Strategies to support school-going adolescents living with parents diagnosed with mental disorders
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Authors
Molepo, Mamokota Maggie
Issue Date
2023-01
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
School-going adolescents , Diagnose , Mental disorders , Parents , School , Strategies , Support
Alternative Title
Abstract
Parents diagnosed with mental disorders often find it difficult to support their children
due to their diagnosis and symptoms. The study aimed to develop strategies to support
school-going adolescents living with parents diagnosed with mental disorders.
The study was conducted at clinics and high schools in the Capricorn district in
Limpopo province. A qualitative, grounded theory approach guided the study. Phase
one sought to explore and describe the experiences of school-going adolescents living
with parents diagnosed with mental disorders, the experiences of parents diagnosed
with mental disorders, and the experiences of teachers as educators of these
adolescents. Purposive sampling was used, and data were collected using semi structured face-to-face interviews with 12 school-going adolescents, 12 parents
diagnosed with mental disorders, and focus group discussions with 36 teachers as
educators of these adolescents. A constant comparison method was used to analyse
the data.
Three themes emerged. Theme one described difficulties related to support, namely
matters that hamper the ability to provide support to school-going adolescents in the
home environment; lack of professional support; lack of support from extended family
members, friends, neighbours and community. There were, however, also positive
aspects of support. Theme two focused on issues related to the school environment,
namely poor school performance, poor class attendance, psychosocial issues and
inclusive education concerns. In theme three, the way forward is discussed to culminate in a better future for school-going adolescents living with parents diagnosed
with mental disorders.
The outcome of the qualitative, grounded theory approach resulted in the researcher
constructing a conceptual framework that uncovered the dynamics of support for
school-going adolescents living with parents diagnosed with mental disorders.
Phase two of the study sought to develop and evaluate strategies to support school going adolescents living with parents diagnosed with mental disorders.