Strengths-based Studies and Interventions

This programme explores strengths that Individuals, families, communities, and institutions can utilise to promote positive outcomes when understood and applied correctly. Strengths-based interventions do not try to ignore the challenges and difficulties; merely by enabling the capacity, skills, knowledge, connections and potential of people and communities rather than their limits, people are empowered to learn, develop and change. The importance of the environment and the multiple contexts that might influence people’s lives is also acknowledged and explored.  A process of quality intervention development and evaluation is adopted, with the aim of contributing towards evidence-based practice.

Programme leader

Dr Tamlynn Jefferis
Tamlynn.Jefferis@nwu.ac.za

Researchers

Dr Christiaan Bekker
Christiaan.Bekker@nwu.ac.za

Prof Elmari Deacon
Elmari.deacon@nwu.ac.za

Charl Gertse
Charl.Gertse@nwu.ac.za

Dr Vedhna Lalla
Vedhna.Lalla@nwu.ac.za

Prof Werner Nell
Werner.Nell@nwu.ac.za

Prof Johan Potgieter
Johan.Potgieter@nwu.ac.za

Nkele Molefe

Extraordinary appointments

Prof Marita Heyns

Dr Tessa de Wet 

Prof Linda Liebenberg
Research interest: Resilience

Prof Michael Steger
Research interest: Meaning in life/work

Prof Linda Theron
Research interest: Resilience
http://lindatheron.org/

Prof Laura Weiss
Research interest: Happiness and well-being

Prof Christine Wekerle 
Research interest: Resilience

Students

Teneal Brown (Master’s student)

Robyn Mooney (Master’s student)

Elizabeth Kriel (PhD student)

Lorette Pretorius (PhD student)

Judine van Aardt (PhD student)