Thesis (MA (Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Suicide is the third leading cause of death of worldwide, and its social ramifications are far-reaching. Due to the stigma associated with suicide, as well as the unique emotional processes that occur during bereavement following this mode of death, suicide bereavement is regarded as different - and more intense - than other grief experiences. While the effects of suicide on the suicide-bereaved have been well-documented using objective measures of outcome, the subjective, and often unquantifiable emotional, familial and social consequences of suicide have been largely under-researched. By using an interpretive approach, this study focuses on the subjective experiences of those who have lost a loved one to suicide. Five suicide-bereaved individuals were sampled from a particular community, and their experiences were elicited using semi-structured interviews. The results indicate a number of emotional as well as social processes that occur after suicide, including intense longing for the deceased; rationalisation, disbelief, and denial; feelings of anger, guilt, regret, and sadness; a search for answers, meaning and closure; and blaming and social isolation. While these processes cannot be said to occur exclusively in suicide bereavement, they appear to be experienced more intensely during this form of grief.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigates and describes palliative care patients’ expectations of their homebased caregivers. This paper attempts to expand on the findings of a previous study by Armenis (2006b) that reported a need to determine the occupational responsibilities of home-based caregivers within the Stellenbosch Hospice organization. Three palliative care patients were interviewed individually in unstructured interviews whereby expectations were discussed and recorded. Respondents were from the rural town of Klapmuts which is located within the broader Stellenbosch area. Responses were analyzed by means of the phenomenological methodology approach developed by Giorgi (1997). The findings indicate that patients expect physical and psychosocial care which can be divided into six sub-themes: i) hygiene; ii) feeding; iii) physical assistance; iv) communicate care; v) support; vi) need for community. This study revealed in excess of forty caring activities that study participants expect from their home-based caregivers that may be utilized as future focus areas of home-based caregiver training initiatives. Recommendations for future research include the enquiry into the role of patient relatives’ and members of the community, as essential components of the unit of care. In addition, further investigation is required to determine the specific psychosocial needs of palliative patients, their relatives, and communities located in the outlying regions of South Africa. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie doen ondersoek na en beskryf pasiënte wat palliatief (sorg van pasiënte met ongeneeslike siektes) versorg word se rolverwagtinge van hul gemeenskapsgebaseerde oppassers. Hierdie werkstuk brei uit op ‘n voorafgaande studie deur Armenis (2006b) wat ‘n behoefte geraporteer het dat duidelike beroepspesifikasies vir gemeenskapsgebaseerde oppassers wat in diens van die Stellenbosch Hospice is, bepaal behoort te word. Drie ongestruktureerde onderhoude is gevoer met pasiënte wat palliatief versorg word. Pasiënte se verwagtinge is bespreek en op ‘n oudioband vasgelê. Deelnemers aan die studie is van die dorp Klapmuts wat binne die Stellenboschdistrik geleë is. Antwoorde is geanaliseer deur die gebruikmaking van die fenomenologiese metode soos deur Giorgi ontwikkel (1997). Die bevindings toon aan dat pasiënte ‘n dringende behoefte het aan fisieke en psigo-sosiale sorg. Laasgenoemde kan in ses sub-temas verdeel word: i) higiëne ii) voeding iii) fisiese bystand iv) die komunikasie van sorg v) ondersteuning vi) behoefte aan gemeenskapsbetrokkendheid. Hierdie studie het meer as veertig aktiwiteite vasgestel wat palliatiewe pasiënte van hul gemeenskapsgebaseerde oppassers verwag. Die vasgestelde aktiwiteite mag bydra tot die bevordering van toekomstige navorsing en die opleiding van gemeenskapsgebaseerde oppassers. Hierdie studie het ‘n dringende behoefte vir die opleiding van gemeenskapsgebaseerde oppassers, wat in die Stellenboschdistrik werksaam is geïdentifiseer. Daar is ‘n behoefte aan studies wat die rol van gesinslede en die gemeenskap se verantwoordelikhede uiteensit met betrekking tot die uitvoer van palliatiewe sorg. Die behoefte aan navorsing om die spesifieke psigososiale nood van palliatiewe pasiënte, hulle gesinne, en betrokke gemeenskappe wat in die landelike dele van Suid Afrika gelëe is, vas te stel.

Thesis (MA (Dept. of Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / The current study was aimed at expanding on and understanding the adaptation and adjustment mechanisms used by families in the wake of heart-related trauma, as a means of providing information that reveals and supports the family's own abilities, capabilities and resilience. The theoretical framework of this study was the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation (McCubbin & Thompson, 1991). The focus of this study is on the existing and new resources (including social support), the situation appraisal (including the family schema) and the problem solving and coping aspects of the family. This focus represents the paradigmatic shift from a pathological view of a family to a salutogenic view. Family resilience factors were collected through the self-report questionnaires and an open ended questionnaire, which were completed by the family member who experienced the heart-related trauma. Results indicated that family time and routines appeared to be a key process for mediating family adaptation, as well as parent-child togetherness and family chores. Affirming communication was identified as a key resilience enhancing factor. Communication that is inflammatory (incendiary communication) was found to have a negative effect on adaptation. Further key processes identified as influencing family adaptation were social support, family hardiness and reframing of problem situations. The identification of key processes that mediate recovery can serve as a valuable guide in the South African context for intervention and prevention, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of families and cardiovascular disease.

Thesis (MA (Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / This study presents the possible contribution that self psychology might make to understanding, and guiding the treatment of; childhood functional faecal retention. A discussion of self psychology's theoretical perspective on childhood development is provided, including specific reference to the central theoretical issues 0 f optimal responsiveness and mutual- and self-regulation and how these manifest within the psychotherapeutic process. A case study provides the vehicle for the discussion ofthe applicability and relevance of the central self psychological tenets to the psychotherapeutic treatment of functional faecal retention in childhood. It tentatively concludes that self psychological theory may be useful in informing and structuring the treatment of children with retentive encopresis, and may be especially useful in conjunction with potentially invasive medically and surgically based interventions

Thesis (MA (Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / The primary objective of the current study was to determine the fear-coping mechanisms of a group of late adolescents regarding normal fears and their perceived efficacy of these mechanisms during recall of their early childhood and their perception of their current functioning. The secondary aim of this study was to determine any gender differences in terms of this group of late adolescents' fear-coping mechanisms regarding their early-childhood fears, that were retrospectively recalled by them, and also to determine gender differences in terms of their fear-coping mechanisms in response to their current fears. Within the South African context Loxton (2004) proposed the primary-secondary control model as a suitable model for describing the fear-coping mechanisms of young children (between the ages of 5 and 7 years). The primary-secondary control model is based on studies by Band and Weisz (1988) and Tremewan and Strongman (1991). This model was used as a framework for the current study in order to be able to do a comparative study of the current fear-coping mechanisms of late adolescents and their early-childhood fear-coping mechanisms reported retrospectively. A group of late adolescents enrolled as first-year students at a tertiary institution in the Western Cape, South Africa, were approached to participate voluntarily. The questionnaires were completed by 255 students between the ages of 17 and 27 years, with a mean age of 19.4years (SD=1.49). Of the 255 participants 52 were male and 203 female. The study was a combination of qualitative and quantitative research, which was mainly explorative in nature. The Free-Option-Method Questionnaire which forms part of a bigger research project, was the first questionnaire to be completed by the students. Based on the expression of fears, the focus was aimed at the coping of fears and the perceived efficacy thereof. In order to facilitate appropriate comparisons, the content of the responses as well as the number of responses were coded according to categories identified by Band and Weisz (1988), Loxton (2004) and Tremewan and Strongman (1991). Participants reported that the most efficacious coping mechanisms were also those most frequently used. In terms of the sustainability of fear-coping mechanisms, it seems as though direct problem solving and problem-focused avoidance were two of the three most frequently used as well as the most efficacious coping mechanisms, during both early childhood and late adolescence. No statistical significant differences were found with regard to gender during the retrospective recall of fear-coping mechanisms and the perceived efficacy of early-childhood coping mechanisms. Statistical significant differences were however found between gender groups with regard to fear-coping mechanisms during late adolescence. A recent study by Loxton (2004) relating to fear-coping mechanisms offered support for the majority of findings of the current study.

