Masters Degrees (Social Work)
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Browsing Masters Degrees (Social Work) by browse.metadata.advisor "Khosa, Priscalia"
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- ItemChallenges faced by social workers rendering services to adult homeless individuals(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-12) Froli, Claro; Viljoen, Claro; Khosa, Priscalia; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Social Work.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Homelessness is a long existing challenge and social issue that is not limited to specific communities or countries. Unfortunately, statistics for homelessness are poorly documented globally, including South Africa. Homeless individuals globally are in need of intervention from social service professionals, such as emotional support counselling, basic needs services, skills development programmes, job seeking support, and after care support. Homelessness encapsulates many other social issues, as the cause or effect of homelessness is most often related to issues such as substance abuse, unemployment, domestic violence, relationship breakdown, criminal activity, abuse, and previous trauma. However, no studies have been found that identify and discuss the challenges that social workers face when rendering services to adult homeless individuals living in South Africa. Moreover, no priority or urgency is given to the phenomenon of homelessness in policy or legislation documents in South Africa, as there are no specific policies or legislation that focus purely on the issue of homelessness. Currently there is only one document that offers norms and standards to shelters for homeless individuals in the Western Cape. The goal of the study was to gain an understanding of the challenges that social workers face while rendering services to adult homeless individuals. A qualitative approach was utilised, supported by an exploratory and descriptive research design. A snowball sampling method was utilised for the purpose of this study. A semi-structured interview schedule was used to collect data from eighteen social workers rendering services to adult homeless individuals in the Western Cape. The gathered data was analysed using thematic content analysis. The key findings of the study revealed that social workers experience a variety of challenges when rendering services to adult homeless individuals in the Western Cape. Key challenges identified are uncooperativeness from the clients, safety and security issues, high caseloads, insufficient supervision, insufficient financial support, lack of resources, accommodation for transgender clients, and inadequacy in diagnosing mental health clients. It was found that clients are not always motivated for services, as they will come and use the basic needs services, but not make use of the further interventions possible such as group work sessions, counselling sessions, employment support programmes, and life skills training. It was seen that homeless individuals cannot be forced to take part in any services provided, as they are adults and in control of their own lives. In order to address the challenges identified in this study, it is recommended that the National Department of Social Development employ more social workers and social auxiliary workers to work in the field of homelessness, as this would lower the caseload for social workers. This could also ensure a reduction in the number of administrative tasks required of social workers, making place for more and better direct service delivery. This would also allow more time for in-depth supervision sessions, as social workers would not be pressured to talk about administration related issues. It is also recommended that more finances and resources be made available in order for these organisations to address the social phenomenon of homelessness effectively and efficiently. In night shelters specifically, it is suggested that more attention be given to the sleeping arrangements of transgender clients.
- ItemFactors influencing relapse in individuals with substance use disorders: views of social workers employed in treatment centres(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-12) Ndou, Nobuhle; Khosa, Priscalia; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Social Work.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Substance abuse is a global problem which has educed considerable concern among patients, families, clinicians, and researchers alike. Despite the various treatment strategies put in place by many countries, including South Africa, relapse remains the most noted outcome following treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs). Previous work on the causes of relapse in SUDs has failed to explore the views of social workers as treatment professionals, but focused mostly on the service user and their significant others. Hence, the goal of this study was to explore the views of social workers employed in treatment centres regarding factors that influence relapse in SUDs. Social workers as treatment professionals are usually the first point of contact with the service user before and after they relapse, which therefore makes it important to explore their views as to why service users are entangled in this vicious circle of recovery and relapse. The study is qualitative in nature and adopted an exploratory research design. The results of the study are based on an empirical investigation conducted with 20 social workers employed in various substance abuse treatment centres in the Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces, respectively. A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data from the participants through one-on-one and telephonic interviews. Thematic content analysis was used as a form of data analysis. The findings of the study revealed that various factors play a role in the precipitation of relapse at the different levels of the ecological system. It was also found that there are major gaps in the SUD treatment system in South Africa, which further exacerbates the cycle of recovery and relapse. There is a need for more public treatment facilities and the application of more locally-based treatment methodologies if relapse is to be tackled head-on. Recommendations of the study include that service users be enrolled in skills development programmes as part of their treatment to allow them to lead meaningful lives in recovery. Moreover, it is also recommended that the Government allocate more funds towards SUD treatment through adding more public treatment facilities and funding of SUD treatment NGOs. It is envisaged that the findings of the study will contribute to the development of more strategies and programmes to combat relapse as well as help in formulating and augmenting relapse prevention and aftercare programmes best suited for the South African context. Furthermore, the wider social work practice and other professionals globally, especially those in the addictions field, could benefit from such contributions which may enhance the possibility of a substance abuse free society.
