The purpose of this research was to explore HIV/AIDS stigma in the workplace, with a special focus on the stigmatised. The sample consisted of 10 HIV/AIDS positive employees. A qualitative interview schedule was designed. The interview guide was used to facilitate one-on-one interviews with each participant. An analysis of the data revealed that the majority of the participants were shunned by family, friends and partners. Others were too ashamed or afraid to reveal their positive status. The majority of the participants did not feel comfortable revealing their positive status to their line managers and to their co-workers. All participants felt that others viewed people living with HIV/AIDS as dirty and unclean and many had been exposed to stigmatising behaviours towards them due to their HIV/AIDS positive status. As a coping mechanism, most participants noted that they would walk away if stigmatised against. Recommendations were made to address HIV/AIDS stigma in the workplace. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. A. (Industrial and Organisation Psychology)

Socialsekreterarnas arbetsmiljö och arbetsbelastning har i flera år uppmärksammats i hopp om förbättring. Detta kan man finna i mängder forskningsstudier och andra rapporter, både från idag, tio år tillbaka och längre. Mot bakgrund av detta är syftet med föreliggande studie att undersöka hur socialsekreterare med beteendevetenskaplig- och socionominriktad utbildning ser på sin arbetsbelastning. Huvudfråga delas in i två subfrågor; hur utbildningar har förberett socialsekreterarna på att hantera arbetsbelastning samt hur arbetsbelastningen hanteras på plats i yrket- med fokus på beteendevetare och socionomer. Ingen tidigare forskning finns att hitta riktad mot dessa examenstyper och mer forskning krävs för att belysa skillnader vad gäller socialsekreterarnas utbildningsbakgrund i denna fråga. Fokus riktas mot att skapa en djupareförståelse för om de skiljer sig åt mellan de två utbildningsbakgrunder med hänsyn till ovannämnda två forskningsfrågor. För att kunna utföra denna undersökning så har semistrukturerade intervjuer används med åtta deltagare sammanlagd; fyra är av respektive utbildning. Det insamlade datamaterialet analyserades utifrån en tematisk analysmetod och resulterade i två teman. Under vardera tema identifierades även subteman. Resultatet visar att samtliga informanter upplever att arbetsbelastningen är hög men hanterbar. Samtliga informanter beskriver att utbildning inte har förberett socialsekreterarna på att hantera arbetsbelastning i det kommande yrkeslivet, dvs inga strategier eller verktyg till hur man kan gå tillväga har informerats om i utbildningen- oavsett utbildningsbakgrund. Fyndet med studien vad gäller hantering av arbetsbelastning på plats i yrket visar sig vara att samtliga informanter är ense om tillvägagångssättet för hur man kan hantera detta stressmoment. Studien bidrar med en ökad förståelse vad gäller vikten av att upplysa om hanteringsstrategier i utbildningen samt att stöd och samverkan i yrkeslivet är en viktig resurs för att bibehålla motivationen och arbetsglädjen på arbetsplats. Inte minst sin psykiska hälsa. / The work environment and workload of social workers has been a topic of conversation for many years, in hopes of improvement. Several studies and reports written on the matter, both recent and older that dates back ten years and more bears evidence of this. With this as a notion, the purpose of this study is to determine how social workers with an education in behavioural science and in social work view their workload. The main inquiry here is divided into two parts:In what way has the social workers education prepared them in handling workload? And how is the workload handled onsite in the workplace- primarily focusing on people with an education in behavioural science and social work. No previous research can be found focusing on these types of degrees and more research is needed to examine the differences between social wokers' educational backgrounds in this issue. The focus is to create a deeper understanding of whether there is a difference between the two educational backgrounds in this issue. To perform this study, qualitative research was used with a semi-structured interview and with a total of eight informants. Four informants from each educational background. The data gathered was analysed with a thematic analysis method and resulted in two different themes. Under each of the separate themes, different subthemes were also identified. The results shows that all participants experience that the workload is high, but manageable. All participants express that their education has not prepared them to manage workload in the coming profession –regardless of their previous education. The findings in this study in regards to handling workload, is shown to be that all participants are in agreement in how to deal with the stress that the occupational workload induces. This study contributes an increased understanding as to the weight of proper information regarding stressmanagement strategies for people undertaking an education or training in this field. It also highlights the importance of collaboration in the workplace to maintain motivation and morale among staff. Especially in regards to the mentalhealth of the workers.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the world faced lockdown and quarantine restrictions that encouraged or forced people to stay home. Along with the rest of the world, Brazil faced many difficulties during this period and it became one of the countries that lost more lives due to the Coronavirus infection worldwide. This study focuses on showing how people in Brazil coped with the challenges brought by the pandemic. It also focuses on showing if and how participants used media as a coping mechanism. The research was done through qualitative methods with semi-structured interviews with 25 adults who were living in Brazil during the pandemic and the lockdown restrictions. This study shows that participants did use media as a coping mechanism and even though they have encountered negative consequences, they have also faced and mentioned several positive effects during this period. Participants mentioned other coping mechanisms that made a difference for them during the darkest moments in the pandemic like, having interpersonal communication with family and friends, religion, gaming, and others.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between health attribution and the availability of organized internal resources and response style as measured by the Four Square of the Rorschach Inkblot Test. Forty-two subjects participated in this study. Six major hypotheses were explored in the study. None of the hypotheses was statistically significant. Several factors may have contributed to these results. The small sample size and the homogeneity of the sample limited the investigator's ability to interpret the results of the study. Statistically, health attribution may not be conceptually related to organized internal resources and response style since physical and emotional distress may require different coping mechanisms.

