This study investigated the differences between descriptions of the lived experiences of painful loneliness and comfortable aloneness. Loneliness, is documented as a modern-day social problem, associated with psychic pain and suffering and myriad mental and physical health problems. Uncomplicated, comfortable or neutral aloneness, is scarce in the literature, with allusions to the possibility that people may never feel lonely. The 'essences' of the experience ofpainfol loneliness have been gathered from the literature, while the 'essences' of the experience of comfortable aloneness have been gathered interviews with five people who are comfortable or ambivalent about their aloneness. The qualitative methods of heuristic and phenomenological research have been used to interpret and make sense of the raw data generated. It was found that the subjective experiences of aloneness and loneliness are fundamentally different, and that the thoughts, meanings and realities associated with either state are similarly disparate. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

O presente estudo enfoca o trabalho tradutório de Franz Rosenzweig, que esse autor considerava um dos melhores exemplos de aplicação prática do sistema filosófico apresentado em sua obra maior, A Estrela da Redenção. Entender de que forma uma prática de tradução pode constituir-se em aplicação de uma filosofia tão densa e carregada de noções teológicas, bem como compreender de que maneira o minimalismo das inovadoras técnicas de tradução de Rosenzweig (que chegam a levar em conta aspectos de nível fisiológico do leitor) pode propiciar que sejam alcançados objetivos tão grandiosos quanto o preservar-se na tradução o potencial de Revelação do texto original, são alguns dos objetivos deste estudo. Na busca de superar-se uma dicotomia que é, indevidamente, pouco notada na obra de Rosenzweig, e também para se dar conta de uma certa confusão de categorias teológico-filosóficas com categorias lingüísticas, confusão essa que dificulta o trabalho de quem está voltado primordialmente a aspectos de seu trabalho de tradução, Rosenzweig é posto em diálogo principalmente com Bakhtin e Benjamin, mas também com Meschonnic. Assim, o enigmático potencial de Revelação do texto original a ser preservado na tradução vai sucessivamente se aclarando através de noções tais como a responsividade do enunciado em Bakhtin, a palavra que é resposta e a tempestividade na enunciação no próprio Rosenzweig, e o ritmo ou a oralidade do texto em Meschonnic. O passo decisivo que nos leva a concluir que o que está em jogo nessa tradução dialógica de Rosenzweig é um traduzir de vivências na língua, é dado através da noção de intensividade na linguagem [ou, na(s) língua(s)] que é aqui reconhecida e desenvolvida a partir da grande proximidade entre as filosofias de Bakhtin, Rosenzweig e Benjamin. Essa proximidade central e profunda entre as filosofias desses três autores, e que talvez não tenha sido devidamente aquilatada até aqui, é igualmente apresentada e argumentada neste trabalho. Finalmente, essas técnicas tradutórias que se voltam para vivências autorizam ainda duas conclusões, uma acerca desse traduzir, a outra acerca da natureza da linguagem e das línguas: 1) a atitude tradutória de Rosenzweig configura um bartheano writerly turn in translation; 2) é no plano da intensividade na linguagem (e não no da referência), ou seja, é a partir de vivências na língua tais como, p. ex., a da percepção do que há de polissêmico numa homofonia, que se dá o sentimento de pertença de uma língua (nativa ou não). É a partir disso que uma língua se torna para mim uma língua minha, e para uma comunidade ou para um povo uma língua nossa. / This study examines the translation work of Franz Rosenzweig (1886-1929), which he considered to be one of the best examples of a practical application of the philosophy expounded in his major work, The Star of Redemption (1921). Some of the aims of this study are to understand how a translation practice may constitute an application of such a dense philosophy so much loaded with theological concepts, and also to make sense of how the minimalism of Rosenzweigs innovative translation techniques (some of which take into account aspects that involve the physiological level of the reader) manage to reach objectives of such grandeur as the preserving, in translation, of the Revelation potentially present in the original text. Furthermore, in order to overcome a not much noticed dichotomy in Rosenzweigs thought, and also to surmount a certain confusion of theological-philosophic categories with linguistic categories which makes difficult the job of someone mainly focused in his translation work, Rosenzweig is here put in dialogue, mainly with Bakhtin and Benjamin, but also with Meschonnic. In this way, the enigmatic Revelation potential of the original text, that must be kept in translation, is clarified by a series of notions such as the respondibility of speech in Bakhtin, the word-and-response and the due-time speech in Rosenzweig himself, and the rhythm and the orality of the text in Meschonnic. The decisive step that allows us to conclude that what is here at issue is a translation of experiences lived in a language, is given via the notion of intensiveness in language (or in the languages) which we here recognize and develop. This is done by starting from key concepts in Bakhtin, Rosenzweig and Benjamin, concepts that prove to be very close to each other. This close proximity of the philosophies of these three authors is a factas far as we know not fully noted up to nowwhich we also argue for in the present work. Finally, this translation of experiences lived in a language into experiences lived in another language allows for two further conclusions to be reached in the present work, one concerning the nature of such a translation, the other concerning the nature of language: 1) Rosenzweigs attitude as translator may be understood as a Barthean writerly turn in translation; 2) it is within intensiveness (and not reference) in language, i. e., it is via experiences such as, for example, the perceiving of the polisemic potential of a homophony, that one feels that a language (native or not) belongs to him or her. It is via this kind of experiences lived in a language that this language becomes for me (one of) my language(s). Thus it becomes, for a community or a people, our language.

Correctional officers work in a coercive environment and as such they are confronted with various challenges on a daily basis. Research found that the unique stressors that correctional officers experience result in stress which can negatively impact their physical and psychological health as well as their family life. However, limited research has been conducted to identify the stressors that are relevant to the South African correctional officer. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate South African correctional officers’ lived experiences of their work and work environment and the Employee Assistance Programme and the meaning they attached to them. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were utilised to select the 20 participants from the two correctional centres of the Department of Correctional Services in Worcester, Western Cape. The sample consisted of 11 male and 9 female correctional officers between the ages of 26 and 56 years with a mean age of 43.4. A qualitative approach was utilised to obtain in-depth insights into the lived experiences and attributed meanings of participants. Individual interviews were conducted with the participants by utilising a semi-structured interview guide. A demographic questionnaire was completed by each participant after the interview. The interviews were audio-recorded with the written permission of each participant and transcribed for analysis. Through the use of Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) 7 themes were identified namely: (a) confronting various challenges on a daily basis (b) various dimensions of correctional officers life affected (c) neglect of correctional officers’ well-being (d) coping mechanisms (e) barriers preventing corrections officers from utilising the EAP (f) a recognition of the positive value of the EAP (g) personal meaning derived from work. In addition, the themes consist of various subthemes. The findings of the study suggest that correctional officers are confronted with various challenges on a daily basis, which include lack of input into decision making, lack of support from management, lack of trust in management, pressure caused by staff shortages, lack of resources, inadequate training opportunities and a lack of promotion system. Furthermore, participants revealed that their work and work environment had a negative impact on their physical and psychological health as well as their family life. In addition, participants reported that aspects of their well-being are neglected which include a lack of interest from management in their problems, a lack of recognition and motivation from management as well as a lack of team-building opportunities. Various coping mechanisms were utilised by the participants which seems to act as a buffer against the negative effects of their stressful work and work environment. These coping mechanisms include conflict resolution and communication skills, religion, sport, positive thinking, resilience as well as family and co-worker support. A variety of barriers that prevent participants from using the EAP service that are offered at work were identified. These barriers indicated by the participants included a lack of trust in the EAP, the stigma attached to using the EAP, difficulty relating with the EAP practitioner, a negative perception of the EAP, and insufficient marketing of the EAP. Despite the barriers, participants recognised the overall positive value of the EAP service in the Department of Correctional Service. Participants appear to find meaning in their work. Some participants expressed the satisfaction that they experienced from their job while others expressed the sense of reward that they experience from their job. Recommendations for further research include the evaluation of the EAP programme to determine its effectiveness on a national level, more involvement from management in ground floor correctional officers, providing additional teambuilding oppertunities and reintroducing Wellness Days. A limitation of the study is that only a small sample of correctional officers limited to two correctional facilities in Worcester, Western Cape, was used. Therefore, the findings of the study could not be generalised to the whole population of South African correctional officers. / Psychology

