AIDS is a syndrome that affects millions of South Africans. Adolescents have been regarded as a potential high-risk group with regard to HIV infection due to their increased sexual activity. Changing behaviour, even that of adolescents, who are just beginning to experience and experiment with their sexuality is perhaps the biggest challenge facing HIV / AIDS prevention in South Africa. There is an urgent need for more knowledge and information on adolescent sexuality, and their knowledge of and attitudes towards HIV / AIDS that can impact intervention programmes. The aim of this research was to examine knowledge, attitudes and behaviours regarding HIV / AIDS among adolescents at a rural Junior Secondary School in the Eastern Cape. The study used both qualitative and quantitative methodology. The participants were grade 7 to 9 learners at the school; 46 males, and 74 females (n=120). The research instrument used was an anonymous self-report questionnaire. Data on behavior was gathered through 9 open-ended questions. Findings revealed that adolescents had higher-level knowledge about AIDS although there were also misconceptions. Their attitudes were both negative and positive. Data on reported behaviours revealed that most learners have changed their behaviours, 90% reported that they would use a condom to prevent the spread of the disease and, they indicated that a person should have one partner. It is recommended that a programme be developed to educate adolescents about sexuality in an objective and factual manner. Outsiders, not necessarily teachers should be used to implement such programmes, and the programmes should be adaptable to any circumstances, as not all schools have the facilities to their disposal like videos and films. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2004.

The HIV/AIDS pandemic is acknowledged as a disease that has harmful impacts on the social and economic development of developing countries. Much of the research on the pandemic has not, until recently concentrated on its impact on the education sector and on teenagers as people living with HIV. This study investigates the lives and experiences of HIV positive teenage learners (main participants) in some Intshanga schools in KwaZulu-Natal. As teenagers are essentially minors, and would be under the care of parents or other caregivers, it was necessary to learn more about the lives of the teenagers from caregivers in the community and from family members within families where there are individuals living with HIV. The study provides some insight into how other people like family members and caregivers understand the pandemic as well as the role they play in the lives of those infected by the HIV virus. Empirical data was collected over a period of a year (2004-2005) and yielded the following main findings: * Fear about disclosing one's status: HIV and AIDS are still not accepted as one of the significant realities of the lives of learners. It is regarded as a shameful disease which most members of the community prefer not to talk openly about. * Effects on affected learners: Social, economic and cultural circumstances and perspectives impact negatively on relationships in general and on relationships significant to learners themselves, i.e. parent-child and adult. * Persons living with HIV are called names by those who are seemingly not affected. * Teenagers report that they avoid using local healthcare services because they have on occasion experienced being verbally abused at these health care centres. * Teenagers are not assisted in dealing with peer pressure. * Teenagers are vulnerable to making disastrous choices. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.

This study explores, through digital storytelling, the experiences of HIV- and AIDS-related stigma of rural community secondary school learners. HIV- and AIDS-related stigma is seen as an impediment to a proficient response to HIV and AIDS in communities, also rural communities, and requires addressing. The rural community in which the research is undertaken is particularly hard hit by HIV and AIDS. Learners’ experiences of HIV- and AIDS related stigma could therefore inform how school and community could engage with HIV- and AIDS-related stigma and how they could address it in a constructive way. The study attempts to respond to two research questions: What can digital storytelling reveal about secondary school learners’ experiences of HIV- and AIDS-related stigma in schools in a rural community? How can digital storytelling enable secondary school learners in school in a rural community to take action to address stigma? This qualitative study is positioned within a critical paradigm, and employs a community-based participatory research strategy. Twelve Grade 8 and 9 male and female learners aged 15 to 18 years, from two secondary schools in rural Vulindlela district of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, who experienced, witnessed or heard about HIV- and AIDS-related stigma participated. Digital storytelling, a visual participatory method, was used to generate the data, and this was complemented by group discussion and written pieces completed by the participants in reflection sessions. The thematic analysis of the data made use of participatory analysis: the analysis of the digital stories was done by the participants while the overarching analysis was done by the researcher. This study, located in the field of the Psychology of Education, is informed by the theoretical framework of symbolic interactionism. In terms of the experienced stigma, it was found that living with HIV and AIDS and the related stigma is perceived as a ‘hardship’. The stigma is experienced on many levels: in the family, at school, and from friends and members of the community. It has an impact on the individual on an intrapersonal and interpersonal level. The young person is caught up in a vicious cycle of silent suffering since there are no reliable and trustworthy people with whom he or she can share these challenges. Some so-called traditional beliefs and customs such as not talking about sex, and practices like virginity testing, also fuel HIV- and AIDS-related stigma. The use of derogatory terms and the severe criticism of early sexual debut along with the gossiping which is used to spread the stigmatising statements further complicate the hardship experienced by young people. Digital storytelling was found to not only enable the learners’ voices to be heard but also to enable their taking charge of the stigma and thus create the space for critical participation in this research. The implications for the study are that the pervasive stigma that young people experience should be addressed at every level of the community. The stakeholders such as the families, school, educators, the King (Inkosi) and Chiefs (Indunas) of the area, relevant departments with that of Education taking the lead, must work hand-in-hand with the affected young people. Such collaboration may allow for the identification of the problem, for reflection on it, and also for the addressing of it. HIV- and AIDS-related stigma, while it has changed since the emergence of HIV, still is an issue that many HIV-positive individuals have to contend with. This stigma is, however, contextual and how the individual is stigmatised fits in with the language, meaning and thought that a community constructs around stigma. While digital storytelling enables the uncovering of particular stories of stigma that learners experience in the context of a school in a rural community, the digital storytelling in and of itself enables a change in the language, meaning and thought around stigma in its drawing on the specifics of the stigma as experienced in the community. Also, digital storytelling is about sharing stories about, and experiences of HIV- and AIDS-related stigma and how these stories can be used as part of the solution. If such stories can be told, people can spread them just as gossip is spread, but in this case such spreading would work towards positive social change. I claim that in order to confront the challenges raised by the perpetuation of stigma, efforts must involve the communities and must tap into their own experiences of perpetuating or enduring stigmatisation. Suggestions by the very same people from the community who are at the front line of perpetuating and /or suffering the stigma must be considered. This may also become one way of instantly communicating the research findings back to the community involved in the research. Using digital storytelling can ensure getting self-tailored, contextual, specific views on how HIV- and AIDS-related stigma is experienced but also how it could be addressed.

