Exploring and understanding black caregivers’ perspectives on child therapy in Gauteng Province

This research explored the perspectives of Black caregivers in Eersterust, Gauteng Province, regarding child therapy. The study aimed to understand how these caregivers perceive child therapy. The objectives were to identify the challenges they face when seeking therapeutic services for their children and examine the cultural or religious values influencing their views. The research was conducted in response to the ongoing need to improve mental health support within underrepresented communities and to ensure services are culturally relevant and accessible.The research was qualitative, using an interpretivist paradigm and of the applied research type. A case study design, namely an instrumental case study design, was used, and the study population consisted of 8 Black caregivers who are caregivers to children below the age of eighteen. Purposive sampling was used to find study participants, and face-to-face interviews were used as the data collection method. A pilot study was conducted, which formed part of the main study. Trustworthiness was confirmed in the principles of credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability.Reflexive thematic analysis was the data analysis method while coding on a semantic, descriptive level, using a six-step approach. The ethical considerations that were detailed were avoidance of harm, no compensation, anonymity and confidentiality, informed consent and voluntary participation, adherence to the SACCSP code of ethics, and finally, analysis and reporting accuracy, including competency. Recommendations provided addressed intervention at micro and macro levels of society, including caregivers and public institutions.

本研究聚焦南非豪登省埃斯特勒斯特（Eersterust）地区的黑人照料者，探讨其对儿童心理治疗（child therapy）的看法。本研究旨在明晰此类照料者对儿童心理治疗的认知，具体目标包括：明确其为子女寻求心理治疗服务时面临的困境，以及探究影响其认知的文化与宗教价值观。本次研究的开展，旨在回应少数群体社区持续存在的心理健康支持优化需求，确保相关服务兼具文化适配性与可及性。本研究属于质性研究（qualitative research），采用解释主义范式（interpretivist paradigm），为应用类研究。研究采用工具性个案研究设计（instrumental case study design），研究对象为8名照料18岁以下儿童的黑人照料者。本次研究采用目的抽样法（purposive sampling）招募参与者，以面对面访谈（face-to-face interviews）作为数据收集手段。本次研究纳入预实验（pilot study）环节，预实验为主研究的有机组成部分。本研究通过可信度（credibility）、可迁移性（transferability）、可靠性（dependability）与可确证性（confirmability）四项原则，验证了研究的信任度（trustworthiness）。数据分析采用反身性主题分析（reflexive thematic analysis）方法，以语义描述性层级开展编码，并遵循六步流程。本次研究明确的伦理考量包括：避免研究对象受到伤害、不向参与者提供报酬、保障匿名性与保密性、获取知情同意并确保参与自愿性、遵守SACCSP伦理守则，以及确保分析与报告的准确性以及研究人员的胜任力。本研究提出的建议聚焦社会微观与宏观层面的干预举措，涵盖照料者群体与公共机构两大维度。