Thesis (Msc)--Stellenbosch University, 2001 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There has been a growing awareness of nature among psychologists in recent years, both in terms of how psychology can contribute to the preservation of nature, and utilise its benefits for human beings. In this paper both these aspects of the human-nature relationship are explored. The sense of connectedness between people and nature appears to be the common ground between these two approaches, and it is recommended that experiential as well as cognitive elements of the relationship should be recognised. A limited qualitative pilot study was conducted with five participants of a weekend wilderness experience. All the participants were female first year psychology students. Confirming previous research, this study found that the experience of nature is highly individualised, and includes heightened self-awareness, relaxation, social relationships, spiritual elements, and a sense of connectedness to nature. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sielkundiges raak toenemend bewus van die natuur, in terme van die wyses waarop sielkunde kan bydra tot die beskerming van die omgewing, asook waarop die voordele wat dit vir die mens inhou, benut kan word. Beide aspekte van die verhouding tussen mens en natuur word in hierdie studie ondersoek. Die noue verbintenis tussen mens en natuur blyk die onderliggende faktor tot beide benaderings te wees, en dit word aanbeveel dat die eksperiënsiële sowel as kognitiewe elemente van hierdie verhouding in ag geneem moet word. 'n Beperkte kwalitatiewe loods-studie is uitgevoer met vyf deelnemers van 'n wildemes-ervaring, almal vroulike eerste-jaar sielkunde studente. In ooreenstemming met vorige navorsing het hierdie studie bevind dat die ervaring van die natuur hoogs geïndividualiseerd is, en verhoogde self-gewaarwording, ontspanning, sosiale verhoudings, spirituale elemente, en 'n sin van verbintenis aan die natuur, insluit.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The present study focuses on the salutogenic properties of families and attempted to identify factors that promote resilience in post-divorce families. McCubbin and Patterson's (1983) double ABCX model explains how families adapt to crises (divorce), and takes into account other life events that also impact on the family's resources. A cross-sectional research design was chosen to identify factors related to family resilience. The 98 participating families were identified on the grounds of the nature of the crisis and the developmental phase of the family. Self-report questionnaires were completed by the parent and a child acting as representatives of the family. These questionnaires consisted of a biographical questionnaire, the Relative and Friend Support Index, the Social Support Index, Family Crises Oriented Personal Evaluation Scales, Family Sense of Coherence Scale, and the Family Hardiness Index. Intra-family support, support of the extended family, support of friends, religion, open communication amongst family members, and work- and financial security were identified as factors promoting resilience in these post-divorce families. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie fokus op salutogenetiese eienskappe van gesinne en poog am faktore wat verband hou met veerkragtigheid in enkelouergesinne te identifiseer. McCubbin en Patterson (1983) se dubbele ABCX-model verduidelik gesinne se aanpassing na 'n krisis (egskeiding) en neem oak ander lewensgebeure in ag wat terselfdertyd op die gesin se hulpbranne begin staatmaak. 'n Dwarssnit navorsingsontwerp is gebruik am faktore te identifiseer en te beskryf wat met gesinsveerkragtigheid verband hou. Die 98 gesinne wat aan hierdie ondersoek deelgeneem het, is ge"ldentifiseer op grand van die aard van die krisis en ontwikkelingstadium van die gesinne. Selfrapporteringsvraelyste is deur die ouer en In kind, as verteenwoordigers van die gesin, voltooi. Die vraelyste het bestaan uit 'n biografiese vraelys (wat oak 'n oopend vraag ingesluit het), Relative and Friend Support Index, Social Support Index; Family Crises Oriented Personal Evaluation Scales, Family Sense of Coherence Scale, en die Family Hardiness Index. Intra- gesinsondersteuning, ondersteuning deur die uitgebreide familie, ondersteuning van vriende, geloof, oop kommunikasie onder gesinslede, positiewe gesindheid rakend hulle toekoms, en finansiele- en werksekuritiet, is ge"ldentifiseer as faktore wat bydra tot veerkragtigheid in enkelouergesinne.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study reviews the literature regarding psychodynamic therapy with low-income women. Low-income women are at psychological risk for developing emotional distress as a result of their deprived living circumstances. They have, however, received little attention from psychological research and practice. This literature review explores what psychological interventions are available for low-income women. It is found that psychodynamic therapy is largely unavailable to low-income women for a variety of reasons, which range from classism, sexism and ignorance to the cogent feminist and cross cultural critiques. It is argued that psychodynamic therapy should be more available to low-income women as it provides a sophisticated understanding of how oppressive social ideologies are internalized in the unconscious, thus facilitating, through therapy, a process of deconstruction and political subversion. Suggestions are also offered as to how to make psychodynamic therapy more accessible to low-income women. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie bied 'n oorsig van die beskikbare literatuur aangaande psigodinamiese terapie vir laer inkomste vrouens. Die groep is tot 'n meerdere mate blootgestel aan die ontwikkeling van emosionele stress trauma weens hul ontneemde lewensomstandighede. Laer inkomste vrouens het tot hede min aandag geniet met betrekking tot psigologiese navorsing en praktyk. Hierdie literatuur oorsig fokus op gepaste psigologiese ingryping wat beskikbaar is vir die spesifieke groep. Die ontoeganklikheid van psigodinamiese terapie beskikbaar, vir laer inkomste vrouens, kan toegeskryf word aan 'n verskeidenheid faktore: die strek van klassisme, seksisme en onkunde tot oortuigende feministiese en kruis kulturele beoordeling en debat. Hierdie verhandeling stel voor dat psigodinamiese terapie meer beskikbar moet wees tot laer inkomste vrouens, want dit stel 'n gesofisikeerde begrip, ten doel van hoe onderdrukkende sosiale ideologie geinternaliseer word in die onderbewussyn en die teenwerking daarvan. Die geskrif beredeneer hoe terapie kan fasiliteer in die proses van de-konstruksie en politieke subversie. Dit word ook voorgestel hoe om psigodinamiese terapie toeganklik to maak vir laer inkomste vrouens.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The death of a parent calls on the family to utilize all its resources in order to adapt successfully and maintain normal family functioning. Within the mental health field a paradigm-shift from pathology-based to health-oriented is underway. Integral to this health-oriented paradigm is resilience, the ability to rebound after being stressed or challenged, as well as being able to rise above adversity and to survive stress. Family resilience theory emphasizes the role that family characteristics, behaviour patterns and capabilities play in cushioning the impact of stressful life events and in assisting the family in recovering from crises (McCubbin, Thompson, & McCubbin, 1996). Using a crosssectional survey research design, the present study aimed to explore and explicate those resiliency factors which enable families to adjust and adapt successfully after the loss of a parent. Families in which the death of a parent took place 1 to 3 years ago, and in which the eldest child was between 12 and 19 years old were approached to take part in this study. Thirty nine families completed questionnaires, as well as an open-ended question in which they were asked to report the most important factors or strengths which they felt helped their family through the stressful period. Results indicate that intrafamilial support such as emotional and practical support amongst family members, and family hardiness characteristics such as the internal strengths and durability of the family unit, contribute to resilience within the family. Individual characteristics, such as positive personality characteristics like optimism, are as important. Support from extended family and friends, as well as support obtained from religious and spiritual beliefs and activities, were reported as facilitating successful adjustment to the loss. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die dood van 'n ouer vereis dat 'n gesin alle bronne moet benut ten einde suksesvolle aanpassing en gewone gesinsfunksionering te handhaaf. Binne die geestesgesondheidsveld is daar 'n paradigma-verskuiwing vanaf patologie-gebaseerd na gesondheidsgeoriënteerd. Integraal tot hierdie gesondheidsgeoriënteerde paradigma is veerkragtigheid, die vermoë om terug te bons, uit te styg, en te oorleef nadat teëspoed ervaar is. Gesinsveerkragtigheidsteorieë beklemtoon die rol wat gesinseienskappe, gedragspatrone en bekwaamhede speel met betrekking tot die versagting van die impak van stresvolle lewenservaringe, asook die gesin se herstel na die krisis (McCubbin, Thompson, & McCubbin, 1996). 'n Dwarssnit opname-navorsingsontwerp is gebruik om die veerkragtigheidsfaktore te identifiseer en te beskryf wat gesinne help om suksesvol na die dood van 'n ouer aan te pas. Gesinne waar 'n ouer tussen een en drie jaar vantevore gesterf het, en die oudste kind tussen 12 en 19 jaar oud is, is genader vir deelname aan hierdie ondersoek. Nege-en-dertig gesinne het vraelyste sowel as 'n oop-end vraag voltooi waarin hulle gevra is om die belangrikste faktore te beskryf wat hul gesin deur die stresvolle periode gehelp het. Resultate dui daarop dat intragesinsondersteuning soos emosionele en praktiese ondersteuning, en gesinsgehardheid met kenmerke van interne sterkte en die volhoubaarheid van die gesin as eenheid, bygedra het tot gesinsveerkragtigheid. Individuele eienskappe soos optimisme het net so 'n essensiële rol gespeel. Ondersteuning van familie en vriende, asook ondersteuning as gevolg van godsdienstige en spirituele oortuigings en aktiwiteite, was fasiliterend in die suksesvolle aanpassing na die dood van 'n ouer.

Thesis (M.A.) -- Stellenbosch University , 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The primary aim of this study was to establish the content and number of the fears expressed by pre-school children in a low to middle class socio-economic area. In South Africa, a similar study has only been undertaken in a high class socio-economic area (Martalas, 1999). A further aim of this study was to establish whether there were differences in the fears expressed by the participants and, if so, whether these differences correlate with specific biographical variables. A predominantly qualitative method of data collection was used in this research. The data was collected by conducting a semi-structured interview with the participants and obtaining drawings of their fears. The sample included 50 pre-school children between the ages of 5 and 7 years attending 3 preschools in a low to middle class socio-economic area. The broad non-verbal intelligence functioning of the participants were measured by the Goodenough-Harris-Draw-a-Man test (Richter, Griesel en Wortley, 1989). The average non-verbal intelligence functioning of the participants was low average according to the DAM norms. The data was analysed quantitatively. The content and number of fears, as reported by the selected group of pre-school children in the low to middle class socio-economic area, were established and grouped into existing categories. Furthermore the relationship between the number of expressed fears, with regard to content and number, and the three biographical variables, gender, socio-economic status and parent report, was established. Accordingly, differences between and correlations with biographical variables regarding race, parental marital positions, sibling structures, education of parents, their working patterns and the fears reported by parents, as well as by the participants were calculated quantitatively. The method of combining a semi-structured interview with participants and drawings of their fears proved to be successful, as none of the participants reported no fears. The results of this research showed that the content of the fears was similar in many ways to that of previous research results. Animal fears, at 57,24 % of all the fears expressed by the participants, comprised by far the largest category of fears. The number of the expressed fears ranged from 1 to 10 per participant, and the average number of fears per participant was 2,9. This figure was lower than the average number of fears found in previous South African research (Martalas, 1999). Consistent with previous research, the current study showed that girls (63,45 %) had reported more fears than boys (36,55 %). In the current study however, this difference was not statistically significant. Some gender differences were statistically significant in that girls reported more fears of wild animals than boys and boys reported more fears in the category "other" fears (for example a fan, a brick, a bomb, an accident and videos) than girls. Although these results differ from South African research by Martalas (1999) research, it is similar to most other research results. Parents reported fewer fears than the participants and they also reported the category "medical", which the participants did not mention. Parents also reported more fears for girls than for the boys. The researcher concludes with some recommendations for further studies. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die primêre doel van die onderhawige studie was om die inhoud en aantal vrese soos uitgedruk deur voorskoolse kinders in 'n lae tot middel sosio-ekonomiese statusgebied te bepaal. So 'n studie is in die verlede slegs in 'n hoë sosio-ekonomiese statusgebied in Suid-Afrika gedoen (Martalas, 1999). 'n Newe-doelstelling van die onderhawige studie was om vas te stelof daar verskille is tussen die vrese soos uitgedruk deur die deelnemers en, indien wel, of hierdie verskille verband hou met sekere biografiese veranderlikes. In die onderhawige navorsing is 'n oorwegend kwalitatiewe metode van datainsameling gebruik. Die data is ingesamel deur gebruik te maak van 'n semigestruktureerde onderhoud met die deelnemers, terwyl hulle terselfdertyd tekeninge gemaak het van dit wat hulle vrees. Die teikengroep was 50 voorskoolse kinders tussen die ouderdomme van 5 en 7 jaar wat drie kleuterskole in 'n lae tot middel sosioekonomiese status gebied bygewoon het. Die deelnemers se benaderde nie-verbale intellektuele funksionering is met behulp van die Goodenough-Harris-Draw-a-Man toets (Richter, Griesel en Wortley, 1989) bepaal. Die deelnemers het In oorwegend laag gemiddelde skaaltelling volgens die DAM norms (Harris, 1963) getoon. Die data is kwantitatief geanaliseer. Die inhoud en aantal vrese, soos deur die geselekteerde groep voorskoolse kinders in 'n lae tot middel sosio-ekonomiese statusgebied gerapporteer, is bepaal. Dit is in samehang met veranderlikes naamlik geslag, sosio-ekonomiese status en ouerrapportering gedoen. Die inhoud en aantal vrese, soos deur die deelnemers gerapporteer, is daarna volgens bestaande kategorieë ingedeel. Vervolgens is verskille tussen, en korrelasies met biografiese veranderlikes, soos geslag, huwelikstatus, sibbestruktuur, opvoeding en werkpatroon van ouers, ouerrapportering van vrese by hul kinders en die vrese wat die deelnemers gerapporteer het, kwantitatief bepaal. http://scholar.sun.ac.za/ IV Die metode om gebruik te maak van 'n kombinasie van die teken van vrese en 'n semigestruktureerde onderhoud met die deelnemers was suksesvol, aangesien daar geen deelnemers was wat nie gerespondeer het nie. Die resultate van die onderhawige navorsing het getoon dat die inhoud van die vrese in baie opsigte ooreengestem het met die van ander navorsingsbevindings. Gerapporteerde vrese vir diere, wat 57,24 % van al die genoemde vrese verteenwoordig het, was by uitstek die grootste kategorie van vrese. Die aantal vrese wat genoem is, het gestrek van 1 tot lOper deelnemer en die gemiddelde aantal vrese per deelnemer was 2,9. Dit was egter minder as by vorige Suid-Afrikaanse navorsing van dieselfde ouderdomsgroep volgens die navorsing van Martalas (1999). In ooreenstemming met die meeste navorsingsresultate, het meisies In die onderhawige studie meer vrese (63,45 %) as 'seuns (36,55 %) gerapporteer, hoewel hierdie verskil nie statisties beduidend was nie. Sommige geslagverskille was statisties beduidend in die sin dat meisies meer vrese vir wilde diere as seuns en seuns meer in die kategorie "ander" vrese, soos byvoorbeeld vir 'n waaier, 'n baksteen, bomme, om omgery te word en videos, as meisies gerapporteer het. Hoewel dit van Martalas (1999) se navorsingsresultate verskil, is dit in ooreenstemming met die meeste ander navorsingsbevindinge. Ouers het minder vrese namens hulle kinders as die deelnemers self gerapporteer en vrese is in die kategorie "medies" gerapporteer wat nie deur die deelnemers self gerapporteer is nie. Ouers het ook meer vrese namens die meisies as namens die seuns gerapporteer. Enkele aanbevelings vir verdere navorsing word ten slotte gemaak.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Suicide is currently one of the leading causes of death in many countries, and is still stigmatized to some extent in some cultures. As bereavement by suicide is a very difficult loss to adjust to, this study aims at creating a better understanding of the adjustment process that survivors of suicide have to go through. The study focuses on the impact of this kind of bereavement on family members and other people touched by the loss of someone to suicide. The needs of the bereaved have to be researched so that a suitable intervention programme can be developed to lessen the severity of the aftermath for survivors of suicide. Supportive aftercare (postvention) may also help prevent further tragedies following in the wake of suicide. The severity and stigma of suicide often contribute to the isolation of nuclear family members in their grief at a time when societal support would have been most helpful. Suicide touches the lives of people of all ages. Some may have special needs such as parents who lose a child to suicide or children whose parent has committed suicide. Better knowledge and understanding of the experiences of these survivors may guide caregivers to assist them with their bereavement and adjustment process as well as assist them in acquiring the necessary coping skills to work through the guilt, fears, anger, regrets and sorrow associated with their tragic loss. A review of the relevant literature is presented with pertinent hypotheses to inform further research to develop a suitable intervention programme for survivors of suicide in the nuclear family. A questionnaire is also presented that may guide interviewing of people affected by suicide in the family. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Selfmoord lS tans een van die leidende oorsake van sterfte in baie lande van die wereld. Die verlies van 'n geliefde aan selfmoord is baie moeilik om te verwerk, en hierdie studie beoog om beter begrip vir hierdie proses te bewerkstellig. Daardeur kan die samelewing meer bewus word van die impak van selfmoord op die naasbestaandes van iemand wat as gevolg van selfrnoord gesterf het. Die spesifieke behoeftes van die treurendes moet nagevors word sodat toepaslike intervensieprograrnme uitgewerk kan word, wat kan bydra om die impak van selfmoord op naasbestaandes to help versag. Ondersteuning aan naasbestaandes na selfmoord kan die voorkoms van verdere tragedies in die gesin help voorkom. Die geweldige impak asook die stigma van selfmoord van 'n gesinslid dra dikwels by tot isolasie van die kemgesin tydens hul routydperk,juis terwyl hulle dit die nodigste het. Selfrnoord raak mense van aile ouderdomme, elk met hul eiesoortige behoeftes, soos ouers wie se kind selfmoord gepleeg het of kinders van wie 'n ouer gesterf het as gevolg van selfmoord. Beter kennis en begrip van die ervarings van naasbestaandes kan hulpverleners lei om bedroefdes te help met hul rouproses en aanpassing, asook hulle bystaan om die nodige hanteringsvaardighede te verwerf sodat hulle die samehangende skuldgevoelens, vrese, woe de, berou en verdriet kan verwerk. 'n Oorsig van die toepaslike literatuur word aangebied met pertinente hipoteses om verdere navorsing toe te lig in die ontwikkeling van 'n toepaslike intervensieprogram vir naasbestaandes na selfmoord in die kemgesin. 'n Vraelys word aangebied wat onderhoudvoering met naasbestaandes kan lei.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In a qualitative study, a convenience sampling technique was used to ensure a study population of eleven HIV-infected low-income women. These participants were all direct referrals from municipal clinics and the provincial hospital. The criteria for participation were HIV sero-positivity and being a mother of a child or children. Semi-structured open-ended individual interviews were conducted, transcribed and then analysed, using grounded theory. Additional data were gained by using a standardised psychological measure, the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (RULS). The two main types of loneliness that these women experienced were loneliness of emotional isolation and loneliness of social isolation. These terms can be defined as the absence of a close emotional attachment and lack of support and understanding of intimate others (emotional isolation) and the absence of an accessible and engaging social network and lack of social support and acceptance (social isolation). The most significant causes of loneliness for these women were stigmatisation; fear and/or shame of rejection and victimisation; fear of losing custody or care of their children; fear of losing financial and emotional support; and using secrecy and non-disclosure as main coping strategy for their emotional and physical safety. Experiences of emotional isolation were also provoked or enhanced by the lack of involvement and support from their partners and the partners' denial of the illness and its consequences. Experiences of social isolation were also caused or increased by the general lack of HIV/AIDS information, education and support services. Significantly, it was found that for most of the women the psychological effect of loneliness was primarily a depressed mood as well as using negative coping mechanisms, such as alcohol abuse and further withdrawal from important others. The psychosocial needs of these women were also significantly similar. Broad guidelines are offered for health workers in assisting/supporting HIV-infected low-income mothers in general, based on the core needs of the women in this study; to be listened to and heard, understanding and acceptance, and social support. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In 'n kwalitatiewe studie is 'n gerieflikheidsteekproeftegniek gebruik om 'n studiepopulasie van elf MIV-geïnfekteerde lae-inkomste-vroue te verseker. Hierdie deelnemers was almal direkte verwysings van munisipale klinieke en die provinsiale hospitaal. Die kriteria vir deelname was MIV-sero-positiwiteit en moeder wees van 'n kind of kinders. Semigestruktureerde oop individuele onderhoude is gevoer, getranskribeer en toe ontleed deur gegronde teorie te gebruik. Bykomende data is verkry met behulp van 'n gestandaardiseerde psigometriese instrument, die "Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (RULS)". Die twee hooftipes eensaamheid wat hierdie vroue ervaar het was eensaamheid van emosionele isolasie en eensaamheid van sosiale isolasie. Hierdie terme kan omskryf word as die afwesigheid van 'n nou emosionele band en gebrek aan ondersteuning en begrip van intieme ander (emosionele isolasie) en die afwesigheid van 'n toeganklike en inskakelende sosiale netwerk en gebrek aan sosiale ondersteuning en aanvaarding (sosiale isolasie). Die beduidendste oorsake van eensaamheid vir hierdie vroue was stigmatisasie; vrees en/of skaamte vir verwerping en viktimisasie; vrees vir verlies van voogdyskap of sorg van hul kinders; vrees vir die verlies van finansiële en emosionele ondersteuning; en die gebruik van geheimhouding en nie-openbaarmaking as belangrikste hanteringstrategie vir hul emosionele en fisieke veiligheid. Ervarings van emosionele isolasie is ook uitgelok of versterk deur die gebrek aan betrokkenheid en ondersteuning van hul lewensmaats en die lewensmaats se ontkenning van die siekte en sy gevolge. Ervarings van sosiale isolasie is ook veroorsaak of verhoog deur die algemene gebrek aan inligting, opvoeding en ondersteuningsdienste ten opsigte van MIVNIGS. 