The Submissions page displays a customizable overview of a webform's submissions. Submissions can be reviewed, updated, flagged and/or annotated. Watch video
269 submissions
| # Sort descending | Operations | Status | Status | Title | Lastname | Firstname | Institution | Title of Presentatation | Theme Selection | Abstract | SID | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 232 | Accepted | Pending Review | Mr. | Tsotetsi | Nensie | tsotetsinanci@gmail.com | Department of social development | Work with special and vulnerable population(children, families, older persons, LGBTQIA+etc) | THEME 2: Social Work and the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) | We examined working with special and vulnerable population( children, families, women, older persons, LGBTQIA+etc). This highlights the importance of providing compassionate and empowering support to the population Our data is collected using qualitative method of inquiry to gather in-depth understanding of individuals experiences, perspectives and needs through interviewing clients. The findings showed that vulnerable population "children, families, women, older persons, LGBTQIA+ etc". Children are most vulnerable group in South Africa due to substance abuse and poverty. Al matters concerning care, protection and well-being of the children are important. Moreover, women experience devastating situations that leads to dependency and gender based violence. Furthermore, older persons are exposed to abuse and empty nest due to industrialization or life-betterment. To add on, the LGBTQIA+etc experience stigmazation and discrimination which leads to them feeling excluded from the community. Lastly, family preservation emphasize that families should be strengthened and supported to keep them together by ensuring that we opt for alternative safety care from the family members. The Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) are closely linked to working with special and vulnerable population. The goals that are relevant includes, no poverty, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, reduced inequality and peace, justice and strong institution. Working with special and vulnerable population can contribute to achieving these Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by addressing specific needs and challenges.This can be addressed through focusing on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) we can work towards creating a more equitable and just society for all. Working with special and vulnerable population requires an empowering approach that will sustain their strengths, resilience and promote social inclusion. Poverty and abuse are contributing factors to various challenges in our society. Therefore, Community awareness to be implemented to inform vulnerable population regarding the challenges faced. To achieve sustainability of awareness follow-ups be done to become informed on whether the awareness worked for the community. |
1392 | |
| 233 | Accepted | Accepted | Dr. | Lupuwana | Vuyokazi phumza pearl | vlupuwana@ufh.ac.za | University of fort hare | Dynamic Interplay Between Social Work Education, Transdisciplinary Approaches and Curriculum Development: Fostering Integrated Learning for Effective Practice. | THEME 4: Social Work Education, Transdisciplinarity and Curriculum Development | Author: Vuyokazi Phumza Pearl Lupuwana, Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, Department of Criminology, Psychology and Social Work, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa Corresponding Author: Vuyokazi Phumza Pearl Lupuwana (Dr) vlupuwana@ufh.ac.za ORCID NUMBER: 0000-0001-8747-7933 Dynamic Interplay Between Social Work Education, Transdisciplinary Approaches and Curriculum Development: Fostering Integrated Learning for Effective Practice. ABSTRACT This study undertakes a critical examination of the dynamic interplay between social work education, trans-disciplinarity, and curriculum development which shapes the professional readiness of social workers in South Africa. The study seeks to illuminate how these domains converge, diverge, and influence one another in theory and in practice, particularly within institutions serving historically marginalized communities. Anchored in a transformative lens, the research interrogates the extent to which current educational models cultivate the integrative, context-responsive competencies required for effective social work in complex social landscapes. Drawing from Amathole District Municipality (EC), the University of Fort Hare and Walter Sisulu University, this study will investigate the alignment between university-based training and student social worker’s readiness for community-based practice in a trans-disciplinary environment. This study will adopt a qualitative approach, employing one-on one interviews and focus group discussions for data collection with five (5) generic professional social workers, five (5) community work practitioners, five (5) social work academic staff engaged in community placements, and five (5) supervisory managers. Grounded in Empowerment Theory and the Strengths-Based Approach, the research will interrogate how social work education can better incorporate indigenous knowledge systems and transdisciplinary thinking. Ultimately, the study will inform curriculum transformation efforts and professional standards set by the South African Council for Social Service Professions. Key Words: Social Work Education, Curriculum Development , Integrated learning , Effective practice |
1393 | |
| 235 | Pending Review | Pending Review | Mr. | Mpiyane | Mzwabantu | mmpiyane@ufh.ac.za | University of fort hare | Assessing the adoption of digital technologies in Social Work Supervision: Implementation processes, projected trends, and Identified challenges | THEME 4: Social Work Education, Transdisciplinarity and Curriculum Development | Assessing the adoption of digital technologies in Social Work Supervision: Implementation processes, projected trends, and Identified challenges Author: Mzwabantu Mpiyane*, Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, Department of Psychology, Social Work and Criminology, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa Corresponding Author: Mzwabantu Mpiyane (Mr.) Email: mmpiyane@ufh.ac.za : Phone: +27-834752827 ORCID Number. https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5193-3267 Presentation Format: Parallel session presentation/ Workshop/ Plenary/ Poster Abstract Supervision is a critical element in accomplishing the best excellence and practical objectives by managing quality supervision and supporting social work professionalism. Importantly, supervision plays an essential role in guaranteeing quality-of-service delivery to clients. However, research indicates that supervision in social work daily practice is somehow minimal. As a result, the younger generation tends to replace human involvement in social work supervision with technology. The purpose of this study is to assess the possibility of using technology to complement the lack of human presence for supervision. This study will collect data using qualitative tools through one-on-one interviews with ten (10) social work professionals and ten (10) social work supervisors of different ages, genders, and work experience. The collected data will be analyzed using a six-step process by Braun and Clark. The article will be guided by the transformation theory of leadership in assessing the possibility of adopting technology in social work supervision. The findings of this article may offer information on the alternatives to in-person supervision in social work and possible techniques for implementation. It also would create a comprehensive theoretical insight into social work, education, and practice for supervision. Keywords: Supervision, Social Work, technology, social work practice |
1396 | |
| 236 | Accepted | Accepted | Ms. | Ntuli | Shadile | ntulis8@ukzn.ac.za | University of kwazulu natal | Challenging and Reinforcing Gender Roles through Ukuhlonipha: Exploring the Agency of Young Married Women in Zulu Traditional Marriages | THEME 5: Feminist Perspectives and Environmental Justice | This presentation draws on a doctoral study that critically explores the cultural custom of ukuhlonipha and its role in shaping gender roles and meanings for young, married women within Zulu traditional marriages in KwaZulu-Natal. Anchored in African feminist theory and the framework of social constructionism, the study examines how ukuhlonipha is interpreted and practised by women in contemporary contexts, with attention to both continuity and change. Focusing on the objective to identify how young married women either challenge or re-entrench gender imbalances arising from ukuhlonipha, the paper interrogates the tensions between cultural expectations and women’s personal agency. Preliminary findings reveal that while ukuhlonipha continues to uphold patriarchal norms in many households, women are not passive subjects; rather, they negotiate and sometimes redefine its practice in ways that reflect both resistance and adaptation. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of the lived realities of Zulu women and argues for a culturally grounded yet critically engaged approach to gender equality in African contexts. | 1398 | |
| 237 | Accepted | Accepted | Ms. | Mphuthi | Dimakatso hessie sylvia | mphuthimarxist@gmail.com | Department of social development | THE ROLE OF SOCIAL WORKERS DURING COVID-19 ERA WITHIN THE THABO MOFUTSANYANA DISTRICT. | THEME 3: Policy and Advocacy for Peace building, Environmental and Social Justice | THE ROLE OF SOCIAL WORKERS DURING THE COVID 19 ERA The Covid-19 pandemic subjected people to a range of adversities; leaving many practitioners unprepared for what has often been described as the most challenging medical disaster of the century. The pandemic has proven to have long-term and far-reaching ramifications impacting on communities even long after it has been contained. The purpose of the study was to explore the role of social workers during Covid-19 era. This study employed a qualitative method and a descriptive design. The researchers purposively sampled 20 social workers employed by the FS Department of Social Development in Thabo Mofutsanyana District. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews and was using thematic analysis. The findings of the study demonstrated increased demand for psycho-social support services in response to emerging social issues, which were aggravated by the pandemic. The findings further show a lack of capacity building in responding to medical disasters. This in turn contributed to poor preparedness and innovative response. Taking into consideration the restrictions imposed during the pandemic, social workers struggled to integrate digital tools into traditional social work settings. Moreover, the government’s introduction of the 21-day lockdown neglected social work as an essential service. By ignoring this critical aspect of psycho-social intervention, the government neglected other social ills that could occur concurrently with the pandemic. For example, increase in GBVF and mental ill-health. Based on the above findings, it can be seen that social workers utilize their expertise in social work practice; including assessment, intervention and advocacy. However, there is a need to integrate this expertise into the modern non-traditional social work settings. Therefore, the role of social work in medical disasters need to be amplified so as to improve population health outcomes due to their ability to work with communities, mobilize resources, build capacity and promote health initiatives. |
1399 | |
| 238 | Accepted | Accepted | Dr. | Mamaleka | Mm | mmaphuti.mamaleka@univen.ac.za | University of venda | Shared experiences of informal caregivers in caring for Stroke survivors | THEME 2: Social Work and the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) | Stroke has become a prevalent medical challenge in South Africa. While it often leads to mortality, survivors frequently face lasting disabilities and require assistance from caregivers. Many stroke survivors rely on family members and loved ones, who are often informal caregivers lacking formal training. Although there’s substantial research on caregiving, specific studies on informal caregivers of stroke survivors are limited. This study aims to provide insights into their experiences and suggests interventions to improve informal caregivers' well-being and care quality for stroke survivors. Using a qualitative methodology, the research involved face-to-face interviews with four informal caregivers, one male and three females aged 25-35, from the Utah village in Mpumalanga. Key findings revealed emotional, physical, financial, and social challenges. The study recommends training and information-sharing sessions for informal caregivers, supported by the Department of Health, along with psychosocial support provided by the Department of Social Development. | 1400 | |
| 239 | Accepted | Accepted | Ms. | Ngcamu | Venantia | venantia.ngcamu@kzndsd.gov.za | Department of social development | The tornado which hit Tongaat in June 2024 | THEME 1: Green Social Work and Climate Resilience: Supporting Vulnerable Communities in the Face of Environmental Crises | Tongaat was hit by a tornado,which demaged properties,road infrastructure and resulted in many fatalities. Humanitarian responses by public,private,faith-based,civil and business organisations supported communities affected bt this natural disaster. We employed a multi-disciplinary health and wellness programme used by in-house professionals and skills within the church.The approach used the local church as the base for the multi-sectoral team with skills and other resources to contribute to the affected community,Social Development was led by the interfaith community to provide support from local and neighbouring service offices,link with public health care centres and NPOs offering child welfare,legal,and other services in conjuction with the interfaith community. While this intervention was timely and welcome,the community reported disatisfaction with public service providers,such as a disconnect with the community,and the negative attiduded of staff,a lack of response to ongoing and severe social issues,which were beyond the impact of the tornado. Other serious issues were gender-based violence,substance abuse and poverty. The community appreciated a sense of purpose and connection with one another and with multi-disciplinary team who provided on-site psychosocial support ( crisis intervention,mental health)spiritual healing,debriefing,legal advice,health checks,medication,fod,disgnity packs and recreational activities for children. This multisectoral and immediate response to a natual disaster brought the community togethers.It also led to a re-connection with the community,which provided much needed physical,mental and and health support to survivors of the tornado.Resources within the community and collaborative services between government departments supported the interventions of the interfaith community.A package of services desired by communities is obtained at a central point while making often private and expensive services available in real-time to communities in need. |
1401 | |
| 240 | Accepted | Accepted | Ms. | Khosa | Lindikuhle | mmaphuti.mamaleka@univen.ac.za | N/a | Shared experiences of informal caregivers in caring for Stroke survivors | THEME 2: Social Work and the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) | Stroke has become a prevalent medical challenge in South Africa. While it often leads to mortality, survivors frequently face lasting disabilities and require assistance from caregivers. Many stroke survivors rely on family members and loved ones, who are often informal caregivers lacking formal training. Although there’s substantial research on caregiving, specific studies on informal caregivers of stroke survivors are limited. This study aims to provide insights into their experiences and suggests interventions to improve informal caregivers' well-being and care quality for stroke survivors. Using a qualitative methodology, the research involved face-to-face interviews with four informal caregivers, one male and three females aged 25-35, from the Utah village in Mpumalanga. Key findings revealed emotional, physical, financial, and social challenges. The study recommends training and information-sharing sessions for informal caregivers, supported by the Department of Health, along with psychosocial support provided by the Department of Social Development. Key Words: Stroke, stroke survivor, Informal Caregivers, physical disability, Disability |
1402 | |
| 242 | Pending Review | Pending Review | Ms. | Makgotso | Mbuyisa | makgotso10@gmail.com | Free state department of social development | Policy and Advocacyfor Peace building, Environmental and Social Justice | THEME 3: Policy and Advocacy for Peace building, Environmental and Social Justice | This paper aligns with the ASASWEI 2025 theme by examining how South African social workers actively advance social and environmental justice, peacebuilding, and sustainable development through innovative, evidence-based practice. Drawing on participatory action research conducted in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng following the 2021 civil unrest, the paper explores how social workers led trauma-informed dialogues, youth mentorship initiatives, and community-building interventions in marginalized communities. Methodologically, the study blends empirical fieldwork with reflective practitioner narratives to surface localised strategies that bridge healing and policy influence. Results highlight the emergence of informal peace structures, strengthened community trust, and increased civic participation, demonstrating that social workers, when supported with policy literacy and interdisciplinary tools, can facilitate sustainable, community-owned development. These findings support a reimagining of social work not only as a service profession but as a driver of structural transformation, uniquely positioned to lead justice-centred peacebuilding that contributes meaningfully to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The paper thus responds directly to the conference’s call for practice-based innovations and research that catalyse transformative teaching, research, and advocacy by highlighting how social workers have and continue to contribute to peacebuilding, justice, and advocacy in contexts shaped by structural violence inherited from the apartheid era and inequality. The objective is to demonstrate how practice-based innovation, such as trauma-informed community dialogues, youth mentorship programs, and post-unrest psychosocial recovery initiatives, can be scaled into national policy frameworks to advance peacebuilding and sustainable development. Results reveal that when social workers are equipped with policy literacy, cultural competence, and intersectoral collaboration skills, they significantly enhance community resilience, trust-building, and institutional accountability. Key outcomes include the institutionalization of local peace committees, integration of social work into violence prevention strategies, and the promotion of inclusive governance through community facilitation. The paper concludes that social workers hold unique potential to bridge grassroots knowledge with policy influence in contexts marked by inequality, spatial injustice, and historical trauma. | 1420 | |
| 243 | Pending Review | Pending Review | Dr. | Malatji | Hlologelo | hlologelo.malatji@wits.ac.za | University of the witwatersrand | Integrating Authentic Learning Framework in Social Work Education: Experiences of Social Work Students in an Urban South African University | THEME 4: Social Work Education, Transdisciplinarity and Curriculum Development | Globally, social work education incorporates theory, skills and field instruction components in the curriculum. Field instruction involves placing social work students in government and non-government organisations to develop and practice social work skills. Since the COVID-19 pivot to emergency remote online learning, many students were left behind, as platforms traditionally used by educators and students to practice social work skills were no longer accessible. As a result, students’ enthusiasm, engagement and participation were disrupted. Using the authentic learning framework, a third-year community work course part of the Bachelor of Social Work qualification at an urban South African university was redesigned to integrate the principles of authentic learning (e.g. authentic context, authentic assessments and collaboration). The purpose of redesigning the community work course was to foreground students’ participation and to foster understanding of course concepts. A qualitative research method was used; two focus group discussions involving eighteen students were conducted to explore the students’ experiences of the redesigned course. The findings illustrated the students’ appreciation of integrating authentic contexts/communities in the course to explain community work processes (e.g. how to conduct a community profile and needs assessment). In line with the principles of authentic learning, students valued group activities, as they felt that group discussions enhanced their understanding of community work and its processes. However, the students also expressed that the use of technology needs to be leveraged in the course to support teaching and learning. Students felt that the instructions on how the university's learning management system would be used to support or complement the module were vague. The findings have implications for the design and delivery of social work education. | 1426 | |
| 244 | Accepted | Accepted | Ms. | Phiri | Moleboheng | mamiky.phiri@up.ac.za | University of pretoria | Developing sustainable livelihoods through economic strengthening: Lessons learnt from the Ford Resource and Engagement Centre (FREC) Programme | THEME 2: Social Work and the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) | Ending poverty in all its forms is a global priority and a central focus to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, specifically highlighted in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1. Economic strengthening programmes, such as micro enterprises, are increasingly recognised as effective strategies for reducing poverty and developing sustainable livelihoods, particularly in South Africa. Social work plays a critical role in these efforts by advocating for social justice, and fostering equitable and resilient communities. The paper draws on findings from a qualitative study conducted with participants of the FREC Programme, implemented by the Future Families NPO in the Mamelodi and Nellmapius townships. The goal of the study was to explore how training in entrepreneurial and business skills can reduce vulnerability to poverty and promote the development of sustainable livelihoods. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with ten participants from the FREC programme. The data were analysed and interpreted using the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF), which highlights the interaction between individual’s vulnerabilities, access to assets, institutional influences, livelihood strategies, and outcomes. Findings indicate that the economic strengthening programme positively contributed to the participants’ livelihoods by improving access to financial capital which enabled business growth, providing external human resources to assist with business operations, enhancing their ability to support their own and their family’s well-being, and fostering local job creation through the employment of community members. The paper concludes with lessons learnt from the FREC programme to inform future economic strengthening initiatives, aiming to ensure sustainable livelihoods within the context of developmental social work. Developmental social work plays a vital role in supporting vulnerable communities through such programmes, thereby advancing sustainable livelihoods. In doing so, social work meaningfully aligns with SDG 1 through its commitment to poverty reduction and inclusive development in pursuit of sustainable futures. |
1427 | |
| 245 | Accepted | Pending Review | Ms. | Jali | Thokozani | thokozani.jali@kzndsd.gov.za | Department of social development | Optimized roles and responsibilities of social service practitioners within a ward-based allocation model of Social Workers. | THEME 2: Social Work and the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) | Optimized roles and responsibilities of social service practitioners within a ward based allocation model. KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social development introduced the ward-based allocation system of social workers to align its functioning and give effect to the realization of the District Development Model. Unlike the traditional model,the new approach determines ageneric practice where all types and nature of services form the caseload of a Social Worker. The system is welcome but criticized for failure to consider the vastness other demographic factors and prevalent social ills. The study aims to generate new ideas to influence the review and augmentation of the ward-based model by considering the experiences of practitioners in the coalface of service delivery. This is a qualitatie reserach design using the interpretative approach focus group of 40 service office managers,supervisors and other social service practitioners. The convenient sampling methodoogy is implemented where in perspective of implementers will be assessed during quality assurance monitoring and evaluation support visits. Findings to provide insights into the contextualization and operationalization of the ward-based approach by relooking into resource allocation(human,transport,cellphones).This study to assist in reviewing the existin partnersips with NPOs/NGOs towards reconfirguration of areas of operation and mapping accessibility of services to all citizens. |
1429 | |
| 246 | Accepted | Accepted | Mr. | Kasa | Luvo | lkasa@wsu.ac.za | Walter sisulu university | Reclaiming Relevance: Contextualising the Role of Social Workers in Serving Cultural Communities Through a Decolonial Lens | THEME 3: Policy and Advocacy for Peace building, Environmental and Social Justice | This article explores the role of social workers in supporting abakhwetha (traditional male circumcision initiates) in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, specifically in the OR Tambo, Amathole, and Alfred Nzo regions, through a Decolonial lens. Social work, often critiqued for its eurocentric roots, requires contextual adaptation to align with South Africa’s socio-histo-cultural realities. The need for this study arises from the marginalisation of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS), Afrocentricity, and Ubuntu in mainstream social work, which limits its relevance in culturally rich regions like the Eastern Cape. The paper examines how social work can integrate these frameworks to foster culturally sensitive, community-driven interventions. It critiques the eurocentric bias in social work curricula, advocating for Decolonised approaches that prioritise local epistemologies and collective well-being. The study employs a qualitative approach, drawing on literature and theoretical frameworks to propose practical strategies like participatory action research and community collaboration. They suggest that embedding IKS, Afrocentricity, and Ubuntu can enhance social work’s effectiveness, promoting cultural justice and social cohesion. The article concludes that Decolonising social work is essential for addressing the Eastern Cape’s unique cultural and historical complexities, fostering transformative interventions. From a broader perspective, this work contributes to global cognitive justice, challenging eurocentric paradigms and advocating for inclusive, culturally resonant social work practices that empower African communities and redress colonial legacies. | 1430 | |
| 247 | Accepted | Accepted | Prof. | Soji | Zoleka | zoleka.soji@mandela.ac.za | Nelson mandela university | Reimagining Ecological Systems Theory for Environmental Justice: Integrating the Natural Environment into Bronfenbrenner’s Framework | THEME 1: Green Social Work and Climate Resilience: Supporting Vulnerable Communities in the Face of Environmental Crises | Environmental degradation and climate change are among the most pressing global challenges of our time, disproportionately affecting marginalised and low-income communities. Despite the growing urgency of environmental justice, dominant frameworks in social work education, such as Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory (EST), have largely neglected the role of the natural environment in shaping human development and well-being. This theoretical omission limits the relevance of EST in addressing the complex interplay between social inequity and ecological harm, particularly in contexts where environmental hazards directly impact vulnerable populations. This urgency is underscored by recent climate-related disasters in South Africa, such as the devastating floods in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, where entire communities lost homes and loved ones. These events not only exposed deep infrastructure and planning failures but also highlighted how environmental shocks intersect with poverty, historical inequality, and lack of state responsiveness, leaving families to cope with long-term trauma, displacement, and loss. This conceptual paper critically examines the limitations of traditional EST applications in addressing environmental degradation and climate injustice. We propose a reimagined ecological systems framework that explicitly incorporates environmental justice principles into each level of the theory- micro, meso, exo, macro, and chrono, providing a more comprehensive tool for social work education and practice. Grounded in a conceptual desktop review of interdisciplinary literature in social work, environmental justice, and critical ecological theory, we argue that the exclusion of the natural environment from EST reflects a broader disciplinary blind spot. By integrating environmental justice into EST, we reposition social workers as key actors in addressing both social and ecological justice, particularly in the face of climate change. This reconceptualisation aligns with a transformative vision of social work that affirms the interconnectedness of human and environmental well-being. |
1431 | |
| 248 | Accepted | Accepted | Ms. | Pezisa | Anelisa | anelisa.pezisa@mandela.ac.za | Nelson mandela university | Adapting Work-Integrated Learning in Social Work Education: Lessons from the COVID-19 Shift to Online Platforms in South Africa | THEME 6: Main-streaming Digital and Assessment Tools in Social Work Practice | The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented disruptions to higher education globally, with Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) in social work education among the most affected. Traditionally grounded in face-to-face engagement, social work WIL rapidly shifted to online platforms, raising complex challenges for competency development in a practice-based profession. This presentation draws from a critical review of both international and South African literature to examine how universities navigated this transition. While global studies highlighted shared challenges such as digital inequality, reduced interpersonal engagement, and complexities in assessing practical skills remotely, the South African context revealed additional barriers, including infrastructural disparities, socio-economic inequalities, and digital exclusion. Despite these challenges, the pandemic also accelerated digital transformation in social work education, offering opportunities for flexible, innovative, and blended WIL models. Findings revealed a significant gap in South African research on online WIL in social work, particularly in capturing the experiences of students, lecturers, and supervisors. The paper concludes by advocating for contextually grounded, ethically responsible, and inclusive online WIL guidelines that balance digital innovation with the relational ethos of social work, offering lessons for both South African and global higher education landscapes. | 1432 | |
