Ronel Ferreira | University of Pretoria (original) (raw)

Papers by Ronel Ferreira

This article entails reflections of four young scholars on attending an international workshop on... more This article entails reflections of four young scholars on attending an international workshop on qualitative research. It reports on their experiences of the workshop–from the instant when they had to decide which sessions to attend to the very last day when they started the journey home–reporting on'lessons' for the qualitative researcher.

A literature study and empirical study of limited scope was undertaken to explore and describe th... more A literature study and empirical study of limited scope was undertaken to explore and describe the experiences of a peer support group in a high school in Gauteng, in terms of their knowledge, skills and competence to support peer group members, as well as their training. The empirical study was qualitative in nature and in depth case study was used as research design, with focus groups, observation and semistructured interviews as research methods.

This study explored Grade R teachers‟ understanding and implementation of early childhood physica... more This study explored Grade R teachers‟ understanding and implementation of early childhood physical development practices, based on the Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS). A case study, which entailed a focus group discussion, non-participant observations and document analysis of Grade R was conducted at a pre-primary school. Taxonomic and thematic analyses revealed that participants understood early physical development as a precursor to academic functioning.

This article reports on the findings of a qualitative study which explored the use of Gestalt the... more This article reports on the findings of a qualitative study which explored the use of Gestalt therapy (initially intended for therapeutic purposes) during the assessment of young girls who had been sexually abused. The research employed a clinical case study design, situated within the context of psychotherapy outcome research.

Abstract This paper explains how teachers in schools function as resources to buoy resilience in ... more Abstract This paper explains how teachers in schools function as resources to buoy resilience in the face of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome-compounded adversities. We draw on participatory reflection and action data from a longitudinal study with teachers (n= 57, 5 males, 52 females) from six schools in three South African provinces.

The article describes the pilot phase of a participatory reflection and action (PRA) study. The l... more The article describes the pilot phase of a participatory reflection and action (PRA) study. The longitudinal investigation explores teachers' ability to provide psychosocial support within the context of HIV/AIDS following an asset-based intervention. The study ensued from our desire to understand and contribute to knowledge about the changed roles of teachers due to adversity in the community, specifically in relation to HIV/AIDS and education.

Research was carried out to investigate the needs of expectant fathers and to determine whether t... more Research was carried out to investigate the needs of expectant fathers and to determine whether television can be implemented to provide parent guidance to South African expectant fathers during the transition into fatherhood. Focus was on understanding the specific type of information required by expectant fathers, in conjunction with their perceptions of the most suitable form of media to provide such guidance.

Teachers, in their relationship with children and their families, face challenges related to cumu... more Teachers, in their relationship with children and their families, face challenges related to cumulative risk, including HIV&AIDS. In this paper we use Sense of Coherence to explain why teachers are able to address such barriers by using assets. We explore the way that teachers (N= 28) in four South African schools opted to tackle the cumulative risk associated with HIV&AIDS, following participation in an asset-based intervention (STAR–Supportive Teachers Assets and Resilience).

This article reports on the findings of a qualitative study that explored family rituals as poten... more This article reports on the findings of a qualitative study that explored family rituals as potential asset in children's processes of giving meaning. As such, the purpose of the study was firstly to identify the dimensions of family rituals in one family that participated; and secondly, to explore potential ways in which the participation in family rituals could influence children's processes of meaning making.

This exploratory and descriptive study investigated the use of the asset-based approach in career... more This exploratory and descriptive study investigated the use of the asset-based approach in career facilitation in South Africa. Five adolescents (3 females and 2 males) aged 16 to 18 years participated. An intervention study following a qualitative approach was conducted. We developed and implemented an asset-based career facilitation intervention that included psychometric and post-modern career activities.

This article reports on the findings of a qualitative study that investigated the potential use o... more This article reports on the findings of a qualitative study that investigated the potential use of the body map technique by educators in fulfilling their pastoral role. The study formed part of a broad research project-the STAR intervention. As part of the broader project, the study we report on was undertaken in parallel with another study in the same community, focusing on the relationship between memory work and counselling skills.

Hierdie artikel fokus op die bevindinge van 'n kwalitatiewe studie na die moontlike gebruik van l... more Hierdie artikel fokus op die bevindinge van 'n kwalitatiewe studie na die moontlike gebruik van liggaamsportrette deur opvoeders tydens vervulling van hulle pastorale rol. Die studie is vanuit die konstruktivisties-interpretivistiese paradigma onderneem en het op 'n instrumentele gevallestudie as navorsingsontwerp gesteun, waartydens aksie-navorsingsbeginsels geïmplementeer is. Intervensie, fokusgroepbesprekings, reflektiewe joernale, visuele tegnieke, observasie en veldnotas is aangewend as data-insamelingsen -vasleggingstegnieke.

