The perceptions and experiences of youth on the use and abuse of alcohol within Klapmuts

Date
2016-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study explored the youth of Klapmuts’ perceptions and lived experiences of alcohol abuse. The study sought to gain an understanding of the perceived predisposing and perpetuating factors that contribute to high prevalence of alcohol use in the community. This study is located in a social learning theory framework that emphasises how behaviour is learnt and reinforced with our interactions and observing others. Through this observation of others engaging in alcohol, we learn certain rules, attitudes and gain insight into the usefulness of the behaviour or its disadvantage and futility. In addition, the theory places emphasis on the environmental aspects which further impact on the learned or modeled behaviour. A qualitative research methodology was utilised to gain insight into the lived experience of the youth and their understanding of the phenomenon. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 participants (8 males and 8 females). The interviews were transcribed verbatim and interpreted using content thematic analysis. The perceptions and experiences of the participants were distilled into the following major themes: Perception of alcohol in the lived experience, Modelling social and familial behaviour, Individuality evoking change, Underage drinking, Gender roles and observations, Social problems, and a need for intervention. The perceptions and experiences of youth living in Klapmuts show an interesting dynamic of how they view, manage and engage with the community and alcohol use. The split in experience and perspective was discerned and may be indicative of how individual aspects and environmental exposure can influence individuals differently and result in different experiences which either reinforce the use of alcohol or decrease the interaction with alcohol. These findings indicate that the community of Klapmuts needs basic support structures to assist those with alcohol abuse as well as familial psychoeducation and support intervention.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie het die persepsies en ervaringe van alkoholmisbruik onder die jeug van Klapmuts ondersoek. Die studie het daarna gestreef om die bydraende faktore tot die gebruik van alkohol in die gemeenskap te ontleed. Hierdie studie is geleë in die sosiale leerteorie raamwerk, wat klem lê op hoe gedrag aangeleer en versterk word deur middel van interaksies, asook die waarneming van ander. Deur om ander waar te neem wat betrokke raak by alkoholgebruik, kan insig verkry word tot die relevante reëls, houdings en gedrag, asook die nadeligheid of nuttelossheid daarvan. Daarbenewens plaas die teorie klem op die omgewingsaspekte wat verdere impak het op gemodelleerde gedrag. 'n Kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetodologie was aangewend om insig te verkry tot die jeug se ervaring en begrip van hierdie verskynsel. Semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude was individueel uitgevoer met 16 deelnemers, bestaande uit 8 mans en 8 vrouens. Die onderhoude was getranskribeer, en is ook na Engels vertaal. Deur middel van tematiese analise was die data verder ontleed en 7 temas is geïdentifiseer, naamlik: persepsie van alkohol en geleefde ervarings; modellering van sosiale en gesinsgedrag; individualiteit wat verandering ontlok; minderjarige gebruik van drank; geslagsrolle en persepsies; sosiale probleme en 'n behoefte aan ingryping. Die jeug van Klapmuts se persepsies en ervarings het ‘n interessante dinamika getoon in terme van hul waarneming, bestuur, en betrokkenheid met die gemeenskap en alkoholmisbruik. Onderskeid was getref tussen ervaring en perspektief en kan moontlik ‘n aanduiding verskaf oor hoe individuele aspekte en omgewing blootstelling individue verskillend kan beïnvloed.. Gevolglik kan hierdie verskille in ervarings aanleiding gee tot ‘n versterking in die gebruik van alkohol, of ‘n afname in die interaksie met alkohol. Daar word aanbeveel dat die gemeenskap van Klapmuts ʼn basiese ondersteuningstruktuur benodig om diegene wat deur alkohol geaffekteer word, psigososiale opleiding en ondersteuning aan te bied om die impak van alkoholmisbruik aan te spreek.
Description
Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2016.
Keywords
Youth -- Alcohol use, Youth Perception, Alcoholism, Klapmuts, Underage Drinking, Social learning, UCTD
Citation