Satisfaction (fulfillment of one’s wishes, expectations and needs or the pleasure derived from this) has been shown by studies to be manifested through various things, including marriage. It has been found that marriage and the satisfaction experienced are positively correlated to higher levels of happiness. Marital satisfaction (also referred to as marital quality and marital happiness) is defined as one's subjective evaluation of favourability towards one’s spouse and the marital relationship and the mental state of perceived gains and losses of the marriage. Research shows that the factors that affect marital satisfaction vary across cultures as well as geographic space within cultures, as well as gender. The present case study explored marital satisfaction as experienced by a Xhosa woman who resides in a rural setting in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. This qualitative exploratory-descriptive study utilised an in-depth case study method and the subject was selected by purposive sampling. Thibaut and Kelley’s (1959) Interdependence Theory, in conjunction the life-cycle stages of marriage as proposed by Markey (2005), were used as a framework to understand dynamics that occur in the course of a marital relationship as well as the variations in satisfaction in the different stages of marriage. Data was obtained through semi-structured interviews and a content analysis approach proposed by Miles and Huberman (1994) was followed as a framework for data analysis. The findings of the present study are presented according to two broad groupings: 1) marital satisfaction arises from one’s state of mind, and 2) the participant provided lessons on dealing with issues that arise in marriage. These in turn permitted the identification of sub-themes connected to each main theme allowing recommendations for future research to be deduced.

This study investigates the differential treatment efficacy of Experiential Systemic Therapy (ExST) with a comparison treatment called Supported Feedback Therapy (SFT) as it is applied to the problem of alcohol dependency. The inquiry also compares the treatment effectiveness of ExST when offered to the individual alcoholic (ExST-I) and when provided in couples therapy conjoint treatment (ExST-C). An ecological approach to assessment was developed for the investigation. Selfreport questionnaires tapping an array of areas including indices of alcohol use, intrapersonal functioning, couples adjustment, and family characteristics were employed to measure treatment effects from the perspectives of father, mother, and eldest child. Participating families met inclusion criteria including an alcoholic dependent father and a non-alcohol abusing mother in a state of marital distress residing in an intact family situation with at least one child living at home. One hundred and fourteen families were randomly assigned to participating therapists and one of three treatment conditions including ExST-I, ExST-C,or SFT. Therapy was conducted at two out-patient clinics, one located in an urban setting and the other operating in a rural context. Data were collected from all participating families before and after treatment. Data were also gathered at a three month follow-up from participants in the ExST-I and ExST-C treatment conditions. The results of the mixed model multivariate analyses indicated that there were no significant differences between ExST and SFT evident at post-treatment; however, both treatments were found to have promoted highly significant improvements on measures of drinking behavior, intrapersonal symptomology, marital adjustment and family satisfaction. When ExST-I and ExST-C were compared, the results revealed no significant differences between the treatment formats although both parents reported highly significant post treatment changes on all instruments. Additionally, the significant changes associated with ExST-I and ExST-C which were reported by both parents at post-treatment were found to be equally durable at the end of a three month follow-up. The results of the analyses based on the eldest child’s perspective showed that the assessments of family satisfaction were unaffected by the treatment conditions and remained consistent across all measurement occasions. Within system analyses which provided detailed examination of the magnitude of changes reported by both parents at post-treatment were performed. The within system results based on measures probing the assessment domains of alcohol, intrapersonal, couple and family from the father and mother perspectives, revealed that the improvements achieved by the treatments were far reaching and touched a wide array of areas in statistically significant and clinically relevant fashions. / Education, Faculty of / Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of / Graduate

The stated purpose of this research project was: 1. to provide a consensus definition of "religious orientation" as the term is currently being used by Marriage and Family therapists familiar with religious families. 2. to identify and prioritize clinicians' perceptions regarding the effects of religious orientation on "Well Family" functioning, both positively and negatively. 3. to develop descriptions of clinicians’ perceptions of dimensions of behavior which can be employed beneficially in marriage and family therapy with religiously-oriented families. In order to address those areas of inquiry, a Delphi methodology was employed, polling marriage and family therapists familiar with Religious Orientation in clinical practice, research and supervisory contexts. This research design is one which is useful in exploratory studies, following the data rather than attempting evaluate a preconceived hypothesis. Open-ended questions generated the initial data base which was subsequently refined and clarified through recursive re-evaluation of each suggested characteristic by the participant-panelists. The final profiles included only those characteristics identified as important or very important by at least 80% of the participants when describing the attributes under consideration. This study suggests that Religious Orientation can be a healthy, stabilizing, life-enhancing perspective about which many individuals and families organize their lives and experience. This study has identified and distinguished between many specific characteristics of both healthy and unhealthy Religious Orientation for individuals and families. Assets of Religious Orientation to the therapeutic process and well-family functioning were also specifically identified. The general omission of Religious Orientation from marriage and family therapy training, supervision and research was addressed from historical and epistemological perspectives. Recommendations for inclusion of Religious Orientation as a significant paradigm were offered, as were recommendations for further research. / Ph. D.

