The aim of this qualitative interpretive research was to explore the experiences of HIV counsellors and how these experiences influence the counsellors' psychological wellbeing. The complexities of the context within which HIV pre and post test counselling occurs form the day-to-day real ity of barely trained volunteer counsellors whose task it is to counsel, inform and educate people at grass roots concerning HIV. The guiding question of the current research pertained to the experience of HIV counselors regarding the influence of their work on their own well-being. A case study design was used. In depth interviews were conducted with nine Sotho speaking HIV counselors working in primary healthcare clinics in the Sedibeng region of Gauteng. Additional data was collected through observation. Data was initially coded, using axial coding; this was followed by thematic analysis. The focus was .on the psychological well-being of the volunteer HIV counsellors. The data indicated that the participants were not overwhelmed by the many stressors of their challenging occupations. They succeeded in developing their own ways of stress relief especially through practising their spiritual beliefs and other means like participating in community activities and meaningful relationships of significant other. They experienced personal growth and empowerment in general, but especially in the field of health and sexuality. The female participants were increasingly able to negotiate safer sex. Participants' lives were enriched through amongst others the regard they received from their communities, and being in a position to give information and advice that they gained from the training and exposure to information. The participants experienced feelings of self-worth in that they were able to contribute to their communities and thereby adding meaning to their own existence. It became clear that their character strengths such as wisdom, courage, humanity, justice and transcendence enabled them to function and grow in their difficult situation. The research highlighted that the inner strengths and virtues of the volunteer counsellors enable them to persist, in challenging work conditions and socio-economic circumstances. Difficulties facing volunteer HIV counsellors that became clear are the lack of support and recognition they have to contend with. It is therefore recommended that more attention should be given by the relevant stakeholders to strengthen the support and to make more resources available to them. / Thesis (M.A. (Psychology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2010.

The aim of this qualitative interpretive research was to explore the experiences of HIV counsellors and how these experiences influence the counsellors' psychological wellbeing. The complexities of the context within which HIV pre and post test counselling occurs form the day-to-day real ity of barely trained volunteer counsellors whose task it is to counsel, inform and educate people at grass roots concerning HIV. The guiding question of the current research pertained to the experience of HIV counselors regarding the influence of their work on their own well-being. A case study design was used. In depth interviews were conducted with nine Sotho speaking HIV counselors working in primary healthcare clinics in the Sedibeng region of Gauteng. Additional data was collected through observation. Data was initially coded, using axial coding; this was followed by thematic analysis. The focus was .on the psychological well-being of the volunteer HIV counsellors. The data indicated that the participants were not overwhelmed by the many stressors of their challenging occupations. They succeeded in developing their own ways of stress relief especially through practising their spiritual beliefs and other means like participating in community activities and meaningful relationships of significant other. They experienced personal growth and empowerment in general, but especially in the field of health and sexuality. The female participants were increasingly able to negotiate safer sex. Participants' lives were enriched through amongst others the regard they received from their communities, and being in a position to give information and advice that they gained from the training and exposure to information. The participants experienced feelings of self-worth in that they were able to contribute to their communities and thereby adding meaning to their own existence. It became clear that their character strengths such as wisdom, courage, humanity, justice and transcendence enabled them to function and grow in their difficult situation. The research highlighted that the inner strengths and virtues of the volunteer counsellors enable them to persist, in challenging work conditions and socio-economic circumstances. Difficulties facing volunteer HIV counsellors that became clear are the lack of support and recognition they have to contend with. It is therefore recommended that more attention should be given by the relevant stakeholders to strengthen the support and to make more resources available to them. / Thesis (M.A. (Psychology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2010.

