Department of Psychology

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http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11837/395

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Adolescents' perceptions of the relevance of barriers to voluntary councelling andtesting(VCT): A rural Eastern Cape High School Study
(University of Fort Hare, 2009-11) Chimunhu, Jephias
Rural Eastern Cape has been noted as recording counter statistics to the national South African HIV and AIDS prevalence levelling off. The role of Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) as a major preventive programme and the perceived barriers that would prevent rural adolescents from using it were explored at a high school in the Eastern Cape (N=l 78). About 20, 8% of the adolescent respondents in grade 10, 11 and 12 self reported that they had been tested while 79, 2% had not been tested and 55, 1 % reported that they had never heard of VCT before.
An exploration of expressed emotion and the quality of life relationship in IsiXhosa people with HIV/AID in East London.
(University of Fort Hare, 2009) Mutize, Penwell
The Level of Expressed Emotion (LEE) is a measure of perceived emotional climate of one's social environment. The measure has been used in previous studies in predicting relapse in schizophrenic patients and other psychological disorders. This study sought to investigate the relationship of the level of expressed emotion and the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS. The LEE scale and the World Health Organisation Quality of Life- HIV were administered to 72 participants who indicated to be HN positive and a control group of 43 participants who indicated to be HIV negative. The LEE scale's four dimensions of intrusiveness, emotional response, attitude towards illness and tolerance/expectation was used to establish the overall level of expressed emotion of the participants.
An Exploratory Study on How Managing Cases of Sexually Abused Learners Impacts Personally on Primary School Educators: Implications for Setting up Support Structure
(University of Fort Hare, 2004-11) Moldan, Samantha
The purpose of the study was to establish the personal impact that managing cases of sexually abused learners has on Primary School educators working in an East London community.·, In addition it attempted to establish what support these Primary School educators felt they needed in order to help alleviate the personal impact, that managing cases of sexually abused learners might have on them. A phenomenological approach that s descriptions of everyday experiences - Using availability-sampling methods, interviewed.
An interpretive study of the reported emotional experiences of recovering emotional experiences of recovering sustance abusers from an Eastern Cape community.
(University of Fort Hare, 2015) Sharma, Sivamoney
Substance abuse has become a source of major concern from the public health perspective not just for the individual but also for the wider society. Drug abuse extends far beyond the substance abuser, contributing to damaged relationships with family, community, health workers and volunteers. However, the major impact is upon the children of the abuser (Fox, Oliver & Ellis, 2013). The purpose of this study is to capture the subjective experiences of diagnosed substance abusers from an under-resourced suburb in the Eastern Cape. A phenomenological investigation is conducted at a local rehabilitation centre, focusing on the target population, to make sense of their major life experiences as members in a marginalized community focusing on mental health and poverty. This gives them a voice in their own health care, allowing them to suggest ways in which their needs could be sufficiently met by social services. Taking cognizance of their unmet needs creates awareness of any scarcities that may be bridged by new evaluations.
Applicability of the Griffiths mental development scales-extended revised to the South African context: A systematic review.
(University of Fort Hare, 2016-01) Jacobs, Zikhona
The contribution and value of developmental assessment in the developing world, and especially the impact it has on the cognitive development of the African child in terms of early diagnosis and intervention are increasingly being documented. However, unique tests for specific cultural groups are lacking and the development thereof is a complex, costly and time consuming endeavor. Adapting internationally researched tests that have been proven to be valid and reliable in other countries seem to be an effective solution at present. The Griffiths Mental Development Scales (Griffiths scales) is one such test that could answer the developmental assessment needs of the developing world. The Griffiths Scales was introduced in South Africa in 1977 and since then an expanding pool of research has been done on the Griffiths.
Deinstitutionalization of Schizophrenic Patients from Tower Hospital : An evaluation of the impact thereof on community psychiatric services
(University of Fort Hare, 2004-04) Jemsana, Sipokazi
Worldwide deficiencies in the institutionalized care of psychiatric patients gave rise to the latest trend, deinstitutionalization, both internationally and in South Africa. In most countries this movement was done with little or no proper planning for continued care in the community. The result was failure to support and sustain these patients in the community. This led to homelessness an increase in crime and constant re-admissions, the revolving door phenomenon. This study examined the impact deinstitutionalization of patients from Tower Hospital had on community psychiatric services. Focus was on what community services were available to these patients after discharge and whether these were utilized. The clinics used were those servicing these patients after discharge. Availability sampling was used. Twelve nurses formed the sample and were given questionnaires to fill in and records were also perused. The results, broadly, showed that the community psychiatric and support services were inadequate for proper rehabilitation of chronic psychiatric patients in the community.
