D.Litt. et Phil. / Encopresis is a complex problem which is often under-reported, and is not well known by the general public. The humiliating nature of the problem results in denial and a reluctance to seek help from professionals; parents will therefore rather attempt to solve the problem themselves. Research on the subject is relatively scarce, especially regarding effectiveness of treatment models. The etiological factors of this complex problem are interlinked and it is often difficult to identify the primary cause of the problem. A primarily physical problem may have secondary emotional implications, while a primarily emotional problem may result in a physical problem. The complex nature of encopresis results in referrals from one professional to the other, generally without great success; this has resulted in parents often becoming desperate to get effective help. Treatment in the past tended to be profession-orientated and fell either into a medical or a psychological approach, with little, if any, acknowledgement of the social factors. Only recently has the biopsychosocial approach been recognised and received more credit. The low success rate in the treatment of encopresis gave rise to the development of a holistic approach which attempts to address the problem in the context of the physical, behavioural, cognitive and emotional modalities in order to find appropriate assessment, diagnostic and management strategies. The purpose of the present study was to integrate these modalities and to develop a form of therapy tailored to the specific needs of the child. The holistic treatment model attempts to bring relief to children suffering from encopresis and their families who are burdened with the problem. The purpose was further to evaluate the effectiveness of the holistic treatment model with regard to the prevalence of encopresis, depressive symptomatology, parental involvement and self-image of the children. Standardised measuring instruments used were the "Reynolds Child Depression Scale", the "Bene Anthony Family Relations Test", as well as the "Human Figure Drawings". Experimental and control groups were used in order to compare the variables prior to any intervention. The experimental group received treatment while the control group received treatment only after completion of the post-tests. The purpose was to measure the degree of change as a result of the intervention. The experimental group improved significantly with regard to all the variables, while the control group showed no significant difference between the pre-test and post-test results. The study indicated a relatively high success rate using the holistic treatment approach. Promising results can be expected when applying this holistic form of treatment to other children with similar problems in an endeavour to alleviate the often silent burden carried by children with encopresis and by their families.

Assignment (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / Bibliography. Also availabe via the Internet.

MSc (Med) Neurodevelopmental Paediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand / Background: Elimination disorders are childhood behavioural disorders. In South Africa these disorders fall within a neglected field of study when compared to physical illnesses. This report serves as formative research in order to address this neglect. Aims: To identify and summarise the clinical presentations, age and gender distribution, associated comorbid disorders and psychosocial factors in our mainly black patients from Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa. Methodology: One hundred and sixteen children aged 4 – 14 years with these conditions were enrolled into a descriptive prevalence or survey study over a period of three years. An interview questionnaire was explained and responses recorded, from the caregivers and subjects. Result: There were 72 males and 44 females and their mean age at presentation was 9 years. More males suffered from encopresis only and both elimination disorders than females. There was only one female with encopresis alone. More females had enuresis than males. A greater percentage of subjects had primary enuresis as compared to encopresis, which was predominantly secondary in nature. Mental retardation, learning disability and ADHD were common comorbid conditions. Conclusion: The prevalence of elimination disorders in children attending an outpatient paediatric facility does justify the need for a specialised elimination disorder clinic. This clinic needs to be accommodated within an ambulatory paediatric unit such as the paediatric outpatients department of the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.

Thesis (M.N.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, School of Nursing, 2000. / Typescript. Bibliography: leaves 140-150.

Enuresis (bed-wetting) and encopresis (fecal soiling) mean elimination disorder and the children suffering from these disorders are often isolated from their contemporaries. The summer camp for the children suffering from enuresis and encopresis held by Faculty of Health and Social Studies at University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice provides the children with i. a. the only possibility of experiencing life without worries and shame, which is the way of life that the majority of children take for granted. In the theoretical part of the dissertation work the author deals with the issue of enuresis and encopresis from various angles. The main goal of the dissertation work is to analyse and describe the impact of the rehabilitative stay at the summer camp for the children suffering from enuresis and encopresis on the disorder of the children. The research question aims to answer: ``In what way and in which fields the rehabilitative stay at the summer camp for the children suffering from enuresis and encopresis contributes to the improvement or the total reduction of the problems linked to the disorder``. The qualitative research was carried out both at the summer camp and home background in years 2006 {--} 2008. The following methods of data collection have been used: interrogation method, observation, document review and the methods within the psychological examination. The research emerged from findings that the camp for the children suffering from enuresis and encopresis improves psychosocial state of the children predominantly due to their self-confidence building, self-identity and self-evaluating. The camp helps the children with their problems in the field of setting boundaries, rules and regime, in the field of experience and hygiene. The camp is also meaningful regarding the field of children`s contacts with other affected children and adults and the field of psychic and physical resistance. Due to the above mentioned aspects the camp contributes not only to problem reduction linked to emptying disorders but also to the children{\crq}s total reduction of enuresis and encopresis. The research results demonstrate two hypotheses: The first is based on the notion that the camp contributes to the improvement of psychosocial state of the children suffering from enuresis and encopresis. The second hypothesis proves that the camp positively influences the frequency of bed-wetting and fecal soiling.

