Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th (Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology)

Text in Afrikaans / The aim of the study is to describe the ecology of ideas in a family after the traumatic experience of a child. The focus is on developing a new context through which set meanings can expand. Therapeutic conversations and flexible hypnotic techniques, as part of a co-constructured process, are the "instruments" through which new ideas can be formed. The epistemological and theoretical framework of the study is postmodern, social constructionist ideas. Modernistic explanations are provided to fit in with the postmodern "both/and" focus of the study. A social constructionist position implies that the focus is placed on the multiple trauma perceptions of the family and social-cultural domain. Symptoms are viewed as part of the meaning systems in the family. The interconnection between dominant and non-dominant trauma stories is explained. Themes and relationship patterns are exposed and described according to the researcher's own epistemology, reflections and interpretations of the literature. / Clinical Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

Dissociation is commonly associated with sexual crimes or other forms of trauma where a person experienced a threat to the existence or survival of the self. During dissociation the ego may split in such a way that ego-states (subselves or segments of the greater personality) form to encapsulate feelings of guilt, pain, fear, and anger. If dissociation is severe, sufferers will have no conscious recollection of the sexual trauma as it is deeply repressed in the subconscious. This may result in symptoms/pathology later in life. Research indicated that hypnosis (due to its dissociative nature) is favourable as treatment modality for pathology/symptomatology associated with trauma and dissociation. This research study investigates the development of ego-states during experiences of sexual trauma and hypnosis (especially Medical Hypno-analysis and Ego-State Therapy) as effective treatment modality within the field of psycho-education. It proposes a hypnotherapy model where the diagnostic tools as indicated by the Medical Hypno-analysis model, are being used to determine the existence of repressed memories related to sexual trauma. The therapeutic processes as indicated by the Ego-State Therapy model, are being used to resolve and work through the core repressed traumatic experiences through the mobilization of associated and related ego-states. This study presents four case studies and discusses their clinical diagnostic procedures and therapeutic processes. The case studies illustrate that certain symptomatology/pathology experienced later in life may be the result of repressed memories and the formation of maladapted ego-states earlier in life when sexual trauma was experienced. Highly charged emotional and negative beliefs were set in the ego-states and could only be disarmed from their destructive content through regressions and hypnotherapy. A detailed discussion of the proposed hypnotherapy model and its application and concerns regarding its application within the field of psycho-education are also presented. The results of this study indicate that the proposed hypnotherapy model (the combination of Medical Hypno-analysis and Ego-State Therapy) can be used effectively and successfully when working with survivors and symptomatology/pathology associated with sexual crimes. / Educational Studies / D. Ed.

In this study, the use of hypnotherapy in high-risk pregnancy is explored from an ecological systems perspective through two case studies. Each case study is described in detail. They explore the experiences of two women during their pregnancy and giving birth, with specific reference to the pregnancy risks and their use of hypnotherapy. The study provides the reader with an in-depth understanding of the use of hypnotherapy before, during and after birth. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

Spirituality is a word in frequent use in contemporary society. In a broad sense it refers to the 'raison d'etre' of our existence, the meaning and values to which we ascribe. Everyone embodies a spirituality in this wider sense, whether it be nihilistic, materialistic, humanistic or religious. The present study evaluates the phenomenon of the Toronto Blessing in the light of spirituality in general and Christian spirituality in particular. By means of a broadly-based phenomenological methodology, the manifestations accompanying the Toronto Blessing are evaluated firstly, with respect to the Bible; secondly, with respect to the Hindu experience of 'Kundalini awakening'; and thirdly, in terms of neuroscience and certain psychological processes, such as hypnosis, mass hysteria, and the role of body and mind in creating spiritual experiences. Although Charismatics claim that the Toronto Blessing has a sound biblical foundation, no evidence to support this claim has been found. However, striking similarities are found between the manifestations of the Toronto Blessing and the techniques used in the 'Kundalini awakening' for the transference of energy. Finally, the major findings of this study support the conclusion that the Toronto Blessing is largely the result of psychological techniques. The possibility of Godly intervention is not totally excluded, but caution is urged, so as to be aware of extraneous factors that create similar manifestations. While it is agreed that the Toronto Blessing can be seen as an expression of spirituality in a broad sense, nevertheless it cannot be viewed as an expression of Christian spirituality in the Charismatic Movement. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th. (Christian Spirituality)

