Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS in CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY at the UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND, 2004. / This study explores the experiences of children exposed to domestic violence. The aim of the study is to contribute to a better understanding of how domestic violence affects children and to offer them an opportunity to describe their views on how the situation can be improved. The design used in this study is a qualitative phenomenological approach. Data was collected through individual semi-structured interviews with nine children between the ages of eight and fourteen years staying at St. Anthony's Children's Home, Blaauwbosch. These children were taken away from their homes as a result of domestic violence. The interviews were audiotape and transcribed verbatim for each participant. The data was then categorized, coded and analyzed in order to discover common and unique themes that form a general description of the experiences of children exposed to domestic violence. The results revealed that children prefer to be taken away from homes where there is domestic violence. While the social welfare department sometimes intervenes to restore family stability, in this study it became apparent that children are aware of causes or predisposing factors of domestic violence and they are actively involved in seeking solutions. Apart from placement in the children's home, family separation and finding someone to talk to parents were seen as effective ways of improving their situation.

Aim: This study examined the difference in identity development between adolescents exposed to domestic violence and those in non-violent homes, gender differences, as well as the interaction between gender and exposure to domestic violence on identity development of adolescents. Method: Participants consisted of 45 male and 64 female students from the University of Limpopo, whose ages ranged from 15 to 20 years. Adolescents were classified into one of the two domestic violence exposure groups (namely, those from violent homes and nonviolent homes) on the basis of respondents' ratings of their exposure to domestic violence both as witnesses of violence between their parents and direct victims. Their levels of exposure were then compared with identity development. Results: The results indicated that the difference between the two groups of exposure to domestic violence reached a statistical significance on identity development. However, the gender differences in identity development of adolescents exposed to domestic violence and those not exposed did not reach any statistical significance. Again, on the interaction between gender and exposure to domestic violence on identity development, the results revealed no significant or acceptable level of interaction. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.(Clinical Psychology) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2010

Thesis (M. Nurs.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006.

Thesis--PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis--PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2002. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 176-206).

Thesis (DTh)--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Literary and Cultural Studies / Master / Master of Arts

The novel Life As the Invisible Woman, details the death, re-birth and life of a young woman who learns through her experience that she creates "good" and "bad" in the context of her own life, and will continue to do so in an eternal process until, as the character Sarah states in the book, "there is more light in her than water and clay." It is also a story about abuse, domestic violence, and their devastating psychological consequences in the lives of those who experience them.Life As the Invisible Woman is being submitted as a partial manuscript in fulfillment of the creative project requirement for the degree of Master of Arts in creative writing. / Department of English

This research tested the hypothesis that men who batter possess enhanced abilities to self-monitor and self-control their self-presentation, and that this ability is developed through childhood learning. A random telephone survey of male heads of household was used to determine self-monitoring skills, battering behavior, and a childhood history of observing violence.In Shelby County, Tennessee, 212 men were interviewed by 6 trained interviewers. Subjects were divided into "violent" or "non-violent" groups based upon their responses to survey questions 28-45 (Straus', 1979, Conflict Tactic Scale). They were also divided into "history" and "no-history" groups based upon their answers to questions 51-54 (which asked about observing violence as children). These groups were then compared using the self-monitoring scale scores obtained from the first 27 survey questions (The Lennox-Wolfe Self-Monitoring Scale). Other questions, concerning demographic information and conditions surrounding current violence were also cross-tabulated with the different groups using a chi-square test.Of the 212 men in the sample population, the 52 who admitted violent behavior also achieved the highest scores on the self-monitoring scale. These results indicate that men who batter are also the most skilled at self-monitoring and in charge of their projected image. However, no conclusive evidence was found to support the theory that exposing children to violence will result in the development of enhanced self-monitoring skills. Upon examining the situations surrounding violence with a partner, some interesting results were obtained. Men who report being violent are more likely to be violent at night, in the home, and in the presence of children. No relationship was found between the use of alcohol and violent behavior.