The mental health field lacks an array of effective interventions designed to assist women victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). Moreover, treatment modalities responsive to the needs of racially and ethnically diverse populations are under researched. This presents a significant challenge to serving ethnic minority women who are known to experience more crime, violence victimization, and psychological trauma than their dominant-ethnic group counterparts. This study integrated research and theory of trauma with current IPV literature and tested the utility of a brief trauma-based approach in reducing trauma related symptomatology in a predominantly Latina and African American clinical sample. Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR) is a time limited intervention that seeks to resolve trauma and psychological symptoms through various memory-based methods, guided exposure techniques, and the use repetitious story-telling of traumatic event(s). By taking this approach, this research sought to add to the emerging literature on the effects of TIR in alleviating symptoms associated with trauma exposure. Treatment effects in 106 survivors of IPV were examined (age = 36, SD=9, 80.2% Latina, 19.8% African American, mean hours spent in TIR treatment M = 6.4, SD = 5.28). Paired t-tests supported the hypotheses that TIR significantly (p < .001) reduced symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression and increased self-concept. Multiple regression analyses found that as the hours in TIR increased so did the participants self-concept (R2 = .179, F(4, 75) = 4.08, p = .005). Multiple regression analysis also supported the hypothesis that as the total number of crimes as a victim increased Depression increased significantly (R2 = .125, F(4, 76) = 2.72, p = .036). Chi squares and t-tests found no differences between those who remained in treatment versus those who terminated prematurely.

Current studies in peace-building suggest that effective peace-building approaches comprise of intervention strategies that value the interconnectedness of trauma and peace-building processes. However current research reports suggest that there is limited evidence supporting this notion. In addition, there is little information as to how to effectively integrate the two themes to achieve lasting peace. The research study aims to articulate the role of an integrated approach to peace-building to inform current practice and it serves to encourage the donor community to support initiatives which recognise the link between trauma and peace building. The research took a close look at experiences of participants who attended trauma recovery workshops conducted by Sinani (an isiZulu word meaning “we are with you”), the KwaZulu-Natal Programme for Survivors of Violence, the name of the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) for which the researcher works. In particular, it explored how participants who had attended these workshops could serve as catalysts to peace by examining their experiences of violence in relation to trauma and peace-building. In addition it attempted to explore experiences of participants who did not attend Sinani trauma recovery workshops and the possible implication this would have for trauma and peace-building. Furthermore it analysed recent research papers and reports which addressed trauma and peace-building from a psycho-social perspective. The proposed hypothesis is that if trauma support work is ignored in post conflict peace-building processes, certain survivors of past violence are at risk of becoming perpetrators of future violence. Integrating trauma support work in peace-building interventions will yield lasting peace. The emerging findings suggest several factors contribute to violence and peace-building. Children’s exposure to violence, the extent of trauma and certain aspects of the criminal justice system have been described by participants as factors that contribute to violence. Equally participants suggested a competent leadership collective, functioning safety and security structures as valuable contributions to peace. Other valuable insights were shared by participants on the role of spirituality as well as indigenous cultural rituals valuable in the trauma and peace-building field. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.

Traffic signals are very cost effective tools for urban traffic management in urban areas. The number of intersections in Sweden controlled by traffic signals has increased since the seventies, but efforts to study the traffic performance of the employed strategies are still lacking. The LHOVRA technique is the predominant isolated traffic signal control strategy in Sweden. Past-end green was originally incorporated as part of LHOVRA (the “O” function) and was intended to reduce the number of vehicles in the dilemma zone. Coordinated signal control in Sweden is often fixed-time with local vehicle actuated signal timing adjustments and bus priority. This research study was undertaken to increase the knowledge of the traffic performance impacts of these strategies. The aim was to evaluate the following control strategies using Stockholm as a case study: 1. The LHOVRA technique with a focus on the “O” function; 2. Fixed time coordination (FTC); 3. Fixed time coordination with local signal timing adjustment (FTC-LTA); 4. FTC-LTA as above + active bus priority (PRIBUSS); 5. Self-optimizing control (SPOT). Field measurements were used for study of driver behavior and traffic impacts as well as for collecting input data needs for simulation. The results from low speed approaches showed a higher proportion of stopped vehicles after receiving green extension. Moving the detectors closer to the stop line, and/or making the detectors speed dependent were suggested as measures to solve these problems. The VISSIM simulation model calibrated and validated with empirical data was used to study traffic performance and safety impacts of the LHOVRA technique as well as to test the suggested improvements. The simulation experiment results from these design changes were shown to reduce accident risk with little or no loss of traffic performance. TRANSYT was used to produce optimized fixed signal timings for coordinated intersections. HUTSIM simulations showed that local signal timing adjustment by means of past-end green was beneficial when applied to coordinated traffic signal control in the study area. Both delays and stops were reduced, although not for the main, critical intersection which operated close to capacity. To study the impacts of strategies for coordinated signal control with bus priority, extensive field data collection was undertaken during separate time periods with these strategies in the same area using mobile and stationary techniques. A method to calculate the approach delay was developed based on the observed number of queuing vehicles at the start and end of green. Compared to FTC-LTA, the study showed that PRIBUSS reduced bus travel time. SPOT reduced both bus and vehicle travel time. Future research efforts for the development of signal control strategies and their implementation in Sweden should be focused on strategies with self-optimization functionality. / QC 20100408

My purpose with the envisaged study was to determine the effect a critical incident have on employees and how their functioning, psychosocially and at work is affected. Furthermore the goal was to determine if the employees who was affected by a critical incident was exposed to Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) intervention, and if so did it have an impact on their functioning ( Psychosocial and work performance). An extended literature study was conducted to comprehend the meaning of trauma, the different facets of trauma, how it can impact on an emotional, physical, cognitive and behavioural level. The literature study further focused on the impact of a critical incident on the work performance and family life of the employee. Attention was given to the models in CISM intervention, the role of Employee assistance programs as well as the perceived outcomes of interventions the respondents were exposed to. In the study, data was collected in a qualitative as well as a quantitative manner. In the quantitative study two questionnaires were used as tool to collect information. In the qualitative study the researcher used clinical case notes as part of the document analysis as well as a semi structured interview with both the employee as well as the manager as data sources. Respondents (therapists) were selected according to the probability sampling procedure for the quantitative study and respondents volunteered to participate in the qualitative study after participating in the quantitative study. Participation in the study was voluntary and the participation rate in the quantitative study was 67.5% and in the qualitative study 22.22% It was evident from the study that employees were affected by a variety of critical incidents divergent in severity, circumstances and duration. The impact on each individual was unique and responses ranged in terms of severity. It was evident from the study that employees were affected by the critical incident and subsequently their work performance and psychosocial functioning was affected. The study managed to provide sufficient evidence on the impact of the critical incident on the psychosocial functioning and work performance of the employee. The research proved that individual counselling is effective in working through the incident and improving the psychosocial functioning and work performance significantly. The study also proved that intervention in the form of defusing, debriefing, individual counselling and aftercare is effective in addressing employees' reactions, supporting them to recover emotionally from the critical incident and improving their psychosocial functioning and subsequently their work performance. Conclusions and recommendations were made in terms of the empirical findings. The researcher hope that these conclusions and recommendations will be of value and contribute to the study field of CISM and EAP and have a positive impact on employees exposed to critical incidents and their recovery process. / Thesis (DPhil)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted