Caracterització de les molècules de la membrana cel·lular.

Ethical considerations included, ensuring confidentiality; getting clearance from the University of South Africa (UNISA), permission by the SAPS organisation at Mahikeng cluster, provincial and national level and participant informed consent; avoiding participant deceit and ensuring participant anonymity and privacy.

4.9.1 Participant anonymity and privacy

To maintain anonymity and privacy of the research participants, the researcher only used coding for each interview questionnaire and recorded information. The study’s printed results did not have any data that identified any of the participants. Some of the study participants did not feel comfortable with the researcher interviewing their family members. The researcher respected their feelings and decisions in this regard.

4.9.2 Confidentiality

Given the sensitivity of the issue of trauma and PTSD, the researcher prioritised the aspect of confidentiality. All information related to the study participants was treated with the strictest confidentiality and respect. This information was kept in a lockable cabinet, where only the researcher had access to the keys. Copies of questionnaires and recorded information were kept in a locked drawer until the research was finalised and accepted by examiners. After a period of three years, all the information will be destroyed by the researcher to maintain participant anonymity and privacy. No participant identifying information was recorded on the questionnaires.

4.9.3 Ethical clearance

The study proposal was reviewed by the Health Studies Research and Ethics Clearance Committee (HSREC) at UNISA and an ethical clearance approval to conduct the study using human participants and study records was provided (Annexure C).

4.9.4 Permission by the SAPS organisation

The aspect of permission to conduct the study within the SAPS organisation was also crucial. Written consent was requested from the Mahikeng Police Station Commander and the Cluster Commander who forwarded the request to the North West Provincial Commissioner who then liaised with the National Head: Strategic Management and granted permission (Annexure A), The SAPS National Office Head: General Research and Curriculum Development (Human Resource Development) (Annexure B).

4.9.5 Informed consent

Obtaining written consent from the study participants to partake in the study was of utmost importance (Annexure D). Participants were allowed ample time to read, understand and ask questions (clarity-seeking) related to the consent form before granting personal consent to partake in the study. The consent form highlighted detailed information on what the study was all about, confidentiality, anonymity/privacy and the duration of the interview session. The researcher highlighted to the study participants, their right, underscored on the consent form, to discontinue with the study if they so wished. The fact that the study will have no influence on their regular work as police officers and on relationship as family members was also mentioned. An estimated duration of the interview was also highlighted in the consent form. Written Consent for children to partake in the study was obtained from parents.

4.9.6 Avoiding harm

In order to avoid harm to study participants; a professional support network was established by the researcher. This included arranging health, spiritual and mental professionals to be on standby for immediate reach in case the need arose for counseling or intervention. The availability of social workers, a specialist psychiatrist, psychologist and chaplain were arranged in this regard.

4.9.7 Avoiding participant deceit

The issue of study participant deceit was avoided at all times during and after completion of the study. This was achieved by reporting back to study participants, confidentially giving them information on the progress and eventually on the general study findings.

4.9.8 Ethical considerations related to data collection

The researcher normally received referrals from external sources such as psychologists and specialist psychiatrists in and around Mahikeng, for clients diagnosed with PTSD for the researcher’s office intervention and support to the specific workers. These external professionals were contacted and liaised with telephonically and face to face consultations held, whereby an extensive outline of the study aim and objectives was done.

All of the referrals used in this study were received from the specialist psychiatrists due to the fact that local General Practitioner (GPs) (Medical doctors) and psychologists usually refer clients for psychiatric diagnosis of PTSD and its treatment. Thus, according to the Circular Instruction 172-PTSD (2002:1), psychologists and GP’s are ethically not allowed to make PTSD diagnosis, only a specialist psychiatrist can.

Consent forms were issued for communication with clients working in and around Mahikeng diagnosed with PTSD. This specific arrangement was made for those clients who were not yet referred to the researcher, (not yet on the researcher’s data base), and to avoid omissions in terms of the study population. A consented name list of all SAPS workers diagnosed with PTSD was obtained from onsite specialist psychiatrist. Internally, SAPS EHW professionals were also consulted. The same procedure followed with the external resources was used in this instance. Caution was exercised by not allowing the EHW personnel who were not comfortable to engage their clients to partake in the study as their feelings and decisions were respected.

4.10 CONCLUSION

This chapter discussed all processes such as research design, study sample and sampling techniques, study data collection tool development, pilot study, and how the actual data collection process unfolded and how data was analysed, during the study. Ethical considerations for the study were also explained to ensure high ethical

standards. This chapter also described issues pertaining to the internal and external validity of the study. The next chapter, chapter 5, analyses and presents the descriptions of the research findings.

CHAPTER 5

DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND DESCRIPTION OF

RESEARCH FINDINGS

5.1 INTRODUCTION

This chapter presents the research findings of data obtained from two groups of participants, namely the SAPS workers and their immediate family members, based in Mahikeng, North West Province, South Africa. Data obtained from both groups of participants is presented in two sections; the first section presents findings form the SAPS workers and the second findings from the family members’ data. The participants’ demographic data is also presented. The chapter further presents data on traumatic incidents that led to PTSD and health and social effects of PTSD. In addition, the effect of living with a family member diagnosed with PTSD, as reported by family members, is presented. Coping mechanisms reportedly used by participants to deal with PTSD are also presented. The findings also present the prevalence of PTSD and the nature of workplace interventions available at the research site.

5.2 SECTION A: PARTICIPANTS’ PRESENTATION OF FINDINGS