Thesis (DPhil (Psychology))--University of Stelenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A probe into resilience research has revealed that psychologists have taken on the role of “keepers of the crypt”, where our attained knowledge has been “entombed” by virtue of our reluctance to allow it to bear practical fruition. Consequently, the impetus of the research is a response to the aforementioned gap and is explicated in four phases: Phase 1: A detailed literature review consisting of the review and integration of appropriate preceding resilience research, thereby serving as a possible reference guide for future studies; Phase 2: Provision of a succinct, comprehensive framework for programme development within the field of psychology; Phase 3: Family hardiness was selected as the resilience quality to be attended to via the development of a universal, multidimensional resilience-enhancement programme; Phase 4: An assessment of whether the resilience-enhancement programme is successful in developing the selected resilience quality in families. Following the salutogenic approach, the main theoretical foundation of the investigation resides in the Resiliency Model of Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation (McCubbin & Thompson, 1991). The significant contribution of the research is its provision of a framework for programme development within the field of psychology. Self-report questionnaires and open-ended questions were completed by mothers as representatives of their families. Therefore, the research amalgamated both qualitative and quantitative measures in its quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest natural control-group research design. A total of fifty families living in the Western Cape, South Africa participated in the research. The statistical trends observed in the study hinted at the enhancement potential of family hardiness. It became evident that gender, level of education, income and occupation, emotional intelligence and the time frame of interventions affected the enhancement potential of family hardiness. Age may also play a role, but the conflicting research results render conclusions about the correlation between age and hardiness questionable. Comparative studies would clarify this aspect. Future studies attempting to develop these findings further, need to consider the influence of factors such as gender, level of education, income and occupation, emotional intelligence and the time frame of interventions. Family hardiness is but one of the identified resilience qualities. An exploration of the enhancement potential of other identified resilience qualities will provide a plethora of interventions for service providers to choose from, enabling them to meet families and communities at their point of need. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Nadere ondersoek van veerkragtigheidsnavorsing het aangedui dat sielkundiges die rol van “bewaarders” aangeneem het, waar ons versamelde kennis verberg word as gevolg van ons onwilligheid om dit prakties toe te pas. Gevolglik is hierdie navorsing gedoen in respons op bogenoemde gaping in die navorsing, en word dit in vier fases gelewer: Fase 1: ’n literatuuroorsig wat die voorafgaande veerkragtigheidsnavorsing integreer en hersien ten einde as verwysingsgids te dien vir toekomstige studies; Fase 2: Die voorsiening van ‘n omvattende raamwerk vir programontwikkeling binne die veld van die sielkunde; Fase 3: Gesinsgehardheid is gekies as die veerkragtigheidsfaktor om deur middel van ’n universele, multidimensionele program verryk te word; Fase 4: ‘n Bepaling om te ontdek of die veerkragtigheidsverrykingsprogram suksesvol is om die geselekteerde veerkragtigheidsfaktor in families te verryk. Die studie is gedoen vanuit die salutogeniese benadering. McCubbin en Thompson (1991) se “Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation” is as teoretiese basis benut. Die navorsing se betekenisvolle bydrae lê in die voorsiening van ‘n raamwerk vir programontwikkeling binne die veld van sielkunde. Selfbeskrywingsvraelyste en oop vrae is deur moeders as verteenwoordigers van hulle gesinne voltooi. Die navorsing het dus van beide kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe metings gebruik gemaak in die kwasi-eksperimentele voortoets-natoets, natuurlike kontrolegroep navorsingsontwerp. ’n Totaal van vyftig families wat in die Wes-Kaap van Suid Afrika woonagtig is, het aan die navorsing deelgeneem. Die statistiese neigings wat in die navorsing waargeneem is, sinspeel op die verrykingspotensiaal van gesinsgehardheid. Dit het aan die lig gekom dat geslag, opvoedkundige vlak, inkomste en beroep, emosionele intelligensie en die tydsduur van intervensies die verrykingspotensiaal van gesinsgehardheid beïnvloed. Ouderdom kan ook ‘n invloed hê, maar die teenstrydige navorsingsresultate in dié verband maak gevolgtrekkings oor die korrelasie tussen ouderdom en gesinsgehardheid twyfelagtig. Vergelykende studies sal die bogenoemde kan uitklaar. Toekomstige studies wat poog om die bevindinge van hierdie navorsing verder te ontwikkel, moet die invloed van faktore soos geslag, opvoedkundige vlak, inkomste en beroep, emosionele intelligensie en die tydsduur van intervensies in ag neem. Gesinsgehardheid is maar een geïdentifiseerde veerkragtigheidsfaktor. Verdere ondersoeke na die verrykingspotensiaal van ander veerkragtigheidsfaktore sal ‘n oorvloed van intervensies aan diensleweraars beskikbaar stel, ten einde in die behoeftes van families en gemeenskappe te voorsien.

