School of Human and Community Development (ETDs)
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Item A Qualitative Study Exploring How South African Female Gender-Based Violence Survivors Use Creative Expression to Communicate Their Stories Publicly(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Wright, Mary-Anne Elizabeth; Harvey, ClareThis study investigated how South African female gender-based violence (GBV) survivors utilised creative expression to communicate their stories of GBV publicly. Within the constructivist paradigm, the study was further interested in how this public communication of GBV from the survivors themselves influenced and acted as a mode of counter-discourse in relation to the prominent discourse around GBV in South Africa. The study was done through conducting a critical narrative analysis (CNA) and visual discourse analysis (VDA) of three selected creative works, which communicated first-hand accounts of GBV, sourced from the public domain. The Pieces were selected through purposive sampling and the modes of creative expression were an artwork, a video of a performed poem, and a short story. The combination of CNA and VDA was chosen for this research as the creative works are a mixture of spoken word, written text, and other visual elements. The VDA allowed for an in-depth analysis of the visual components of the creative expressions with the hopes of providing a complete analysis within the CNA framework. Findings from this research suggest that creative works do potentially offer space for South African female GBV survivors to share their stories publicly. Through exploring social responses to the Pieces it seems that the sharing of these creative expressions further appears to have contributed to the social discourse which elicited engagement and conversation from other members of society. The creative expressions were additionally found to meet the criteria of counter-discourse. The Pieces challenge GBV dominant discourses such as victim-blaming, victimisation of survivors, and shame and stigma through relinquishing shame and blame and highlighting the strength and resilience of survivors.Item An Exploration of Audiologist and Patient Communication during Adult Tinnitus Management Sessions in Gauteng, South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Stonestreet, Micaela Ruth; Kanji , Amisha; Watermeyer, JenniferIntroduction: Tinnitus is a prevalent symptom of hearing loss and can have a significant impact on quality of life. Recently a large body of research exploring patient-centred care and communication practices in audiology has emerged. However, there remains a paucity of research on communication in tinnitus management consultations. Aims: The aim of this study was to explore interactions between audiologists and patients in initial adult tinnitus management sessions. The objectives of this study were to observe the communication processes of audiologists in this setting, as well as explore how audiologists negotiate complexities such as patient expectations, emotions, decision-making and goal setting with patients. Methodology: This study implemented a multimethod exploratory qualitative design incorporating interactional analysis of video recorded audiological initial tinnitus consultations, triangulated with participant interviews. The research was conducted at two hospitals in the public healthcare sector of Gauteng, South Africa. The data comprised of seven video-recorded interactions between five audiologists and seven patients, supplemented with interviews with all 12 participants after the tinnitus consultations. The video-recorded interactions were analysed by means of a hybrid sociolinguistic analysis approach with principles of interactional sociolinguistics and theme-oriented discourse analysis. The video- recorded data was triangulated with the interview data in order to strengthen the analysis and overall confirmability of the study. Results: The findings of this study highlight six communicative actions that contribute to patient-centred communication in initial adult tinnitus management sessions, namely: agenda setting, breaking from a scripted approach, prioritisation of patient concerns, engaging in emotional and psychosocial topics, shared decision-making and expectation setting. The results of this study show that audiologists are not consistently implementing these 5 communicative actions within their adult tinnitus management consultations, which has implications for patient-centred care. Conclusions: The study provides insights into the current communication practices of audiologists in adult tinnitus management sessions in South Africa. The research highlights both the strengths and weaknesses of audiologists in their use of effective communication strategies and patient-centred care, specifically in information exchange, responsiveness to patients’ emotions and psychosocial stressors, and shared decision-making. Audiologists need to consider how they can transform the concepts of patient-centred care and effective communication into practical actions within their tinnitus management. These findings can raise awareness among audiologists about their communication practices in tinnitus management consultations. Additionally, they offer insights into practical communication strategies that can be implemented into tinnitus management consultations and provide valuable insights for future researchers, educators and policymakers.Item Disability and Masculinity: How Young Men with a Disability Navigate Masculinity in