Browsing by Author "Aldrich, Marissa"

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    ‘n Ondersoek na die betekenis wat vroue heg aan alkoholgebruik tydens swangerskap
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-12) Aldrich, Marissa; Perold, Mariechen; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Education. Dept. Educational Psychology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT : Although speculation about the toxicity of alcohol intake during pregnancy has already surfaced decades ago, the term Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and the permanent effects of it on human development is a relative new and unknown topic for many. Research indicates that FASD presents one of the most preventable birth defects. It is thus clear that FASD, which is caused through alcohol consumption during pregnancy, is a phenomenon that begs intensive attention, research and interventions. Whereas other qualitative studies in this field focus mainly on the effects of FASD on children, this study’s premise was the attitudes and experiences of mothers who still or who have, consume(d) alcohol during pregnancy. Secondary aims were to understand the value the participants attach to alcohol use, their knowledge of FASD and the role that mental pain or psychological distress plays in their motivation to use alcohol. Mothers who presented rich information were purposefully selected for voluntary participation. Criteria for selection included the fact that participants had to already be mothers, or had to be pregnant and secondly they had to be consuming alcohol whilst pregnant. Working from an interpretivist research paradigm, it was endeavoured to understand the participants’ situations, and their unique lives within specific contexts. Data was generated through open-ended questions, as well as two creative activities, namely a lifeline drawing using the metaphor of life-as-a-river and also using a sandtray with miniature figurines. Data was thematically analysed, and subsequently the findings were presented in a narrative format, by telling each of the four participants’ stories. Research findings revealed that the participants held insufficient or distorted understandings of FASD and that various factors played a role in their attitudes and experiences of alcohol use during pregnancy. These factors include unplanned pregnancies, social influences and pleasure-seeking, mental pain, as well as alcohol dependancy.