Community violence and mental health symptoms among adolescents in South Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- Authors: Jameson, Stacey
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Violence -- Psychological aspects , Adolescent psychology , Community psychology , Mental health services
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/63868 , vital:73621
- Description: There is a global prevalence of youth exposure to community violence. This is notably pronounced in South Africa, where children and adolescents face elevated levels of violence. Existing systematic reviews have predominately focused on international contexts, leaving a gap that requires comprehensive analysis within the South African context to understand the situation in comparison to global trends. The objective of this study was to synthesise the available literature on adolescent exposure to community violence and its impact on mental health outcomes in South Africa. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of such exposure among South African adolescents, explore associated internalising and externalising mental health symptoms, and assess the extent of this relationship. A systematic search of electronic databases was conducted, encompassing studies published between 2010 and 2022. Eighteen studies focusing on adolescents aged 10 to 19 years, investigating exposure to community violence and mental health outcomes were included. Meta-analytical procedures revealed that South African adolescents face elevated levels of both witnessing and direct victimisation of community violence, accompanied by heightened mental health symptoms, particularly in depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. Although a moderate positive correlation between community violence exposure and depression was identified, statistical significance was not achieved. Subgroup analyses, to explore gender as a potential moderating factor was conducted. This study underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions and policy measures to address the impact of community violence on adolescent mental wellbeing in South Africa. These findings contribute to the existing literature by providing an understanding of the situation in the South African context compared to global estimates, offering recommendations for future research to inform more effective public health strategies. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Science, School of Behavioural & Lifestyle Sciences, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
- Authors: Jameson, Stacey
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Violence -- Psychological aspects , Adolescent psychology , Community psychology , Mental health services
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/63868 , vital:73621
- Description: There is a global prevalence of youth exposure to community violence. This is notably pronounced in South Africa, where children and adolescents face elevated levels of violence. Existing systematic reviews have predominately focused on international contexts, leaving a gap that requires comprehensive analysis within the South African context to understand the situation in comparison to global trends. The objective of this study was to synthesise the available literature on adolescent exposure to community violence and its impact on mental health outcomes in South Africa. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of such exposure among South African adolescents, explore associated internalising and externalising mental health symptoms, and assess the extent of this relationship. A systematic search of electronic databases was conducted, encompassing studies published between 2010 and 2022. Eighteen studies focusing on adolescents aged 10 to 19 years, investigating exposure to community violence and mental health outcomes were included. Meta-analytical procedures revealed that South African adolescents face elevated levels of both witnessing and direct victimisation of community violence, accompanied by heightened mental health symptoms, particularly in depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. Although a moderate positive correlation between community violence exposure and depression was identified, statistical significance was not achieved. Subgroup analyses, to explore gender as a potential moderating factor was conducted. This study underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions and policy measures to address the impact of community violence on adolescent mental wellbeing in South Africa. These findings contribute to the existing literature by providing an understanding of the situation in the South African context compared to global estimates, offering recommendations for future research to inform more effective public health strategies. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Science, School of Behavioural & Lifestyle Sciences, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
A systematic review of published literature examining the impact of father absence on adolescent identity formation
- Authors: Fata, Hope Aneliswa
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Absentee fathers , Adolescent analysis , Adolescent psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27039 , vital:66239
- Description: One of the major developmental crises an adolescent must overcome before becoming an adult is identity formation. Many studies focused on how the family influences the identity formation of adolescents, but little emphasis has been made specifically on how the absence of a father impacts the adolescent’s development of identity. This study aims to conduct a systematic review to examine the impact of absent fatherhood on the identity formation of adolescents. Several studies, from the year 2010 to date, have explored the impact of father absence on the identity formation of adolescents. The majority of studies conducted have been mostly quantitative and failed to explore the experiences of adolescents raised in absent-father households during this crucial stage of development. This study sought to add to the body of knowledge and bridge that gap by exploring the possible (negative or positive) impact of absent fatherhood in the identity-formation period of adolescents. This was a systematic review study that included a qualitative research design, whereby published literature and studies were identified through searching electronic databases. To synthesize and analyse the data, thematic analysis was used. This study’s exploration discovered that absent fatherhood can be experienced both positively and negatively by adolescents. Positively, it was found that a sense of independency developed in the adolescent and strengthens family relations and unity, with extended family members or external role models becoming more involved in the upbringing of the adolescent. Significantly, on the negative side, adolescents developed anger and resentment towards their absent fathers, questioning their absence and the individual’s sense of who they are and where they belong. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
