BACKGROUND: Chronic pain affects millions of Americans every day. Research shows that using different coping strategies (e.g. catastrophizing, coping self-statement and prayer) has differential impacts on pain outcomes. One of these coping mechanisms, prayer, has been examined less frequently than others perhaps because there is currently only one measure of prayer as a coping mechanism for pain, the Prayer/ Hope subscale of the Coping Strategies Questionnaire-Revised (CSQ-R). The latter, however, is an incomplete representation of prayer practices and hence the CSQ-R only offers a narrow measure of prayer. Recent research has characterized the CSQ-R as measuring prayer in a passive nature, which may be associated with poor pain outcomes. This measure does not include an active style of prayer. Furthermore, the evolution of research characterizing the petitionary content of prayer has resulted in substantive data revealing the contrasting dimensions of the prayer content with opposite reported outcomes. Thus, there is the need for a more comprehensive measure of prayer related to pain which clearly delineates the petitionary content of prayer. The current gap in the literature highlighted the beneficial nature of certain types of prayer for pain management and also the importance of the target to which the prayer is directed but noted that there exist no validated measures of pain-related prayer types. The aim of this study is to develop and validate a new measure of the use of prayer amongst people who experience pain, the Pain related PRAYERS (PPRAYERS) questionnaire. METHODS: An interim data analysis was performed of 42 adult participants with chronic pain who use prayer as a means to cope with their pain who completed a battery of questionnaires including the Brief Pain Inventory, PPRAYERS, Duke University Religion Index (DUREL), Coping Strategies Questionnaire-Revised (CSQ-R) and Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS).The population analyzed represented a fraction of an estimated target sample of 100 participants for this phase of the research. In order to assess the factor structure of PPRAYERS, two principal component analysis factor analyses were conducted on the Pain Related Prayer Questionnaire (PPRAYERS). In addition, bivariate correlations between the identified factors of PPRAYERS and other known pain-related psychosocial measures were examined to assess convergent and discriminant validity of the questionnaire. RESULTS: An interim, exploratory principal component analysis yielded six factors, active prayer, passive prayer, neutral prayer, along with three other factors that were atheoretical and accounted for 77% variance. However, based on our a priori theory (i.e. three types of prayer: active, passive and neutral) as well as minimal variance accounted for by the other three atheoretical factors, a follow up analysis of a three-factor model was performed and accounted for 58% variance. There was good convergent validity between the DUREL and the active prayer subscale of the PPRAYERS questionnaire. There was also good discriminant validity between the PCS and all subscales on the PPRAYERS questionnaire. CONCLUSION: According to these preliminary data, the PPRAYERS measure is comprised of three distinct factors: active, passive, and neutral prayer and is associated with pain and other pain-related factors. This study and the creation of PPRAYERS lays the foundation for additional studies evaluating the benefit of active, passive and neutral prayer in the treatment of chronic pain especially in patients open to religious, spiritual or meditative-based coping strategies. / 2023-12-02T00:00:00Z

In this master's thesis, we present a theoretically-critical analysis of the current academic thinking with regard to the differences between men and women as the lead workers in terms of specific stressors and the use of specific coping strategies. In the theoretical part, we analysed the topic of the specific requirements managers need to meet and the associated stressors. The empirical part analysed the differences in the use of coping strategies between men and women. Probands (of sample size 2105, men N = 1307, women N = 798) completed the Stress Management Questionnaire consisting of twelve coping strategies. The questionnaire distinguishes strategies aimed at resolving situations from those that protect mental well-being. Regarding the use of these twelve coping strategies, the results of the one-way MANOVA multivariate analysis revealed a significant difference (F(12,2092)=10.7, p<0.001) between men and women. A significant difference was revealed on the scale of strategies aimed at resolving situations, in which case men used these strategies significantly more than women. Univariate tests revealed significant differences in specific strategies, on the scales Self-Control (used more by men), Sharing, Someone Else's Fault, Relaxing, Avoiding, Reconciling, and Self- reflection (reported more...

