This research focuses on the grief and emotional reactions, especially frustration, of adventitiously visually impaired adults following loss of sight. The traditional grief-following loss theory with the assumption of a time-limited linear grief process, accompanied by diminishing emotions and culminating with acceptance and adjustment has been challenged. Chronic grief assumes a recurrent and continuous grief process, accompanied by increased emotions associated with continual losses related to a chronic loss, such as visual impairment. The question of whether there is a relation between length of time of adventitious visual impairment and the healing affect of time on grief and frustrations has been examined by quantitative and qualitative investigations. The answer to the question of whether time changes and heals everything is not necessarily the case. As always there are more questions than answers, and this research provides further insight into the real world of adventitious visual impairment. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

L’objet de cette thèse est de penser le corps à partir de l’expérience particulière qu’est l’accident.L’enjeu s’avère triple : i) élaborer un questionnement philosophique sur le corps en situation de handicap accidentel ; ii) replacer ce questionnement dans le champ des théories du handicap et des notions d’« identité » et de « reconstruction de soi » ; iii) traiter du corps en tant que suppor tidentitaire à la fois « naturel » et « construit » et envisager ainsi de manière renouvelée la question de la représentation et du rapport au corps. Cette approche conçoit le handicap non seulement à partir de ses conséquences mais aussi à partir de ses causes, et en particulier d’une cause possible : l’accident. Les questions fondamentales qui la sous-tendent sont les suivantes : qu’est qu’un accident ? Quel est le rapport entre la volonté, la responsabilité, et l’accident corporel ? Qu’est-ce qui rend le corps accidenté si insupportable ? L’impact des blessures sur le grand accidenté ouvre en effet un questionnement spécifique : Comment ce corps abîmé va-t-il être perçu et accepté par les autres et par l’individu lui-même ? Comment ce dernier va-t-il éprouver le passage d’un corps « valide » à un corps« handicapé », d’un corps « normal » à un corps « différent » ? Un individu peut-il concilier deux acceptions de son corps correspondant à un « avant » et à un « après » accident ? Comment vivre avec, dans, par un nouveau corps ? Pour traiter ces questions, ce travail philosophique mobilise les points de vue sociologique, anthropologique, éthique et médical sur le handicap accidentel. / The purpose of this thesis is to think about the body in light of the particular experience that is theaccident. The aim is threefold: i) to develop a philosophical inquiry on the accidentally disabled body;ii) to situate this inquiry with respect to theories of disability, of "identity", and of "selfreconstruction";iii) to treat the body as a medium of identity that is both "natural" and "constructed",and thus consider the question of the representation of the body from a new perspective. Thisapproach looks at disability not only from the point of view of its consequences, but also of its causes,and in particular of one possible cause: the accident. The fundamental questions in this investigationare the following: What is an accident? What is the relationship between the will, responsibility, andpersonal injury? What makes the injured body so unbearable? The impact of the damage on theseverely injured opens a specific line of questioning: How will the injured body be perceived andaccepted by others and by the individual itself? How will that person experience the transition from an"able" to a "disabled" body, from a "normal" body to a "different" body? Can a person reconcile thetwo senses of the body corresponding to a "before" and an "after" the accident? How to live with andin a new body? To address these issues, this philosophical work brings to bear views on accidentaldisability from sociology, anthropology, and medical ethics.

