Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a dangerous and common behaviour, particularly among adolescents. Childhood trauma, insecure child-parent attachment, psychological distress, and impulsivity are some of the risk factors for NSSI that have been previously identified. However, the pathways from distal risk factors to NSSI and the ways in which these correlated risk factors interact with each other remains unclear. Identifying these pathways will provide valuable insight into the aetiology of NSSI and potentially highlight targets for treatment and intervention. In this dissertation I examine data from multiple large samples of young people, looking at multiple risk and protective factors together, and examining moderation and mediation pathways between risk factors. Using longitudinal data from 933 adolescents with no prior history of NSSI I demonstrated that the association between childhood family adversity before age 5 and new onset of NSSI between the ages of 14 and 17 was mediated by age 14 family functioning and possibly mental illness. Next, I validated a new measure of child perceptions of positive parenting, which I used to demonstrate the uni-directional prospective association between positive parenting and lower rates of NSSI amongst 1489 adolescents (ages 14-25). I then used this new measure of positive parenting to demonstrate that the prospective parenting-NSSI association was mediated by psychological distress. This is also one of the first prospective studies to show that impulsivity is independently predictive of NSSI. Using data I collected myself from a sample of 596 adolescents (ages 16-19) I validated a much needed measure of childhood trauma, with which I then demonstrated that the trauma-NSSI association was mediated by attachment and distress. Using data from this sample I was also able to reaffirm my previous findings that the attachment-NSSI association was mediated by psychological distress, and that impulsivity was uniquely associated with NSSI. Finally, using data from a sample of 559 Flemish 13 year-olds, I demonstrated that behavioural problems were more salient to NSSI than emotional problems among young adolescents, and that the attachment-NSSI association might be mediated by hyperactivity and conduct problems. Together, these findings reaffirm that childhood trauma, insecure child-parent attachment, psychological distress, and impulsivity are robust risk factors for NSSI and potential targets for treatment and intervention. Moreover, both distress and child-parent attachment may be viable targets for interventions aimed at attenuating the impact of early childhood trauma after it has occurred. Future research should use randomised controlled trails to test the efficacy of NSSI treatments aimed at these risk factors.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-09-17T15:24:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2014-11-14. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-09-17T15:47:40Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000846040.pdf: 1197161 bytes, checksum: 3ea829765d7ab24537d8614ec4623d92 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A fim de melhor entender a disfunção temporomandibular (DTM) e o bruxismo do sono em adolescentes, é importante investigar os fatores de risco associados com sua presença. Portanto, o objetivo do presente estudo transversal foi investigar potenciais fatores de risco, incluídos no modelo etiológico biopsicossocial da DTM dolorosa, assim como na etiologia multifatorial do bruxismo do sono. Além disso, foi testada a hipótese de que a DTM dolorosa poderia atuar como uma variável de confusão na associação entre o bruxismo do sono e os fatores psicossociais. A amostra foi composta por 1.094 adolescentes, de 12 a 14 anos de idade. A presença de DTM dolorosa foi avaliada por meio do eixo I do RDC/TMD, enquanto que o diagnóstico de possível bruxismo do sono foi avaliado por meio do relato do adolescente. Além das características demográficas, os fatores de risco estudados para a DTM dolorosa foram os hábitos parafuncionais, aspectos psicossociais, menarca e dores em outras partes do corpo. O gênero, o antecedente de história familiar e os aspectos psicossociais foram os fatores de risco estudados para o bruxismo do sono. Os modelos de regressão uni e multivariado revelaram que a DTM dolorosa estava fortemente associada com o bruxismo do sono (OR=1,8 95% IC= 1,34-2,34), apertamento diurno (OR=2,1 95% IC= 1,56-2,83), outros hábitos parafuncionais (OR= 2,2 95% IC= 1,17-4,08) e dores em outras partes do corpo (OR= 5,0 95% IC= 3,48-7,28). Do mesmo modo, o bruxismo do sono foi fortemente associado ao gênero (OR=1,8 95% IC= 1,34-2,37), antecedente de história familiar positiva para bruxismo do sono (OR=2,5 95% IC= 1,83-3,32) e ansiedade (OR=1,6 95% IC= 1,08-2,22). Não foram encontrados sinais de multicolinearidade. A análise da DTM dolorosa como terceira variável revelou que ela atua como variável de confusão na associação entre bruxismo do sono e ansiedade, pois a associação...(Resumo completo clicar acesso eletrônico) / In order to better understanding the temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain and the sleep bruxism in adolescents, it is important to study the associated factors associated. Therefore, the aims of the present cross sectional study were to investigate the potential predictor factors for TMD pain and sleep bruxism in adolescents, thereby including factors from the biopsychosocial and multifactorial model, respectively. Moreover, it was test the hypothesis that TMD pain could act as a confounder variable in the association between psychosocial factors and sleep bruxism. One thousand and ninety-four adolescents, aged 12-14 years, composed the sample. The presence of TMD pain was assessed using the RDC/TMD Axis I, and the possible sleep bruxism was diagnosed by self-report. Apart from demographical characteristics, the roles of parafunctional habits, psychosocial aspects, menarche, and other bodily pain complaints were evaluated for TMD pain. The gender, the sleep bruxism family history, and psychosocial factors were evaluated for sleep bruxism. Single and multiple logistic regression models showed that TMD pain was associated with sleep bruxism (OR=1.8 95% CI=1.34-2.34), awake bruxism (OR=2.1 95% CI=1.56-2.83), other parafunctional habits (OR=2.2 95% CI=1.17-4.08), and bodily pain complaints (OR=5.0 95% IC=3.48-7.28). Likewise, sleep bruxism was associated with gender (OR=1.8 95% CI=1.34-2.37), positive sleep bruxism family history (OR=2.5 95% CI=1.83-3.32), and anxiety (OR=1.6 95% IC=1.08-2.22). There were no signs of multicollinearity. The analysis of TMD pain as a third variable revealed a confounding effect in the association between sleep bruxism and anxiety, because a previously significant association (OR=1.6 95% IC=1.08-2.22), became non-significant after testing (OR=1.4 95% IC=1.00-2.05). In summary, parafunctional habits and other bodily pain complaints associated factors to TMD pain in ... (Complete abstract electronic access below)