The purpose of this study was to explore the psychosocial phenomena of self-esteem in relation to gucose control in diabetic adolescent girls living in the Inland Empire. Three central themes emerged: body image, peer acceptance, and stress.

The purpose of this study was to investigate how a coed environment affects a female student's performance in physical education classes. The focus of this study is middle school students. Most middle school students are normally going through puberty and many environmental changes at a new school. These changes can influence a student's performance often in P.E., causing a decrease in performance and participation which can lead to physical inactivity.

Many areas of development converge as adolescents confront their major task of establishing an adult identity. However this is a complex task complicated by the difficulties experienced in the South African context. Concerns about health and well-being, coupled with research findings that emphasized adolescents' reluctance to seek help, prompted a review of adolescents needs. The present study explored the problems experienced and the coping styles used by a sample of adolescents living in the South African context. Participants' self-esteem was examined in relation to styles of coping that were employed. Data was gathered from questionnaires distributed to adolescents from three schools in the locality of Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, including one rural school and two urban schools. The final sample consisted of 362 subjects. The data were analysed using frequencies, factor analyses, Pearson's correlation coefficient and regression analyses. The results of the study showed that adolescents experienced problems which included difficulties related to school achievement and maintaining standards; money problems; interpersonal problems regarding relationships with parents and family, friends and partners; intrapersonal problems, dealing with personal problems, depression and not wanting to live; and future related concerns, involving qualifications, careers, and employment. Three coping style described strategies employed by adolescents to manage their concerns: Internal coping, Active coping, and Withdrawal or an Avoidant style of coping. Of the three styles participants used an internal style of coping most frequently overall. However, all styles of coping were used interchangeably in order to solve problems of different types. Coping styles were found to be specific to particular problem domains. Analysis of self-esteem was carried out for participants from one urban school only, as the scale did not meet the criteria for reliability for the remaining two schools. Associations between self esteem and coping styles showed that a negative relationship existed between an avoidant coping strategy and self-esteem, and a positive relationship existed between self-esteem and an active coping style. Findings also showed the greater the degree of avoidance in problem solving the lower the expected level of self-esteem. This study presents findings that show evidence of adolescents' difficulties and stresses, and an emergent need for assistance at a time of change and transformation in South Africa. Where better to address these needs than in the educational environment within the framework of Guidance and Counselling. The results of this study may inform and render assistance in constructing an appropriate Life Orientation and Guidance curriculum for all schools, that will address current needs of adolescents as they confront the chief task of adolescence, that is the formation of an adult identity, a South African identity. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

