D.Litt. et Phil. (Psychology) / Asthma, which affects persons from early childhood to adulthood, is an old, potentially fatal, worldwide disease but still of increasing prevalence and still with no evidence that the condition can be cured. For patients whose symptoms are severe and intractable the condition can be particularly disruptive causing major changes in daily living and severely impinging upon not only the quality of the individual's life but that of the entire family as well.

The evaluation of physical fitness is dependent upon the body and its capacity to generate requisite degrees of strength, speed, mobility and endurance, for effective physical performance. The physical properties of the body, and in particular the degree of muscularity and adiposity, are affected substantially by varying levels of physical fitness. This degree of muscularity and adiposity is closely related to the shape or physique of the body, which in turn, can influence the attitudes an individual adopts toward his body and himself (body cathexis). The purpose of this study was to investigate the reciprocal relationship between physical fitness, somatotype (physique) and body cathexis (satisfaction). A secondary objective was to examine the relationship between these variables and personality. The subjects who participated in this study were white schoolboys completing Standard Eight. Seventy seven subjects, all of whom were either 14 or 15 years of age, were studied. A total of 22 observations were made on each subject, which included a battery of physical fitness tests, anthropometric and somatotypological observations, and two questionnaires. Fleishman's Basic Fitness Test battery, which was slightly modified, was utilized to evaluate the subjects' level of physical fitness. Standardized anthropometric techniques and equipment were used to measure heights, mass, diameters, girths, and skinfolds. These basic anthropometric observations were then utilized to determine the subjects' Heath-Carter somatotype rating, absolute and relative body fat, and lean body mass. Body cathexis was measured by the Secord-Jourard Body Cathexis Scale and personality was assessed by the Howarth personality Questionnaire. The results indicated that physical fitness performance on the events which required the body mass to be displaced were highly and negatively related to the degree of excess adipose tissue. Significant differences in endomorphy (p < 0,005) were apparent in high and low fit groups, but no somatotypological differences were indicated for those events which did not involve the displacement of the body mass. The one exception to this was a static strength event, in which significant somatotypological differences between high and low fit groups were indicated for mesomorphy (p < 0,005) and ectomorphy (p < 0,01). Body cathexis was not closely related to physical fitness, somatotype, or personality. A number of weak relationships were apparent: there was a negative correlation between body cathexis and the personality trait of inferiority; high levels of adipose tissue negatively influenced the level of body cathexis; and good performance on the strength events was positively associated with body cathexis. In the physical fitness events requiring strength and the body mass to be displaced, the body cathexis levels of high fit subjects exceeded that of low fit subjects at a statistically significant level (p < 0,005). No significant differences in body cathexis were indicated for those events which did not require the displacement of the body mass. Personality was not related to physical fitness, somatotype or body cathexis. The only relationship that was discerned was the low correlation between inferiority and body cathexis . The findings of this investigation suggest that, in this context, dynamic physical fitness performance, is closely related to physique; and in particular a high endomorphic content is a limiting factor. Body cathexis is not closely related to physical fitness, somatotype or personality. It is likely, however, that feelings of inferiority and excess adipose tissue are associated with a low body cathexis, while strength is related to a high body cathexis. Personality is not related to physical fitness, physique or body.

Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) is a childhood disorder that arises almost exclusively in child custody disputes. Its primary manifestation is the unjustified rejection of a once-loved parent by a child due to a combination of the 'programming' parent's alienating techniques and the child's own contributions to the vilification of the targeted parent. Parental Alienation (PA) is differentiated from PAS as in the case of the former the child's rejection is justified and may be explained either by normal developmental behaviours or by child abuse that involves no form of programming. The purpose of this study is to develop a preliminary interview protocol to aid in the detection of PAS, with a special emphasis on differentiating false allegations of abuse, which usually accompany severe PAS, from true abuse. The aim of the study is to develop a protocol to enhance diagnostic clarity and facilitate appropriate custody-related recommendations. The interview protocol is based on an extensive thematic literature analysis in conjunction with existing guidelines for conducting a child custody and visitation interview. The interview protocol comprises a child and parent section, which both have their own reference tables with supporting corresponding information. The protocol 's administration instructions are outlined in a covering information page. Rigour was added to the protocol by having it assessed for clarity and accessibility by four medico-legal professionals with custody-related experience, and their opinions regarding the protocol's structure, sections, questions and reference tables were taken into consideration in the revision of the protocol. / KMBT_363 / Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in

