M.A. (Psychology) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.A. / The present study explores the effect of social positioning, as manifested in relationship, in shaping personal narratives. Four homosexual men shared aspects of their personal narratives, particularly their experiences of self as a consequence of relationship. The narratives unfold in a setting of marginality, in that homosexuality is regarded as an illegitimate identity within the mainstream contexts of these men. One tape-recorded conversation of an hour and a half was held with each of the participants in the study. The conversation was guided by in-depth considerations of marginality, separation, belonging and the consequences of these. The narratives suggest that these men's sense of self is influenced by how they are addressed by others, demonstrating that relationship is the matrix from which people are socially positioned and from which their narratives of self emerge. Suggestions around alternative resources in accounting for the ontological within psychology include regarding relationship, language and social position as influencing what does manifest as a person's inner world. In order to counteract the tyranny of "normality" perpetuated within the social sciences, normality should be reformulated as a socially prescribed template of being. In terms of marginality, this study implies that marginality is a social process which emanates when a person interacts with people removed from his or her social context. It is a discourse which lacks expansion and focuses predominately on separation and belonging and nuances these. The discourse thereby suggests that marginality is not the function of an overtly disempowered identity vis-à-vis the mainstream, but a function of the discourses which emanate from interaction across dissimilar contexts.

M.A. (Counselling Psychology) / This study is an examination of the context of the gay male individual with HIV illness. A psychosocial model is used to investigate the effects of HIV disease on the individual, his partner and the relationship. The model includes a discussion of variables which are related to adjustment to the disease." These include the special characteristics of HIV disease such as the stigma and the progressive nature of the disease. Furthermore the personality characteristics of the individual and the characteristics of his situation are examined. These factors together contribute to making HIV positive diagnosis a crisis for the individual in his context. A case study approach was used to research the subjective experiences of an HIV infected gay man and his partner. In depth interviews were conducted in order to obtain qualitative data on the individuals within the context of their relationship. The data obtained from the interviews supports the literature in many respects. Of special importance is the impact of an HIV positive diagnosis on intimacy in the relationship. Also important are the changes which occur in the sexual relationship as a result of fear of transmission of the HIV virus. Other important changes include adapting to the uncertainty of living with HIV disease and coping with the emotional reactions, which follow HIV diagnosis. The study highlights the importance of emotional support within the primary relationship as well as the role of friends and family in adjusting to HIV disease. The study also demonstrates the importance of effective communication in dealing with the various stresses associated with HIV disease. Lastly therapeutic interventions have been suggested for counselling the gay infected person and his partner in order to help them to cope with the crisis of HIV disease.