Research Articles (Social Work and Criminology)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/2358

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Strengthening Zimbabwean migrant families in South Africa : insights from second-generation migrants and professionals
Mpofu, Sheron; Lombard, Antoinette; Holscher, Dorothee (Stellenbosch University, 2026-03-20)
This article explores the strengthening of Zimbabwean migrant families through a qualitative study on the integration experiences of second-generation migrants in Johannesburg and Pretoria, South Africa. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 16 second-generation migrants from various socio-economic backgrounds, who were born in or migrated to South Africa before adolescence, as well as with 10 expert contributors from the fields of social work, law and education. The study finds that both first-and second-generation migrants encounter challenges in the early stages of migration, particularly related to documentation, barriers to support services, poverty and invisibility - factors that weaken migrant families, placing them at risk of separation. Furthermore, intergenerational transmission of disadvantage, as challenges of legal status and exclusion are often carried over from parents to children. However, some families receive support from South African community members, social workers, teachers and lawyers, which helps strengthen their families. Nonetheless, following the identification of structural factors that contribute to the difficulties that migrants face, we conclude that initiatives to support and strengthen Zimbabwean migrant families must adopt more structural, anti-oppressive approaches to service delivery.
Dancing to the beat of a new drum : Harambee for sustainable shared futures in social work education and practice in Africa!
Engelbrecht, Lambert K.; Giliomee, Cornelia Magrietha (Stellenbosch University, 2026-06-20)
The editorial in this extended issue of Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk reflects on the ongoing transformation of social work education and practice in Africa towards more indigenised, Afrocentric and contextually relevant approaches. Particular attention is given to the role of the Association of Schools of Social Work in Africa (ASSWA) in promoting Afrocentric social work education through collaboration, resource development and regional co-operation. As part of the journal’s diamond jubilee, the editorial further explores the integration of developmental and strengths-orientated approaches, together with the incorporation of indigenous knowledge systems and culturally relevant pedagogies into social work curricula. Against this background, the editorial argues that social work education in Africa is progressively shaping a uniquely African approach that is culturally grounded, socially responsive and developmentally orientated.
South African social workers’ perspectives on positive role fulfilment among role players within the foster child’s care circle of supporting wellbeing
Tladi-Mapefane, Olebogeng; Sibanda, Sipho; Harms-Smith, Linda (MDPI, 2026-08)
Foster care placements involve various role players from the child’s entry into the system through the child’s exit. Positive role fulfilment implies acting in accordance with the respective role expectations while also being dynamic in nature. Key participants in the foster care system include social workers, foster parents, and foster children. These role players all have roles necessary for the foster care placement to be positive. Using role and identity theory, with an underlying Africentric philosophy, as a theoretical framework, this qualitative study sought to describe social workers’ perspectives on positive role fulfilment among role players within the foster child’s care circle in supporting well-being. Data were collected from twelve participants, comprising ten foster care social workers and two social work supervisors, through a focus group discussion and one-on-one interviews. In addition, two foster care policy developers were consulted as key stakeholders to provide contextual insight into the legislative and policy environment. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings showed that social workers face structural challenges, including high caseloads, a shortage of social workers and uncertainty regarding roles, which sometimes make it difficult to fulfil their roles as expected. With that said, they believed that positive role fulfilment influenced the positive nature of foster care placements. When roles are known and met, the care circle enhances the well-being of the foster child. The study concludes that social workers know what they are required to do for the child’s well-being. The recommendation is that an Africentric foster care supervision and monitoring framework be developed to sensitise the role players of their roles and responsibilities in the foster care system.
Transforming welfare services : from child relief to women's empowerment : the Child Support Grant in rural South Africa
Gutura, Priscilla (MDPI, 2026-03-13)
This paper presents qualitative findings from a broader study conducted with beneficiaries of social assistance grants in Nkonkobe Municipality, South Africa, guided by Amartya Sen’s Capability Approach and a Feminist Political Economy perspective. It specifically examines the impact of the Child Support Grant (CSG) on women residing in rural areas with limited economic opportunities. Drawing on the narratives of twenty-five female beneficiaries, the study explores the grant’s role beyond child welfare outcomes. Despite its small monetary value, the CSG demonstrated significant and unintended transformative effects. Within contexts of persistent poverty, unemployment, and inequality, the grant contributed to alleviating household hardship and enhancing women’s empowerment. Participants reported increased economic agency, autonomy, and decision-making capacity. The CSG also served as a critical resource for women seeking to exit abusive relationships by providing a measure of financial independence, often lacking among survivors of domestic violence. These findings contribute to broader debates on welfare services as tools for equality, diversity, and democracy, highlighting the CSG’s potential to advance gender empowerment and social inclusion. However, the grant alone remains insufficient to ensure sustainable economic security. The paper recommends that the CSG be strengthened through increased value and complemented by active labour market interventions that promote women’s economic participation.
The nascent roles and challenges of school social work in enhancing well-being for high school students in Zimbabwe
Taruvinga, Raymond; Muzingili, Taruvinga; Chiweda, Josephine; Cheema, Guneet Kaur (Unisa Press, 2025-08-21)
Since the commencement of social work training and professional practice in Zimbabwe, there has been a steady expansion of the profession’s fields of practice. Recently, the rise in mental health consciousness for adolescents instigated the increased interest in student welfare and the need for social work practice in schools. This paper builds on that discourse by identifying four Zimbabwean schools with social work service processes and departments. The goal was to explore the nature and manner of social work service dispensation at the selected schools, for adoption and further development in other schools—primarily public schools, which many have access to. The paper employed a descriptive phenomenological research design and data were collected through face-to-face interviews with 17 participants in the schools’ social work service ecosystem. Findings were analysed using Giorgi’s Descriptive Phenomenological Analysis, which revealed that school social workers play a vital, yet often misunderstood, role in providing psychosocial support, coordinating care through informal collaborations, and addressing complex student needs. However, their work is constrained by inadequate infrastructure, inadequate funding, and professional role ambiguity. Students frequently accessed help through peer intermediaries, reflecting mistrust or discomfort using formal services. The study concludes that while school social work holds transformative potential, it is undermined by systemic neglect and the absence of institutional frameworks. Implications for practice include the urgent need to institutionalise school social work through clear policy, dedicated resources, counselling spaces, and professional role clarification to ensure sustainable and equitable support for students across Zimbabwe.
Raised by the herd : insights from African elephants for the support and continuing professional development of newly qualified social workers in South Africa
Jordaan, Leanne Clare; Geyer, Stephan; Masenge, Andries (Unisa Press, 2025-08-21)
Newly qualified social workers in South Africa face numerous challenges when transitioning into the workforce, highlighting a gap between their perceived work readiness and the realities of professional practice. Despite completing a four-year Bachelor of Social Work degree with substantial work-integrated learning, many graduates feel inadequately prepared for their roles and experience insufficient support and development upon entering practice. These challenges align with international trends, where newly qualified social workers often lack essential guidance, supervision, and structured professional development. Drawing on lessons from the collaborative care seen in African elephant calves, this study explored the barriers faced by, and the support and development needs of, recent social work graduates in South Africa through a quantitative study operationalised through a cross-sectional survey design. Through non-probability sampling, 39 participants from various social work sectors completed a self-administered, web-based questionnaire tailored to the South African context. Data analysis, using descriptive statistics and content analysis, revealed a pressing need for structured support initiatives, such as mentorship, supervision, and tailored induction programmes. These initiatives are essential to enhance job satisfaction, foster professional and personal growth, and improve retention rates. Insights from elephant calf socialisation, particularly the concept of being “raised by the herd,” emphasise the importance of extended nurturing environments and continuous development for young professionals. This emphasises the role of cooperative care and effective communication in supporting newly qualified social workers. Recommendations include a collaborative, accountable approach involving key stakeholders to address existing gaps, enhance access to support initiatives, and provide specialised training.