Thesis (MA (Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / The current study investigates intercultural differences in suggestibility between Black, Coloured and White students at a South African university using the Creative Imagination Scale (CIS), (Wilson & Barber, 1978). The CIS and a short biographical questionnaire measuring embeddedness in traditional culture were administered to three samples (N=20 each) from students belonging to the above cultural groups. Statistical tests were applied to determine the effects of ethnicity, cultural embeddedness and gender on CIS scores. The results indicate that these three dimensions do not significantly impact on CIS scores. Implications of the results obtained are discussed and ensuing recommendations for future related research are made.

Thesis (MA (Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / This study aimed to determine whether there is a dominant discourse on motherhood in one semi-rural, low-income, Coloured community. It investigated the personal and individual meanings that this group of mothers attach to motherhood, and what they regard to be “good” or “bad” mothering practices. In exploring discourses the study also aimed at describing the prevailing values, assumptions, ideas, rules, fantasies and dreams concerning motherhood that prevail in the Kylemore community. The present study used data from a research project entitled the “Maternal Mental Health Project” (MMHP). The MMHP focuses on the psychological distress and resilience of low-income mothers residing in the community of Kylemore. The main focus of this larger study was extensive open-ended interviews with the women concerning their pregnancies, birth and motherhood experiences. All women reporting at the Kylemore clinic for prenatal and antenatal visits were recruited. These women were interviewed at four different points in time by the same interviewer, focusing on women’s experience of pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, birth and early motherhood. Approximately 90 women were interviewed (360 one-hour interviews) over a period of four years. Based on feminist social constructionist ideas, the current study utilised qualitative methodologies. The interviews were transcribed and then analysed according to social constructionist grounded theory. The main categories that emerged during coding revolved around what participants considered to be “good” or “bad” mothering practices. The findings clearly indicated that mothers in this community are able to both recognise and define desirable and undesirable practices of motherhood. The themes pertaining to “good” mothering focused around two central concepts: the contextual factors which determine good motherhood; and the qualities evident in a good mother. A “bad” mother was seen to be someone who was unconcerned about taking responsibility for her child, leaving this responsibility for others to fulfil. It is suggested that for many of these women, their aspirations of ideal motherhood are unrealistic and unattainable due to the social and economic circumstances in which they live. Women are thus effectively set up for failure, due to a discourse of “perfect” motherhood that seems impossible to achieve in these circumstances. This is exacerbated by the fact that “good” mothering and “bad” mothering are considered to be discrete and dichotomous categories, with no possible overlap between the two categories. It is suggested that psychologists working with low-income mothers should be involved in discussions about more realistic and less rigid discourses of motherhood, discourses that take contextual factors into account.

Thesis (MA (Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / Family resilience refers to the ability of families to return to normal family functioning or even to reach higher levels of functioning after experiencing adversity. The focus of the present study was to identify resiliency factors in single parent families with an adult HIV infected child. The Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation (McCubbin & Thompson, 1991) served as the theoretical framework in the design and the execution of the research. Both qualitative and quantitative measures were used in this cross-sectional survey research design. Twenty five single parents and their HIV Positive children ...

In this study the sex-role identities of 280 female students at Stellenbosch University were compared with regards to attributional style and self-esteem. Three self report questionnaires were used to measure the variables: The Bem Sex-Role Inventory, the Attributional Style Questionnaire and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The results showed that the androgynous sex-role identity group had a significantly more optimistic attributional style and a higher degree of self-esteem than the feminine and undifferentiated groups. The results also showed a significant positive correlation between general attributional style and self-esteem. A pessimistic attributional style and a lower degree of self-esteem have been associated with a wide variety of psychological problems in research literature. The results of this study provide support for the theory that an androgynous sex-role identity might be significantly better than a feminine sex-role identity for the psychological health of women. The researcher suggests that the effects of traditional sex-role socialization on the psychological well-being of women should be considered in the planning of prevention and empowerment programs.

