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Implementing a Strengths and Competencies Based Wellness Program for Mothers Living in a South African High-Risk Community

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Abstract

This chapter presents the implementation of a wellness program to strengthen the personal and parental competencies of mothers living in a South African high-risk community. Research-generated academic information with contextual data obtained via participatory processes informed the content and focus of the program. The effective implementation of the Power Moms Wellness Program (PMWP) was a complex process combining conceptual knowledge, practical expertise, with the integration of contextual knowledge. A review of relevant literature provided the theoretical underpinnings of the four modules of the PMWP and its 20 sessions. The PMWP was underpinned theoretically from a Strengths perspective—particularly an eudaimonic approach typical to Positive Psychology’s salutogenic focus—to fortify the personal/psychological and maternal capacities of the participants’ existing skills, strengths and competencies. A community-based participative approach was utilised to inform and guide the ethical and practical processes in designing and implementing the PMWP with a social worker reference group from the community and the research group as soundings boards. We describe functional strategies of the PMWP related to the specified structure of the sessions and related content, aims, outcomes and give examples of some activities of the PMWP. We also provide one session of the program to illustrate the particulars of implementing the PMWP in the participants’ families and community.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, Republic of South Africa

    Izanette van Schalkwyk

  2. Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Western Cape Province, Republic of South Africa

    Anthony V. Naidoo

Authors
  1. Izanette van Schalkwyk
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  2. Anthony V. Naidoo
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Correspondence to Izanette van Schalkwyk .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Industrial Psychology and People Management, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Claude-Hélène Mayer

  2. Global Institute for Transcultural Research, Römerberg, Germany

    Elisabeth Vanderheiden

  3. Conflict Management & Resolution Program, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel

    Orna Braun-Lewensohn

  4. Criminology Department, Ashkelon Academic College, Ashkelon, Israel

    Gila Chen

  5. School of International Politics, Economics and Communication, Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan

    Kiyoko Sueda

  6. Port Elizabeth, South Africa

    Brightness Mangolothi

  7. Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada

    Saba Safdar

  8. Faculty of International Social Sciences, Gakushuin University, Tokyo, Japan

    Soyeon Kim

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van Schalkwyk, I., Naidoo, A.V. (2023). Implementing a Strengths and Competencies Based Wellness Program for Mothers Living in a South African High-Risk Community. In: Mayer, CH., et al. Women's Empowerment for a Sustainable Future. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-25924-1_7

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