This research investigated the effects of mothers' and stepfathers' parental behaviors on late adolescent adjustment and the moderating effects of stepfathers' parental status on the relationship between stepfathers' parental behaviors and late adolescent adjustment. In Study 1 a measure for parental status (PSI: The Parental Status Inventory) was developed. Parental status, as a social cognition, addresses the degree to which the stepparent is perceived as a parent by the stepchild, the stepparent, and/or the residential parent. Findings resulted in a 14-item scale with good reliability (Cronbach's alpha .97). The PSI was moderately associated with attachment and closeness to the stepparent but was not associated with peer attachments. The PSI had a low to moderate association with the age of the respondent at the time the stepfamily originated. In Study 2, the effects of late adolescent perceptions of parental behaviors by mothers and stepfathers on late adolescent adjustment and the moderating effects of stepfathers' parental status on the relationship between his parenting behaviors and late adolescent adjustment were explored. Results of a series of hierarchical multiple regression analyses with interaction terms indicated that, of mothers' and stepfathers' parenting behaviors, only mothers' connection explained a significant amount of variance (10%) in female adaptive behaviors. The models explaining problem behavior in late adolescents did not show significant results for either females or males. Additional findings were that parental status did not moderate the effects of stepfathers' connection, regulation or psychological control on late adolescent adaptive or problem behaviors for either females or males. In summary, parental status did not moderate the variables in question. However, the evidence from this research suggests that the construct of parental status is valid and that the PSI is a valid and reliable measure. Together the construct of parental status and the PSI have the potential to contribute to the development of knowledge in stepfamilies in theoretical, research and clinical settings.

This research investigated the effects of mothers' and stepfathers' parental behaviors on late adolescent adjustment and the moderating effects of stepfathers' parental status on the relationship between stepfathers' parental behaviors and late adolescent adjustment. In Study 1 a measure for parental status (PSI: The Parental Status Inventory) was developed. Parental status, as a social cognition, addresses the degree to which the stepparent is perceived as a parent by the stepchild, the stepparent, and/or the residential parent. Findings resulted in a 14-item scale with good reliability (Cronbach's alpha .97). The PSI was moderately associated with attachment and closeness to the stepparent but was not associated with peer attachments. The PSI had a low to moderate association with the age of the respondent at the time the stepfamily originated. In Study 2, the effects of late adolescent perceptions of parental behaviors by mothers and stepfathers on late adolescent adjustment and the moderating effects of stepfathers' parental status on the relationship between his parenting behaviors and late adolescent adjustment were explored. Results of a series of hierarchical multiple regression analyses with interaction terms indicated that, of mothers' and stepfathers' parenting behaviors, only mothers' connection explained a significant amount of variance (10%) in female adaptive behaviors. The models explaining problem behavior in late adolescents did not show significant results for either females or males. Additional findings were that parental status did not moderate the effects of stepfathers' connection, regulation or psychological control on late adolescent adaptive or problem behaviors for either females or males. In summary, parental status did not moderate the variables in question. However, the evidence from this research suggests that the construct of parental status is valid and that the PSI is a valid and reliable measure. Together the construct of parental status and the PSI have the potential to contribute to the development of knowledge in stepfamilies in theoretical, research and clinical settings. / Education, Faculty of / Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of / Graduate

published_or_final_version / abstract / Clinical Psychology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

Cancer is often considered more frightening than other equally lethal diseases. There is a mythology surrounding cancer, with many superstitious beliefs. Cancer is associated with prolonged suffering, with wasting away, and with a slow lingering death. Cancer includes multiple physical needs, intense psychological distress manifested by pain, anxiety and depression and restrictions in social and sexual functioning for both the cancer patient and the relative. Cancer can increasingly be characterised as a chronic disease with considerable, continuing and fluctuating specific needs and problems for patients as well as their families. There is an obvious need for research on the family’s experience, essential to gain a better understanding of their emotions and needs. Most research has been performed among family members of the frail elderly or cognitively impaired patients. Research focusing exclusively on the caregiving process involving cancer patients and their families is scarce. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe family members’ experiences, and their specific needs in relation to the relative with cancer. The research design was based on qualitative research because of its exploratory, descriptive and contextual nature. The collection of the data was done by means of individual interviews and field notes reflecting the observation done during the interviews. The analysis of the data was done according to Tesch’s approach of data reduction. Literature was used to compare and complement the results. Applying Guba’s model on trustworthiness ensured the trustworthiness of the research. The results of the fieldwork indicated the following themes and categories: • Emotional experiences of the family members of a cancer patient • Uncertainty about how to relate to and care for the cancer patient. • Variety of emotions stemming from their experience with a cancer patient. • Family members express their specific needs. • Need to understand the nature and implications of the patient’s cancer. • Need to understand the impact on the family dynamics. • Need to gain insight into their personal relationships with the cancer patient. Based on these findings, guidelines were presented for the development of a psycho-educational programme to assist family members of cancer patients. / Prof. C.P.H. Myburgh

