Study on the Isixhosa elder’s perspective on mental illness in buffalo city municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Bam, Zimkhitha Yolisa Nokubulela
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: Xhosa language -- Eastern Cape , Mental illness
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/62827 , vital:73046
- Description: Generally, the elders in the family are usually responsible for their families, including the care and socialisation of younger members. With the increasing number of mental illness cases being reported, not only in South Africa but the rest of the world, it is imperative to explore what the elderly understand about mental illnesses, given that they may have insights that might be useful. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of elderly members in the isiXhosa community of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape province, regarding their understanding of mental illnesses. The researcher employed an exploratory-descriptive, qualitative design and adopted Lincoln and Guba’s model of trustworthiness. Participants were recruited through the use of snowball and purposive sampling and the data was gathered through one-on-one interviews conducted with elderly isiXhosa individuals. Thematic analysis was used as a means of data analysis, by following data analysis method by Braun and Clarke. The following themes were identified during the study; Limited understanding about mental illness, varied causes of mental illness and a generationally linked understanding of mental illness. The findings reflected the participants understanding of what mental illness is and the causes of it and suggest that more research is required to understand the cultural influences on perceptions of mental illness. , Thesis (Ma) -- Faculty of Health Science, 2023
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- Date Issued: 2023-12
Perceptions of mental illness among the residents of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa: The influence of culture and religion on their coping strategies.: subtitle if needed. If no subtitle follow instructions in manual
- Authors: Sikrweqe, Odwa
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Mental illness , Mental illness--Religious aspects , Mental illness-- Culture aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60445 , vital:65507
- Description: Mental illness has become a global concern, with consequences that may result in a mental health pandemic. Studies conducted on mental illness suggest that religious and cultural beliefs not only affect the expression of mental illness, but also the diagnosis and treatment of mental conditions. South Africa is a country imbued with cultural and religious diversity, which creates different groupings of people, holding diverse beliefs regarding mental illness. In many contexts, supernatural beliefs, traditional healing and indigenous medicines and treatments are considered in the treatment of the symptoms associated with mental illnesses, especially on contexts where there is a reliance on religio-cultural beliefs. Even though there has been a significant increase in the contribution to research focusing on mental health in diverse contexts, much of this research has focused on subjective experiences. Little to no information is available on population-based studies in South Africa regarding mental illness in diverse contexts, thus limiting the generalisation of findings related to cultural and religious influences on mental illness. This dearth of information further limits the development of psychological interventions. The study aimed to explore how mental illness is perceived by the participants and thereafter explored the influence of culture and religion in coping with mental illness by the residents of the Eastern Cape. The study was quantitative in nature and adopted an exploratory-descriptive design. The researcher made use of a questionnaire as a research tool and QuestionPro was utilized as a platform. A convenience sampling technique was utilised. In ensuring rigour of the study, the researcher ensured maximal validity (accurate representation of the data) and reliability (ability to repeat the research procedure). Ethical principles have been adhered to as per the principles on the Belmont Report, to ensure safety of the participants and this includes anonymity, confidentiality and the right to withdraw from participation in the study. Data has been analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. A sample size of 101 participants from the general population of residents of the Eastern Cape completed the online survey. The results of the study revealed that the residents of the Eastern Cape have substantial knowledge pertaining the cause of mental illness and indicated both positive and negative attitudes towards the mentally ill and possess coping strategies to deal with a mental illness. In addition, the results show that there is a relation between religion/culture and coping with a mental illness by the participants of the study. The findings of this study emphasize the necessity of public education efforts that understand and respect people's cultural diversity, as well as teamwork among traditional and medical professionals. Future studies should focus on the use of discourse analysis to better investigate indigenous groups' conceptions of mental illness and their views about its aetiology and treatment. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Behavioural Science, 2023
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- Date Issued: 2023-04
A study on the effects of mental illness on relationships amongst families with the mentally ill members
- Authors: Magadla, Mfanisi Welcome
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Families -- Health and hygiene , Mentally ill -- Home care , Mentally ill -- Family relationships , Mental illness
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11901 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001101 , Families -- Health and hygiene , Mentally ill -- Home care , Mentally ill -- Family relationships , Mental illness
- Description: The increased abscondment of Mental Health Care Users from institutions of care, treatment and rehabilitation has prompted the researcher to conduct the study because patients who are not visited do not stand a chance of getting a Leave Of Absence (LOA). Problem: The concern is the danger of assault, murder, rape and other high risk situations the mentally ill individuals and the community are exposed to, which is caused by frequent abscondment of mentally unstable individuals who roam around the community without proper treatment and care. This is caused by failure of the relatives in coming to request patients for leave of absence (LOA). Purpose: The study investigated the effects of mental illness on relationships amongst families with the mentally ill members. The number or frequency of visitations by relatives to the mental health institutions is used by the researcher, to measure the nature of relationships between families and the psychiatric patients related to them. Method: The population comprised families of the mentally ill persons admitted at Cecilia Makiwane mental health units. The sample was collected conveniently as relatives came to visit the mentally ill until the desired number was reached. The designed tool was a questionnaire which was self administered. Data were analysed manually. Tables and graphs are shown in the results. Conclusion and Recommendations: The study revealed that approximately 100% of respondents had a lack of knowledge about mental illness and the mentally ill, in terms of care, treatment and rehabilitation hence they all need assistance in dealing with the mentally ill in the community. Findings also revealed that mental illness causes breakdown in family relationships. Recommendations regarding the enhancement of relationships between families and their mentally ill members are formulated as coping skills in the dissertation. The burden of having to deal with mentally ill person whose illness is not understood can lead the family to a state of confusion and iv not knowing what to anticipate. Lack of resources compounds the problem as the family members are not able to visit the ill member due to lack of funds (Baumann, 2007:637). The families with a mentally ill member usually shoulder the greatest part of the burden of mental illness (Uys and Middleton, 2004:77); unfortunately, lack of resources pose a problem.
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- Date Issued: 2009
An investigation into the representation of the mentally ill in popular film
- Authors: Vermeulen, Monique
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Mental illness in motion pictures , Mental illness , Mass media
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8403 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/800 , Mental illness in motion pictures , Mental illness , Mass media
- Description: There is a common perception that media depiction of mental health and illness is overwhelmingly negative and inaccurate. Media portrayal of mental illness is also viewed as an important element in forming and influencing society’s attitudes towards mental health issues, although there is no causal link to prove this. People with mental illness are most commonly shown as being violent and aggressive. Movie stereotypes that contribute to the stigmatisation of mentally ill persons include the mental patient as rebellious free spirit, homicidal maniac, seductress, enlightened member of society, narcissistic parasite, and zoo specimen. The profession of psychiatry is, has always been, and will likely continue to be a much enjoyed subject among filmmakers and their audiences, as it tends to provide exciting and emotionally compelling opportunities to portray personal struggles feared by most of humanity. This research will analyse the entertainment media in an attempt to provide evidence to support the above statement. The research will, furthermore, analyse the manner in which entertainment media represent the mentally ill with reference to popular films invariably produced in the US
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- Date Issued: 2008