D.Litt. et Phil. / Although rapid progress was made in the past decade in the development of short term treatment approaches, relatively little attention was given to the treatment of Dysthymic Depression as a separate disorder. It is therefore important that medical doctors and other health professionals recognize this disorder as a separate disorder from Major Depression and adjust their treatment of this disorder accordingly (Keller, 1994). Although Dysthymia is seen as 'n low grade disorder and not as severe as Major Depression, this disorder also has a hampering effect on the quality of the individual's life. It affects relationships with meaningful others, mental and physical well - being as well as productivity (Keller, 1994; Klerman & Weissman, 1992). With the hampering effect on the individual's life, Dysthymic Depression is also costly and is a substantial burden for the family and the community. According to Rupp (1995) appropriate treatment of individuals with affective disorders will be costeffective. , The prevalence of depression in primary care make this disorder an ideal target for treatment-(Robinson, 1995). In this regard, Robinson (1995) mentions that treatment for these disorders is less intensse and'more short term that specialized treatments. In the past few years there have been a.shift from long term treatment strategies to short term structured handbook orientated treatment programs for disorders like depression. Pantalon, Lubetkin & Fishman (1995) emphasize the need for objective and •knowledgeable guides for the treatment of mental disorders. According to these researchers selfhelp books and guides are effective together with cognitive behavioral therapy. The aim of this study was therefore the development of a short term cost effective handbook orientated treatment program for Dysthymic Depression as well as the effectiveness of the treatment program. Antoher aspect of this treatment program that makes it unique, is the exercise component that is incorporated into the program with the cognitive behavioral approach. A group of 23 Dysthymic patients have been evaluated to establish the degree of depression, personality pathology that is present and the course of the therapeutic intervention. This group , received treatment over a period of 8 weeks. A second group of 22 patients served as a control group. The control group received medication and other therapy. The results of this study indicate that not only 'did the intensity of the depression lift, but certain indexes of psychopathology were also reduced. The indexes of psychopathology that indicated an reduction, were the Avoidant, Self-defeating, Schizotypal, Borderline, Anxiety, Somatoform, Dysthymic as well as Major Depression disorders. The effectiveness of the therapy sessions were also monitored over the , period of 8 weeks and indicated a reduction in certain negative factors, namely: Aggression, Anxiety, Fatigue, Sadness and Skepticism. While these factors indicated a reduction in prevalence the following factors indicated an increase in preValence over the 8 therapy sessions: . Surgency, Elation, Concentration, Social Affect, Egotism and Vigor. Although the test sample were relatively small, it is accepted that it was representative of the universum of the Gauteng region where this sample was taken from. From the results obtained from this study it seems that - this handbook orientated treatment program was not only effective for Dysthymic Depression, but also for certain indexes of psychopathology over the 8-week therapy sessions. From the analysis of the components of the therapy sessions, is clear that the model of the Dysthymic individuals showed an improvement with the handbook orientated treatment program.

