Notre travail s’inscrivant dans le cadre de la psychologie de la santé s’intéresse aux effets de l’annonce d’un diagnostic de trouble démentiel sur la qualité de vie de la personne âgée, au sein d’un service de consultation mémoire à Bourg-en-Bresse (France). Nous posons le postulat que la manière d’annoncer un diagnostic pourrait conditionner le vécu de la maladie. Notre étude traite des réactions des patients à la suite de cette annonce.Nous avons constitué plusieurs groupes de patients permettant d’étudier les effets de l’annonce selon différents critères : le niveau d’atteinte cognitive, le type d’attachement, le type d’annonce faite par le médecin, le temps de l’annonce. Ainsi, un groupe a été constitué de personnes âgées dites transversales (c’est-à-dire rencontré une fois au début, lors de leur annonce ou au cours de leur suivi médical), puis un autre groupe dit longitudinal (rencontré depuis leur annonce puis tous les 3 mois pendant presque 2 ans pour les suivis les plus longs) , et enfin un groupe contrôle , nous permettant de servir de référence afin de comprendre les réactions des patients. Afin de compléter nos données issues des précédents groupes, nous avons également rencontré les aidants de certaines personnes âgées impliquées dans le processus diagnostic afin d’étudier leur réaction face à l’annonce et enfin, avons rencontré 3 groupes de personnes gravitant autour de l’annonce (médecins généralistes, gériatres et un groupe de famille) afin d’étudier leur discours et représentations de l’annonce diagnostic.Les résultats nous montrent:- Au niveau statistique: seules les réactions des aidants sont significatives dans leur utilisation plus prononcée du coping actif : planification et dans l’utilisation de mécanisme défense mature.- D’un point de vue statistique descriptif et qualitatif, on observe que des indicateurs de processus résilients (estime de soi et qualité de vie) sont présents chez nos sujets ayant reçu un diagnostic de trouble démentiel lorsque leur déclin cognitif était mesuré au-dessus de 24/30 au MMS et que leur déclin cognitif n’est pas trop rapide. Nos sujets longitudinaux nous apprennent qu’il est important pour développer un processus résilient après une annonce diagnostique d’un trouble démentiel de pouvoir avoir :- La perception de se sentir utile pouvant être reliée en partie au regard que perçoit la personne de ‘l’autre sur son trouble démentiel.Le couple aidant patient nous apporte l’information qu’il est important d’accompagner les remaniements d’attachement qui peuvent s’effectuer à la suite de l’annonce et au cours de l’évolution de la maladie afin de sécuriser l’aidant, ce qui aidera à sécuriser le patientNotre étude conclut qu’un parcours résilient est possible malgré le trouble démentiel et peut être entravé ou favorisé par le parcours diagnostic. L’éducation thérapeutique ( ETP) qui se développe depuis quelques années dans le cadre des maladies chroniques comme le diabète et de manière plus timide et peu structurée, dans le domaine des troubles démentiels ; pourrait au regard des indicateurs de résilience identifiés dans notre étude , servir de tuteur de résilience au couple patient-aidant. L’ETP par un accompagnement multidisciplinaire, permettrait de développer une autonomie relative du patient face à sa maladie en le rendant plus acteur de son parcours et cela offrirait un cadre sécurisant pour les différents acteurs du processus diagnostic et pour l’aidant. / Our work in the field of health psychology focuses on the effects of the announcement of a diagnosis of dementia on the quality of life of the elderly in Bourg en Bresse ( France). We postulate that the manner in which announcement is made,could influence people’sexperience of the disease. Our study tries to examine the reactions of patients following this announcement.Several patient groups were developed for the study the effects of the announcement based on several criteria : cognitive impairment levels, attachment type, physician announcement style, timing of the announcement.Thus, a first group consisted of elderly people, referred to as the cross-sectional group ( that is to say, they were met once at the beginning at the time of their announcement or during their medical follow-up). A second group was the longitudinal group ( met at their announcement and then met every 3 months for almost 2 years for the longest follow-up) and the final control group, serving as a reference in order to understand the reactions of the patients.In order to complement the data from the previous groups, we also the caregivers of certain elderly people involved in the diagnostic process in order to study their reactions facing the announcement. Finally, we met with 3 groups of people also implicated in the announcement ( general practitioners, geriatricians and a family group) to study their language and impressions concerning the diagnostic announcement.The results show :- From a statistical point of vie, only the reactions of caregivers are significant in their more prevalent use of active coping : planning and in the use of mature defense mechanisms- Frome a statistical, descriptive and qualitative point of view, we observe that resilience indicators ( self-esteem and quality of life) are present in our subjects diagnosed with dementia when their cognitive decline is measured above 24/30 on the MMS and their cognitive decline is not too rapid.- Our longitudinal subjects show us that in order to be able to develop resilience after a diagnostic announcement of dementia, it is important to have :- A feeling of usefulness which can be linked, in part, to the way the person thinks other perceive his or her dementia disorder.