This thesis investigated treatment outcomes and processes in young people with chronic pain. The first chapter describes a systematic review, which examined the effectiveness of acceptance and mindfulness-based interventions in improving pain-related outcomes in young people. Secondary aims were to review changes in proposed treatment processes following the interventions, and to compare the effectiveness of these interventions to control conditions. Although there was evidence to suggest that these treatments may improve outcomes, particularly levels of daily functioning, further research is needed to adequately assess the utility of acceptance and mindfulness-based approaches with paediatric chronic pain populations. The second chapter details a cross-sectional study of contextual and cognitive processes in adolescents with chronic pain. Specifically, the study tested the mediating effects of acceptance, catastrophising and kinesiophobia in the relationship between pain intensity and indicators of adjustment. Both acceptance and kinesiophobia mediated the effects of pain intensity on disability and quality of life, while catastrophising mediated the effect of pain intensity on levels of anxiety and depression. The results demonstrated that both contextual and cognitive factors are important determinants of young people’s well-being. Future research would benefit from gaining a greater understanding of how these processes interact with each other to affect pain-related outcomes.

Orientador: Cinara Maria Camparis / Banca: Janaina Habib Jorge / Banca: Josemeri Hebling Costa / Banca: Simone Soares / Banca: Maria Beatriz Duarte Gavião / Resumo: A fim de melhor entender a disfunção temporomandibular (DTM) e o bruxismo do sono em adolescentes, é importante investigar os fatores de risco associados com sua presença. Portanto, o objetivo do presente estudo transversal foi investigar potenciais fatores de risco, incluídos no modelo etiológico biopsicossocial da DTM dolorosa, assim como na etiologia multifatorial do bruxismo do sono. Além disso, foi testada a hipótese de que a DTM dolorosa poderia atuar como uma variável de confusão na associação entre o bruxismo do sono e os fatores psicossociais. A amostra foi composta por 1.094 adolescentes, de 12 a 14 anos de idade. A presença de DTM dolorosa foi avaliada por meio do eixo I do RDC/TMD, enquanto que o diagnóstico de possível bruxismo do sono foi avaliado por meio do relato do adolescente. Além das características demográficas, os fatores de risco estudados para a DTM dolorosa foram os hábitos parafuncionais, aspectos psicossociais, menarca e dores em outras partes do corpo. O gênero, o antecedente de história familiar e os aspectos psicossociais foram os fatores de risco estudados para o bruxismo do sono. Os modelos de regressão uni e multivariado revelaram que a DTM dolorosa estava fortemente associada com o bruxismo do sono (OR=1,8 95% IC= 1,34-2,34), apertamento diurno (OR=2,1 95% IC= 1,56-2,83), outros hábitos parafuncionais (OR= 2,2 95% IC= 1,17-4,08) e dores em outras partes do corpo (OR= 5,0 95% IC= 3,48-7,28). Do mesmo modo, o bruxismo do sono foi fortemente associado ao gênero (OR=1,8 95% IC= 1,34-2,37), antecedente de história familiar positiva para bruxismo do sono (OR=2,5 95% IC= 1,83-3,32) e ansiedade (OR=1,6 95% IC= 1,08-2,22). Não foram encontrados sinais de multicolinearidade. A análise da DTM dolorosa como terceira variável revelou que ela atua como variável de confusão na associação entre bruxismo do sono e ansiedade, pois a associação...(Resumo completo clicar acesso eletrônico) / Abstract: In order to better understanding the temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain and the sleep bruxism in adolescents, it is important to study the associated factors associated. Therefore, the aims of the present cross sectional study were to investigate the potential predictor factors for TMD pain and sleep bruxism in adolescents, thereby including factors from the biopsychosocial and multifactorial model, respectively. Moreover, it was test the hypothesis that TMD pain could act as a confounder variable in the association between psychosocial factors and sleep bruxism. One thousand and ninety-four adolescents, aged 12-14 years, composed the sample. The presence of TMD pain was assessed using the RDC/TMD Axis I, and the possible sleep bruxism was diagnosed by self-report. Apart from demographical characteristics, the roles of parafunctional habits, psychosocial