Social Work / Maatskaplike Werk (E-Journal)
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SOCIAL WORKERS’ EXPERIENCES OF THE TRANSTHEORETICAL MODEL OF CHANGE IN INVOLUNTARY TREATMENT OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS
Full text linkSubstance use disorders (SUDs) lead to changes to the brain, withdrawal symptoms and cravings that contribute to persons with an SUD being unmotivated to enter treatment. This discussion explored how social workers view and experience the use of the transtheoretical model of change as a framework to support the development of internal motivation, and consequently voluntary participation in treatment options. A qualitative approach was followed, guided by a combination of the explorative and descriptive research designs. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to select social work participants. Data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews and subjected to thematic data analysis. Ethical considerations included voluntary participation, informed consent, privacy, anonymity, confidentiality and the management of research data. The findings highlighted the participants’ perceptions and experiences of those aspects within the different stages of the transtheoretical model of change that may support social workers to guide involuntary clients towards a motivation for change
An approach to empower social work students with entrepreneurial skills: Reflections on the social work curriculum in South Africa
Full text linkUnemployment remains an unresolved social problem that has culminated in major socio-economic challenges across the globe, and South Africa is not an exception. Many young people in South Africa, including social work graduates are unemployed, contributing to the high rate of poverty. South Africa have endured a wave of unemployed social work graduates for the past decade, yet the increase in social problems justifies the need for more practitioners. This paper acknowledges the gap between the current social work curriculum and the need for innovation. The empowerment theory is used as a lens to explore innovative strategies to integrate entrepreneurial skills into the social work curriculum to curb the scourge of unemployment amongst social work graduates. Whilst the unemployment of social work graduates is alarming, there is limited research that rigorously explores this area from a social work perspective. There is a need for the social work curriculum to empower social work students with entrepreneurial knowledge and skills to mitigate the impact of unemployment faced by social work graduates. A desktop systematic review was used as a research methodology to conduct the literature review by purposefully focusing on social work education, social work unemployment and entrepreneurship
Bullying in an educational setting in Limpopo Province: Insights from the social work discipline
Full text linkBullying is arguably the most prevalent form of aggression and violence experienced by learners during their schooling years. This phenomenon is gaining increasing recognition among social scientists globally and is becoming a pressing concern at local levels. Bullying is associated with a myriad of social issues, including mental health problems, trauma, diminished academic performance, school dropout rates and, tragically, suicide. Given the emotionally demanding nature of the social work profession, understanding bullying is of utmost importance. The study was conducted in five regions of the Limpopo province of South Africa. This study employed a qualitative research approach to investigate the understanding of bullying among social workers in educational settings. Social workers were targeted as the study participants. The study aimed to develop a comprehensive understanding of bullying using face-to-face, semi-structured interviews with participants selected through purposive sampling. Prior to data collection, participants provided their informed consent and were informed of audio-recording procedures. Thematic content analysis was applied to analyse the data. The study was guided by the ecological approach as a theoretical framework. The study findings revealed that the participants have a clear understanding of bullying. The study recommends continuous training and recruitment of social workers in schools
YOUNG PEOPLE’S EXPERIENCES OF HOW MANAGED OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDEPENDENCE CONTRIBUTE TO BUILDING RESILIENCE AND PREPARATION FOR LEAVING CARE
Full text linkYoung people growing up in residential care often transition to independent young adulthood without adequate preparation, which increases their vulnerability to poor outcomes. Recognition that some care-leavers achieve better-than-expected outcomes has raised interest in care-leavers’ resilience processes. However, research on how their resilience is built in care is limited. Similarly, there remains a research gap on the preparation for leaving care practices from the perspective of young people in care. This article explores the contribution of managed opportunities for independence to building young people’s resilience and preparing them for life after care. Eleven young people were purposively sampled from child and youth care centres in South Africa. The study employed a qualitative, explorative approach, informed by a grounded theory design. Semi-structured interviews were analysed following a constructivist grounded theory method. Findings reveal that managed opportunities for independence contribute positively towards the preparation for leaving care through the acquisition of independent living skills, mentally preparing individuals to leave care and building their resilience. Young people’s perceptions of related risks and gaps are also explored. The study concludes that strengthening practices in preparation for leaving care, such as managed opportunities for independence, is crucial for building resilience and improving leaving care outcomes
A bibliometric analysis of the research trend in child abuse and neglect
Full text linkChild abuse and neglect is a topic that maintains its significance worldwide. Despite considerable progress in research on the subject, few studies address the overall perspective. This study aims to assess research on child abuse and neglect over a period of time through bibliometric analysis, systematising research areas and highlighting specific research themes. Adopting a quantitative analysis method, 3,773 articles and review articles about child abuse and neglect written between 1980 and 2021 were examined. The findings reveal an increase over the years both in the quantity and impact of articles published on child abuse and neglect. Especially in 2021 there was a noticeable surge in interest among researchers; however, there is a need for studies conducted in different regions to understand the issue of child abuse and prevent its occurrence. Especially in less developed areas, collaborative efforts are essential to increase the quantity and quality of publications. The widespread adoption of standard structured surveys is crucial in understanding how societal and cultural factors impact on the mistreatment of children globally. Findings from this study can guide new research in the field of child abuse and neglect, as well as social work practice