An exploration of intimate partner violence during pregnancy: an interpretative phenomenological study.
(University of Fort Hare, 2015) Serame, Welekazi
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is the most common form of violence against women worldwide, and alarmingly, South Africa is reported to have one of the highest rates and prevalence. This study was conducted to establish the participant’s perceptions of IPV and their descriptive presentation of their experiences of IPV during pregnancy. The study further explored the social, cultural and gendered power relations underpinnings of IPV. A qualitative exploratory research design was employed for this study as a method of enquiry that aims at describing and clarifying human experience as it appears in people’s lives. Interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) was employed in this study as its theoretical framework. Data was gathered in the form of spoken language utilising semi-structured face- to-face interviews. A convenient sample of five participants was drawn from survivors of IPV during pregnancy at an organisation that offers support to women who have been abused. Results indicated that IPV in the lives of the five participants was introduced during the first month of pregnancy, the main trigger being the announcement of pregnancy. An increase in IPV ensued and continued after birth with adverse emotional and physical consequences. IPV was found to be common during pregnancy especially to those who are economically dependent on their partners. Cultural influences of the AmaXhosa were also found to have played a dominant role.
Exploring childhood development within the Amathole district: a case study utilizing the Griffiths mental development scales - extended revised.
(University of Fort Hare, 2015) Dawu-Tshuma, Sithembinkos
The history of psychological assessment in South Africa together with the cultural diversity of the nation poses a major challenge to the contemporary South African assessment setting. Valid and reliable measures that are comprehensive and applicable to a variety of cultures including African and rural children are needed for use in South Africa (Louw & Avenant, 2002; Foxcroft & Roodt, 2009). The Griffiths Mental Development Scales – Extended Revised (GMDS-ER) has been identified by various authors as a measure with the potential to meet the developmental assessment needs in South Africa if it can be adapted and standardized for use within the South African context (Kotras, 2003; Van Rooyen, 2005; Van Heerden, 2006). The development of South African norm groups for this measure which accommodates children from diverse ethnic, economic and geographic backgrounds can be enhanced by a thorough understanding of the developmental trends of African children from a rural setting. Considering the lack of norms for the GMDS-ER and the shortage of culture-fair measures applicable to the African child, the overall aim of this study was therefore to investigate childhood development of African children from a rural setting. Both qualitative and quantitative data were utilized in a multiple case study method. A sample (N = 12) of mainly Xhosa and English-speaking children between the ages of 5-years and 6-years living in the rural areas and enrolled in the playschools of the Amathole region was selected using a non-probability purposive sampling method. Quantitative scores from the Griffiths Mental Development Scales – Extended Revised (GMDSER) and qualitative interpretations retrieved from the clinical observations and biographical questionnaire were combined. Data obtained was processed through thematic and quantitative data analysis techniques. Guba’s (1981) model for assessing the trustworthiness of qualitative data was also incorporated. The results showed an average mean IQ of the sample with none of the children showing superior or very superior levels of development. High average performance scores were attained by the sample in the Locomotor and Performance subscales, whilst average scores characterized the other four subscales. The weakest performance of the sample was in the Language subscale. The influence of the lagging behind economic and infrastructural development and lack of resources at home and preschool, as well as limited knowledge on child development and stimulation were identified to be contributing factors influencing African children’s development in a rural setting. However, the developmental utility of the GMDS-ER to assess children from diverse backgrounds was further highlighted in this study as in the previous studies done by researchers who include Van Rooyen (2005), Van Heerden (2007) and Von Weilligh (2012). The information generated from this study has contributed to our knowledge base of the performance of African children on the GMDS-ER and has emphasized the need for culture fair assessment measures.
Exploring childhood development within the Amathole District: A case study utilizing the griffiths mental development scales-extended revised
(University of Fort Hare, 2015-01) Dawu-Tshuma,Sithembinkosi
The history of psychological assessment in South Africa together with the cultural diversity of the nation poses a major challenge to the contemporary South African assessment setting. Valid and reliable measures that are comprehensive and applicable to a variety of cultures including African and rural children are needed for use in South Africa (Louw & Avenant, 2002; Foxcroft & Roodt, 2009). The Griffiths Mental Development Scales - Extended Revised (GMDS-ER) has been identified by various authors as a measure with the potential to meet the developmental assessment needs in South Africa if it can be adapted and standardized for use within the South African context (Kotras, 2003; Van Rooyen, 2005; Van Heerden, 2006). The development of South African norm groups for this measure which accommodates children from diverse ethnic, economic and geographic backgrounds can be enhanced by a thorough understanding of the developmental trends of African children from a rural setting.