Digitized using a Konica Minolta 211 PCL Scanner. 300dpi (OCR). / Thesis (MA (Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Intimate heterosexual relationships play a vital role in shaping the lives of many people, and have therefore become an important topic of research within psychology. The South African population is also currently faced with many prevalent psychosocial problems, such as HIV/Aids, rape, violence against women and divorce, which need to be contextualised within the context of intimate heterosexual relationships. Research on intimate heterosexual relationships has therefore become a priority. In order to determine directions and priorities for such research, the objective of this assignment was to provide a review of selected international and South African research on intimate heterosexual relationships. This review focused on: the definition and operationalisation of intimate heterosexual relationships; the salient theoretical frameworks used; the characteristics of participants; as well as the methodologies employed by relationship researchers. The review highlighted the following: A variety of terms is used by relationship researchers to conceptualise intimate heterosexual relationships which makes it difficult to integrate intimate heterosexual relationship research. Although theoretical frameworks like the social learning theory, cognitive behavioural theory and some metatheoretical perspectives such as postmodernism, feminism and social constructivism are utiiised, South African relationship researchers mostly have an atheoretical approach to research. A review of the research participants revealed that most participants in South African relationship studies are married adults. While the male-female ratio of the participants was balanced, the diversity of the South African population was not well represented in these studies. Researchers mostly used qualitative research strategies and employed the survey method of data gathering. Based on these findings, it was recommended that relationship researchers should recognise the need to clarify the relationship concepts used in their studies; attempt to incorporate better-known relationship theories; ensure that the South African population is well represented; and to combine qualitative research strategies with quantitative research strategies. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMINGE: Intieme heteroseksuele verhoudings speel 'n deurslaggewende rol in die vorming van baie mense se lewens en het daarom 'n belangrike navorsingsonderwerp in sielkunde geword. Die SuidAfrikaanse populasie staar tans verskeie psigososiaie probleme so os MIVNigs, verkragting, geweld teen vrou en egskeiding in die gesig, wat almal binne die konteks van intieme heteroseksuele verhoudings gekonseptualiseer behoort te word. Navorsing oor intieme heteroseksuele verhoudings het daarom 'n prioriteit geword. Ten einde rigtings en prioriteite vir sulke navorsing te bepaal, was die doel van hierdie werksopdrag om 'n oorsig te voorsien van selektiewe internasionale en Suid-Afrikaanse navorsing oor intieme heteroseksuele verhoudings. Hierdie oorsig het gefokus op: die definisie en operasionalisering van intieme heteroseksuele verhoudings; die prominente teoretiese raamwerke wat gebruik is; die karaktereienskappe van die deelnemers; so wei as die metodologiee wat deur verhoudingsnavorsers gebruik is. Die oorsig het die volgende duidelik gemaak: 'n Verskeidenheid van terme word deur verhoudingsnavorsers gebruik om intieme heteroseksuele verhoudings te konseptualiseer en die die integrasie van intieme heteroseksuele verhoudingsnavorsing word daardeur bemoeilik. Alhoewel teoretiese raamwerke soos die sosiale leerteorie, kognitiewe gedragsteorie en sekere metateoretiese perspektiewe soos postmodernisme, feminisme en sosiale konstruktivisme gebruik word, het Suid-Afrikaanse verhoudingsnavorsers grotendeels 'n ateoretiese benadering tot navorsing. 'n Oorsig van die deelnemers van die studies het getoon dat die meeste deelnemers in Suid-Afrikaanse verhoudingstudies getroude volwassenes is. Terwyle die manvrou ratio van die deelnemers gebalanseerd was, is die diversiteit van die Suid-Afrikaanse populasie nie goed verteenwoordig in die studies nie. Navorsers gebruik meestal kwalitatiewe navorsingstrategiee en gebruik grotendeels die opame-metode van dataherwinning. Op grond van hierdie bevindinge, is daar aanbeveel dat verhoudingsnavorsers die behoefte aan die verheldering van verhoudingskonsepte in hulle studies moet herken; moet poog om meer bekende verhoudingsteoriee te inkorporeer; te verseker dat die Suid-Afrikaanse populasie goed verteenwoordig is; en kwalitatiewe navorsingsstrategiee met kwantitatiewe navorsingstrategiee moet kombineer.