Thesis (MA (Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / This study presents the possible contribution that self psychology might make to understanding, and guiding the treatment of; childhood functional faecal retention. A discussion of self psychology's theoretical perspective on childhood development is provided, including specific reference to the central theoretical issues 0 f optimal responsiveness and mutual- and self-regulation and how these manifest within the psychotherapeutic process. A case study provides the vehicle for the discussion ofthe applicability and relevance of the central self psychological tenets to the psychotherapeutic treatment of functional faecal retention in childhood. It tentatively concludes that self psychological theory may be useful in informing and structuring the treatment of children with retentive encopresis, and may be especially useful in conjunction with potentially invasive medically and surgically based interventions

Thesis (MSD (Play Therapy))--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

This study investigated the nature of the psycho-social needs of the parents of a child with encopresis. Gaps were identified in the literature that indicated that there is little information available on the needs of parents who are confronted by the complex dysfunction resulting from encopresis. During the course of the empirical investigation, which involved interviews with the parents of children suffering from encopresis, it was confirmed that these gaps do exist. The aim of this study was to determine what parents’ psycho-social needs were with regard to their child if their child is suffering from encopresis. In order to reach this aim, a number of objectives were set. The first objective was to establish a knowledge base by means of a literature review and discussions with experts in the field of encopresis. Information was gathered with regard to the physiological mechanism of encopresis, the role of toilet routine in the origins and development of encopresis, the effect of encopresis on the family system and the psycho-social aspects that maintain this dysfunction. The second objective was to obtain empirical data on the psycho-social needs of the parents of a child with encopresis. The third objective was to draw conclusions and to make recommendations on the basis of the results of this study in respect of parents’ psycho-social needs. The recommendations, which are presented in written form, can serve as recommendations to be used in providing assistance in the practice. The empirical study took the form of one-on-one interviews with the assistance of a semi-structured interview schedule within a phenomenological strategy. The respondents were the parents of children in whom encopresis has been medically diagnosed. The aim of using a phenomenological strategy was to determine what meaning respondents attach to their everyday life. The phenomenological strategy was followed as part of an explorative study. The explorative study was designed to elicit information allowing greater insight into the actual practical situation. The parent couples were selected by the researcher by means of a process of purposeful sampling. Transcripts of the interviews were made after the interviews had been completed and this data was analysed and interpreted. The interview schedule that was used is included in Appendix A. Because encopresis is a highly sensitive topic, respondents were given a letter of informed consent to read and sign. An example of this letter is attached as Appendix B. The empirical data obtained by means of the semi-structured interviews emphasised the following key themes: · The parents’ primary need is information on the nature and causes of encopresis. · The parents’ second most urgent need is the skills to cope with a child with encopresis. Parents indicated that the complex and unpleasant nature of encopresis puts great demands on their parenting skills. · The third central theme that emerged was the need for skills with regard to handling the siblings of an encopretic child. The encopretic child makes very insistent demands on parents and the siblings within the family system react in ways that require particular parenting skills. · The fourth central theme is the parents’ need for support with regard to their own emotions. Parents indicated that tension and frustration arose in their relationship in respect of the demands made by an encopretic child and that they needed support and understanding. · The fifth key theme was the parents’ need for understanding and support from professional role players with regard to encopresis. The parents indicated that they required this understanding and expertise particularly from the medical role players, as well as the school system. · The sixth theme is the need for support from the social community. Parents expressed a clear need for the support of family, friends and the wider social community, since the parents and the family can become completely socially isolated. · The seventh theme was the need for a support group for the parents of children with encopresis. · The eighth theme was the parents’ need for greater awareness in the broader community about encopresis. Parents expressed a need for greater media awareness about encopresis. The research has shown clearly that among these parents there is a great need for information, coping skills and support with regard to various aspects surrounding a child with encopresis. Parents expressed a particular need for support groups to address their psycho-social needs. On the one hand, these needs as expressed by the respondents suggest guidelines for practical assistance to the parents of children with encopresis. On the other hand, they also suggest areas for further research. / Dissertation (MSD (Play Therapy))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted