGEMENT AREA
Get PDFIn 1998 the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) made a paradigm shift from being purely punitive institutions to becoming rehabilitative correctional centres. The paper reports on a mixed method study done at correctional centres in the Bethal Management Area. The goal was to explore and describe how rehabilitation and unit management can be optimised to address the needs of offenders. The study concludes that in order to optimise rehabilitation and unit management, the Department of Correctional Services needs to prioritise the strengthening of human resources, including professionals, provide resources, increase vocational training opportunities for offenders, and improve infrastructure within correctional centres
Editorial
Get PDFGovernments world-wide develop policies and legislation to enable service providers to address the unique needs of service users. To implement such policies and legislation, service providers offer intervention services in various fields and contexts of social welfare and social work, such as those involving mental health, drug abuse, child protection and institutional care. Research often investigates how relevant policies and legislation are, and how intervention services and programmes meet the needs of services users, as this issue demonstrates
SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND THE WORKPLACE: A SITUATION ANALYSIS
Get PDFSubstance abuse among the employed in South Africa has increased in recent years with major economic consequences for employers. Specialist outpatient treatment programmes are available to employers, yet few employees are inducted into these programmes. A situation analysis was conducted to explore possible reasons for this state of affairs. This article provides an overview of workplace-related limiting factors in combating substance abuse and also covers the resources needed to deal with the problem of substance abuse in the workplace. The authors suggest collaboration between employers and outpatient treatment centres as a viable solution
PERSEPSIES VAN ONDERWYSERS NÁ HULLE BLOOTSTELLING AAN “UNDERSTANDING THE SCOPE OF CHILD ABUSE”-PROGRAM
Get PDFSexual abuse is not being reported adequately. Teachers are in an ideal position to deal with and report sexual abuse, but they are not sufficiently trained in this regard. Therefore it was necessary to evaluate whether training programmes could be effective. The research that informed this article focused on presenting a specific training programme to twenty primary school teachers after which two focus group interviews were conducted. The aim was to explore the participants’ perceptions regarding the programme. The teachers benefitted from the relevant information, they valued the group consolidation, they felt confident about sharing experiences and they were more prepared to act in sexual abuse cases