The purpose of our study is to investigate young unaccompanied childrens’ experiencesof integration and their coping strategies used to deal with integration challenges in thenew country. The study also draws attention to professionals' experiences of difficulties and opportunities of integration work with unaccompanied children and young people.  We applied a knowledge overview, that comprised a phenomenological analysis, based  on thirteen articles that were examined on the basis of a criteria template. The results  were analyzed with Folkman and Lazarus coping theory and Bronfenbrenners developmental ecology theory.Comprehensively, our results show that unaccompanied children and young people dodesire to establish contacts with the majority population but experience difficulties due to segregation, cultural barriers, prejudice and racism in school. Furthermore,  supportive relationships with housing staff and professionals, and mainly peers from the  same ethnic group, seem to play a significant role in their well-being and integration process. They also show high motivation and determination to learn the new languageand to educate themselves, which they emphasize is the key to successful integration inthe new country. The results indicate however, that mental illness, few opportunities for language training and organizational barriers in school are barriers to achieveintegration. Comparing the past with one's current life situation and seeking distractions,particularly by spending time with friends and engaging in meaningful activities, are  key coping strategies that unaccompanied minors use to deal with difficulties in life.  Further, religion as a coping strategy played a significant role in their well-being andability to cope with problems.

This study was conducted in order to understand stressful situations and stress coping strategies among employees who were working from home during the covid-19 pandemic. In attempt to bridge this knowledge gap, a critical incident approach was employed. Twelve (12) participants who were working from home were obtained purposively to participate in this study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted through zoom to collect data. Critical Incident Technique was used during interviews and thematic analysis were used to analyse data. The study revealed stressors which are lack of enough resources, extra work, lack of autonomy, work future uncertainty, stress due to covid-19, lack of help when needed, difficulties to reach colleagues, job inefficient and presence of telework unsuitable jobs. Coping strategies revealed were positive mindset, seeking social support, physical exercises, self-efforts to find solution of telework challenges, working extra hours and not answering calls or emails on purpose. It was recommended that organizations should determine suitable jobs for telework, providing required resources, granting employees working autonomy, as well as establishing a channel which can be used as a means of communication among employees as well as to be used as an inspiration and encouragement channel through proving motivational adds to help employees to relive their stressful situations.

Peu d'études ont été menées spécifiquement sur le processus de changement de la thérapie par l'art médical. Un besoin de plus de recherche d'intervention en art-thérapie a été établi. Cette étude de recherche s'est concentrée sur les résultats d'une étude d'intervention évaluant l'utilisation de l'art-thérapie chez les enfants aux prises avec une maladie chronique. Des mesures d’intervention de base et postérieures à l’art ont été utilisées pour appuyer l’utilisation de techniques d’intervention d’art sur des enfants atteints d’une maladie chronique, pour encourager les expressions verbales de la douleur et modifier les stratégies d’adaptation telles que la résolution de problèmes en réponse au fardeau émotionnel de la maladie chronique et la détermination de spécificités. moments charnières qui amènent un processus de changement. Les techniques d'intervention artistique ont été combinées à une approche thérapeutique centrée sur la solution (de Shazer, 1991) afin de créer un plan de traitement pour les enfants de 7 à 18 ans atteints d'une maladie chronique. Douze enfants atteints de maladies chroniques à l'hôpital Santa Maria, au Portugal, ont été randomisés dans un groupe de thérapie d'art actif ou de groupe de référence. Les membres du groupe actif ont participé à sept séances d’intervention artistique d’une durée de 60 minutes. Mesures prises au départ et après la dernière séance d’intervention artistique, y compris l’échelle formelle d’art-thérapie appliquée à la personne cueillant une pomme dans l’arbre, la version pour enfants du questionnaire d’adaptation de la douleur, l’outil de lutte contre la douleur chez les enfants, et KidCope. Les enfants affectés au groupe de référence ont réalisé toutes les évaluations aux mêmes intervalles que les enfants recevant l’art-thérapie, mais n’ont pas bénéficié d’une intervention d’art-thérapie. Les résultats de cette étude ont révélé que les enfants bénéficiant de services d'intervention artistique avaient considérablement accru leur vocabulaire décrivant la douleur mesurée par l'APPT et manifestant des stratégies d'adaptation plus actives face à la maladie chronique mesurée par PCQ et KidCope. Les moments de changement identifiés à travers la description des sept sessions d’intervention ont été mesurés à partir du facteur d’échelle principal de la stratégie de mesure de PPAT post-session. / Few research studies have been conducted specifically focused on the change process in medical art therapy. A need for more intervention research in art therapy has been established. This research study focused on the results of an intervention study evaluating the use of art therapy with children coping with a chronic disease. Both baseline and after art intervention measures were employed to support the use of art intervention techniques with children diagnosed with a chronic disease to encourage verbal expressions of pain and modify coping strategies such as problem solving in response to the emotional burden of chronic disease and identify specific pivotal moments that bring about change process. Art intervention techniques were combined with Solution-Focused therapy approach (de Shazer, 1991) to create a treatment plan for children 7-18 years old diagnosed with a chronic disease. Twelve children with chronic disease at the Hospital Santa Maria, Portugal, were randomized to an active art therapy or reference comparative group . Those in active group participated in seven sessions of art intervention for 60 minutes. Measures taken at the baseline, and after the final art intervention session including Formal Elements Art Therapy Scale applied to the Person Picking an Apple from the Tree scale, children version of Pain Coping Questionnaire, Adolescent Pediatric Pain Tool, and KidCope. The children assigned to the reference comparative group completed all evaluations at the same intervals as the children receiving art therapy but did not receive art therapy intervention. The results of this study revealed that children who received art intervention services significantly increased their vocabulary describing pain as measured by APPT, and manifested more active coping strategies while dealing with the chronic disease, measured by PCQ and KidCope. The changing moments identified through the description of the seven intervention sessions, were measured from the post-session PPAT measuring Problem Solving coping strategy main scale factor.

Illiteracy continues to be a major problem in developing countries. Botswana as an emerging economy with consumers of different literacy levels has no escape for this problem. This study puts the spotlight on consumer illiteracy in Botswana focusing specificallyon purchasing behaviour of functionally illiterate consumers; the problems encountered in the market place and coping strategies used when purchasing food. To elicit relevant information a quantitative research design and survey techniques using a structured questionnaire was used to gather information. Potential respondents were conveniently sampled in Gaborone and surrounding areas in Botswana (N=200) and women aged between 25 and 65 years formed the sample group. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and inferential analysis. From the discussion and the interpretation of the results of the sample of the survey it became clear that certain elements of retailers‟ marketing mix product, price, place, promotion and processes were the most important factors that influenced younger women‟s‟food purchases. Salespeople are apparently of lesser importance to influence consumers. The results indicated that functionally illiterate consumers mainly purchased food products from supermarkets and informal traders but also patronised other retail outlets occasionally. The study further revealed that consumers are vulnerable in the market place as they encountered problems during market place navigation, specifically in terms of too much information; difficulties in computing prices reduced by percentages; crowded places, and advertisements tempting them to buy. These problems seemed to negate the use of coping strategies. The study has contributed to the limited literature on the food purchasing behaviour of functionally illiterate consumers. Retailers will gain insight on how to deal with functionally illiterate consumers in the market place and find ways of making the market place more consumer friendly. / Dissertation (MConsumer Science)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / gm2014 / Consumer Science / unrestricted

