In this dissertation the literature on suicidal behaviour is reviewed, with particular emphasis on professional conceptualizations and understanding as informed by the psychiatric and sociological paradigms. Basic postulates of the Ecosystemic paradigm, as it is informed by Maturana's second-order cybernetic approach was discussed. The effect of such an approach on therapy with suicidal individuals was pointed out. It became clear that perceived methodological problems experienced when researching suicidal behaviour from a Newtonian/realist paradigm can be side-stepped when viewed from an Ecosystemic paradigm. It was finally proposed that an ethic of participation, as informed by a second-order cybernetic approach, be adopted when viewing the suicide situation. In the process ethics was reconceptualized as an awareness of the therapist's participation in whatever is created, and not in finding the ''right" way when working with suicidal individuals. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

Die inhoud van die studie verklank 'n paging om vanuit 'n meta­ bleties-andragogiese perspektief 'n greep op die onloenbare werk­ likheid van 'n voortdurend veranderende arbeids- en bestuursmi­ lieu te verkry, deur tot die radix van die problematiek rakende die arbeids- en bestuursetiese-ageinsgebeure deur te dring. Die bevindinge waartoe gekom is, dui pertinent daarop dat ar­ beids- en bestuursetiese-begeleiding as gevolg van verskeie de­ struktiewe invloede vanuit die tegnokratiese bestel teenswoordig nie meer so vanselfsprekend en toereikend geskied nie. Inteen­ deel, die eietydse bestuurder se begeleidingsopgawe word al moei­liker en al hoe meer gekompliseerd en in baie gevalle selfs on­moontlik. Hierdie toedrag van sake gee dan oak daartoe aanleiding dat die hedendaagse bestuurder in sy handel en wandel nie meer altyd be­ treffende "etiese kwessies" 'n onderskeid kan tref tussen wat "reg" en wat "verkeerd" is nie. Sodanige gebeure hou verreikende gevolge in vir die begeleideling (ondergeskikte) se toereikende arbeids- en bestuursetiese-volwassewording, aangesien die bestuurder ten spyte van sy begeleideling se ageinsnood aan etiese-begeleiding, nie daartoe instaat is om 'n nastrewenswaar­ digevoorbeeld van arbeids- en bestuursetiese-volwassenheid te kan stel nie. Arbeids- en bestuursetiese-volwassenheid kan derhalwe slegs be reik word aan die hand van die praktykwording van die normbeeld van arbeids- en bestuursetiese-volwassenheid. In organisasieverband geskied sodanige praktykwording deur die vestiging en insti­tusionalisering van 'n etiese kultuur met 'n etiese gedragskode wat as meet- en rigsnoer dien ten opsigte van etiese en morele kwessies. Deur middel van hierdie etiese gedragskode kan die kriteria vir 'n normbeeld van arbeids- en bestuursetiese-volwassenheid dan as norme binne die etiese kultuur van 'n bepaalde organisasie gevestig word. / The contents of this study represents an attempt to obtain a metabletic-andragogical perspective-grasp on the indisputable reality of an ever-changing labour- and management-milieu by penetrating to the radix of the problematic nature, regarding the labour- and managerial-ethical-agein occurrence. The resultant findings that were arrived at pertinently indicate that labour- and managerial-ethical-guidance is obviously at present not being sufficiently achieved as a result of various de­structive influences from within the technocratic dispensation. On the contrary, the present-day manager's guidance-role has become so much more difficult and complicated and in many cases even impossible. This state of affairs also gives rise to the fact that the modern-day manager cannot always distinguish the difference between what is "right" and "wrong" regarding "ethical issues" in his daily life. Such an occurrence has particularly far-reaching implications for the protege's (subordinate's) adequate labour­ and managerial-ethical-adulthood, since the manager, in spite of his protege's agein-need for ethical-guidance, is incapable of setting an example of labour- and managerial-ethical-adulthood worthy of emulation. Labour- and managerial-ethical-adulthood could therefore only be attained by putting into practice the norm-image of labour- and managerial-ethical-adulthood. In organisational-context such implementation occurs through the establishment and institutionalisation of an ethical-culture with an ethical code of conduct as criteria for evaluating ethical and moral issues. These cri­teria for a norm-image of labour- and managerial-ethical-adult hood could be established as norms within the ethical climate of a particular organisation by means of such an ethical code of conduct / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D.Ed. (Philosophy of Education)

Today, unlike yesterday we talk about Moral Regeneration amongst the Vhavenḓa youth of today and throughout the whole world. Strategies of combating this monster that is snatching our youth are recommended in this study. The problem dealt with in this study is the issue of Moral degeneration amongst the youth which needs to be regenerated. There are many causes of moral degeneration amongst the youth discussed in this study which are accompanied by the remedial strategies. As a way forward in this study, observations of researchers and scholars on how to find the solution about moral degeneration that has impacted on the lives of Vhavenḓa youth and other youth of today around the globe were focused on. The literature review in this study was based more on issues that are linked to Indigenous Knowledge Systems as discussed by various scholars. This study used the qualitative research methodology though quantitative minimally. The sampling of data was more purposive though there were cases of convenience and snowballing so as to get more data. Data for this research study was collected through questionnaires and interviews from a host of interviewees. This data was analysed using open and axial coding. The findings were grouped or categorised into major themes in terms of selective coding. Reasons behind the findings were explained too. Finally, consequences, implications for further study and also recommendations were indicated. / African Languages / D. Litt. et Phil. (African languages)

The text deconstructs notions of ideal community which, while affinning irmnediate proximate human relations, effectiveiy disaffirms and thus devalues those mediated over distance and time. It argues against such social ontologies as the basis of what should constitute ideal consociality. In place of the idealized notions of community critiqued, the work elaborates an ontological ethics of responsibility as a basis for conceptualizing ethical relations. The text grounds its ethic in what is proffered to be humankind's ontological relatedness to the other, regardless of the nature (human or nonhuman) or proximity (face-to-face or nonface-to-face) of that other. Moreover, the text sets forth the importance of humankind developing a sense of this ontological relatedness. The work discusses this sense-of-relatedness from three perspectives. First, it elaborates a philosophic naturalism to establish in humankind an ontological basis for ethical relations. Second, it claims that humankind is in the world, existentially, who and what it understands itself to be with respect to the depth with which it apprehends a sense of its ontological relatedness to all that there is. Third, it argues that this sense-ofrelatedness may be understood as a religious sensibility. / Religious Studies / M.Th. (Religious Studies)

Child sexual abuse is a widespread problem in schools globally. Learners are at risk of sexual abuse by teachers. This study set out to explore the perceptions of learners, teachers and educational psychologists on child sexual abuse by teachers in schools. Literature relating to child sexual abuse was reviewed with the aim of obtaining a solid theoretical foundation for the study. The study is informed by the systems theory. In an attempt to provide acceptable answers to the research problem the qualitative phenomenological design was employed and semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data. Purposive sampling was used to select schools and participants in the Masvingo district in Zimbabwe. The schools selected are one rural day, one rural boarding, one urban day and one urban boarding. A total of 8 learners, 2 from each school, 8 teachers, 2 from each school and 3 educational psychologists from the district offices were selected bringing to a total of 19 participants. Accepted ethical measures were adhered to during the study. Tesch’s open coding method of data analysis was used to identify themes and categories. The study indicated that child sexual abuse in schools is rampant and that teachers are among the perpetrators of this abuse. Child sexual abuse in schools is defined by the study as the unwelcome contact or non-contact sexual behaviour by a teacher on a learner. Findings from the study reveal that girls are more vulnerable to sexual abuse than boys and male teachers sexually abuse learners more than female teachers do. There are physical, behavioural, emotional and educational indicators of child sexual abuse. According to the results of the study multiple factors cause teachers to sexually abuse learners. Some of these factors include abuse of power by teachers, poverty of learners, lust on the part of the teacher, and disregard of law by teachers. Students were said to sometimes be contributors to their own sexual abuse through their seductive behaviours and dressing. It emerged from the study that child sexual abuse by teachers has a host of negative physical, emotional, psychological and educational repercussions on the sexually abused learner. It results in serious health effects such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS), unwanted pregnancy and psychological trauma. Poor academic performance and failure to complete education are consequences of sexual abuse. Findings from the study revealed that child sexual abuse by teachers in schools should not be tolerated and thus it should be prevented. In light of these findings recommendations are made with regards to how various stakeholders in the school namely the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Zimbabwe, policy makers, school heads, teachers, parents and learners can help fight this scourge. Areas for further research are proposed. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