Negotiating survival : bartering practices among female offenders in a South African correctional centre
Requilet, Carmen; Booyens, Karen; Mbonambi, Nokukhanya Neptune (Criminological and Victimological Society of Southern Africa, 2026-08)
Incarceration fundamentally reshapes everyday survival, particularly for female offenders who must navigate institutional scarcity within highly regulated, resource-limited environments. Within this context, the article investigates bartering practices among female offenders in a South African correctional centre, highlighting how informal economies emerge as survival strategies in conditions of deprivation and institutional neglect. The study addresses a gap in criminological scholarship concerning women’s economic coping mechanisms during incarceration, where gender-specific needs—such as menstrual hygiene products, emotional support, and access to basic goods—often remain unmet. Adopting a qualitative research approach, personal interviews were conducted with ten female offenders using a semi-structured interview guide, and the data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis. The findings demonstrate that bartering is not a matter of choice but a systemic response to scarcity within carceral life. Offenders routinely exchanged food, toiletries, cosmetics, airtime, and services such as hairdressing, laundry, and companionship. While bartering enabled women to meet unmet needs and exercise limited agency, it simultaneously reproduced inequalities within the offender population, particularly disadvantaging those without external financial support. The study concludes that bartering both sustains survival and undermines rehabilitation, reflecting resilience as well as deep vulnerability among incarcerated women. It recommends improved provision of gender-sensitive resources, strengthened oversight and accountability, trauma-informed support services, and further comparative research across correctional centres. The key contribution of the study is to show that bartering reflects deeper structural inequalities within correctional environments and cannot be addressed solely through punitive approaches.
Livelihood strategies for adolescent girls transitioning out of residential childcare facilities : a Zimbabwean perspective
Sibanda, Sipho; Berejena Mhongera, Pamhidzayi (MDPI, 2025-10-22)
Effective transition of youth out of care has been a concern for social workers, policymakers, residential facilities, and other related stakeholders. This paper reports on the livelihood strategies and transition experiences of adolescent girls in and out of two institutions in Harare, Zimbabwe. Using the sustainable livelihood approach, this qualitative research explored and compared the livelihood strategies of 16 girls still in care with 16 who had exited. Framework analysis was used to interpret the data. The findings show that girls in institutions mainly rely on institutional support for their livelihoods, while those who leave employ a wider range of strategies including support from relatives, foster parents, institutions, and spouses. Social networks emerged as a key strategy for both financial and social security. However, differences in the resources available through these networks significantly impacted the girls’ livelihood outcomes, either positively or negatively. Overall, many adolescent girls remained unable to sustain themselves or cope with the challenges of transitioning to adulthood and life beyond institutional care. The study recommends that transition programmes that address early marriage as a means of security, expanding family and fostering care options, reducing institutional dependency, tackling economic exclusion and unemployment be developed.
Navigating the triple constraints : post-vocational training experiences of self-employed women with disabilities in Zimbabwe
Taruvinga, Raymond; Muzingili, Taruvinga (Elsevier, 2026-12)
Despite the widespread use of vocational training as a strategy to promote economic inclusion, women with disabilities remain significantly underrepresented in self-employment, particularly in developing countries like Zimbabwe. This study aimed to gain deep insight into how women with disabilities in Zimbabwe experience and navigate self-employment after completing vocational training, with particular attention to the challenges associated with gender, disability, and self-employment. Using a descriptive-phenomenological design grounded in Husserlian philosophy, the study engaged 10 purposively selected women with disabilities who had graduated from vocational training centres and were self-employed. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews and analysed in two phases: initial coding in MAXQDA and thematic interpretation using Giorgi's descriptive phenomenological method. Five superordinate themes emerged: (1) Inadequate skills training, (2) Structural and financial barriers, (3) Gendered and ableist discrimination, (4) Individual ingenuity and resourcefulness, and (5) Market access and appropriateness. These themes illustrated how systemic, social, and environmental factors intersect to both hinder and motivate women's entrepreneurial efforts. Vocational training alone is insufficient to empower women with disabilities in self-employment without structural support, inclusive social systems, and context-sensitive programming.
