School of Applied Human Sciences

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://hdl.handle.net/10413/6451

The School of Applied Human Sciences (SAHS) consists of Criminology and Forensic Studies, Psychology, The Centre for Communication, Media and Society (CCMS), and Social Work.

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An analysis of experiences and meanings that community members have attached to the South African government’s neoliberal and privatisation policies in historically disadvantaged suburbs.
(2022) Mashalane, Nkgere Sharon.; Isaacs, Dean Lee.; Bobat, Shaida.; Reuben, Shanya.
This research aimed to explore the experiences and meanings that community members have attached to the South African government’s neoliberal and privatisation policies in historically disadvantaged suburbs. This study sought to understand how community members of Wentworth make sense of neoliberal and privatisation tactics. Using a qualitative research design, the study further sought to understand how the privatisation of basic services makes community members feel. Participants were community members of Wentworth, a suburb of the city of Durban, who have been residents in the community for more than ten years. Participants were selected using snowball sampling, and the researcher used semi-structured interviews to solicit points of view from the participants on their experiences of the privatisation of basic services in their area. Data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The analysis produced the following themes: unemployment, unsafe communities, poverty-stricken homes, government shortcomings, not having a place to call home, and dissatisfaction with life. The research revealed that the residents’ understanding of these changes were strongly influenced by the injustices of the past, which now manifest as class instead of race. Recommendations for practical implications and future research were made.
Deconstructing African identities: notions of fatherhood amongst Zulu men in Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal.
(2023) Mdletshe, Prudence Thandeka.; Zibane, Sibonsile Zerurcia.; Hlengwa, Wellington Mthokozisi.
This study is a decolonial study of fatherhood in South Africa. It is located within the broader ambit of decolonial liberatory psychology and Afrocentrism. It is informed by the hypothetical claim about the erosion of African cultures, being, and subjectivities. It posits that while fatherhood is obviously socially, culturally, and historically contingent, the Anglo-American notions of fatherhood are the most dominant in South Africa. This is because of the matrix of power of the modern colonial world system that undermines African identities. Data was collected using Indigenous research methods which share some similarities with qualitative research methods. These included the sharing circles and conversational interviews that were used to collect data. A total of two sharing circle interviews and 20 one-on-one in-depth conversational interviews were conducted in Eshowe which is a rural community of KwaZulu-Natal. Study participants consisted of Zulu people from 35 to 75 + years of age. The interviews were conducted in IsiZulu; and recorded using a digital audio-recorder, and then transcribed later. The transcription first took place in the language of the respondents and then were translated into English. Zulu Folklores and proverbs were also used in the data collection process. They also served as conversation starters, reflection points, and for stimulating the conversation exchanges in sharing circles. Data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). IPA was chosen because it is a method that allows for the data to be collected using Indigenous research methods. It is a qualitative analysis method that is primarily used in the disciplines of the human sciences. This method is mainly concerned with giving voice to the voiceless people who are either marginalized or excluded in society such as peasants, women, and indeed racialized populations. Most significantly, IPA also seeks to explore such participants’ experiences and the meaning they attribute to their experiences. The findings of the research are presented in the form of thick descriptions of the participant’s notions of fatherhood. The participants’ experiences, memories, and stories symbolized the resilience of indigenous knowledge systems in Eshowe. As one of the participants opined, as long as the Zulu people still live, their culture cannot be entirely obliterated by the old and new forms of colonialism.
Discontinuity without change? the place and discourse of colonial memory in Zimbabwe’s post- Mugabe Zanu-PF politics.
(2024) Kupeta, Noah.; Lubombo, Musara.; Dyll, Lauren Eva.
Zimbabwean politics are notably complex and difficult to understand, even by scholars with a strong interest in African affairs with a long institutional memory of the historical determinants of the independence and post-independence struggles within Zimbabwe. Through the lens of political culture and functional theory campaign communication, this qualitative inquiry titled “Discontinuity without change? The place and discourse of colonial memory in Zimbabwe’s post-Mugabe ZANU-PF politics” scrutinizes the colonial narratives in the political discourses in Zimbabwe’s ruling party ZANU (PF) following the Robert Mugabe era intending to understand how colonial memory shapes the party’s the ideological foundations and policy directions. The study draws on eight speeches delivered by former president Robert Mugabe during the 2002 elections, as well as speeches by his successor and current president Emmerson Munangagwa during the 2018 election campaign. It also incorporates insights from key informants within ZANU (PF), Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), Zimpapers, and Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) to explore the role of media in influencing the nuanced interplay between historical legacies, political discourse, and contemporary governance. By examining the ebbs and tides of electoral politics in Zimbabwe spanning nearly decades through the prism of post-colonial memory, the study concludes that while Mnangagwa’s ascendance as President hinted at a departure from his predecessor’s politics, there is a notable continuity in the streams of colonial memory that informed ZANU-PF electoral strategies. This underscores how political discourses and power dynamics during elections are deeply entrenched within the broader context of Zimbabwean politics and pan-African pursuit of of self-determination (Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo), identity and independence. Despite certain shifts in Mnangagwa’s ‘New Dispensation’ that deviate from Mugabeism, the persistence of colonial memory underscores its pivotal role in shaping the principles and practices of representative democracy within Zimbabwe. The media’s influence in (re)shaping post-Mugabe discourse sheds light on the implications of memory appropriation in contemporary Zimbabwean political communication.
