L’objectif de cette étude est d’appréhender comment les enfants en résidence alternée se construisent sur le plan de leur adaptation socio-affective et de leur qualité de vie et d’analyser quels sont les facteurs susceptibles d’influencer leur développement socio-affectif. L’approche écosystémique (Bronfenbrenner, 2005) et, plus spécifiquement, le modèle opérationnel « Processus-Personne-Contexte-Temps » (Bronfenbrenner, 1996) sur lequel nous prenons appui, nous a permis, de manière originale, de procéder à l’analyse de la contribution de facteurs d’ordre individuel, familial et contextuel au développement de ces enfants.Dans cette perspective, 38 familles et leurs 56 enfants âgés de 4 à 12 ans en résidence alternée ont participé à notre étude au moyen d'une série de questionnaires. Le développement socio-affectif de l’enfant a été appréhendé à l’aide de « l’Autoquestionnaire Qualité de vie-Enfant-Imagé » (A.U.Q.U.E.I. ; Manificat & Dazord, 1997) et du « Child Behavior Checklist » (C.B.C.L. ; Achenbach, 1991). Les mères et/ou les pères ont renseigné plusieurs outils évaluant leur relation coparentale : « l’échelle d’Interaction Coparentale » (Ahrons & Wallisch, 1987), « l’Inventaire de l’Alliance Parentale » (Abidin & Brunner, 1995) et « l’échelle de Conflits Post-Séparation » (Sonnenblick & Scharwz, 1992). La relation post-conjugale a été analysée à travers « l’échelle d’Interaction Non Parentale » (Ahrons & Wallisch, 1987) et « l’échelle d’Attachement entre les ex-conjoints » (Kitson, 1982).Nos principaux résultats indiquent que les enfants en résidence alternée témoignent d’une qualité de vie globalement satisfaisante, notamment dans la sphère familiale. De plus, trois quart des enfants environ se situent dans la zone non-pathologique aux échelles d’adaptation intériorisée et d’adaptation extériorisée. Parmi les facteurs pris en compte, nous constatons, dans un premier temps, un effet significatif du sexe et de l’âge des enfants : les filles sont plus nombreuses à se situer dans la zone pathologique à l’échelle d’adaptation extériorisée et les enfants de 4 à 6 ans tendent à présenter moins de troubles intériorisés. Dans un deuxième temps, les résultats révèlent que la relation coparentale influence le développement socio-affectif des enfants et que l’hostilité indirecte constitue le facteur de risque le plus marqué. Cet effet est toutefois modulé par l’âge des enfants. Enfin, nous avons mis en évidence l’influence des caractéristiques du contexte, à savoir la relation post-conjugale, le degré d’hostilité pré-séparation et le type d’accord formulé par les parents sur leur développement. Toutefois, il s’avère que cette influence n’est pas directe mais médiatisée par la relation coparentale.L’ensemble des résultats obtenus nous permet de proposer des perspectives de recherche et des pistes d’intervention.Mots / This thesis aims to comprehend how children in joint physical custody evolve themselves in terms of socio-emotional adaptation and quality of life and analyzing the factors that could have an impact on their socio-emotional development. This study is based on a theoretical eco-systemic approach (Bronfenbrenner, 2005). Considering person, family and context to be the scales of comparision for the development of these children. The operational model of« the Process–Person–Context–Time » (Bronfenbrenner, 1996), allowed us to analyze the contribution of the aforementioned factors on these children.According to this perspective, 38 families having 56 children between the ages 4-12 years old in joint physical custody participated in this study through a questionary. The socio-emotional development was analyzed by taking into account the « Autoquestionnaire Qualité de vie-Enfant-Imagé » (A.U.Q.U.E.I. ; Manificat & Dazord, 1997) and the « Child Behavior Checklist » (C.B.C.L. ; Achenbach, 1991). The mothers and/or the fathers were also queried to evaluate their parenting abilities by using several tools as follows the « Coparental Interaction Scale » (Ahrons & Wallisch, 1987), the « Parenting Alliance Inventory » (Abidin & Brunner, 1995) and the « Post-Divorce Conflict Scale » (Sonnenblick & Scharwz, 1992). The post-conjugal relationship was analyzed by the following « Coparental Interaction Scale, nonparental dimension » (Ahrons & Wallisch, 1987) and « Attachment Scale » (Kitson, 1982).Our principal results indicate that children in joint custody testify globally a satisfactory quality of life particularly in the sphere of family upbringing. Also approximately three quarters of the total children can be placed in the non- pathological zone on the internalized adaptation and the externalized adaptation scale. Amongst the factors taken into consideration, we note that first of all there is a significant effect of the sex and age of the children between 4 to 6 years tend to show less personal internalizing problems. While the girls can be placed on the pathological scale of externalizing adaptation in a larger number compared to the boys. Secondly, the results reveals that the co-parental relationship influences the socio-emotional development of children and that the covert hostility constitutes the most raddled risk factor. However, this result varies according to the age of children. Finally, the impact of the characteristics of the context is highlighted, namely the post-conjugal relationship, the degree of hostility before the separation and the type of agreement that the parents express of their children’s development. Nevertheless, it is proved that this influence is indirect but moderated by the co-parental relationship.The total of the obtained results allows us to propose new perspectives and leads for intervention.

Cette thèse interroge le statut juridique de la nature à travers une analyse théorique. Réfléchir sur le statut de la nature revient à questionner la singularité du lien qui lie l’homme à la nature : s’agit-il d’une mise en rapport induisant une échelle de valeur avec la hiérarchie qui l’accompagne, ou plutôt d’une mise en relation sans hiérarchie mais avec des liens d’interdépendance ? Finalement l’idée est de sortir d’une logique dualiste séparant l’homme de la nature. La nature est réifiée par le droit. Objet du droit, défini par et pour l’homme, elle est qualifiée de chose, de bien ou encore de patrimoine. Mais cette thèse est avant tout le constat d’une évolution du statut de la nature, qui ne peut plus être considérée aujourd’hui seulement comme un objet. L’évolution socio-politique accompagne un mouvement tendant à sa subjectivisation progressive. S’opère alors un rééquilibrage « désacralisant » l’homme quand il persiste à se couper du reste de la nature / This thesis questions the legal status of nature through a theoretical analysis. Reflecting on the status of nature is tantamount to questioning the singularity of the link between man and nature: is it a relationship that induces a scale of value with a subsequent hierarchy, or rather a relationship without hierarchy but with links of interdependence? Eventually, the idea is the idea is to escape from a dualistic logic separating man from nature. Nature is first reified by law. Object of law, defined by and for men, nature is considered as a thing, a good or an heritage. But this thesis is above all the observation of an evolution of the status of nature which can no longer be considered today only as an object. The socio-political evolution accompanies a movement aiming at the progressive subjectivization of nature. A rebalancing then occurs, "desacralizing" man as he persists in cutting himself from the rest of nature

The study proposes an ecosystemic approach as an intervention for attentional difficulties and heightened motor activity, traditionally known as AD/HD. A literature study of AD/HD is presented first as a psycho-educational frame of reference. The focus then shifts to the symtoms of AD/DH to move closer to the possible underlying causes of these symptoms. In doing so, the focus changes from AD/HD as a diagnosis to attentional difficulties and heightened motor activity as presenting symptoms. Attention and motor activity as constructs are investigated in terms of their neuro-anatomical, neuro-chemical and neuro-physiological aspects. Furthermore, neurodevelopment, physiological stress, neurodevelopmental delay, information processing systems, sensory-motor subsystems and integration as constructs are investigated to understand their role in attention and modulation of motor activity. The study of attention and motor activity and their associated neurological factors motivates an alternative, ecosystemic method of intervention. The proposed approach includes an investigation into internal and external biochemical ecosystems such as environmental pollutants, deficiencies of essential nutrients and genetic deficiencies of the immune system. Other aspects such as time, maturation and neurodevelopment are also considered as well as the gentle interplay between these aspects. The therapeutic intervention includes sound therapy, neurodevelopmental movement activities, EEG neurofeedback and nutrition. Experimental research with a sample population of 12 diagnosed grade 4 and 5 AD/HD learners over a 11 week period was conducted. Statistically significant improvements in aspects of attention were noted using 2 standardised instruments and verification through parent interviews in the first and second experimental groups. Statistically significant improvements were noted in aspects of motor activity (a decline in hyperactive behaviour) in the second experimental group with verification from teacher interviews. Additionally, children in the first experimental group improved significantly more than children in the control group with regards to mathematic skills. The second experimental group showed significant improvement with large effect sizes on reading, mathematic skills and spelling. In conclusion, the statistically significant results obtained with the proposed approach motivates implementation, with improvements in attention, motor activity control and academic performance as a prospect. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed.(Psychology of Education)

This study explores trainee psychotherapists' experiences of double bind situations and inconsistency between explicit and implicit contexts of training. The epistemological foundations of this text are postmodern, social constructionist and ecosystemic. A review of the relevant literature is presented, which includes aspects such as explicit and implicit contexts, double bind and experiences of trainees in training. This is followed by an account of the qualitative research approach adopted, namely, discourse analysis. Themes that are extracted from the text of the transcribed interviews are assumed to reflect discourses in training and the broader societal contexts in which trainees find themselves. These discourses are seen to inform trainees' constructions of their experiences in training. The findings of the analysis are found to concur with the initial hypotheses of this dissertation, as well as with findings in the literature. Recommendations for future research are offered. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

The psychological effects on, and the experience of divorce by women and children are widely researched. However little data is available on how divorce affects men and how they experience a marriage break-up. This study aims to explore and describe the `voices' (experiences) of divorce from three men's perspectives. The randomly selected sample for this study consisted of three participants'. Data was collected in the form of the participants own written testimonials. Out of the written testimonials themes were identified and explored by the researcher. This was done from an ecosystemic epistemological stance within the post-modern paradigm, with the symbolic use of music / popular songs to further `enhance' the exploration and description of the research participants' experiences of divorce. A qualitative methodological design was followed, allowing `unique' and personal `meaning' and experience to emerge. This study's results were presented in the form of `integrative' and descriptive text. Overall the study explicated unique descriptions of men's experiences of divorce with the creative application of music to enhance descriptions and experiences. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

In this research project the context of a playgroup is used in the exploration of the developing meanings of preschool children living in a community village. Therapeutic goals include the co-construction of a group context where alternative behavioural social skills, and the related meanings thereof, could evolve in relationship with the therapist / researcher and peers. The research process is based on an underlying ecosystemic epistemology, social constructionistic theory and a narrative approach to therapy. A naturalistic research design includes the use of qualitative methods of play as therapeutic tools in the exploration of meanings. Research findings show the emergence of co-constructed meaning categories between all the participants of the research to be those of respect, responsibility and hope. The therapeutic significance of these three themes for this age group of children is discussed, and linked to the further construction of meanings. / PSYCHOLOGY / MA

In this study an ecosystematic approach to sports coaching is forwarded. This approach is illustrated using the analogy of an ecology of ideas. Ideas informing the life span of a coach within an elite team are explored. The researcher engaged four subjects in conversations the life span of a coach in an elite team. these conversations are viewed as co-constructions of realities. The coach abides within a team for a limited time. he or she enters an existing ecology of ideas, which can contribute to, or detract from, the efficacy of the coach in a team. This ecology of ideas evolves as aold meanings shift and new meanings emerge. These menings are explored in this disertation. An awareness of the ecology of ideas within a team can inform the coach to perturb the ecology of ideas in a direction that is mutually qualified as successful / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical psychology)

This dissertation reports on the lived experiences of four child psychiatric nurses. The territory of child psychiatric nursing is explored in this investigation through the punctuation of many voices within this field of study. The methodology of the investigation is descriptive phenomenology and Colaizzis’ steps in descriptive phenomenology (map) are used to discover and describe the different template theories (the territory) that are unique to each of the four child psychiatric nurses who were interviewed. Following this, a story is punctuated, which is referred to as the structural synthesis. It is the heartbeat of the investigation. The dissertation concludes by reflecting on the paradox of how the invisibility of the child psychiatric nurses allowed for the visibility of the dissertation and encourages the reader to ask pivotal questions about the important role of the child psychiatric nurse, working as part of a multidisciplinary team, in order to improve patient care. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical psychology)

The purpose of this study was to explore and describe how teachers implement school-based psychosocial support to Grade 12 learners who have behavioural and emotional problems. As a secondary school teacher herself, the researcher frequently interacts with Grade 12 learners who have behavioural and emotional problems. Occurrences of behavioural and emotional problems are on the increase. This inference is based on the large number of reported learner problems in the School-based Support Team (SBST) records of a secondary school. The behavioural and emotional problems reported included violent aggressive behaviour, sexual and substance dependency, teenage pregnancy, early school drop-out and truancy. Learner problems may be caused by a variety of factors emanating from unmet development needs (Mwawenda, 2003), as well as biological factors and family and /or school factors (Papalia, Olds and Feldman, 2008). Kapp (2003), on the other hand, is of the opinion that a conducive environment may reduce learner problems and enhance improved learner wellbeing. This study forms part of the Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative (REPSSI) introduced to certain secondary schools in 2008. Ten teachers, who were part of the school-based team of the secondary school researched, participated in this initiative. REPPSI’s initial objective was to provide psychosocial support to children orphaned by HIV/Aids in South African Development Countries (SADC). The initiative focused on taking care of children’s developmental needs– social, emotional, behavioural, physical and spiritual. In the case of the school researched, this study was a pilot project to use REPPSI guidelines to provide psychosocial support to learners who have behavioural and emotional problems in participating schools. The study investigates how teachers implement psychosocial support based on the REPSSI Initiative. The study further explores how an ecosystemic approach can be used as an alternative approach to enhance the implementation of psychosocial services provided to learners. The study anticipates that an alternative approach will improve the school-based psychosocial initiative for adolescent learners who have behavioural and emotional problems in schools. The researcher used a constructivist paradigm to describe the school-based psychosocial support provided to adolescent learners who have behavioural and emotional problems. A case study design with 10 teachers in the school-based support team was selected. The participant teachers were conveniently and purposefully selected from REPSSI trained teachers. A focus group was used to facilitate semi-structured interviews. Ten participants shared their common perceptions and concerns (De Vos, Strydom Fouche’ and Delport, 2006) in a fairly short period (two sessions of one and half hours duration with teachers). Observations, photographs, reflective notes and field notes were used to gather information. A thematic content analysis of data was used to interpret data. To ensure rigour, it was verified with participants that they agreed with the results of the data analysis process. Debriefing meetings were also held with the researcher’s supervisor. The results of this study showed that teachers view need the pre and in-service training in ecosystemic approach to reduce behavioural and emotional problems of learners important. The results reveal that the use of ecosystemic approach by teachers and all role players in the adolescent learner’s life may enhance the effectiveness of school-based psychosocial support. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

In this article post-shooting trauma is utilized as an arbitrary punctuation to indicate how police officers communicate their distress during this period of rapid transition in South Africa. It is argued that the medical model (with its attendant lineal causal explanations and descriptions) is inhibitively limited in describing what police officers are presently experiencing. The author motivates the advantages of perceiving and describing events from an ecosystemic perspective (which provides a contextual understanding and emphasizes relationships} . "Stress" is described as an aspect of the system as a whole and not singularly attributable to individuals alone. Among others new policing rules and roles, the turnover in personnel, and the rate of's'ocio-political changes are shown to contribute. It is argued that the Police, as society's guardians of "power" have become the "symptom bearers" for a society in the painful process of adapting to change. Recommendations regarding possible interventions are made. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)