https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/25185 2026-04-07T07:22:58Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/31083 To infinity and beyond : an auto-ethnographic journey through the development and implementation of a self-coaching support programme for social work students Botha, Petro 2023-07-25T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/27042 Playing the second fiddle - The experiences, challenges and coping strategies of concerned significant others of partners with a substance use disorder: Informing social work interventions Schultz, Peter; Alpaslan, Assim Hashim (Nicky) Substance abuse constantly wreaks havoc on families. A family member’s substance use disorder (SUD) repeatedly turns a home into a volatile, toxic environment, immersing concerned significant others (CSOs) in a state of confusion and hardship, forcing them to sacrifice their own energies and resources in order to manage this aberration in their midst, often to the extent that they eventually adopt maladaptive behaviours themselves to survive. When partners with an SUD enter treatment, the interventions primarily focus on them, while the non-abusing CSO partner is regarded as an adjunct to the primary treatment and instrumental in a successful treatment outcome. The CSO’s own needs usually go unrecognized and they seldom receive specialised treatment to recover from the anguish caused by a partner’s SUD, depriving them of a service they are entitled to as individuals in their own right. This phenomenon explains the lacuna in treatment regimens aimed at CSOs which should also fall within the ambit of social work. 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/27041 Promoting social work graduates' employment through the social work curriculum: employers' perspectives on the employability of Unisa's newly qualified social workers Alpaslan, Nicky The silence about employers’ perspectives on the employability of newly qualified Social Work graduates from the largest open distance-learning university in South Africa was highlighted as the problem for this study. Underpinned by the theory of collaborative advantage as the theoretical framework adopted for this study, and following a qualitative research approach, the researcher entered into a research partnership with the social work fraternity. The aim was to explore employers’ perspectives on the employability of Unisa’s newly-qualified social workers and to gather suggestions for promoting graduates’ employment, and accordingly informing Unisa’s social work curriculum. This paper reports on these perspectives and suggestions. 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/24866 Narrating the journey of sustained recovery from substance use disorder Stokes, Mandy; Schultz, Peter; Alpaslan, Assim Abstract Background The reported high rate of relapse in the context of an ever-increasing rate of substance abuse internationally and in South Africa together with the fact that the topic of sustained recovery from Substance Use Disorder (SUD) appears to be totally neglected in extant literature and research agendas motivated the researchers to conduct this investigation. The aim was to obtain an in-depth understanding of how individuals recovering from a SUD experience and sustain their recovery in order to fill the gap in the knowledge base. Methods A qualitative research approach was followed, employing a narrative and phenomenological research design alongside an explorative, descriptive and contextual strategy of inquiry. Fifteen participants were purposefully recruited; and data were collected by means of individual, face-to-face interviews. Schlossberg’s Transition Process Model (1981) (Schlossberg NK, The Counselling Psychologist 1981;9(2):2-18, Schlossberg NK, Journal of Employment Counselling 2011;48:159-162, Anderson ML et al., Counselling adults in transition: linking Schlossberg’s theory with practice in a diverse world., 2012) served as a theoretical framework and provided the backdrop to, and foundation for, the presentation of the research findings. Results Participants’ entry into recovery was triggered by an internal or external crisis caused by chemical substance abuse. They had to embrace a psychological mind set change, involving commitment to a new way of life in order to sustain their recovery. This, among others, was facilitated by participants’ acceptance of the concept of ‘disease of addiction’ or finding a new faith-based identity. The 12-Step programme and further education and development were found to spiritually support sustained recovery. Strong ongoing support from specialised substance abuse support and/or religious groups, interpersonal relationships with family, spouses and sponsors as well as supportive work environments played a major role in sustaining recovery. The act of helping others further helped the participants to sustain their own recovery. Conclusion Regardless of the pathway of recovery, there are key aspects that appear to aid sustained recovery. In grouping these according to the four S’s in Schlossberg’s Transition Process Model (Schlossberg NK, The Counselling Psychologist 1981;9(2):2-18, Journal of Employment Counselling 2011;48:159-162, Anderson ML et al., Counselling adults in transition: linking Schlossberg’s theory with practice in a diverse world., 2012): self, situation, strategies and support, they seem to facilitate the adaptation to transition from addiction to sobriety. Internal psychological and spiritual resources in terms of self; support (from family, church and support groups); strategies to combat cravings and deal with life problems; and avoiding and managing risk-inducing situations to strengthen recovery. 2018-09-27T00:00:00Z