aspects, menarche, and other bodily pain complaints were evaluated for TMD pain. The gender, the sleep bruxism family history, and psychosocial factors were evaluated for sleep bruxism. Single and multiple logistic regression models showed that TMD pain was associated with sleep bruxism (OR=1.8 95% CI=1.34-2.34), awake bruxism (OR=2.1 95% CI=1.56-2.83), other parafunctional habits (OR=2.2 95% CI=1.17-4.08), and bodily pain complaints (OR=5.0 95% IC=3.48-7.28). Likewise, sleep bruxism was associated with gender (OR=1.8 95% CI=1.34-2.37), positive sleep bruxism family history (OR=2.5 95% CI=1.83-3.32), and anxiety (OR=1.6 95% IC=1.08-2.22). There were no signs of multicollinearity. The analysis of TMD pain as a third variable revealed a confounding effect in the association between sleep bruxism and anxiety, because a previously significant association (OR=1.6 95% IC=1.08-2.22), became non-significant after testing (OR=1.4 95% IC=1.00-2.05). In summary, parafunctional habits and other bodily pain complaints associated factors to TMD pain in ... (Complete abstract electronic access below) / Doutor

D.Ed. / Statistics in the media have given a grim picture about unemployment in South Africa. The question was asked about the influence of the father's unemployment on adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17 years, who is part of the same family system as the father. Taking into account the important role the family has to fulfil in the development of the adolescent, the researcher wondered to what extent the adolescent's way to adulthood was influenced by the fact that the father and the family was not available to fulfil the role of supporter and caregiver. The father had to deal with his own emotions and feelings and was not available for the adolescent. How did it influence his/her development? The sample criteria were formulated to include adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17 years whose fathers lost their jobs and who were unemployed at present (having lost their jobs not longer than three months ago). The criteria also included adolescents who were adversely affected by the existential crisis in the form of the father's unemployment. Phenomenological interviews were conducted to determine the adolescents' experience of the father's unemployment. The results, in short, indicated that three emotions were experienced namely fear, insecurity and anger. It was evident that the adolescents did not apply constructive skills to handle the crisis but merely used strategies to survive every day. These strategies lead to the deterioration of relationships with the self and significant others. Their hopes and perception of the future were also negatively influenced. This lead to the adolescents not experiencing a form of well-being and survival was the only prerogative. The researcher decided to look at the construction of a model to support these adolescents by helping them gain personal insight so that in the end, well-being will be experienced. The development of the model proceeded in four stages. During Stage one, concepts were identified, defined and classified after the completion of the fieldwork. The central concept was defined as ''facilitating interaction': and associated concepts were the educational psychologist, the adolescent, the existential crisis, interpersonal processes to apply to the crisis and the reaching of certain goals. Guba 's model was applied to ensure trustworthiness in the qualitative methodology. This refers to the credibility, transferability, reliability and verification of the research. The relationship between concepts was drawn in Step one, the description of the model followed in Step three and the guidelines in operationalising the model followed in Step four. In this research, Steps three and four were integrated and not discussed separately. The model is aimed at supporting the adolescents by applying facilitative interaction to gain personal insight and thus applying more constructive skills to the handling of psychological processes, which will lead to the well-being of the adolescent where problemsolving skills are an integral part of the process. This is indicative of the improvement in the relationship with the self and significant others. The researcher hopes that these skills will become a /ifeski/1 to be applied to other situations. The main theme of the model is:" Assistance to adolescents whose fathers lost their jobs: an educational psychological model".