South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Moonsamy, Michaela Anne; Langa, MaloseThis research project aimed to contribute to the body of knowledge in the global south literature on masculinity by exploring how young men with a physical disability construct and navigate masculinity. Theories such as Ecological systems theory, Social identity theory and Gender role strain theory served as the theoretical framework. Semi-structured interviews were used as the data collection method. There were seven participants in total, five identifying as black and two identifying as Indian, all with varying degrees of physical disabilities. Participants were selected using purposive snowball sampling. Interpretive phenomenological analysis was used to analyse the data. Five themes were constructed from the data: How young men with disabilities define their masculinity; Challenges of not meeting Hegemonic Masculinity Standards and the coping strategies used to manage these challenges; Disability and its contribution to identity formation; Relationship with others: living with a disability and how this relationship affects masculine identity; and Embodying masculinity. The study revealed that young men with a disability reject/reformulate hegemonic masculine ideals to standards they can meet but can also simultaneously draw from hegemonic ideals. In addition, various challenges faced by men with a disability were explored as well as how relationships affect identity formation while living with a disability. Limitations and future recommendations are discussed.Item Social work role and interventions during climate change related disasters in Zimbabwe(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Shayamanao, Molly; Dube, N.; K.P., MasingaSocial work interventions during disasters are crucial in restoring individuals, families, groups, and communities’ well-being and social functioning. Notably, social workers’ involvement in disaster-oriented practice in Zimbabwe is considered inadequate. The increasing occurrences of climate change-related disasters exacerbate the adverse social and economic impacts on the most vulnerable groups. Social workers’ limited involvement in disaster issues is attributed to overreliance on residual social work practice, whereby intervention occurs when a problem already requires immediate attention. Social workers across the globe are, therefore, increasingly called upon to engage in disaster management. This study adopted a constructivist paradigm and a qualitative research approach, utilising a case study research design. Additionally, the study was based on intervention research. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to select 26 social work practitioners working in Manicaland Province, six social work lecturers working in social work departments at institutions of higher learning, and three policymakers. The study utilised in-depth interviews and focus group discussions to collect relevant data. Thematic analysis guided by Braun and Clark’s (2006) six-phased approach was used to analyse the gathered data. The research findings provide insights into the social work profession’s unique contribution to disaster management and shed light on the challenges social work practitioners encounter, which influence their effective involvement. The current disaster management landscape in Zimbabwe was discussed and gaps were identified in training and the knowledge required for social workers to respond effectively to disasters. This study emphasised the importance of integrating social work expertise into comprehensive disaster management strategies and highlighted the importance of multidisciplinary approaches. The study findings provided relevance for enhancing engagement through context-relevant interventions. Ultimately, this research contributed to the existing body of knowledge on social work in disaster management, informing social work training and practice developments. Finally, it is anticipated that the findings might contribute to social work practitioners’ increased involvement in disaster management in Zimbabwe.Item Transgender Identifying People’s Appraisals of Gender- Based Violence & Continuous Traumatic Stress(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Ngakane, Mpho SharniThis study aims to explore and understand how transgender people who are at risk of GBV-related continuous traumatic stress experience gender discrimination & traumatic stress and how they appraise this risk. Participants were recruited through purposive snowball sampling techniques. Six transgender participants were interviewed, and the results were interpreted through interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA). This analysis found a superordinate theme of Otherness, with subthemes being the other (social deviance and intersectionality), CTS (exclusion and violence), liminality (in/visibility and intrusion), and responses to GBV (maladaptive and adaptive).Item Does a social purpose matter to new talent? Understanding the importance of corporate social responsibility to university students(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Humbani, Natasha; Mlilo, SifisoThe current study explored the perceptions of final year undergraduate and postgraduate students on CSR using Social Identity Theory and Signalling Theory. The lack of research in South Africa examining students’ perceptions of CSR and its possible influence on their choice of employer served as the motivation for the investigation. The study was carried out in the South African environment and a qualitative methodology was used to