Theses and Dissertations

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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.
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 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.
The relationship between cultural belief system and depressive symptomalogy among bereaved South Africans
(University of Fort Hare, 2014) Heunis, Jaques Johan
The present research aimed to explore bereavement among different ethnic groups within the multicultural context of South Africa. Two correlative studies were conducted. The hypothesis tested in Study 1 stated that continuing bonds and complicated grief predict depression. The results indicated that the hypothesized model was most appropriate for individuals who had lost someone recently. Through the use of path analysis, race groups, i.e. black versus non-black participants, were compared in respect to the proposed model.
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.
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.
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.
Stress and traumatic symptoms among police officers: a gender analysis
(University of Fort Hare, 2008) Williams, Wendy Claudia
This study assessed the extent to which exposure to traumatic events affected the traumatic stress response of male and female police officers. A convenience sample of male and female police officers (N = 66: n Male=46, n Female=20) was surveyed at an Eastern Cape police station. The following instruments were used: 1) Biographical questionnaire 2) PTSS-10 scales 3) The 39-item stress incident scale. Findings of this study indicate that the frequency of exposure to stressful incidents especially for more serious events is significant higher than that of Peltzer (2001) study. The four most frequent stressful incidents experienced by all participants were 1) Finding a corpse after murder (86.4%), 2) Responding to a scene involving accidental injury of a child (84.8%), .3) Finding a corpse (died of natural causes) (84.8%), 4) Duty related violence (non-shooting) (84.8%).The four least frequent incidents experienced by participants were: (1) Response to the depressing social situation (71.2%), (2) Dragging of a corpse (74.2%), (3) Taking a life in the line of duty (75.8%), (4) Violent death of a colleague (77.3%).Female participants results indicated a positive relationship between frequency of stressful incidents and total threat, anxiety, helplessness and PTSS-scale , where male participants’ results indicate no significant relationship between frequency of stressful incidents and total threat, anxiety, helplessness and PTSS-scale. Findings on male participants however indicate a positive relationship between years of service in police, age of police officers and PTSS-scale, while female participants’ results indicated no relationship between years of service in the police, age of police officer and PTSS-scale.
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.
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.
Negotiating identity in an online virtual environment.
(University of Fort Hare, 2011) Dube, Nompumelelo
This study investigates ways in which people in an online anonymous virtual environment use language to negotiate and manage their identities. The study is informed by the tenets of social constructionism, a theory that explores the problematic manner in which the self is taken for granted as unchanging (Burr, 1998). One point made by alternative theorists other than social constructionist theorists is the notion of the “essential self”; one tenet of social constructionist theory suggests that the “essential self” of a person remains fluid. The implication is that one ultimately changes as each day passes, for example at the core of one’s personality is an “essential self” that changes with experiences, conflicts and/or age (Tuffin, 2005). From a social constructionist perspective, the self is more fractured and contingent on life’s circumstances. This theory was found to be an appropriate paradigm from which to study anonymous online identities, where individuals were found to create and negotiate certain identities outside of those identities that people often find important to portray to outsiders in the general public. Sixty-seven (67) students from different races participated in this study and online discussions from a course discussion forum, “blackboard”, were monitored. This study found that one’s identity is negotiated in an anonymous virtual environment. Data was collected from these discussions and was analysed using Potter and Wetherell’s (1987) method of discourse analysis. Research findings ultimately found that people use discursive strategies in negotiating and maintaining their identity online, but that distinct racial characteristics were noticeable despite some attempts to mask one’s background.
Sexual Aggressive Behaviour and Incidence of HIV/AIDS Among Adolescent Males In Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape.