Intimate partner violence [IPV] is a preventable and costly societal issue that has reached epidemic proportions. Women are often the victims of IPV, and millions of children are exposed to it annually. The purpose of this study was to explore experiences of Puerto Rican mothers and their perceptions of how IPV exposure may have impacted their children using resilience theory. Data were collected via audiotaped individual interviews with 9 Puerto Rican mothers who endured an array of escalating IPV, often exacerbated by the perpetrators use of alcohol or drugs, and had IPV-exposed children aged 6 -11 years. Data analysis integrated content and thematic procedures. Interview data was transcribed, read, audited and coded based on compelling statements, quotes, and sentences made by the participants. The coded clusters were further evaluated, reduced to significant statements, then grouped into themes that captured the essence of the participants lived experiences and of the group. The mothers separated because they feared for their lives and the effect of IPV on the children. Once separated the mothers felt isolated, lived in shelters which were unconducive to childrearing, and had challenges navigating the system. They perceived their IPV-exposed children exhibited a multitude of behaviors including PTSD but that most were showing signs of resilience. Their IPV was perpetrated by males who were mostly the biological fathers of their children who used controlling behaviors towards the kids. The potential positive social change impact of this study is to empower Puerto Rican mothers to disclose IPV and to better inform health care providers regarding the impact of IPV on children aged 6 -11 years in an effort to increase the health, well-being, and resiliency of this vulnerable population.

In the African American community, the Black Church and its clergy have served as gatekeepers to formal mental health treatment. Little is known about the beliefs of African American Christian senior pastors about mental health treatment and their personal views influencing their counsel to congregants seeking support through the church. This transcendental phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of African American Christian senior pastors in relation to how they understand mental health treatment and provide it to their congregants. The research questions explored three areas: (a) the senior pastors' experiences in rendering mental health treatment, (b) the senior pastors' personal experiences with mental health treatment, and (c) the senior pastors' views on their effectiveness in rendering mental health treatment to congregants. An emergent hand coding analysis of participant narratives collected from 6 participant semi-structured interviews generated 3 main themes and 14 sub-themes related to participant experiences. The results showed the senior pastors not wanting to do harm when congregants sought mental health support through the church; hence, the pastors referred congregants to formal treatment when issues were beyond their scope. Also most of the senior pastors felt comfortable participating in formal mental treatment as needed because it was beneficial for addressing personal and professional challenges. This study can assist the mental health community in making positive social change via the development of relationships and/or partnerships with African American Christian senior pastors looking to refer congregants to formal mental health treatment.

Aim:  To describe and develop understanding of  the patient’s first encounter with the involved persons at the scene of an accident and at the emergency department; with a special focus on describing the meaning of emergency care of patients in these caring contexts.  Method: The thesis uses a reflective lifeworld research (RLR) approach founded on phenomenological philosophy. The purpose with this approach is to describe the essential meaning and the variations of a phenomenon. Interviews with a lifeworld perspective were used for data collection and analyzed according to the RLR approach for searching for the essence of the phenomenon.  The four essences in the studies (I-IV) establish a general structure for the phenomenon. Findings:  Emergency care is characterized by an organisation, whose goal and resources are focused on life-saving, and that encounters a human being with needs of emergency care as well as existential support. The responsibility in emergency care means an intertwining of doing and being.  The one who is in charge takes responsibility for performing or “doing” medical actions, and by “being” close and present in the situation the patient can at the same time feel an existential support. The responsibility for the injured or ill body is handed over to a chain of persons with more and more specialized competence and resources. This hand-over entails a relief for all involved but fails in one link in the chain, namely to explicitly hand back  the responsibility to the patient.  When the patient’s condition allows the distance to be larger the responsibility pales and the existential support decreases. A gap between doing and being arises where the patient is left to regain control and independence. The intertwining of doing and being, which appears as soon as the one in charge is close and present to the patient, facilitates the hand-over to the patient who in a natural way is able to receive the responsibility with possibilities to be able to conclude the encounter. Conclusions: A new understanding of emergency care appears which entails more than just life support measures.  Emergency care includes different ways of communication in order to hand over the responsibility and complete the care chain back to the patient in a safe way. The results highlight the importance of empowering patients with a confirming, communicative contact throughout the whole caring process in order for them to retain their identity. There are also implications for educating students and personnel in inter-professional communication and work. In order to assist the intertwining between doing and being there are needs for the development of supportive structures for inter-professional reflection, which in turn would improve the interaction between patients and professionals in their encounter.

