Faculty of Humanities
School of Professional Social Sciences
Department of Social Work and Criminology
Selected Highlights from Research Findings
A self - administered survey was conducted among 867 stuents registered for Criminology at UP and OFS. Data was using SPSS 17. Half of the respondents were Black (51%) and 42% were White. Nearly half pursued a career in Psychology (45%), 21% a legal profession, and 16% a social work and 18% from townships. The results reveal different views for some variables by population group and sex of respondents. More White (88%) than Black (67%) studnets felt that South African's fear of crime is justified. Sustantially more Black (30%) than White (7%) students felt that laws are effectively enforced in the country. More White (84%) than Black (64%) students felt that enforced in the country. More White (84%) than Black (64%) students felt that governement is loosing the fight against violent crime. Only 19% of respondents generally felt safe from crime predominatly male students (27%). More students from urban areas (21%) felt safe from crime than those township areas (11%)
Contact person: Dr K Booyens.
The aim of the study is to determine the crime-related views of first year students registered for the Criminology modules and wether exposure to these modules impact on their existing perceptions about crime, law enforcement and punishment in South Africa. This information is needed to investigate wether the current curricula contributed to a change in perceptions. A self-admnistered survey was conducted among 867 students registered for Criminology at UP and UFS. Data was analysed using SPSS 17. Half of the respondents were Black (51%) and (42%) were White. Nearly half pursued a career. Roughly half (54%) were from urban areas, 26% were from areas, by population group and sex of respondents. More White (88%) than Black (67%) students felt that South Africans' fear f crime is justified. Substabtially more Black (30%) than White (7%) students felt that laws are effectively enforced in the country. More White (84%) than Black (64) students felt that government is loosing fight against violent crime. Only 19% of respondents generally felt safe from crime, predominantly male students (27%). More students from urban areas (21%) felt safe from than those from township areas (11%).
Contact person: Dr F Steyn.
It is well recognised that dentistry is a very stressfyl profession and dentists utilise different ways in dealing with this stress. Substance abuse is one of the many ways that dentists use to deal with occupational stress and there are conflicting views of how this occupational stress can contribute to hazardous alcohol consumption amongst South African dentists.The goal of the study was : "To explore alcohol consumption related accupational stress and anxiety among South African dentists". A dominant quantitative approach and less dominant qualitative approach with a limited number of informants were implemented. Questionnaires were used for quantitative approach and semi-structured, one to one interviews with an interview schedule for the qualitative approach. The sample was selected from dentists listed in Tshwane telephone directory. These names were then be verified with the list of dentist registered with the HPCSA. Findings: Dentists sometimes deliberately stay away from their practices because they are scared that it will be noticed that they had too much to drink 38(49.35%); some dentist have been reportrd to the HPCSA becouse of alcohol use 47(61.04%); some dentist perfom dental procedure under the influence of alcohol 46(59.74%); some dentist use tranquilizer such as the benzodiazepine to be able to cope with the stress and strain of dentistry becouse the sign of alcohol are too visible 49(63.64%). Conclusion and recommendation: Cirriculum suggestions: An advance business administration and people skills. Dental students should spend time in a prictice to improve their awereness of the reality pd practice, patient interaction and expectations, upaid claims, fraudsters and practice expense's. Dental students should be taught life skills, how to balance their lives, deal with different patients, stress, how to cope with stress, enhance self awareness and the harmful effects of substance abuse. Counselling facilities and support services should be available for dental students.
Contact person: Dr CL Carbonatto.
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