This thesis is an investigation of social problem-solving skills, psychological distress, and supportive relationships among three distinct samples. The research groups comprise a) 25 depressed inpatients and a matched comparison group; b) 50 hospital admissions following an act of suicidal behaviour; and c) 5 sub-groups of incarcerated young offenders (inmates on Strict Suicidal Supervision, inmates on protection, victims of bullying, identified bullies, comparison group) with 25 inmates in each group. Data was collected by structured interviews, standardised psychometric measures of mood states (e.g. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Beck Hopelessness Scale), problem-solving ability (e.g. Means-Ends Problem-Solving Procedure) and supportive relationships (e.g. Significant Others Scale). Data were analysed by means of parametric statistical techniques (e.g. analyses of variance and multiple regression analyses). Eight cross-sectional studies are reported. Depressed patients demonstrated problem-solving difficulties, which were related to the level of psychological distress experienced. Clinically depressed patients were also found to differ from a comparison group in their autobiographical memory recall and concentration ability - both of which were related to their impoverished problem-solving ability. Deficits in problem-solving ability in the depressed patients were not an artefact of their verbal IQ. Regression analyses of the data relating to suicidal community inpatients illustrated that social support variables were the prime predictors of suicidal intent, depression and hopelessness. Social problem-solving variables also emerged as significant predictors of psychological distress, albeit to a lesser extent. Social support and problem-solving variables were also important moderator variables in the relationship between stress and suicidality. The studies conducted with young offenders illustrated a hierarchy of problem-solving deficits and psychological distress among the inmate groups. Problem-solving ability was not an artefact of verbal IQ. The value of using problem-solving interventions with vulnerable offenders is discussed. The importance of prison relationships in the experience of stress by inmates was also highlighted. Similarly, parental relationships were related to the levels of distress experienced while incarcerated. The results of each study are discussed in relation to the relevant literature, practical implications for clinical interventions with each group, and suggestions for future research. The findings of the thesis are discussed in relationship to transactional, stress-hopelessness-distress models of psychological illness and distress.

Thesis (MEd)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study is to research the establisment of a culture of learning in a childcare school. The appeal by the government of the establisment of a culture of learning, serves as background to this study. This appeal implies a change of attitude by both learners and educators with regard to the learning and teaching process. The objective of this change is to prioritize learning and teaching in schools. This will enable learners to effectively develope intelectually, personally and socially. The feasibility to transform the school to a learning organization , is being researched. In a learning organization , learning is being internalised. Transformation to a learning organization will ensure that the school keeps pace with, and make the neccesary adjustments relative to the change. In achieving the transformation to a learning organization, such a school can be sure that learning and teaching will remain a top priority. This study is a situational analysis of a childcare school, which requested to remain anonymous. This analysis clearly expose the lack of a culture of learning at this school, due to the cultural bagage of the learners, which are manifested in serious behavioral problems, and which in turn prevent an effective learning prosess. The behavioral problems impede an the educators abillity to teach effevtively. It leads to high stress levels and a low morale. It is very clear that this situation can only be remedied if the behavioral problems of the learners are effectively dealt with. The study begins with identifying the problems and setting the questions for research. In the ensuring chapters, a study of the literature, a situational analysis and proposed programme to establish a culture of learning, follows. The proposed programme, amongst others, put forward a strategy to eliminate the behavioral problems of learners as well as reducing the stress-levels of the educators. It uniformaly focusses on the role of the prinicipal in obviating the said encumbrances, and the transformation to a learning organization. The programme includes a comprehensive discussion of strategic planning as an instrument In establishing a culture of learning and transformation to a learning organization. The programme can possibly serve as a guideline for schools which accommodate large numbers oflearners with serious behavioral problems. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die vestiging van 'n leerkultuur in 'n kinderhuisskool is in hierdie studie ondersoek. Die studie is onderneem teen die agtergrond van die regenng se oproep om 'n leerkultuur in ons skole te vestig. Hierdie oproep impliseer 'n verandering in leerders en onderwysers se ingesteldheid ten opsigte van leer en onderwys. Hierdie verandering het dit ten doel dat leer en onderrig prioriteit in skole sal geniet. Die moontlikheid om die skool in 'n lerende organisasie te transformeer word ondersoek. In 'n lerende organisasie word leer geïnternaliseer. Transformasie na 'n lerende organisasie sal verseker dat die skool tred hou met verandering en die nodige koersaanpassings maak. Indien 'n skool daarin kan slaag om tot 'n lerende organisasie te transformeer sal dit verseker dat leer en onderrig altyd prioriteit by die skool sal bly. Hierdie studie is 'n situasie-analise van 'n kindershuisskool, wie op versoek anoniem wil bly. Vanuit die situasie-analise blyk dit duidelik dat daar nie 'n leerkultuur in die skool aanwesig is nie. Die leerders se kulturele bagasie, wat uitdrukking vind in ernstige gedragsprobleme, verhoed dat effektiewe leer plaasvind. Die gedragsprobleme kortwiek die onderwysers se werkverrigting aangesien dit aanleiding gee tot hoë stresvlakke en dus 'n lae moraal. Dit blyk baie duidelik dat dit slegs moontlik sal wees om 'n leerkultuur te vestig indien die leerders se gedragsprobleme effektief aangespreek kan word. Die studie begin deur die probleem en navorsingsvrae te stel. Die volgende hoofstukke behels 'n studie van die literatuur, die situasie-analise en 'n voorgestelde program om 'n leerkultuur in die skool te vestig. Die voorgestelde program doen, onder andere, strategieë aan die hand om die leerders se gedragsprobleme te elimineer en om die onderwysers se stresvlakke te laat daal. Dit fokus deurgaans op die prinsipaal se rol in die uitskakeling van bogenoemde hindernisse en sy rol in die vestiging van 'n leerkultuur en die transformering na 'n lerende organisasie. Die program sluit 'n volledige bespreking van strategiese beplanning as instrument in die vestiging van 'n leerkultuur en die transformering na 'n lerende organisasie in. Die program kan moontlik as riglyn dien vir skole wie groot getalle leerders met gedragsprobleme huisves.

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

published_or_final_version / Sociology / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work