Registered counsellors were regarded as part of the solution to the ever-increasing void in mental healthcare and were acknowledged by the South African government over a decade ago. Some challenges have however arisen regarding the implementing of their vocations in the community, that impact service delivery as well as career satisfaction of registered counsellors, but limited information is available in terms of the exploration of the perceptions of registered counsellors regarding their role in the South African context. This study focused on exploring how registered counsellors perceive their role in South Africa and describing these perceptions. This research is important because little is known about the perceptions of registered counsellors and their experience of their role in the South African context. The research was conducted in Johannesburg and Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. 12 participants (one man and 11 women) volunteered to be part of the research. The size of the sample was not predetermined, but was rather based on data saturation. The participants were purposefully selected on the basis of having acquired the registration of registered counsellor with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). Data was collected through conducting semi-structured interviews with all the participants. An interview schedule was used to facilitate the interview process for consistency in the interviews. Thematic analysis was utilised to delineate different themes. To ensure the trustworthiness of the research process, the guidelines suggested by Lincoln and Guba (1985) were followed. The current researcher found that the registered counsellors experienced conflicting perceptions of their role in South Africa. They felt that their role was a necessary and important one in South Africa and in the context of the development of mental healthcare in South Africa. However, some negative feelings were also expressed as they experienced uncertainty regarding their role in the profession as well as the changing scope of practice for registered counsellors in South Africa. Additional negative perceptions were associated with a lack of acknowledgement of their role by other mental healthcare professionals and some ignorance from the public regarding the work of registered counsellors. To promote adequate mental healthcare in South Africa, mental health professionals such as registered counsellors are particularly important. But what appears to be the uncertainty and a lack of information related to the role of registered counsellors, has impacted negatively on their perception of their role in South Africa and, as a result, many individuals do not work in the professional mental healthcare field. It is recommended that the perception of the registered counsellors be acknowledged and taken into consideration to further the development of mental healthcare and treatment for mental health difficulties within the South African context. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Registered counsellors were regarded as part of the solution to the ever-increasing void in mental healthcare and were acknowledged by the South African government over a decade ago. Some challenges have however arisen regarding the implementing of their vocations in the community, that impact service delivery as well as career satisfaction of registered counsellors, but limited information is available in terms of the exploration of the perceptions of registered counsellors regarding their role in the South African context. This study focused on exploring how registered counsellors perceive their role in South Africa and describing these perceptions. This research is important because little is known about the perceptions of registered counsellors and their experience of their role in the South African context. The research was conducted in Johannesburg and Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. 12 participants (one man and 11 women) volunteered to be part of the research. The size of the sample was not predetermined, but was rather based on data saturation. The participants were purposefully selected on the basis of having acquired the registration of registered counsellor with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). Data was collected through conducting semi-structured interviews with all the participants. An interview schedule was used to facilitate the interview process for consistency in the interviews. Thematic analysis was utilised to delineate different themes. To ensure the trustworthiness of the research process, the guidelines suggested by Lincoln and Guba (1985) were followed. The current researcher found that the registered counsellors experienced conflicting perceptions of their role in South Africa. They felt that their role was a necessary and important one in South Africa and in the context of the development of mental healthcare in South Africa. However, some negative feelings were also expressed as they experienced uncertainty regarding their role in the profession as well as the changing scope of practice for registered counsellors in South Africa. Additional negative perceptions were associated with a lack of acknowledgement of their role by other mental healthcare professionals and some ignorance from the public regarding the work of registered counsellors. To promote adequate mental healthcare in South Africa, mental health professionals such as registered counsellors are particularly important. But what appears to be the uncertainty and a lack of information related to the role of registered counsellors, has impacted negatively on their perception of their role in South Africa and, as a result, many individuals do not work in the professional mental healthcare field. It is recommended that the perception of the registered counsellors be acknowledged and taken into consideration to further the development of mental healthcare and treatment for mental health difficulties within the South African context. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The present study attempted to assess the effectiveness of the Zimbabwean secondary school guidance and counselling services from school counsellors' and students' perspective. Available literature shows that students worldwide, including Zimbabwe, experience problems which schools should solve through the provision of guidance and counselling. It was therefore, important to the researcher to assess the effectiveness of the school guidance and counselling services in meeting students' concerns. The research design consisted of a literature and an empirical study. The survey method was used in the empirical study. A self constructed questionnaire was used. Three hundred and fourteen school counsellors and 636 students participated in this study. The SAS/STAT version 9.1 was used to analyse the data. One way and combined two way frequency tables were calculated. Ratios were calculated to establish the relative rating of each item. Chi-square tests were also calculated. The study revealed that there were differences between the level of the school guidance and counselling services in Zimbabwean secondary schools and the international arena. For example, school guidance and counselling services policy in Zimbabwe was not mandatory as compared to the international policies. The Zimbabwean school guidance and counselling services were not always planned for at the beginning of each year, Students and parents were not frequently involved in needs assessment while the services were not frequently evaluated in comparison with those in the international arena. The study also revealed that some biographical variables significantly influenced the way the respondents responded to given items while others did not. The study revealed that the majority of both school counsellors and students viewed the school guidance and counselling services as beneficial and school counsellors as effectively playing their role. The study further revealed that the effectiveness of the Zimbabwean secondary school guidance and counselling services was negatively affected by lack of resources and training in guidance and counselling and non-counselling duties performed by school counsellors. Recommendations for future approaches and strategies in secondary school guidance and counselling services in Zimbabwe are made. Areas for further research are proposed. / Educational Studies / D.Ed. (Psychology of Education)

The study investigated challenges in School Guidance and Counselling (SGC) services provisions for children with disabilities in Zimbabwean inclusive primary schools as a context for strategizing on overcoming them and proposing a model of School Guidance and Counselling services provisions for children with disabilities. The survey design, which was mainly quantitative in nature, was used. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data. Three hundred inclusive primary school administrators and three hundred school counsellors participated in the study. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 11.0 was used to analyze data. Frequency tables, ratios and Chi-square tests were computed. The study revealed that Zimbabwean inclusive primary school counsellors lacked training in School Guidance and Counselling and Special Needs Education. The school counsellors also lacked experience in teaching children with disabilities and the stakeholders had negative attitudes towards School Guidance and Counselling services provisions for children with disabilities. It was further revealed that inclusive primary schools lacked materials and supplies, time, finance, physical and curricular resources. The study revealed that there was no mandatory School Guidance and Counselling policy and legislation, clear mission statement, School Guidance and Counselling Framework, school counsellor certification requirements nor a School Guidance and Counselling national model. These facilities, together with Special Needs Education, experience in teaching children with disabilities and staff development, were found to positively impact on SGC services provisions for children with disabilities. School counsellors’ training in School Guidance and Counselling, advocacy on disabilities, stakeholders’ collaboration, passing mandatory School Guidance and Counselling policy and legislation, adequate budgetary and time allocation were seen as strategies to overcome challenges in SGC services provisions for children with disabilities in Zimbabwean inclusive primary schools. It was recommended that School Guidance and Counselling services provisions for children with disabilities in Zimbabwean inclusive primary schools would improve if there would be promulgation of mandatory School Guidance and Counselling policy and legislation, school counsellors’ training in School Guidance and Counselling, requisition of adequate resources and development of positive attitudes among stakeholders. Recommendations for further research were made. / Inclusive Education / D. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

Digitized using a Konica Minolta 211 PCL scanner at 300 dpi. / Thesis (MA (Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / Please refer to full text for abstract.