Factors mediating personal and professional development within higher learning institutions: an activity theory perspective.
(University of Fort Hare, 2011) Kriel, Denise
In the context of a higher learning institution, this paper identifies the factors that mediate students‟ personal and professional development from an Activity Theory perspective. Data took the form of written reflections submitted by second-year psychology students‟ as part of their course requirements. The reflection exercises were designed to help students to use the knowledge acquired in the second-year programme to reflect on their own understanding of „self‟ and the practice of psychology in society. Data was analysed from an Activity Theory perspective and employed interpretative methodologies. The findings of the study shed light upon the role of contemporary contextual factors mediating students‟ personal and professional development at a higher learning institution.
Guilt and shame as intergroup emotions applied within the South African context
(University of Fort Hare, 2009) Byrnes, Janet
The present paper will inform about three studies that seek to make a contribution to the area of self-conscious emotions, namely guilt and shame, and their consequences for intergroup relations in a South African context. As with previous research, this research investigated whether belonging to a particular group (i.e. being a white South African) is likely to evoke feelings of collective guilt and collective shame when reminded of the atrocities of Apartheid, even though the individual members did not personally contribute to their group’s negative history. The first study aimed to investigate experimentally the effects of experienced collective ingroup guilt and shame on the desire to make reparation. The second study aimed to test the relationship between guilt/shame and reparation of white South Africans in the field. Furthermore, the second study aimed to account for the dialectical aspects of the intergroup situation by exploring guilt/shame and reparation of white South Africans as expected by young black South Africans (as members of the previously oppressed group). The third study aimed to replicate the differences between experienced guilt/shame/reparation and reported ingroup identification by white South Africans and the expected guilt/shame/reparation from white South Africans and reported ingroup identification by black South Africans as found in the study 2. In addition, the third study aimed to control the antecedents for collective guilt and for collective shame. It also explored the impact knowledge about atrocities of the ingroup (white participants) has on emotions and reparation attitudes and whether perceived status relations at present and in the future impacts the emotions as well general reparation attitudes.
A hermeneutic exploration of men’s narratives of manhood.
(University of Fort Hare, 2015) Brown, Jade
Manhood is a construction which must be ‘achieved’ by men and boys (Gilmore, 1990). A male child must learn to perform these constructions early in life, and then sustain this performance throughout life (Gilmore, 1990; Hurley, 2004). Booth (2012) argues that manhood is a subjective concept particular to each man’s unique set of identifications. This includes the influences of various contexts upon these life performances. Within South African historical and cultural contexts, the impact of apartheid upon manhood has to be acknowledged (Vandello, Bosson, Burnaford & Weaver, 2010; Morrell, 2001 & 2005). This study qualitatively takes a look into what manhood is perceived to mean, within various social contexts. A hermeneutic methodology is utilised within a poststructuralist framework to unpack the meaning and unique identifications of each participant interview. The data findings emphasise that there are multiple modes of manhood, which are enacted by different men as well as by the same men within different situations. Gender identity is therefore significantly flexible in principle although it is formed into specific categories under certain historical and cultural conditions (Barker, 2012). Manhood in South Africa can therefore be understood to be influenced by different historical and cultural elements. South African men may live within a conflictual space between historical and cultural discourses of manhood as well as western discourses of manhood.
Heterosexual students’ attitudes towards gays and lesbians: An Eastern Cape university survey.
(University of Fort Hare, 2014) Barry, Hilde-May
While South Africa stands apart from other countries as being more progressive in terms of gay and lesbian rights, attitudes towards this population continue to be intolerant. Attitudes shape people’s behaviour and in a university setting young students are vulnerable to discrimination. This is often a time when young people are still shaping their identities. An electronic survey comprising the Attitudes towards Lesbians and Gay Men Scale was administered to 401 students taking undergraduate psychology courses at the East London Campus of the University of Fort Hare, to assess their attitudes towards gays and lesbians. The survey measured their attitudes in terms of the biographical variables of gender, age, race, and religiosity, commitment to religious practice, urban or rural upbringing and nationality. The results of the research found that gender, race, religiosity, religious attendance and rural or urban upbringing do influence students’ attitudes significantly. However, age did not have an effect on attitudes towards gays and lesbians in the present study. The significance of the differences in attitudes in terms of nationality was not able to be tested due to the small sample size of foreign students. The findings of this study show that there are fairly consistent predictors of students’ attitudes concerning gays and lesbians. This information can help us to clarify areas to target for improvement in the campus climate for gay and lesbian communities.
