Thesis (D. Min.)--Denver Conservative Baptist Seminary, 1997. / This is an electronic reproduction of TREN, #090-0251. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 228-241).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2005. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xi, 118 p.; also includes graphics. Includes bibliographical references (p. 99-107). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center

In this dissertation, the writer explores and supports the validity of clinical social wor·k practitioners applying planned therapeutic intervention procedures to couples who are in distress. Written in two parts, this paper is esentially a review of selected literature on the efficacy of social work psychotherapv with couples. Couple therapy, which deals with the two individuals per se and not merely with their interaction, enhances the treatment of both partners. Several intervention strategies are noted by the writer, all of which attempt to alter both individual dynamics and that of the couples relationship. The writer has chosen a "fusion model" comprising of the intra and inter-personal intervention strategies. The therapeutic format of choice proposed by the writer favours a time-limited psychodynamic approach which operates through the medium of a combined concurrent-conjoint technique.

Family characteristics, and their typologies were examined in relationship to family adaptation in 97 nonclinical families with adolescents. Cohesion, adaptability, and satisfaction were measured by Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales III. Quantity of family time and routines and value of family time and routines were assessed using an adapted version of the Family Time and Routines Index. The dependent variable, family adaptation, was obtained using the Family Member Wellbeing Index. Neither the Rhythmic Typology nor the Balanced Typology had significant differences in family across typology groups. Multiple regression analyses showed that the only family characteristic that explained variance in family adaptation was family satisfaction (Beta=.22, p <.05). The results suggest that it may be too simplistic to expect family characteristics or typologies alone to explain variance in family adaptation. The characteristics need to be examined in conjunction with stress theory variables. / Master of Science

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Sciences

The aim of the study was to determine the influence/effect of discourses on love and marriage in the lives of people from their childhood uptil this day. Twelve people participated in the study. These participants were defined as being "white, Afrikaans speaking, married couples between 30 and 50 years of age, with or without children and belonging to a church in the RSA of the Reformed tradition". The study sought to discover how people respond to dominent and marginalised discourses on love and marriage and how they portray this in their marital relationship. A further objective was to reflect on some modernistic descriptions of discourses on love and marriage and the deconstruction thereof. Factors such as the marital relationship of the parents, peer groups, church dogma and theological interpretation, sex education at the time they grew up, culture, customs, etc. were related by each participant and contextualised within each life story. Interviews were conducted with each participant / Practical Theology / M. Th. (Pastoral Therapy)

Thesis (MA (Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / Although couples are often aware of the importance of communication, they are unable to implement effective communication skills. Couples can be assisted to improve their communication and the quality of their relationship by attending a marriage enrichment programme. While research shows that enrichment programmes do help couples to learn and maintain relationship skills, longer-term effectiveness seems limited, with effects dissipating over time. Researchers concerned with the long-term sustainability of improvements have recognised the value of post-intervention booster programmes. The Imago Getting The Love You Want Workshop for Couples (GTLYW Workshop) is an enrichment programme for couples interested in improving the quality of their relationship. The workshop is based on the theory and principles of Imago Relationship Therapy. Imago theory provides a relational approach to and framework for understanding the dynamics and interaction of the couple dyad, as well as a dialogical process crucial for the deep communication and growth that are essential to achieve healing and wholeness. Couples learn crucial communication skills by means of a structured communication technique, the Couples Dialogue. The GTLYW Workshop is under-researched when compared to other enrichment programmes. This research attempted to answer the question of whether or not couples who have attended the GTLYW Workshop experienced improvements in aspects of their communication and the quality of their relationship, and whether improvements were sustained over time. Based on a philosophy of pragmatism, a mixed-methods research approach was adopted, including a dominant quantitative method and a nested qualitative method. A longitudinal design incorporated a pre-workshop, a three- to four-week post-workshop, and three-month follow-up measures. Repeated measures ANOVA procedures and Pearson product-moment correlations addressed quantitative objectives. Aspects of communication that were measured were perceptions of communication ability (Primary Communication Inventory), communication patterns (Communication Patterns Questionnaire), and relational awareness (Relational Awareness Scale). The quality of the relationship was assessed using the Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Thematic analysis, using a phenomenological approach, addressed qualitative objectives Within the limitations of this study, the findings provided: some evidence of short-term improvements in some aspects of communication and the relationship; some evidence for the dissipation of improvements three months later; some evidence for the need for follow-up or booster sessions after the workshop; and evidence of positive changes after the workshop. Although there is evidence of the short-term effectiveness of marriage enrichment programmes, it is the longer-term maintenance of improvements and skills that is paramount for the effectiveness and credibility of marriage enrichment programmes. Given what research has found with regard to the dissipating effects of marriage enrichment programmes, the need for booster programmes, difficulties in teaching communication skills, and the potential risk to couples (post-workshop) of deteriorating communication skills, it would be wise for practitioners and educators, as they plan and run enrichment programmes, to also place emphasis on “what happens after the workshop”. The results of this research offer an opportunity for Imago practitioners and educators to review ways of assisting couples to sustain improvements over the longer term after they have attended the GTLYW Workshop.