Exploring mental health literacy and awareness of help-seeking behaviour including barriers thereof, among Hindu students' at UKZN.
(2023) Moodley, Melissa.; Mtwentula-Ndlovu, Ntombekhaya Antoinette.
Background: There exists, in the developing world, a lack of research concerning mental health awareness and help-seeking behaviour, and South Africa is no different. Within the South African context, there is a diverse range of people from different religions. Culture and religion can influence the way people view mental health and help-seeking therefore, further research regarding religious influences in the understanding of mental disorders is urgently required to better accommodate cultural uniqueness. This study investigated mental health literacy and awareness of help-seeking behaviour among Hindu students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Method: A qualitative research approach was used to frame this research. Thirteen (n=13) Hindu participants aged 18 to 25 years old were sampled, consisting of both male and female students. To select the participants, the researcher used both purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Data was collected through a predetermined interview schedule, administered during semi-structured interviews. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: The researcher established that there exists a lack of mental health awareness among Hindu students at UKZN which may result in barriers to help-seeking. Stigma linked to mental health awareness was identified as the main barrier to help-seeking. A link between religion (Hinduism) and the way mental health is perceived has been highlighted. Additionally, findings highlighted that prior history/exposure to others with mental health conditions positively influenced mental health awareness and help-seeking behaviour. Conclusion: It can be concluded that more needs to be done to promote mental health and educate students on campus, however it also highlights, the key to increasing help-seeking and mental health awareness among students may be targeting their communities first. This may lead to decreased stigma and misconceptions and encourage help-seeking behaviour.
Exploring the experiences and coping strategies of unemployed registered counsellors in the South African context.
(2023) Jili, Ncebakazi.; Mtwentula-Ndlovu, Ntombekhaya Antoinette.
The Registered Counsellor profession is an HPCSA-recognised professional category in psychology, which was lawfully introduced in December 2003 to limit the shortage of mental healthcare services in disadvantaged areas of South Africa, specifically in primary healthcare. Thus, the Registered Counsellor profession exists in South Africa, although it is a country ranking high in unemployment. Registered Counsellors are not immune to unemployment and its effect on psychosocial well-being. A few studies concerning the Registered Counsellor profession in South Africa have statistically highlighted the drastic challenge of unemployment. As a result, there is a dearth of literature that specifically investigates the subjective experiences and effects of unemployment on the psychosocial well-being of Registered Counsellors. Consequently, this study explored the experiences and coping strategies of unemployed Registered Counsellors in the South African context. A qualitative research approach was adopted to gain an in-depth understanding of subjective experiences, and coping strategies utilised during unemployment. A phenomenological research design was used to guide the study. Purposive sampling was the primary technique applied to select eight individually interviewed participants using a semi-structured interview method. Thematic data analysis of the participants' responses indicated that unemployment is perceived as a difficult and stressful experience. The struggle to secure employment presented an interplay of adverse effects on the participants' psychosocial well-being, mainly due to deprived financial security and social participation. Findings indicated exploring alternative opportunities, leisure activity, optimism, resilience, and social support as coping strategies. Registered Counsellors in this study predominantly applied physical, cognitive, and social resources to cope with the detrimental effects of unemployment.
Growing up in child-headed households in Ga-maja village in Limpopo province: narratives of youths and caregivers.
(2023) Lephondo, Memmeru Jacobeth.; Mkhize, Nhlanhla Jerome.
This study explored the narratives of youths heading youth-headed households, the caregivers (who support the community) and the elders living in Ga-Maja, a village in the Limpopo Province. This study is based on a qualitative research approach that is narrative in nature. The Afrocentric Theoretical Framework also guided this study. Purposive sampling was utilised to select the sample of this study which consisted of ten youths aged between 18 and 35 years, ten elders and ten caregivers from Ga-Maja Village in the Limpopo Province. Individual interviews were used to collect data from the heads of households, elders and caregivers. Thirty participants of both genders were interviewed from a sample drawn from people living in Ga-Maja, a rural area in Limpopo. Most of the participants from youth-headed households and their caregivers were female because of the gendered nature of caregiving that was seen to be culturally inclined. All the participants narrated their lived experiences, challenges and dilemmas about growing up in childheaded households in the Ga-Maja Village in the Limpopo Province. This study used narrative data analysis based on a Thematic Data Analysis Method to analyse the data collected through interviews. The results were analysed from an Afrocentric point of view and shed light on the authentic narrations of the participants. The findings of this study revealed many challenges experienced by the heads of youth-headed households and caregivers. According to the findings, the Ga- Maja community is still traditional, led by the chief, indunas and elders who support the community. Spirituality and the Ubuntu orientation of the community are among the key attributes that sustain the lives of the youths heading youth-headed households. Despite their economic hardships, narratives of hope were evident, as well as a longing for a shared or common sense of identity. A complex gendered dimension of caring emerged in the form of bathing and personal care, transactional relationships and the disproportionate burden of caring assumed by females. The study recommends that youth-headed households be improved by creating jobs for youth-headed households, training caregivers, establishing a mentorship programme, and providing financial support to them. Hopefully, this study will enhance the quality of support provided to youth-headed households, contribute to the advancement of new knowledge, motivate community leaders to improve their traditional methods of supporting youth-headed households and assist policymakers in the design of YHH programmes and policy revision.