Child and Youth Care is another profession that falls under the social services sector. A contextualization of child and youth care field within the broader socio-economic South African context is presented. In particular, the contribution of child and youth care as a unique field is outlined in this study. The ecological systems theory was used as the theoretical framework to underpin the study. This theory acknowledges that child and youth care as a field and child and youth care workers as professionals are not working in isolation, but are affected by the socio-economic dynamics within the broader macro-system. In the context of applied research, this study investigated the challenges and coping strategies of child and youth care workers in the South African context. Qualitative methodology was used to allow participants some reflection on the challenges experienced and coping strategies used by them. By utilizing the collective case study design, 11 focus group interviews were conducted in six provinces of South Africa to collect data from 93 participants. The participants were employed in government organisations and non-governmental organisations. Participants further represented child and youth care workers from rural, semi-urban and urban areas. Findings revealed that child and youth care workers are faced with an array of challenges which fall under the following categories: psycho-social challenges, professional challenges and socio-economic challenges. Under each of these categories, a range of themes and sub-themes have emerged. Themes and sub-themes that emerged under psycho-social challenges are as follows: inability to disengage from work environment, disengagement from socialisation activities, personal trauma, invasion of personal boundaries and emotional well-being issues. Coping strategies that emerged are: non-existent coping mechanisms, personal mission, substance use and quitting. Under the professional challenges category, the following themes have emerged: dealing with clients’ behaviours, personal risk, lack of tangible and immediate results, poor stakeholder relations, lack of clarity on the role and title of the child and youth care worker, inconsistent job requirements, lack of recognition, lack of training and promotion opportunities and inadequate working conditions. To cope with these challenges, the following strategies have emerged: non-existent coping mechanisms, personal support networks and professional support networks. A range of concepts emerged under each of the sub-themes. The specific features of the sub-theme ‘personal support networks’ include: rationalizing, self-protection and self-care. Coping strategies under professional support networks include: colleagues, team meetings, supervision, and psychological support systems. Challenges that emerged under socio-economic category are: inadequate remuneration structures and inadequate programme funding. To cope with these challenges, it emerged that participants resort to budgeting, formal and informal lending mechanisms, and alternative income generating streams. Upon closer inspection of all the challenges, the study revealed that many of these challenges originate from child and youth care workers not being fully recognised as professionals. Formal recognition of this category of workers will go a long way in resolving a number of challenges raised by the participants. It is also assumed that when registered, child and youth care workers will experience better working conditions which will also enable them to be remunerated properly in line with their counterparts within the social service professions. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / tm2015 / Social Work and Criminology / PhD / Unrestricted

Music performance anxiety (MPA) is primarily described as stage fright concerning musicians and performers and affects orchestral and professional musicians severely (Brugués, 2009; Plummer, 2007). As a result, literature on MPA focuses extensively on how it affects professional and adolescent musicians, but limited resources emphasise how it affects brass instrumentalists. The aim of the study is to investigate the occurrence and experience of MPA in brass players. Further, it aims to explore prominent symptoms in this population and what coping strategies are most effective against MPA. Ten brass (five French horn, three trumpet and two trombone) players, of whom eight are professional and two semi-professional musicians, with varying performance experience, participated in this study. The study uses a qualitative research approach and falls into the interpretive paradigm. A multiple case study design was followed. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews, probing each participant’s reported experiences and coping strategies. MPA inhibits a brass player’s musical performance in areas such as musical expression, technical proficiency, physical endurance, tone quality and enjoyment. The results suggest that most of the participants experienced MPA since childhood, regardless of the starting age, and experiences of this condition varied over time throughout adulthood. The symptoms of MPA manifests physiologically (shaking, dry mouth, increased heart rate, sweating), behaviourally (muscle tension, shaking, dry lips), and cognitively (negative thought processes). First-time experiences of a musically demanding task such exams and Eisteddfods, with intimidating audiences, impacted early signs of severe MPA symptoms such as shaking and had a blunting effect on performance quality. Increased task difficulty, limited performance opportunities, auditions, recitals, and orchestral environments, which exposed the player’s performing ability under pressure, had a profound influence on recent experiences of MPA. These situations evoked multiple symptoms such as dry mouth, accelerated heartbeat, shortness of breath, negative thoughts/feelings and self-doubt. Symptoms such as a dry mouth, accelerated heartbeat, shortness of breath, and shaking affects a brass player’s musical performance severely, since it inhibits tone quality and influences musical spontaneity. Therefore, these symptoms affect technical proficiency among brass players negatively since performing these instruments are physically demanding. The results also showed that teachers gave useful advice concerning performing a brass instrument under pressure. The advice was useful among the participants’ lived experiences of MPA, particularly regarding early-experienced symptoms. The experiences of MPA in high demanding performance settings resulted in a better understanding of the situation over time, and led to the reported coping strategies against MPA, which enhanced optimal performance and reduced symptoms. The study concludes that MPA adversely affects brass instrumentalists, particularly the physiological manifestation of the condition. More research is needed to identify symptoms unique to this instrument group and the most effective coping strategies. / Mini Dissertation (MMus)--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Music / MMus / Unrestricted