elicit the complex opinions held by these university students about CSR. A sample of 22 final year undergraduate and postgraduate students from diverse academic disciplines participated in this study. Purposive sampling was employed to select participants who possessed specific characteristics that fit the study while snowball sampling facilitated easier access to individuals who would be difficult to reach. The thematic analysis revealed several prominent themes. Themes of giving back to society, social accountability, inclusive work environments, diverse CSR priorities and influence of education and awareness emerged as central factors in students’ decision-making. While further investigations are needed, the study’s findings indicate that a social purpose does in fact appeal to new talent and that students exhibit a higher awareness of external CSR initiatives in comparison to a company’s internal CSR initiatives. The findings also indicated the growing importance of CSR as a determinant factor in students’ choice of an employer. While generalisation is not possible and further research is required the implications of these findings could assist managers and employers to highlight the importance of employer branding messages that emphasize a commitment to social responsibility, thereby fostering a stronger connection with new talent. Additionally, the awareness gap between students’ perceptions of external and internal CSR initiatives underscores an opportunity for organisations to enhance their communication of internal CSR strategies.Item A pilot study investigating the quantitative electroencephalogram profiles of academic staff with burnout(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Theron, Natasha; Besharati, Sahba; Beukes, JohannaThe construct and diagnosis of burnout are hotly debated in the literature. There is a lack of consensus regarding the conceptualisation, measurement, and the associated neural correlates of burnout, as well as its relationship with depression. University Faculty (referred to as academic staff in the South African context) represents an understudied population that is vulnerable to burnout. The main aim of this study was to conduct a pilot-study investigation to explore the psychometric and electrophysiological profile of academic burnout, as part of a wider longitudinal study investigating the efficacy of neurofeedback training as an intervention for academic burnout. The pilot study consisted of a two-stage sample design. Stage-one drew on survey-based methods with a sample of 55 academic staff members from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). Burnout was measured using the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) for depression. Psychometric analysis was performed using descriptive and correlational analyses of BAT, MBI, and BDI-II scores to address the research aims. The sample (n = 55) presented with high levels of burnout as determined by the BAT. Moderate and low levels of burnout were found as determined by the MBI, with a high correlation between the two measures. Mild levels of depression were found as measured by the BAT-II on average with categorical analysis revealing a maximum of 36.36% overlap between depression and burnout. Treated dimensionally, depression and burnout were significantly and strongly correlated. The consistent replication of our findings across various measures, samples, and countries, strongly questions the discriminant validity of burnout versus depression. Stage-two included a smaller sample of academic staff (N=11) drawn from the wider sample and utilised quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG) methods at rest for the eyes open and closed conditions. Data analysis included a descriptive comparison of this sample to a normative database provided by the qEEG-Pro software. Although individual qEEG results showed substantial deviations from the norm, the group average revealed no qEEG deviations among our sample of academic staff scoring high on burnout. It appears that there is a lack of consistency among research focused on the qEEG correlates of burnout for the alpha, beta, and delta bands. Therefore, it is currently impossible to draw definite conclusions about the direction and existence of specific brain wave abnormalities in the burnout population, vi which signals the need for further exploration to establish reliable neurobiological markers of burnout.Item Educational psychologists’ perspectives on the treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children in the South African context(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Ally, Nazrana; Israel, NickyThis qualitative study aimed to explore a sample of South African registered educational psychologists’ perspectives on and experiences with the treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children in the South African context, including their awareness of available treatments, evaluation of treatment effectiveness, decision-making processes, level of involvement in treatment stages, and their roles in relation to other professionals. Additionally, it examined the psychologists’ perceptions of the challenges faced by ASD children and their parents in accessing treatment in South Africa, the common strategies they employed, and the difficulties they encountered when treating ASD children. An interpretive approach was used, employing semi-structured interviews conducted in English with eight South African registered educational psychologists specializing in ASD. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, informed by a self-reflexive journal to maintain awareness of potential biases. The findings highlighted the scarcity of educational psychologists in South Africa engaged in ASD cases, limited specialized ASD training, and a paucity of resources available in South Africa which encouraged participants to seek resources internationally. Participants emphasized the importance of evidence-based, individualized interventions tailored to each child's context. They also emphasized that diverse approaches were crucial for meeting the individual needs of both the child and the family. They raised concerns about applied behaviour analysis (ABA), citing its potential limitations in fostering flexibility and promoting rote learning. They recommended modifying cognitive-behavioural methods to suit specific contexts and moving away from clinical environments to foster creativity and resourcefulness. 4 Participants were actively involved in diagnosis and assessment, highlighting the importance of exposing educational psychology students to various ASD-specific assessments and emphasizing the need for addressing training gaps and cost barriers for accessing assessment tools. Educating stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and other professionals, was deemed essential for creating a supportive and informed environment for children with ASD. Significant challenges identified included limited ASD-specific training, a lack of support and awareness, long waiting periods for diagnosis, limited access to treatment, and stigmas associated with ASD. Addressing these challenges requires grassroots training initiatives and collaborative efforts among families, professionals, and policymakers to ensure quality care and support for individuals with ASD.Item The experience of premature infancy within the mother- infant dyad in neo-natal high care unit: A psychoanalytic exploration(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Canin, Nicole; Bain, KatherineThe experience of prematurity is disruptive and traumatic for both mother and infant, potentially placing the parent-infant relationship at risk. Given the risks involved as well as the prevalence of premature births, this is an area that requires engagement and research. In an attempt to address the paucity of psychoanalytically oriented research endeavours into the topic of prematurity, this study explored the experience of premature birth for mothers and infants in a neonatal high care ward through the lens of psychoanalytic theory. A psychoanalytically oriented ethnographic approach was utilised integrating object relations and intersubjective psychoanalytic theory with developmental psychology. This implied a focus on the influence of the mothers’ previous relational traumas on her experience of premature birth and use of dissociative defences. Maternal narratives from interviews as well as observational material from three premature mother-baby dyads allowed for in-depth exploration of maternal states of mind, intersubjectivity within mother-premature infant dyads, and infant responsivity. The study design required high levels of researcher reflexivity and the impact of the researcher’s subjectivity was explored. Insights were also offered into the process of conducting psychoanalytically oriented research within this sensitive context. Key findings included the fact that the trauma of engaging with a premature infant appears to reactivate dissociated self-states associated with childhood experiences of loss and absence for mothers. The study suggested that although the vulnerability of the infant is relevant, maternal states of mind play a bigger role in either supporting or derailing the development of the parent-infant relationship. The study also demonstrated the premature infant’s capacity, when appropriately supported, for communication and engagement.Item Life after Rape: Survivors’ Experiences of Parenting Responses through an Attachment Lens(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Govender, Nikita; Esprey, YvetteSouth Africa has one of the highest rates of sexual violence in the world, with an estimated one in four women experiencing sexual assault in their lifetime. It becomes crucial to explore how these post-trauma experiences including resilience and identity are shaped by pre- existing attachment cultures1. This research investigates the nuanced experiences of six South African women following rape, with particular focus on the interplay between attachment cultures and experiences with parental support. Drawing on attachment theory and expansions, qualitative interviews were conducted on the sample who represented diverse attachment cultures. Thematic analysis revealed distinct patterns in how these rape survivors appraised their early attachment experiences, experiences of parental support and the quality of their life post-trauma. Securely attached systems demonstrated adaptive coping strategies and positive experiences with parental support while insecurely attached survivors reported varying degrees of maladaptive coping and perceived parental unavailability or instability. These findings magnified the complex interplay between quality of attachment cultures and response to a traumatic event. Furthermore, it underscores the significance of early attachment experiences in shaping perceptions of support and resilience. These contributions may inform tailored interventions to support sexual assault survivors based on their attachment organization. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on attachment theory and trauma recovery.