La famille est un lieu d’ambivalences et de contradictions. Si d’un côté, elle se définit comme une zone de réconfort, d’entraide, d’affection et surtout de protection contre les maltraitances de la vie de l’autre, elle est surtout le premier foyer d’émergence de la violence. Honteuse, celle-ci impose le silence et échappe donc très souvent aux autorités. Notre étude s’attache à lever le voile sur un sujet extrêmement tabou et méconnu à l’époque. Exposer et expliquer les relations très conflictuelles entre les différentes personnes, que compose la famille nucléaire. La violence n’est pas une mais multiple. Elle est de nature physique (coups, blessures, sévices à caractère sexuel) mais aussi économique (l’atteinte aux biens, le manque, la privation et la soustraction volontaire et consciente) ou encore morale (l’emprise psychologique, insultes, rabaissements). Une dérive comportementale exercée entre les époux (la violence dite conjugale) et aussi par les parents à l'encontre de leur progéniture (violence parentale) et réciproquement. Dans une ville, Paris et plus largement le département de la Seine, se voulant un pôle de modernité, précurseur en matière d’évolution des mœurs et des mentalités, la violence n’en n’est pas moins palpable. Son mode de vie, ses contraintes quotidiennes, influencent considérablement les comportements familiaux. À cela s’ajoute un contexte difficile : celui de l’avant-guerre marqué par la crise économique et politique puis celui de l’Occupation Allemande suite à la défaite française. Une situation exceptionnelle et difficile qui impacte les relations familiales et peut donner lieu à l’apparition de la violence. / Family is a place of ambivalence and contradiction. On the one hand, it can be defined as a zone of comfort, mutual aid, affection and above all protection against all kinds of mistreatment. On the other hand, it can be the very centre of abuse and its first source. This shameful violence compels people to silence and therefore often escapes the authorities. Our study aims at unveiling this important taboo, little known at the time. At exposing and explaining the highly antagonistic relationships between the members of a nuclear/conjugal family. Violence takes many forms. It can be physical (blows, injuries, sexual abuse) but also economic (property offences, need, deprivation, deliberate theft) or even moral (psychological hold on someone, insults, debasement). It can also derive from changes of behaviour, which generate conflicts between spouses (conjugal violence), but also between parents and their offspring (parental violence or child violence towards parents). In a city like Paris – and more generally in the Seine department – which claims to be a centre of modernity, a pioneer as regards changes in social mores and ways of thinking, violence is no less obvious. Its way of life and daily obligations affect family behaviours in a significant manner. Added to this is a difficult context: the pre-war period, marked by economic and political crises, then by German Occupation following French defeat. An exceptional and tragic situation, which has an impact on family relationships and can give rise to violence.

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Clinical Psychology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Clinical Psychology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Clinical Psychology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

No description available.

This paper proposes that remarried families who have a higher level of family ritual observance will also have a higher level of family functioning. This hypothesis was tested in a study involving 60 individuals comprising 30 couples remarried over two years, and with a stepchild under 13 years of age. Each partner responded to a questionnaire composed of family functioning measures (FACES Ill-Adaptability and Cohesion subscales, Family Satisfaction Scale, Quality Marriage Index) family ritual measures (Family Traditions Index, Family Celebrations Scale, Family Time and Routines Index), and demographic information. Data was examined using Correlation, Analysis of Variance, and Regression analysis. Results indicate that women experiencing a higher level of family routines also experience greater family satisfaction. Additionally, women who had counselling in the remarried family, report greater marital quality, and women who work outside the home report a higher level of adaptability. For men, a higher level of cohesion and family celebrations were found for men where the remarried family includes a child from the current marriage. These results suggest that awareness of family rituals present in remarried families and the effect of particular demographic variables can be useful information for both family therapists and the families themselves. / Education, Faculty of / Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of / Graduate