Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Peer-group church work with youth'

Thesis (D. Min.)--New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 1992.
Questionnaires and other appendices are in Spanish and English. Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 147-150).

This study was designed to assess the effects of a peer ministry training course upon adolescents' ability to respond empathetically and upon their level of moral development. Volunteers from a church's high school group were blocked by gender and randomly divided into two groups . Adolescents in the treatment group were trained in thirteen sessions basic helping skills (emphasizing empathy) and measured before and after training on variables of empathy, moral development, and internality - externality. Adolescents in the second group were used as a control and were measured with the same assessment devices.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2011.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION Religion is important in Africa and many churches are involved in HIV ministry. Prevention programmes, however, are less frequent in the church setting and there is little evaluation of them. If an effective model is found, it can contribute to HIV prevention efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study was conducted in the Cape Town Diocese of the Anglican Church. Fikelela, an HIV/AIDS project of the Diocese, developed a 20-session peer education programme (Agents of Change) aimed at changing the risky sexual behaviour of youth. Workshops were also aimed at parents. A literature review was conducted looking at three areas: 'theories of behaviour change', 'adolescent sexual relationships' and 'religion and HIV'. A conceptual framework for the programme was developed by integrating findings from the literature review. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness and functioning of the programme, to develop a best practice model and to make recommendations for the use of the programme in the wider church. METHODS Outcome mapping was used to integrate an approach to the design, monitoring and evaluation of the programme. Changes in project partners, key project strategies and organisational practices were all monitored. Project partners were defined as peer educators, facilitators, young people, clergy and parents. Monitoring allowed an in-depth understanding of which aspects of the programme worked. Evaluation was designed as a quasi-experimental study that compared non-randomly chosen intervention and control groups. 1352 participants took part at base-line, 176 returned matched questionnaires in the intervention groups and 92 in the control groups. Reported changes in attitudes, knowledge and sexual behaviour were compared between the two groups. RESULTS The main factors leading to the success of the programme were: a well developed curriculum and programme, effective training camps, the support given by facilitators to peer educators, ongoing mentoring and training, role modelling by peer educators, a participatory style of education and positive peer pressure within a strong church based social network. Challenging the church.s negative attitude to condoms was also important. The weakest areas of the programme were amongst clergy and parents and in challenging media messages and norms on gender. The project impact evaluation showed significant differences at baseline between genders in terms of sexual beliefs and behaviour. There was no significant impact of religiosity on sexual activity. The programme was successful at increasing condom usage (Condom use score 3.5 vs. 2.1; p=0.02) and reduced sexual debut (9.6% vs. 22.6%; p=0.04). There was increased abstinence amongst the intervention group, but it did not reach statistical significance (22.5% vs. 12,5%; p=0.25). There was no effect on the number of partners (Mean 1.7 vs. 1.4; p=0.67). CONCLUSIONS Implementation: The programme should be promoted as a youth development programme rather than an HIV prevention programme. Priority should be given to churches in communities with the highest HIV rates. The target group should include younger teens. Peer educators should be selected by peers not by adults. Strategies: The strategies of training camp and quarterly gatherings are effective, but a new strategy needs to be devised to impact the parents. Content: The programme should build self-efficacy amongst the youth, develop a critical consciousness about sexual health, provide positive messages rather than fear-inducing ones, address sexual coercion and persuasion, explore the linking of condom use with trust, address inter-generational sex and promote community outreach and advocacy activities. The programme is effective and meets the threshold of evidence required to be rolled out. It should be rolled out through the Anglican Church with its estimated membership of two million and could be adapted for other denominations as well.