Research indicates that the number of individuals diagnosed with neurological, learning and psychiatric disorders has shown a sharp increase in recent years. An increasing acknowledgement of the importance of narratives and discourses in constructing social reality has stimulated much debate on the consequences of diagnosing individuals with such diagnostic labels. The aim of this study was to explore the ways in which such individuals construct meaning from their experiences of adapting to their diagnostic labels by reframing them as interpersonal metaphors. In service of this aim, a social constructionist epistemology was adopted and discourse analysis was used to analyse the results from three participants’ interview data. The results indicate that participants managed to construct meaning from their experiences with their diagnostic labels through a reframing process that serve to promote positive perceptions of self in relation to others. Furthermore, this meaning-construction process appears to be a reflective and interactional one, in that it relies on a negotiation of meanings between people in a retrospective fashion. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

In this qualitative, interpretive study a new and promising imagery technique, called Wertimagination (WIM®) [Value-Oriented Imagery] was researched. It was developed by the logotherapist Uwe Boeschemeyer in Germany. At the main focus of this study are the psychotherapeutic work experiences of logotherapists applying WIM®. Their perceptions with regard to Wertimagination’s potencies, limitations and its overall contribution to Logotherapy are explored. Eight semi-structured expert interviews were conducted with German logotherapists offering WIM® at their practice. The interview contents are analysed and compared with supplementing perspectives: with Wertimagination experiences reported by other (logo)therapists, by clients and by the developer of the method (Boeschemeyer), extracted from the existing body of literature. The results show that Value-Oriented Imagery by all three researched parties – (logo)therapists, clients and its developer – is experienced to be a high potential logotherapeutic, salutogenetic (resources-oriented) approach contributing inter alia towards a person’s inner meaning finding, selfacceptance and trust in life. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

Text in English / In this study the use of the narrative analogy in couple's counselling has been outlined. A literature study situates the narrative analogy within a wider philosophical framework. The underlying assumptions of the narrative analogy, both in general and in the work with couples, as well as the role of the counsellor using the narrative analogy, are explored. A case example is described to illustrate the use of the narrative analogy. / Social Work / M. Soc. Sc. (Mental Health)

Text in English / As some criticism and hesitations have been expressed with regard to the implementation of provocation in psychotherapy, this study aimed to explore the experiences of clients and a therapist who participated in provocative psychotherapy. In order to do this, a concise theoretical description of the nature of provocative psychotherapy was provided along the lines of the work of Frank Farrelly and Maurizio Andolfi. Participants' experiences of provocation in psychotherapy were consequently presented by means of three case studies. A description of the experience of provocation in psychotherapy was co-created through the identifying of certain themes underlying of the three client groups' and the therapist's descriptions of their experiences. This was done by employing a qualitative research methodology to describe the experiences of clients and a therapist who participated in provocative individual-, couple- and family psychotherapy. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

Text in Afrikaans / In hierdie navorsing word die interpersoonlike proses waardeur betekenissisteme deur dialoog in die terapeutiese konteks geko-konstrueer word, beskryf en gelllustreer, aan die hand van 'n gevallestudie. Hierdie navorsing is gegrond in 'n kubemetiese epistemologie wat impliseer dat probleme, oplossings en realiteite nie as 'n objektiewe realiteit beskryf kan word nie, maar eerder as 'n konstruksie van die observeerder. Terapie word beskryf as 'n dialektiese proses tussen die terapeut en die klient waarin betekenissisteme geko-konstrueer word. Die proses waardeur realiteite deur vertelling in terapie geko-konstrueer word, word gepunktueer in terme van 'n dialektiese beskrywingsproses tussen die sensoriese ervaring (dit sluit in kognitiewe verstandsprosesse wat deur konstruktivistiese teoriee verklaar word), en die beskrywing daarvan in taal (wat deur sosiale konstruktivisme verklaar word). In hierdie rekursiewe proses word betekenissisteme as intersubjektiewe fenomeen geskep en ervaar deur die individu betrokke in dialogiese en interaksionele prosesse. / This research illustrates and describes, through the use of a case study, the interpersonal process through which meaning systems are co-constructed by means of dialogue in the therapeutic context. The research is founded on the cybernetic epistemology which implies that problems, solutions and realities cannot be described as an objective reality, but rather as a construction ofthe observer. Therapy is described as a dialectic process between the therapist and the client in which new meaning systems are being co-constructed. The process in which realities are co-constructed through narratives, are punctuated in terms of a dialectic process of description between the sensory experience (that includes cognitive mental processes which are explained through constructivism), and the description thereof in language (which is explained through social constructivism). In this recursive process meaning systems as an intersubjective phenomena are created and experienced by the individual in dialogical and interactional processes. / Psychology / M.A. (Kliniese Sielkunde)