This is a Master´s Degree Dissertation that agrees with the premise that Law cannot be dissociated from Moral and with the conclusion that leads to the path to rationalize moral values in the juridical atmosphere. In that way, constitutional jurisdiction attempts its objectives and legitimates itself upon social medium by using juridical argumentation´s methods, which must be particularly respected, in Brazil, in the sphere of the analysis of administrative improbity´s acts. At the same time, Constitution is not only the main juridical text of a given State, endowed with normative power and imperative norms, but represents, fundamentally, the great variety of mankind knowledge´s lines, as well as it is guided by a truly axiological sense. Based in that post-positivist context, this Master´s Degree Dissertation comments about the Administrative Improbity Law (Brazilian Federal Law nº 8.429/1992) by offering, initially, a general panorama of the above-mentioned law; soon after, it specifies the object of study with its species and penalties. Finally, this work shows study about the necessity to establish a procedure tending to investigate the real occurrence of an improbity act and, in that way, it is put forward another contribution, intending to rationalize the fixation of Administrative Improbity Law s sanctions, together with the application of Proportionality. / Trata-se de Dissertação de Mestrado que concorda com a premissa de que o Direito não pode ser dissociado da Moral e com a conclusão que conduz ao caminho de racionalizar a inserção dos valores morais na atmosfera jurídica. A jurisdição constitucional, neste sentido, cumpre seu papel e se legitima perante o meio social quando utiliza métodos de argumentação jurídica, os quais devem ser particularmente respeitados, no Brasil, na esfera de análise de atos de improbidade administrativa. Paralelamente, a Constituição não é apenas o principal texto jurídico de um Estado, dotado de força normativa e normas imperativas, como também representa, fundamentalmente, as mais diversas linhas do conhecimento humano, além do que, é norteada por um verdadeiro sentido axiológico. Baseada em tal contexto póspositivista, esta dissertação discorre a respeito da Lei da Improbidade Administrativa (Lei nº 8.429/1992) oferecendo, inicialmente, um panorama geral do referido diploma normativo para, logo depois, especificar o objeto de estudo nas modalidades e nas sanções nela contidas. Finalmente, o presente trabalho mostra estudo a respeito da necessidade de ser estabelecido um procedimento tendente a apurar a efetiva ocorrência de atos ímprobos para que, passo seguinte, seja apresentada outra contribuição, no sentido de racionalizar a aplicação das penalidades da Lei da Improbidade Administrativa, com o necessário uso da Regra da Proporcionalidade.

This study discusses self-care enunciated in harm reduction strategies targeted at drug users. Such strategies call themselves potentiating an ethical stance, as it allows these drug users become then the protagonists of their own actions, and gain freedom in their choices in their life decisions. From this statement, and in the face at Michel Foucault s thought, the survey asks whether the self-care of harm reduction would be related to an ethical dimension liberating, or a moral imperative of care in the field of health practices. Analyzes run through a path that include the articulation of three research plans: a history, a politician and ethical, built at the same time that cross. The onslaught historical presents the first formulation of a notion of social medicine in Germany, France, England and Brazil, as well as their relationships with the notion of medical police, practices militarization and biopolitics. On the political dilemmas are analyzed instances drawn between legal and health to address the issue of drugs. Amid the political and historical discussions, research hypothesizes that practices harm reduction meets an update of social medicine. The plan calls into question the ethical statements of self-care strategies present in harm reduction, opposed to the joint ethics and politics in Foucault s thought in its historical research of antiquity / A presente pesquisa discute o cuidado de si enunciado nas estratégias de redução de danos direcionadas aos usuários de drogas. Tais estratégias intitulam-se potencializadoras de uma postura ética, pois possibilita a esses usuários de drogas tornarem-se, então, protagonistas de suas próprias ações, e adquirir liberdade em suas escolhas, em suas decisões de vida. A partir dessa afirmação, e em face ao pensamento de Michel Foucault, a pesquisa questiona se o cuidado de si da redução de danos seria condizente a uma dimensão ético-libertadora, ou a um imperativo moral do cuide-se no campo das práticas de saúde. As análises percorrem um caminho que compreende a articulação de três planos de investigação: um histórico, um político e um ético, construídos ao mesmo tempo em que se atravessam. A investida histórica apresenta as primeiras formulações de uma noção de medicina social na Alemanha, na França, na Inglaterra e no Brasil, bem como suas relações com a noção de polícia médica, práticas de militarização e biopolítica. No plano político são analisados dilemas traçados entre as instâncias jurídicas e da saúde ao tratar da questão das drogas. Em meio às discussões históricas e políticas, a pesquisa levanta a hipótese de que as práticas de redução de danos condizem a uma atualização da medicina social. O plano ético põe em questão os enunciados do cuidado de si presentes nas estratégias de redução de danos, contrapostas à articulação ética e política no pensamento de Foucault em sua pesquisa histórica da Antiguidade.