Le patient atteint de diabète de type 1 s’ajuste à la maladie afin de maintenir un équilibre glycémique vital. La présente thèse explore, dans le cadre des modèles théoriques d’autorégulation, les déterminants psychosociaux associés à cet ajustement. A cette fin, l’étude en ligne intitulée MONDIAB a été développée et mise en oeuvre. Les patients atteints de diabète de type 1 ont complété un questionnaire évaluant leur vécu à deux reprises. Au total, 321 patients âgés de 16 à 65 ans ont répondu au premier questionnaire, dont 120 patients ont participé à la deuxième évaluation six mois plus tard. Les résultats sont présentés sous forme de trois études empiriques identifiant les corrélats de l’ajustement comportemental, physiologique et émotionnel du patient. Une première étude montre que le contrôle perçu, la motivation autonome, ainsi que l’interaction de ces deux facteurs sont des prédicteurs de l’autocontrôle glycémique et de la diète diabétique. Une deuxième étude indique que le soutien de l’équipe soignante influence indirectement le taux d’hémoglobine glyquée du patient à six mois. Cet effet indirect est médiatisé par un renforcement de la motivation autonome ainsi que de la compétence perçue du patient. Une troisième étude met en évidence l’impact de la perturbation des buts de vie, des styles de coping ainsi que du sentiment d’autoefficacité et du soutien social perçu sur le bien-être psychologique du patient. En conclusion, les résultats de la présente thèse soulignent l’importance de la prise en compte des déterminants psychosociaux dans la compréhension et l’amélioration de l’ajustement au diabète de type 1 / Patients with type 1 diabetes need to adjust to the disease in order to maintain an adequate glycemic control. Based on the assumptions of self-regulation theory, the present thesis explores the role of psychosocial factors in adjustment to type 1 diabetes. For this purpose the online study MONDIAB has been developed and implemented. Patients who met the criteria for participation and who agreed to the study completed a questionnaire related to their personal experiences at two time intervals. Altogether, 321 patients aged between 16 and 65 years filled in the first questionnaire, thereof 120 patients participated in the second survey six months later. Results are presented by a means of three empirical studies that identify correlates of patients’ behavioral, physiological and emotional adjustment. The first study shows that perceived control, autonomous motivation, as well as the interaction of these factors serve as predictors for gylcemic control and diabetes diet. A second study points out the indirect effect of autonomy supportiveness of health care providers on patients’ glycosylated hemoglobin six months later. This indirect effect is mediated by a reinforcement of both patients’ autonomous motivation and perceived competence. The third study underlines the impact of goal disturbance, coping styles and self-efficacy, as well as perceived social support on patients’ well-being. In conclusion, the results of the present thesis elucidate the importance of considering psychosocial factors for understanding and improvingadjustment to type 1 diabetes

This research focuses on the grief and emotional reactions, especially frustration, of adventitiously visually impaired adults following loss of sight. The traditional grief-following loss theory with the assumption of a time-limited linear grief process, accompanied by diminishing emotions and culminating with acceptance and adjustment has been challenged. Chronic grief assumes a recurrent and continuous grief process, accompanied by increased emotions associated with continual losses related to a chronic loss, such as visual impairment. The question of whether there is a relation between length of time of adventitious visual impairment and the healing affect of time on grief and frustrations has been examined by quantitative and qualitative investigations. The answer to the question of whether time changes and heals everything is not necessarily the case. As always there are more questions than answers, and this research provides further insight into the real world of adventitious visual impairment. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

Endometriosis is a pervasive, widespread disease that affects millions of women worldwide. The number of women affected by endometriosis is increasing at a staggering rate. Endometriosis impacts women in a variety of ways; it often gradually strips away their resistance to pain, their emotional strength, their concept of femininity and their ability to cope with challenges. This study aimed to provide a voice for women diagnosed with endometriosis. The study allowed the participants to share their experiences from diagnosis through to treatment and to explain the ways in which endometriosis influences their daily lives. In this research report the psychological impact of this disease is discussed, and factors that are not currently addressed by medical professionals treating women with endometriosis are highlighted. Social constructionism provided the theoretical framework for the study. One-on-one, in-depth interviews were conducted with five women who have been diagnosed with endometriosis by a gynaecologist through means of laparoscopic surgery. The method of analysis involved thematic network analysis. The participants’ narratives were converted into interview transcripts. These transcripts were analysed by the researchers and themes were identified. Themes that repeated were elaborated and were linked to available literature. The researcher hopes that this dissertation will contribute to existing knowledge regarding the psychological effects of endometriosis. It is hoped that it will help both the medical community and future and existing patients understand this disease and the effect that it has on the lives of women around the world, but particularly the lives of women in South Africa. / Psychology / M. Sc. (Psychology)