Thesis (Ph.D.(Psychology))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Humanities, 2013. / The research entailed a comprehensive study of vicarious trauma in short-term insurance claims workers, compared to trauma counsellors and a control group of holiday booking consultants. A well-known, comprehensive model of compassion fatigue/secondary traumatic stress, developed for therapists formed the basis of the study. The research attempted to determine whether this model can be applied more widely to include administrative populations exposed to traumatised clients on a regular basis. To this end, the model was deconstructed into its eleven constituent parts and each element was investigated in addition to other variables of interest to the study. This was done to determine the importance and applicability of each model element and other selected variables to the administrative context. A mixed methods approach was utilised, which combined quantitative and qualitative data. The results yielded by the study were collectively utilised to construct an etic and an emic voice from the research. At the same time, effects from vicarious trauma were considered from an overarching bio-psychosocial stance, systematically gauging effects on various levels of functioning. Scores from quantitative measures on secondary traumatic stress, negative cognitive schemas, empathy, social support and compassion satisfaction were statistically analysed, which revealed significant differences between the worker groups. Widely accepted relationships between the study variables were tested and found to hold true within and across groups. Regression analysis determined the roles of empathy, social support and compassion satisfaction in vicarious trauma, as measured by secondary traumatic stress and negative cognitive schemas. In addition, constructivist selfdevelopment theory was employed to interpret the negative cognitive effects from vicarious traumatisation. Qualitative data were utilised to further elucidate the role and nature of vicarious trauma in each of the worker groups. The themes of exposure to client suffering, detachment, level of empathic engagement, personal trauma history and difficult life demands were unearthed from the qualitative data, which illuminated the importance and role of each of these elements to claims workers. Other areas of interest, being utilisation of sick-leave as a means to cope, work-related illness, attitudes towards professional counselling, feelings evoked by traumatised clients, and the language utilised by workers in response to client traumata were investigated. Further effects on participants as well iv as effects that reach beyond the person were identified and examined. Effects on the social and work contexts were also elucidated. Finally, interesting themes that emerged spontaneously from the data were considered. The consideration of the various model elements and other areas of interest systematically revealed that administrative workers dealing with traumatised clients are also affected by the process of vicarious trauma. Furthermore, the model was found to be largely suitable to the context of claims workers. However, the model was expanded to augment its usability within the more general administrative domain. Finally, the overarching aim was to enrich, contextualise and elaborate on the experiences of claims workers within their unique work context, to facilitate insight and a deeper understanding of vicarious trauma in more administrative populations that have largely been overlooked in research.

Dans les collèges français, la question de l’éducation fait l’objet d’un traitement assez sombre : au niveau statutaire, elle marque en effet le faible prestige de certains personnels, ou de certaines matières enseignées. C’est le cas des conseillers et assistants d’éducation, ou, sur un autre plan, de l’éducation artistique, de l’éducation civique ou de l’éducation physique et sportive. La connotation négative de l’éducation apparaît aussi dans les discours quotidiens, enclins à dénoncer des carences. L’écart social entre les membres des classes moyennes cultivées et leurs élèves ne prédit pas, cependant, le niveau de tension. La construction d’un climat d’établissement joue en effet une fonction importante ; en second lieu, les situations éducatives les moins aisées obligent précisément à réfléchir en termes éducatifs. Il en ressort souvent un meilleur climat que dans des établissements peu exposés. Dans l’imaginaire des professionnels, le collège n’aurait d’autre but que d’organiser la succession de cours entre enseignants savants et apprenants captivés. Depuis les débuts de la massification, les professeurs appliquent en réalité des pédagogies « bricolées », sans rapport avec les principes idéels. Malgré ces adaptations officieuses, les collégiens sont pénalisés par la segmentation des cours, l’étouffement de l’esprit critique, la faible intégration éducative et la relégation du « sale boulot » de discipline. Dans les établissements favorisés, l’insuffisance démocratique incite plutôt à l’utilitarisme, et au développement d’une culture juvénile anti-scolaire ; dans les collèges populaires, les élèves en échec peuvent aussi opposer une violence. / In French colleges, the issue of education is poorly treated : at the statutory level, it marks the low prestige of certain personnel, or certain subject matter being taught. This is the case with counsellors (conseillers d’éducation) and teaching assistants (assistants d’éducation) or, on another level, with arts education, civic education or physical education. Education’s negative connotation is confirmed in people’s discourse, which is inclined to report deficiencies. The social gap between members of the cultivated middle class and their students does not, however, predict the level of tension. First, the construction of a school environment indeed plays an importance role ; what’s more, the most difficult educational situations are precisely the ones that require us to think in educational terms. The result is often a better environment than in institutions with little exposure to difficulties. In the minds of professionals, French colleges have no other purpose than to organise the succession of courses between scholarly teachers and captivated learners. From the beginning of mass schooling, teachers actually apply “tinkered” pedagogies, unrelated to imaginary principles. In spite of these unofficial adaptations, students suffer from the segmentation of courses, the stifling of critical thinking, poor educational integration and the relegation of disciplinary “dirty work”. In privileged establishments, the democratic deficit rather encourages utilitarianism, and the development of an anti-school youth culture ; in lower class French colleges students who are failing may also resist through other forms of violence.

