Browsing by Author "Joubert, Ninon"

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    The experience of individuals with Huntingtons disease in the Western Cape, South Africa
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2014-12) Joubert, Ninon; Pretorius, Chrisma; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Department of Psychology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Aim: The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of individuals with Huntington’s disease (HD) in a South African context. The focus of the current study was not only on the challenges faced by individuals with HD, but also the resources/supports that help them cope with their neurological condition. Method: I conducted twelve semi-structured interviews with the participants and they transcribed verbatim. I then performed a thematic analysis. Results: Using Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological System’s Theory as the theoretical framework, several themes were identified that related to the participants’ experiences of living with HD. Challenges included: triad of symptoms, sleep problems, testing process, relationships, children, it’s a monster, employment, social support, partners and family members with HD, medical aid, life insurance, financial problems, lack of HD facilities, lack of understanding of HD, symptoms watching and the progression of HD. Several supports/resources were also identified and included: knowledge about HD, counselling, medication, coping, employment, social support, testing process, partners and family members with HD, medical aid, life insurance, cure, possible HD facilities, religion, grant and adaptation over time. Conclusion: This was the first study of this kind in a South African context, which set out to explore the experiences of individuals with HD in the Western Cape, South Africa. The findings from this study demonstrate that although these individuals with HD experience several challenges due to their debilitating condition, they also employ several resources to help them cope with HD. Lastly, the findings that emerged from this study contribute to raising awareness about the experiences of these individuals living with HD and could serve as a valuable foundation for tailor-made interventions for these unique individuals.
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    The experiences of individuals with multiple sclerosis in the Western Cape, South Africa
    (AOSIS Publishing, 2014-04) Pretorius, Chrisma; Joubert, Ninon
    Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating and degenerative lifelong neurological disease that seems to be growing increasingly more prevalent in South Africa. Objectives: The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the personal experiences of individuals with MS in the South African context. The focus of this study was on the challenges faced by individuals with MS, as well as the resources that help them to cope with this debilitating, neurological condition. Method: Thematic analysis was used to explore the semi-structured interviews that were conducted with ten individuals with MS. Results: Several themes emerged that related to the participants’ experiences of living with MS. These themes included several challenges faced by the participants on a daily basis, such as the process of being diagnosed, daily life, invisible illness and medical aid schemes. Numerous resources that help these individuals to cope with MS also emerged from the data analysis and consisted of social support, mobility aids, religion and knowledge about MS. Conclusion: It is evident from the findings of this study that although individuals living with MS, which is a debilitating neurological condition, face several challenges on a daily basis, they often have several resources that help them to cope effectively with this condition. The findings of this study regarding knowledge of the challenges faced and the resources utilised by individuals with MS will hopefully create awareness of the disease and contribute to and inform the design and implementation of interventions for such individuals.