<p><font face="Times New Roman">This study explored the lived experience of spouses living with depressed partners. A qualitative phenomenological,&nbsp / exploratory study design was used to explore the lived experience of the spouses, identifying the coping strategies and challenges that they face as they live with the depressed partners. A purposive sample of seven spouses living with their depressed partners who were being treated in outpatient department were recruited to participate in the study.</font></p> <p align="left">In-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted, audiotaped with the participants&rsquo / permission and transcribed verbatim. The data from the transcripts, field notes, and demographic questionnaires was organized ready for analysis. Thematic data analysis was used to code the data, and group the codes to form categories. The categories were further regrouped to form themes. The themes were conceptualized and contextualized to uncover the meaning that the spouse carers attached to the lived experience.</p> <p align="left">It emerged that most of the spouses described their partners and the relationship negatively due to the burden of care. The male carers as compared to the female carers expressed the negativity more and it impacted on the quality of care they were providing to the depressed partners. It was revealed that inadequate professional support was linked with the ineffective coping strategies employed by the spouse carers. Hence, most of the spouse carers presented with symptoms of depression and were at the stage of impoverishment according to the adaptive potential assessment model. A recommendation to involve spouse carers in the treatment plan and improve the support system to the spouse carers was made to the stakeholders of health service providers at the primary health level.</p>

The racialized realities faced by Black students provide an impetus to examine the controversy over Canada's first Africentric Alternative School, approved on January 29, 2008 by the Toronto District School Board. Newspaper articles, editorials and letters to the editor, as well as speeches by delegations and trustees, provide a rich snapshot of the arguments put forth in the heated political debate. Through the lens of equity and critical race theory, the diverse and divergent stances taken by both proponents and opponents of the school are analysed and understood. A conceptual framework of hidden and public transcripts (Scott, 1990) is used to distinguish arguments that reflect on the lived experiences of Black students from those that reiterate the dominant discourses of liberal democratic societies. The findings emerge as three opposing sets of themes that reveal a transcript reflective of the ongoing salience of racism within ostensibly liberal claims to racial equality.

The racialized realities faced by Black students provide an impetus to examine the controversy over Canada's first Africentric Alternative School, approved on January 29, 2008 by the Toronto District School Board. Newspaper articles, editorials and letters to the editor, as well as speeches by delegations and trustees, provide a rich snapshot of the arguments put forth in the heated political debate. Through the lens of equity and critical race theory, the diverse and divergent stances taken by both proponents and opponents of the school are analysed and understood. A conceptual framework of hidden and public transcripts (Scott, 1990) is used to distinguish arguments that reflect on the lived experiences of Black students from those that reiterate the dominant discourses of liberal democratic societies. The findings emerge as three opposing sets of themes that reveal a transcript reflective of the ongoing salience of racism within ostensibly liberal claims to racial equality.

A reflective essay to accompany the thesis exhibition, the Wanderer, installed in the Gordon Snelgrove Gallery, 2013. An exploration of the questions and concepts informing the process of developing and refining the visual vocabulary of my practice. Images of women, topographical maps, floral imagery and astronomical maps provide the vocabulary of the language and syntax that I am developing to enunciate the interrelationships between the construction of self and lived experience, with concepts of identity, body and gesture, history and place.