M.A. / The aim of the study was to investigate whether evoked potential distinguishes between motor coordinated and-uncoordinated African children. Because the brain functions as a unified entity and different brain systems are integrated simultaneously, it was postulated that there is a relationship between the auditory evoked potential of the brain stem on the one hand and motor coordination on the other hand, that is, the sensory and the motor systems are related. Sensory- motor activity is thus perceived to form a unified function within the total framework of human functioning. The relevant literature points to a possible relationship between the auditory evoked potential of the brain stem and motor coordination. Patients with degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis exhibit abnormal evoked potential responses as well as unusual motor behaviour and coordination. Similarly, children with hearing problems also show unusual evoked potential responses of the brain stem as well as motor lethargy(delayed motor responses) and clumsiness. As a result of these tendencies it was postulated that evoked potential would be able to distinguish between motor-coordinated and -uncoordinated subjects. The brain's evoked potential response is a robust phenomenon that provides a record of electrical brain activity, even in trials where overt responses are not usually expected. The present study focuses on the auditory evoked potential of the brain stem (AEP). The evoked potential serves as a measure of the sensory transmission of information in the brain and consequently highlights the neural activity underlying normal sensory experiences. The subjects selected for the study were 46 eight- to twelve-year-old African children attending a farm school. They can be regarded as representative of the population of eight- to twelve-year old African farm children. All the subjects were administered the Quick Neurological Screening Test in order to catagorise them into two groups, namely the motor-coordinated group and the motor-uncoordinated group. Thereafter the auditory evoked potential of the brain stem was recorded from all the subjects in both groups ...

M.Ed. / Chapter One constitutes the heart of this study which entails the statement of the problem, prevailing attitudes and beliefs in the Tsonga community, attitudes and feelings of parents whose children are handicapped. This chapter also gives the aim, delimitation, method and plan of the study. Chapter Two elucidates what cerebral palsy and orthopaedic handicap are. It is a thought provoking and interesting chapter since it gives definitions, occurrence and causes of cerebral palsy and orthopaedic handicaps. Types of cerebral palsy such as spasticity, athetosis, rigidity, tremor and mixed type are clearly indicated. This also applies to orthopaedic handicap, where handicapism like poliomyelitis, dwarfism, tuberculosis of the spine, amputation of a limb or limbs, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, scoliosis, osteogenesis, rachitis, kwashiorkor and congenital deformities are discussed in detail. Cerebral palsy and orthopaedic handicap occur during four different stages, i. e. pre-natal, para-natal,neo-natal and post-natal stages . Chapter Three gives the traditional attitudes of the Tsonga communi ty towards cerebral palsied and orthopaedically handicapped children. The chapter first elucidates terms which also constitute the heart of this dissertation. It highlights the treatment of handicapped children by the ancient Greeks, Romans, Hebrews, and also the Sothos, Zulus and Tsongas...

M.A. / Conduct disorder is one of the most frequently diagnosed childhood disorders. The prevalence of this disorder has increased over the past few decades, which has ramifications for many facets of society, such as with families, justice systems, institutions involved with the rehabilitation of these children, and society as a whole. Conduct disorder has been found to be stable over time, and is therefore often associated with problems later in life such as violent crime, alcoholism, marital discord, and antisocial personality disorder. There have been many theories advanced for the aetiology of conduct disorder, but it is generally a bio-psychosocial model, rather than a single theory that receives the most attention when considering the development of this disorder. Included within such a model are variables such as a genetic component, neuropsychological factor, comorbid factor, socio-economic element, and a social learning component, that are involved with the development and maintenance of conduct disorder. One of the most consistently researched aspects involved within such models proposed for the aetiology of conduct disorder has been the role that certain parental styles have in the development of conduct disorder. Parental styles and the home environment have been consistently found to be a precursor of conduct disorder in foreign studies, however there is a lack of research within a South African context in this area. In order to establish whether there are specific styles of parenting related to conduct disorder in a South African sample, two measuring instruments were utilised, which were the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) and the Family Environment Scale (FES). The PBI and FES were administered to two groups of adolescents (n=80): one group of males (n=40) diagnosed with conduct disorder, and one group of males (n=40) without a diagnosis of conduct disorder. These instruments were used in order to establish if there were any differences in the perceived style of parenting between the two groups. The study yielded results that are similar to those found in foreign based studies. It was found with the South African sample, that a parenting style characterised by a low amount of care on the part of the mother, and overprotection on the part of the father was found within the conduct disorder group. Together these form a Parenting style of `affectionless control'. These parents were found to exert a high amount of control over their children, have a low expressiveness of emotions and feelings, have a low involvement with their children, and were poor at supervising and monitoring their children. These results indicate that parental styles could be a precursor of conduct disorder within a South African context. The implications of these results are discussed as well as the limitations of the study. Recommendations for future research and possible applications of the results are delineated.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia (JMML) is rare, fatal myeloproliferative disease (MPD) affecting young children, and is characterized by expansion of monocyte lineage cells and hypersensitivity to Granulocyte Macrophage-Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) stimulation. JMML is frequently associated with gain-of-function mutations in the PTPN11 gene, which encodes the protein tyrosine phosphatase, Shp2. Activating Shp2 mutations are known to promote hyperactivation of the Ras-Erk signaling pathway, but Akt is also observed to have enhanced phosphorylation, suggesting a potential role for Phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase (PI3K)-Akt signaling in mutant Shp2-induced GM-CSF hypersensitivity and leukemogenesis. Having demonstrated that Class IA PI3K is hyperactivated in the presence of mutant Shp2 and contributes to GM-CSF hypersensitivity, I hypothesized the hematopoietic-specific Class IA PI3K catalytic subunit p110δ is a crucial mediator of mutant Shp2-induced PI3K hyperactivation and GM-CSF hypersensitivity in vitro and MPD development in vivo. I crossed gain-of-function mutant Shp2 D61Y inducible knockin mice, which develop fatal MPD, with mice expressing kinase-dead mutant p110δ D910A to evaluate p110δ’s role in mutant Shp2-induced GM-CSF hypersensitivity in vitro and MPD development in vivo. As a comparison, I also crossed Shp2 D61Y inducible knockin mice with mice bearing inducible knockout of the ubiquitously expressed Class IA PI3K catalytic subunit, p110α. I found that genetic interruption of p110δ, but not p110α, significantly reduced GM-CSF-stimulated hyperactivation of both the Ras-Erk and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways, and as a consequence, resulted in reduced GM-CSF-stimulated hyper-proliferation in vitro. Furthermore, I found that mice bearing genetic disruption of p110δ, but not p110α, in the presence of gain-of-function mutant Shp2 D61Y, had on average, smaller spleen sizes, suggesting that loss of p110δ activity reduced MPD severity in vivo. I also investigated the effects of three PI3K inhibitors with high specificity for p110δ, IC87114, GDC-0941, and GS-9820 (formerly known as CAL-120), on mutant Shp2-induced GM-CSF hypersensitivity. These inhibitors with high specificity for p110δ significantly reduced GM-CSF-stimulated hyperactivation of PI3K-Akt and Ras-Erk signaling and reduced GM-CSF-stimulated hyperproliferation in cells expressing gain-of-function Shp2 mutants. Collectively, these findings show that p110δ-dependent PI3K hyperactivation contributes to mutant Shp2-induced GM-CSF hypersensitivity and MPD development, and that p110δ represents a potential novel therapeutic target for JMML.

Beginning as young as five or six years of age, children participate in organised sports and there are an estimated 25-35 million children under the age of eighteen who participate in organised youth sports. Whether success records, statistics, motivational factors or personal reasons are the motivators behind participation in sports, athletes are often studied by the population. Despite a large contingency of children who participate in sports, professional or adult athletes’ thoughts and motivations are often studied. However, one thing is known: The reason children play sports is because they have fun. This study explored the viewpoints of teachers/trainers from Schools in Paarl region from a qualitative perspective on why children choose to participate in sports. The participants were selected via non-probability sampling method with the utilisation of purposive sampling techniques. Data were collected with semi structured interviews with teachers/trainers at Paarl schools. Data were analysed according to Tesch’s (in Creswell, 2009:186) framework for the analysing of qualitative data and data were verified according to Guba’s (in Krefting, 1991:214-222) framework for data verification of qualitative data. The verified data were described in specific teams and sub-themes as well as supplemented by literature control. The researcher concludes this study by drawing certain conclusions and recommendations from the research findings / Practical Theology / M.A. (Daiconiology)

