Thesis (Ph. D.)--California School of Professional Psychology, San Diego, 1998.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Ashland Theological Seminary, 1998. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 131-137).

Thesis (M.S.W.)--Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Mass., 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 32-34).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Covenant Theological Seminary, 2004. / Abstract. Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 184-187).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Covenant Theological Seminary, 2004. / Abstract. Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 184-187).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Ohio University, June, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 92-105)

Using autoethnography, performance praxis, and narrative theory, this thesis seeks to examine the discourses of the Recovery Industry in relationship to Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACoA). The Recovery Industry creates normalized identity scripts that may be problematic for some people who fall under this diagnosis/category. By using subversive performance praxis, the author hopes to rupture these dominant narratives in hope of creating new possibilities for identity narratives.

The main theme of this thesis are issues related to childhood and adolescence in the family with addicted parent. From the point of view of adult children of addicted parent, we try to uncover how is the complex development of such children and how they can influence their future lives. From several sub-questions that are open and therefore easy to specify, we try to identify the attitudes, values and opinions of respondents who grew up in the addicted parent family. These questions are created by a work author based on her own experience. Respondents of the research are then accidentally selected adult children of addicted parent who were interviewed.

D.Litt. et Phil. / This study explores the process of meaning-making for parents who have lost an adult child where the cause of death was a stigmatised illness. In order to shed light on the phenomenon under review, an investigation of existing research literature was undertaken. A particular focal point in respect of the review as a whole, is the exploration of how the experience of parental bereavement motivates the search for meaning and the possible significance of this meaning in the continued life of the bereaved parent. The review comprises an overview of theoretical approaches to bereavement and the various factors which determine the grief experience. These include an examination of factors surrounding the loss, personal factors and coping skills, as well as an outline of familial, cultural and social aspects. A further focus of the review, is on the process of meaning making especially with regard to death and suffering. The review explores the issues of stigma and the process of stigmatisation. How stigma attaches to an attribute and issues of disclosure are areas of focus, in particular the effect of stigma in respect of HIV/AIDS. The focus of the study is on the world of the lived experienced as it is interpreted by participants in order to produce an understanding of the participants’ experience. Hence the study is sited within a phenomenological framework. Six participants were interviewed with the intention to act as informants who are able to give rich and abundant descriptions of their experience. All participants have experienced the loss of an adult offspring as a result of a long-term illness. The children of three of the participants died as a result of an AIDS-related illness, which is currently a stigmatised illness in South Africa, and the children of three participants have died as a result of cancer, which is a long-term terminal illness which is not currently stigmatised in South Africa. The interviews were recorded and transcribed. An interwoven analysis was presented in order to identify the themes and experiences of such bereavement which emerged from the transcripts. An attempt was made to understand how the various phenomena relating to parental bereavement were reflected by participants in the interviews. The study also sought to compare areas of commonality and divergence between participants whose children have died from cancer and those who have died as a result of AIDS, so as to present an integrated delineation of themes. Finally the study presents a reflection of the experience of the researcher and recommendations for therapeutic practice which arise from the conclusions of the study. There is an evaluation as regards the strengths and limitations of the study and recommendations for future research. The unique contribution of the study to the field of psychology is also addressed.