Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1988.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file (viewed June 11, 2007). Available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 215-239).

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

M.A. / According to Edmonds and Wilcocks (1995:1-2), South Africa is in the grip of a major drug boom. If this is not taken seriously, South Africa could lose as much as 30% of its future generation in terms of health, happiness, functioning and even life. Drug abuse is an important factor that can affect the quality of life of not only the drug abuser, but also all those connected with them (Edmonds and Wilcocks, 1995:1-2). Substance abuse is a problem that influences the family system. Models such as Bell and Khantzian (1991) and Cooks' (1988) description of the Minnesota model define substance abuse as a disease. This model also known as the medical model, can be attributed to the work of Jellinek (1960). It focuses on individual biological factors with little consideration for familial, social or psychological variables. On the other hand, a family systems perspective indicates that the family system enables the substance abuser towards abusive patterns of behaviour. The family plays an important role in the process of dependency as well as in the rehabilitation process. These models are brought together in the study, as this combination is valuable in understanding the complexity of substance abuse and its effects on the family system. The aim of the study is to explore the families understanding of substance abuse and their role in the treatment process. A qualitative methodology is used to understand the life events, experiences and beliefs of family members, from their point of view. The focus of the research is on family members who have attended the family program at Stepping Stones Rehabilitation Center. Exploring the understanding they have of substance abuse and their role in the treatment process, from their frame of reference. The theoretical basis for the study is formulated within the medical model and a systems perspective. A nonprobability, purposive sample is utilized to seek information rich cases. Eleven respondents are interviewed. Different members within the family system are selected to illuminate the question under investigation. An interview schedule formulated from literature, is utilized to create consistency in the face-to-face interviews. The in depth interviews facilitate exploration. Data is gathered by means of a literature review, field notes and audiotapes transcribed by the researcher. Analysis of the data is done manually according to a schedule. The schedule I developed according to coding categories that are identified when working with raw data. The information from the data gathered is analysed and used to identify themes, which are offered as results. An extensive literature control is conducted, in order to further the validity of the research. From the study, methodological and theoretical conclusions can be made. Methodological conclusions indicate the effectiveness of using a qualitative methodology and face-to-face interviews in exploring the question under study. The theoretical conclusions indicate families understanding of substance abuse and their role in the treatment process. Recommendations in terms of intervention with families affected by substance abuse and future research, are drawn from the research process and context of the study ensure the link between results and conclusions and aims and objectives. The research indicates that families have an intellectual understanding of the disease concept of substance abuse. Their searching for alternative solutions and use of defence mechanisms, indicate that this concept has not been internalized. Respondents acknowledged the long term nature of recovery that is facilitated by the use of support groups.

The purpose of the present study was to discern a symptom pattern for environmentally ill patients and provide evidence of the uniqueness of the resultant pattern to this population. Patients' environmental exposure was confirmed by the presence of toxins in the blood serum. All patients were administered psychological and physical symptom checklists, the Clinical Analysis Questionnaire, and a standardized intermediate neuropsychological examination. Results indicate a response pattern of symptoms including fatigue, low energy, weakness, poor concentration, poor memory, poor comprehension, headaches, aches and pains, clumsiness, sinus discomfort, mucus, eye problems, restlessness, and present performance inferior to prior level of functioning. Presence of these symptoms, as well as the uniqueness of this symptom pattern was supported by comparisons of the patient and standardization groups on the two standardized tests.

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer of women in South Africa, with one in twenty-seven women diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. By building on human strengths, ways can be found to cope effectively with adversity. This will contribute to psychological well-being and result in living constructive and meaningful lives. Emotional intelligence and locus of control are two constructs which, according to previous research, may be associated with psychological wellbeing. Limited research has been conducted on these constructs in populations facing adversity. Adaptation to breast cancer treatment is considered to be an extremely difficult process. The research aimed to explore and describe emotional intelligence and locus of control within an adult breast cancer population. A sample of 67 breast cancer patients receiving treatment was approached to complete a biographical questionnaire and two pencil-and-paper questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistics were be used to analyze the data. The results of the quantitative analysis indicated a significant negative correlation between emotional intelligence and locus of control which shows that patients with higher levels of emotional intelligence possess more internal locus of control orientations, while patients with lower emotional intelligence possess more external locus of control orientations. The population presented with above average emotional intelligence and an internal locus of control orientation. The study can be regarded as the first step in opening a field of research which could contribute to more effective coping and the overall psychological well-being of individuals facing adversity in South Africa. Furthermore, the findings of the study contributed to understanding the role of emotional intelligence and locus of control in these populations and encouraged further research and the development and implementation of programmes that promote skills development in these areas.

