Browsing by Author "Human, Melanie"

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    A biopsychosocial perspective on social work intervention to address emotional poverty of older persons in residential facilities
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-03 ) Human, Melanie; Slabbert, I.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Social Work.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Older persons are often referred to as the ‘forgotten generation’. However, worldwide the population is rapidly ageing. According to the World Health Organization it is estimated that by 2030 one in every eight people will be over 65. Several older persons must move to residential facilities due to unforeseen circumstances such as a deterioration in their health. Social workers form part of the multidisciplinary team that render services to older persons in residential facilities. This study explored the emotional poverty of older persons in residential facilities. Emotional poverty can be described as a condition in which an older person is lacking in the basic needs for a minimum standard of wellbeing, including biological, psychological and social aspects, with specific focus on social wellbeing. Indicators of emotional poverty are social isolation, loneliness, feelings of depression and minimal or no contact with the outside world. The goal of this study was to gain an understanding of a biopsychosocial perspective on social work intervention to address the emotional poverty of older persons in residential facilities. A qualitative approach was followed with an explorative and descriptive nature. Purposive sampling was done to obtain the sample. The sample consisted of two groups, namely 20 older persons in residential facilities and 10 social workers that render services to older persons in residential facilities. Semi-structured interview guides were utilised to collect the data. Faceto- face interviews were conducted with the participants of this study. Ethical clearance was obtained for this medium risk study before interviews commenced and all participants signed informed consent forms before interviews were conducted. Interviews were transcribed and thematic analysis was done to order the data into themes, subthemes and categories. Data were also verified in order to ensure the credibility, transferability, conformability and dependability of the study. Seven themes were identified from the data collected, namely, the reason for moving to a residential facility; physical health and the impact it has on older persons; the awareness of emotional poverty; psychological health and wellbeing; family and friends’ involvement and connection; views of residents on the residential facility and staff; and social work intervention to older persons in residential facilities. Findings from this study indicated a decline in health is the main reason for older persons moving into a residential facility and that physical health plays a significant role in the older persons’ daily functioning and emotional health. It was also found that a loss of independence affected participants’ wellbeing. Regarding the awareness of emotional poverty, it was found that most participants were not aware or familiar with this concept. It was also found that participants of group1 would often deny feelings of loneliness due to a possible stigma attached to feeling lonely as well as to avoid negative comments from fellow residents. Findings from group 2 indicated that the biopsychosocial perspective was useful to assess the wellbeing and psychological health of older persons. Another finding of the study was the invaluable role family and friends play to reduce emotional poverty of older persons in residential facilities. Findings regarding the care older persons received in the residential facilities were mostly positive, although a few participants indicated that the nursing staff were not supportive. It was also found that the social work profession plays a vital part in residential facilities to enhance the wellbeing of older persons and that social workers form a significant part of the multidisciplinary team responsible for the wellbeing of older persons in these facilities. The recommendations of the study mainly emphasised the importance of social workers to assist older persons in residential facilities to strive for high levels of gerotranscendence (the natural progression towards maturation and wisdom) as well as their important role in the multidisciplinary team to combat emotional poverty.
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    Psychosocial implications of stillbirth for the mother and her family : a crisis-support approach
    (Stellenbosch University, 2014) Human, Melanie; Groenewald, Coen; Odendaal, Hein J.; Green, Sulina; Goldstein, Richard D.; Kinney, Hannah C.
    In this article mothers’ emotions after experiencing a stillbirth are discussed. A study combining quantitative and qualitative research provided the foundation for a better understanding of the psychosocial implications of stillbirth for a mother and her family. The crisis-intervention approach was used to assist a control group of 25 mothers and was also evaluated during the study to establish the effectiveness thereof. Findings indicated that those mothers receiving the intervention used different coping mechanisms to deal with the severity of their loss. Narratives further show that relationship problems occurred following the loss. Receiving crisis intervention from a social worker during this period of grief, helped to facilitate the grieving process.
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    Psychosocial implications of stillbirth for the mother and her family : a crisis-support approach
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013-03) Human, Melanie; Green, Sulina; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Social Work.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: According to South African annual statistics, stillbirth is a relevant issue and National health policies, social welfare services and health care providers should place special focus on pregnant women to avoid the possible occurrence of a negative pregnancy outcome such as a stillbirth. An event that should have been a joyous birth, ended in a tragic death, forcing the mother to deal with the emotions of birth and death simultaneously. The bereaved mother needs to receive special care and support as soon as possible and the crisis intervention approach is seen as being helpful to regain a sense of equilibrium in her and the family’s life before starting to adapt to the new situation. This study explores and describes the lived experience of 25 mothers who experienced a stillbirth. Focus was given to the psychosocial implications of stillbirth on mothers and their families. This study examined the mothers’ feelings about the stillbirth six months or longer after the event, as well as its impact on relationships with partners and other children. By adopting a crisis intervention approach, the effectiveness of crisis intervention shortly after the stillbirth could be investigated. This study used a combination of quantitative and qualitative research approaches and assumed an exploratory and descriptive research design to provide a detailed description of the phenomenon being studied, i.e. the psychosocial implications of stillbirth. A questionnaire was used to obtain demographic (quantitative) data and a semi-structured questionnaire – the design based on information from literature - was administered during individual interviews. Obtained data was both measurable and rich in description and revealed that mothers still longed for their stillborn babies after a period of six or more months had passed. It also indicated that the father or partner of the baby and other children were affected by a stillbirth. Gender differences in how stillbirth is experienced by each partner, consequently adds extra tension on the relationship. Most of the mothers experienced the stillbirth as a crisis and found support in their mothers, family and a counsellor. Significantly, mothers felt crisis-intervention was beneficial, but preferred that crisis intervention be followed by on-going therapy. The stillbirth also resulted in feelings of alienation from community, friends and family - who did not know how to approach them. Generally, mothers were satisfied with medical care received but several issues regarding autopsy consent and guilt feelings surrounding this are highlighted. Important recommendations resulting from the study indicate that the crisis-intervention approach as method in social work is effective when rendering service for bereaved mothers and families after a stillbirth. It helps to regain a sense of equilibrium, but further intervention is recommended to facilitate the grief process. In addition, the study emphasizes the importance of social workers being aware that the stillbirth causes tension in partner- and family relationships. Receiving social work intervention is not only highly effective, but allows bereaved mothers to feel empowered and encouraged to openly grieve for their stillborn babies - much needed in an environment where a stillbirth is seen as a silent birth.
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    Transitional objects of grief
    (Comprensive Psychiatry, 2020-01) Goldstein, Richard D.; Petty, Carter R.; Morris, Sue E.; Human, Melanie; Odendaal, Hein; Elliott, Amy J.; Tobacco, Deborah; Angal, Jyoti; Brink, Lucy; Prigerson, Holly G.
    Background: Transitional objects provide security and symbolic connection with valued others when separated from them. Bereaved parents often keep, cherish and visit saved objects of their deceased child. This research examined the hypothesis that these objects behave as transitional objects of grief in bereaved mothers during three years following their infants' deaths from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Methods: Questionnaires were administered asking about the presence of kept objects and momentos from their deceased infant, and the frequency, location and emotions experienced during visits to them. Diagnostic criteria for Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) were assessed using the Parental Bereavement Questionnaire. Results: 98.6% of the mothers reported having transitional objects of grief, and most visited them more frequently than once per week regardless of PGD status. Mothers with PGD reported significantly more distress when visiting the objects, especially those visiting them privately. Mothers with PGD who felt comforted by the objects had lower risk for finding life meaningless or finding discussion about the infant intolerable. Conclusions: Transitional objects of grief are common and associated with key aspects of grief. There is a need to understand the potential therapeutic uses of transitional objects in promoting bereavement adjustment.