Exploring the views of black caregivers on child therapy in Melusi, Pretoria

Abstract

Research highlights the rising importance of addressing the psychosocial wellbeing of teenagers and children in South Africa, particularly among black children, who face barriers in accessing mental health services due to resource limitations, socio-cultural views, and lack of awareness. These challenges arise from factors such as inadequate resources, socio-cultural beliefs, and a lack of awareness. This study aimed to explore and describe the perspectives of black caregivers (BCs) regarding child therapy in the Melusi area, Pretoria in Gauteng Province. It adopted an interpretivist paradigm and applied research design, employing a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive approach with an instrumental case study design. The study focused on BCs of children, which includes parents, guardians, and other individuals who provide care to children. Participants, aged between 20-60 years, were selected through purposive sampling, and data was collected until saturation was reached. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and thematic analysis with an inductive and semantic approach was used for data coding. Trustworthiness was ensured through principles of credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability. Ethical considerations included obtaining ethical clearance, informed consent, debriefing of participants, promoting voluntary participation, and confidentiality.

Key findings revealed that while some participants had knowledge of child therapy, some did not; additionally, none had personally made use of child therapy. Participants viewed child therapy positively as an effective way to address child abuse, other challenges that children face and for enhancing parenting skills. Participants indicated that they counsel their children themselves or seek support from their family and community during difficult times. Attitudes toward child therapy varied as younger, informed participants supported it, while older participants preferred traditional approaches.

Recommendations include promoting the consideration of psychosocial services for children among BCs and encouraging community development organisations to advocate for the wider availability of psychosocial services within black communities, for training institutions to increase awareness of child therapy courses, for schools to incorporate counselling services, for the government and NGOs to run educational campaigns and increase funding for children’s mental health. Additionally, for future studies to investigate the perspectives of BCs who have either embraced or declined child therapy for their children.