published_or_final_version / Social Work and Social Administration / Master / Master of Philosophy

Couple therapy is a frequently sought domain by couples who experience problems in their relationships. Couple therapy has been researched intensively, but few studies incorporate a holistic account of the therapeutic process. This study aims to explore and integrate the therapist's and the couple's experiences of change in the context of couple therapy. The ecosystemic epistemology and the narrative metaphor forms the foundation from which the therapy and the research is approached. Qualitative research methods are employed from within a naturalistic paradigm which allows for personal and unique meanings to emerge. Rich descriptions of the therapist's and the participant's stories of change are provided. Multiple perspectives are offered in the stories which reveal the reciprocal motions between the therapist's and the couples' change processes. Recurring themes are extracted from the stories which punctuate the pivotal change processes that were experienced by the therapist and the couples during the therapy. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

Extra-marital affairs are the main reason for divorce in western society. Pastoral therapists usually operate within a modernistic theology and use their 'expert' knowledge of theological ethics to confront the unfaithful spouse - a pastoral therapeutic approach that neither delivers the desired results, nor honours the client's expertise and freedom. This study endeavoured to socially construct pastoral therapy using the principles of postmodernistic social construction discourse with couples/spouses where one spouse is or was engaged in an extramarital affair. The relation between a modernistic epistemology and a postmodernistic epistemology, and how this relation affects theology, practical theology and pastoral therapy were explored. The propium of pastoral therapy in a postmodemistic paradigm and the implications of a narrative approach in pastoral therapy for theological ethics were reflected upon. A narrative description of extra-marital affairs was constructed and some of the cultural discourses which co-constitute extra-marital affairs were discussed. The pastoral therapist and clients were simultaneously in conversation with ethical discourses and relational, personal and emotional discourses, thus co-constructing new alternatives and possibilities. During these multiple reflexive conversations, some of the cultural discourses (eros; self-fulfilment; extra-marital sex and hedonism) which co-constitute extra-marital affairs were deconstructed. In the light of the usual limitations of the life-span of an extra-marital affair, the pastoral therapist and faithful spouses socially constructed alternatives and possibilities for their lives to enable them to outstay the extra-marital affair of the unfaithful spouse. Multiple reflexive conversations with (un)faithful spouses co-constructed, with relational and ethical discourses, a narrative approach in pastoral therapy. The use of externalisation and ritualisation in a narrative approach in pastoral therapy concerning extra-marital affairs was explored. A sense of guilt and secrets were also themes in multiple reflexive conversations with unfaithful spouses. This prompted reflection on the use of Scripture in a narrative approach in pastoral therapy. The relation between the biological-psychological aspects of extra-marital affairs and narrative therapy are also briefly explored. / Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology)