BAKGRUND Bakgrunden till denna avhandling är att erbjuda ett alternativt sätt att förstå habiliteringspraktik. Den teoretiska ramen i avhandlingen är Pierre Bourdieus fältteori, vilket innebär ett antagande att det sociala livet bygger på symboliska och kulturella trossystem med hithörande doxor, med egna slags symboliska ekonomier och dominansförhållanden. Analysen har inneburit att rekonstruera och analysera ett kampfält, det vill säga att studera agenter som företräder olika intressen och deras kamp för erkännande och tolkningsföreträde. Vad som framkommer i denna avhandling kan hjälpa till att belysa varför habiliteringen blev som den blev. SYFTE Avhandlingens syfte är att analysera trosföreställningar och symbolisk makt inom habiliteringsområdet - det vill säga det symboliska kraftfält som skapades av specifika gruppers formering, intressen och ställningstaganden kring barn och ungdomar med handikapp i Sverige under perioden 1960-1980. METOD Avhandlingen har en historiesociologisk ansats. I analysen har intressepositioner rekonstruerats utifrån tidskrifter som är knutna till fackförbund, intresseorganisationer samt till det socialmedicinska forskningsfältet. Bakom dessa tidskrifter finns således mobiliserade grupper som agerar kollektivt genom sina föreningar och förbund. Tidskrifterna är knutna till yrkesgrupper: läkare, sjukgymnaster, arbetsterapeuter, förskollärare, socionomer och psykologer samt till Förbundet för utvecklingsstörda barn, ungdomar och vuxna - FUB, Riksförbundet för Rörelsehindrade barn och ungdomar - RBU och Handikapporganisationernas centralkommitté - HCK (idag HSO). Även arkivmaterial avseende löner för de olika yrkesgrupperna har använts. Analysen har huvudsakligen rört gruppernas positioneringar i förhållande till den dominanta doxan men också den sociala basen för gruppernas positioner. RESULTAT Avhandlingens konklusion visar betydelsen av: a) historiska strukturer avseende medicinens särställning i samhället och utvecklingen av hälso- och sjukvården i stort samt omhändertagandet av barn med funktionshinder. b) offentliga utredningar som konsekrationsinstanser och sociala mobiliseringsprocesser var viktiga delar i uppbyggandet av symboliska ekonomier. c) myter och ideologier i utövandet av symbolisk makt. d) allianser mellan stat och medicinen samt mellan yrkesgrupper och klienter. Avhandlingen visar också styrkan i doxorna och vilka konsekvenser det kunde innebära att lämna ett socialt fält man var skolad inom. Samklangen mellan doxa och fält fanns inte riktigt i det nya sammanhanget, vilket innebär ett slags strukturella glapp. Konsekvenserna kunde vara att man hamnade i en parialiknande situation utan skydd från det fält man lämnade, likt en "avfälling" och dessutom att det mottagande fältet inte riktigt erkände dem. SLUTSATS Inom medicinens fält konstituerades under den här tidsperioden en "habiliteringssfär" där medicinens doxa var dominant. Genom sociala mobiliseringsprocesser och klassificeringsstrider bidrog dessa till skapandet av olika grupperingar, symboler och ömsesidiga erkännanden av vissa symboliska värden rörande hur man skulle se på omhändertagandet av barn med handikapp.BAKGRUND Bakgrunden till denna avhandling är att erbjuda ett alternativt sätt att förstå habiliteringspraktik. Den teoretiska ramen i avhandlingen är Pierre Bourdieus fältteori, vilket innebär ett antagande att det sociala livet bygger på symboliska och kulturella trossystem med hithörande doxor, med egna slags symboliska ekonomier och dominansförhållanden. Analysen har inneburit att rekonstruera och analysera ett kampfält, det vill säga att studera agenter som företräder olika intressen och deras kamp för erkännande och tolkningsföreträde. Vad som framkommer i denna avhandling kan hjälpa till att belysa varför habiliteringen blev som den blev. SYFTE Avhandlingens syfte är att analysera trosföreställningar och symbolisk makt inom habiliteringsområdet - det vill säga det symboliska kraftfält som skapades av specifika gruppers formering, intressen och ställningstaganden kring barn och ungdomar med handikapp i Sverige under perioden 1960-1980. METOD Avhandlingen har en historiesociologisk ansats. I analysen har intressepositioner rekonstruerats utifrån tidskrifter som är knutna till