Endometriosis is a pervasive, widespread disease that affects millions of women worldwide. The number of women affected by endometriosis is increasing at a staggering rate. Endometriosis impacts women in a variety of ways; it often gradually strips away their resistance to pain, their emotional strength, their concept of femininity and their ability to cope with challenges. This study aimed to provide a voice for women diagnosed with endometriosis. The study allowed the participants to share their experiences from diagnosis through to treatment and to explain the ways in which endometriosis influences their daily lives. In this research report the psychological impact of this disease is discussed, and factors that are not currently addressed by medical professionals treating women with endometriosis are highlighted. Social constructionism provided the theoretical framework for the study. One-on-one, in-depth interviews were conducted with five women who have been diagnosed with endometriosis by a gynaecologist through means of laparoscopic surgery. The method of analysis involved thematic network analysis. The participants’ narratives were converted into interview transcripts. These transcripts were analysed by the researchers and themes were identified. Themes that repeated were elaborated and were linked to available literature. The researcher hopes that this dissertation will contribute to existing knowledge regarding the psychological effects of endometriosis. It is hoped that it will help both the medical community and future and existing patients understand this disease and the effect that it has on the lives of women around the world, but particularly the lives of women in South Africa. / Psychology / M. Sc. (Psychology)

An overview of the existing body of knowledge on the most widely researched areas of childhood leukaemia was presented and it was argued that a conceptual shift is required to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the problem. This conceptual shift encompassed an ecosystemic approach. This study was conducted within a holistic systemic epistemology. A qualitative approach employing a case study method to provide rich descriptions of the context in which two leukaemia sufferer's symptoms were embedded. / Psychology / M.A. (Psyhcoloy)

Text in Afrikaans / Summaries in Afrikaans and English / Psigonefrologie behels die studie von psigologiese faktore wat 'n rot speel by eindstadiumnierversaking. Nierversaking word beskou as 'n lewensbedreigende siekte, wat die lewensverwogting von die pasient verkort indien hy nie behandeling ontvang nie. Nierversaking kan ingedeet word in drie stadiums: Die pre-dialise, diatise, en oorplantingstadiums. Die onderskeibaorheid von hierdie stadiums is die gevotg von verski lie in mediese behandelingsmetodes. Nie een hiervon bring genesing nie, maar vertig simptome van die uremiese sindroom, verleng die tewensverwagting von die pasient, en is veronderstel om sy lewenskwaliteit te verbeter. DepresS,ie en angs, is algemene simptome wat by nierpasiente voorkom. Die redes hiervoor, is die pasient se psigologiese reaksie teenoor nierversaking, dialise, en/of 'n oorplanting. Verder moet hy ook die newe-effekte van die mediese behandeling trotseer. Aanpassings moet ook gemaak word in terme von beroep~ en sosiate funksionering. Nie net het eindstodiumnierversaking 'n psigososiate impok op die nierposient nie, maar word die gesonde moat ook daardeur be"invtoed. Daarom ervoar meeste egpore gesamentlik die impok von nierversaking op hulle huwelik- en gesinslewe. Vir optimale oanpassing by nierversaking moet egpore sekere oanpassingstoke bemeester, soos om nierversoking as 'n gedeetde probteem te hanteer, oan te pas by die rot von pasient en versorger. die verskillende behoeftes oan nobyheid en afstand tussen pasient en versorger, en die verwisseting in beroepsrolle hanteer, asook effektiewe kommunikasie met mekoar en die mediese span doarstel, en mekaor deurlopend instrumenteel en emosioneel ondersteun ten einde die huweliksverbintenis in stand te hou. Die resultate von hierdie ondersoek dui doarop dat huweliksverondertikes, soos 'n afnome in ontsponningsaktiwiteite en seksuatiteit, en gelykmakende rolle 'n belangrike rot speel om oanpassing by nierversaking te vergemaklik. Daarmee soam is gevind dat godsdiens 'n belangrike oanpossende funksie vir egpore het. Deurgoans speel'n ondersteuningsisteem, wat uit famitie en vriende, onder nierpasiente, die mediese span en 'n sielkundige bestoan 'n vernome rol om die egpoar met oanpassing te help. Uiteindelik blyk dit moonttik te wees vir egpare om hulle huwetiksverhouding in stand te hou, of setfs konstruktief te herstruktureer, asook groter huwelikstevredenheid te ervoar, ondanks die bedreiging von eindstadiumnierversaking. Meeste egpore ervoar die moeilike tydperk dan ook met 'n verdieping in hulle huwelik- en geloofslewe. / Psychonephrology is the study of psychological factors which are evident in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). ESRD is regarded as a life-threatening disease, which shortens the life-expectancy of a patient if he does not receive treatment. ESRD can be divided into three stages: the pre-dialysis, dialysis and transplant stages. These stages are signified by differences in medical treatment methods. None of these leads to a cure but all alle.viate symptoms of the uremic syndrome, increase the life-expectancy of the patient and are supposed to improve his quality of life. Depression and anxiety are general symptoms found in end-stage renal patients. The reasons for this are the patient's psychological reaction to renal disease, dialysis and/or transplant. Patients must also endure the side effects of medical treatment. Adjustment in vocational and social functioning is also evident. ESRD not only has a psycho social impact on the patient but also affects the healthy spouse. This is why most married couples together experience the impact of ESRD in their marital and family life. For optimal adjustment to ESRD couples need to master certain adaptational tasks, such as treating ESRD as a shared problem, adopt the roles of patient and caregiver, manage the various needs of closeness and distance between patient and caregiver and change of career roles, as well as effectively communicating with each other and the medical team, and instrumentally and emotionally support eac~ other in order to maintain the marital bonds. The results of this investigation show that marital variables, such as a decrease in recreation and sexuality and role equality, are important to ease the adjustment to ESRD. It was also found that religion has an important adaptational function for the married couples. A support system of family, friends, other renal patients, the medical team and a psychologist are also important to aid the couples' adjustment. Lastly it should be possible for renal couples to maintain, or even to positively reconstruct their marital relationship, and to experience marital satisfaction in the face of the threat of ESRD. Apparently most couples experience this ordeal as a time of intensification of their married and spiritual life. / Psychology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)

