Bibliography: pages 119-139. / The purpose of this study was to identify the needs and problems that were experienced by rural cancer patients and to investigate the level of emotional stress that they reported. A further purpose was to interpret the main findings of the study according to the Biomatrix Theory. 496 Cancer patients who lived in rural areas of the Western Cape and 140 urban cancer patients were interviewed. The urban cancer patients formed a control group for comparison of the stress data. In order to consider the needs and problems of rural cancer patients from a widespread area, stratified random sampling of magisterial districts was applied and an attempt was made to interview all cancer patients who were living in each of the 21 magisterial districts sampled. Data on needs and problems were collected by use of a questionnaire, and the stress data was collected by administering a modified format of the Stress Evaluation Inventory (SEI). The findings of this study revealed that financial difficulties were the most frequently reported problem while transport difficulties and frustration of emotional support needs were also frequently reported. Patients who reported experiencing these problems also reported statistically significantly higher stress according to the SEI than those who did not.

published_or_final_version / Educational Psychology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

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.

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

published_or_final_version / Dentistry / Master / Master of Dental Surgery

The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate some psychosocial factors that may be related to the development of childhood cancer. The questions that guided the study were: When compared to families of healthy children (1) Do the family structure, dynamics and atmosphere present any commonalities among children with cancer? (2) Are there any personality characteristics common to children with cancer? (3) Have children with cancer experienced more of stressful events during the year that preceded diagnosis? (4) Have children with cancer experienced a major loss? Twelve children between the ages of 2 to 13 who were diagnosed with a form of cancer were compared to twelve healthy but accidently injured children of the same age, and sex and socioeconomic background hospitalized at the 2nd Pediatric Department of The University of Athens. A semistructured interview was used to gather information from their mothers within the month that followed the child's diagnosis or accident. Chi-square and T-test analyses were used at the .05 level of significance to determine differences between groups on each of the variables. Findings revealed that, compared to healthy children, children with cancer tended to belong to "broken home" families in which most had experienced (a) the loss or absence of a significant person (particularly the father) early in their life or (b) an unhappy marriage between their parents, frequently resulting from an "arranged" marriage. Within their family children occupied a special status and were raised as "only" or "first-borns." A major upcoming event was anticipated in most of their families within the same month that the diagnosis was pronounced; this event was aborted as a result of the child's diagnosis. Limitations of the study, discussion of the methodology and recommendations for further research are presented.

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Typescript. / Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1978. / Bibliography: leaves 214-221. / Microfiche. / ix, 221 leaves, bound 29 cm

Thesis (M. A. (Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Diabetes has been noted globally and nationally as one of the leading causes of mortality. Studies have also shown that this morbid condition has a negative impact on the psychological well-being of those affected. The aim of this study was to survey the psychological well-being and quality of life of diabetic patients in Ga-Dikgale community, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The objectives of the study were to establish the psychological well-being and quality of life of diabetic patients at clinics in Ga-Dikgale according to gender and age. Using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and the Quality of Life Indexes (QoLI), data was collected from 200 diabetic patients from clinics at Ga-Dikgale. The Kruskal-Wallis test results, amongst others, show that there are no statistically significant differences between the genders on the General Health questionnaire, (1) = 1.19, p = 0.22. The study recommends that outcomes of the psychological well-being and quality of life of diabetic patients can be improved if health practitioners factor in variances in modifying diabetes education and supportive care for individuals diagnosed with chronic conditions such as diabetes in association with mental health experts to ensure that the psychological well-being of these patients is prioritised. There is also a need to assess the psychological well-being and quality of life of diabetic patients in comparison to non-diabetic patients in rural communities such as Ga-Dikgale / VLIR-UOS (Flemish University Council)