Browsing by Author "Suraj-Narayan, Gourie."

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Biopsychosocial impacts of laughter yoga and therapy on stroke survivors.
(World Federation of Societies of Intensive and Critical Care Medicine and the Society on Complexity in Acute Illness., 2011) Suraj-Narayan, Gourie.; Surajnarayan, Sheroma.
With limited resources and challenges facing health practitioners working with stroke patients, more creative and innovative interventions are required. Although it is normally only considered cliché that “laughter is the best medicine,” specific medical theories and documented research attribute improved health and well-being to laughter. This study examined the biopsychosocial impact of laughter yoga and therapy on stroke patients in South Africa. A quasiexperimental research design was used involving 2 groups. The laughter group participated in movement exercises using laughter yoga and therapy, whereas the control group participated in the same exercises without the laughter yoga and therapy. Physiologic tests were performed to measure the respondent's blood sugar levels as well as their blood pressure during the pretest and posttest. A pretest and posttest relating to the psychosocial functioning of the respondent's using the PANAS scale as well as a self-reported symptom checklist were administered. The results of the study indicated that laugher yoga and therapy had positive biopsychosocial impacts on the laughter group. Evidence of lowered blood pressure, lowered blood sugar levels, enhanced mobility, improvement in speech and increase in positive emotions, and enhanced social functioning was visible in the laughter group. There was no significant difference in the biopsychosocial functioning of the control group. Because laughter yoga and therapy do not require any specific equipment or resources, it was found to be the most economical, nonpharmacologic intervention for the stroke patients. In view of the therapeutic benefits, the researchers recommend that laughter yoga and therapy be used as complementary alternate medicine as well as be integrated into psychotherapy, psychiatry, and other biopsychosocial interventions for the prevention as well as treatment of stroke. Copyright © 2011 Published by Elsevier Inc.
The knowledge of HIV/AIDS and the sexual attitudes and behaviour of adolescents with learning difficulties/disabilities.
(2008) Gilbert, Indira.; Suraj-Narayan, Gourie.
The focus of this study was to assess the level of knowledge of HIV/AIDS, and to examine the sexual attitudes and behaviour of adolescents with learning difficulties/disabilities. The sample was obtained from a secondary school in Chatsworth that caters for learners with learning difficulties/disabilities. The study used quantitative methods of data collection . Sixty adolescents with learning disabilities completed questionnaires. The findings indicate that adolescents with learning difficulties/disabilities have good knowledge of HIV/AIDS and subsequently the majority is not engaging in sexual activity. The findings can be used to inform future research on adolescents with learning difficulties/disabilities, as well as to inform future intervention strategies.
Private practice, is it worth it? : the experiences of social workers in private practice : challenges, opportunities and benefits.
(2008) Budhoo, Arthee.; Suraj-Narayan, Gourie.
The main aim of the study was the description of the experiences of opportunities, rewards and challenges faced by social workers in private practice in the Durban Metropolitan Area, Kwa Zulu Natal. This study used an exploratory design, which was qualitative in nature. The researcher administered interview schedules that contained both open–ended and close–ended questions. The findings of the study indicated that some of the challenges experienced are professional isolation, stress and burnout, difficulties of managing a business and role confusion and conflict between a social worker in private practice and a psychologist. Respondents indicated that some of the benefits of private practice were working with motivated clients, control over professional growth and work environment, financial rewards, escape from bureaucracy, flexibility and quality casework services. The opportunities offered to private practitioners were employee wellness programmes, legal work, training, work in schools and quality casework services that made private practice a lucrative business. In terms of support systems it was found that the South African Association of Social Workers in Private practice was supportive. Respondents regarded The South African Council for Social Services Professions and the Department of Social Development as unsupportive. Emanating from the findings, recommendations have been made with regards to making private practice a more viable option. The findings can also be used to inform future research on a national level as well as comparative studies on the experiences between social workers in private practice and those at an agency level. Some of the recommendations in relation to private practice are that the South African Council of Social Services Profession and the Government should acknowledge social workers in private practice, the community should become more responsive to private practitioners and tertiary institutions should offer training courses to prepare social workers for private practice.