This autoethnography explores the phenomenon of marriage after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Capturing as its data, through a series of audio-recorded conversations and journal entries, the first-hand, co-constructed experiences of a married couple, it provides an ‘insider’ and as such, intimate perspective on life together following such an unexpected, disruptive and life-altering event. Situated within ‘a systemic constructionist’ epistemology, it spotlights, in particular, the relational aspects of the post-TBI marriage unfolding over time, rather than just the individual perspectives of each spouse at a single point in time - as most existing studies on the topic do. As a qualitative study, it made allowance for the collection and use of rich, nuanced data so as to do some justice to the complex nature of the topic being studied. David Reiss’ explanatory theory on ‘crisis and the development of the family paradigm’ was applied deductively during the carrying out of a thematic analysis of the data, with the intention of bringing new insights to the understanding of the phenomenon of the post-TBI marriage. Data were also analysed inductively, in that themes emerging from the data itself were also used. A discussion based on the findings of the data analysis was proffered. Based on these findings, recommendations on what issues therapists working from within a family-systems orientation might focus their attention on were made. A recommendation for TBI couples to receive support from early intervention and follow-up services was also made, along with identifying the consequent need for research first to be done on developing and implementing such a service / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

The purpose of the study was to investigate the lived experiences of young people living with mental healthcare users (MHCUs) in order to gain insight into their needs and how their daily coping can be maximised. A qualitative, descriptive phenomenology study was undertaken, with face-to-face, audiorecorded individual in-depth interviews conducted with 10 participants aged between 19 and 23 years, at their homes. Participants were recruited from one of the local health clinics in Dikgale area, Limpopo province, where the MHCUs collect medication and attend follow-up medical reviews. Non-probability purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample size. The following were the objectives of the study:  To explore and describe the lived experiences of young people living with MHCUs.  To determine the coping strategies of young people living with MHCUs. Five themes and 12 sub-themes emerged from the study. The findings of the study revealed that young people were faced with psychological effects, caring demands and responsibilities, effects on their schooling performance, and lack of coping and support. The study results informed recommendations to the psychiatric nursing services on the needs and support to be provided to these young people in order to ensure maximum coping in their life situation. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)