(University of Fort Hare, 2016) Notole, Mvuyisi
The general aim of this study was to explore the impact of sexual aggression and the incidence of HIV/AIDS among male adolescents in Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Specific aims were to: • Explore the extent to which the cultural values and attitudes held by adolescent males contribute towards sexual aggression • To analyse the consequences of sexual aggressive behaviour among adolescent males based on the statistical findings of the study. Using the mixed method that was administered anonymously to and with consent from the two school principals of conveniently sampled110 adolescent males, aged 15-21 years, in Grade 10 to Grade 12, Phase 1 of the study became the quantitative research. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 18 was used to obtain descriptive and inferential statistics. Results from this study found that the null hypotheses were rejected in favour of following alternative hypotheses on 0.05 level of significance; Ha1: There is a statistically significant correlational relationship between adolescent males who have been forced in sexual intercourse by their friends in terms of sexual aggression and become perpetrators of sexual violence. Ha2: There is a statistically significant difference between adolescent males who talk about sex with their partners and sexually aggressive behaviour. Ha3: There is a statistically significant correlation relationship between adolescent males who receive sex-education from their educators and those who do not receive sex-education from their educators. In Phase 2 (qualitative research) the open-ended questionnaires were completed by 10 respondents and to identify the themes, the data was coded to bring the similarities. Hegemonic masculinity, conformity, alcohol abuse, physical punishment and imprisonment emerged as having impact on the well-being of adolescent males to be sexually aggressive and engage in risk-taking behaviour. Based on the findings of this study, further research is recommended in determining the self- esteem and sexual attitudes of adolescent males. Furthermore, more of sex-education at schools should be explicit and adolescent males be equipped in the areas of decision-making skills and self-efficacy with respect to condom-use.
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.
WISC-IV test performance of Grade 3 Xhosa-speaking children: An extension of a prior South African normative database.
(University of Fort Hare, 2015) Bickell, Alexa
Introduction. A well-recognized problem exists when commonly employed tests developed in the United States (US) or United Kingdom (UK) are accepted unconditionally for use on local relatively disadvantaged populations, as these tests have questionable validity and therefore incur a high risk of misdiagnosis. Cross-cultural normative research has been conducted in South Africa on some of the Wechsler intelligence scales with respect to participants stratified for level and quality of education, age, race and language, including a study on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) for learners with Grade 7 education (age 12 to 23). The aim of the current study was to conduct a partial duplication of the earlier WISC-IV South African norming study that specifically targeted a younger group of educationally disadvantaged children at a lower level of education. Method. Participants were Black Xhosa-speaking Grade 3 learners in the age range 8 to 9 (N =32 ), who were being schooled in the disadvantaged educational setting of the former Department of Education and Training (former-DET) schools. The WISC-IV results of the current study were statistically compared with the WISC-IV results from Shuttleworth-Edwards, Van der Merwe et al. (2013) study. Results. There was a significant lowering of between 20 to 30 IQ points relative to the UK standardisation on WISC-IV scores for this sample of Grade 3 Xhosa-speaking learners, replicating the earlier outcome for Grade 7 Xhosa-speaking learners relative to the UK standardisation. No differences were in evidence within the WISC-IV sample for the female and male participants on any of the indices. There was equivalence between the Grade 3 and Grade 7 Xhosa-speaking learners on all subtest and Index scores with the exception of the Digit Span subtest. Conclusions. The results confirm prior research indications of the negative impact of educational disadvantage on IQ test results and the need for this to be taken into account by the availability of socio-culturally relevant norms.
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.
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
Pregnant teenagers’ readiness for motherhood: A quantitative investigation in Nkonkobe municipality, Eastern Cape.
(University of Fort Hare, 2013) Pitso, Tsolo Joseph
The issue of teenage motherhood has been a concern, globally, continentally and locally. The quantitative study assessed whether the pregnant teenagers were ready for motherhood. This report analysed the current positions of women whose first child was to be born when they were teenagers in the rural Eastern Cape setting. The structured questionnaires were given to 106 pregnant teenagers who visited the War Memorial clinic for pregnancy check-up and convenient sampling was used to select these respondents. The items of the questionnaire were divided into the following sub-topics: prenatal and postnatal challenges and roles and responsibilities of motherhood. The study found that most of the pregnant teenagers were aware of the prenatal and postnatal challenges but they were not ready to perform the roles and responsibilities associated with motherhood. The analysis of data was divided in terms of descriptive and inferential statistics. The binary regression model was used to assess the factors affecting the pregnant teenagers’ readiness for motherhood. The finding of this study indicated that most (about 79%) of the pregnant teenagers were not aware of the roles and responsibilities of motherhood In addition to being not ready to face the psycho-social challenges of motherhood. Hence they indicated low level of readiness to motherhood. The psycho-social theory of Erikson posited that children who had strong and intact psycho-social relationships with the caregivers might have a high possibility of acquiring their identity during adolescent stage and this will help them to interact both effectively and efficiently with their peers and the society at large. While those do had negative psycho-social development have a high chance of facing identity crisis/confusion. As a result, they might lead them to being victims of psycho-social interaction such as early pregnancy.
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.
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.
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.

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