Thesis (M.A. (Media Studies)) --University of Limpopo, 2013 / Social Networking Sites (SNS) are quickly becoming some of the most popular tools for social interaction and information exchange. This study investigates the benefits and risks of social networks by comparing two schools in Capricorn district namely Sekitla High School and Capricorn High School. Through increased internet and media literacy – ensuring all young people develop the skills to critically understand, analyse and create media content – these challenges can overcome and risks mitigated in a way that ensures the many benefits of SNS can be realised. The results reveal great significant difference in the online activity patterns between men and women. Girls tend to be in great danger than the boys. There is a disparity between the genders in terms of their attitudes, behaviours, and needs. Therefore the study concludes that there are certain risks in social networking and they can be overcome if the learners are more willing to help their teachers and parents by disclosing any information that can be a threat to them and their education by mainly using social networks for educational purposes. Key words; Gender, social networks, internet, benefits, risks, learners

Thesis (M.A. (Media Studies)) --University of Limpopo, 2013 / Social Networking Sites (SNS) are quickly becoming some of the most popular tools for social interaction and information exchange. This study investigates the benefits and risks of social networks by comparing two schools in Capricorn district namely Sekitla High School and Capricorn High School. Through increased internet and media literacy – ensuring all young people develop the skills to critically understand, analyse and create media content – these challenges can overcome and risks mitigated in a way that ensures the many benefits of SNS can be realised. The results reveal great significant difference in the online activity patterns between men and women. Girls tend to be in great danger than the boys. There is a disparity between the genders in terms of their attitudes, behaviours, and needs. Therefore the study concludes that there are certain risks in social networking and they can be overcome if the learners are more willing to help their teachers and parents by disclosing any information that can be a threat to them and their education by mainly using social networks for educational purposes. Key words; Gender, social networks, internet, benefits, risks, learners

This research aimed to explore the phenomenon of perfectionism in Hong Kong Chinese primary school students, including those with academic talents, and to delineate any causal relationships among perfectionism, social connectedness and academic self-efficacy. To this end, three sequential studies were designed. Study One aimed to develop and validate a version of the Adaptive/Maladaptive Perfectionism Scale (AMPS) translated into Chinese. This instrument permits the examination of various dimensions of perfectionism and made available a reliable perfectionism measure for use in Study Two. The Chinese version of AMPS is now available to other researchers for future perfectionism studies with Chinese students. In Study One, 599 fourth to sixth grade students completed the Chinese version of the AMPS. It was found that perfectionism in this population could be considered in terms of four dimensions, namely: Compulsiveness, Sensitivity to Mistakes, Contingent Self-Esteem, and Need for Admiration. All the dimensions were positively inter-correlated. Study Two then aimed to use the validated Chinese version of AMPS to help develop a causal model to illustrate the direct predictive power of perfectionism on academic self-efficacy, and its indirect influence through the mediation of social connectedness. For this purpose, a structural equation modeling was used. A sample of 1425 fourth to sixth grade students completed a detailed questionnaire which assessed their perfectionism, their perceived social connectedness, and their academic self-efficacy. The results confirmed perfectionism as a significant and direct predictor of academic self-efficacy, and identified social connectedness as an indirect but reliable mediator in the causal relationship between perfectionism and academic self-efficacy. Study Thee focused on academically talented students in fourth to sixth grades. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 students nominated by their teachers as “academically talented”. The aim was to collect qualitative data to supplement the quantitative findings already obtained in Study One and Study Two. In particular, the purpose was to investigate conception of perfectionism, as well as the relationships among perfectionism, social connectedness, and academic self-efficacy in academically talented Chinese students. The findings showed Compulsiveness, Sensitivity to Mistakes, and Need for Admiration to be influential dimensions within these students’ conceptions of perfectionism but, together, all four dimensions of perfectionism directly influenced students’ perceived academic competence. Students’ perfectionism was also found to be influenced by their perceived connectedness to their families, teachers, peers and school. Perceived social connectedness, in turn, played an important role in determining academic self-efficacy. Stemming from ecological theory and social cognitive theory, this research has provided an interactive framework for understanding the personal-social development of Chinese primary school students, particularly the academically talented. The quantitative and qualitative findings have pointed to the importance of cultural diversity in understanding perfectionism and social connectedness, and for appreciating the early impact perfectionism has on Chinese students. The implications of the findings are discussed, with due attention given to relevant theories, research methodology, directions for future research, and guidance and counseling. / published_or_final_version / Education / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

<p>This study discussed the effect of new information and communication technologies use on adolescents. The research also assessed whether gender and frequency of use of new information and communication technologies would interact to influence self-esteem and social support from family and friends.</p>

published_or_final_version / Nursing Studies / Master / Master of Nursing in Advanced Practice

The purpose of this exploratory study was to gain an increased understanding of an independent living skills training program's impact on resilience, social support, and life skills for foster care youth participants. This study used a qualitative case study methodology and involved a purposive sample of 16 ethnically diverse youths and 9 adult staff members of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Youth participants were recruited through one of several state-contracted agencies that provided life skills training to youths in Texas. Data were collected through multiple sources and were analyzed using content analysis and descriptive statistics. Scores on standardized measures of resilience, social support, and life skills, and youths' descriptions of these same constructs were compared. The change in scores on the standardized measure of social support were statistically significant (p=.006; p<.05), while total scores on measures of resilience and life skills were not. Although scores were not statistically significant, scores on the measure of resilience were in the "high" range, possibly indicating high levels of internal and external assets, and scores on the standardized measure of life skills indicated that youths showed "mastery" of approximately half of the life skills. Youths' descriptions of social support, resilience, and life skills were consistent with scores on standardized measures. Participants described biological family members as their greatest sources of emotional support and encouragement and their verbal descriptions corresponded with the internal and external assets defined in the standardized measure of resilience. Most participants had difficulty describing and recollecting life skills information such as managing money and locating appropriate housing, which was consistent with scores suggesting they "mastered" only about half of all items on the life skills assessment. Staff participants cited placement changes and lack of transportation as the most frequent occurring reasons a youth stopped attending life skills training. Findings from this study highlighted the strengths of foster care youth and have implications for future use of strengths-based theories and frameworks, and for gender-specific life skills training. Findings also indicate important implications for teaching life skills to youths in foster care and policies related to independent living services.

<p>This study discussed the effect of new information and communication technologies use on adolescents. The research also assessed whether gender and frequency of use of new information and communication technologies would interact to influence self-esteem and social support from family and friends.</p>

Magister Artium (Psychology) - MA(Psych) / This study discussed the effect of new information and communication technologies use on adolescents. The research also assessed whether gender and frequency of use of new information and communication technologies would interact to influence self-esteem and social support from family and friends. / South Africa

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)