M.A. (Clinical Psychology) / The increasing interest in cognitive factors both in the literature on pain and in developments in research on depression has led to the present study, where cognitive factors associated with depression were investigated in clinical groups of chroni c pa in patients. The cognitive factors studied were learned helplessness (Seligman, 1975), cognitive errors and distortions (Beck, 1976), perfectionism (Bums, 19800 1980b), as well as hopelessness (Beck, 1974). It was hypothesised that these factors would occur in definite patterns in relation to each other, in groups of pain patients categorised into four groups on the basis of raised or lowered levels of both depression and a subjective pain rating. It was hypothesised that learned helplessness would vary in direct relationship to depression but that simultaneously increased levels of pain would elevate helplessness further. It was also hypothesised that perfectionism and cognitive errors and distortions would vary inversely with helplessness and that amongst pain patients with high levels of pain and low levels of depression, raised scores on measures of perfectionism and cognitive errors may indicate the presence of a 'masked' depression. Some evidence was found to suggest that cognitive factors do play an important role in pain, although no significant results were found to support the specific hypotheses of this study. The need for finer discrimination in the type' of pain patient selected, particularly in regard to ·the diagnosis of the pain syndrome, as well as the inclusion of cognitive factors other than those presently considered, is indicated for future research.

Die gesin is die sentrum waarbinne die kind se vorming tot volwaardige volwassenheid plaasvind. Indien een van die ouers met 'n chroniese fisieke siektetoestand gediagnoseer word, mag dit moontlike implikasies inhou vir die ouer, die kind, maar ook ander gesinslede. Die chroniese siektetoestand en die implikasies wat dit vir die siek persoon inhou is bestudeer. Daarbenewens is die dinamiek van die gesin, waarbinne die ouer en die kind met mekaar in interaksie is, ontleed. Om te bepaal wat die effek van die chroniese fisieke siektetoestand van die ouer op die kind is, is 'n literatuurstudie onderneem. Dit is daarna geverifieer met gevallestudies wat ondemeem is. Die gevallestudies het die bevindinge van die literatuurstudie bevestig. Dit blyk dat die chroniese siektetoestand van die ouer 'n invloed op die wording van die kind het. Die siektetoestand is 'n voortdurende stressor binne die gesin, wat veroorsaak dat kind(ers) affektiewe-, kognitiewe-, gedrags- en sosiale probleme manifesteer. Daar moet aanpassings gemaak word om die stres binne die gesin te minimaliseer. Riglyne is saamgestel om die terapeut, wat hierdie kind(ers) en gesinne begelei, te help. / The family is the system within which the child develops and eventually attains maturity. When a patient is diagnosed with chronic disease, it has certain implications not only for the parent, but also for children and other members of that family. A liteature study was undertaken to determine the impact of the chronically ill parent on the child. This study was then verified with specific case studies done by the author. These case studies confinned the findings of the literature study. It would seem that the chronic illness of a parent has a definite impact on the development of a child. The parent's illness is a constant stressor within the family, causing children to manifest affective, cognitive, behavioral as well as social problems. Certain adjustments have to be made to minimize stress within such a family. Guidelines are provided to assist the therapist in dealing with these children and families. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Voorligting)

Not available / text

Die gesin is die sentrum waarbinne die kind se vorming tot volwaardige volwassenheid plaasvind. Indien een van die ouers met 'n chroniese fisieke siektetoestand gediagnoseer word, mag dit moontlike implikasies inhou vir die ouer, die kind, maar ook ander gesinslede. Die chroniese siektetoestand en die implikasies wat dit vir die siek persoon inhou is bestudeer. Daarbenewens is die dinamiek van die gesin, waarbinne die ouer en die kind met mekaar in interaksie is, ontleed. Om te bepaal wat die effek van die chroniese fisieke siektetoestand van die ouer op die kind is, is 'n literatuurstudie onderneem. Dit is daarna geverifieer met gevallestudies wat ondemeem is. Die gevallestudies het die bevindinge van die literatuurstudie bevestig. Dit blyk dat die chroniese siektetoestand van die ouer 'n invloed op die wording van die kind het. Die siektetoestand is 'n voortdurende stressor binne die gesin, wat veroorsaak dat kind(ers) affektiewe-, kognitiewe-, gedrags- en sosiale probleme manifesteer. Daar moet aanpassings gemaak word om die stres binne die gesin te minimaliseer. Riglyne is saamgestel om die terapeut, wat hierdie kind(ers) en gesinne begelei, te help. / The family is the system within which the child develops and eventually attains maturity. When a patient is diagnosed with chronic disease, it has certain implications not only for the parent, but also for children and other members of that family. A liteature study was undertaken to determine the impact of the chronically ill parent on the child. This study was then verified with specific case studies done by the author. These case studies confinned the findings of the literature study. It would seem that the chronic illness of a parent has a definite impact on the development of a child. The parent's illness is a constant stressor within the family, causing children to manifest affective, cognitive, behavioral as well as social problems. Certain adjustments have to be made to minimize stress within such a family. Guidelines are provided to assist the therapist in dealing with these children and families. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Voorligting)

This qualitative study focuses on the experiences of adults with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), a neuromuscular condition, and explores what living with this disease encompasses. The study is structured around two fundamental research questions that amount to people's experiences regarding how (in which areas) the disease affects them, and how they continuously deal with it. In order to address the research questions, data gathered from participants was qualitatively analysed, using grounded theory methodology. The study culminated in the formulation of a substantive grounded theory as to how affected people manage the disease's manifestations in order to optimise their continuous adaptation and well-being. A tripartite of concerns comprised the core concern, whereas the basic social psychological process of engaging with CMT emerged as the core strategy used by affected people to deal with the concerns. The core's three sub processes constituted three mostly sequential stages that CMT-affected people pass through in their adaptation to the disease. The identified theory and existing stage models of adaptation to chronic illnesses and disabilities were juxtaposed and discussed. The three stages were compared to and integrated with the relevant literature. These actions revealed that there are a number of new formulations and processes contained in all three stages, and that the first and last stages (orientating and optimising) are themselves unique. It emerged that there is no theoretical end-point to the adaptation process, but that a relative saturation point amounted to a variant of an outcome, called qualified wellness. For most, the core strategy was successful in resolving the main concern. A few, however, still experienced fear and agony about inheritance and dependency issues. This study contributes, via the route of knowledge and insight empowerment, to the well-being of people with CMT, including those who are struggling but do not know that they have this disease. Broadening of insight may also benefit medical help professionals and streamline service delivery. / Psychology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)

People expenencmg chronic pain encounter increases m needs and endure the consequences of failure to satisfy needs. In much of the management of people with chronic pain, chronic pain is considered an abstract phenomenon with little attention given to the human experience. Numerous literature focus on a mechanistic reductionistic approach in management of chronic pain. Most literature is written by medical practitioners, nurses and psychologists from a health-care oriented methodology, whereas minimal research literature was contributed from a pastoral care and counselling perspective. This dissertation explores the needs and feelings of people with chronic pain to identify their needs at the various developmental stages of their pain experience, and within their relevant ecosystems, in order to develop a pastoral response. / Practical Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)

This qualitative study focuses on the experiences of adults with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), a neuromuscular condition, and explores what living with this disease encompasses. The study is structured around two fundamental research questions that amount to people's experiences regarding how (in which areas) the disease affects them, and how they continuously deal with it. In order to address the research questions, data gathered from participants was qualitatively analysed, using grounded theory methodology. The study culminated in the formulation of a substantive grounded theory as to how affected people manage the disease's manifestations in order to optimise their continuous adaptation and well-being. A tripartite of concerns comprised the core concern, whereas the basic social psychological process of engaging with CMT emerged as the core strategy used by affected people to deal with the concerns. The core's three sub processes constituted three mostly sequential stages that CMT-affected people pass through in their adaptation to the disease. The identified theory and existing stage models of adaptation to chronic illnesses and disabilities were juxtaposed and discussed. The three stages were compared to and integrated with the relevant literature. These actions revealed that there are a number of new formulations and processes contained in all three stages, and that the first and last stages (orientating and optimising) are themselves unique. It emerged that there is no theoretical end-point to the adaptation process, but that a relative saturation point amounted to a variant of an outcome, called qualified wellness. For most, the core strategy was successful in resolving the main concern. A few, however, still experienced fear and agony about inheritance and dependency issues. This study contributes, via the route of knowledge and insight empowerment, to the well-being of people with CMT, including those who are struggling but do not know that they have this disease. Broadening of insight may also benefit medical help professionals and streamline service delivery. / Psychology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)

People expenencmg chronic pain encounter increases m needs and endure the consequences of failure to satisfy needs. In much of the management of people with chronic pain, chronic pain is considered an abstract phenomenon with little attention given to the human experience. Numerous literature focus on a mechanistic reductionistic approach in management of chronic pain. Most literature is written by medical practitioners, nurses and psychologists from a health-care oriented methodology, whereas minimal research literature was contributed from a pastoral care and counselling perspective. This dissertation explores the needs and feelings of people with chronic pain to identify their needs at the various developmental stages of their pain experience, and within their relevant ecosystems, in order to develop a pastoral response. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)