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: INLEIDING Godsdiens is belangrik in Afrika en talle kerke is betrokke by HIV-bediening. Voorkomingsprogramme is egter ongewoon in die kerkomgewing en die evaluering daarvan vind selde plaas. Indien 'n effektiewe voorkomingsprogram model gevind kan word, behoort dit 'n belangrike bydrae te lewer tot HIV infeksie voorkomingspogings in Sub-Sahara Afrika. Hierdie studie is gedoen onder die lidmate van die Kaapstadse Biskoplike gebied van die Anglikaanse Kerk. 'n Bestaande HIV/VIGS projek van die Biskoplike gebied, genaamd Fikelela, het 'n 20-sessie portuurgroepopvoedingsprogram (Agente van Verandering) ontwikkel wat gemik is op die verandering van riskante seksuele gedrag onder die jeug. Daar was ook werkswinkels gemik op ouers. 'n Voorstellingsraamwerk vir die program is ontwikkel deur die integrasie van gedragsveranderingsteorieë met bewyse ten opsigte van verandering van seksuele gedrag onder adolossente en die invloed van godsdiens op adolossente seksualiteit. Die doelwit van hierdie navorsing was om die doeltreffendheid en funksionering van die program te evalueer, 'n optimale praktiese model te ontwikkel en aanbevelings vir die gebruik van die program aan 'n wyer sirkel van kerke te maak. METODES Uitkomskartering is gebruik om 'n benadering tot die ontwerp, waarneming en evaluering van die program te integreer. Alle veranderinge in projekvennote, sleutelprojekstrategieë en organisatoriese handelinge is waargeneem. Projekvennote is gedefinieër as portuurgroepopvoeders, fasiliteerders, jongmense, leraars en ouers. 'n Diepgaande begrip van watter aspekte van die program gewerk het, is bewerkstellig. Die evaluasie was ontwerp as 'n prospektiewe bykans-eksperimentele studie wat nie-lukraak gekose intervensiegroepe en kontrolegroepe vergelyk het. Daar was1352 deelnemers by aanvang, 176 afgepaarde vraelyste is teruggestuur in die intervensiegroepe en 92 in die kontrolegroepe. Veranderings in houdings, kennis en seksuele gedrag wat gerapporteer is, is tussen die twee groepe vergelyk. RESULTATE Die hooffaktore wat tot die sukses van die program gelei het, was: 'n goed ontwikkelde kurrikulum en program, effektiewe opleidingskampe, ondersteuning aan portuurgroepopvoeders deur die fasiliteerders, deurlopende raadgewing en opleiding, portuurgroepopvoeders as rolmodelle, 'n deelnemende styl van opvoeding en positiewe groepsdruk binne 'n sterk kerkgebaseerde sosiale netwerk. Die uitdaging van die kerk se negatiewe houding teenoor kondome was ook belangrik. Die swakste areas van die program was onder die leraars en ouers en in die uitdaging van media boodskappe en norme aangaande geslagskwessies. Die evaluering van die projekimpak het betekenisvolle verskille op grondslag tussen geslagte in terme van seksuele geloof en gedrag getoon. Daar was geen betekenisvolle impak van godsienstigheid op seksuele aktiwiteit nie. Die program was wel suksesvol in die toename van kondoomgebruik (p=0.02) en verhoging in ouderdom van eerste seksuele optrede (p =0.04), maar het geen impak in toename van geheelonthouding onder dié wie alreeds seksueel aktief is (p=0.25) of op die aantal seksmaats (p=0.67) gewys nie. GEVOLGTREKKING Implementering: Die program moet eerder as 'n jeug-ontwikkelingsprogram, as 'n HIV-voorkomingsprogram bemark word. Kerke in gemeenskappe met die hoogste HIV-koers moet voorkeur geniet. Die teikengroep moet jonger tieners insluit. Portuurgroepopvoeders moet deur portuurgroepe self aangewys word en nie deur volwassenes nie. Strategieë: Die strategieë van opleidingskampe en kwartaalikse byeenkomste is effektief, maar nuwe strategieë word benodig om 'n impak op ouers te maak. Inhoud: Die program behoort self-doeltreffendheid onder die jeug te bou, 'n kritiese bewustheid oor seksuele gesondheid te ontwikkel, eerder positiewe as vrees-gebaseerde boodskappe aan te bied, seksuele dwang en oorreding aan te spreek, die verband tussen kondoomgebruik en vertroue te verken, intergenerasie-seks aan te spreek en gemeenskapsuitreik- en aanbevelingsprogramme te bevorder. Die program is effektief en voldoen aan die verlangde bewyse ten einde aangewend te kan word.Met sy geskatte lidmaatskap van twee miljoen behoort die Anglikaanse Kerk dit aan te wend en kan dit ook vir ander denominasies aangepas word.

