Thesis (M.Sc.)(Clinical Psychology) --University of Limpopo, 2005. / This study aims at finding out whether Black Northern Sotho speaking mothers of children diagnosed with behavioural problems cope differently from their English speaking counterparts, and whether the Black mothers have more support than their control group. Forty-eight Northern Sotho speaking Black African mothers with children diagnosed with behavioural problems were drawn using a convenience sample method. Thirty-two English speaking White mothers who have the same type of children were used as the control group. Participants were drawn from clinical populations in public hospitals in the Limpopo Province (Mankweng, Polokwane, Groothoek, and Lebowakgomo hospitals). All participants were given a questionnaire. The questionnaire had the following sections: bibliographical data of the mother and family; Social Support Scale (Sarason, Levine, Basham, & Sarason, 1983); Ways of Coping Scale (Billings & Moos, 1981) and an in-depth interviewing schedule. Ten subjects from the forty-eight were interviewed using the in-depth-interviewing schedule. The ten were selected by choosing every fifth numbered participant from the experimental group until the tenth participant. Results show that White mothers (control group) of children with behavioural problems coped better than the Black mothers (experimental group). Age of the mothers and the mothers’ perception of the level of health significantly influenced scores on the Coping Scale. As the mothers’ ages decreased, their scores on the Coping increased (they coped better) and as the perceived level of health increased (more positive), the Coping score increased. However, Black mothers have more support than their control group. The perceived level of health was the only factor that significantly influenced the scores on the Social Support scale. As the perceived level of health decreased, the Social Support received increased. It is also found that the Black mothers’ use of external locus of control in their explanations of the causes of their children’s problems led to a number of feelings in the mothers. Feelings for example, of not being in control of the situation, feelings of dissatisfaction with family life, decreased motivation together with feelings of guilt and self-blame. It appears a process of acculturation could be involved in the difficulties the Black mothers experience. This acculturation process and the effect of the problematic child on their system (school, family, and parents) need to be addressed further so they could be incorporated into future intervention programmes. Due to the limitations of the study, the findings should be used with caution. Further research should be done to shed more light on the coping strategies of mothers of children with behavioural problems. / National Research Foundation (NRF)

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This ethnographic study of the strategies used by pupils in their adjustment to a new class after an individual move to a new school partway through a term considered 30 pupils aged 8-11 entering a Primary School run by the Service Children's Education Authority during the course of an academic year. Previous research suggests that whilst there may be little statistical effect on educational attainment of even frequent changes of school, there are pupils whose attainment seems adversely, and others beneficially, affected. Attempts to associate these pupils with such factors as age at or frequency of moves, socio-economic status or IQ levels have proved unsuccessful. This study utilises the notion of 'coping strategy' as put forward by Hargreaves (1978) and Pollard (1982) to investigate the hypothesis that it is the difference in the strategies that the pupils use that enables some to cope effectively and even benefit from changes of school whilst others appear to suffer. In order to consider the hypothesis this study puts forward an entirely new model of strategies and their use and significantly amends the Hargreaves/Pol lard model of the contexts of constraint. A process of 'progressive focus' is suggested whereby these contexts can be interrelated, individual actions in the classroom can be identified as strategies and linked to goals in progressively wider spheres, and the effect of ineffective strategies can be recognised. Using this model the study: * suggests that pupil adjustment is affected by both their strategies and their goals and provides a description of this process. * suggests that it is not possible to link a simple typification of strategies to any aspect of adjustment * describes the way in which the strategy use of transient pupils could enable them to make higher or lower attainments than their static peers * points to the prevalence of pupil goals in the societal sphere and puts forward a notion of 'radical coping' that explains teachers' serious concerns about the adjustment of some pupils. The basis of teacher interventions with their new pupils is considered and ways in which the model could be used by teachers and parents to assist new pupils in the process of adjustment are put forward. The model, although derived from the situation of new pupils, presents a way in which classroom interactions as a whole could be considered and therefore contributes to a wider understanding of pupil actions and teacher effectiveness.

Antalet personer som får diagnosen epilepsi ökar för varje år. Med sjukdomen uppkommer problem som varje person ställs inför. För att vuxna personer med diagnosen epilepsi ska kunna hantera sina problem kan de ta hjälp av copingstrategier. Syftet med studien var att undersöka copingstrategier hos vuxna personer med diagnosen epilepsi. Studien genomfördes som en litteraturstudie där artikelsökning, granskning och urval genomfördes på ett strukturerat och systematiskt tillvägagångsätt. Resultatet grundades på åtta vetenskapliga artiklar. Efter analys av artiklarna framkom tre huvudkategorier: Inre copingstrategier, Yttre copingstrategier och Fördelning och användning av copingstrategier. Inre copingstrategier utmynnade i ytterligare två underkategorier: Kontroll över situationen och Kontroll över känslorna. Resultatet visar att de vanligaste copingstrategierna är anpassning, förnekelse och religion. Resultatet visar även på att liknande copingstrategier används i många olika länder och att skillnader går att finna kring olika användning av copingstrategier hos kvinnor respektive män. Ytterligare forskning kring copingstrategier behövs för att förståelsen kring olika copingstrategier i sin tur ska kunna utmynna i bättre omvårdnad för vuxna personer med diagnosen epilepsi. Detta genom att sjuksköterskan lättare ska kunna vägleda och förstå vuxna personer med diagnosen epilepsi. / The number of people who are diagnosed with epilepsy increases each year and what is more each person stricken by the disease also experiences different issues all related to the illness. To be able handle the problems generated from epilepsy they can use different coping strategies. The aim of this study was to examine coping strategies among adults diagnosed with epilepsy and it was made as a literary study where article search, examination and selection was done according to a structural and methodical approach. The result was based upon eight scholarly articles. After an analysis of the articles three main categories emerged: Internalized coping strategy, external coping strategy and allocation and use of coping strategies. Internalized coping strategy gave rise to two additional lower categories: situation-focused coping and emotion-focused coping. The result shows that the most common coping strategies are adaption, denial and religion. Furthermore it is also shown that similar strategies are used among many countries, whereas there is a difference between men and women. Additional research is needed within this field to increase the knowledge about coping strategies among people with epilepsy. The effect of this knowledge is that it will be easier for nurses to guide and understand people diagnosed with epilepsy.

Coping strategies represent the efforts, both behavioural and cognitive, that people invest in order to deal with stressful encounters. Coping is a basic component for developing adaptation and plays a major role in the relationship between the individual and the environment, especially as a moderating element between stress and sickness. Against this backdrop of the impact that the well-being of employees has on organisations, it is of the essence that organisations need to understand how their members cope with the demands which the organisation places on them. This understanding can assist organisations to evaluate the resources they make available to help employees to cope more positively with the demands placed upon them. The general objective of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Coping Orientations to the Problems Experienced Questionnaire (COPE) within different occupational groups in South Africa, to examine the construct equivalence and to assess reliability. A swey design was used. Random samples (N = 3178) were taken from electricity supply personnel, nurses and police officials, and the COPE was administered. Descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) were used to analyse the data. Exploratory factor analysis, using principal axis factoring with varimax rotation, was conducted on 53 items of the COPE and revealed four interpretable factors (Factor 1 = Approach Coping; Factor 2 = Avoidance; Factor 3 = Seeking Support; and Factor 4 = Turn to Religion). Highly acceptable Tucker's phi coefficients were found for all the comparisons, and therefore, sufficient evidence for the construct equivalence of the COPE was demonstrated. Alpha coefficients, ranging from 0,85 to 0,92, were obtained. Statistically significant differences were found between the coping strategies employed within the different organisational, gender and language groups. Recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

SAMMANFATTNING Bakgrund På grund av prestationskrav kan elitidrottare utsätta sig för att träna trots hög smärtintensitet. Flertalet kvantitativa studier har undersökt vilka copingstrategier som används av idrottare med smärta. Däremot är elitidrottares egna upplevelser av smärta ännu ett outforskat område.   Syfte Att undersöka en grupp elitidrottares upplevelser av smärta och deras strategier för att träna i närvaro av smärta.    Metod Fyra semistrukturerade intervjuer med elitidrottare har utförts. Databearbetningen har skett med hjälp av kvalitativ innehållsanalys.   Resultat Det framkom tio kategorier. Smärta beskrevs som uppmärksamhetskrävande och något som kunde ge negativa konsekvenser. Yttre faktorer såsom omgivningens utformning samt inre faktorer såsom förväntningar och fokus tycktes påverka smärtupplevelsen under träning. Hanteringen av smärta skedde genom sätt att tänka och agera, såsom positivt självprat och uppvärmning.   Konklusion Smärta upplevdes som ett hinder som kunde påverkas av yttre och inre faktorer. Inom träning kunde smärta hanteras genom olika sätt att tänka och agera. Vidare forskning kan leda till klinisk nytta för fysioterapeuter i kontakt med elitidrottare. / ABSTRACT   Background Because of demands of performance elite athletes can expose themselves to train regardless of pain intensity. Several quantitative studies have examined coping strategies used by athletes with pain. However, the elite athlete's own experiences of pain is still an unexplored area.   Aim To investigate a group of elite athletes' experiences of pain and their strategies for training in the presence of pain.   Methods Four semi-structured interviews with elite athletes have been conducted. Data processing has been done by using qualitative content analysis.   Results Ten categories emerged. Pain was described as attention-consuming and something that could have negative consequences. External factors such as environment and internal factors such as expectations and focus seemed to affect the pain experience during training. The pain was managed through ways of thinking and acting, like positive self talk and warming up.   Conclusion Pain was perceived as an obstacle that may be affected by factors in the environment and within themselves. Within training pain could be managed through different ways of thinking and acting. Further research can lead to clinical benefit for professionals in contact with elite athletes.

