Thesis (PhD)--Macquarie University, Division of Linguistics & Psychology, Department of Psychology, 2004. / Bibliography: p. 478-485.

This study examined the nature and prevalence of ego strength among early adolescent learners in grade nine attending an independent school. An in-depth literature review was conducted in order to explore the role and theories of ego development. Thereafter, theories and key aspects of various dimensions of adolescent development were highlighted. The empirical investigation included both quantitative and qualitative research methodology. A questionnaire was administered to one hundred and ten grade nine learners in order to obtain a broad measure of the respondents' ego and superego strength. Thereafter, two learners were selected in order to explore their experiential life worlds. The findings of the empirical investigation were compared with information that emerged from the literature study. The study was concluded by offering recommendations to parents, educators and professionals working in the field of psychology of education in empowering them in addressing the phenomenon of ego development among early adolescent learners. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABS) is highly stressful for couples, since comorbid anxiety and depression are most commonly reported and hence most researched pre- and postoperative emotional states. Thus, patients' psychological well-being may contribute more to the level of disability than their physical impairment. Despite this extremely stressful process, psychological preparation is ironically often neglected in CABS couples. The primary aim of the study was to examine the feasibility of hypnotherapeutic ego strengthening (HES) to enhance the ability of CABS couples' to cope with psychological distress associated with hospitalisation and surgery. Secondary aims were to determine the contribution of HES in reducing anxiety and depression, as well as enhancing and maintaining ego strength, quality of life and dispositional optimism in CABS patients and spouses. An overview of coronary heart disease (CHD), risk factors involved, psychological aspects concomitant to CABS (specifically anxiety and depression) and a conceptualisation of HES according to the relevant literature, preceded the empirical study. The experimental design consisted of a two-group, pre-post-follow-up assessment design. A sample of fifty married, male patients admitted to Unitas Hospital in Pretoria with a first, uncomplicated CABS was randomly assigned, together with their spouses, to an experimental- (n = 25) and control group (n = 25). Informed consent was obtained for all project participants. Thus, both groups consisted of twenty-five patients and spouses. To test the hypotheses, experimental patients and spouses were required to participate in the HES intervention. Respondents completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) (Beck, Steer, & Brown, 1995). Profile of Mood States (POMS) (McNair, Lorr & Doppleman, 1992), Epstein and O'Brien Ego Strength Scale (1982), Quality of Life Inventory (QOLI) (Frisch, 1994) as well as the Life Orientation Test (LOT) (Scheier & Carver, 1985). Test administration of couples occurred preoperatively, on the day of discharge, and at six-week follow-up. Before commencing the intervention, group comparability was confirmed by means of the t-test for independent groups. At programme completion the significance of differences within and between groups was determined by means of t-tests. Statistically significant p-values were subjected to Cohen's d statistic to determine the practical significance of the findings. A confidence interval of 99% determined the values of the differences between the postoperative and follow-up findings. Results confirmed that the HES intervention significantly reduced postoperative anxiety and depression levels in experimental CABS patients and spouses, which was maintained at follow-up. No change was observed among control group patients and spouses. Moreover, the HES intervention significantly improved and maintained postoperative ego strength, quality of life and dispositional optimism in experimental CABS couples. The overall outcome of the control patients and spouses revealed a decreasing trend with regard to dispositional optimism and quality of life. Qualitative responses largely confirmed quantitative indications of reduced comorbidity and enhanced psychological well-being among experimental participants. Despite design limitations, the results confirmed that HES enhanced CABS couples' inner resources and attenuated concomitant negative mood states. Thus, it was concluded that HES played a meaningful role in the preparation and care of CABS couples by reducing comorbidity and improving their psychological well-being. Finally, recommendations for further studies were made. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABS) is highly stressful for couples, since comorbid anxiety and depression are most commonly reported and hence most researched pre- and postoperative emotional states. Thus, patients' psychological well-being may contribute more to the level of disability than their physical impairment. Despite this extremely stressful process, psychological preparation is ironically often neglected in CABS couples. The primary aim of the study was to examine the feasibility of hypnotherapeutic ego strengthening (HES) to enhance the ability of CABS couples' to cope with psychological distress associated with hospitalisation and surgery. Secondary aims were to determine the contribution of HES in reducing anxiety and depression, as well as enhancing and maintaining ego strength, quality of life and dispositional optimism in CABS patients and spouses. An overview of coronary heart disease (CHD), risk factors involved, psychological aspects concomitant to CABS (specifically anxiety and depression) and a conceptualisation of HES according to the relevant literature, preceded the empirical study. The experimental design consisted of a two-group, pre-post-follow-up assessment design. A sample of fifty married, male patients admitted to Unitas Hospital in Pretoria with a first, uncomplicated CABS was randomly assigned, together with their spouses, to an experimental- (n = 25) and control group (n = 25). Informed consent was obtained for all project participants. Thus, both groups consisted of twenty-five patients and spouses. To test the hypotheses, experimental patients and spouses were required to participate in the HES intervention. Respondents completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) (Beck, Steer, & Brown, 1995). Profile of Mood States (POMS) (McNair, Lorr & Doppleman, 1992), Epstein and O'Brien Ego Strength Scale (1982), Quality of Life Inventory (QOLI) (Frisch, 1994) as well as the Life Orientation Test (LOT) (Scheier & Carver, 1985). Test administration of couples occurred preoperatively, on the day of discharge, and at six-week follow-up. Before commencing the intervention, group comparability was confirmed by means of the t-test for independent groups. At programme completion the significance of differences within and between groups was determined by means of t-tests. Statistically significant p-values were subjected to Cohen's d statistic to determine the practical significance of the findings. A confidence interval of 99% determined the values of the differences between the postoperative and follow-up findings. Results confirmed that the HES intervention significantly reduced postoperative anxiety and depression levels in experimental CABS patients and spouses, which was maintained at follow-up. No change was observed among control group patients and spouses. Moreover, the HES intervention significantly improved and maintained postoperative ego strength, quality of life and dispositional optimism in experimental CABS couples. The overall outcome of the control patients and spouses revealed a decreasing trend with regard to dispositional optimism and quality of life. Qualitative responses largely confirmed quantitative indications of reduced comorbidity and enhanced psychological well-being among experimental participants. Despite design limitations, the results confirmed that HES enhanced CABS couples' inner resources and attenuated concomitant negative mood states. Thus, it was concluded that HES played a meaningful role in the preparation and care of CABS couples by reducing comorbidity and improving their psychological well-being. Finally, recommendations for further studies were made. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

This study examined the nature and prevalence of ego strength among early adolescent learners in grade nine attending an independent school. An in-depth literature review was conducted in order to explore the role and theories of ego development. Thereafter, theories and key aspects of various dimensions of adolescent development were highlighted. The empirical investigation included both quantitative and qualitative research methodology. A questionnaire was administered to one hundred and ten grade nine learners in order to obtain a broad measure of the respondents' ego and superego strength. Thereafter, two learners were selected in order to explore their experiential life worlds. The findings of the empirical investigation were compared with information that emerged from the literature study. The study was concluded by offering recommendations to parents, educators and professionals working in the field of psychology of education in empowering them in addressing the phenomenon of ego development among early adolescent learners. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

The study was exploratory in nature, with 62 adult participants participating in this research. The aim of the study was to determine the level of ego impairment, if any, among a group of patients diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. The data obtained from this sample was subjected to the Rorschach-based Ego Impairment Index-2 (EII-2). An in-depth analysis of the composite variables of this index was performed, allowing a comprehensive grasp of the implications of ego impairment in everyday functioning. The study was conducted in order to ascertain the nature of the psychological dynamics at play amongst this population group. The value of using the EII-2 is seen in its ability to establish various strengths and weaknesses in areas of ego functioning that are a core component of the personality, rather than behavioural manifestations that are sporadic and subject to change. Thus the results will reflect traits that are enduring and fundamental when considering the personality. In addition, the areas of psychological functioning that were determined were linked to the current conceptualisation of Bipolar Disorder, which, at present, is primarily conceived of as a biological disorder. The results of the EII-2 yielded from this sample indicated an overall moderate ego impairment falling within the moderate range, indicating that for this population, an impairment of ego was evident. Particularly, the domains of reality testing, cognitive functioning and object relatedness seemed to be most impaired. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Psychology / Unrestricted

Self-control is required when an agent encounters some opposition to acting on her better judgments. One such opposition is diminished motivation, that is, a lack of desire to act on a better judgment. Thomas Connor compares two views of successful self-control, actional (i.e. the view that self-control is produced by a motivated action) and non-actional (i.e. the view that self-control consists of having unmotivated thoughts), and argues that non-actional views are better at explaining successful self-control in cases of diminished motivation. I reject Connor’s suggestion that successful self-control is likely to be non-actional by presenting two arguments: (1) non-actional views do not possess an advantage in explaining successful self-control because of a failure to provide an account of how self-controlling thoughts arise when self-control is required, and (2) actional views can account for successful self-control in the case of diminished motivation, namely, by prescribing minimally taxing strategies of self-control.

<p>Denna uppsats undersöker förhållandet mellan etnisk identitet och egoidentitet hos vuxna individer. Då Sverige är mångkulturellt är detta förhållande ett viktigt forskningsområde att belysa. En kvalitativ undersökning genomfördes med nio intervjupersoner. Dessa lever i den svenska kulturen samt i en utomeuropeisk kultur. Resultatet visade att kulturen upplevdes vara en mycket viktig del av personligheten på så sätt att den etniska identiteten är en sammansvetsad del av intervjupersonernas egoidentitet. Intervjudeltagarna upplevde sig vara en blandning av de erfarna kulturerna. Majoriteten intervjudeltagare hade en fullbordad identitet, men perioder av förvirring och dilemman förekom som ett resultat av deras bikulturella livssituation. Anpassningsproblem och olika begränsningar var bidragande orsaker till dessa perioder. Studien bidrar till fördjupad kunskap om dubbeletniska vuxnas identitets- och personlighetsutveckling.</p> / <p>This essay examines the relationship between ethnic identity and ego identity among adults. Sweden is a multi cultural country and therefore this relationship is important to examine. A qualitative interview study was conducted with nine interviewees, who live in Sweden and originate from a culture outside Europe. The culture was shown to be an important part of the personality, which indicates that that ethnic identity is a part of ego identity. The interviewees experienced themself to be a mix of two cultures. A majority of the interviewees had an achieved identity, but periods of diffusion occured as a result of adaption problems and limitations. The study contributes with advanced knowledge about identity and personality development of adults.</p>

This study was concerned with the differences between two types of prisoners on a personality dimension and differences between these prison groups an a non-prison population. The impetus for this study stemmed from the development of a new test designed to scientifically measure the Freudian concept of the personality structures, the id, ego, and superego.

The age of onset for eating disorders (anorexia and bulimia nervosa) among females is typically late adolescence. In the present study, it was hypothesized that the onset of eating disorders is related to the late-adolescent developmental task of identity development. Thirty-three late adolescent and young adult females who met DSM-III-R criteria for an eating disorder (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or eating disorder not otherwise specified) and 33 control females completed the Extended Objective Measure of Ego Identity status -- 2 (EOMEIS-2). Results of chi square analyses revealed no significant differences between eating disorder and control females with regard to status of identity development. However, when identity status subscale scores were treated as continuous variables, several significant between-group mean differences emerged. In line with expectations, eating disorder subjects scored higher on ideological diffusion and moratorium, and they scored lower on ideological achievement. Eating disorder subjects also scored higher on interpersonal diffusion and lower on interpersonal achievement. In addition, there were significant correlations between ideological diffusion and measures of depression and anxiety. Unexpectedly, there were also significant correlations between ideological moratorium and measures of depression, anxiety, social alienation, family discord, and borderline personality symptomatology. The possible implications of these results for understanding frequently occurring, co-morbid symptoms in eating disorder subjects are discussed.