Elma Ryke

The life experiences of adolescent sexual offenders: Factors that contribute to offending behaviours

Substance abuse and dependence among the employed have massive cost implications for South Africa. Employers are legally obliged to provide opportunities for the treatment of substance dependence before dismissal is considered. Problem areas are the following: inadequate identification of employees with substance-abuse problems, infrequent treatment referrals, and overlooking of substance abuse in the workplace. This article attempts to address these issues by providing an overview of literature dealing with the problem of substance abuse and dependence in the workplace. Addressing this problem calls for specialist intervention measures, which are discussed in the article.

PERSPECTIVES OF ELDERLY BLACKS ON INSTITUTIONAL CARE

This article reports on the perspectives of black elderly persons regarding where they believe persons such as themselves should stay, where they themselves would like to stay, and where their families and children would like them to stay. Their knowledge of alternative care and their consideration of ever living in an old-age home are also discussed. It was found that the indigenous support system for caring for elderly people in their communities by their children is still practised and preferred by the elderly, but not significantly so by the younger generation. It became clear from the study that old-age homes were still a rather new and largely unacceptable concept to elderly black persons

Legal instruments to consider in structuring parenting plans

The objective of this article is to provide the legal context of parenting plans in South Africa. The Children‟s Act 38 of 2005 (hereafter Children‟s Act) makes explicit provision for parenting plans. It is therefore important to analyse the relevant provisions in terms of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996) (hereafter Constitution) and the Children‟s Act, read together with international and regional children‟s rights instruments pertaining to parental rights and responsibilities to establish their nature and content of these plans as well as their necessity. Section 33(3) of the Children‟s Act states that a parenting plan may determine any matter in connection with parental responsibilities and rights, including (a) where and with whom the child is to live; (b) the maintenance of the child; (c) contact between the child and (i) any of the parties, and (ii) any other person; and (d) the schooling and religious upbringing of the child.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND THE WORKPLACE: A SITUATION ANALYSIS

Substance abuse among the employed in South Africa has increased in recent years with major economic consequences for employers. Specialist outpatient treatment programmes are available to employers, yet few employees are inducted into these programmes. A situation analysis was conducted to explore possible reasons for this state of affairs. This article provides an overview of workplace-related limiting factors in combating substance abuse and also covers the resources needed to deal with the problem of substance abuse in the workplace. The authors suggest collaboration between employers and outpatient treatment centres as a viable solution.

Assessing mental health services in a rural setting: service providers’ perspective

ABSTRACT Addressing the inadequate and poor provision of mental health services in rural areas is a world-wide challenge. Most people with mental illness in these areas do not have access to mental health services. Using eight attributes of good mental health service as criteria, the purpose of this study was to assess mental health services at Mashashane, a rural area in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. A survey was conducted with a purposively selected sample of health care professionals from four health establishments serving Mashashane. Data was collected using a questionnaire with closed and open-ended questions. Quantitative and qualitative data analyses were used. The results show that out of eight attributes assessed only comprehensiveness was positively perceived. This is an indication of the inadequacy of mental health services, hence their inability to improve the well-being of people with mental illness and their families. Lack of resources was identified as the major hindrance to the delivery of appropriate mental health services. The findings highlighted aspects that contributed to the development of a framework for a community-based program to improve the well-being of people with mental illness and their families in a rural setting.

Strategies for work-family balance in a South African context

ABSTRACT Finding and maintaining work–family balance has become an increasingly difficult challenge for South African families due to various factors, including economic, political, social and cultural changes that can impact negatively on family well-being. While pathways and strategies for work–family balance have been identified in other contexts, there is little available research on the topic in a South African context. Considering the knowledge that South African social workers have in this regard as a result of their training, qualifications and role in the South African context, South African social workers were selected as participants. The aim of this study was therefore to explore and describe, from the perspective of a group of South African social workers, strategies for work–family balance that can potentially contribute to family well-being in a South African context. A narrative inquiry research design was implemented. Thirteen female social workers between the ages of 23 and 46 who work in different social work contexts across South Africa were recruited by means of purposive and snowball/network sampling. Data were collected by means of written narratives and analysed by thematic analysis. The findings identify the following strategies: Setting clear boundaries, open communication in work and family domains, strengthening personal and professional support systems, planning, time management and prioritising, self-care, reasonable work environment and continuous personal and family assessment. While the findings share similarities with work–family balance strategies identified in other contexts, this study’s significance lies in the fact that it identifies strategies specifically for the South African context and that it does so from the perspective of South African social workers.

Stakeholders’ Views Regarding Their Role as Support System for People with Mental Illness and Their Families in Rural South Africa

The diverse needs associated with mental illness warrant for the provision of mental health care by various sources. The South African government recognises the involvement of stakeholders as a potential means of narrowing the gaps in mental health service delivery. This study explored the views of different stakeholders about their roles as support systems for people with mental illness and their families at Mashashane, a rural setting in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Seven focus group discussions were conducted with various stakeholders. This qualitative study employed content analysis to allow for comparison of stakeholders’ views. Stakeholders understanding of mental illness was based on reaction towards people with mental illness, causes of mental illness and the behaviour displayed by the ill individual. The identified formal and informal systems were seen as ineffective with regards to provision of support. Collaboration was recommended as a mechanism to improve mental health services. The findings contributed in the formulation of guidelines to improve support.

Intervention strategies used to address alcohol abuse in the North West province, South Africa

One of the purposes of the Alcohol Sub-Study of the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study was to identify the socio-economic effects of binge drinking from the perspective of community support networks and assess their intervention efforts to address the alcohol abuse problem in the selected areas of study. Emphasis was placed on implementation of plans and legislation; however, eradication of the problem seems to be insignificant for various reasons. This article reports on these identified challenges and proposes appropriate intervention strategies that take cognisance of the nature of the communities for which intervention efforts are intended

GENDER DIFFERENCES IN THE RELATION BETWEEN BINGE DRINKING AND VIOLENCE

Alcohol use is a global phenomenon. The practice has been present in African social life for centuries as it has also been in other parts of the world, either as a form of entertainment, bonding, confidence boosting, relaxation and euphoria, except in instances where it is outlawed for religious purposes, such as in predominantly Muslim communities. Large quantities of brewed or distilled drinks are often produced in local communities or commercial enterprises to meet the demands of consumers (Meel, 2006:1; Obot, 2006:17).