Strengths-based groupwork with alcohol dependent older persons
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1921/gpwk.v20i1.686Keywords:
<i>strengths perspective</i>, <i>ego integrity</i>, <i>groupwork</i>, <i>older persons</i>, <i>alcohol dependency</i>, <i>mixed methods research</i>Abstract
Worldwide the numbers of older people in the population are increasing. Simultaneously the need for treatment programmes increases as more alcohol dependent people are growing into old age. Literature reviews revealed that groupwork programmes offered to older persons are exclusively problem-centred, while strengths-based scholars suggest that following a strengths perspective may be more effective. The majority of studies tend to evaluate the outcomes of treatment programmes quantitatively. It was also found that South Africa, which adopted a developmental approach towards social welfare, lacks groupwork programmes specifically designed for alcohol dependent older persons. This article reports on the outcomes of a strengths-based groupwork programme for alcohol dependent older persons. The programme is unique in the sense that it is based on a strengths perspective; it is reconcilable with South Africa’s welfare approach; and follows a mixed methods research approach in order to evaluate the programme holistically. Eight respondents were randomly selected. The results, collected with a group administered questionnaire, show that the respondents’ psychosocial functioning improved, in that: their repertoire of strengths increased and they have achieved, or are on a path towards, ego integrity. This programme is considered to be complementary to current treatment programmes.
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2012-12-20
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Geyer, S. (2012). Strengths-based groupwork with alcohol dependent older persons. Groupwork, 20(1), 63-86. https://doi.org/10.1921/gpwk.v20i1.686
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