- ItemThe nature of social services provided by social workers for women experiencing intimate partner violence in Namibia(2023-03) Menesia Panduleni Shikongo; Khosa, Priscalia; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Social Work.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Every country plans how it will ensure the protection of women from intimate partner violence (IPV) and other forms of abuse. Enacted laws and legislations usually contribute to significant ways of protecting women. As there is an increased rate of IPV among women worldwide, this study investigated social services provided by social workers for women experiencing IPV. This study aimed at understanding social workers’ perspectives on the nature of social services provided for women experiencing IPV. The study employed a qualitative research methodology and exploratory research design was utilised. Purposive sampling which is a non-probability sampling was utilised to recruit social workers in Namibia. The participants were employed as social workers at the Ministry of Health and Social Services, and Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare. In this study, ten social workers were recruited and volunteered to partook as participants. The study found that social workers offer services to women experiencing IPV at various levels of the ecological system, namely: microsystem, mesosystem and macrosystem. One of the crucial conclusions drawn in this study was that social workers encounter challenges as they provide social services to women experiencing IPV. The main challenge was that women experiencing IPV need place of safety and/ shelter. Thus, the study recommends that the government should prioritise the construction of more places of safety countrywide. This is because these places offer a more conducive environment for the support of IPV survivors than in wards at referral hospitals.
- ItemSocial workers' perspectives on barriers to substance abuse treatment for women in Limpopo province(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-12) Baloyi, Dzunisani Eugenia; Khosa, Priscalia; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Social Work.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The prevalence rate of substance abuse is escalating in women and little is known about their access to the available treatment services. Previous studies on barriers faced by women in accessing substance abuse treatment did not explore the perspectives of social workers, who are experts in helping women with substance abuse problems, but rather focused on service users. Therefore, the goal of this study was to explore the perspectives of social workers coordinating substance abuse programmes regarding the barriers women face in accessing treatment for substance abuse. The nature of the study is qualitative. An exploratory and descriptive research designs were adopted in the study. The findings of the study were derived from an empirical investigation conducted with 20 social workers employed by the Department of Social Development in Limpopo province. Data were collected from the participants through telephonic interviews using a semi-structured interview guide, and thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings of the study show that social workers observe a lot of women in local communities who are abusing substances, but they are not seeking help. The findings also reveal that women encounter different types of barriers when seeking treatment services for substance abuse. Internal barriers, such as a lack of motivation to change their behaviour and denial were identified, while external barriers such as a shortage of treatment facilities were also found. It was also found that the available treatment facilities and outpatient treatment services are not accessible to people, who live far from the centralised treatment facilities. These barriers contribute to women not receiving treatment and not seeking help. In order to eliminate these barriers, there is a serious need for additional treatment, whether these be inpatient or outpatient treatment services, to cater for the needs of women, including childcare. Furthermore, the study recommends that government must relook at legislation and policies on substance abuse services in order to address substance abuse problems for women, instead of the current primary focus on men. It is anticipated that the findings of this study will contribute to an understanding of barriers that women are facing in accessing substance abuse treatment. The study will also help in developing strategies to address factors to consider when admitting women to a treatment facility, such as their fear of leaving their children and family behind, which could hinder their decision to initiate treatment. Thus, the study advocates for the establishment of treatment centres for women and the development of treatment services that will minimise the barriers that women face in accessing substance abuse treatment centres. Lastly, the study will assist those in social work practice and other professionals in the field of substance abuse to enhance service delivery to women.