Wiskunde as taal van die wetenskap en tegnologie is een van die weinige vakke wat spesifiek as voorvereiste vir die bestudering van sekere studierigtings gestel word. Leerlinge met Wiskunde-angs word verhoed om hul ware potensiaal in Wiskunde te verwesenlik en word sodoende gediskwalifiseer om hul regmatige plek in die beroepswereld in te neem. Die doel van hierdie studie was om te bepaal of hipnoterapie aangewend kan word om Wiskunde-angs tot werkbare vlakke te beperk sodat leerlinge optimaal in Wiskunde kan presteer. Die aard, oorsake, aanvang, herkenning, verklaring, gevolge, voorkoms en meting van Wiskunde-angs, die verband daarvan met Wiskundeprestasie en die hulp wat onderwysers en hulpprogramme kan lewer, is nagegaan. Daarna is hipnose en hipnoterapie beskou om te bepaal of dit as terapeutiese hulpmiddel pedagogies verantwoordbaar is. 'n Hipnoterapieprogram is in werking gestel en daar is bevind dat die proefpersone almal tot 'n mindere of meerdere mate daarby gebaat het. / Mathematics as the language of science and technology is one of few subjects used as entrance requirement to certain fields of study. Mathematics anxiety prohibits certain pupils to reach their full potential in Mathematics and thus to obtain their rightful place in the world of work. The aim of this study was to determine whether hypnotherapy can be used to lower Mathematics anxiety levels to such an extend that pupils can optimally achieve in Mathematics. The nature, causes, extent, recognition, explanation, consequences, incidence and measurement of Mathematics anxiety, its relationship to achievement in Mathematics, as well as the help that can be rendered by teachers and treatment programmes were studied. Hypnotherapy was then examined to determine whether its use was pedagogically justifiable. A hypnotherapy treatment programme was introduced which was found to be to some extent beneficial to all the subjects used. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Voorligting)

Text in Afrikaans / Selfmoord is 'n kontroversiele aangeleentheid wat beide omstanders en agterblywendes met onsekerheid vervul. 'n Belangrike rede hiervoor is dat dit 'n onnatuurlike afsterwe is wat teen baie mense se norme en waardes indruis. ldiografiese navorsing is onderneem om die belewenisse van agterblywende gesinslede te ondersoek aangesien hulle die eintlike slagoffers van 'n selfmoord is wat met 'n komplekse realiteit gelaat word. Die doel van die navorsing was om riglyne daar te stel vir die hantering en ondersteuning van hierdie mense. Vanuit 'n in-diepte literatuurstudie, het dit geblyk dat die grootste probleme waarmee agterblywendes gekonfronteer word, wentel random problematiese emosies, veroordeling deur omstanders en belewings van persoonlike onvermoe om te midde van intense rousmart selfaktualisering optimaal te volvoer. 'n Vraelys wat aspekte (socs dit uit die literatuurstudie geblyk het) inkorporeer, is opgestel en aan agterblywendes gegee om te beantwoord. Van die belangrikste elemente wat na vore gekom het, is dat intense verhoudingskomplikasies na 'n selfmoord figureer, dat agterblywendes 'n behoefte het om rouverwerking teen hul eie tempo te doen, dat agterblywendes verkies dat omstanders nie voortdurend die gebeure sal ontleed en soek na oorsake in die teenwoordigheid van agterblywendes nie en dat elke agterblywende persoon se roubelewing persoonlik en uniek is. 'n Hoofstuk is gewy aan 'n wye verskeidenheid terapeutiese tegnieke wat geimplementeer kan word tydens hulpverlening aan agterblywendes. Die studie beskryf ook 'n gevallestudie en die verloop van sestien individuele terapeutiese sessies. In die terapeutiese insette is daar hoofsaaklik gebruik gemaak van hipnoterapie as 'n vorm van ontspanningsterapie waartydens daar gelokus word op problematiese emosies en persepsies wat voortgesette kwalitatiewe selfaktualisering belemmer. In die studie word Opvoedkundige Sielkundige riglyne vir hulpverlening aan agterblywendes, wat benut kan word deur hulpverleners (soos sielkundiges, onderwysers en ander ondersteuningsisteme). verskaf. Die studie bevestig dat die agterblywendes as die werklike slagoffers na 'n selfmoord agtergelaat word, maar dat sinvolle intervensie hierdie persone in staat kan stel om ten spyte van die gebeure weer optimaal te selfaktualiseer. / Suicide is a controversial topic. It causes both bystanders and survivors to feel insecure. An important reason for this is that it is an unnatural death which directly opposes the norms and values of the majority of people. ldiografic research has been undertaken to closely examine the experiences of suicide survivors as they are the real victims who are left to cope with a complex reality after a suicide. The objective of this study was to provide guidelines to effectively manage and render assistance to survivors. From an in depth review of available literature it appeared that troubled emotions, being denounced by bystanders and the inability to proceed with continued qualitative self-actualization are some of the most important problems survivors have to cope with. A questionnaire, incorporating significant aspects reported in literature, was compiled and given to survivors to complete. From their responses certain facets seemed to be problematic. Among the more problematic aspects were complicated interpersonal relations, the basic need to grieve at their own pace, the preference that bystanders avoid analysing the suicide and possible contributing factors (especially in the presence of survivors) and the recognition that each survivor's grief is personal and unique. A chapter has been devoted to a wide range of therapeutic techniques that can be implemented to facilitate the support given to survivors. The study also describes a case study as well as the progression of sixteen individual therapy sessions. Therapeutic intervention was mainly based on hypnotherapy as a form of relaxation therapy during which the focus is placed on problematic emotions and perceptions which prevent continued qualitative self-actualization. Educational Psychological guidelines along which assistance can be rendered by psychologists, teachers as well as other support services are given. This study not only confirms that the survivors are the actual victims of a suicide, but also that it is possible to assist these people to achieve optimal self-actualization through meaningful intervention. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Sielkundige Opvoedkunde)