This article reports on the findings of an empirical study aimed at empowering ten selected educa... more This article reports on the findings of an empirical study aimed at empowering ten selected educators to mobilise potential yet unused assets within a community, in order to support that community in coping with HIV/AIDS. Despite numerous studies on various aspects of HIV/AIDS, limited research is currently undertaken on intervention strategies, especially within communities facing the challenge. The application of the asset-based approach is explored, against the background of community-based coping.

The Kgolo Mmogo study is a randomised controlled intervention trial that examines the effectivene... more The Kgolo Mmogo study is a randomised controlled intervention trial that examines the effectiveness of a group intervention to enhance resilience in HIV-infected South African mothers (N= 427) and their young children (N= 435). We describe here how the severity of psychological and social problems experienced by some of the study participants required referrals for other services and discuss the barriers encountered in facilitating such referrals.

This article reports on a study that explored how a community-based intervention with ten teacher... more This article reports on a study that explored how a community-based intervention with ten teachers could enhance their knowledge and skills related to supporting community members coping with HIV/AIDS. We conducted a case study using participatory action research methods. Individual interviews, observation, field notes, visual data and reflective journals were utilised as data sources.

In an ongoing longitudinal intervention study (STAR) we found that, although similarities existed... more In an ongoing longitudinal intervention study (STAR) we found that, although similarities existed in the way teachers promoted resilience, rural schools (in comparison to other STAR case schools) took longer to implement strategies to buoy support and found it difficult to sustain such support. Using rurality we wanted to understand how forces, agencies and resources act, move, pull and push when adversity and resilience are centred in a discussion.

Abstract The descriptive purpose of this study was to explore and describe the manner in which a ... more Abstract The descriptive purpose of this study was to explore and describe the manner in which a South African informal settlement community is coping with HIV&AIDS, by relying on existing assets and local resources. The intervention-related purpose was to explore how an activist intervention research approach might facilitate change and empower an informal settlement community in relation to community members' ways of coping with HIV&AIDS.

This article entails reflections of four young scholars on attending an international workshop on... more This article entails reflections of four young scholars on attending an international workshop on qualitative research. It reports on their experiences of the workshop–from the instant when they had to decide which sessions to attend to the very last day when they started the journey home–reporting on'lessons' for the qualitative researcher.

A literature study and empirical study of limited scope was undertaken to explore and describe th... more A literature study and empirical study of limited scope was undertaken to explore and describe the experiences of a peer support group in a high school in Gauteng, in terms of their knowledge, skills and competence to support peer group members, as well as their training. The empirical study was qualitative in nature and in depth case study was used as research design, with focus groups, observation and semistructured interviews as research methods.

This study explored Grade R teachers‟ understanding and implementation of early childhood physica... more This study explored Grade R teachers‟ understanding and implementation of early childhood physical development practices, based on the Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS). A case study, which entailed a focus group discussion, non-participant observations and document analysis of Grade R was conducted at a pre-primary school. Taxonomic and thematic analyses revealed that participants understood early physical development as a precursor to academic functioning.

This article reports on the findings of a qualitative study which explored the use of Gestalt the... more This article reports on the findings of a qualitative study which explored the use of Gestalt therapy (initially intended for therapeutic purposes) during the assessment of young girls who had been sexually abused. The research employed a clinical case study design, situated within the context of psychotherapy outcome research.

Abstract This paper explains how teachers in schools function as resources to buoy resilience in ... more Abstract This paper explains how teachers in schools function as resources to buoy resilience in the face of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome-compounded adversities. We draw on participatory reflection and action data from a longitudinal study with teachers (n= 57, 5 males, 52 females) from six schools in three South African provinces.

The article describes the pilot phase of a participatory reflection and action (PRA) study. The l... more The article describes the pilot phase of a participatory reflection and action (PRA) study. The longitudinal investigation explores teachers' ability to provide psychosocial support within the context of HIV/AIDS following an asset-based intervention. The study ensued from our desire to understand and contribute to knowledge about the changed roles of teachers due to adversity in the community, specifically in relation to HIV/AIDS and education.