This qualitative study explores the perceived influence of spirituality on ethnic minority adolescent's outcomes in faith-based residential group homes. Study results offer a deeper understanding of the influence and implementation of spiritual practices among children impacted by child welfare.

The purpose of this project was to create a psycho-educational peer support group for LGBTIQ Youth, identify potential funding sources, and write a grant to fund the proposed program. The proposed support is named PRIDE for its connection to the LGBTIQ community and the empowering language, and it targets self-identified LGBTIQ youth in Orange County, California. A thorough literature review included risk factors, barriers to service, and interventions. Potential funding sources were examined and Liberty Hill was chosen as the most appropriate funding source. The proposed program was detailed with implementation guidelines, staffing information, and a budget narrative. The actual submission and/or funding of this grant was not a requirement for the successful completion of the project.

Die Arbeit rekonstruiert jugendliche Mitgestaltung und jugendkulturelle Artikulationen in westdeutschen Schulen entlang eines umfassenden Bestandes an Schülerzeitungen. Zur Mitgestaltung der Schulgemeinschaft und zum Erlernen demokratischer Handlungsweisen wurden Schülerzeitungen von den Alliierten zusammen mit der Schülermitverantwortung (SMV) insbesondere an Gymnasien eingeführt. Erstmals wird hier auch die Entwicklung der Schülerzeitungen in der ersten Hälfte des 20. Jahrhunderts nachgezeichnet. Schülerzeitungen zeugten gegenüber der Schülermitverantwortung (SMV) von deutlich unproblematischer und erfolgreicher zu etablierenden Mitgestaltungs- und Artikulationsmöglichkeiten und trugen zur Entwicklung von stärker durch Liberalisierung und Partizipation geprägte Schulkulturen bei. Dies wird für prägende Themen in der behandelten Zeit dargestellt: mit Blick auf (1) die Diskussion von Technik und naturwissenschaftlich-technischen Entwicklungen während des Kalten Krieges, (2) auf die Beschäftigung mit den USA und ihrem kulturellen Einfluss sowie (3) auf die Auseinandersetzungen mit jugendkulturellen Entwicklungen. Die zunehmende Öffnung der Schule für jugendkulturelle Ausdrucksweisen wird sowohl thematisch als auch auf materieller Ebene untersucht. Dazu wird u. a. die symbolische Kommunikation auf Titelblättern von Schülerzeitungen analysiert. Die dargestellten produktiven Bemühungen um Meinungsfreiheit in der Schule verdeutlichen auch die Bedeutung von Schülerzeitungen für das Lehrer-Schüler-Verhältnis. Die Arbeit bekräftigt die Relevanz von Schülerzeitungen für die Rekonstruktion von Jugendkulturen bzw. peer cultures im schulischen Raum sowie als ertragreiche Quelle für die Jugend- und Schulforschung. Schülerzeitungen sind darüber hinaus ein internationales und auch transnationales Phänomen. Für weitere Forschungen wird daher zudem ein erster umfassender Forschungsbericht zu Schülerzeitungen in Westeuropa, in der DDR und in den USA gegeben.
This doctoral thesis reconstructs youth participation and youth-cultural articulations at West German secondary schools. After 1945, the Allies introduced student newspapers along with student councils in order to foster the acquisition of democratic behaviors and codetermination of the school community. This project first offers a thorough documentation of the development of student newspapers in the first half of the 20th century, and then focuses on their development in the 1950s and 1960s. By the mid-1950s, the editors of the student newspapers had claimed independence vis-a-vis student councils. Student newspapers, meanwhile, bespoke far less problematic, and more successful, potentials for participation and youth-cultural articulation. They thereby contributed to school cultures more strongly influenced by liberalization and participation. The following defining themes from the era are presented in these articles: (1) the discussion of technology and natural science/technical developments during the cold war, (2) engagement with the USA and its cultural influence, and (3) involvement with youth-cultural developments. The increasing opening of schools for youth-cultural forms of expression is examined on both thematic and material levels. In addition, newspaper elements such as the symbolic communication in title pages will be analyzed. The productive efforts toward freedom of opinion in schools show the importance of school newspapers in terms of the teacher-student relationship and the development of participatory structures in schools. This project underlines the relevance of school newspapers for the reconstruction of youth cultures and peer cultures in schools in addition to being sources for youth research and school research. Moreover, school newspapers are an international and transnational phenomenon. Areas for further research are indicated in a literature review for Western Europe a consideration of the GDR and the USA.
Cette thèse reconstruit la participation des jeunes et les articulations culturelles des jeunes dans les écoles ouest-allemandes à travers une collection de plus de 7 500 journaux scolaires archivés à la Bibliothek für Bildungsgeschichtliche Forschung (BBF) de Berlin. Afin d'aider à façonner la communauté scolaire et d'apprendre à agir de manière démocratique, les journaux scolaires ont été introduits après 1945 par les Alliés en collaboration avec le conseil des élèves, en particulier dans les écoles secondaires. Ce faisant, certaines préformes réussies du passé ont été poursuivies. Pour la première fois, cet ouvrage retrace l'évolution des journaux scolaires dans la première moitié du XXe siècle, puis se concentre sur les développements des années 1950 et 1960. A partir du milieu des années 1950, les rédacteurs en chef des journaux de l'école ont revendiqué avec succès leur indépendance vis-à-vis du conseil des élèves, dont les possibilités de codécision ont été désillusionnées à un stade précoce. Contrairement au conseil des élèves, les journaux scolaires ont témoigné de possibilités de co-design et d'articulation à établir nettement moins problématiques et plus fructueuses et ont ainsi contribué au développement de cultures scolaires plus fortement influencées par la libéralisation et la participation. Il est présenté dans le présent document pour les thèmes de formation au cours de la période couverte : en vue (1) de la discussion sur la technologie et les développements scientifiques et techniques pendant la Guerre froide, (2) de l'occupation avec les Etats-Unis et son influence culturelle, et (3) des confrontations avec les développements culturels des jeunes. L'ouverture croissante de l'école aux expressions culturelles des jeunes est examinée tant au niveau de la thématisation que sur le plan matériel sous la forme d'une analyse des artefacts. A cet effet, la communication symbolique sur les pages de titre des journaux scolaires sera analysée. Les efforts productifs présentés pour la liberté d'opinion dans les écoles illustrent également l'importance des journaux étudiants pour la relation enseignant-élève et le développement de structures participatives dans les écoles. Les travaux confirment la pertinence des journaux scolaires pour la reconstruction des cultures des jeunes ou des cultures des pairs dans les écoles et en tant que source productive pour les jeunes et la recherche scolaire. Les journaux scolaires sont également un phénomène international et transnational. Pour des recherches plus approfondies, ce document fournit un premier rapport de recherche complet pour l'Europe occidentale ainsi qu'une présentation pour la RDA et les Etats-Unis.