Text in Afrikaans / Summaries in Afrikaans and English / Psigonefrologie behels die studie von psigologiese faktore wat 'n rot speel by eindstadiumnierversaking. Nierversaking word beskou as 'n lewensbedreigende siekte, wat die lewensverwogting von die pasient verkort indien hy nie behandeling ontvang nie. Nierversaking kan ingedeet word in drie stadiums: Die pre-dialise, diatise, en oorplantingstadiums. Die onderskeibaorheid von hierdie stadiums is die gevotg von verski lie in mediese behandelingsmetodes. Nie een hiervon bring genesing nie, maar vertig simptome van die uremiese sindroom, verleng die tewensverwagting von die pasient, en is veronderstel om sy lewenskwaliteit te verbeter. DepresS,ie en angs, is algemene simptome wat by nierpasiente voorkom. Die redes hiervoor, is die pasient se psigologiese reaksie teenoor nierversaking, dialise, en/of 'n oorplanting. Verder moet hy ook die newe-effekte van die mediese behandeling trotseer. Aanpassings moet ook gemaak word in terme von beroep~ en sosiate funksionering. Nie net het eindstodiumnierversaking 'n psigososiate impok op die nierposient nie, maar word die gesonde moat ook daardeur be"invtoed. Daarom ervoar meeste egpore gesamentlik die impok von nierversaking op hulle huwelik- en gesinslewe. Vir optimale oanpassing by nierversaking moet egpore sekere oanpassingstoke bemeester, soos om nierversoking as 'n gedeetde probteem te hanteer, oan te pas by die rot von pasient en versorger. die verskillende behoeftes oan nobyheid en afstand tussen pasient en versorger, en die verwisseting in beroepsrolle hanteer, asook effektiewe kommunikasie met mekoar en die mediese span doarstel, en mekaor deurlopend instrumenteel en emosioneel ondersteun ten einde die huweliksverbintenis in stand te hou. Die resultate von hierdie ondersoek dui doarop dat huweliksverondertikes, soos 'n afnome in ontsponningsaktiwiteite en seksuatiteit, en gelykmakende rolle 'n belangrike rot speel om oanpassing by nierversaking te vergemaklik. Daarmee soam is gevind dat godsdiens 'n belangrike oanpossende funksie vir egpore het. Deurgoans speel'n ondersteuningsisteem, wat uit famitie en vriende, onder nierpasiente, die mediese span en 'n sielkundige bestoan 'n vernome rol om die egpoar met oanpassing te help. Uiteindelik blyk dit moonttik te wees vir egpare om hulle huwetiksverhouding in stand te hou, of setfs konstruktief te herstruktureer, asook groter huwelikstevredenheid te ervoar, ondanks die bedreiging von eindstadiumnierversaking. Meeste egpore ervoar die moeilike tydperk dan ook met 'n verdieping in hulle huwelik- en geloofslewe. / Psychonephrology is the study of psychological factors which are evident in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). ESRD is regarded as a life-threatening disease, which shortens the life-expectancy of a patient if he does not receive treatment. ESRD can be divided into three stages: the pre-dialysis, dialysis and transplant stages. These stages are signified by differences in medical treatment methods. None of these leads to a cure but all alle.viate symptoms of the uremic syndrome, increase the life-expectancy of the patient and are supposed to improve his quality of life. Depression and anxiety are general symptoms found in end-stage renal patients. The reasons for this are the patient's psychological reaction to renal disease, dialysis and/or transplant. Patients must also endure the side effects of medical treatment. Adjustment in vocational and social functioning is also evident. ESRD not only has a psycho social impact on the patient but also affects the healthy spouse. This is why most married couples together experience the impact of ESRD in their marital and family life. For optimal adjustment to ESRD couples need to master certain adaptational tasks, such as treating ESRD as a shared problem, adopt the roles of patient and caregiver, manage the various needs of closeness and distance between patient and caregiver and change of career roles, as well as effectively communicating with each other and the medical team, and instrumentally and emotionally support eac~ other in order to maintain the marital bonds. The results of this investigation show that marital variables, such as a decrease in recreation and sexuality and role equality, are important to ease the adjustment to ESRD. It was also found that religion has an important adaptational function for the married couples. A support system of family, friends, other renal patients, the medical team and a psychologist are also important to aid the couples' adjustment. Lastly it should be possible for renal couples to maintain, or even to positively reconstruct their marital relationship, and to experience marital satisfaction in the face of the threat of ESRD. Apparently most couples experience this ordeal as a time of intensification of their married and spiritual life. / Psychology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)

Text in English / Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology / M.Th. (Practical Theology, with specialisation in Pastoral Therapy)

Couple therapy is a frequently sought domain by couples who experience problems in their relationships. Couple therapy has been researched intensively, but few studies incorporate a holistic account of the therapeutic process. This study aims to explore and integrate the therapist's and the couple's experiences of change in the context of couple therapy. The ecosystemic epistemology and the narrative metaphor forms the foundation from which the therapy and the research is approached. Qualitative research methods are employed from within a naturalistic paradigm which allows for personal and unique meanings to emerge. Rich descriptions of the therapist's and the participant's stories of change are provided. Multiple perspectives are offered in the stories which reveal the reciprocal motions between the therapist's and the couples' change processes. Recurring themes are extracted from the stories which punctuate the pivotal change processes that were experienced by the therapist and the couples during the therapy. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

Extra-marital affairs are the main reason for divorce in western society. Pastoral therapists usually operate within a modernistic theology and use their 'expert' knowledge of theological ethics to confront the unfaithful spouse - a pastoral therapeutic approach that neither delivers the desired results, nor honours the client's expertise and freedom. This study endeavoured to socially construct pastoral therapy using the principles of postmodernistic social construction discourse with couples/spouses where one spouse is or was engaged in an extramarital affair. The relation between a modernistic epistemology and a postmodernistic epistemology, and how this relation affects theology, practical theology and pastoral therapy were explored. The propium of pastoral therapy in a postmodemistic paradigm and the implications of a narrative approach in pastoral therapy for theological ethics were reflected upon. A narrative description of extra-marital affairs was constructed and some of the cultural discourses which co-constitute extra-marital affairs were discussed. The pastoral therapist and clients were simultaneously in conversation with ethical discourses and relational, personal and emotional discourses, thus co-constructing new alternatives and possibilities. During these multiple reflexive conversations, some of the cultural discourses (eros; self-fulfilment; extra-marital sex and hedonism) which co-constitute extra-marital affairs were deconstructed. In the light of the usual limitations of the life-span of an extra-marital affair, the pastoral therapist and faithful spouses socially constructed alternatives and possibilities for their lives to enable them to outstay the extra-marital affair of the unfaithful spouse. Multiple reflexive conversations with (un)faithful spouses co-constructed, with relational and ethical discourses, a narrative approach in pastoral therapy. The use of externalisation and ritualisation in a narrative approach in pastoral therapy concerning extra-marital affairs was explored. A sense of guilt and secrets were also themes in multiple reflexive conversations with unfaithful spouses. This prompted reflection on the use of Scripture in a narrative approach in pastoral therapy. The relation between the biological-psychological aspects of extra-marital affairs and narrative therapy are also briefly explored. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology)