Abstract
M.A.
Policing is regarded as one of the most stressful occupations that often results in
psychiatric disorders, marital problems and/or divorce, alcohol abuse and suicide. The
aim of Social Work Services in the South African Police Service is to promote,
achieve and maintain optimum social functioning, in order to improve the
productivity of the organisation’s members. Keeping the above mentioned problems
in mind, the marital experience of police members needed to be explored, especially
since statistics regarding marital problems in the South African Police Service are
high compared to other social problems.
This study was undertaken to explore the marital experience of members of the SAPS,
and to provide social workers and other members of the helping professions in the
SAPS, with relevant information when they are engaged in service delivery to police
members.
The following objectives were set for the study:
• The completion of a literature study on marriage
• The exploration of the SAPS culture and frame of reference concerning marital
experience, within the geographical area of Trichart, Evander, Kinross and
Secunda (TEKS-area), Mpumalanga.
• The identification of factors that can have an influence on the marital life of
members of the SAPS.
The nature of the study was both exploratory and descriptive. Eighty-one (81)
members of the SAPS completed a questionnaire exploring this phenomenon. The
data captured were processed quantitatively.
The data gathered in the study can be of significance for all members of the helping
professions, as well as the functional members of the SAPS. The ideal would be to
integrate the data and results obtained into individual work with members,
groupwork, as well as in community work (reactive and pro-active programmes) with
the following objectives:
• To provide members of the SAPS with the necessary information to prepare
themselves for marriage (by means of pro-active programmes specifically aimed
at this).
• Supporting and enriching the marital relationship of couples with a healthy
marriage.
• Assisting problem-orientated couples with the integration of new constructive
methods of marital functioning.
Prof. C.B. Fouche