Text in Afrikaans
The background for this study is a survey undertaken by a cluster of congregations in the Wonderboom area of Pretoria, which revealed that their youth ministries are becoming increasingly ineffective. This worldwide trend is related to the reality that traditional program-based approaches to youth ministry not longer reach modern young people. This study proposes that a choice be made for a relationship based youth ministry that focuses on the communication of faith through the building of relationships of trust between adult mentors and the youth. Churches and the youth would benefit from choosing a relationship-based youth ministry. A relational approach demands enough volunteer youth workers who are qualified to work with contemporary adolescents. The study therefore proposes guidelines for the recruitment, selection, training and utilisation of volunteer youth workers, as well as for the implementation of a relational youth ministry in the Dutch Reformed Church.
Die agtergrond tot hierdie studie is 'n ondersoek van die Ring van Wonderboom wat bevind het dat gemeentes in die Ring se jeugbedieninge toenemend minder effeklief raak. Die wereldwye tendens hou daarmee verband dat kerke se tradisionele, programgerigte benaderings nie meer daarin slaag om die hedendaagse jeug le bereik nie. Die studie stel voor dal daar eerder gekies moet word vir 'n verhoudingsgerigte jeugbediening wal daarop ingestel is om geloof te kommunikeer deur diepgaande vertrouensverhoudings tussen die jeug en volwasse mentors daar le stel. Die keuse vir 'n verhoudingsgerigte jeugbediening hou besliste voordele vir die kerke en die jeug in. Die benadering vereis genoeg vrywillige jeugwerkers wat geskool en gemotiveerd is om met die hedendaagse jeug te werk. Die studie gee daarom riglyne vir die werwing, keuring, skoling en aanwending van vrywillige jeugwerkers, asook vir die implementering van 'n verhoudingsgerigte jeugbediening in die Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk.
Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology
M. Diac. (Jeugwerk)

This dissertation aims to explore the needs of the Young Adults Group in the Lutheran Church, Hayfields, Pieterrnaritzburg. Focus groups were conducted with young adults to establish their needs. During the three months of data collection, group dynamics were also observed, and at the focus groups, specific focus group dynamics were detected. The focus group interactions were recorded and transcribed. Using thematic analysis, the transcribed data was encoded using existing codes based on Maslow's hierarchy of needs, and analysed. Twelve themes of needs emerged from the data. These were: i) physiological needs; ii) safety needs; iii) the need for acceptance and love and the absence of judgement; iv) the need to be understood - by others and the church; v) the need to be valued and appreciated; vi) the need to have fun; vii) the need for nature; viii) the need to delay life's pace and prioritise; ix) the need to grow spiritually - as individuals and as church; x) the need for a spiritual outlet and expression of one's spirituality; xi) the need to be used by God for a specific purpose; xii) the need for assurance from God. Using these needs, a framework for a programme was developed. All the guidelines and exercises suggested in the programme aim to promote growth - spiritual, emotional, and personaJ - and focus on fulfilling the individual's potential within the group.
Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, [2006].

Text in Afrikaans
Die een biljoen tieners wereldwyd (Borgman 1997:3) is nie meer dieselfde as 'n paar jaar gelede nie, maar raak daagliks moeiliker om te bereik. 'n Generasie wat wereldburgerskap ontvang het en deur die Televisie vermaak en die Media beinvloed word. Jongmense, skrikkerig vir "commitment", nie anti-godsdiens nie, maar soekend om te bepaal watter een die regte God is. Die kerk het vir die Millennium generasie tieners "boring" geraak want weekliks word hulle vermaak. Die uitdaging vir jeugbedienings lê daarin dat hierdie moderne tiener uit hulle geestelike verveeldheid uitgehelp sal word sodat hulle iets kan begin doen met dit wat hulle vir jare al weet. Die Tienerleier selgroep model is gerig op die verstaan van Millennium tieners en hulle geestelik te help groei. Met die oop steel in gedagte word elke tiener wat Jesus Christus as 'n werklikheid ontdek het gemotiveer om hierdie werklikheid met 'n ander tiener te gaan deel.
The one billion teenagers in the world (Borgman 1997:3) today are very different than a few years ago. The process to reach them with the Gospel is recently more difficult than ever. As citizens of the Global village they enjoy the entertainment on television and dress in the way the media proclaims. Modern youth are scared of commitment, not really anti-religion but searching for the true God. The youth of today look to the church to show them something, no, SOMEONE but instead the church became boring to them. We need to help them step out of their own boredom and do something with what they know (Hutchcraft 1996:168). With the focus on spiritual growth, and the vacant chair to remind them of their lost friends, the student-led cell group model can be one of the most effective strategies for reaching and serving the teenager of the next century.
Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology
M. Diac. (Jeugwerk)

Limited research has been conducted on the effectiveness of preventive programmes in addressing the needs of adolescents/youth. This study is aimed at examining the effectiveness of a training programme and whether the training conducted by the researcher contributed to equipping the peer educators with skills to undertake capacity building and empowerment programmes. The research sample consisted of fifteen peer educators who had undergone the training programme. The participants were all grade eleven pupils from the Hillview Secondary School in Newlands East. The majority of the participants in this research study reside in Newlands East. This was an evaluative research study. The data collection instruments were sessional evaluation questionnaires, verbal group evaluation and retrospective evaluation questionnaires. Secondary data were also collected from the school personnel to enhance the research findings. The research findings revealed that the peer educator training undertaken by the researcher was effective and useful in developing skills of the peer educators to initiate and implement capacity-building and empowerment programmes within the school environment.
Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2001.