Community involvement in the identification of vulnerable child-headed households in Hogsback, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
Full text linkChildren from child-headed households are vulnerable, as they experience several challenges; it is therefore imperative to provide them with social support. However, the lingering problem in this endeavour is that it is rather difficult to identify such households. To overcome this difficulty, the community should be involved in the identification of these households. This qualitative study sought to describe the community members’ involvement in the identification of vulnerable child-headed households in Hogsback, Eastern Cape province, South Africa. The data were collected through a discussion with one focus group, consisting of ten community members from the Hogsback area. In addition, five social workers from the Department of Social Development in Alice were interviewed individually. The triangulation of the two data sets ensured credibility. Thematic analysis was employed to interpret the data. Two main themes emerged from the discussions. Firstly, community members are aware of, and capable of making observations and reports on children in need. Secondly, community leaders play a key role in identifying vulnerable children. Thus, enhanced community involvement can help social workers to identify vulnerable children from child-headed families with ease. The study recommended educating communities on reporting, identification, and early-intervention procedures to ensure timely and effective responses
CHALLENGES CAREGIVERS EXPERIENCE WHEN TRANSITIONING TO KINSHIP FOSTER CARE IN LOW-INCOME FAMILIES IN SOUTH AFRICA
Full text linkThe literature on post-kinship foster care placement indicates the psycho-social and economic challenges of foster parents in kinship foster care. However, the resilience of foster parents in negotiating complex challenges after kinship foster care placement is often overlooked in the literature. Using a focus group discussion, this qualitative study used a descriptive research design to explore the challenges that caregivers experience when they transition to kinship foster care in low-income families in the Amajuba District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. Nine foster parents were purposively sampled to participate in the study and data were analysed through the method of thematic analysis. Using family resilience theory, this paper presents three themes: resilience in dual caregiving, negotiating complex child residency disputes, and the personal meanings of fostering children. The findings highlight the resilience and adaptability of foster parents as they navigate challenges in the process of transitioning. This paper recommends that social workers should acknowledge the capabilities and resourcefulness of foster-care parents, leveraging these qualities to enhance early interventions that support kinship foster care, particularly during the transition process
STRATEGIES FOR MOBILISING THE COMMUNITY TO PREVENT FAMILY VIOLENCE: THE ROLE OF SOCIAL WORKERS
Full text linkFamily violence is one of the most pressing social issues in South Africa. Its contributing factors are complex, and in fighting against it, social workers are using different strategies to mobilise communities to work together in fighting this vicious cycle of violence. Therefore, this study aims to provide insight into the role of social workers in mobilising community involvement as a strategy for preventing family violence. Ecological and systems theories were used to show how different systems contribute to the social and psychological aspects of families’ wellness and the community at large. This qualitative study used a sample of 20 participants comprised of 10 social workers, who were individually interviewed, and 10 community members, who were part of the two focus group discussions. An exploratory design was used in this study. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to select the participants. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings showed different factors contribute to family violence. This article concludes that social workers play a crucial role in preventing family violence. However, the study recommends that social workers should establish violence-prevention programmes by working with men and boys to address gender inequality and prevent men’s perpetration of violence
PARENTS’ EXPERIENCES OF PARTICIPATING IN DIVERSION PROGRAMMES FOR CHILDREN IN CONFLICT WITH THE LAW
Full text linkA study of parental involvement in their children’s diversion programmes has been a gap in both practice and research. This article focuses on the parents’ experiences in the implementation of diversion programmes for children in conflict with the law. This was an exploratory, descriptive, contextual and phenomenological study with a qualitative approach. A risk-need responsivity model guided the study. Purposive sampling was used. Data collection was done through semi-structured, face-to-face interviews, and data were analysed through thematic content and verified using Lincoln and Guba’s model. Ethical considerations were taken into account throughout this study. The study established that many challenges facing parents affected their involvement in their children’s diversion programmes
CHILDCARE ARRANGEMENTS AMONGST ZIMBABWEAN IMMIGRANT FAMILIES LIVING IN SOWETO, SOUTH AFRICA
Full text linkChildcare is a pivotal universal right, particularly for immigrant families and their children in helping them to settle in a host country successfully. Underpinned by social exclusion and intersectionality frameworks, this qualitative study explored the childcare arrangements used by Zimbabwean immigrant families living in Soweto, a low-income community in Johannesburg, South Africa. The study used semi-structured interviews and a focus group discussion to gather data from the heads of eighteen Zimbabwean immigrant families. Among other findings, the study revealed that immigrant families used various childcare options, and their choices were constrained by levels of vulnerability and forms of exclusion. Some of the recommendations made to enhance the childcare arrangements amongst the group are integrative and inclusive measures such as adequate documentation and improving the income of members of this group