'n Betekenisvolle bevinding was dat vir die meeste van die vroue die psigologiese effek van eensaamheid primêr 'n depressiewe gemoedstemming was sowel as die gebruik van negatiewe hanteringstrategieë soos alkoholmisbruik en verdere onttrekking van belangrike ander. Die psigososiale behoeftes van hierdie vroue was ook beduidend eenders. Breë riglyne word voorgestel vir gesondheidswerkers wat betref die bystaan/ondersteuning van MIV-geïnfekteerde lae-inkomste-moeders in die algemeen, gebaseer op die kernbehoeftes van die vroue in hierdie studie; om na geluister en gehoor te word, begrip en aanvaarding, en sosiale ondersteuning.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Research literature is increasingly referring to the therapeutic effect of experiences in nature on people. However, no research that evaluates the suitability of nature as an aid in an existential approach to psychotherapy could be found. This paper shows by means of a literature review that nature as an aid can make a significant contribution to this approach. The potential benefits of utilizing nature are integrated with the therapeutic goals of existential psychotherapy. The conclusion reached is that nature can be an important aid for leading a client to self-confrontation, increased selfawareness, acceptance of personal freedom and responsibility, and to find personal meaning in life. Proposals for future research are recommended. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Navorsingsliteratuur bevat in 'n toenemende mate verwysings na die terapeutiese effek wat belewenisse in die natuur op mense het. Geen navorsing kon egter gevind word wat die geskiktheid van die natuur as 'n hulpmiddel in 'n eksistensiële benadering tot psigoterapie ondersoek nie. Hierdie studie toon deur middel van 'n literatuuroorsig aan dat die natuur wel as 'n hulpmiddel betekenisvolle bydraes kan lewer tot hierdie benadering, deur die potensiële bydrae van die natuur in verband te bring met die doelwitte van eksistensiële psigoterapie. Die gevolgtrekking word gemaak dat die natuur 'n belangrike hulpmiddel kan wees om die kliënt te lei na selfkonfrontasie, verhoogde selfbewussyn, aanvaarding van persoonlike vryheid en verantwoordelikheid, en die vind van persoonlike betekenis in die lewe. Aanbevelings vir verdere navorsing word ook gemaak.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Schizophrenia is known to produce positive (e.g. hallucinations) and negative symptoms (e.g. social withdrawal). Cognitive dysfunction has long been recognised as common in schizophrenia and is now accepted as a third cardinal feature, thought strongly to be associated with negative symptoms. While positive symptoms may respond well to antipsychotic medication, the negative symptoms have typically been resistant to all forms of intervention. A current study looking at the efficacy of Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA), indicated a potential for negative symptoms to improve, although not significantly (P=O.14). The purpose of this research was to expand the above mentioned study, by evaluating the potential of EPA for improving cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia. Forty patients diagnosed with schizophrenia were randomly ascribed to one of two groups in a 12 week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The following neuropsychological tests were administered to patients at baseline and end point: Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE); Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT); Visual Reproduction, Wechsler Memory Scale - Revised (VR, WMS-R); Rey-Osterreith Complex Figure Test (ROCFT); Trail Making Tests (TMT-A; TMTB); Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT); Similarities, South African Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Revised (Similarities, SAWAIS-R); Boston Naming Test (BNT). There were no overall significant differences in neuropsychological function between the experimental (EPA) and the control (Placebo) group. In some isolated tests the experimental group did significantly better than the control group, but for other tests the control group did significantly better than the experimental group. Large intragroup variation - particularly within the EPA group - was indicated. In the EPA group only one out of 25 independent neuropsychological test scores showed a significant correlation with the symptom severity on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score (% change). There were no significant correlations between any of the neuropsychological test scores in the EPA group and on the dyskinesia subscore of the Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale (ESRS). There was no evidence to support the hypothesis that EPA improved cognitive functioning in patients with schizophrenia. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Dit is bekend dat skisofrenie positiewe (bv. hallusinasies) en negatiewe simptome (bv. sosiale onttrekking) voortbring. Kognitiewe disfunksie word lank reeds beskou as algemeen in skisofrenie en word nou aanvaar as 'n derde kardinale eienskap wat sterk geassosieer word met negatiewe simptome. Terwyl positiewe simptome goed reageer op antipsigotiese medikasie, is die negatiewe simptome tipies meer weerstandig teen all vorme van intervensie. 'n Huidige studie wat die effektiwiteit van Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) ondersoek, het 'n potensiaal vir die verbetering in negatiewe simptome aangedui, alhoewel nie beduidend nie (P=O.14). Die doel van hierdie navorsing was om bogenoemde studie uit te brei, deur te evalueer wat die potensiaal van EPA is om kognitiewe simptome in pasiente met skisofrenie te verbeter. Veertig pasiente gediagnoseer met skisofrenie is ewekansig toegewys aan een van twee groepe in 'n 12 weke, dubbel-blinde, plasebo-gekontroleerde studie. Die volgende neurosielkundige toetse is afgeneem op pasiente by basislyn en eindpunt: Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE); Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT); Visual Reproduction, Wechsler Memory Scale - Revised (VR, WMS-R); Rey-Osterreith Complex Figure Test (ROCFT); Trail Making Tests (TMT-A; TMT-B); Control/ed Oral Word Association Test (COWAT); Similarities, South African Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Revised (Similarities, SAWAIS-R); Boston Naming Test (BNT). Daar was geen beduidende verskille in neurosielkundige funksionering tussen die eksperimentele (EPA) en kontrole (Plasebo) groep nie. In 'n paar geïsoleerde toetse het die eksperimentele groep beduidend beter as die kontrolegroep gevaar, maar op ander toetse het die kontrolegroep beduidend beter as die eksperimentele groep gevaar. Groot intragroep variansie - in veral die EPA groep is aangetref In die EPA groep het slegs een uit die 25 onafhanklike neurosielkundige toetstellings gedui op 'n beduidende korrelasie met die ems van simptome op die Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) totale telling (% verandering). Daar was geen beduidende korrelasie tussen enige van die neurosielkundige toetstellings in die EPA groep en op die diskinesie-subtelling op die Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale (ESRS) nie. Daar was geen bewyse om die hipotese te steun dat EPA kognitiewe funksionering in pasiënte met skisofrenie verbeter nie.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This paper is an attempt to explore the appropriateness of the use of the specific psychological paradigm of dissociation as a possible response to pregnancy in lowincome women. Low-income women who fail to acknowledge their pregnancies may do so in an attempt to defend against feelings of fear, anxiety and helplessness engendered by the crisis of pregnancy. A dissociative response may serve to protect the expectant mother from conscious awareness of the full impact of what is happening, in other words, to provide psychological escape when physical escape is not possible. Such a response may initially be adaptive in that it provides these women with a means of coping. Dissociative processes allow, in the context of an inescapable crisis, the economizing of already limited physical and psychological resources. However, the prolonged use of dissociative strategies during pregnancy may have far-reaching implications, and, as such, be a hindrance to adaptive functioning. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie poog om ondersoek in te stel na die geskiktheid van die gebruik van die spesifieke psigiese meganisme van dissosiasie as 'n moontlike reaksie tot swangerskap in lae-inkomste vroue. Lae-inkomste vroue mag hul swangerskappe ontken in 'n poging om verweer te bied teen gevoelens van vrees, angs en hulpeloosheid wat deur swangerskap teweegebring word. 'n Dissosiatiewe respons mag dien om die verwagtende moeder te beskerm teen die volle impak van die gebeurtenis, met ander woorde, om psigiese ontvlugting te bied waar fisiese ontvlugting onmoontlik is. Welke respons mag aanvanklik adaptief wees in dat dit 'n manier van streshantering is. Dissosiatiewe meganismes bevorder, in die konteks van 'n onvermydelike krisis, die besparing van reeds beperkte fisiese en psigiese bronne. Die langtermyn gebruik van dissosiatiewe strategieë gedurende swangerskap mag egter verreikende gevolge inhou, en as sulks adaptiewe funksionering strem.