- Authors: Fata, Hope Aneliswa
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Absentee fathers , Adolescent analysis , Adolescent psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27039 , vital:66239
- Description: One of the major developmental crises an adolescent must overcome before becoming an adult is identity formation. Many studies focused on how the family influences the identity formation of adolescents, but little emphasis has been made specifically on how the absence of a father impacts the adolescent’s development of identity. This study aims to conduct a systematic review to examine the impact of absent fatherhood on the identity formation of adolescents. Several studies, from the year 2010 to date, have explored the impact of father absence on the identity formation of adolescents. The majority of studies conducted have been mostly quantitative and failed to explore the experiences of adolescents raised in absent-father households during this crucial stage of development. This study sought to add to the body of knowledge and bridge that gap by exploring the possible (negative or positive) impact of absent fatherhood in the identity-formation period of adolescents. This was a systematic review study that included a qualitative research design, whereby published literature and studies were identified through searching electronic databases. To synthesize and analyse the data, thematic analysis was used. This study’s exploration discovered that absent fatherhood can be experienced both positively and negatively by adolescents. Positively, it was found that a sense of independency developed in the adolescent and strengthens family relations and unity, with extended family members or external role models becoming more involved in the upbringing of the adolescent. Significantly, on the negative side, adolescents developed anger and resentment towards their absent fathers, questioning their absence and the individual’s sense of who they are and where they belong. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
Dance as a tool for emotional well-being
- Authors: Conchar, Lauren
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Dance therapy , Well-being , Happiness , Adolescent psychology , Dance -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Cape Flats , Dance -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Cape Flats , Dance -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Cape Flats -- Case studies , Community development, Urban -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Cape Flats -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5129 , vital:20779
- Description: Dance has numerous benefits for emotional well-being. For young people specifically it can serve as a prosocial activity where they can engage in a purposeful activity, in a safe space with consistent boundaries and discipline, while surrounded by peers, teachers and positive role models. Recreational spaces that allow young people to feel safe and express themselves is especially important in low socioeconomic areas where there are limited resources and exposure to heightened levels of crime as young people may be less likely to engage in negative behaviours when they have access to alternative, positive activities. This research aimed to explore the lived experiences of a group of young people who participate in dance classes at a community dance project in the Western Cape. The sample group consisted of four young people between the ages of 16 and 20. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants and the interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Three major themes emerged from the data, namely 1) My exposure to dance - The impact of context, 2) What motivates me to continue attending classes - The fulfilment of the three basic psychological needs, and 3) How does dance make me feel - The experience of emotional well-being through dance. The discussion of the findings yielded many similarities between the experiences of the participants and the relevant literature. Further, it appears that all four participants experience the satisfaction of the three basic psychological needs (competence, autonomy and relatedness) at the centre. This may serve as a motivator to continue attending classes as well as contribute to sustained eudaimonic wellbeing. Recommendations include further studies being conducted with groups of young people engaging in dance projects in different socioeconomic contexts and in different parts of South Africa. This could give us a more rounded understanding of how people young people experience dance class and how it contributes to emotional well-being. Further research could also be conducted with recreational projects that offer other activities in under-resourced areas in order to better inform the development of such recreational activities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Conchar, Lauren
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Dance therapy , Well-being , Happiness , Adolescent psychology , Dance -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Cape Flats , Dance -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Cape Flats , Dance -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Cape Flats -- Case studies , Community development, Urban -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Cape Flats -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5129 , vital:20779
