Thesis (Ph. D.)--Universität Hamburg, 1994. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record.

Thesis (M.A.)--Lancaster Bible College, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 83-87).

Thesis (MA (Counselling Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references. Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

M.A. (Psychology) / This study set out to try and find some answers to questions pertaining to psychotherapy groups in the admissions ward of a psychiatric hospital. The questions were about the effect of group therapy on: * the system of the psychiatric hospital; * the therapists within the system of the psychiatric hospital; * the members of the groups (the patients). * which prosesses took place within the group therapy that can be regarded as therapeutic, and * which prosesses can be described as anti-therapeutic and destructive? The study is descriptive in nature and looks in turn to group therapy in the context of the psychiatric hospital and the efforts of two clinical psychology interns to run therapy groups in the admissions ward of a psychiatric hospital. The conclusion is made that the effectiveness of group therapy in a psychiatric hospital is limited as long as the epistemological differences between psychiatry and psychology are not attended to and as long as the status of psychologists in general, and interns in particular, stays as it is at present. With this in mind, recommendations are made regarding the context, organisation, goals and structure of group therapy as well as the role of the therapist, training of interns in group therapy and further research.

M.A. / This action research study explored the development and workings of a monthly, openended depression and anxiety support group based in Johannesburg, Gauteng. Although the growth of mutual-aid groups has escalated over the past three decades, there is little research on support groups created solely for the purpose of servicing depression and anxiety sufferers. Researchers have indicated that support and information at these meetings may prove to be a valuable and effective intervention which helps sufferers come to terms with their condition (Miller, 1987; Stein, Zungu-Dirwayi, Wessels, Berk & Wilson, 1998). The study at hand aimed to elucidate the ways in which the depression and anxiety support group was experienced as helpful, as well as those areas which could be improved to increase the effectiveness of the group system. The support group was examined over an eleven-month period, November 1999 – October 2000, during which time the progress and experiences of three new group members was specifically observed and chronicled. Seven participants, including three members of a support group catering for black depression and anxiety sufferers, were initially sourced and screened for inclusion in the study. Although not intentional, the three subjects that finally fulfilled the criteria for inclusion in the study were all white females attending the Johannesburg support group. Relevant data on the three participants was collected systematically over this period through a process of triangulation. Methods included structured and semi-structured interviews, written reports, questionnaires and participant observation. The grounded theory approach allowed the researcher to work inductively with the data and to discern and explore the connections between elements and patterns that emerged in the analysis. An integration of the research data revealed that the group was primarily helpful to participants through the factors of universality, cohesion, didactic instruction and downward social comparison. Furthermore, the results indicated that participants presenting with prominent avoidant personality disorder (APD), as measured by the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II, are likely to strongly value the relief from social isolation that the support group setting affords them, as well as gaining comfort from belonging to and being accepted by a group and improving their interpersonal skills. On the negative front, the group would or could not move beyond a formative, early stage of group development. As a result, its members were either caught in a repetitive cycle of exploring the same territory or lost interest after a relatively short period of time and terminated membership. Based on the findings of this study, it is suggested that members be afforded the opportunity of attending a more advanced therapy group once they feel they have gained the necessary relief from the primary support group. The support group plays a valuable role of reassuring members that they are not alone in their suffering, offering them the learning experience of being accepted by a group and introducing them to group format and protocol. However, once a foundation has been established, it is likely that members would benefit from joining a more advanced group in which interpersonal learning and role modelling is emphasized. Members need an arena where they can explore their behaviour and feelings in depth, and with other members who are functioning at a similar level. It is hoped that the findings of this study will increase understanding of support group functioning, provide suggestions for future research involving APD clients and depression and/or anxiety sufferers in support gr oup settings and make some contribution towards theory-building in this field.

The current dissertation is comprised of two studies that examined the relationship between group dynamics, attachment anxiety, and post-treatment outcomes in a sample of women (N = 102) with binge eating disorder (BED) who received Group Psychodynamic Interpersonal Psychotherapy. The first study explored the relationship between the development of group cohesion, the individuals’ level of attachment anxiety, and frequency of binge eating, symptoms of depression, and self-esteem at post-treatment. The second study explored the relationship between the interpersonal learning, individuals’ level of attachment anxiety, and outcomes. Interpersonal learning was conceptualized as the convergence between multiple perspectives of group cohesion: one’s own and the group’s perception of one’s cohesion to the group. Parallel measures of individual self-rated cohesion (CQ-I) and mean group-rated cohesion (CQ-G) were developed based on the original Cohesion Questionnaire (CQ; Piper et al., 1983) for this study. Participants were assigned to homogeneous groups composed of either high or low attachment anxiety to assess the impact of pre-treatment attachment anxiety. Findings indicated significant growth in cohesion over time, and a significant convergence in multiple ratings of cohesion. These processes did not differ significantly based on level of attachment anxiety. Growth in cohesion was related to greater reductions in binge eating for those high in attachment anxiety, while the convergence in ratings of cohesion (i.e., interpersonal learning) was related to improvements in self-esteem for individuals in both attachment anxiety conditions. The findings support the importance of group interventions for BED that are sensitive to individuals’ attachment anxiety, and that emphasize cohesiveness, and interpersonal learning to improve outcomes.

M.Cur. (Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.A. (Clinical Psychology) / This study concerns itself with relaxation training and social support as alternative forms of treatment for hypertension in renal patients. following the success of these in the treatment of essential hypertension (Lagrone et al 1986). Three groups of renal dialysis patients were chased for the study. The first group underwent relaxation training, the second group participated in group therapy sessions whieh emphasized social support. and the last group acted as a control group. The following hypotheses were made: I. Renal dialysis patients that receive progressive muscle relaxation training will show a significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure rate. 2. Renal dialysis patients that participated in a number of group therapy sessions will show significant decreases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

No description available.

Adlerian Brief Therapy is a specific approach to Individual Psychology that uses relational strategies to bring about effective change in the lives of individuals, groups, couples, and families (Bitter, Christensen, Hawes, & Nicoll, 1998; Sonstegard, Bitter, Pelonis-Peneros, & Nicoll, 2001). In this article, the authors discuss a relationship- intervention continuum as an integration of two approaches. A therapy session demonstrating Adlerian Brief Therapy with individuals is used to highlight the integration.