Thesis (MA (Dept. of Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / The current study was aimed at expanding on and understanding the adaptation and adjustment mechanisms used by families in the wake of heart-related trauma, as a means of providing information that reveals and supports the family's own abilities, capabilities and resilience. The theoretical framework of this study was the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation (McCubbin & Thompson, 1991). The focus of this study is on the existing and new resources (including social support), the situation appraisal (including the family schema) and the problem solving and coping aspects of the family. This focus represents the paradigmatic shift from a pathological view of a family to a salutogenic view. Family resilience factors were collected through the self-report questionnaires and an open ended questionnaire, which were completed by the family member who experienced the heart-related trauma. Results indicated that family time and routines appeared to be a key process for mediating family adaptation, as well as parent-child togetherness and family chores. Affirming communication was identified as a key resilience enhancing factor. Communication that is inflammatory (incendiary communication) was found to have a negative effect on adaptation. Further key processes identified as influencing family adaptation were social support, family hardiness and reframing of problem situations. The identification of key processes that mediate recovery can serve as a valuable guide in the South African context for intervention and prevention, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of families and cardiovascular disease.

M.Phil. / South Africa was excluded from international sport for many years. Competing at Olympic Games and World Championships were dreams lost to a whole generation. Today, some of these former high achievers or sports lovers are now parents helping their children or others competing with the rest in the world and some are even winning medals ...

D.Litt. et Phil. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Previous research indicates that stressors experienced by a family, the perceived level of burden assigned by the family to the stressor, and the utilization of resources predict family functioning. The current study utilized a nationally representative sample of families of children with autistic disorder to determine if previously proposed models of family functioning accurately conceptualized family functioning within a representative sample. Structural equation modeling was utilized to test the double ABCX and the linear ACBX models of family functioning. With slight modifications, the double ABCX model was supported, thus indicating that pileup of stressors, perception of burden, and utilization of resources each have unique predictive ability for family functioning, with perception of burden demonstrating the highest amount of predictive ability. Results, implications, and limitations of the study are discussed.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Family Resilience is a relatively new construct describing how families recover after experiencing stress and adversity. Defined within the salutogenic paradigm, resilience implies the ability to bounce back after being "stretched" or challenged, as well as being able to rise above adversity and to survive stress. Using a cross-sectional, survey research design the present study aimed to further explore and explicate those resiliency factors which enable families to maintain established patterns of functioning when threatened by risk factors. It also aimed to examine those recovery factors which foster the families ability to bounce back from crisis and disruption. Teachers who had accepted the voluntary severance package from the South African Department of Education between 1996 and 1998 were approached to take part in this study on behalf of their family. Thirty participants completed a biographical questionnaire as well as the Family Index of Regenerativity and Adaptation (FIRA-G) which measures the major components of the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation (McCubbin & Thompson, 1991). Results confirmed the relationship between family stressors, family strains and family distress, implying that if stressors and strains are not managed, they pile up, deplete resources and lead to family tension and stress (Lavee, McCubbin & Patterson, 1985; Lavee et al. 1987; McCubbin & Patterson, 1983). Results also highlighted the protective nature of good financial management, suggesting that there are measurable factors which act as crisis-meeting resources, diminish the negative impact and degree of the stressor and ultimately foster resilience and facilitate recovery. Finally, social support was highlighted as a resilience variable. Family schema (encompassing concepts of reframing and spiritual support) remains one of the crucial factors which contributes towards, firstly, the resistance of decay in the face of stressors, and secondly, which facilitates the recovery trajectory. It is maintained that this could be one of the most crucial factors for ongoing investigation in resiliency research. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gesinsveerkragtigheid ("resilience") is 'n relatiewe nuwe konstruk wat verwys na gesinne se vermoë om te herstel nadat hulle spanning en terugslae ervaar het. Dit word beskryf vanuit die salutogenese paradigma en word gedefinieer as gesinne se vermoë om terug te bons nadat hulle teenspoed ervaar het. 'n Dwarsnit navorsingsontwerp is gebruik om die twee aspekte van gesinsveerkragtigheid, naamlik weerstand en herstel, te ondersoek en te beskryf. Weerstandsfaktore verwys na dié faktore wat gesinne in staat stelom gevestigde patrone van funksionering, tydens bedreiging deur risiko-faktore, te handhaaf, terwyl herstel-faktore verwys na dié faktore wat gesinne se vermoë om terug te bons na 'n krisis, bevorder. Onderwysers wat tussen 1996 en 1998 die vrywillige uittredingspakket van die Departement van Onderwys aanvaar het, is genader om namens hul gesinne deel te neem aan hierdie ondersoek. Dertig deelnemers het 'n biografiese vraelys sowel as die "Family Index of Regenerativity and Adaptation" (FIRA-G) voltooi. Die FIRA-G vraelyste meet die hoofkomponente van die "Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation" (McCubbin & Thompson, 1991 ). Resultate het die verband tussen gesinstressors, gesinspanning en gesinsnood bevestig, met die implikasie dat indien 'n opeenhoping van stressors en spanning nie hanteer word nie, gesinshulpbronne uitgeput word en dat dit tot gesinspanning en stres kan lei. Die beskermende aard van goeie finansiële bestuur is bevestig. Sosiale ondersteuning is geïdentifiseer as 'n belangrike faktor in gesinsweerstand. Gesinskemas, wat herformulering en geestelike ondersteuning insluit, blyk 'n deurslaggewende gesinsveerkragtige faktor te wees en behoort in die toekoms verder ondersoek te word.

Abstract not available. / Thesis (M.A.) - University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2000.

HIV/AIDS is no longer seen as an individual problem as it also affects the family as a whole. The purpose of this study is to purpose of analysing the mental health of family affected by HIV/AIDS in Rwanda. It should be noted that there were not studies conducted on the mental health of the affected families in Rwanda. A qualitative approach using case study design was used to describe the mental health of affected family in Rwanda. HIV/AIDS-related stressors, emotional reactions of family members and coping strategies they adopt to deal with those stressors and emotional reactions were studied. The effects of those reactions and strategies on the infected family member as well as the entire family were analysed. A purposive sampling was used to select two families from Mwana Ukundwa Association for the study. The findings of the study showed multiple losses, care, and socio-economic demands as the main stressors for both cases. Emotional reactions to those stressors included shock, anger, sadness, hopelessness, depression, fear and shame. Participants reported using both emotional and problem-focused coping strategies. Compassion, caring and showing concern had positive effects on the infected and affected as well as family members, whereas emotional reactions such as anger, unhappiness, and discouragement had negative effects on the entire family. Positive effects of family reactions and strategies to cope were associated with coping strategies such as; having opportunity to talk: to someone, distraction, family relationships, spiritual support, treatment, and socio-economic support. Ineffective strategies included family communication dysfunction due to withdrawal behaviour, alcohol abuse and going to nightclubs. These strategies had negative effects on both infected and affected family members. The results suggest that health professionals such as nurses, doctors and other healthcare providers should use a holistic approach in caring for infected family members. They should not only provided family care, but also include the family in planning to care for the infected family member. This will empower them to play a more effective role in home care-based. / Thesis (M.N.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2004.

M.Cur. / Schizophrenia is a devastating mental illness and probably the most distressing and disabling mental disorder. It is not the condition of the ill person alone but also of the family which is placed in a crucial and pivotal role and which must take care of the ill relative with schizophrenia. This is so because of the disillusional thinking, altered thought process and distractions of internal stimuli that may interfere with the planning, commitment and rationale for actions, making it difficult for everyone involved. The effects of the illness may be confusing and shocking to families. Parents suffer from great disruptions to their lives and children can struggle with the implications of having a parent suffering from schizophrenia. Siblings of the ill person suffering from chronic schizophrenia are not spared, they even suffer because issues of their own survivorship. The family becomes case managers and primary carers. Family caregivers are vulnerable to emotional manipulation by their mentally ill relative. They are rarely trained/helped to manage difficult circumstances. The family members are called upon for provision of psychological and social therapies, occupational and recreational therapy and attendant care for which they are not trained. The family is also seriously affected and distressed because of the effect schizophrenia has on their relative and the burden of caring. Coping with schizophrenia can especially be difficult for relatives who remember their relative before he or she became ill, giving rise to chronic grieving and sorrow and because of the cyclic nature of schizophrenia giving no definite end point or lengthy respite to complete mourning. The reminders of the "might have been" can be distressing. There is an obvious need for research on the family's experience. It is essential to understand their emotional tones and specific needs in relation to living with a member suffering from chronic schizophrenia as well as to formulate guidelines. The purpose of the study was to explore and describe family member's experiences and to formulate guidelines of care for families living with a member with chronic schizophrenia. The research design was based on qualitative research because of its explorative descriptive and contextual nature. Data were collected by means of indepth phenomenological interviews and naïve sketches. Field notes were written for reflecting upon methods used and the personal notes for the researcher's personal inflections. Literature was used to compare and complement the results. Guba's model on trustworthiness ensured the trustworthiness of the research.

The present study explored the interaction between paediatric asthma and family functioning, within the context of family systems theory. Eight families, each with an asthmatic child between the ages of 8 and 15, were included in this study. In each case, the parents were interviewed and completed a quantitative measure, the Family Assessment Device, The results indicated that each family has a unique way of functioning and of integrating the child's asthma into its lifestyle. Factors found to be involved in the mutual impact of paediatric asthma and family functioning were the size of the family, the severity of the child's condition, the ways in which the family copes with the stress of asthma, communication patterns between parents, compliance with family rules and boundaries, and the affective responsiveness and involvement of family members. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)