Evaluering van 'n program ter verbetering van persone se copingvaardighede, psigologiese gesondheid en lewenskwaliteit in 'n geweldgeteisterde milieu

Abstract

During the past few years the emphasis shifted from the factors responsible for making the individual feeling psychologically unhealthily to the salutogenic paradigm focussing on psychological well-being and the contributing factors. In this study, attention is given to factors contributing to the psychological well-being of the individual, with reference to the relationship between certain personality traits and salutogenic strengths. Certain external factors, namely locus of control, social support systems, biological reward system, the damage avoidance system, as well as subjective well-being (or a feeling of happiness), all contribute towards psychological well-being. It appears that psychological well-being is related to successful coping and coping strategies. Two types of coping have been identified, namely problem focused coping and emotion focused coping. Some coping strategies have positive outcomes, while others have negative outcomes and contribute destructively to a person's psychological health. Coping strategies generally leading to negative outcomes, have been discussed and compared with the more constructive strategies.

It appears that people are psychologically more healthy when they have a feeling of self effectiveness and possesses a variety of coping strategies which are not bound to situations. The quality of, and satisfaction with life of an individual is also influenced by his/her coping strategies and salutogenic strengths. The gap between what a person has and what he or she wants, determines his/her satisfaction with life. Physical safety, trust in your fellow-man and emotional security, is an important factor in the determination of quality of life. Violence prevents the realisation of these needs. Violence has various negative effects on an individual's quality of and satisfaction with life. This study shows that violence influences the way an individual spends his/her spare time and also increases his/her isolation. This has the effect that the person does not develop or grow any further. A test sample of 30 victims of violence was assigned randomly between an experimental and a control group. Both groups were evaluated in advance with the COPE, SACS, QOLI, AFM, SOC and SWLS questionnaires. Thereafter, the experimental group attended the Khayalami Cares Programme. Both groups were evaluated again 30 days after the experimental group have completed the programme. The results show that participation in the programme improved the coping of the experimental group. There was no improvement in the quality of life of any of the respondents. In spite of it's limitations, the Khayalami Cares Programme does satisfy the req irements it was intended for, namely the reduction of the symptoms of trauma and the improvement of coping.