Human trafficking: narratives of non-governmental organization caregivers in the Eastern Cape.
(University of Fort Hare, 2013) Nabo, Sandisiwe Sifanelwe
Human trafficking is a social problem that has left no state or country immune to its effects. Literature indicates that human trafficking causes economic social and physical disruptions. Families are left broken and communities divided and children left homeless. Its victims are mostly women and children who come from low socio-economic status. Studies have been conducted on the roles of Non-Governmental Organisation‟s across the globe but reports on the roles of NGOs in the Eastern Cape are unknown. This study reports on the roles of Non-Governmental Organisation‟s (caregivers) in the Eastern Cape. This investigation is an exploratory qualitative study. A purposeful sampling strategy was used to recruit the Non-governmental organization (caregivers). In depth open ended interviews were conducted. The theories of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and socio-ecological theory were used to discuss the findings of the study. The findings of the study were categorized into four main themes including; knowledge of human trafficking, causes of human trafficking, roles of non-governmental organization (caregivers) in the Eastern Cape and strategies available in the Eastern Cape Province. The findings showed that human trafficking is present in the Eastern Cape. Abused and neglected children are more likely to become potential victims of human trafficking. The caregivers play a huge vital role in the fight against human trafficking. Lastly, the strategies implemented are not as effective as they would have been if adequate legislation was passed against human trafficking
Identity-related decision-making among multicultural adolescents
(University of Fort Hare, 2011) Siwundla, Lundi
This present study investigated South African Afrikaans-, English- and Xhosa-speaking male and female urban secondary school adolescents‟ (N = 1301) perception of the relative importance of identity-related domains by investigating the choices that they carried out in relation to meaningful identity-related areas of their lives. Consequently a structured questionnaire consisting of 14 domain particular areas was used. In Eriksonian terms, one could say that the South African society is in a psychosocial crisis. Almost all the domain-specific items were regarded as relevant “Very important” or “Fairly important” by a notable or significant majority of participants. All fourteen of the domains were regarded as “Very important” by at least 35% of the participants from two cultural groups, namely African and Coloured sub cultural groups; while twelve of the domains were regarded as “Very important” by at least 50% of the African subgroup and thirteen domains were regarded as “Very important” by 40% of the Coloured subgroup. “Leisure and recreational activities”, “Friendships with members of the same sex peer group”, “My political views and convictions” and “Friendships with members of the opposite sex peer group” were however, still regarded as “Fairly important” by 56%, 53%, 58% and 52% of the total research group respectively. It should also be noted that generally females in the sample were more inclined to evaluate domains that had a bearing on interpersonal relationships as significantly more important than the males namely: Friendship with members of the same-sex peer group, What kind of person I want a permanent relationship with, What kind of person I want to marry, and How I should act as husband or wife. The males tended to evaluate the domains, Sexual matters and Friendship with members of the opposite sex more significantly important than the females did.
Incorporating homosexual orientation and identity within an existing religious identity : an interpretative phenomenological analysis
(University of Fort Hare, 2015) Nicholas, Verity Anne
Research addressing homosexuals in South Africa has markedly increased since democracy. Yet there is a dearth of research on the lived experiences of homosexuals who were or are Christian and how these individuals negotiate the two identities. Most commonly the research that does exist focuses on theological or social aspects. The primary objective of this research was to gain an understanding of psychological aspects of Eastern Cape gay men and lesbian women who were raised in Christian families and who later developed homosexual identities. This was done to examine how these participants managed to integrate the two identities. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirteen people all over the age of 21 years, who had been Christian at some stage of their lives and who self-identified as homosexual. Results were analysed and discussed using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach. Some of the younger participants had not worked through all of the issues involved in being both Christian and homosexual. Their sexual orientation had been accepted but confusion as to their place within the Church remained, whereas older participants were found to have resolved their identity issues with respect to their homosexuality and Christianity. None of the participants chose celibacy as a viable option. Only two rejected Christianity entirely in favour of living out a homosexual lifestyle. These two participants did not commit to any particular belief system following their rejection of Christianity. One participant remains ambivalent about being homosexual and Christian. Importantly the remaining ten participants integrated the two identities by re-negotiating their Christian belief rather than their sexuality. Most of these Christian homosexuals have maintained an active participation in the Church and assert that their relationship with God is intact. However, participants claim that the role of Church authority in their lives has been significantly diminished and that essentialist Christian churches are avoided. These shifts are ascribed to the pervasive homophobia experienced by participants within those environments.
