Full Text Available

Note: Clicking the button above will open the full text document at the original institutional repository in a new window.

The cultural beliefs of families affected by mental illness : the perspectives of caregivers

Mini Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2015.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Other Authors: Bila, Nontembeko
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: University of Pretoria 2016
Subjects:
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1867613465619726336
access_status_str Open Access
author2 Bila, Nontembeko
author_browse Bila, Nontembeko
author_facet Bila, Nontembeko
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv © 2016 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.
description Mini Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2015.
format Thesis
id oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/57202
institution University of Pretoria (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:36:34.949Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
publishDate 2016
publishDateRange 2016
publishDateSort 2016
publisher University of Pretoria
publisherStr University of Pretoria
record_format dspace
source_str UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
spelling oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/57202 The cultural beliefs of families affected by mental illness : the perspectives of caregivers Bila, Nontembeko lebogang.matlala@gauteng.gov.za Matlala, Lebogang Millicent UCTD Mini Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2015. The community of Ntwane lives in a small village unknown to many people. Like most communities, its people are faced with challenges which require the intervention of a multidisciplinary team in order to enhance their quality of life. The prevalence of mental illness, as reported by community members, is high and knowledge in this regard is minimal. This study, which explored the cultural beliefs of families affected by mental illness, was informed by the prevalence of mental illness, as well as a concern regarding the lack of education and knowledge on mental illness. The community members fail to recognise the influence of culture on their beliefs regarding mental illness. Mental illness is viewed as being caused by elements such as witchcraft and supernatural forces, yet culture is not seen as influencing this belief. The goal of this study was to explore and describe caregivers perspectives on the cultural beliefs regarding mental illness of families affected in the small village of Ntwane. The cultural beliefs of families affected by mental illness were explored using snowball sampling. The research approach utilised in this study is qualitative as it sought to gain an understanding through rich, insightful information. A total of twelve participants were drawn from this community with the caregiver representing the family. The findings of the study indicated that there were cultural influences on the view of mental illness in the study community. Witchcraft, punishment for failing to appease the ancestors, as well as supernatural forces and the abnormal movement of blood were perceived to be the causes of mental illness in the community. The study concludes that culture does in fact inform views of mental illness in the study community. The study proposes the need for community education in order to enhance the mental wellness of community members. An education system catering to the needs of individuals with a mental illness is also needed. Specialised mental health services within the reach of community members is also seen as vital and needed in this community. tm2016 Social Work and Criminology MSW Unrestricted 2016-10-14T07:32:12Z 2016-10-14T07:32:12Z 2016-08-31 2015 Mini Dissertation Matlala, LM 2015, The cultural beliefs of families affected by mental illness : the perspectives of caregivers, MSW Mini Dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd <http://hdl.handle.net/2263/57202> S2016 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/57202 en © 2016 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria
spellingShingle UCTD
The cultural beliefs of families affected by mental illness : the perspectives of caregivers
title The cultural beliefs of families affected by mental illness : the perspectives of caregivers
title_full The cultural beliefs of families affected by mental illness : the perspectives of caregivers
title_fullStr The cultural beliefs of families affected by mental illness : the perspectives of caregivers
title_full_unstemmed The cultural beliefs of families affected by mental illness : the perspectives of caregivers
title_short The cultural beliefs of families affected by mental illness : the perspectives of caregivers
title_sort cultural beliefs of families affected by mental illness the perspectives of caregivers
topic UCTD
url http://hdl.handle.net/2263/57202