It has already been established that animals have various constitutional effects on humans and influence quality of life and well-being in various ways (see Nestmann 2005). For a lot of people in all stages of their life, pets are important sources of support. They are able to contribute to our health as well as to buffer stress and illness. Especially elderly and frail people take profit from the human animal bond. Pets may be seen as important agents in support and therapy of people with dementia. Besides offering emotional support in times of struggle and loneliness, pets can even have a healing influence in situations of physical or mental illness. Since the 1960s animals have been used in professional and therapeutic settings. Even retirement and nursing homes experience the psychosocial benefits of animal assisted activities and integrate animals successfully in the daily routine of the residents. The longitudinal field study “Animals at the Johanniter-Stift Nursing Home” is the first to investigate the effects of animal assisted activities on the quality of life and well-being of elderly nursing home patients with dementia. In order to systematically establish the extent to which various forms of regular contact with animals can benefit such patients, psychological and social changes in patients with and without contact to animals were examined at three intervals over a three-year period, using research instruments such as non-participant observation (MTU), questionnaires completed by nursing staff (FSAK; NPI) as well as interviews with the nursing staff to examine the human-animal-contacts between the residents and the animals in the daily routine. The study demonstrates that elderly dementia sufferers with regular contact to animals tend to show greater agility, independence, strength of social network and communication abilities compared to those without contact to animals. The study shows the psychosocial effects and the options of animal assisted activities with and care of elderly people suffering from dementia as an alternative to pharmacological treatment.

Bibliography: leaves 127-134 / Integrating psychology and spirituality to open up discussion on spiritual identity and its effects on the whole person was birthed in a counselling context, as individuals sought answers for various problems, having an effect on their psychological and spiritual well-being. The body, soul and spirit approach unfolded, as we explored their identity, more specifically, their spiritual identity, thus integrating psychology and spirituality. The aim was to explore how the discovery of their spiritual identity had an effect on them holistically. I chose a qualitative research design because my research questions required the collection and analysis of rich, in-depth data regarding participants’ psychological and spiritual journeys (Phipps, & Vorster, 2011; Ryan, 2006). My data collection method was twofold, using both in-depth interviews (narrative storytelling), as the initial stage for the individual to tell their story and the effects on their psychological and spiritual well-being, as well as semi-structured interviews (brainstorming), as the second stage in the research. The objective was to see what effects the problem had on them as a whole person. I used two stages of data analysis to reach this objective namely a collaborative deconstruction technique, together with the individual as the first stage and secondly a thematic analysis to interpret the main messages, patterns that repeated, as well as the highlights, having an effect on them as a whole. The results confirmed that individuals “discover” their spiritual identity when their self-identity reaches a limit of coping with problems and have more positive effects on them as whole persons. The significance of the research is that it has contributed to a more integrated counselling approach, within psychology, for counsellors and psychologists, to explore spiritual identity with the individual. Through the integration of seeing individuals as whole beings, including a spiritual dimension, awareness was created within the counselling context of the value of seeing individuals in a more integrative and holistic manner. Such a psycho-spiritual integrative approach is more relevant in the field of counselling in journeying with individuals in wholeness and affecting their dimensions of body, soul and spirit positively in the context of identity. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

Text in Afrikaans / Students who study part time find themselves in a situation, with much pressure, which causes stress. The reason for this study was therefore to investigate the effectiveness of Rational Emotive Therapy as a coping technique for students in order to handle stress. A qualitative analysis was conducted and data was gathered primarily through group therapy and interviewing. The results of the research led to the conclusion that Rational Emotive Therapy could be effectively applied by students as a stresscoping mechanism / Educational Studies / M.Ed.

To date, the vast literature on theories of psychology, and psychology as a practice, still remains a reflection of Western experiences and conceptions of reality. This is so despite "psychology" and "psychotherapy" being studied and implemented by Africans, dealing with Africa's existential issues, in Africa. In this context, a distorted impression that positions psychology and psychotherapy as irreplaceable and irrefutable Western discoveries is created. This perception creates a tendency in which psychotherapists adopt and use universalised, foreign and imposed theories to explain and deal with African cultural experiences. In recent years, African scholars' quest to advance "African-brewed" conceptions, definitions and practices of "psychology" and "psychotherapy" is gaining momentum. Psychologists dealing with African clients are increasingly confronted with the difficulty, and in some instances the impossibility, of communicating with, and treating local clients using Western conceptions and theories. Adopting the dominant Western epistemological and scientific paradigms constitutes epistemological oppression and alienation. Instead, African conceptions, definitions and practices of "psychology" and "psychotherapy" based on African cultural experiences, epistemology and ontology are argued for. The thesis defended in this study is that the dominant Western paradigm of scientific knowledge in general and, psychology in particular, is anchored in a defective claim to neutrality, objectivity and universality. To demonstrate this, indigenous ways of knowing and doing in the African experience are counterpoised against the Western understanding and construction of scientific knowledge in the fields of psychology and psychotherapy. The conclusion arising from our demonstration is the imperative to rethink psychology and psychotherapy in order to (i) affirm the validity of indigenous African ways of knowing and doing; (ii) show that the exclusion of the indigenous African ways of knowing and doing from the Western paradigm illustrates the tenuous and questionable character of its epistemological and methodological claims to neutrality, objectivity and universality. Indeed the Western claim to scientific knowledge, as described, speaks to its universality at the expense of the ineradicable as well as irreducible v ontological pluriversality of the human experience. This study's aim is to advance the argument for the sensitivity to pluriversality of be-ing and the imperative for wholistic thinking. / Psychology / D. Phil. (Psychology)