The purpose of this study W8S to explore and describe the experience of waiting for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery from the perspective of the individual who h8s a prolonged wait for this surgery. A phenomenological approach was used to guide the study. Data were collected through 17 semi-structured, audio-taped interviews with 7 men and 2 women awaiting CABG surgery. Analysis occurred concurrently with data collection. It was found that there were three interrelated core facets of the experience: the illness, the prospective surgery, and the wait. Each facet held distinct meaning: the illness represented a loss of normalcy and a threat to life; the surgery, both an opportunity to regain normalcy and a threat; and the wait, a "no control" situation which enhanced the losses and threats of the other facets, engendered further losses, and delayed the expected gain from surgery. Within each facet, representative emotional reactions, and coping strategies were identified. The findings indicate that these clients require regular contact and that nursing care must address all three facets of the experience. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Nursing, School of / Graduate

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of belief in control and commitment to life to the adult cancer patient's inclination to use unproven cancer therapies. A convenience sample of 40 lung cancer patients completed the Wallston's Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, Crumbaugh's Purpose in Life Scale, Hiratzka's Alternative Therapy Scale, and a patient information sheet. The majority of participants exhibited a strong internal locus of control orientation and a strong commitment to life. Belief in control, commitment to life, and the degree of inclination to use unproven cancer therapies were not significantly associated. However, age was negatively correlated with inclination to use unproven cancer therapies. The majority of participants had heard of five or more unproven cancer remedies, and exhibited a strong inclination to use these unorthodox therapies. The most frequently used unproven therapies were anti-medicines - imagery, faith-healing, megadose vitamins, and taheebo. The rising popularity of these anti-medicines has been reported in the literature. The findings were discussed in relation to theoretical expectations, other research studies, and the methodological problems inherent in the study. Implications of the findings for nursing practice, theory, and education were suggested. Recommendations for further nursing research were made. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Nursing, School of / Graduate

An exploratory study was conducted on 25 male and female patients who were admitted to a 29-bed surgical unit of a 450-bed general hospital, for diagnostic testing. The purpose of the study was to answer the following questions: (1) What situations does the patient perceive as helping him feel comfortable while he is experiencing the diagnostic regime? (2) What situations does the patient perceive as making him feel uncomfortable while he is experiencing the diagnostic regime? (3) What coping responses does the patient utilize in adapting to discomfort promoting situations during the diagnostic regime? The data for the study were collected through the utilization of a structured questionnaire for the initial visit and taped interviews with the selected patients. During the interviews, particular emphasis was placed upon exploring the patients' concerns by the use of Orlando's Open-Ended Interview Technique and a modified version of the Critical Incident Technique. The results were then categorized into themes of patient responses, tabulated, and analyzed. The results of the study revealed that the situations the patient perceived as promoting comfort or discomfort were dependent upon two significant variables: (1) The degree to which the patient's personal value system needs were met during the diagnostic regime; (2) The patient's ability to mobilize adaptive coping responses to deal with the stresses created by the diagnostic regime. The coping responses utilized by the patients in adapting to discomfort promoting experiences in hospital were numerous and highly diversified. It was noted that the patients' ability to cope adaptively was primarily influenced by their evaluation of what was happening to them. In turn, this evaluation was affected by their past experience, their present biopsychosocial state, and the duration of the uncomfortable experience. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Nursing, School of / Graduate

Thesis (M.A. (Nursing Science) -- University of Limpopo, 2020 / Background Patient’s awareness of the patients’ rights charter was assessed as it was not known and strategies were developed to improve patients’ awareness in the selected hospitals of the Limpopo Province. Aim To assess, describe and explore patients’ awareness of their rights and to develop strategies to improve patients’ awareness of their rights. Study methodology A qualitative exploratory and descriptive research approach were used. Data were collected from 30 patients using semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Data were audiotaped and field notes were taken. The Turfloop Research Ethics Committee gave ethical clearance. The Department of Health permitted for the study to be conducted in the selected hospitals. Ethical considerations and measures to ensure trustworthiness were observed. Results Results showed that patients lacked awareness of the Patients’ Rights Charter and they could not give examples or name the rights they have as patients. The study revealed that sources of information regarding the Patients’ Rights were limited. Patients indicated that Patients’ Rights implementation was situational. Patients also experienced disrespect regarding their rights. In addition, strategies to improve patients’ awareness regarding the Patients’ Rights Charter were developed from the themes that emerged from this study.