Shazly Savahl

A qualitative inquiry investigating adolescents' sense of hope within a context of violence in a disadvantaged community in Cape Town

Violent crime has proven to have profound negative effects, especially on children and adolescents residing in high violence communities in South Africa. Many studies in the field have identified the need to focus on hope, one of the factors which can protect children and adolescents from the harmful effects of exposure to violence. The aim of the research study is to explore the sense of hope in adolescents, who are living in communities known to have high levels of exposure to violence. Data was collected by means of two focus groups comprising a total of 14 participants. This group of young people demonstrated a future-oriented understanding of hope, as well as illuminating the link between hope and faith.

Adolescents, their Parents, and Information and Communication Technologies: Exploring Adolescents' Perceptions on How these Technologies Present in Parent-Adolescent Relationships

Abstract The differences between parents and adolescents in relation to information and communication technologies (ICT) are well documented, yet little is known about how adolescents experience these differences. The study reported in this paper therefore aimed to elucidate adolescents’ views on these differences, and in the process to explore the possible impact on parent-adolescent relationships. The participants comprised 23 Grade 10 learners, conveniently selected from three high schools in the Cape Peninsula, South Africa. The learners participated in focus group discussions and reported on the following: their experiences and perceptions regarding their parents’ level of techno-literacy; their attitude towards, and use of, ICT in comparison with that of their parents; and parental regulations imposed on their use of these technologies. Thematic content analysis was applied to delineate themes emerging from the texts. Although the study confirmed that differences between parents and adolescents exist in relation to ICT, it calls into question other research that too readily portrays this aspect as being negatively experienced by the adolescent, and a threat to healthy parent-adolescent relationships. It was also evident that it is not possible to be conclusive about the impact that ICT may have on parent-adolescent relationships, without information on how parents and adolescents relate above and beyond these technologies. The importance of ICT in adolescents’ lives emphasises the need to unravel the impact it may have on their well-being.

Nature as children's space: A systematic review

ABSTRACT The emerging interest in “spaces of childhood” over the past two decades can be identified across numerous disciplines. A substantial body of research has indicated that childrens active engagement within the natural environment is associated with a range of cognitive, physical, affective, and moral developmental benefits. Although research on childrens space and place is a burgeoning field, currently only one identified systematic review exists within the literature investigating the benefits of childrens engagement in nature. The aim of this article was thus to systematically review and synthesize the findings of childrens understandings and engagement with nature as a space. After a systematic search of the literature, 83 articles were included in this review with study samples spanning across children aged 3 to 18 years old. The review underscores four thematic domains derived utilizing thematic analysis. It is ostensible from the results that childrens perceptions of and engagement in nature as a space and place are multifarious, benefiting childrens well-being in myriad ways. At a foundational level, more research is required to deepen understandings about how children in differing contexts construct nature.

The use of visual methods to explore how children construct and assign meaning to the ‘‘self ’’ within two urban communities in the Western Cape, South Africa

This study aimed to explore how children construct and assign meaning to the “self” within two urban communities of Cape Town in South Africa. Using a child participation methodological framework data were collected using Photovoice and community maps with 54 participants between the ages of 9 and 12. Feelings of safety, social connectedness, and childrens spaces were found to be central to the ways in which the participants constructed and assigned meaning to the “self.” The study provides implications for intervention programmes aimed at improving childrens well-being to be inclusive of activities aimed at improving childrens self-concept, including the construction of safe spaces for children to play, learn, and form meaningful relationships.

Alcohol consumption and risky sexual behaviour amongst young adults in a low-income community in Cape Town

Aims: The aim of the study was to explore alcohol use and risky sexual behaviour among young adults in a low-income community in Cape Town. Design and setting: The study followed a descriptive correlational design within a quantitative methodological framework. More specifically, a participatory research model was employed in collaboration with young people attending a secondary school in the participating community. Data collection: The street-intercept method was used to administer a structured questionnaire consisting of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and the Self-Report Risky Sexual Behaviours Scale. Findings: A key finding of this study contributes to the established body of research demonstrating a significant relationship between alcohol consumption and RSB (r = 0.48; p ≤ 0.01; N = 143). Another crucial finding of the study indicates that a substantial amount of the participants are classified as either harmful drinkers (Males = 20.0%; Females = 17.8%) or being alcohol dependent (Males = 54.3%; Females = 47.9%). Conclusions: These statistics are a typical reflection of drinking behaviour in impoverished communities in Cape Town and South Africa in general. The findings display the exigency for interventions to start at both the primary and secondary school level to counter the effects and consequences of alcohol consumption and risky sexual behaviour among young adults in this community.

