Makhado, L.Maphula, A.Sepeng, N. V.Tsheole, Petunia2025-09-172025-09-172025-09-05Tsheole, P. 2025. Development and validation of childhood trauma and exposure to violence intervention for African children in rural Limpopo Province. . .https://univendspace.univen.ac.za/handle/11602/2978PhD (Psychology)Department of PsychologyChildhood trauma and exposure to violence remain pressing global concerns, particularly in low-resource settings where access to mental health services is limited. In South Africa’s rural regions, children are disproportionately affected by domestic violence, abuse, and community violence, yet trauma-informed interventions remain inadequate and culturally misaligned. This study seeks to develop and validate a trauma-informed intervention specifically designed for African children exposed to trauma and violence in the Vhembe district, Limpopo Province. By integrating evidence-based psychological theories and participatory methodologies, the research provides a structured approach to understanding, assessing, and addressing childhood trauma within the South African context. Employing a multi-phased mixed-methods design, the study is structured into four key phases. Phase 1 involves a systematic literature review to evaluate existing childhood trauma interventions and identify their limitations. Phase 2 consists of qualitative investigations, including semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with children, caregivers, and health-care professionals, to explore lived experiences and intervention gaps. Phase 3 conceptualizes the findings into a structured theoretical framework, guided by Donabedian’s Structure-Process-Outcome (SPO) model and Practice-Oriented Theory (POT), ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of trauma care quality. Finally, Phase 4 focuses on the development, testing, and validation of a contextually relevant trauma intervention using the 6SQuID model and the E-Delphi technique, incorporating expert reviews to refine its efficacy. Findings from the study highlight significant barriers to effective childhood trauma management, including financial constraints, fear of perpetrators, inadequate parental involvement, professional boundary challenges, and systemic inefficiencies in referral pathways. Additionally, the research identifies key facilitators that enhance trauma intervention success, such as continuous training for healthcare workers, community awareness initiatives, integration of trauma-informed care within schools, and increased deployment of victim advocates. The developed intervention integrates therapeutic techniques, screening assessments, community support mechanisms, and interdisciplinary collaboration, ensuring a sustainable and scalable approach to trauma care. This study makes a ground-breaking contribution to the field of child psychology, mental health intervention, and policy development. By tailoring trauma care strategies to cultural, social, and economic realities, it presents a scientifically validated, adaptable model that can be implemented across various settings. Moreover, the study’s recommendations provide practical insights for policymakers, healthcare practitioners, educators, and social workers on how to enhance trauma recovery efforts in rural and underserved communities. Ultimately, this research bridges the gap between theoretical exploration and real-world application, offering a holistic, evidence-based solution to childhood trauma in African contexts. By informing future mental health policies, early intervention programs, and clinical practices, the study contributes to the long-term psychological well-being and resilience of African children who have experienced trauma, ensuring that they receive timely, effective, and compassionate care.1 online resource (xvii, 188 leaves): color illustrationsenUniversity of VendaChildhood traumaExposure to violenceUCTDDonabedian Structure-Process-Outcome modelPractice-Oriented TheoryE-Delphi techniqueVhembe District6SQuID model.616.8914096825617.1096825Psychic trauma -- South Africa -- LimpopoChild abuse -- South Africa -- LimpopoAbused children -- South Africa -- LimpopoFamily violence -- South Africa -- LimpopoChildren -- South Africa -- LimpopoChildren -- DiseaseChild abuse -- South Africa -- LimpopoPsychological child abuse -- South Africa -- LimpopoAbused children -- South Africa -- LimpopoTraumatic shock -- South Africa -- LimpopoTraumatology -- South Africa -- LimpopoThesisTsheole P. Development and validation of childhood trauma and exposure to violence intervention for African children in rural Limpopo Province. []. , 2025 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from:Tsheole, P. (2025). <i>Development and validation of childhood trauma and exposure to violence intervention for African children in rural Limpopo Province</i>. (). . Retrieved fromTsheole, Petunia. <i>"Development and validation of childhood trauma and exposure to violence intervention for African children in rural Limpopo Province."</i> ., , 2025.TY - Thesis AU - Tsheole, Petunia AB - Childhood trauma and exposure to violence remain pressing global concerns, particularly in low-resource settings where access to mental health services is limited. In South Africa’s rural regions, children are disproportionately affected by domestic violence, abuse, and community violence, yet trauma-informed interventions remain inadequate and culturally misaligned. This study seeks to develop and validate a trauma-informed intervention specifically designed for African children exposed to trauma and violence in the Vhembe district, Limpopo Province. By integrating evidence-based psychological theories and participatory methodologies, the research provides a structured approach to understanding, assessing, and addressing childhood trauma within the South African context. Employing a multi-phased mixed-methods design, the study is structured into four key phases. Phase 1 involves a systematic literature review to evaluate existing childhood trauma interventions and identify their limitations. Phase 2 consists of qualitative investigations, including semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with children, caregivers, and health-care professionals, to explore lived experiences and intervention gaps. Phase 3 conceptualizes the findings into a structured theoretical framework, guided by Donabedian’s Structure-Process-Outcome (SPO) model and Practice-Oriented Theory (POT), ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of trauma care quality. Finally, Phase 4 focuses on the development, testing, and validation of a contextually relevant trauma intervention using the 6SQuID model and the E-Delphi technique, incorporating expert reviews to refine its efficacy. Findings from the study highlight significant barriers to effective childhood trauma management, including financial constraints, fear of perpetrators, inadequate parental involvement, professional boundary challenges, and systemic inefficiencies in referral pathways. Additionally, the research identifies key facilitators that enhance trauma intervention success, such as continuous training for healthcare workers, community awareness initiatives, integration of trauma-informed care within schools, and increased deployment of victim advocates. The developed intervention integrates therapeutic techniques, screening assessments, community support mechanisms, and interdisciplinary collaboration, ensuring a sustainable and scalable approach to trauma care. This study makes a ground-breaking contribution to the field of child psychology, mental health intervention, and policy development. By tailoring trauma care strategies to cultural, social, and economic realities, it presents a scientifically validated, adaptable model that can be implemented across various settings. Moreover, the study’s recommendations provide practical insights for policymakers, healthcare practitioners, educators, and social workers on how to enhance trauma recovery efforts in rural and underserved communities. Ultimately, this research bridges the gap between theoretical exploration and real-world application, offering a holistic, evidence-based solution to childhood trauma in African contexts. By informing future mental health policies, early intervention programs, and clinical practices, the study contributes to the long-term psychological well-being and resilience of African children who have experienced trauma, ensuring that they receive timely, effective, and compassionate care. DA - 2025-09-05 DB - ResearchSpace DP - Univen KW - Childhood trauma KW - Exposure to violence KW - Donabedian Structure-Process-Outcome model KW - Practice-Oriented Theory KW - E-Delphi technique KW - Vhembe District KW - 6SQuID model. LK - https://univendspace.univen.ac.za PY - 2025 T1 - Development and validation of childhood trauma and exposure to violence intervention for African children in rural Limpopo Province TI - Development and validation of childhood trauma and exposure to violence intervention for African children in rural Limpopo Province UR - ER -