| 250 | Accepted | Accepted | Mr. | Deliwe | Olwethu | deliweolwethu@gmail.com | Nelson mandela university | Enhancing Resilience in Healthcare Social Work: Strategies for Advancing Mental Health and Wellbeing Towards Sustainable Development | THEME 2: Social Work and the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) | Title: Enhancing Resilience in Healthcare Social Work: Strategies for Advancing Mental Health and Wellbeing Towards Sustainable Development Author: Mr Olwethu Deliwe - Nelson Mandela University Abstract: This paper explores the resilience of social workers operating within healthcare and mental health settings in Nelson Mandela Metropole, South Africa. Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals—Good Health and Wellbeing, and Decent Work and Economic Growth—this study highlights how social work practice in high-pressure, under-resourced environments can be reimagined to promote mental health and sustainable service delivery. The study was motivated by increasing evidence of burnout, emotional fatigue, and inadequate institutional support experienced by social workers, despite their crucial role in integrated health systems. Guided by the ecological systems theory and resilience framework, the study adopted a qualitative, exploratory-descriptive design underpinned by a constructivist paradigm. Eight social workers were purposively sampled from public and private health facilities. Data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and analysed thematically. Findings revealed that social workers face systemic challenges including low professional recognition within multidisciplinary teams, high caseloads, emotional fatigue, and lack of supervision. Despite these challenges, participants demonstrated notable resilience, drawing on self-awareness, informal peer support, spiritual practices, and limited formal debriefing opportunities. Participants identified key support needs such as trauma debriefing, structured supervision, upskilling of supervisors, and enhanced professional development and advocacy. The study concludes that investing in the resilience of social workers is essential for realising health-related SDGs and sustaining quality care delivery. It recommends integrating resilience-building strategies into professional training, institutional policies, and national mental health frameworks. Research-informed practice and collaborative health governance can enhance social workers' mental wellbeing, retention, and effectiveness—positioning them as vital agents in achieving inclusive and sustainable development. Keywords: Resilience, Social Work, Mental Health, Healthcare, Sustainable Development Goals, Burnout, Coping Strategies [286 words] |
1447 | |
| 251 | Accepted | Accepted | Dr. | Buys | Ilze | ilze.buys@gauteng.gov.za | Department of social development | A pre-experimental design evaluation of brief harm reduction interventions to improve the coping self-efficacy of carers of people with Substance Use Disorder | THEME 2: Social Work and the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) | Background: Limited interventions exist that addresses the needs of carers that carry the burden of care for people living with SUD. Hence, following a detailed process of Intervention Research (IR), the Care4Carers Programme was developed to address the identified harms associated with being a carer for a person living with SUD. The programme is a purposively designed intervention, comprising of eight modules to enhance the coping self-efficacy (CSE) of carers with the aim of improving carers’ adaptive coping behaviours by empowering them with problem- and emotion-focused, and social coping strategies. Objective: To determine the effectiveness of the prototype Care4Carers Programme. Methods: The presentation focuses specifically on the outcome of Phase 4 of the IR process (pilot testing of the prototype intervention). Purposive sampling was used to recruit 15 participants in the Tshwane metropolitan area. A pre-experimental, one group pretest-posttest design was implemented to determine whether the programme improved the CSE of participants. The same group of participants completed the Coping Self-efficacy Scale (CSES) before and after exposure to the programme. Paired t-tests were conducted to determine the potential impact of the programme. Results: The average difference between the pre- and posttest measurement for the overall CSE was (M = 2.12, SD = 1.27) with a statistically significant improvement, t(14) = 6.48, p < .0005. The average difference between the pre- and post-test measurement for each of the constructs measured by the CSES was statistically significant. For problem-focused coping (M = 2.26, SD = 1.17), t(14) = 7.47, p < .0005; (M = 2.27, SD = 1.57), t(14) = 5.61, p < .0005 for emotion-focused coping; and, t(14) = 3.86, p= 0.00085 for social coping strategies (M = 1.52, SD = 1.53). Conclusion: The prototype Care4Carers Programme improved the CSE of carers of people with SUD by developing their confidence and abilities to apply adaptive coping behaviours in the face of persistent and unpredictable health depleting stress. In subsequent phases of IR, the adjusted intervention should be further evaluated with the implementation of a true experimental design to determine larger scale impact of this programmatic harm reduction intervention. |
1449 | |
| 252 | Accepted | Rejected | Ms. | Dlangalala | Bongekile | sindisiwe.dlangalala@gmail.com | University of zululand | THE PREVALENCE OF ABUSE AGAINST LEARNERS WITH ALBINISM IN SELECTED SCHOOLS IN JOZINI MUNICIPALITY | THEME 1: Green Social Work and Climate Resilience: Supporting Vulnerable Communities in the Face of Environmental Crises | The study aimed to explore the prevalence of abuse against learners living with albinism in selected schools in the Jozini municipality, in KwaZulu-Natal. This study will come up with intervention strategies that will combat the abuse against learners living with albinism. This study will employ the interpretivism research paradigm because it is used to gain knowledge in the human and social sciences, where human interpretation is crucial. Descriptive research design will be used to examine the experiences of students with albinism who are abused. Qualitative research approach will be used because it provides a deeper comprehension of the sentiments of the intended audience and yields sound and reliable judgments and suggestions. Target population of this study will consist of learners with albinism, parents and teachers who have learners with albinisms in their classes. Non- probability sampling will be used because it is much easier to set up, significantly less expensive, and can prove to be more than adequate because researchers do not aim to generalize their findings. The researcher will use semi-structured interviews because the aim is to collect rich, descriptive data that aids in their understanding of how participants construct knowledge and social reality through experimentation. Thematic analysis will be used to recognize, analyze, and report on recurring themes that are present within the data. The study will be guided by the following aspects of ethics: Confidentiality, Informed consent and voluntary participation, counselling, permission to conduct the study and protection from harm study will again protect the participants from unwarranted physical or psychological harm, danger and deprivation. |
1451 | |
| 253 | Pending Review | Pending Review | Ms. | Sematu | Boipelo | boipelosematu16@gmaill.com | University of johannesburg | From the ground up: Women at the forefront in environmental justice movements and pursuit of equity in marginalised communities | THEME 5: Feminist Perspectives and Environmental Justice | 1452 | ||
| 254 | Accepted | Accepted | Dr. | Human-hendricks | Anja | ahuman@uwc.ac.za | University of the western cape | Strengthening Family Bonds: A Systematic Review of Factors and Interventions That Enhance Family Cohesion | THEME 3: Policy and Advocacy for Peace building, Environmental and Social Justice | Title: Strengthening Family Bonds: A Systematic Review of Factors and Interventions That Enhance Family Cohesion Authors: Nicolette V. Roman¹, Tolulope V. Balogun², Letitia Butler-Kruger¹, Solomon D. Danga¹, Janine Therese de Lange¹, Anja Human-Hendricks³*, Fundiswa Thelma Khaile⁴, Kezia R. October¹, Olaniyi J. Olabiyi¹ Affiliations: ¹ Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies of Children, Families and Society, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, South Africa ² Department of Industrial Psychology, University of the Western Cape, South Africa ³ Department of Social Work, University of the Western Cape, South Africa ⁴ School of Government, University of the Western Cape, South Africa *Corresponding author: Anja Human-Hendricks, ahuman@uwc.ac.za, +27 818582873 Presentation format: parallel session presentation Abstract: This systematic review explores global evidence on factors influencing family cohesion and evaluates interventions that strengthen familial relationships. Drawing on 41 peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2023, and adhering to PRISMA guidelines with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) for quality assessment, the review identifies four core dimensions of cohesion: emotional bonding, adaptability, communication, and support. Studies span diverse regions including North America, sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, East and Southeast Asia, and Europe, offering cross-cultural insights into family dynamics. Key interventions include community-based programs, trauma-informed therapies, and parenting education. Results consistently show that higher family cohesion correlates with improved academic performance, enhanced mental health, and stronger social competence. Socioeconomic status emerged as a moderating factor, with lower-SES families facing greater challenges but also demonstrating resilience when supported through targeted interventions. Effective strategies include culturally sensitive approaches, family therapy, and policy supports. This review contributes to a more nuanced and globally relevant understanding of family cohesion and informs the design of future programs and policies. Keywords: family cohesion, mental health, family functioning, social competence, interventions, resilience |
1453 |