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The perceptions, understanding, and experiences of the elderly with the use of Cannabis-derived products – a perspective of independent living elderly in the Western Cape
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2025.
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| Format: | Thesis |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2026
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| _version_ | 1867614082212823040 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Mohr, Norma |
| author2 | Niehaus, Daniel Jan Hendrik |
| author_browse | Mohr, Norma Niehaus, Daniel Jan Hendrik |
| author_facet | Niehaus, Daniel Jan Hendrik Mohr, Norma |
| author_sort | Mohr, Norma |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/134711 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:46:22.874Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/134711 The perceptions, understanding, and experiences of the elderly with the use of Cannabis-derived products – a perspective of independent living elderly in the Western Cape Mohr, Norma Niehaus, Daniel Jan Hendrik Brocker, Erine Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Psychiatry. Cannabis -- Therapeutic use -- South Africa Aged -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa Self-medication -- South Africa Health behavior -- South Africa Qualitative research -- South Africa UCTD Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. Mohr, N. 2025. The perceptions, understanding, and experiences of the elderly with the use of Cannabis-derived products – a perspective of independent living elderly in the Western Cape. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/d461b06b-bdc8-4b82-8564-2b23e3e0c31b ENGLISH SUMMARY: Globally, life expectancy has continued to rise, and it is expected that this will be accompanied by an increase in age-related diseases, along with a greater need for medical treatment. The elderly are a vulnerable demographic group, not only due to an increased risk of drug interactions, but also due to their increasing reliance on complementary and alternative treatments to manage their health conditions. Changes in South African legislation concerning the private use of cannabis and the rescheduling of Cannabidiol (CBD) products have increased the availability of CBD products. Literature suggests that many CBD products that are freely available do not comply with current regulations. This study aimed to address important gaps in current literature. Firstly, it aimed to evaluate the therapeutic motivations for using CBD products among the elderly, and secondly, to explore the perceptions and experiences of South Africa's aging population with the use of CBD products. A qualitative study design was chosen to answer this question, and eight participants (7 females and 1 male, all over 60 years) who had used CBD products in the last 12 months for medicinal purposes were included in the study. Data were collected over a 10-month period (May 2024 – February 2025) by conducting in-person interviews at participants’ homes, using semi-structured guided interviews, which were analysed using Braun and Clark’s 6-step thematic analysis (TA) as the qualitative analytic approach. As a side study, CBD product samples were collected from the main study’s participants, and content analysis for CBD and delta-9-THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) was conducted by the Biochemistry lab of the University of Stellenbosch. The side study aimed to determine if participants’ CBD products complied with current South African legislation for non-prescription CBD products. The study found that the elderly were aware of a general association between cannabis and CBD products, but they lacked knowledge about the content of CBD products. They gain information about CBD from family, friends, and the community, mainly through word-of-mouth. They trusted the views of family and health care professionals when deciding to use CBD products, as well as to continue use. There was ambivalence regarding the perceived effectiveness, with participants tending to continue use on the basis of an absence of negative effects, rather than on clear therapeutic benefit. They managed the adverse effects of CBD products by being more cautious and self-adjusting the dosage. Only one of the nine CBD products tested fully complied with current legislation on non-prescription CBD products. One product provisionally complied, dependent on weight and package size. The elderly are a vulnerable population group, and research remains limited. They use CBD products in good faith, assured by the perceived acceptance of family members and healthcare professionals. Commercially available CBD products are not compliant with current content legislation, putting this vulnerable demographic group at risk for serious negative effects. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar. Masters 2026-01-05T07:20:27Z 2026-01-05T07:20:27Z 2025-12 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/134711 Stellenbosch University x, 104 pages ; includes annexures application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Cannabis -- Therapeutic use -- South Africa Aged -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa Self-medication -- South Africa Health behavior -- South Africa Qualitative research -- South Africa UCTD Mohr, Norma The perceptions, understanding, and experiences of the elderly with the use of Cannabis-derived products – a perspective of independent living elderly in the Western Cape |
| title | The perceptions, understanding, and experiences of the elderly with the use of Cannabis-derived products – a perspective of independent living elderly in the Western Cape |
| title_full | The perceptions, understanding, and experiences of the elderly with the use of Cannabis-derived products – a perspective of independent living elderly in the Western Cape |
| title_fullStr | The perceptions, understanding, and experiences of the elderly with the use of Cannabis-derived products – a perspective of independent living elderly in the Western Cape |
| title_full_unstemmed | The perceptions, understanding, and experiences of the elderly with the use of Cannabis-derived products – a perspective of independent living elderly in the Western Cape |
| title_short | The perceptions, understanding, and experiences of the elderly with the use of Cannabis-derived products – a perspective of independent living elderly in the Western Cape |
| title_sort | perceptions understanding and experiences of the elderly with the use of cannabis derived products a perspective of independent living elderly in the western cape |
| topic | Cannabis -- Therapeutic use -- South Africa Aged -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa Self-medication -- South Africa Health behavior -- South Africa Qualitative research -- South Africa UCTD |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/134711 |
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