In this study, hypnotic analgesia in obstetrics is explained in terms of ecosystemic thinking, as opposed to traditional conceptualisations of hypnosis. Five case studies were used. Each case is described in detail, as well as the therapeutic rationale behind each case, in order to present the reader with an understanding for the thinking behind the doing of ecosystemic hypnotherapy. The study utilises a new paradigm approach to research which is explained and is in keeping with ecosystemic epistemology. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

Cette thèse avait pour but premier d’évaluer la douleur chronique endométriosique et ses concomitants (dépression, anxiété et stress), les conséquences de la douleur sur le physique, les activités et le travail, sur la relation maritale et les séquelles sur la qualité de vie chez des participantes souffrant de douleurs pelviennes chroniques diagnostiquées endométriose (laparoscopie). En deuxième lieu, il s’agissait d’évaluer et de comparer l’efficacité des techniques psychologiques de contrôle de la douleur (Hypnose, Cognitif-behavioral) en ajout aux traitements médicaux à un groupe contrôle (Attention thérapeute). L’échantillon était composé de 60 femmes réparties aléatoirement soit à l’un des deux groupes de traitement ou au groupe contrôle. Les instruments de mesure étaient tous des questionnaires déjà traduits en français et validés pour la population francophone québécoise. Des tests du khi-carré ont été effectués pour les variables nominales et des analyses de variances (ANOVA) ont été faites pour les variables continues. Dans des modèles ANOVA estimant l’effet du traitement, du temps et de leur interaction, une différence significative (effet de Groupe ou traitement) a été trouvée pour les variables suivantes : Douleur (McGill :composante évaluative p = 0.02), au moment « présent » de l’Échelle visuelle analogique (EVA, p = 0.05) et dans l’Échelle de Qualité de vie (douleur, p = 0,03) ainsi qu’à la dimension Fonctionnement social de cette dernière échelle (SF-36; p = 0,04). En comparant les données en pré et post-traitement, des résultats significatifs au niveau du Temps ont aussi été mis en évidence pour les variables suivantes : Douleur McGill: Score total, (p = 0,03), Affective (p = 0,04), Évaluative (p = 0,01); Douleur (ÉVA) moment Fort (p < 0,0005), Dépression (p = 0,005), Anxiété (situationnelle/état (p = 0,002), Anxiété/trait (p < 0,001), Stress (p = 0, 003) ainsi que pour quatre composantes de la Qualité de vie (Fonctionnement social, (p = 0,05), Vitalité (p = 0,002), Douleur, (p = 0,003) et Changement de la santé (p < 0,001) et ceci pour les trois groupes à l’exception du groupe Hypnose sur cette dernière variable. Des effets d’Interaction (Groupe X Temps) sont ressortis sur les variables « Conséquences physiques » de la douleur mais sur la dimension « Activités » seulement (p = 0,02), sur l’anxiété situationnelle (État : p = 0,007). Un effet d’interaction se rapprochant de la signification (p = 0,08) a aussi été analysé pour la variable Fonctionnement social (SF-36). L’étude montre une légère supériorité quant au traitement Cognitif-behavioral pour l’anxiété situationnelle, pour le Fonctionnement social et pour la douleur mesurée par le SF-36. L’étude présente des forces (groupe homogène, essai clinique prospectif, répartition aléatoire des participantes et groupe contrôle) mais aussi des lacunes (faible échantillon et biais potentiels reliés à l’expérimentateur et à l’effet placebo). Toute future étude devrait tenir compte de biais potentiels quant au nombre d’expérimentateur et inclure un groupe placebo spécifique aux études à caractère psychologique. Une future étude devrait évaluer le schème cognitif « catastrophisation » impliqué dans la douleur, les traits de personnalité des participantes ainsi que le rôle du conjoint. De plus, des techniques psychologiques (entrevues motivationnelles) récentes utilisées dans plusieurs études devraient aussi être prises en considérations. Tout de même des résultats significatifs offrent des pistes intéressantes