| dc.description.abstract | The overall objective of this study is to develop and evaluate a social group work
empowerment programme which is aimed at alcohol dependent elderly people's needs
and strengths. The thesis consists of four sections:
Section A refers to the problem statement, research objectives and procedures which
were followed. Furthermore the limitations of this study, the definition of key words as
well as the composition of the research report are discussed. The problem statement
can be condensed as follows:
o Journals all over the world have been pleading for decades that alcohol
dependent clients should be exposed to special developed treatment
programmes. Opposed to this, it was found that treatment centres in South Africa
use one programme for all their clients, irrespective of age. This entails an unfair
and unjust service delivery model. From these findings a need for a specialized
treatment programme for alcohol dependant clients was identified.
o The strengths perspective has been successfully implemented in various service
areas of social work. Unfortunately it has not yet been implemented in a
controlled study with alcohol dependent elderly through group work services.
The problem statement leads to four research aims. Developmental and Utilization
Research (DR & U-model) was used as the overall research model. This model was
implemented within a mixed methodological design model. Interviews and experimental
research were used as quantitative approaches, although some qualitative data were
also reported. A case study, as a qualitative approach, was also used. Literature studies
were conducted on the themes of alcoholism, social group work, as well as the strengths
perspective.
Section B consists of the four articles that form the report about the research outcomes.
Each article is a report about a particular sub-project of the research and each has, as a
self-contained unit, an own research aim, research method and report. Each of these is
linked with the central aim, objectives and content of the umbrella research project. The
four articles are:
Article 1: Profile of alcohol dependent elderly people
A comprehensive profile of alcohol dependent elderly is drafted based on the results of
interviews and case studies with 56 aged participants. Various strengths, such as a
spouse, of alcohol dependent elderly were identified. On the other hand needs, such as
effective communication skills, were also identified.
Article 2: The nature and practice of a strengths perspective with alcohol
dependent elderly people
The history of the strengths perspective is outlined within a South African and
international context. From the literature study as well as interviews with the aged
participants (N=56) and social work practitioners (N=27) various strengths and qualities group work services with alcohol dependent elderly people. Opposed to this, it was
found that although this perspective holds many advantages for the alcohol dependent
elderly person, it is presently not practised at registered treatment centres in South
Africa that were involved in this investigation. Advantages, disadvantages and principles
of this perspective are also discussed.
Article 3: A social group work empowerment programme with alcohol
dependent elderly people
A social group work empowerment programme was developed for alcohol dependent
elderly, aimed at their special needs, strengths and challenges. The programme was
developed in the spirit of empowerment, a strengths perspective, healing and
wholeness, as well as music therapy. Thirteen group meetings, such as communication,
conflict management, handling of mild depression, managing of loss, HIV/Aids and the
aged person, as well as religion and spirituality in old age, were developed and
presented to the client group. Special concerns for group work with the aged, such as to
use a loud voice and to speak clearly, were identified from the literature and empirical
research, and was taken into account during the programme presentation.
Article 4: The effect of a social group work empowerment programme on the
social functioning of alcohol dependent elderly people
The programme was implemented with eight (N=8) aged participants in an experimental
group. Eight (N=8) aged participants was in a comparative group and they received the
current group work programme offered by the targeted treatment centre. The shortened
Affectometer 2 (Kammann & Nett) and Personal Multi-Screening Inventory
(Perspective College) were used as quantitative measuring tools at four occasions with
both groups. Added to that, the experimental group completed a self-developed
qualitative questionnaire once after intervention. According to the quantitative data
neither the empowerment programme, nor the current group work programme improved
the social function of the alcohol dependent elderly people The qualitative data showed
exactly the opposite findings for the experimental group.
In Section C a summary of the findings and conclusions of the full research project is
provided. Furthermore some recommendations are provided, followed by a discussion
on the contribution of the study.
Section D consists of various addenda, such as the interview schedules that were used
for data collection purposes. The thesis is concluded with a compound bibliography. | |