No description available.

<p>The term ‘stigma’ is formally defined as the assignment of negative perceptions to an individual because of perceived difference from the population at large (The Free Online Dictionary by Farlex). Stigma, pervasive on a micro, mezzo and macro level serves to devalue individuals who have been diagnosed with mental illness and the support systems that are designed to assist them. Although efforts have been made in public awareness campaigns to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness, stigma continues to limit opportunities and restrain individuals from living full and enriching lives. Many individuals “suffer in silence” often resorting to maladaptive coping mechanisms to manage symptoms.</p> <p>The purpose of this study was to uncover the short term and long term impact of stigma from the perspective of those who are labelled with mental illness in order to gain a deeper and more accurate understanding of the effects of such on life satisfaction. Existing literature suggests that the result of anticipated and experienced stigma can affect individuals in multiple ways: diminished self-esteem, self-efficacy, and self-worth; social withdrawal; identity ambivalence; secrecy and reduced opportunities (employment, housing, income).</p> <p>This research utilized qualitative semi-structured interviews and photo elicitation to gain an understanding of experienced and anticipated stigma as perceived by those with mental illness. Theoretically, the study was influenced by the modified labelling theory which posits that social and internalized stigma associated with mental illness is a societal creation in that its’ development exists as a result of disapproving social attitudes about mental illness. Eight individuals with various diagnosed mental disorders participated in the study. The findings suggest that for each of the participants in this study, initial dealings with the mental health care system and its’ components are likely to impact individuals negatively but once effective treatment, medication stabilization and a good practitioner are found, the experience becomes positive and empowering to individuals. Regardless of the level to which internalized stigma exists, all participants engaged in acts of secrecy, withdrawal, passing and selective disclosure adversely affecting life satisfaction. The implications for practice include recognizing the structural factors that influence clients’ internalization of stigma which likely contributes to feelings of empowerment and control over ones’ life. Revealing mental health status to others may be beneficial in contributing to an improved quality of life satisfaction.</p> / Master of Social Work (MSW)

This study examines through autoethnographic inquiry my research journey in the world of childhood cancer. The unfolding research experience eventually led to the focus of this investigation which is exploring stories of coping with childhood cancer in a support group for parents. Using the principles of ethnographic epistemology this study explores the stories of eight parents whose children were diagnosed with cancer and who decided to join the support group for parents called, TOUCH. An overview of the existing body of knowledge on childhood cancer and the family is presented as well as the value of a social support group in parenting a child with cancer. The need of a conceptual shift in order to understand the problem of parenting a child with cancer is propagated. The stories of eight parents within the setting of a social support group are presented. Through the principles of the qualitative method of ethnography the story of the child's cancer is described by means of emerging themes. The coping mechanisms used to cope in this world of uncertainty and ambiguity, follows. Finally the contribution of the support group is discussed in terms of my relationship with the group member, the group members' communication pattern and what was perceived to be helpful to the group member. The eight stories discussed all follow the same pattern. Four hypotheses emerged from the eight stories described and are presented in the final chapter. The strengths and limitations of the study are discussed as well as recommendations for future research. / Psychology / D. Lit. et Phil. (Psychology)