Engineers and scientists have to cope with the challenges of a complex work environment. This study investigated the relationship between burnout, coping and sense of coherence amongst engineers and scientists. The Maslach Burnout Inventory, COPE and Sense of Coherence questionnaires were used. The study was conducted with 272 engineers and scientists at a global petro-chemical company with its head office based in South Africa. A theoretical relationship was determined and an empirical investigation provided evidence of such a relationship. The results confirmed a relationship between burnout, coping and sense of coherence amongst engineers and scientists. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Stress, a feeling of pressure, tension, strain or threat, is a problem for contemporary female participants in the primary and secondary educational milieus who automatically respond to stressors (causes of stress), in the same way as women and girls in the past, since human beings have not changed psychologically and biologically over the millennia. Like their ancestors many female educators, learners and caregivers today do not return to a calm mental and physical state after an initial stress reaction. They often remain under stress, which results in emotional, behavioural, physical and cognitive manifestations of stress. Moreover, females may be predisposed to stress because of psychological, biological and social factors that have underpinned their response to time-related stressors that have faced them throughout history. Yet, history has also shown that women and girls taught and learnt successful stress coping mechanisms. Insight into these universal truths may provide educational solutions to a universal problem / Educational Studies / D.Ed. (History of Education)

The research focused on employee wellness and explored and described the role of spirituality in the wellbeing of CHCWs of HIV/AIDS patients. It was important to determine how CHCWs dealt with the stress of caregiving, due to the increasing number of HIV infections and burden on government resources. The approach was a phenomenological qualitative study using faceto- face interviews to collect data from a purposive sample of eight CHCWs from a population of 250 at Temba. The audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed for emerging themes using thematic analyses. The research findings provided evidence that spirituality impacted positively on the wellbeing of the CHCWs by providing the coping mechanism to deal with stress. The conclusions drawn were that personal and organisational wellbeing operated at an optimal level due to the influence of spirituality. Recommendations were that formalised spiritual programmes were offered as a tool to equip CHCWs in their duties. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com.

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the roles and responsibilities of family members change to accommodate the demands of the illness. The current study aimed to explore the experiences of mothers of children with cancer, focusing on their constructed roles within the family context and their social support. A case study design within the qualitative research approach was employed, underpinned by social constructionism as a theoretical framework. Three mothers were selected, using a combination of purposive and snowball sample techniques. Rich descriptive data were collected from three mothers through semi-structured interviews and reflective essays, and analysed using thematic analysis techniques. Results showed that although mothers of children with cancer experience some common themes, there are contextual differences influencing how they construct their stories. The following main themes were identified in the comparative analysis: events leading to the diagnosis, emotions, life changes, the effect of the illness and coping. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

This study investigates the relationship between traumatic events and PTSD among police officers in KwaZulu-Natal and the mediating effects of coping and social support. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of PTSD among police officers and whether coping and social support structures act as mediating variables in the stress-illness realtionship. In order to achieve this aim an assessment battery containing Biographical Checklist, the Ways of Coping Checklist, The Index of Social Support and the Dutch Post Traumatic Stress Scale was distributed to a sample of police officers in Kwazulu-Natal. The findings indicate a high incidence of PTSD, among policemen although no significant relationship was found between exposure to traumatic events and PTSD. Further, emotion­ focused coping strategies, namely, self-blame and wishful thinking, were found to be predictive of PTSD. No significant relationship was established between the availability of social support and satisfaction with social support and PTSD. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial Psychology)