122 Leaves printed on single pages, preliminary pages and numbered pages 1-113. Includes bibliography, list of abbreviations, list of definitions, list of tables and figures and list of appendices. Pdf format (OCR). / Thesis (MEd (Educational Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Research into bullying has brought with it an awareness of many aspects of this phenomenon. Firstly, it has shown a distinction between various types of bullying and also how these are further delineated by means of gender. Secondly, by mere omission, it has shown the lack of research on bullying amongst girls. Bullying amongst girls is rife, however the research in this area is limited. The aims of this research are to further explore the complex nature of bullying amongst girls and to gain understanding of its impact; to use the perspectives of the participants to drive intervention and preventative strategies; to dispel the myths which support the practice of bullying; and to raise awareness of an invisible problem, thereby rendering it visible. This interpretive study explores bullying amongst girls by using the perspectives of Grade 5 girls in a parochial school in the Western Cape. The process of inquiry is embedded in the ecosystemic approach and constructivism, which emphasises the importance of context and the belief that knowledge is not passively received, but actively constructed on the basis of the experiences of an individual. Data was collected through the use of semi-structured recorded interviews with focus groups, which were then transcribed verbatim and categorised into themes. The themes which emerged include the varied and complex nature of bullying techniques and the effects of bullying. The main finding was that some girls have innate characteristics which help maintain bullying while others have characteristics which protect them from bullying. The environment also plays a large part in either maintaining bullying or protecting girls from bullying. The implication was that intervention and preventative strategies need to be based on these personal and contextual factors in order to effect change. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Navorsing oor afknouery (bullying) het 'n nuwe bewustheid van vele aspekte van hierdie fenomeen na vore gebring. Eerstens het dit 'n onderskeid tussen verskillende soorte geniepsigheid getoon en ook hoe geniepsigheid verder deur middel van geslag bepaal word. Tweedens het dit ook die gebrek aan navorsing oor geniepsigheid tussen meisies onder die aandag gebring, bloot deurdat dit feitlik nie genoem word nie. Geniepsige gedrag tussen meisies is algemeen, maar navorsing binne hierdie veld is beperk. Die doelstellings van hierdie navorsing is om die komplekse aard van geniepsigheid tussen meisies verder te verken en om 'n begrip van die impak daarvan te verwerf; om die perspektiewe van die deelnemers te gebruik om tussentrede en voorkomingstrategieë te bewerkstellig; om mites wat die praktyk van afknouery ondersteun, te verdryf; en om bewustheid van 'n onsigbare probleem te bemiddel en dit daardeur sigbaar te maak. Hierdie interpretatiewe studie verken geniepsigheid tussen meisies met behulp van die perspektiewe van Graad 5-meisies in 'n kerkskool in die Weskaap. Die ondersoekproses wat gevolg is, is op die ekosistemiese benadering en konstruktiwisme gegrond, wat die belangrikheid van konteks en die oortuiging beklemtoon dat kennnis nie op passiewe wyse bekom word nie, maar aktief op die grondslag van die ervarings van indiwidue gekonstrueer word. Data is met gebruik van semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude met fokusgroepe wat op band opgeneem is, ingesamel, waarna dit woordeliks vanaf opnames getranskribeer en volgens temas gekategoriseer is. Die temas wat na vore gekom het, omvat die wisselende en komplekse aard van afknoutegnieke en die uitwerking van geniepsigheid. Daar is gevind dat sommige meisies ingebore trekke het wat help om geniepsige gedrag te onderhou terwyl ander meisies trekke het wat hulle teen geniepsigheid beskerm. Die omgewing speel ook 'n aansienlike rol in die ondersteuning van geniepsige gedrag of die beskerming van meisies daarteen. Die impliseer dat tussentrede en voorkomende strategieë op hierdie persoonlike en kontekstuele faktore gebaseer moet word om verandering te bewerkstellig.

M.A. (Counselling Psychology) / The treatment of learning- and associated socio-emotional problems as found in ADHD has long been researched and practiced. The treatment still doesn't seem 100% effective since it helps in some cases but worsens effects in others. The literature aroused the possibility that other disorders could occur under the same behavioural symptoms as displayed in ADHD. One of these is Tourette's disorder ...

M.Litt. et Phil. / Divorce has become a widespread phenomenon in modern society. The high divorce figures indicate a change of attitude in society. Today divorce has become a highly probable and accepted event with fewer stigmas attached to it. For children, the divorce of their parents is a totally unplanned life event over which they have little or no control. It can therefore be defined as a non-normative idiosyncratic life event. This event inevitably leads to stress and can have certain deleterious, but also positive, effects on children. The specific effects that a child experiences will be determined by an interaction of variables, viz. his personality and temperament, the environment and his family home. Riegel (1975) states that development evolves out of crises which can therefore be constructive and have significant meaning. If the child can adapt and work through the event of divorce constructively the divorce can lead to growth, and not necessarily to stagnation and more problems. In the litigation of custody some development has taken place. Traditionally, young children were placed in the custody of their mothers, and the judges who did the assignments depended on information which was obtained from the parents. This resulted in decisions which were not always in the best interests of the children. To assist the judges in the placement of children, family advocates were appointed, thus fulfilling the requirements of the Act on Mediation in Certain Divorce Matters, (Act 24 of 1987). The task of the family advocate is to act as a watchdog on behalf of minors who have been subjected to divorce and subsequent litigation over custody disputes. Custody disputes cause tension and uncertainty for the children involved. The family advocate ensures that the children are exposed to as little disruption as possible during the litigation process, and also sees to it that the proposed ruling in connection with the children is in their best interests. The motivation for this research stems from the developments which have taken place regarding the placement of children after divorce where a custody dispute erupts, as well as those regarding the functions and purpose of the family advocate in the process. Questions can be raised as to whether the system of family advocates succeeds in its primary aim to act on behalf of the children, and whether the children involved in a custody dispute are not subjected to more stress as a result of the litigation. As few study regarding these questions has been done and many new questions have evolved, an exploratory study was conducted on the subject. The aim of this study was to evaluate children with respect to three variables, namely, 1) positive self regard 2) loyalty conflict between biological parents 3) depression. These evaluations were done on three groups, namely, 1) children in a nuclear family, 2) children in a single-parent family where divorce had occurred, and 3) children in a family where a custody dispute had taken place. A non-experimental method of research was used. To test the specific hypotheses the following test instruments were used: Bene-Anthony family relations, Draw a Person Test (D.A.P.), and Draw a Family Test (D.A.F.). The conclusions of the study are, firstly, that children in nuclear families do have higher self regard than children from single-parent divorced families, but these latter, in turn, do not have higher self regard than those from custody dispute families. Furthermore, children from nuclear families do not have less loyalty conflict than children from single-parent divorced families, but these latter do have less loyalty conflict than those from custody dispute families. Finally, children from nuclear families do suffer less from depression • than children from single-parent divorced families, but these latter do not have less depression than those from custody dispute families. As this was merely an exploratory study only tendencies can be deduced from the results. Further studies will require larger and better controlled samples. Further research and development in the field of custody litigation is necessary so that the whole family, and especially the children, can use this life crisis as an opportunity for growth.

M.A. / Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects between 1% and 20% of school-aged children. Many aspects of the disorder remain largely speculative including the treatment of it, and often these children experience significant learning, social and emotional difficulties from their childhood years through to adulthood. Pharmacological treatment of the disorder has gained wide acceptance and it has achieved much success in bringing about positive short-term changes in the behaviours of such children. However the long-term efficacy of medication still remains questionable and many children do not respond well to or do not tolerate such treatment. The use of psychological interventions for this condition has not received as much support as that of medication. While research shows that some psychological approaches have virtually no effect others have shown limited benefits. Taking into account the previous research conducted into the benefits of the psychological treatment of ADHD and through examining the limitations of these approaches, the present research aims to establish an effective psychological intervention in the treatment of this condition. This intervention follows the format of a Parent-training based Cognitive-Behavioural programme making use of Barkley's theory that Behavioural Inhibition is the central impairment in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Therefore the hypotheses of this research are twofold. Firstly, that psychological interventions can make a positive contribution to the treatment of this condition and secondly, that this parent-training based cognitive-behavioural progra

Beginning as young as five or six years of age, children participate in organised sports and there are an estimated 25-35 million children under the age of eighteen who participate in organised youth sports. Whether success records, statistics, motivational factors or personal reasons are the motivators behind participation in sports, athletes are often studied by the population. Despite a large contingency of children who participate in sports, professional or adult athletes’ thoughts and motivations are often studied. However, one thing is known: The reason children play sports is because they have fun. This study explored the viewpoints of teachers/trainers from Schools in Paarl region from a qualitative perspective on why children choose to participate in sports. The participants were selected via non-probability sampling method with the utilisation of purposive sampling techniques. Data were collected with semi structured interviews with teachers/trainers at Paarl schools. Data were analysed according to Tesch’s (in Creswell, 2009:186) framework for the analysing of qualitative data and data were verified according to Guba’s (in Krefting, 1991:214-222) framework for data verification of qualitative data. The verified data were described in specific teams and sub-themes as well as supplemented by literature control. The researcher concludes this study by drawing certain conclusions and recommendations from the research findings / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M.A. (Daiconiology)