Raising children is a highly demanding job for any family; the demands are even higher when the child has a disability. The cost of raising a child with a disability is said to be three times higher than that of raising a non-disabled child. Unfortunately, children with disabilities could be born into any family, including the poorest of the poor, who, due to their low socio-economic status, already have less than what is necessary to meet the needs of the non-disabled members. There is limited research into the coping strategies of families raising the children with disabilities in Lesotho, for this reason, the researcher decided to undertake this particular study to feed the curiosity on how families with low socio-economic status managed to raise the children with physical disabilities in this poverty stricken country. Following the Qualitative methodology, the researcher utilised both the purposive and the simple random sampling techniques to select participants from a list provided by the Department of Social Development. A total of ten (10) interviews were conducted with representatives of low socio-economic status families raising children with physical disabilities in the Makaota E12 community council of the Mafeteng district. The study revealed that the majority of families were coping well and that they were generally happy despite the presence of a child with a disability in their homes. The study further revealed a number of factors that played a role in determining the coping ability of each family; these include availability of the support structures and the severity of the child's disability. Finally, the study raised a need for post diagnosis counselling and educational campaigns intended to equip the families of children with physical disabilities with relevant skills and information they require to assist the children to develop to their full potential. The study further raised a need for broader research into the lives of children living with disabilities and their families, for better understanding of the area and for improved service delivery. / Mini Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Social Work and Criminology / MSW / Unrestricted

Menstruationscykelns faser påverkar kvinnor på olika sätt och kan bidra till att idrottsprestationer misslyckas. En del forskning finns på hur cykeln fysiskt påverkar kroppen i idrott men hur den kan påverka psykiskt vid prestation är inte lika känt. I denna studie är syftet att skapa förståelse och ökad kunskap kring hur kvinnliga idrottare på nationell elitnivå mentalt hanterar att prestera i påverkan av menstruationscykeln och dess faser. En kvalitativ metod i form av fokusgruppsintervjuer användes för att undersöka hur kvinnliga idrottare på nationell elitnivå upplever sin prestation under menstruationscykeln. Det visade sig bland annat att elitidrottare påverkas olika under sin menstruationscykel och upplevelsen är att träning påverkas mer än under tävling/match. Rutiner och samtal är de främsta tillvägagångsätten till att hantera besvär som cykeln kan orsaka. Idrottare på nationell elitnivå påverkas av menstruationscykelns faser vilket påverkar både träning och tävling, även om adrenalin och fokus under tävling gör det lättare att kunna prestera. Genom medvetenhet om hur cykeln påverkar varje individ i kombination med utvecklade bemästringsstrategier för att hantera de besvär som kan finnas, gör att det går att prestera på topp under alla cykelns faser. / The phases of the menstrual cycle affect women in different ways and can contribute to the failure of sports performance. Some research exists on how the menstrual cycle physically affects the body in sports, but how it can affect psychologically in performance is not as well known. In this study the aim is to create understanding and increased knowledge about how female athletes at the national elite level mentally manage to perform in the influence of the menstrual cycle and its phases. A qualitative method in the form of focus group interviews was used to investigate how female athletes at national elite level experience their performance during the menstrual cycle. It turns out, among other things that elite athletes are affected differently during their menstrual cycle and the experience is that training is affected more than competition/match. Routines and conversations are the main approaches to dealing with problems that the cycle can cause. Athletes at the national elite level are affected by the phases of the menstrual cycle, which affects both training and competition, although the adrenaline and focus during competition make them easier to perform. Through awareness of how the cycle affects each person in combination with developed coping strategies to deal with the problems that may be present, it is possible to perform at the top during all phases of the menstrual cycle.