Text in English / The purpose of this study is to tell the story around the roles of relationships in the world of depressed women. The epistemological framework of this study is constructivism. This study involved a series of in-depth interviews with three depressed women who had young children. Hermeneutics was the method used to analyse the data. The stories of the participants were recounted through the researcher's lens in the form of themes that emerged. The specific ways each participant tried to cope, and the emerging processes from the researcher's perspective as to what she believed was helpful or unhelpful to the participants, in addition to what the participants themselves regarded as helpful, was discussed. Recurring themes evident in the stories of all three participants were elucidated in the story of the stories. The information gained could serve as guidelines to those working with depressed people from a Western and an African context. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

M.Sc. (Research Psychology) / Mental health is known to be adversely affected by gender inequality and poverty. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that psychological disorders affect half the global population (WHO, 2010) and South African estimates posited that 16.5% of the population presented with common mental disorders in 2007 (Williams et al., 2008). Depression and anxiety disorders in women, specifically, are posing a major public health concern in developing countries due to inadequate treatment (Aidoo & Harpham, 2001). Protective factors, namely intrapersonal, interpersonal, community and cultural factors, were identified by Ungar (2008) as a mechanism that promotes resilience and alleviates the effects of adversity. In order to develop knowledge geared toward intervention strategies to promote mental health in socio-economically disadvantaged women in urban communities, this study employed an explanatory mixed methods research design (which included both quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews) to establish an incidence of depressive symptoms, and levels of ego-resilience, among women in Doornkop, Soweto. This was done in order to explore, first, the relationships between selected socio-demographic variables and depression and ego-resilience, and second, to investigate if there was a relationship between depression and ego-resilience. Finally, the study aimed to gain an understanding of how women perceived the role of protective resources in their lives which might promote positive mental health outcomes. The statistical component of the study found a weak negative correlation between the two constructs of depression and ego-resilience. Symptoms of depression appeared to be related by exposure to a high number of difficult life experiences, and particularly in instances of having been a victim of crime or violence. While ego-resilience seemed to be related to increased participation in community groups, it also correlated with adversity, namely, unemployment. This led the researcher to the conclusion that for this sample, depression and ego-resilience were independent constructs, and although they were divergent concepts, both were shaped by exposure to adversity. The interview data further explored exogenous sources of resilience as set out by Ungar (2008). These findings highlighted the importance of interpersonal relations on feelings of well-being. While the protective factors varied in the sources from which they arose (from children, romantic partners, parents, peers and community groups to music and television, and faith in God), they all provided a sense of purpose, belonging and self -worth, which enabled positive feelings. The main recommendation that arose from the research was the need for community education about mental illness, the services available to communities, and the importance of developing and maintaining family and community systems of support. These measures may go some way toward enhancing resilience in women and reducing vulnerability to mental disorders arising from experiences of adversity. Furthermore, a focus on community-based interventions, such as education and life skills, is vital in shifting the focus of interventions from mental illness to the promotion of mental health. Ongoing research is fundamental to developing our existing knowledge of both psychopathology and the promotion of mental well-being in women in socio-economically deprived communities. Research, in light of the challenges facing community mental health services in poor areas, could include foci on the beliefs of professionals including the knowledge and skills required to deliver effective mental health services. Knowledge of this nature should serve to enhance our understanding of the complexities of mental health and inform the development of innovative and appropriate treatment modalities that are oriented to the particular needs of women in resource-poor communities.

No description available.

This study was performed to provide social workers with knowledge about the psychosocial risks of a lesbian client's coming-out event. A survey was administered consisting of 22 questions and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depressed Mood Scale (CES-D).

In light of the existing literature and research conducted in the area of domestic violence, several recurrent symptoms continue to surface as a result of both physical and non-physical abuse. Two of the most prevalent psychological symptoms requiring intervention tend to be depression and low self-esteem. Therefore, it is the intention of this study to empirically examine the type of abuse female victims of domestic violence experience and its link to their psychological distress. Specifically, it is hypothesized that victims of non-physical abuse will be more likely to experience low self-esteem than depression. Victims of physical abuse will have a greater prevalence of depression than low self-esteem.

The purpose of the study was to determine the extent environmental problems such as family history of substance abuse, loneliness and lack of support contribute to high levels of depression for substance abusing women seeking recovery in residential treatment facilities.

This study examined the relationship between perceived social support and negative mental health outcomes in battered women. Correlations between perceived social support and depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder were analyzed. Perceived social support, particularly from family members, was found to be significantly related to mental health outcomes. Results indicate that agencies that work with battered women should include social support in the assessment and intervention processes. The study utilized a quantitative survey design with a sample of 120 battered women from four domestic violence agencies throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Quantitative data analysis procedures, such as multivariate analysis and logistic regression, were used to further examine variables. Samples of the instruments used in the study are included.

A quantitative study that examines American Muslim women's level of exposure to domestic violence, resources available to them, and the effect of domestic violence on their psychological well-being. Data was collected from 128 Muslim women from the Islamic Center of Riverside in Southern California. The key finding of the study was a significant positive relationship between depression and the use of verbal aggression. In addition, a positive relationship was found to exist between anxiety, depression and the use of violence.

Women’s procreative capacities and the appreciation of birth experiences have always been recognised in civil society and the early days of psychology. Given that our culture is one that emphasises a woman’s capacity to bear children as one of the greatest social achievements, the social responsibility to procreate and ensure collective survival becomes a potent mandate, especially so for Black African women. To fulfil this social responsibility, traditional African culture dictates a very specific process of pregnancy which involves a series of watershed moments, each of which requires that social support, of whatever form, should be available. This study explored the role that social support from significant others and health professionals play in mediating psychological issues during pregnancy, childbirth and postnatally among Black African women in Madadeni Township in KwaZulu-Natal. The study was rooted in the interpretive, qualitative paradigm and a phenomenological research design was used. Purposive sampling was used to select participants who were aged from 18 to 25 years with a baby older than two weeks but less than six months. Semi structured interviews were conducted in the mother tongue of the participants until the point of saturation where no new information arose from the six participants interviewed. Thematic content analysis was used to extract recurrent themes across participants. The results indicate that social support, especially from parents and partners, plays a defining role in helping women to cope with the stress experienced during pregnancy, childbirth and postnatally. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology: Research Consultation)

Women’s procreative capacities and the appreciation of birth experiences have always been recognised in civil society and the early days of psychology. Given that our culture is one that emphasises a woman’s capacity to bear children as one of the greatest social achievements, the social responsibility to procreate and ensure collective survival becomes a potent mandate, especially so for Black African women. To fulfil this social responsibility, traditional African culture dictates a very specific process of pregnancy which involves a series of watershed moments, each of which requires that social support, of whatever form, should be available. This study explored the role that social support from significant others and health professionals play in mediating psychological issues during pregnancy, childbirth and postnatally among Black African women in Madadeni Township in KwaZulu-Natal. The study was rooted in the interpretive, qualitative paradigm and a phenomenological research design was used. Purposive sampling was used to select participants who were aged from 18 to 25 years with a baby older than two weeks but less than six months. Semi structured interviews were conducted in the mother tongue of the participants until the point of saturation where no new information arose from the six participants interviewed. Thematic content analysis was used to extract recurrent themes across participants. The results indicate that social support, especially from parents and partners, plays a defining role in helping women to cope with the stress experienced during pregnancy, childbirth and postnatally. / Psychology / M. A. (Psychology: Research Consultation)