This mini-dissertation examines how an African woman – as an individual – makes meaning of her life amidst her HIV positive status. Her search for meaning was explored through semi-structured interviews. The case study is situated within a South African context where HIV/AIDS has become a pandemic. The methodology used in this research is explorative and qualitative in nature, thus facilitating a process of interpretation resulting in thick description drawing on existential concepts. Relevant information from the participant’s counselling therapeutic process, prior to the research, is incorporated in the thick description of her living with and making meaning of HIV/AIDS. An Existential perspective on the participant’s psychological experiences concerning meaningfulness and being is discussed in terms of themes drawn on in semi-structured interviews. Special emphasis is also placed on the concept of an “existential vacuum” that an individual might experience when affected by something as life changing as HIV/AIDS. Notions of anxiety and non-being are also key concepts in this particular case study. Spirituality and the sense of a Higher Being are explored as fundamental in the domain of this individual’s life, and therefore also in her production of meaning, as well as self-contemplation. A constructionist epistemological approach is taken according to which the aims of the research are examined and interpreted. Attention is given to the participant’s experiences of the impact of both African and Western worldviews on her sense of being within the South-African context. Her perceptions and beliefs, as a Tswana woman, concerning traditional customs and significant figures are discussed, for example: sangomas, witchdoctors, ancestors, forefathers, HIV/AIDS, etc. These, often opposing, points of view are explored in detail when the biological, psychosocial, cultural and political contexts are taken into account. These are, in turn, coupled with an analysis of gender relations and their associated power relations within societal structures. Further examination reveals the expected physical and psychological phases associated with the HIV/AIDS disease. The woman used in this case study relays her thoughts and experiences directly to the researcher and reader, as transcripts of semi-structured interviews with her are used in the text. Ethical considerations pertaining to both the participant and the researcher are also conveyed exhaustively. Issues in the interviews that are touched upon, include: How multiculturalism is perceived and experienced, the effects of stigmatisation, self-awareness and the conscience, traditional rituals and values associated with HIV/AIDS, transcendence and the responsibility for a sense of self. Arrays of emotions that are experienced under the circumstances include anger, depression, despair, defiance, hope and alienation. There is also a strong focus on the interaction between people, and especially on what is deemed as “meaningful relationships”. Copyright 2006, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. Please cite as follows: Bezuidenhout, MD 2006, An existential perspective on a woman's search for meaningfulness while living with HIV/AIDS , MA dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd < http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-04052007-125746 / > / Dissertation (MA (Counseling Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Psychology / unrestricted

N. Riethof - Burnout syndrome in Health Care Professionals ABSTRACT Burnout syndrome is a state of total exhaustion related to work condi- tions and prolonged stress. While initial phases of burnout resemble stress symptoms, final phases of burnout are characterized by feelings of hopelessness, loss of meaning and desperation that have similar qual- ities as depression as well as existential vacuum described by Frankl in his logotherapy. In addition, the burnout syndrome involves stages in which people detach from their emotions and feelings as a defense mechanism against stress and have decreased ability to experience their own feelings and emotional states. Burnout usually begins with feelings of enthusiasm and idealized visualizations and it is in contrast with sub- sequent disillusionment, disappointment experienced later. After decades of burnout research, there is still a need for better def- inition of this condition including more precise diagnostic criteria and internationally recognized measurement tools, especially within health care system where the risks of unrecognized and untreated burnout are high. This study is focused on examination of potential causes of burn- out and relationships of burnout symptoms with certain personality traits, defense mechanisms and coping reactions including...

Registered nurses are exposed to the risk of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and contracting the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Qualitative phenomenological research was conducted to explore registered nurses' experiences of working in such a high-risk environment and how their experiences influence the therapeutic relationship. A sample of registered nurses who care for HIV-infected persons or persons who suffer from AIDS was purposefully selected. Focus group interviews were conducted. Qualitative data analysis was performed. Frankl's theory of meaning of life served as a theoretical foundation for interpreting the research findings. The research results revealed that registered nurses experience existential frustration due to the intentional and unintentional risks that they are exposed to. This negatively impacts upon their ability to maintain a healthy therapeutic relationship with patients. However, evidence was obtained indicating that some factors support their quest for finding meaning in life in the workplace. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

Registered nurses are exposed to the risk of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and contracting the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Qualitative phenomenological research was conducted to explore registered nurses' experiences of working in such a high-risk environment and how their experiences influence the therapeutic relationship. A sample of registered nurses who care for HIV-infected persons or persons who suffer from AIDS was purposefully selected. Focus group interviews were conducted. Qualitative data analysis was performed. Frankl's theory of meaning of life served as a theoretical foundation for interpreting the research findings. The research results revealed that registered nurses experience existential frustration due to the intentional and unintentional risks that they are exposed to. This negatively impacts upon their ability to maintain a healthy therapeutic relationship with patients. However, evidence was obtained indicating that some factors support their quest for finding meaning in life in the workplace. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

Fear of missing out (FoMO) is a type of internet slang used to describe the “pervasive apprehension that others might be having rewarding experiences from which one is absent” (Przybylski, Murayama, DeHaan & Gladwell, 2013, p. 1841). This pervasive fear encompasses an individual’s life and it is exacerbated by the social media updates of online counterparts. A study conducted by a South African pharmaceutical company revealed that 62% of the respondents have a constant fear of missing out on something that might be happening elsewhere. This study underscores the relevance of studying FoMO as a construct in the South African context. The current study aims to investigate the relationship between FoMO and satisfaction with life, as these two constructs have previously shown to be negatively correlated. The self-proclaimed FoMO sufferers who will be partaking in this study will be requested to complete an online questionnaire to establish the nature of the relationship between FoMO and satisfaction with life. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)