pour un essai clinique comportant un échantillon plus élevé et pour un suivi à long terme. / The goal of the study was twofold. The first objective was to assess chronic endometriotic pain and its psychological dimensions (depression, anxiety, stress), and the consequences on the marital adjustment, and quality of life on women diagnosed with endometriosis by laparoscopy. The second objective was to compare two psychological treatments with a control group (no active treatment). Sixty women were randomly assigned to one of the treatment groups (Hypnosis, Cognitive-behavioural) or to the control group (Therapist Attention). All measures were valid and the French translation had been adapted for the Quebec population. The statistical analysis were the Chi-square for nominal measures and ANOVAS for the continuous variables. ANOVAS’s model estimate Treatment effect, Time effect and Interaction Group X Time. Both interventions (Group effect) were significantly positive for the pain dimension on the McGill questionnaire but on the Evaluative dimension only (p = 0,02), pain on “present” time on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS, p = 0,05), pain in the Quality of life scale (SF-36, p = 0,03), and on Social functioning dimension measured by SF-36 (p = 0,04). When comparing data following treatment (post-treatment) with the baseline measures (pre-testing), Time effect occurred for the three groups on following variables: pain (McGill): Total score (p = 0, 03), Affective (p = 0, 04), Evaluative (p = 0,01), pain measured by a Visual analogue scale (VAS) at the Highest level (p < 0,0005), on Depression (p = 0,005), for State anxiety (p = 0,002), and Trait Anxiety (p < 0,001), on Stress (p = 0,003), and on four dimensions on the Quality of Life’s scale (SF-36): Social functioning (p = 0, 05), Vitality (p = 0,002), Pain (p = 0,003), and Health change (p < 0,001) where the group Hypnosis seems to do better for the last variable. Interaction effect (Group X Time) were statistically significant for dimension Activities in the Physical pain (SF-36, p = 0,02), and on State Anxiety (p = 0,007). Interaction effect close to statistically significant results (p = 0,08) on Social functioning (SF-36) has also been analyze. In this study, all group showed a comparable reduction of pain at the end of treatment, and an increase level of activities in the Cognitive-behavioural group. For the secondary variables the statistical results went in the same direction as the primary variable (pain). The level of depression, anxiety, and stress decreased with time for all groups. The study also showed a mild superiority of the Cognitive-behavioural treatment on State anxiety, Social functioning, and on Pain measured by the SF-36. Statistical analysis didn’t show any change for the marital situation. Quality of life showed positive results on four scales only (social functioning, vitality, pain and perception change in health). The study presents strengths (homogenous group, prospective study, control group and randomisation) and some weaknesses (small number of participants, potential bias with one interviewer, and absence of placebo group). Even so, statistically significant results emerge and are promising for new studies with a higher number of subjects. We also recommend a long time follow-up. Future studies should take into account a distorted cognitive schema (catastrophization), personality traits well documented in chronic pain syndrome, and spouse’s role. We also recommend the use of “Motivational Interview” recently described in the literature.

In this study, the use of hypnotherapy in high-risk pregnancy is explored from an ecological systems perspective through two case studies. Each case study is described in detail. They explore the experiences of two women during their pregnancy and giving birth, with specific reference to the pregnancy risks and their use of hypnotherapy. The study provides the reader with an in-depth understanding of the use of hypnotherapy before, during and after birth. / Psychology / M. A. (Psychology)