Attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) describes children that show inappro-priate behaviour in two categories, i.e. 1) Inattention and 2) Hyperactivity-impulsivity and which are maladaptive and inconsistent with their developmental level. ADHD impacts the whole life of a child diagnosed with it. One of these areas that is impacted is the relationship between child and parent. As found in a thorough literature study, much research has been done on the relationship between parents and their children diagnosed with ADHD. No research has been done on parents’ experience of the dialogic relationship, according to the Gestalt theory, with their children that are diagnosed with ADHD. The dialogic relationship was research specifically in the context of the five principles of the dialogic relationship, i.e. inclusion, presence, confirmation, commitment to dialogue and non-exploitation. In this qualitative study nine parents’ experience of their dialogic relationship with their child in the middle childhood, diagnosed with ADHD was explored and described. A case study was used as research design to study how participants give meaning to the phenomenon that is being studied. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven mothers and two fathers after which data was thematically analysed. The trustworthiness of the study and ethical aspects applicable to the study were discussed and the limitations of the study were listed. It was found that parents apply inclusion and presence in their relationship with their child with ADHD. The application of confirmation and commitment to dialogue is a bigger challenge because the children’s behaviour results in parents reacting negatively rather than giving acknowledgement. Sometime it is difficult for parents to commit to the dialogue because the children withdraw from the interaction. The researcher made recommendations for parents of children with ADHD, for professionals who are working with children with ADHD and for further study in this field. / Thesis (MA (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) describes children that show inappro-priate behaviour in two categories, i.e. 1) Inattention and 2) Hyperactivity-impulsivity and which are maladaptive and inconsistent with their developmental level. ADHD impacts the whole life of a child diagnosed with it. One of these areas that is impacted is the relationship between child and parent. As found in a thorough literature study, much research has been done on the relationship between parents and their children diagnosed with ADHD. No research has been done on parents’ experience of the dialogic relationship, according to the Gestalt theory, with their children that are diagnosed with ADHD. The dialogic relationship was research specifically in the context of the five principles of the dialogic relationship, i.e. inclusion, presence, confirmation, commitment to dialogue and non-exploitation. In this qualitative study nine parents’ experience of their dialogic relationship with their child in the middle childhood, diagnosed with ADHD was explored and described. A case study was used as research design to study how participants give meaning to the phenomenon that is being studied. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven mothers and two fathers after which data was thematically analysed. The trustworthiness of the study and ethical aspects applicable to the study were discussed and the limitations of the study were listed. It was found that parents apply inclusion and presence in their relationship with their child with ADHD. The application of confirmation and commitment to dialogue is a bigger challenge because the children’s behaviour results in parents reacting negatively rather than giving acknowledgement. Sometime it is difficult for parents to commit to the dialogue because the children withdraw from the interaction. The researcher made recommendations for parents of children with ADHD, for professionals who are working with children with ADHD and for further study in this field. / Thesis (MA (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Risk behaviour amongst adolescents represents a major public health challenge in South Africa particularly when considering the statistics on sexually active youth, adolescent pregnancies, smoking, drinking and drug abuse amongst the youth. Although various reasons can be given to explain this phenomenon, the parent–adolescent relationship has proven to be a huge factor in the prevention of risk behaviour. However, even though the importance of such a relationship has been proven, risk behaviour amongst adolescents still persists. This study specifically looks at the dialogical parent–adolescent relationship and how adolescents who engage in risk behaviour are affected by the relationship and how it can prevent risk behaviour. The content of section A explains the orientation towards the research, the problem rationale and the goals and objectives of the study. The researcher followed a qualitative approach as she tried to obtain an understanding of adolescent risk behaviour and how the nature of the dialogical parent–adolescent relationship could prevent such risk behaviour. Semi–structured interviews were conducted with five girls and three boys who lived in Pretoria, as well as with their parents. The adolescents were between the ages of 14 and 17 and all engaged in risk behaviour. In section B a literature study is given with a brief outline of the methodology that was used. Specific focus falls on the findings of the study. Section C contains the summary, evaluation and conclusions of the overall study. This research was done in order to make recommendations to parents of adolescents who engage in risk behaviour as a possible way to prevent it. This study highlighted how unprepared and uninformed parents were in terms of their parental skills and the needs of their adolescent children. The study also highlighted the need of the adolescents to be validated, and the lack of understanding and warmth in the manner that their parents relate to them. Adolescents still need parental guidance and a sense of belonging. The very poor relationships that exist between parents and adolescents strengthened the researcher’s hypothesis that the adolescents get involved in a range of dubious activities and their parents’ ineffectiveness to intervene and assist their adolescents through these challenging times, may lead to risk behaviour. / Thesis (M.A. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Risk behaviour amongst adolescents represents a major public health challenge in South Africa particularly when considering the statistics on sexually active youth, adolescent pregnancies, smoking, drinking and drug abuse amongst the youth. Although various reasons can be given to explain this phenomenon, the parent–adolescent relationship has proven to be a huge factor in the prevention of risk behaviour. However, even though the importance of such a relationship has been proven, risk behaviour amongst adolescents still persists. This study specifically looks at the dialogical parent–adolescent relationship and how adolescents who engage in risk behaviour are affected by the relationship and how it can prevent risk behaviour. The content of section A explains the orientation towards the research, the problem rationale and the goals and objectives of the study. The researcher followed a qualitative approach as she tried to obtain an understanding of adolescent risk behaviour and how the nature of the dialogical parent–adolescent relationship could prevent such risk behaviour. Semi–structured interviews were conducted with five girls and three boys who lived in Pretoria, as well as with their parents. The adolescents were between the ages of 14 and 17 and all engaged in risk behaviour. In section B a literature study is given with a brief outline of the methodology that was used. Specific focus falls on the findings of the study. Section C contains the summary, evaluation and conclusions of the overall study. This research was done in order to make recommendations to parents of adolescents who engage in risk behaviour as a possible way to prevent it. This study highlighted how unprepared and uninformed parents were in terms of their parental skills and the needs of their adolescent children. The study also highlighted the need of the adolescents to be validated, and the lack of understanding and warmth in the manner that their parents relate to them. Adolescents still need parental guidance and a sense of belonging. The very poor relationships that exist between parents and adolescents strengthened the researcher’s hypothesis that the adolescents get involved in a range of dubious activities and their parents’ ineffectiveness to intervene and assist their adolescents through these challenging times, may lead to risk behaviour. / Thesis (M.A. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.