- Description: Dance has numerous benefits for emotional well-being. For young people specifically it can serve as a prosocial activity where they can engage in a purposeful activity, in a safe space with consistent boundaries and discipline, while surrounded by peers, teachers and positive role models. Recreational spaces that allow young people to feel safe and express themselves is especially important in low socioeconomic areas where there are limited resources and exposure to heightened levels of crime as young people may be less likely to engage in negative behaviours when they have access to alternative, positive activities. This research aimed to explore the lived experiences of a group of young people who participate in dance classes at a community dance project in the Western Cape. The sample group consisted of four young people between the ages of 16 and 20. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants and the interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Three major themes emerged from the data, namely 1) My exposure to dance - The impact of context, 2) What motivates me to continue attending classes - The fulfilment of the three basic psychological needs, and 3) How does dance make me feel - The experience of emotional well-being through dance. The discussion of the findings yielded many similarities between the experiences of the participants and the relevant literature. Further, it appears that all four participants experience the satisfaction of the three basic psychological needs (competence, autonomy and relatedness) at the centre. This may serve as a motivator to continue attending classes as well as contribute to sustained eudaimonic wellbeing. Recommendations include further studies being conducted with groups of young people engaging in dance projects in different socioeconomic contexts and in different parts of South Africa. This could give us a more rounded understanding of how people young people experience dance class and how it contributes to emotional well-being. Further research could also be conducted with recreational projects that offer other activities in under-resourced areas in order to better inform the development of such recreational activities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Young women's memories of their experiences in adolescent relationships : a qualitative study
- Authors: Breetzke, Andrea Welsh
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Teenage girls , Adolescent psychology , Teenagers , Parent and teenager , Teenage parents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:690 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006366 , Teenage girls , Adolescent psychology , Teenagers , Parent and teenager , Teenage parents
- Description: Democratic Government in South Africa has brought with it changes in ideology and policy as well as a focus on a new area of concern. It has recognised the importance of young people. In May 1995 the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Youth at Risk (IMC) was established to re-organise the Child and Youth Care system in order increase its effectivity in coping with vulnerable youths. The IMC proposed a new framework for understanding and working with youth based on the principle of the Sioux parenting practices, called the Circle of Courage. Traditionally, helping professionals such as social workers use western theories, such as Erikson's Psychosocial Stage theory, to understand adolescents. Both of these theories and philosophies were not developed in South Africa and there is, therefore, cause for concern as to their relevance to the diverse and unique circumstances of this country. In this qualitative study, five young South African women attending a tertiary institution were asked to tell the stories of their adolescence with specific reference to their boy/girl relationships and factors influencing these relationships. The data was gathered in one or two semi-structured interviews. Data was analysed using Miles and Huberman's (1994) broad model using data reduction (through coding), data display (with the use of two context charts and a thematic conceptual matrix)and verification and conclusion drawing (through finding synergies and contrasts between the data and the two theories). This analysis was conducted with two specific aims. The first aim was to provide a thick description of one of the women's stories to show the complexity and diversity of her experience. Secondly, synergies and contrasts were sought between the women's stories and the two theories: Erikson's stage theory and the Circle of Courage. The analysis showed strong evidence that aspects from both these theories existed in the data and that to some degree both were relevant to the experiences of these five women.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
- Authors: Breetzke, Andrea Welsh
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Teenage girls , Adolescent psychology , Teenagers , Parent and teenager , Teenage parents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:690 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006366 , Teenage girls , Adolescent psychology , Teenagers , Parent and teenager , Teenage parents
- Description: Democratic Government in South Africa has brought with it changes in ideology and policy as well as a focus on a new area of concern. It has recognised the importance of young people. In May 1995 the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Youth at Risk (IMC) was established to re-organise the Child and Youth Care system in order increase its effectivity in coping with vulnerable youths. The IMC proposed a new framework for understanding and working with youth based on the principle of the Sioux parenting practices, called the Circle of Courage. Traditionally, helping professionals such as social workers use western theories, such as Erikson's Psychosocial Stage theory, to understand adolescents. Both of these theories and philosophies were not developed in South Africa and there is, therefore, cause for concern as to their relevance to the diverse and unique circumstances of this country. In this qualitative study, five young South African women attending a tertiary institution were asked to tell the stories of their adolescence with specific reference to their boy/girl relationships and factors influencing these relationships. The data was gathered in one or two semi-structured interviews. Data was analysed using Miles and Huberman's (1994) broad model using data reduction (through coding), data display (with the use of two context charts and a thematic conceptual matrix)and verification and conclusion drawing (through finding synergies and contrasts between the data and the two theories). This analysis was conducted with two specific aims. The first aim was to provide a thick description of one of the women's stories to show the complexity and diversity of her experience. Secondly, synergies and contrasts were sought between the women's stories and the two theories: Erikson's stage theory and the Circle of Courage. The analysis showed strong evidence that aspects from both these theories existed in the data and that to some degree both were relevant to the experiences of these five women.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