Research was carried out to investigate the needs of expectant fathers and to determine whether t... more Research was carried out to investigate the needs of expectant fathers and to determine whether television can be implemented to provide parent guidance to South African expectant fathers during the transition into fatherhood. Focus was on understanding the specific type of information required by expectant fathers, in conjunction with their perceptions of the most suitable form of media to provide such guidance.

Teachers, in their relationship with children and their families, face challenges related to cumu... more Teachers, in their relationship with children and their families, face challenges related to cumulative risk, including HIV&AIDS. In this paper we use Sense of Coherence to explain why teachers are able to address such barriers by using assets. We explore the way that teachers (N= 28) in four South African schools opted to tackle the cumulative risk associated with HIV&AIDS, following participation in an asset-based intervention (STAR–Supportive Teachers Assets and Resilience).

This article reports on the findings of a qualitative study that explored family rituals as poten... more This article reports on the findings of a qualitative study that explored family rituals as potential asset in children's processes of giving meaning. As such, the purpose of the study was firstly to identify the dimensions of family rituals in one family that participated; and secondly, to explore potential ways in which the participation in family rituals could influence children's processes of meaning making.

This exploratory and descriptive study investigated the use of the asset-based approach in career... more This exploratory and descriptive study investigated the use of the asset-based approach in career facilitation in South Africa. Five adolescents (3 females and 2 males) aged 16 to 18 years participated. An intervention study following a qualitative approach was conducted. We developed and implemented an asset-based career facilitation intervention that included psychometric and post-modern career activities.

This article reports on the findings of a qualitative study that investigated the potential use o... more This article reports on the findings of a qualitative study that investigated the potential use of the body map technique by educators in fulfilling their pastoral role. The study formed part of a broad research project-the STAR intervention. As part of the broader project, the study we report on was undertaken in parallel with another study in the same community, focusing on the relationship between memory work and counselling skills.

Hierdie artikel fokus op die bevindinge van 'n kwalitatiewe studie na die moontlike gebruik van l... more Hierdie artikel fokus op die bevindinge van 'n kwalitatiewe studie na die moontlike gebruik van liggaamsportrette deur opvoeders tydens vervulling van hulle pastorale rol. Die studie is vanuit die konstruktivisties-interpretivistiese paradigma onderneem en het op 'n instrumentele gevallestudie as navorsingsontwerp gesteun, waartydens aksie-navorsingsbeginsels geïmplementeer is. Intervensie, fokusgroepbesprekings, reflektiewe joernale, visuele tegnieke, observasie en veldnotas is aangewend as data-insamelingsen -vasleggingstegnieke.

This article reports on the findings of an empirical study aimed at empowering ten selected educa... more This article reports on the findings of an empirical study aimed at empowering ten selected educators to mobilise potential yet unused assets within a community, in order to support that community in coping with HIV/AIDS. Despite numerous studies on various aspects of HIV/AIDS, limited research is currently undertaken on intervention strategies, especially within communities facing the challenge. The application of the asset-based approach is explored, against the background of community-based coping.

The Kgolo Mmogo study is a randomised controlled intervention trial that examines the effectivene... more The Kgolo Mmogo study is a randomised controlled intervention trial that examines the effectiveness of a group intervention to enhance resilience in HIV-infected South African mothers (N= 427) and their young children (N= 435). We describe here how the severity of psychological and social problems experienced by some of the study participants required referrals for other services and discuss the barriers encountered in facilitating such referrals.

This article reports on a study that explored how a community-based intervention with ten teacher... more This article reports on a study that explored how a community-based intervention with ten teachers could enhance their knowledge and skills related to supporting community members coping with HIV/AIDS. We conducted a case study using participatory action research methods. Individual interviews, observation, field notes, visual data and reflective journals were utilised as data sources.

In an ongoing longitudinal intervention study (STAR) we found that, although similarities existed... more In an ongoing longitudinal intervention study (STAR) we found that, although similarities existed in the way teachers promoted resilience, rural schools (in comparison to other STAR case schools) took longer to implement strategies to buoy support and found it difficult to sustain such support. Using rurality we wanted to understand how forces, agencies and resources act, move, pull and push when adversity and resilience are centred in a discussion.

Abstract The descriptive purpose of this study was to explore and describe the manner in which a ... more Abstract The descriptive purpose of this study was to explore and describe the manner in which a South African informal settlement community is coping with HIV&AIDS, by relying on existing assets and local resources. The intervention-related purpose was to explore how an activist intervention research approach might facilitate change and empower an informal settlement community in relation to community members' ways of coping with HIV&AIDS.