Incorporating Homosexual Orientation and Identity within an existing Religious Identity: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.
(University of Fort Hare, 2015-09-30) Verity, Anne Nicholas
Research addressing homosexuals in South Africa has markedly increased since democracy. Yet there is a dearth of research on the lived experiences of homosexuals who were or are Christian and how these individuals negotiate the two identities. Most commonly the research that does exist focuses on theological or social aspects. The primary objective of this research was to gain an understanding of psychological aspects of Eastern Cape gay men and lesbian women who were raised in Christian families and who later developed homosexual identities. This was done to examine how these participants managed to integrate the two identities. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirteen people all over the age of 21 years, who had been Christian at some stage of their lives and who self-identified as homosexual. Results were analysed and discussed using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPPA) approach.
An interpretive study of the reported emotional experiences of recovering substance abusers from an Eastern Cape community.
(University of Fort Hare, 2015) Sharma, Sivamoney
Substance abuse has become a source of major concern from the public health perspective not just for the individual but also for the wider society. Drug abuse extends far beyond the substance abuser, contributing to damaged relationships with family, community, health workers and volunteers. However, the major impact is upon the children of the abuser (Fox, Oliver & Ellis, 2013). The purpose of this study is to capture the subjective experiences of diagnosed substance abusers from an under-resourced suburb in the Eastern Cape. A phenomenological investigation is conducted at a local rehabilitation centre, focusing on the target population, to make sense of their major life experiences as members in a marginalized community focussing on mental health and poverty. This gives them a voice in their own health care, allowing them to suggest ways in which their needs could be sufficiently met by social services. Taking cognizance of their unmet needs creates awareness of any scarcities that may be bridged by new evaluations. This could bring added value to existing interventions. In doing so, improvements to the quality of life experienced by this community may evolve from a legacy of mental ill-health and poverty. In addition, it may create a positive platform for the future generation by breaking the negative evolution to which they are confined. The results of this study concluded that addiction starts of as a coping mechanism which then leads to dependency and tolerance becoming an addictive habit. Responses from participants indicated the risk of enabling, environmental influences such as peer pressure, their work place and the accessibility of drugs as threat to their possible relapse after recovery. Due to heredity and exposure other members of the family also become addicted resulting in marginalised societies remaining in a cycle of poverty for generations. Children of substance abusers are at risk of becoming substance abusers themselves through modelling and neglect. The cost of recovery revealed a lack of social support and rehabilitation centres in East London.
An Investigation into the Relationship between African late Adolescents' Identity Formation and their Perceptions of dimensions of Family Functioning in a Rural Eastern Cape Setting
(University of Fort Hare, 2005-05) Bennett, Myron ,John
Black adolescents, especially, experience the transformation process, which is currently in progress in South Africa, as a difficult challenge. The racial changes and demands in the country have an intense effect on the way young people's identities a re formed. Brighton-Cleghorn ( 1987) stated that it is in such instances where the family structure plays a vital role in the formation and structuring of the young adolescent's identity. Identity formation can be seen as a central developmental task during adolescence, according to Erickson's (1968) stage 5 of his psychosocial theory of personality development. Marcia's (1964, 1966) identity status approach has become one of the successful and most widely used methods in the studying of adolescent identity formation. Marcia's operationalisation of Erikson's concept of identity information, the identity statuses, was used in the present study. The identity statuses represent four ways (Identity Achievement, Identity Moratorium, Identity Foreclosure, Identity Diffusion) of dealing with the identity crisis towards the end of the adolescent years.
Negotiating identity and belonging: Perspectives of children living in a disadvantaged community in the Eastern Cape Province.
(University of Fort Hare, 2013) Tamerin, Amy Ridley
Developing an identity with self-esteem and a sense of self-worth is a child’s fundamental right (Vandenbroek, 2001). To encourage identity formation children need to ask and answer questions such as: ‘Who am I?’, ‘Where do I belong?’ and ‘Is it ok to be who I am?’ A child’s identity is shaped largely by his/her experiences with regards to relationships and belonging within communities and familial structures. However, South Africa faces a host of problems, including poverty, violence, HIV/AIDS, all of which contribute to the breakdown of these familial and community structures. Utilising a participatory action framework, this research aims to provide insight into how children living in a disadvantaged community negotiate identity and belonging. This insight into children’s perceptions of identity and belonging is useful for identifying resources within the community which promote a positive sense of identity and belonging, and also to identify areas where support and intervention are required.

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