Low socioeconomic status (SES) as a predictor of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children and adolescents: a scoping review.
(2023) Slabbert, Angelique.; Valjee, Sachet Rabindranath.
Childhood trauma presents potential lifelong consequences for health and well-being. Research indicates that those with low socioeconomic status (SES) are disproportionately exposed to trauma and that childhood victimisation is associated with a higher risk for mental health problems. Existing literature in this field has predominantly focused on quantitative analysis and the adult population. There is a scarcity of research analysing the role low SES plays in the outcome of PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder) amongst children and adolescents within a low socioeconomic context. This study aimed to map and comprehensively analyse studies investigating low socioeconomic status as a predicting variable of PTSD among children and adolescents to generate insight and establish areas for future research. The present study was qualitative and utilised Kira’s taxonomy of trauma and assessment theory to support the objectives (Kira, 2001). A scoping review method was used guided by Arksey and O’Malley (2005). The search period was from 2012 to 2022. The search strategy for this scoping review used two electronic platforms, Ebscohost and Wiley, which provided access to the following databases: Academic search complete, APA Psychinfo, APA Psycharticles, Medline, and ERIC. The researcher screened all studies independently, and an external reviewer evaluated eligible articles. Charting the data involved synthesising and interpreting data according to key issues using a table format. Further analysis included descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis. Five prominent themes were developed: 1) structural risk/protective factors, 2) stages of development, 3) gender differences, 4) study design, and 5) study outcomes. The findings of this study illustrated a positive relationship between low SES and PTSD by identifying that low SES increased the chance of developing PTSD due to situational factors (early life exposure), negatively impacting he cognitive appraisals of a child. Contextual factors (types of SES indicators), such as parental instability, increased interpersonal violence, and scarce resources, further perpetuate the cycle of poverty and traumatic exposure. The study also identified crucial gaps in the literature, such as the need for qualitative/mixed methods and longitudinal research studies and the need for standardised low SES measures, among others, which could inform future research about the incremental validity of SES measures when determining a complete child or adolescent victimisation profile.
Souls, spirituality, and scholars: a scoping review of Islamic models of the self.
(2023) Essop, Fatima Zahrah.; Valjee, Sachet Rabindranath.
The increased globalisation of our world has created a heightened awareness of the multiplicity of human experience. Consequently, there is a need for the field of psychology to adapt and cater to this diversity. Moreover, the provision of culturally sensitive forms of psychology increases its relevance and utility to those who may not always benefit from a conventional Western approach. As a rapidly emerging discipline, the field of Islamic Psychology (IP) aims to understand and assist clients from an Islamic point of view. Despite its growing influence, a variety of obstacles hinder its trajectory, including a lack of uniformity in the field. This study therefore aimed to analyse studies focused on Islamic models of self, viewing explanations of human nature as the essential starting point in any field, to discern the defining characteristics of studies in this field, map similarities and potential differences between the studies, and gain a comprehensive view of the Islamic model of self, with the aim of providing a comprehensive starting point or reference for further studies in this field. This study employed Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) scoping review protocol and incorporated a mixed methods approach to analyse the data. Eleven electronic databases were utilised in the search strategy. These included studies conducted between 1970 to 2022. All studies were screened by the researcher. The 18 studies that met the inclusion criteria were charted in a table according to their defining characteristics. Results were analysed using descriptive statistics thematic analysis. Five main themes were identified: (1) Relationship with Allah; (2) Organisation, meaning, and nature of the self and its components in the Quran: metaphysical vs material; (3) Roles, relationships, and results: contribution of each component to the struggle between good and bad; (4) Winning the battle is not winning the war: stages of self and spiritual goodness; and (5) Tying it together: the theory as a whole. When considering the general nature of human beings, the purpose of human existence, and conceptualisations of behaviour, the content of the studies analysed was largely found to be consistent. However, differences existed when considering details such as definitions, understanding of the exact roles and processes undertaken by each component in the model of self, and depth of knowledge covered by each study. It was also discovered that the studies on their own did not always provide a comprehensive view of human nature but required supplementation by other studies to provide necessary detail. A synthesis of this information would thus be beneficial to the field, as was undertaken by this review, in providing a more comprehensive understanding of models of self. This study, however, was limited by language restrictions, article access due to funds or publication permissions, and the author’s own knowledge and level of understanding of Islamic terms and concepts. It is thus recommended that future studies include researchers from different language backgrounds and levels of expertise, so that a more comprehensive synthesis may be obtained.

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