The purpose of this study was to assess student attitudes toward teacher behaviour and program content within physical education in grades 3, 7, and 10. Prior to examining the data, five hypotheses were generated. It was hypothesized that: 1. Student attitudes toward teacher behaviour within physical education are different in grade 3, grade 7, and grade 10. 2. Student attitudes toward program content within physical education are different in grade 3, grade 7, and grade 10. 3. Male and female attitudes toward teacher behaviour within physical education are different from each other at each grade level. 4. Male and female attitudes toward program content within physical education are different from each other at each grade level. 5. Those students who like their physical education classes have different attitudes toward teacher behaviour from those students who do not like their physical education classes. 6. Those students who like their physical education classes have different attitudes toward program content from those students who do not like their physical education classes. A thirty statement questionnaire was developed for use in the study. Fifteen statements pertained to teacher behaviour, fourteen statements pertained to program content, and one statement asked students whether they liked their physical education classes. Five grade 3 classes, five grade 7 classes, and five grade 10 classes were randomly selected to partake in the study. The data involving grades were analyzed using a one way analysis of variance. The data involving gender and preference for physical education classes were analyzed using a t-test. Results indicated that a positive attitude existed toward teacher behaviour and program content by males and females in each of the grades. However, it was found that there was a significant difference in student attitudes toward teacher behaviour and program content in grades 3, 7, and 10. Furthermore, no significant difference was found in male and female attitudes toward teacher behaviour in grade 3 or grade 10, although, there was a significant difference in male and female attitudes toward teacher behaviour in grade 7. No significant difference was found in males' and females' attitudes towards program content in grade 3, 7, and 10. A significant differencewas found between students who liked their physical education classes and those who did not like their physical education classes for both teacher behaviour and program content. Recommendations for future research suggest that the survey instrument be limited to statements on either teacher behaviour or program content. It is also recommended that a larger sample size be used and that students of both physical education specialists and non-specialists be compared. It appears that more research is also needed to determine why grade 7 student attitudes are not as positive as those of grade 3 or grade 10 students. Finally, future research could look at physically fit and/or highly skilled students in relation to poorly fit and/or low skilled students to determine the effect these factors may have on student attitudes toward physical education. / Education, Faculty of / Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of / Graduate

M.Ed. (Educational Psychology) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

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The present study evaluated the effectiveness of a behavioral family intervention on adherence and metabolic control in insulin dependent diabetic children (IODM). Specifically, assumption of regimen responsibilities between the parent and child were manipulated to facilitate regimen adherence. The intervention delivered was a target-specific behavioral contract extended sequentially across four target behaviors (Le., blood glucose testing, insulin injections, diet, and exercise). Regimen components were targeted in a within subjects, multiple baseline design across behaviors to assess the relationship between adherence and metabolic control. Metabolic control was assessed with a measure of glycosylated hemoglobin (e.g., HbA1C.) Five IDDM children (3 female,2 male), who met study criteria (Le., nonadherence to blood glucose testing defined as oS. 2 tests daily and metabolic status outside the optimal range using standard laboratory reference values) were recruited from physician referrals and media announcements. Subjects were between the ages of 10 and 15 years (M = 12.6); four were Caucasian and one was African-American. Mean duration of diabetes upon entry into the study was 4.3 years. Results revealed that four subjects responded to the intervention and three of those four evidenced clinically significant improvements in metabolic control at mid - and/ or post-study. One subject demonstrated only moderate intervention effects and no improvement in metabolic control while another increased adherence, but decrements in metabolic control were noted. These results suggest that adherence may mediate the relationship between family variables and metabolic status. Two additional subjects demonstrating consistently good metabolic were employed to assess the validity of target behaviors. The results were related to various family and diabetes-specific psychosocial indices. / Master of Science

The purpose of this study is to aid in the personal development of abnormal speech defective personalities by determining the effects of crippled speech upon certain individuals.

Hypotheses explaining maternal compliance behavior in relation to maternal attitudes and motivations and family and social influences were explored retrospectively in families of 39 obese infants from six to twelve months of age. Maternal social support and infant characteristics were not strongly associated or predictive of maternal compliance behavior. Stressful life changes in the family were negatively associated with maternal compliance to the dietary regimen. Maternal perception of infant fatness was negatively associated with dietary compliance behavior and positively associated with study protocol compliance behavior. Demographic variables were positively associated with compliance to study protocol. Family stress, maternal health beliefs, and demographic variables outweighed social support in their power to predict compliance behaviors. Compliance to study requirements did not necessarily mean compliance to the dietary regimen. Clinical use of assessing family stress, maternal beliefs and demographic variables appears to provide additional understanding of compliance behaviors in mothers with infant feeding recommendations.