Security education as a preventive safeguarding intervention for older persons in Nigeria : a narrative review
Ajayi, Elizabeth Aanuoluwapo (Emerald, 2026-08)
PURPOSE : This narrative review aims to examine security education as a preventive safeguarding intervention for older persons in Nigeria. Drawing on social learning theory (SLT) and adult education principles, it argues that community-based protective learning can reduce harm, build protective agency and complement formal adult protection systems in resource-constrained contexts. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH : A narrative review was conducted, with literature from Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar, supplemented by grey literature from international development organisations. Sources addressed older persons’ security vulnerabilities, adult learning as a protective mechanism or safeguarding policy. SLT, extended by adult education principles, provides the analytical structure. FINDINGS : Three themes emerge. Firstly, older persons in Nigeria face structural risks that are rooted in institutional neglect and exclusion from protective decision-making, conditions that reactive safeguarding cannot address alone. Secondly, SLT provides a sound framework for preventive education, with its emphasis on observational learning, self-efficacy and social reinforcement, which fits Nigerian community contexts. Thirdly, security education generates protective outcomes across economic, social and civic domains, complementing formal protection systems and reducing exposure to financial exploitation, physical abuse, cybercrime, social isolation and climate risk through early prevention. ORIGINALITY/VALUE : To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study offers one of the first conceptual examinations of security education as a preventive safeguarding strategy for older persons in Nigeria. It advances programme design principles, proposes integrating protective learning into policy and contributes to adult protection scholarship by establishing education-based prevention as a necessary complement to formal systems in resource-constrained contexts.
Growing older in Sub-Saharan Africa : a critical rapid review of literature on resilient ageing
Ajayi, Elizabeth Aanuoluwapo; Harms-Smith, Linda; Geyer, Stephan (Springer, 2026-05)
The increase in the number of people aged 60 years and above in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) reflects the region’s rapid demographic transition, which has complex policy implications. A decolonial approach to resilience strategies is required, as ageing in SSA occurs amid poverty, inadequate healthcare, urbanisation, and dwindling traditional support. Guided by PRISMA 2020 reporting principles, this critical rapid review screened 9,414 records and synthesised 14 empirical studies published between 2022 and 2025. Five themes emerged from reflexive thematic analysis: adaptive capacity, social networks, cultural/spiritual resources, economic resources, and institutional/structural interventions. Findings revealed that resilient ageing in SSA is a multisystem process that integrates individual and group strengths with institutional frameworks, thereby promoting independence, financial security, well-being, and integration. This review emphasises the value of multisectoral, culturally appropriate interventions and formal social protection, such as healthcare, digital inclusion, social grants, and pensions, for sustaining well-being and enhancing resilience in later life. Neoliberal frameworks, underrepresented populations, and a lack of longitudinal data were the major research lacunae identified by this study. This review calls for future research to employ mixed-methods and Afrocentric approaches in various SSA contexts.
Exploring attitudes toward acceptability of harm reduction : a comparative study of South African and Swedish addiction care professionals
Geyer, Stephan; Larsson Lindahl, Marianne (Taylor and Francis, 2026)
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE : Working from a harm reduction (HR) approach underscores that addiction care professionals (ACPs) serve people with substance use disorder in a non-judgmental environment, encouraging people to seek intervention without abstinence as the ultimate goal. This study aims to explore and compare the attitudes toward the acceptability of harm reduction among ACPs in South Africa and Sweden. METHODS : Participants (N = 208), 84 in South Africa and 124 in Sweden, were recruited through non-probability sampling, via gatekeepers. Data collection comprised a web-based survey with Goddard’s Harm Reduction Acceptability Scale. Analysis included independent samples t-tests. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients showed good reliability. RESULTS : The Swedish ACPs demonstrated significantly greater acceptance of harm reduction than their South African counterparts (M = 4.03vs 3.47, t(206)=−8.56, p < .001, d = 1.21). The difference was significant across 18 of the survey’s 25 items, with Swedish ACPs consistently reporting higher attitudes toward HR acceptance. Most ACPs in both countries were positive about attending HR training. CONCLUSIONS : South African ACPs hold a more negative attitude toward HR than their Swedish counterparts. Zooming in on specific items of the scale, several practical implications for policymakers and practitioners in addiction treatment and public health are outlined.
South African social workers’ knowledge and skills in addressing problematic internet use : implications for practice and training
Lucas, Elizabeth Johanna Maria; Geyer, Stephan (National Association of Social Workers (Zimbabwe), 2025-06)
Constant and obsessive internet use (more than 40 hours per week for purposes other than work) may lead to a hidden form of addiction, namely Problematic Internet Use (PIU). The extant literature revealed no evidence of any research on the African continent focusing on social workers’ knowledge and skills required in addressing PIU. Underpinned by the ecosystem perspective, this study aimed to explore and describe South African social workers’ knowledge and skills in addressing PIU. A qualitative research approach operationalised through a case study, specifically an instrumental case study design focused on the social issue/addiction PIU, was implemented. Fifteen social workers employed by private and public treatment centres in Gauteng, South Africa, participated in the study. Data was gathered through five semi-structured face-to-face interviews and ten asynchronous e-mail interviews. Through a process of reflexive thematic analysis, four themes were generated, i.e., conceptualisation of PIU, social workers’ responsibility in working with people presenting with PIU, social workers’ exposure to PIU in social work practice at treatment centres, and social workers’ recommendations for policy on addressing PIU in the South African social service delivery system. Context-specific recommendations for micro, meso, exo and macro practice are forwarded. Implications for social work training are also highlighted.
Empowering victims of intimate partner violence : development of practice guidelines for social workers to enhance victim empowerment interventions
Kgole, Mabebe Mary (National Association of Social Workers, 2026-02-28)
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a pervasive yet often silent epidemic that results in severe consequences for women, including poor health, displacement, and disempowerment. In addition to other consequences, intimate partner violence results in death or disability. Developing practice guidelines is crucial for ensuring high-quality, competent, and impactful services for individuals experiencing IPV. Although various societal structures support survivors, there is limited evidence on the structured implementation and effectiveness of these interventions. This study aimed to develop guidelines to equip social workers with the skills necessary to provide meaningful empowerment services to survivors of IPV. A phenomenological and exploration qualitative methodology was employed to explore the lived experiences of 15 individuals who experienced IPV and 5 social workers. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews using purposive sampling and were analysed thematically to identify key themes and inform recommendations. The practice guidelines were developed through a structured process grounded in the study’s findings. These findings revealed multiple challenges experienced by both survivors and social workers responsible for implementing victim empowerment services, highlighting gaps in practice and systemic constraints. The study underscores the need for more effective implementation of victim empowerment programmes (VEPs) to address the adverse consequences of IPV and offers valuable insights for planners, decision-makers, stakeholders, and funders seeking to strengthen sustainable empowerment strategies for survivors.
Navigating inequity : understanding the pathways to criminalization for women in a disparate society
Messif, Krinesha George (National Association of Social Workers, 2026-02-28)
Female criminality is highly influenced by the structural inequalities that have become the socio-economic realities of females in South Africa. This article explores the pathways to female criminality by emphasizing how gender expectations, economic disenfranchisement, and societal narratives converge to create barriers that disproportionately funnel women toward criminal behaviour. Implementing a qualitative design, data was obtained from 10 ex-female offenders, who shared their narratives of criminalisation, compiling a thick description of their lived experiences. Thematic analysis, shaped by feminist criminology, the concept of the ‘gender deal’, and Agnew’s general strain theory, was used to highlight patterns across their stories. The analysis highlighted two central themes. Firstly, the impact of victimisation emphasized that experiences such as childhood abuse, domestic violence, and economic strain resulted in women committing crimes as a strategy of survival or a coping mechanism. The second relates to the consequence of the gender deal, revealing that restrictive gender norms and continuous economic exclusion developed cycles of desperation, which left women in situations vulnerable to criminality. The findings demonstrate that female crime isn’t about deviance but rather about surviving systemic inequality and victimisation. The study concludes that gender-responsive, trauma-informed interventions are required, with policies that address strains such as poverty, unemployment, and violence to prevent incarceration and promote interventions that empower females.
Female offenders’ perceptions of correctional staff training and its impact on rehabilitation in South Africa
Messif, Krinesha George (Adonis and Abbey Publishers, 2026-04-01)
This article aims to explore the critical role of correctional officials working within the Department of Correctional Services in South Africa and uncover how their skills and training shape offender rehabilitation, an approach that focuses on women's experiences in prison. This qualitative study centres the lived narratives of ten formerly incarcerated women to examine how correctional staff training and behaviour shape rehabilitation outcomes; findings represent participants’ perceptions rather than an objective audit of DCS curricula. The study adopts a qualitative stance by exploring the lived narratives of ten formerly incarcerated women, illustrating how the training of correctional staff directly influences rehabilitative outcomes. Research demonstrates a clear pathway to criminality, such as poverty, trauma, and gender-based experiences; however, this study reveals that the quality of correctional staff training influences whether rehabilitation efforts succeed or fail. The research findings uncover inconsistencies in the responses from females: some officials treat offenders with respect, provide guidance, and participate in the facilitation of education, while others display characteristics that indicate inadequate training that results in mistreatment, neglect, and barriers to the healing or rehabilitative process. The contrasting views shared significantly highlight the nature of services offered by correctional services; hence, the absence of standardised, gender-sensitive, and rehabilitation training leads to a continuous cycle of systematic inequalities. The nominated study puts forward arguments for urgent reforms to prioritise comprehensive training programmes, which commit to equipping officials with the skills to manage offender behaviour, react to trauma response, and promote effective rehabilitation. The researcher contributes to the discourse on correctional transformation, advocating for the effective training of staff members as a crucial tool for rehabilitation. The voices of female offenders emphasise this.
A scoping review of socioeconomic risk factors among incarcerated youth offenders with language disorders
Maasz, Johan Jacobus; Bezuidenhout, Christiaan; Van der Linde, Jeannie (Taylor and Francis, 2026)
PURPOSE : Youth offenders disproportionately come from low socioeconomic status backgrounds and are more likely to present with a language disorder than their non-offending peers. Literature on the presence of socioeconomic status-related risk factors among youth offenders with language disorders is limited, despite its important role in both language development and youth offending behaviour. METHOD : A scoping review protocol was developed using the PRISMA-ScR protocol and executed across five electronic databases. Data sources were deduplicated, screened, charted, and appraised. Synthesis was conducted using descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. Initially, 787 sources were identified, of which 16 (1993–2024) were analysed. RESULT : Thirteen sources (81.3%) that investigated language disorders among incarcerated youth offenders and discussed result related to socioeconomic status factors were identified. Eleven risk factors were identified, with the most frequent being illicit substance use (n = 6, 46.2%), dropping out of school (n = 4, 30.8%), and coming from low-income communities (n = 3, 23.1%). CONCLUSION : Despite significant variability and inconsistency in measurement, a number of socioeconomic status-related risk factors were identified. A dearth in literature on diverse contexts and demographics were observed. The need for further research on socioeconomic status risk factors among youth offenders with language disorders is evident.
Bridging the digital divide in social work : a social justice framework for inclusive hybrid practice
Claassens, Elmien; Lombard, Antoinette (Sage, 2026)
SUMMARY : Digital exclusion represents a multidimensional injustice embedded in broader structures of marginalization. Drawing on qualitative findings from a study in South Africa, this article explores how hybrid approaches can either exacerbate or mitigate social exclusion, particularly in resource-constrained contexts. The study used a nonprobability purposive sample of 22 social workers delivering in-person and technology-supported services. Data were analyzed thematically using Atlas.ti software for coding, clustering, and theme development. Fraser's dimensions of redistribution, recognition, and representation provided a critical lens to analyze systemic inequalities in digital service delivery. The article concludes by proposing actionable guidelines for a hybrid approach that offer a pathway toward a more inclusive and ethically grounded model of practice aligned with social justice principles. FINDINGS : Key findings reveal that digital injustice in social work is primarily driven by three dynamics: unequal access to technology, limited cultural responsiveness, and exclusion from decision-making processes. These dynamics underscore the complex challenges of the digital divide and offer valuable, context-specific insights for developing inclusive guidelines for hybrid practice, particularly in environments facing significant resource constraints. APPLICATIONS : This article contributes to the international discourse on digital social work by offering a theoretical foundation for policy development, practitioner training, and service innovation. It establishes digital inclusion as a social justice imperative, particularly relevant in the Global South, where the digital divide continues to severely limit equitable access. This contribution advances the field's capacity to engage with technology not as a neutral tool, but as a contested space requiring critical, justice-oriented engagement.
Components of a social work programme for women survivors of human trafficking : a South African perspective
Sibanda, Sipho; Sambo, Juliet Patience (Routledge, 2026)
Human trafficking remains a significant human rights and social justice concern that requires social work intervention strategies. Guided by the ecological systems framework, a qualitative research approach was adopted to gather insights from social services providers on what they consider components of a social work programme for women survivors of human trafficking (WSHT). Data was collected using interviews and analysed using a thematic analysis. The findings identified several components of a social work programme for WSHT. These include the provision of holistic and survivor-centred services, the establishment of specialised shelters tailored to the needs of trafficking survivors, skills development and empowerment initiatives aimed at promoting economic independence, and strengthened collaboration and networking among service providers. The results further highlight the importance of coordinated multi-sectoral responses. The study demonstrates that effective social work interventions must operate across multiple ecological levels, addressing survivors’ psycho-social and economic needs while strengthening institutional support systems.
The quality of life of South African homeless adults aged 50 and older in housing first facilities : implications for service delivery
Mgwedli, Merriam; Geyer, Stephan; Crafford, Gretel (Western Libraries, The University of Western Ontario, 2025-05-02)
BACKGROUND : The population of homeless adults is on the rise, yet little is known about their well-being and functioning. With the exception of Ghana and Nigeria, there is a hiatus in the existing literature on studies conducted in African countries, focusing on homelessness among adults aged 50 years and older. AIM : To determine how homeless adults (50 and older) in Housing First Facilities in the City of Tshwane, South Africa, perceive their quality of life. METHODS : The study followed a quantitative approach to determine the quality of life of homeless adults in Housing First facilities using the World Health Organization’s Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF), which measures the quality of life based on the physical and psychological well-being, social relationships, and environment domains on a 5-point response scale. Data was collected from two Housing First facilities within the City of Tshwane, and the WHOQOL-BREF was administered face-to-face with the participating homeless adults. RESULTS : Overall, participants perceived their quality of life (M=3.26) as neither poor nor good and were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with their health (M=3.55). Participants (n=38) scored the highest in the psychological domain (M=3.77), followed by the physical (M=3.64) and environment (M=3.32) domains. The social relationships (M=3.22) domain scored the lowest. The results revealed that participants had a moderate perception of their quality of life across all domains. CONSIDERATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS : The results suggest that the quality of life of homeless adults in Housing First facilities needs improvement. Based on the Biopsychosocial (BPS) perspective, recommendations for improvement are offered to target personal and structural barriers.

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