The purpose of this study was to investigate and describe the experience of infertility of African women, men and family member. It is hoped that this description will contribute to a deeper understanding of the psychosocial difficulties involved in the area of infertility and ofthe ways in which people respond to the situation of infertility. A qualitative research approach was used, and in particular social constructivist-interpretive research and feminist research approaches. The sample consisted of39 participants: 19 women, 10 men, and 10 family members faced with infertility. The research orientation was field-based, concerned with collecting data using the technique of in-depth semi-structured interviews. Each participant was interviewed individually. The interviews were recorded on tape, transcribed in their full length and translated into English. Data were analysed on the basis of the interpretive feminist approach. Analysis of individual cases and crosscase analysis were employed. The findings suggested a contextual definition of infertility, for example, for some, having had an ectopic pregnancy or a miscarriage meant that they did not fit into the definition of infertility. The findings revealed that for many African women and men, blood ties still defined the family and the persona. Thus, failure to have a blood child resulted in courtship and marital break up, extramarital relationships, polygamy, and divorce and remarriage. Infertility had serious psychosocial consequences for both the infertile individuals and their families. Participants experienced repeated periods of existential crisis, which began at different points for different participants. Analysis of gender differences indicated similarities in the experience of the crisis, but differences in terms of expression and ways of responding to the crisis. Family dynamics within the context of infertility were coloured by ambivalent feelings, resentment, insensitivity, and miscommunication, but also affection, and social support. Traditional and modern medical health systems offered the possibility of finding explanations and treatment, but there was further strain from the negative experiences with the health care system. The findings in this study suggested the need for policy reformulation, for psychosocial intervention as part of the treatment plan, and for future research on the outcome of using various coping strategies. / Psychology / D. Phil. (Psychology)

A case study on drought coping mechanisms was conducted among small-scale farmers in the Motheo District of the Free State Province in Republic of South Africa, to determine how farmers cope with drought effects with or without external influence in terms of drought relief packages from the government and non-governmental organizations. Data was collected by administering a semi-structured questionnaire to 200 farmers. The data were captured and analysed using SPSS to obtain frequency, cross-tab, univariate ANOVA as well as logistic regression analysis. Findings of the study revealed that only 12.5 percent of the respondents were aware of drought, while a larger percentage of 87.5 of the respondents were not aware of a drought incidence before its onset, which made them more vulnerable to the drought disaster; 8.5 percent of them protected water sources for livestock while 91.5 percent of the farmers did not protect water sources for their livestock because they farm on a communal land; 42.5 percent provided supplementary feeds to livestock during the drought, but 57.5 percent did not provide supplementary feed for their animals for lack of funds. Ninety-nine (99.0) percent of the respondents shared grazing lands while only 1 per cent did not because most farmers operates on a communal system of farming; 35.5 percent changed cropping systems; 50.5 percent had alternative water sources for crops which included mini and hand irrigation systems while 49.5 percent of the respondents depended solely on streams and rivers available in the villages; 19.3 percent sold or pledged assets in order to be able to cope with drought effects while most farmers did not pledge or sell assets not because they did not want to, but because they did not have assets to sell. / Envornmental Science / Thesis (M.Sc. (Environmental Management))

As a result of the Zimbabwean socio-economic and political crisis many have joined the Diaspora leaving their children behind in the care of others. Qualitative research in the form of in-depth semi-structured interviews carried out with seventeen adolescent Zimbabwean Diaspora orphans evidenced a number of emerging themes that illuminate how these adolescents view their situation, such as symptomology of depression, feelings of abandonment and rejection, conflicting feelings, lack of social support, the importance of communication, role changes and additions, materialism, challenges presented by relationships with caregivers, and vulnerability to sexual abuse and molestation. Most of the themes do not appear to be country specific but are shared by adolescent Diaspora orphans world-wide. Defence and coping mechanisms employed by these adolescents to cope with parental absence were also identified. Recommendations aimed at optimising their integration in society and suggestions for further research in this field conclude this study. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

Dissertation / The aim of this study is to investigate teacher stress and to identify factors that contribute to the stress experienced by township secondary school teachers. Based on an extensive literature study, an inventory, the Teacher Stress Identification Test was developed. The inventory was completed by 368 teachers who live in townships and work in township secondary schools in the Free State. Information thus gained was analysed with the use of a statistical computer programme. It appears from the research that the inventory has both a high reliability coefficient and construct validity. The empirical research revealed that township secondary school teachers experience moderate to high levels of stress. It also gave a clear indication of the factors contributing to the stress experienced by these teachers, allowing the researcher to make several recommendations. Lastly, the manifestations of stress as well as the coping mechanisms of these teachers were briefly investigated. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)