An investigation into the social/personality guidance needs of a group of secondary school pupils
- Authors: McGregor, Dale
- Date: 1989
- Subjects: Interpersonal relations in adolescence , Personality in adolescence , Educational counseling , Adolescent psychology , Youth -- Counseling of
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1353 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001419
- Description: School guidance aims to meet the social/personality, educational and vocational needs of pupils, and the curriculum, organised and drawn up by the relevant State education departments, attempts to address these needs. This investigation set out to discover the guidance needs of pupils specifically in the social/personality area, and further, to state these needs in such a way as to allow the logical development of guidance programmes. Group and individual interviews were conducted using a sample of 72 high school pupils, selected from standards six to eight. The results show clearly the areas in which the pupils perceive their needs to lie. It is also apparent that further research in this area is strongly indicated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1989
- Authors: McGregor, Dale
- Date: 1989
- Subjects: Interpersonal relations in adolescence , Personality in adolescence , Educational counseling , Adolescent psychology , Youth -- Counseling of
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1353 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001419
- Description: School guidance aims to meet the social/personality, educational and vocational needs of pupils, and the curriculum, organised and drawn up by the relevant State education departments, attempts to address these needs. This investigation set out to discover the guidance needs of pupils specifically in the social/personality area, and further, to state these needs in such a way as to allow the logical development of guidance programmes. Group and individual interviews were conducted using a sample of 72 high school pupils, selected from standards six to eight. The results show clearly the areas in which the pupils perceive their needs to lie. It is also apparent that further research in this area is strongly indicated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1989
A psychodiagnostic study of adolescent stealing
- Authors: Lewis, Deborah A
- Date: 1979
- Subjects: Theft -- Research -- South Africa , Theft -- Psychology , Juvenile delinquency -- South Africa -- Case studies , Juvenile delinquency -- Research -- Methodology , Projective techniques for teenagers -- Research , Adolescent psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3121 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005982 , Theft -- Research -- South Africa , Theft -- Psychology , Juvenile delinquency -- South Africa -- Case studies , Juvenile delinquency -- Research -- Methodology , Projective techniques for teenagers -- Research , Adolescent psychology
- Description: Studies on delinquency fall into two groups, a statistical orientation and a qualitative approach. This study adopted the latter approach using Maslow's theory to investigate the relationship between unmet needs and stealing. It also attempted to explicate the function of stealing for each individual and focused upon interpersonal and intrapersonal aspects. The Rorschach, Thematic Apperception Test and the Draw a Person Test were administered to four white male adolescents who had stolen. Their ages ranged from 14 to 17 years. An analysis of each test was completed focusing upon the needs of the individual. In addition the case history and impressions gained during testing were included. It was found that unmet needs had resulted in stealing. Their personalities displayed common characteristics but differences were also evident. A summary was provided and the implications for therapy were then discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1979
- Authors: Lewis, Deborah A
- Date: 1979
- Subjects: Theft -- Research -- South Africa , Theft -- Psychology , Juvenile delinquency -- South Africa -- Case studies , Juvenile delinquency -- Research -- Methodology , Projective techniques for teenagers -- Research , Adolescent psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3121 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005982 , Theft -- Research -- South Africa , Theft -- Psychology , Juvenile delinquency -- South Africa -- Case studies , Juvenile delinquency -- Research -- Methodology , Projective techniques for teenagers -- Research , Adolescent psychology
- Description: Studies on delinquency fall into two groups, a statistical orientation and a qualitative approach. This study adopted the latter approach using Maslow's theory to investigate the relationship between unmet needs and stealing. It also attempted to explicate the function of stealing for each individual and focused upon interpersonal and intrapersonal aspects. The Rorschach, Thematic Apperception Test and the Draw a Person Test were administered to four white male adolescents who had stolen. Their ages ranged from 14 to 17 years. An analysis of each test was completed focusing upon the needs of the individual. In addition the case history and impressions gained during testing were included. It was found that unmet needs had resulted in stealing. Their personalities displayed common characteristics but differences were also evident. A summary was provided and the implications for therapy were then discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1979
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