Class of 2010 Abstract / OBJECTIVES: To determine the perceived level of stress pharmacy students experience related to academics and the methods they use to relieve that stress. METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-­‐sectional study. Questionnaires were administered to first, second, and third year University of Arizona College of Pharmacy students during regularly scheduled class time. Data on perceived level of stress, sources of stress, and methods of relieving stress were collected and analyzed. Data on average hours worked per week, marital status, number of children, age, gender, and number of professional organizations involved in were also collected. RESULTS: The stress survey was completed by a total of 182 students at the College of Pharmacy. The overall stress score was highest in the second year students, although the total score was relatively low (total score 18.7; p=0.04). The four items that resulted in the highest stress scores were exams and/or grades (stress score ≥ 2.1), amount of class material (stress score ≥ 1.8), financial responsibilities (stress score ≥ 1.8) and lack of free time (stress score ≥ 1.6). Stressful situations that the students felt the most during the semester were thinking about the things that they had to accomplish (score ≥ 3.2) and having to control the way they spend their time (score ≥ 2.6). Common stress relievers were spending time with family, friends and pets ( ≥ 27%), watching television or movies ( ≥ 22%) and exercising ( ≥ 17%). Of those students who exercised, >44% felt it helped relieve stress very much. CONCLUSIONS: Little difference in levels of stress was observed between the classes. Based on the results, pharmacy students at the University of Arizona do not appear to be excessively stressed. Spending time with family/friends/pets, watching TV/DVDs, and exercising were the most common ways of relieving stress.

Stress is well known to go hand in hand with registered nurses and the nursing field. The aim was to examine stress related coping strategies experienced and used by registered nurses from different countries all over the world. This qualitative study was done by analyzing the results from 10 different articles. The findings showed that there was multiple coping strategies that is being used by nurses to cope with the stress they experience at work. Some of the coping strategies were done after work; For instance, different physical activities including yoga and sports. Other coping strategies that were found are more work related. For example, the importance of knowing yourself in your nursing role, knowing your limits, and the importance of having a good relationship with your colleagues. Employers can use these strategies on a daily basis both and registered nurses to cope with work related stress.

Magister Artium (Psychology) - MA(Psych) / The demand for study places in Honours courses in Psychology far exceeds the available places in courses at government-funded universities. Private institutions are increasingly offering such courses to address the need for enrolment and to capitalize on a market niche. Students who are unsuccessful at mainstream universities might apply for courses at private institutions, even those offered at faith-based universities regardless of their personal spiritual beliefs and values. There is a clear gap in the literature exploring the experiences of students enrolled at faith-based private institutions. The study attempted to gain insight into the subjective experiences of students enrolled in a Psychology Honours programme at a faith-based institution in the Western Cape. The proposed study incorporated an exploratory research design and employed qualitative methods of data collection and analysis. Semi-structured individual interviews were used to collect data from a purposively selected sample and transcripts were subjected to a content analysis. Data collection and analysis occurred in parallel until reaching the threshold number. Ethics clearance and project registration was obtained from the UWC Senate Research committee and all relevant ethics principles were upheld. The findings indicated that faith based institutions are not homogenous and that students enrolled at faith based institutions are respectively not homogenous. Findings further indicate that alignment does exist between the core values of participants and their discipline choice, and not that participants‘ faith beliefs were necessarily aligned with that of the institution.

Abstract This dissertation explores four key questions within the HIV/AIDS paradigm1 and the impact it is having on orphans and vulnerable children in the district of Quthing, Lesotho. These questions are: What is the status of social safety nets? How are communities surviving with the growing number of orphans and vulnerable children? What might be the early warning signs of community breaking points as a new category of child-headed household emerges? What are the human drivers of the pandemic in terms of behaviour and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS, orphans and vulnerable children, and sex; and in terms of reasons why people are not heeding the warning signs and adopting behaviour change? The findings of the dissertation reveal that communities are overwhelmed with the demands placed on them to support orphans and vulnerable children to the point where culture, traditions, and society at large are showing early warning signs of irreversible strain. Despite the efforts of government, donors, the humanitarian sector and the communities themselves, awareness of HIV/AIDS is not translating into behavioural change and as such the spread of the virus continues unabated among the youngest and most vulnerable groups. 1 The set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality for the community that shares them, especially in an intellectual discipline. ii