Evaluation of the experiences of clinical psychologists providing community services within the community service psychology program in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

• Main Author: Rawat, Sherona
• Other Authors: Thwala, J.D.
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: University of Zululand 2013
• Subjects: Community Service programs
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10530/1201

Submitted to the Faculty of Human Sciences in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of PhD in Community Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2011. === This study investigated the differences and similarities in the experiences of community service psychologists placed within the KwaZulu-Natal region. It comprised of eight (8) community service psychologists, seven (7) females and one male, placed at some point within a two year period at different sites within the region. Seven (7) community service psychologists were still in community service while one (1) had already completed their stipulated year of service. A single, structured interview was used to collect the data. Grounded theory was utilized in the analysis of the qualitative data. Comparisons were drawn between the experiences of the community service psychologists in relation to their individual experiences in order to extract common themes. Significant individual experiences where noted and discussed. The findings indicate dissatisfaction with the management and implementation of the Community Service Psychology Program amount the participants. In addition, psychological trauma in regard to fear over safety and abusive or alienating management structures within the environments serviced by the Community Service Psychologists was noted. The implications and applications of this study can be far-reaching as research is direly lacking in the arena of Community Service structures and facilitation within the South African context.