The Crouch Bursary Fund receives income mainly in the form of royalties on the various editions of the textbook “Occupational Therapy in Psychiatry and Mental Health”, as well as interest on its invested monies.
It provides funds in the form of modest bursaries to assist with the costs of individual or collaborative research by occupational therapists in the fields of psychiatry and mental health.
Typically, two bursaries are awarded per year and the average amount is R5,000 per applicant. However, the awards are at the discretion of the Board and depend on the availability of funds at any given time. Higher amounts (not likely to exceed R10,000) may be awarded for particularly innovative and potentially impactful research, if the funds are available.
The Crouch Bursary Fund reserves the right not to make any awards, if no suitable applications are received in a particular year. It may at times divert funds to ancillary research support activities, such as running courses for would-be researchers; offering mentoring and writing support to researchers preparing theses, dissertations or manuscripts; or providing skills training on research dissemination and media engagement.
- Applicants must be qualified occupational therapists who were trained at a centre recognized by the World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT). They must also be current members of the Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa (OTASA).
- The proposed research must be in the fields of psychiatry or mental health, which includes a focus on intellectual disability and all forms of psychosocial rehabilitation.
- The research must be carried out wholly or partly in South Africa.
- The research may be for degree or non-degree purposes and must be approved by a recognized research ethics committee.
- In the case of collaborative or group research, the main applicant must be an occupational therapist belonging to the research network or group concerned. In the case of multidisciplinary groups, it is expected that members of other disciplines will have appropriate professional registration within their own fields and that this has been properly established by the occupational therapist applicant.
The application form may be requested via an email to applications@crouchbursaryfund.org.za.
Applications should include a summary of the proposed research and details of the applicant/s, as specified on the form. Supporting documents are required in the form of certified copies of the applicant’s occupational therapy qualification and professional registration. If ethical clearance has already been obtained the relevant certificate should be provided, and if it has not been obtained an explanation must be furnished (*).
Note: no bursary will be paid out without the Crouch Bursary Fund being furnished with either an ethics clearance certificate or a waiver from an appropriate ethics committee.
Application forms and supporting documents must be sent as pdf attachments via email to applications@crouchbursaryfund.org.za.
Applicants may apply twice to the Crouch Bursary Fund, but first-time applicants are likely to receive preference. Priority will also be given to research studies which address the most significant needs in the South African context and are most likely to have a real-life impact on clients, occupational therapy services and/or the population at large.
Applications are reviewed by the Board of the Crouch Bursary Fund and the Board’s written decisions are final.
Recipients are expected to submit progress and completion reports, as appropriate for their particular situation and research study. These requirements will be conveyed to them by the Board of the Crouch Bursary Fund.
Completed research should be presented at a relevant professional congress, symposium or other event, with due acknowledgement of the Crouch Bursary Fund.
Results of the research must also be written up and submitted for publication in at least one peer reviewed journal and/or in a professional newsletter such as the FOCUS newsletter of the Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa (OTASA). Funds received from the Crouch Bursary Fund must be duly acknowledged in all publications as well as in conference presentations and other research outputs.
Dissemination of the research by other means is strongly encouraged, to maximise the potential impact of the findings. This can include media engagements like radio or television interviews, publishing in the print media and/or publishing on electronic platforms.
If the research is abandonedor discontinued for any reason it may be necessary for the recipient to repay monies received to the Crouch Bursary Fund within a within a negotiated time period. Decisions regarding this will be at the discretion of the Board, based on an exploration of the merits of each situation.
Degree: MoccTher (Neurology)
Institution: University of Pretoria
Acknowledgements: Research supervisors, Dr H. Lister, Prof D. Casteleijn for
exceptional guidance and advice. The Crouch Bursary Fund, for believing in
the importance of this research and providing financial aid.
Dedication: I dedicate this research to all the families who have a loved one
with dementia and to those who have lost someone to dementia. To those who
are still at the beginning of this path, it is going to be a rocky road, but keep
good faith, you are not alone on this journey. Please join a support group, and
always seek knowledge.
Title: Occupational Performance and participation of older persons with
dementia in a South African Context – A case study.