Thesis (MA (Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In all or most cultures, the experience of infertility has the potential to threaten the well-being of individuals and relationships. The marital relationship of couples experiencing infertility might be impacted negatively by infertility-related stress. This study aimed primarily to examine the nature of the relationship between perceived infertility-related stress, experienced by husbands and wives in infertile couples, and four specific aspects of the marital relationship. In addition, it was examined whether there were significant differences in four specific aspects of the marital relationship between infertile couples at the onset of different types of infertility treatment, and a pregnant control group. This cross-sectional, baseline study utilised standardised self-report questionnaires to make onceoff assessments of infertility-related stress and four specific aspects of the marital relationship: communication, satisfaction with the sexual relationship, intimacy, and marital adjustment. The demographic characteristics of the participants were also recorded. A total of 84 women and 32 men from two infertility clinics in the Western Cape (N = 116) were studied. From calculating Pearson correlation coefficients, highly significant correlations (p < .001) were found between infertility-related stress and all aspects of the marital relationship as measured in this study. Multiple regression analyses revealed communication as an important predictor of aspects of the marital relationship, in addition to infertility-related stress as a predictor. ANOVAs revealed no significant differences in specific aspects of the marital relationship between the infertile groups and the pregnant control group. The findings suggest that high levels of infertility-related stress might be detrimental to the wellbeing of the marital relationship of couples experiencing infertility. In addition, the importance of communication as a buffer against the potential negative effects of infertility-related stress was emphasised. Future research should incorporate a longitudinal design and investigate the nature of the relationship between infertility-related stress and the marital relationship. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Infertiliteit word in alle of die meeste kulture beskou as ’n krisis wat die welstand van individue en verhoudings kan bedreig. Die huweliksverhouding van pare wat infertiliteit ervaar kan negatief beïnvloed word deur infertiliteitsverwante stres. Die primêre doelstelling van hierdie ondersoek was om die aard van die verhouding tussen waargenome infertiliteitsverwante stres, soos ervaar deur die mans en vroue in infertiele pare, en vier spesifieke aspekte van die huweliksverhouding te ondersoek. Bykomend is daar ook ondersoek of daar beduidende verskille voorgekom het in vier spesifieke aspekte van die huweliksverhouding tussen infertiele pare aan die begin van verskillende tipes van infertiliteitsbehandeling en ‘n swanger kontrolegroep. Hierdie deursnee-, basislyn ondersoek het van gestandaardiseerde selfrapporteringsvraelyste gebruik gemaak ten einde eenmalige assesserings te doen van infertiliteitsverwante stres en vier spesifieke aspekte van die huweliksverhouding: kommunikasie, tevredenheid met die seksuele verhouding, intimiteit, en huweliksaanpassing. Demografiese besonderhede van die deelnemers is ook ingesamel en aangeteken. In totaal het 84 vrouens en 32 mans (N = 116) van twee infertiliteitsklinieke in die Wes-Kaap aan die ondersoek deelgeneem. Met die berekening van Pearson korrelasiekoëffisiënte is hoogs beduidende korrelasies (p < .001) gevind tussen infertiliteitsverwante stres en die vier gemete aspekte van die huweliksverhouding. Op grond van meervoudige regressieontledings het kommunikasie na vore gekom as ‘n belangrike voorspeller van aspekte van die huweliksverhouding, bykomend tot infertiliteitsverwante stres. ANOVA’s het geen beduidende verskille in spesifieke aspekte van die huweliksverhouding tussen infertiele groepe en die swanger kontrolegroep getoon nie. Die bevindinge dui daarop dat hoë vlakke van infertiliteitsverwante stres nadelig kan wees vir die huweliksverhouding van pare wat infertiliteit ondervind. Daarbenewens moet die belangrikheid van kommunikasie as ‘n buffer teen die potensiële negatiewe gevolge van infertiliteitsverwante stres beklemtoon word. Toekomstige navorsing sal baat by ’n longitudinale ontwerp en daar behoort voortgegaan te word met ondersoeke na die verband tussen infertiliteitsverwante stres en die huweliksverhouding.

Project Thesis (D. Min.)--Denver Seminary, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 207-214).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Denver Conservative Baptist Seminary, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 135-151).