This study examines through autoethnographic inquiry my research journey in the world of childhood cancer. The unfolding research experience eventually led to the focus of this investigation which is exploring stories of coping with childhood cancer in a support group for parents. Using the principles of ethnographic epistemology this study explores the stories of eight parents whose children were diagnosed with cancer and who decided to join the support group for parents called, TOUCH. An overview of the existing body of knowledge on childhood cancer and the family is presented as well as the value of a social support group in parenting a child with cancer. The need of a conceptual shift in order to understand the problem of parenting a child with cancer is propagated. The stories of eight parents within the setting of a social support group are presented. Through the principles of the qualitative method of ethnography the story of the child's cancer is described by means of emerging themes. The coping mechanisms used to cope in this world of uncertainty and ambiguity, follows. Finally the contribution of the support group is discussed in terms of my relationship with the group member, the group members' communication pattern and what was perceived to be helpful to the group member. The eight stories discussed all follow the same pattern. Four hypotheses emerged from the eight stories described and are presented in the final chapter. The strengths and limitations of the study are discussed as well as recommendations for future research. / Psychology / D. Lit. et Phil. (Psychology)

This study investigates the relationship between traumatic events and PTSD among police officers in KwaZulu-Natal and the mediating effects of coping and social support. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of PTSD among police officers and whether coping and social support structures act as mediating variables in the stress-illness realtionship. In order to achieve this aim an assessment battery containing Biographical Checklist, the Ways of Coping Checklist, The Index of Social Support and the Dutch Post Traumatic Stress Scale was distributed to a sample of police officers in Kwazulu-Natal. The findings indicate a high incidence of PTSD, among policemen although no significant relationship was found between exposure to traumatic events and PTSD. Further, emotion­ focused coping strategies, namely, self-blame and wishful thinking, were found to be predictive of PTSD. No significant relationship was established between the availability of social support and satisfaction with social support and PTSD. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial Psychology)

The purpose of this study was to investigate and describe the experience of infertility of African women, men and family member. It is hoped that this description will contribute to a deeper understanding of the psychosocial difficulties involved in the area of infertility and ofthe ways in which people respond to the situation of infertility. A qualitative research approach was used, and in particular social constructivist-interpretive research and feminist research approaches. The sample consisted of39 participants: 19 women, 10 men, and 10 family members faced with infertility. The research orientation was field-based, concerned with collecting data using the technique of in-depth semi-structured interviews. Each participant was interviewed individually. The interviews were recorded on tape, transcribed in their full length and translated into English. Data were analysed on the basis of the interpretive feminist approach. Analysis of individual cases and crosscase analysis were employed. The findings suggested a contextual definition of infertility, for example, for some, having had an ectopic pregnancy or a miscarriage meant that they did not fit into the definition of infertility. The findings revealed that for many African women and men, blood ties still defined the family and the persona. Thus, failure to have a blood child resulted in courtship and marital break up, extramarital relationships, polygamy, and divorce and remarriage. Infertility had serious psychosocial consequences for both the infertile individuals and their families. Participants experienced repeated periods of existential crisis, which began at different points for different participants. Analysis of gender differences indicated similarities in the experience of the crisis, but differences in terms of expression and ways of responding to the crisis. Family dynamics within the context of infertility were coloured by ambivalent feelings, resentment, insensitivity, and miscommunication, but also affection, and social support. Traditional and modern medical health systems offered the possibility of finding explanations and treatment, but there was further strain from the negative experiences with the health care system. The findings in this study suggested the need for policy reformulation, for psychosocial intervention as part of the treatment plan, and for future research on the outcome of using various coping strategies. / Psychology / D. Phil. (Psychology)