M.A. / "Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability in all races in South Africa" (Fritz & Penn, 1992, p 1). It has devastating effects, and may impact on every aspect of the person's functioning. Research shows that depression is common after stroke, becoming more of a problem with time, and having a greater effect on quality of life than the actual disability (Lezak, 1995). Despite such evidence psychologists have played a very limited role in the rehabilitation of this group. Those with communication problems especially have been excluded from research and therapy, which usually require competence with language to be successful. This study attempts to find an alternative method of research and therapy in order to include this group. Following the model of learned helplessness (Seligman, in, Bleiberg, 1986), it was proposed that the unavoidable, inescapable effects of stroke lead to feelings of helplessness, which are also impossible to escape, and the person soon looses the motivation to attempt to control the situation. This then leads to depression. A method of therapy which breaks this cycle, and allows for the person to experience how their actions do have an effect on their lives is needed. In addition to this, an alternative means of self expression for those with communication difficulties needs to be provided. Art therapy was found to address the problems presented by this group (Dailey, 1984). It has proved useful with other populations that have not been able to benefit from traditional psychotherapy. It becomes an alternative means of self expression for those whose communication ability is compromised. It is accessible to most people, as it only requires the ability to make marks on paper. A theme centred, art therapy approach was therefore chosen for the study. The aims of the study were; to create a therapeutic milieu which allowed for self expression, specifically the expression of emotions, which included all the participants; to investigate the effects of introducing an opportunity for self expression on self concept and group process; and to look at the themes which emerge from the art. The participants were members of a pre-existing support group for stroke survivors. A quasiexperimental design was used. The Draw a Person Test, was administered pre and post intervention. Additional information was gathered using the Beck's Depression Inventory and a demographic questionnaire. This study uses a qualitative method, which includes information regarding the researcher's experience, and is interpreted from the researcher's perspective. It was found that art therapy had a positive effect on self concept. It influenced group process, as participants who were previously marginalised became more central. Numerous themes emerged, some which were specific to individuals, but others that were of relevance to the group as a whole. It proved rewarding for the researcher, both as a therapist and in terms of her relationship with her father who is a stroke survivor with aphasia. Art therapy therefore seems to be a useful tool to be used with this group that has traditionally been excluded from therapy and research. It is suggested that further research would be useful, and suggestions regarding future research are discussed.

Background. A sizable amount of individuals in the community are presented with various kinds of physical and mental health problems which are either undetected, untreated or inadequately treated, due to the limitations on the availability and accessibility of the services in the existing health care system, or to other social and personal reasons. The current study evaluated the effectiveness of a newly developed modality of health-enhancing treatment---the Mindfulness-based Dejian Mind-Body Intervention, as compared to that of a Group Psychoeducational Treatment, in alleviating depressive mood and improving physical health of adult individuals in the community. / Conclusions. Findings of the current study suggest that compared with the Group Psychoeducational Treatment, Dejian Mind-Body Intervention might be more effective in enhancing the emotional and physical health of community individuals presented with moderate to severe depressive mood and/or problems with bowel functioning. / Method. Forty adult volunteers with various degree of depressive mood and physical problems who expressed interest in receiving either Dejian Mind-Body Intervention or Group Psychoeducational Treatment were recruited in the current study. They were matched for gender, age, education and level of depression, and were randomly assigned to either treatment group. / Results. Both the Dejian Mind-Body Intervention and Group Psychoeducation Treatment were effective in bringing about a significant reduction in depressive mood iv among treatment completers. However, differential effectiveness emerged among those presented with moderate to severe depressive mood, where Dejian Mind-Body Intervention resulted in significantly greater treatment-related reduction in depressive mood compared with the Group Psychoeducational Treatment. Besides, Dejian Mind-Body Intervention brought about significant increase in an objective QEEG measure of positive affect, and improvements in physical health (i.e., bowel functioning) that were not evidenced in the Group Psychoeducation Treatment. / Tsui, Jin Ching. / Adviser: Agnes S.Y. Chan. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 70-06, Section: B, page: 3799. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 62-68). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

Text in English / Pharmacological treatment is often required in the management of psychiatric disorders. Non-adherence to medication represents a significant health concern that prevents patients from fully benefitting from their treatment, and can lead to negative consequences for individuals, their families and the healthcare system. The adherence rates to antidepressant medications in a sample of psychiatric outpatients in the Johannesburg Metropolitan district of Gauteng Province were examined. A descriptive survey method was employed to systematically collect data from n=377 patients using a structured, non-clinical questionnaire and the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Questionnaire. Variables were analysed using descriptive and correlational statistical methods. Antidepressant adherence rates were reported as 47.7% (low), 31.3% (medium) and 21% (high). These high rates represent a concern in antidepressant treatment, and health care practitioners and health systems must take this into consideration when planning and developing interventions to improve adherence in this area. The current study found significant correlations between antidepressant adherence rates and some medication-, health system- and moderating variables. Based on these findings, interventions that provide appropriate health-related education about treatment and improved social support systems may be effective in addressing antidepressant non-adherence in psychiatric outpatients in this region. / Psychology / M. Soc.Sc. (Psychology)