The goal of this research study was to explore and describe the experiences of parents whose children have completed the diversion programme in order to make recommendations to probation officers, social workers and people who facilitate the diversion programmes. The study focused on the Youth Empowerment Scheme programme (YES Programme) because it is the diversion programme mostly used in the Eastern Cape. The aim of the programme is to divert young people in trouble with the law away from the criminal justice system and to rehabilitate the young offenders by providing them with essential life skills that can address the offenders’ real problems. In the study the researcher made use of a qualitative research approach in an attempt to explore the experiences of parents whose children have completed the YES programme. The permission of the gatekeeper was sought before the study commenced. The researcher used purposive sampling to recruit participants. Data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews. In analysing the data, the researcher used the steps for qualitative data analysis as stated in Creswell (2003:192). Three main themes along with sub-themes and categories were identified during the process of data analysis. The main findings that emanated from this study were: the seemingly upcoming culture of lack of respect for authority on the part of the youth of today. Another major finding of this study is that the traditional function of families, notably, socialisation of young people within the family structure is on the wane. The recommendations that emanated from this study are: that the YES programme needs to be adjusted to address the specific needs of children that are referred to the YES programme and those of their families and communities. Family life should be strengthened through community development programmes that seek to address family problems of any nature, namely, material, psycho-social, economic, to mention just a few. Community development programmes should address fragile families through community development approaches that are comprehensive and integrated.

Alcohol use among university students is a worldwide social and clinical reality. Understanding and addressing this phenomena is an imperative recognised by the government of South Africa and its Higher Education institutions, where student drinking has a plethora of negative consequences. This study builds on the work of Young and de Klerk (2012) with Rhodes University students by adding drinking motives to their findings of demographic correlates. The motivational model of alcohol use (Cox & Klinger, 1988) posits that drinking motives are a proximal predictor of alcohol use. The model further delineates four drinking motives (social, enhancement, coping, and conformity) which are hypothesized to lead to phenomenological distinct patterns of alcohol use. An online survey method was utilized to collect data and a representative sample of 501 students participated. Descriptive and inferential statistics were computed to address five research questions: (1) to establishing the current alcohol use trend; (2) to investigate the demographic factors associated with alcohol use; (3) to describe students‘ drinking motives; (4) to explore the correlates of drinking motives; and, finally, the primary aim was (5) to investigate whether students‘ drinking motives predicted alcohol use when controlling for the effects of descriptive drinking norms and demographic variables. The results indicate that 68.5% of participants currently consume alcohol, and 51.0 % of these drinking students consume five or more drinks during a drinking session. 20.7 % of the drinking students used alcohol at the harmful or alcohol dependent levels. Increased alcohol use was associated more with males, undergraduates, early onset drinkers, more disposable income, and students‘ perceptions of their peers‘ drinking. Students endorsed enhancement motives marginally more than social motives, followed by coping and conformity motives. Males, early onset drinkers, black students, and at risk (of alcohol use disorders) students endorsed more motives, especially social and enhancement motives. Of primary concern was the role of drinking motives on alcohol use after controlling for the effects of descriptive drinking norms. The four block hierarchical regression model which was run explained 38% of the variance in alcohol use. Drinking motives, particularly enhancement motives, displayed a statistically significant impact on alcohol use adding 11% to the variance. Additionally, age of alcohol use onset, monthly pocket money, age, and gender predicted alcohol use separately. The results of this study indicate that alcohol use has multi-factorial influences. Of note, the results confirmed the motivational model of alcohol use by indicating that alcohol use is partially motivational and that drinking behaviour is not a unitary phenomenon but instead it represents heterogeneity based on the affective change individuals anticipate to gain by drinking. The high binging rate (51%) among this sample may speak to the greater endorsement of enhancement motives, which have been shown in previous studies to be associated with heavy drinking. Enhancement motives are attempts to attain positive affect which, due to the psychoactive properties of alcohol, require greater consumption and intoxication. Additionally, as a result of the greater quantities of alcohol, individuals who drink for enhancement motives would be more prone to alcohol consequences. The results suggest that a multi-level intervention framework targeting individual students, the university community, and the surrounding community, is indicated. Furthermore, intervention may be tailored-made to address specific drinking motives.

No description available.