Abstract
Introduction: Dementia is one of the main causes of disability in older people. Many countries are facing rapidly growing, older, frail dependent populations with decreased occupational performance and more health care and social needs. Research on how to support older persons has mostly been carried out in high-income countries. Participants in the study are also in a private care setting. To maximise the efficiency of interventions for dementia care and social well-being, context-specific and culturally appropriate programmes that enhance occupational outcomes and participation, should be identified, and implemented sustainably.Aim and objectives: The main purpose of this study was to explore intrinsic and extrinsic factors that influence occupational performance and participation of older persons with dementia, living in a private nursing home in the Free State, South Africa.
Research design: A single, holistic case study as described by Yin was used.
Method: Data was gathered and integrated from multiple sources (staff members, family members, older persons with dementia, and a building evaluation) using a variety of techniques (interviews, observations, and literature). The Residential Environment Impact Scale (REIS) guided data collection and produced numerical values. Data was analysed inductively and thematically. Self-care, leisure, productivity, and community activities were included in the assessment.
Results: The findings were categorised into three main themes according to the PEOP model: the influence of personal factors, environmental factors, and the occupational performance and participation of older persons with dementia. Personal and environmental (physical and social) factors influenced the occupational performance of older persons with dementia. According to the REIS score sheet, the newly built dementia unit strongly supports the resident’s sense of identity and competence by providing opportunities and resources to engage in meaningful, culturally appropriate activities.
Conclusion: The findings of this study support the careful implementation of decentralisation as it showed the possible positive outcomes when the private sector, NGO sector, and community in a small town joined hands and implemented an innovative, sustainable plan to create a suitable, culturally appropriate living environment for their older persons with dementia. Residents in the facility experience an improved quality of life with an increase in participation despite the continuous decline of dementia. This study also highlighted the importance of personcentred care principles, a multidisciplinary approach, and the contribution of the community and environment toward success. The findings of this research serve as a guide on how to support older persons with dementia
PhD Study Program
The title of my PhD: Exploring the Effect of a Sensory-based Intervention Program on Occupational Participation and Anxiety in Child Victims of Trauma within the South African context.
I started my PhD studies in 2016. My research involved face-to-face contact with children between the ages of 6 to 12 years, at three children’s homes. The intensity of the research required the use of standardized and non-standardized assessments. The intervention applied was based on the Alert Program which teaches children self-regulation strategies. Both the assessment phase and intervention would not have been possible without the support of the Crouch Bursary Fund. These finances assisted in the purchase of the assessment tools as well as materials and equipment required for the intervention phase.
Thank you to CBF for your support and for being an integral part of my PhD journey.
_____________________
Dr Rowena Joseph
Occupational Therapist
My name is Mbali Mabuza, and I serve as an occupational therapist within the private psychiatry sector while pursuing my master's degree at the University of Cape Town. The focus of my research revolves around exploring Occupational therapy interventions for facilitating the community reintegration of mental health care users with severe mental illness in low- and middle-income countries, a topic I'm deeply passionate about.
I first became acquainted with the Crouch Bursary fund through my supervisors, A/Prof Helen Buchanan and Dr Matumo Ramafikeng. They guided me in seeking additional funding to support my Master’s Dissertation in mental health, particularly to cover supplementary expenses associated with the research process.
The application procedure for the bursary was straightforward. I completed an application form detailing my personal information, professional background, a synopsis of my research project, a breakdown of the budget, and a rationale explaining the relevance of my study to psychiatry, mental health, and occupational therapy. After submission, it took approximately two months to receive a response. Notably, the application necessitated documentation from my university confirming my study details, registration, and ethical clearance.
In May 2022, I was thrilled to receive confirmation of the bursary via email from the treasurer of CBF. The subsequent steps, such as providing banking details for the funds transfer, were executed seamlessly. CBF has maintained regular communication, monitoring my progress, and requiring annual progress reports. Additionally, they have been proactive in directing me to relevant resources and support networks pertinent to my role as a bursary recipient.
The financial assistance from the bursary has been instrumental, particularly in covering transportation and accommodation expenses associated with commuting to my university for research purposes, considering I reside and work in a different province. As I near the completion of my research, I intend to allocate the remaining funds toward securing editing and proofreading services.
I hold CBF in high regard as a non-profit organization that empowers doctoral and master’s candidates to make substantive contributions to the occupational therapy field's knowledge base, while also advocating for evidence-based practices in mental health.
It's worth noting that the bursary is a one-time award designated exclusively for research-related costs and does not extend to university tuition or fees. Additionally, applicants should ensure they have obtained ethical clearance from their respective universities before applying.