Childhood sexual abuse is a serious problem with potential for long term impact on the victims. A history of CSA is associated with psychological distress in adult survivors (Hund & Espelage, 2005). There are risk factors and protective factors that can mediate these effects. One protective factor that has been found to be the best predictor of outcome is adaptive coping, However, there is no known measure with well-established psychometric properties that assesses for adaptive coping behaviors. The Solution Focus Recovery Scale was developed to assess adaptive coping in adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse and sexual assault. The SFRS has some preliminary data to support the reliability and validity of the measure (Kruczek & Vitanza, 1999; Kruczek & Ægisdóttir, 2005). The current study will help to continue to establish the psychometric properties of the SFRS so that it can be used as an outcome measure for future research and in treatment. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

There is no abstract available for this dissertation. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

There is no abstract available for this dissertation. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

This study examined the impact on psychotherapists who are repeatedly empathically exposed to their client’s traumatic content. Psychotherapists were asked to complete survey packets which included quantitative measures of Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) and Vicarious Traumatization (VT), which are both theorized to be negative conditions which may develop after being exposed to other’s traumatic content. Some respondents were then interviewed, and the transcribed interviews were analyzed utilizing the qualitative technique of grounded theory. The results of this study suggested psychotherapists mediate the impact of traumatic exposure through a variety of factors, including personal characteristics, external support systems, and the use of a variety of self-care skills. These factors, along with psychotherapist’s responses to barriers interfering with accessing these factors, appear to change over time as therapists gain experience. Additionally, rather than developing negative symptoms as a result of their work, many therapists appear to develop positive outlooks, a deep respect for their client’s and human resiliency, and a sense of confidence that they can help their clients. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

The present thesis investigated correlates of psychosocial and academic adjustment to University life among students. Five cross-sectional and one longitudinal study were undertaken. During the first 3 studies the focus of interest was both on home and non-home students. During the latter three studies the focus shifted to first year home students only. Data was collected by means of a number of self-report questionnaires consisting mainly of a number of standardised and widely used personality, social support and wellbeing/ adjustment measures. Results indicated that: (a) prior to arrival at University, non-home students, in comparison to home students, appear to be quite well equipped for the transition, in terms of social and personality attributes; however, they appear to lack substantial information regarding life in Scotland and academic standards of the host University, which might adversely affect their ability to cope with eventual academic demands; (b) Cultural Distance appears to affect non-home students' psychosocial adjustment during the early stage of the transition; (c) Non-home students experience not only the problems that home students report but also a number of additional difficulties which are closely related to cultural differences; (d) Correlates of Homesickness appear to differ for home and non-home students; (e) Personality (Neuroticism, Extraversion, Self-esteem, Social Inhibition and perceived Social Competence) and Dysfunctional Attitudes strongly influence the development of new satisfactory social networks, and the eventual psychosocial adjustment to University life; (f) Perceived Social Support is a significant predictor of psychosocial adjustment; (g) Academic performance does not appear to be related to any personality, social support or psychosocial adjustment variables; (h) Personality (Neuroticism, Extraversion), perceived Social Support and Loneliness appear to change significantly (in absolute terms) over the first academic year, but at the same time they remain relatively stable. Results are discussed in relation to the relevant literature, practical implications for students Counselling, and suggestions for further fruitful research.

This study describes and analyzes within the cognitive-phenomenological theory of psychological stress developed by Lazarus and his colleagues the coping strategies used by 95 9th-grade adolescents in specific stressful events in their daily lives. / Four research instruments were administered three times at five- to six-week intervals: (1) the Semi-Structured Interview Schedule; (2) the Ways of Coping Checklist; (3) the Daily Hassles and Uplifts Scales; and, (4) the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist. / Results of the study indicate the most frequently reported hassles and uplifts are consistent with the age and developmental level of this sample. The concerns are primarily frequent, chronic minor events associated with activities of daily living. Hassles and uplifts were positively correlated with each other, as well as with symptomatology and coping strategies. Coping strategies were positively related to symptomatology. Female adolescents reported higher levels of uplifts intensity, more coping strategies, and higher levels of symptomatology than male adolescents. Although significantly fewer coping strategies were reported over time, both problem-solving and emotion-regulating strategies were used in the majority of stressful events. Significant differences in levels of symptomatology appeared as a function of the language-group to which subjects belonged. / While further investigation of adolescents' coping behaviors is warranted, the results of this study identified the need for stress management education for adolescents as well as for teachers, counsellors, and other professionals who work with them.

We have conducted a phenomenological research with four women victims of rape in order to discover the impact of the elements which give meaning to their lives, on their recovery. The results of our research demonstrate that overall the elements of the meaning of life have been beneficial for women's recovery. The elements that were identified are the importance of children, the philosophy of life, the goals to achieve, the significant relationships, the financial autonomy and helping others. Those elements have been identified in two previous researches. However two new elements appeared which are the attachment to their job and the development of their skills analysis. Our theoretical framework appeals to social work, sociology, psychology, psychiatry and philosophy. Our vision is feminist.

This thesis explores insecurity about four types of involuntary work transition. These are labeled here domain insecurities and include job facet insecurity, job loss insecurity, occupation insecurity and employment insecurity. The primary purpose was to distinguish the insecurities conceptually and demonstrate their independence empirically. The domain insecurities were defined and their features identified from a review of literature on various work attitudes. Viable cognitive and affective measures of insecurity were suggested from the conceptual discussion. Data were collected through a self-report questionnaire distributed using a snowball methodology. Validation of the proposed insecurity measures against reliable correlates of insecurity (pessimism and anxiety) supported operationalizing insecurity by affect alone. Correlation analysis clearly distinguished the domain insecurities. The secondary purpose of the thesis was to explore the content and nomological network of the domain insecurities. To this end, key features of the domain insecurities were scrutinized. This analysis particularly set employment insecurity apart from the other insecurities. Data were collected on antecedents and coping with the insecurities. Multiple regression analysis using a repeated-measures design yielded common antecedents of the four insecurities. A significant interaction emerged between age and domain, reflecting different occupational and employment concerns across age groups. Factor analysis with varimax rotation of the coping checklist developed for this thesis supported the formation of four coping scales: palliation, job search, self-development through education, and withdrawal. Multiple regression analysis using a repeated-measures design revealed that people cope with all insecurities through palliation, withdrawal and self-development activities. Significant interactions emerged that confirmed the targeted use of job search activities in

Thesis (MPsy(Specialisation))--University of South Australia, 2003.

Thesis (MEd (Human Resources Studies))--University of South Australia, 1995