The purpose of this study was to qualitatively examine the meaning that psychotherapeutic patients associate with their self-esteem in order to contribute to a better understanding of what these patients' views of low and high self-esteem entail. A study of literature was conducted to expose different aspects of the term 'self-esteem' from several theoretical approaches. Furthermore, the substructure of the hypno-therapeutic approach (of which the medical hypno-analytical model was the main approach) was especially analysed to ground the psychotherapeutic treatment received by the research participants. Eleven research participants were involved in the study according to the extreme, as well as the confirming and disconfirming case methods of sampling. They were selected on the basis of homogenous characteristics, namely: white, Afrikaans-speaking men in the low to high average socio-economic sphere. This study was done within a qualitative or interpretive paradigm - the study therefore focuses on the understanding (verstehen) of the meaning individuals attach to their self-esteem and not on the explanation (erklärung) thereof. The data gathering techniques were the basic individual interview, the self-esteem induction and observation. The textual data, transcribed from audiocassettes, was analysed qualitatively with the help of the ATLAS.ti-program according to the principles and procedures of grounded theory (including open, axial and selective coding). Data analysis led to, amongst other things, the co-construction of 23 categories (with numerous subcategories) of which the central phenomenon was identified as 'low self-esteem'. Relations could be drawn between the core category and other categories and the following storyline, which could suggest a possible theory, was conceptualised: -Negative suggesting in the patient's past leads to low self-esteem, which is unhealthily handled within his emotional problematics by means of a negative thinking scheme for which therapy is received from a medical hypno-analytical perspective to treat the negative labels in order to facilitate attachment of positive meaning to his self-esteem. The meaning(s) ascribed by psychotherapeutic patients to their self-esteem seem to be, in accordance with the post-modern spirit of the age (Zeitgeist), holistic in nature. / Die doelstelling van hierdie studie was om die betekenis wat psigoterapeutiese pasiente met hul selfagting assosieer, kwalitatief te ondersoek ten einde 'n bydrae te maak tot 'n beter begrip van wat psigoterapeutiese pasiente se siening van lae en hoe selfagting behels. 'n Literatuurstudie is uitgevoer om die onderskeie aspekte met betrekking tot die begrip 'selfagting' vanuit verskillende teoretiese benaderings te belig. Verder is die onderbou van veral die hipnoterapeutiese benadering (waarvan die mediese hipnoanalitiese model die hoofbenadering was) ge-analiseer om die psigoterapeutiese behandeling wat die navorsingsdeelnemers ontvang het, te fundeer. Elf navorsingsdeelnemers is volgens die ekstreme, sowel as die bevestigende en niebevestigende gevallemetodes van steekproeftrekking, by die studie betrek. Hulle is op grond van homogene eienskappe gekies, naamlik: blanke, Afrikaanssprekende mans binne 'n laag tot hoog gemiddelde sosio-ekonomiese sfeer. Hierdie studie is binne 'n kwalitatiewe of interpretatiewe paradigma gedoen - die studie fokus dus op die verstaan (verstehen) van die betekenis wat individue aan hul selfagting heg en nie op die verklaring (erklarung) daarvan nie. Die data- insamelingstegnieke was die basiese individuele onderhoud, die selfagtinginduksie in hipnoterapie en observasie. Die data is as tekstuele data, wat vanaf klankkassette getranskribeer is, op kwalitatiewe wyse met behulp van die ATLASJi-program aan die hand van die beginsels en prosedures van gegronde teorie (waaronder oop, aksiale en selektiewe kodering) ontleed. Data-ontleding het onder andere gelei tot die ko-konstruksie van 23 kategoriee (met talle subkategoriee) waarvan die sentrale verskynsel as 'lae selfagting' geidentifiseer is. Verbande kon tussen die kernkategorie en ander kategoriee getrek word, en die volgende gekonseptualiseerde storielyn wat op 'n moontlike teorie kan dui, is gekokonstrueer: - Negatiewe suggerering in die pasient se verlede lei tot sy lae selfagting wat hy binne sy emosionele problematiek deur middel van 'n negatiewe denkskema ongesond hanteer en dan psigoterapie ontvang vir die behandeling van sy negatiewe etikette sodat 'n positiewe betekenisgewing aan sy selfagting vanuit 'n mediese hipno-analitiese perspektief gefasiliteer kan word. Die betekenis(se) wat die psigoterapeutiese pasiente aan hul selfagting gee, blyk, in ooreenstemming met die postmodernistiese tydgees, holisties van aard te wees. / Psychology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)