Opvoedingsrolle van versorgers van adolessente met fetale-alkoholsindroom

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a condition which occurs when women drink alcohol duringpregnancy. The use of alcohol during pregnancy has permanent and serious consquenceswhich manifests in developmental delays and causes harmful effects to the central nervoussystem. FAS is seen as completely preventable and irreversable which lasts into adulthood.The prevalence rate of FAS in the Western Cape is the highest in the world. FAS is not just ahealth problem but also a social welfare problem, since the care for adolescents with FASbrings about exceptional demands for the carer. For this reason it became vital to explorethe educational roles of the carers of adolescents with FAS.This research study firstly describes the characteristics of FAS within the physical, cognitiveand social development of the adolescents with FAS. Secondly, the study describes andexplores the educational roles of the carers of adolescents with FAS.The study combines both quantitative and qualitative research. The exploratory anddescriptive research designs were used and a purposive sampling method was used. Theparticipants were interviewed individually with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire.The findings of the empirical investigation show that the carers of FAS adolescentsaccording to their perceptions and experiences know what is expected of them within theirrespective educational roles and they do make an effort to fulfil this role to the best of theirability. Further findings show that due to aspects like poverty and illiteracy of theparticipants, the carers need the support of the social worker in order for them to fulfil theireducational roles.Recommendations resulting from the empirical investigation indicated that social workersneed to support the carers of adolescents with FAS in parenting programmes which issimple and practical for the carers to understand and to implement. Furtherrecommendations focus on awareness programmes and actions where the carers also takepart in educating the community in terms of FAS. Through these actions the carers ofadolescents with FAS can build a support system for themselves whithin the community.Therefore the community can be utilized by the carers of adolescents with FAS as a valuableresource in the fulfilment of their educational roles.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University