Adapting and Validating the Family Resilience Assessment Scale in an Afrikaans Rural Community in South Africa

A family resilience framework understands families as having the potential to not only face adversities but to overcome them; although its measurement is not always agreed upon. The aim of this study is to explain the processes involved in the adaptation of the 54-item family resilience assessment scale into Afrikaans, and to further examine its psychometric properties. Data were collected via the door-to-door method with the assistance of fieldworkers in two rounds. The pilot sample included 82 participants whilst the larger study included 656 participants. The internal consistency and construct validity was assessed using Cronbach’s alphas and Exploratory Factor Analysis implementing a Principal Component Analysis and Promax rotation, respectively. The factors which were found are similar to those of Sixbey’s, however, a new factor emerged replacing Maintaining a positive outlook which was named Family and community outlook. The processes described in this study facilitated the assessment of the feasibility and efficiency of the full-scale study and reduced the number of unanticipated problems associated with large sample data collection particularly using fieldworkers.

Children's representations of nature using photovoice and community mapping: perspectives from South Africa

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to explore children’s representations and perceptions of natural spaces using photovoice and community mapping. The sample consisted of 28 children aged 12–14 years residing in urban and rural communities in the Western Cape, South Africa. Data were collected by means of a series of six focus groups interviews (three photovoice discussion groups and three community mapping discussion groups). For the photovoice missions, children were provided with a 28-exposure disposable camera and given 1 week to complete their missions. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data. Three key themes emerged, namely: safe spaces in nature, unsafe spaces in nature, and children’s favourite places in nature. Socio-economic status (SES) was found to be a determining factor in how children make sense of natural spaces. Children from low SES communities indicated being more constricted in their mobility, and were unable to access to safe natural spaces compared to the children from the middle SES community. It is recommended that an expedient starting point would be to work towards and build environmentally and child-friendly communities for children, with children as key contributors in the planning process using a child participation framework.

The Children's Delphi: considerations for developing a programme for promoting children's self‐concept and well‐being

This study is premised on the notion that intervention programmes aimed at improving childrens well-being should be inclusive of activities which promote childrens self-concept. Using a child participation framework, this study aimed to explore childrens perceptions of the nature and content of intervention programmes aimed at improving childrens self-concept within two impoverished communities of the Western Cape, South Africa. The Delphi technique was followed with a group of 10 children between the ages of 10 and 12 years who were considered to be knowledgeable experts and authorities on matters affecting their lives and well-being of children. They suggested that intervention programmes include a focus on safety, the provision of social support, the creation of opportunities for learning and for play and the provision of basic material needs.

Children’s Recreational Engagement with Nature in South Africa: Implications for Children’s Subjective Well-Being

This chapter focuses on merging positive psychology and environmental psychology (sustainability) by exploring children’s recreational engagement with nature and the influence on their subjective well-being. The chapter details two studies conducted in the Western Cape of South Africa, in one rural and two urban communities using participatory methodologies with children. Study 1 aimed to explore how children discursively construct natural spaces and the influence on their subjective well-being using focus group interviews, while Study 2 aimed to explore children’s representations and perceptions of natural spaces using photovoice and community mapping. Four overarching findings identified from both Study 1 and 2 were the following: Children’s mobility in natural spaces: The role of socio-economic status (SES) and threats to children’s safety; Nature as children’s space and the influences on their subjective well-being; Children’s rights and access to safe natural spaces; and Researching children’s environmental views and their subjective well-being in South Africa. Although a fostering and healthy environment for children is a precondition for their well-being, this right is unfulfilled for the majority of children in the South African context. The ability to develop in a safe environment which enhances children’s well-being is unjustly distributed amongst the rich and poor, alluding to the importance of considerations of the place dimension of subjective well-being (SWB). The environmental subjective well-being of children is complemented by considerations of the environmental child rights, which foremost advocates for safer recreational environments for all children.

Addiction treatment providers’ perceptions of publicly-funded treatment services in the Western Cape, South Africa

This study explored addiction treatment implementation effectiveness of publicly-funded services in the Western Cape, South Africa, as perceived by service providers. Informants were six service providers from state-subsidised and public outpatient treatment services for substance use disorders (SUDs) (social workers = 4, registered counsellor = 1, psychologist = 1). Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analysed by means of thematic analysis. The three themes that emerged from the analysis pertained to addiction treatment providers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of treatment services, lack of aftercare services, and service access and participation. Findings highlight sites for interventions to enhance the provision of publicly-funded evidence-based treatment services for SUDs in South Africa; enabling recipients to yield the well-established benefits of treatment.