Magister Artium (Social Work) - MA(SW) / This study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of adolescents with regard to sexual harassment within the school environment. It was considered in the light of actual cases reported on the Cape Flats in the Western Cape where adolescent girls sought counselling after being sexually harassed over a period of time, and were eventually sexually assaulted on their school grounds, by their peers. A qualitative methodological approach was utilised, and the sample was made up of nine adolescent females and one adolescent male between the ages of 15 and 17 years, who were asked to participate on a voluntary basis. Their selection followed purposive sampling at two selected high schools on the Cape Flats in the Western Cape. The research instrument used was an unstructured interview with an open-ended question to allow the participant to share openly and freely. Sound ethical considerations were taken into account throughout the study. Phenomenology was used as a theoretical framework and the data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The four key themes, or essence of the adolescents’ lived experiences, that emerged for the study were: (1) boys don’t respect girls’ sexuality, (2) boys demonstrate power over girls, (3) girls who are sexually harassed at school are publicly humiliated, (4) reporting procedures at schools are inadequate. From the themes I concluded that for the girls, key principles relating to human rights within the South African Constitution were being violated; namely, the right to non-discrimination, the right to human dignity and the right to a safe school environment. Recommendations were made that address the role of the national and regional education departments as well as that of social workers.

The temporal relationship between two types of perfectionism— self-oriented perfectionism (SOP) and socially prescribed perfectionism (SPP)— and depressive symptoms was examined in a sample of 653 children across Grades 6 (depressive symptoms only), 7, and 8. A vulnerability model, in which perfectionism affects depressive symptoms, was compared to a scar model, in which depressive symptoms affects perfectionism, and to a reciprocal-causality model, in which both constructs concurrently affect each other across time. Cross-lagged paths analyses using structural equation modeling supported a scar model where increases in depressive symptoms lead to increases in SPP, but not SOP. The findings applied to both boys and girls. Results suggest that in childhood, depressive symptoms increase the perception that others are expecting excessively high standards from oneself and the need to satisfy this perception.

The systemic orientation to behavioral change and the use of paradoxical interventions has been predominantly associated with the family therapy movement. Recently practitioners have been experimenting with the use of strategic/systemic methods in residential treatment centers, schools, and hospital inpatient settings. The literature suggests that these interventions may be ideally suited for oppositional or reluctant clients who resist cooperating in the treatment process. This thesis provides a case study description of an adolescent treatment home which has developed a strategic/systemic approach to residential care. The implementation of a systemic perspective to residential treatment required substantial changes to traditional child care philosophy and practice. These changes are described and discussed and actual intervention examples are presented which help to illuminate this novel approach to residential treatment. / Education, Faculty of / Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of / Graduate

Maltreatment experienced in childhood or adolescence is a known risk factor for later problem alcohol and/or other drug (AOD) use (Bailey & McCloskey, 2005; Shin, Edwards, Heeren, 2009). A growing body of empirical work has found significant associations between adolescent girls’ AOD use and maltreatment experiences. However, questions remain as to how this relation unfolds with African-American and Hispanic adolescent girls. Guided by four relational models that have been proposed in the literature, this study examined the links between maltreatment, trauma symptoms, and alcohol and/or other drug (AOD) problems in a sample of 170 African-American and Hispanic adolescent girls who were participants in a school-based AOD use intervention. Results of this study revealed that maltreatment experiences (physical and emotional abuse) were positively related to trauma symptoms, which were positively related to AOD problem severity, alcohol abuse, alcohol dependency, drug abuse, and drug dependency. Perceived discrimination moderated this relation between sexual abuse and trauma symptoms, such that more perceived discrimination resulted in a stronger effect of sexual abuse on trauma symptoms. Ethnic identity moderated the relation between sexual abuse and AOD problem severity, such that ethnic identity demonstrated protective properties in the relation between sexual abuse and AOD problem severity. My research adds to extant knowledge on the relation between maltreatment and AOD use in adolescent girls and suggests the importance of developing interventions targeting maltreatment and AOD use concurrently.

The problem of this study was to prepare a comprehensive family living textbook for use by high school students. The primary purposes of the study were the following (1) to provide teenagers with factual information concerning sexuality which will better equip them to make responsible decision; (2) to prepare young people to become better marriage partners, better parents and ultimately to produce stronger families for the future.