fackförbund, intresseorganisationer samt till det socialmedicinska forskningsfältet. Bakom dessa tidskrifter finns således mobiliserade grupper som agerar kollektivt genom sina föreningar och förbund. Tidskrifterna är knutna till yrkesgrupper: läkare, sjukgymnaster, arbetsterapeuter, förskollärare, socionomer och psykologer samt till Förbundet för utvecklingsstörda barn, ungdomar och vuxna - FUB, Riksförbundet för Rörelsehindrade barn och ungdomar - RBU och Handikapporganisationernas centralkommitté - HCK (idag HSO). Även arkivmaterial avseende löner för de olika yrkesgrupperna har använts. Analysen har huvudsakligen rört gruppernas positioneringar i förhållande till den dominanta doxan men också den sociala basen för gruppernas positioner. RESULTAT Avhandlingens konklusion visar betydelsen av: a) historiska strukturer avseende medicinens särställning i samhället och utvecklingen av hälso- och sjukvården i stort samt omhändertagandet av barn med funktionshinder. b) offentliga utredningar som konsekrationsinstanser och sociala mobiliseringsprocesser var viktiga delar i uppbyggandet av symboliska ekonomier. c) myter och ideologier i utövandet av symbolisk makt. d) allianser mellan stat och medicinen samt mellan yrkesgrupper och klienter. Avhandlingen visar också styrkan i doxorna och vilka konsekvenser det kunde innebära att lämna ett socialt fält man var skolad inom. Samklangen mellan doxa och fält fanns inte riktigt i det nya sammanhanget, vilket innebär ett slags strukturella glapp. Konsekvenserna kunde vara att man hamnade i en parialiknande situation utan skydd från det fält man lämnade, likt en "avfälling" och dessutom att det mottagande fältet inte riktigt erkände dem. SLUTSATS Inom medicinens fält konstituerades under den här tidsperioden en "habiliteringssfär" där medicinens doxa var dominant. Genom sociala mobiliseringsprocesser och klassificeringsstrider bidrog dessa till skapandet av olika grupperingar, symboler och ömsesidiga erkännanden av vissa symboliska värden rörande hur man skulle se på omhändertagandet av barn med handikapp. / The dissertation examines the formation of specific groups, their interests and positions related to children with disabilities and their education and care in Sweden developed during 1960―1980. The theoretical framework is based on Pierre Bourdieu’s sociological theory of social space, which assumes that social life is based on symbolic and cultural systems of beliefs with respectively specific doxas and symbolic economies. Consequently, the analysis has focused on the agents’ position-takings and their struggle for recognition and preferential rights of interpretations. The reconstruction of a “habilitation sphere” was conducted through agents, their positions of interests and position-takings as analytical tools. The positions were mainly reconstructed on articles in journals of 10 professional organizations covering 6 occupations and 4 disability organizations. The occupational groups were paediatric doctors/child psychiatrists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, psychologists and pre-school teachers. The other positions were related to the county council union, four disability organizations (DHR, FUB, RBU and HCK), two of which were parent organizations and in addition, the research field of social medicine. Other materials were e.g. reports of commissions of inquiry. In order to explore the social foundations of the occupational positions, materials from archives have been used. The conclusion shows the significance of: a) historical structures related to the exceptional position of medicine in society, the development of the Swedish health care system in general and the organizations of “special” children b) commissions of inquiry as consecration authorities and processes of social mobilization, both important contributions in shaping symbolic economies, c) myths and ideologies in the exercising of symbolic power, d) alliances between the state and medicine, and between occupational groups and clients. The analysis also shows the strengths of the doxas which could work as a shield for the agents but also as obstacles for external agents when entering the habilitation sphere. / Finns även tillgänglig för synskadade i s.k. DAISY-format.