Thesis (MEd) -- Macquarie University, Australian Centre for Educational Studies, School of Education, 2008. / Bibliography: leaves 86-89. / Introduction -- Literature review -- The challenge program -- Methodology -- Analysis of questionnaire data -- Analysis of interviews -- Discussion of results. / This study investigates the effects of a week long challenge program on adolescents' social skills and in particular social competence. Current research has shown that there can be positive outcomes for participants attending outdoor education programs, however little is known about the nature and causes of such effects for short term programs. -- Thirty six students attending schools in the Sutherland Shire, south of Sydney were nominated by teachers to attend the week long program and subsequent follow-up sessions. The Life Effectiveness Questionnaire H-1 (Neill, Marsh & Richards, 2003) was completed pre and post program and again six months later. This was used to quantify any change that occurred in the eight constructs measured by the questionnaire deemed to constitute "life effectiveness' in the post program period. -- A cohort of students (n=100) was interviewed immediately after the program and six months later. The questioning sought to determine if participants observed changes in their own social skills and those of others. Interviwees were also asked to identify specific activities that they felt were of general benefit and assisted in the development of personal social skills. The instructor and supervising teacher who attended the same program were asked to identify changes in participants and significant events that may have contributed to participants' reported changes. -- Results from the questionnaire showed significant gains in the constructs of Social Competence and Time Management. These however declined over the sixth month period after the program. It appears that the effect of short term outdoor education programs on Life Effectiveness is short lived. In contrast, the qualitative data collected from interviews showed that participants had observed changes in their social skills and attributed these to the challenge and group activities within the program. Participants reported that these benefits were long lasting. -- The findings of this study demonstrate the positive benefits of short term outdoor education programs and the need to further investigate the post program experience. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / viii, 94 leaves ill

This study used a qualitative, explorative, and descriptive design to understand the experiences of adolescents after HIV status disclosure in Hhohho region Swaziland. The data were collected through in-depth individual semi structured face-to-face interviews from 10 adolescents living with HIV between the ages 15-19 years. To analyse interviews, Tesch’s qualitative data analysis approach was used. Findings from the study revealed that participants experienced sadness, despair and anger after disclosure and also had fear of death because some had lost one or both parents. The participants reported recurrent episodes of poor health, which resulted in failure at school. In addition, they stressed that they could not disclose their HIV status because they feared discrimination and stigma. Recommendations were made to improve coping strategies of adolescents and revising the nursing curriculum to equip nursing students with appropriate skills that would enable them to care for adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV). / Health Studies / MA (Health Studies)

Nos dias de hoje, a obesidade se caracteriza como uma doença de causas múltiplas, sendo uma enfermidade grave e com alta incidência em países desenvolvidos e em desenvolvimento. Dessa maneira, é possível considerar que a obesidade pode ser analisada por vários aspectos multifatoriais como os genéticos, sociais e afetivos. Nesse sentido, esta dissertação aborda alguns aspectos afetivos presentes na problemática da obesidade e sobrepeso em adolescentes mulheres, procurando verificar possíveis falhas na relação afetiva mãe e filha, nos estágios precoces do desenvolvimento da menina. Este estudo está fundamentado em concepções teóricas de Winnicott (1983; 2000; 2005; 2006), Levisky (1995), Barbosa Silva (2005), Bruno (2011) e Cardoso (2008). Foi utilizada como procedimento metodológico a abordagem qualitativa da História Oral de Vida que privilegia as narrativas do sujeito como compreensão de suas vivências afetivas. Desse modo, foram feitas entrevistas gravadas com as adolescentes obesas ou com sobrepeso de 13 a 18 anos que fazem parte da triagem ou estão em tratamento nutricional na Clínica-Escola de Nutrição da Faculdade de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde do Centro Universitário (Cesmac) em Maceió, Alagoas. Diante disso, as narrativas das adolescentes entrevistadas teceram sua história de vida, apresentando dados significativos como a relação com a mãe, o contexto familiar, o próprio ato de adolescer e o lidar com os conflitos existentes no dia a dia como aspectos importantes e como hipóteses possíveis de ocasionar o aparecimento da obesidade e do sobrepeso nessas adolescentes mulheres. Cada contexto estudado, revela singularidades da relação mãe e filha e se destaca como fundamental para o desenvolvimento e a construção do amadurecimento da menina na infância e, principalmente, na adolescência. / Nowadays, obesity is characterized as a disease of multiple causes, its a serious illness and with high incidence in developed and developing countries. This way, it is possible to consider that obesity can be analyzed by various multifactorial features as genetic, social, and affective. In this sense, this dissertation says some affective aspects in obesity and overweights problematic in adolescent women, seeking to verify possible failures in affective relation mother and daughter, in the early stages of development of the girl. This study, is based on theoretical conceptions of Winnicott (1983, 2000, 2005, 2006), Levinsky (1995), Barbosa Silva (2005), Bruno (2011) and Cardoso (2008). It was used as methodological procedure the qualitative approach of Oral Life History that privileges the narratives of the subject as knowledge their affective experiences. Thus, they have been recorded interviews with obese adolescents or overweight 13 to 18 years who are part of the screening or are in the nutritional treatment Clinic-School of Nutrition of Biological Sciences and Health College (Cesmac) in Maceió, Alagoas. In this way, the narratives of the interviewed adolescents wove their life story, they are presenting significant data such as the relationship with the mother, the family context, the own act of adolescent and the dealing with conflicts in daily life as important aspects and as possible hypotheses to bring on the onset of obesity and overweight in these adolescent women. Each studied context, reveals singularities mother and daughter relationship and it stands as fundamental to the development and the construction girls maturing in childhood, and mainly, in youth.

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