Thesis (BHSc--Health Science) -- Auckland University of Technology, 2004. / Also held in print (91 leaves, 30 cm.) in Akoranga Theses Collection (T 618.9280475 BIR)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Maryland, 1973. / Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 178-184).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 102-105).

Thesis (M. Nutrition Management) -- University of the Western Cape, 2009. / Includes bibliographic references, (leaves 36-41).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1990. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at the Zululand University, South Africa, 2012. / When a child is diagnosed with paediatric cancer, the entire family is affected. Relating to the impact of this new family diagnosis, it is often the siblings of the ill child who carry the greatest hidden burden of stress. Although there is a sound and growing body of international research pertaining to the sibling cancer experience, South African research on this topic is almost non-existent, and there is still much to be learnt. As a result, the present study aimed to gain a better understanding of the cancer experience from the perspective of South African siblings. To this end, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 healthy siblings who have a brother or sister who was diagnosed with paediatric cancer. The sibling sample comprised of 4 boys and 6 girls (Aged 8-18) who reside in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Data collected through the sibling interviews was analysed by means of thematic analyses. Five overall themes evolved from the siblings’ narratives. These themes related to the concept of cancer; concerns and worries; emotional experiences; changes; and resources and coping. Within each of these overarching themes, various sub-themes were also noted. In order to gain a holistic understanding of the sibling cancer experience, the five themes were contextualised and discussed in terms of various developmental theories including: Erikson’s psychosocial (socio-emotional) developmental theory; Piaget’s cognitive developmental theory; and Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological systems theory. Although findings relating to the cancer experience for siblings in the present study did not differ tremendously from those noted in previous research, the results still made a valuable contribution to the existing body of knowledge involving siblings and paediatric cancer. Light was shed on the unique cancer experience for 10 South African siblings, and great insight was gained into their unique emotional worlds. In conclusion the present study’s contributions as well as shortcomings were discussed, and intervention guidelines and recommendations for future research were provided.

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Disordered sleep affects 20-40% of children and adolescents. Such disorders can result in academic difficulties, emotional regulation difficulties, and decreased immune system functioning. Behavioral treatments are the empirically supported treatment for pediatric sleep problems. With most children getting yearly well-child visits, pediatric medical professionals are in an optimal position to identify sleep difficulties and refer children for treatment. However, research suggests that medical professionals receive limited formal education in disordered sleep, and they more frequently recommend medication over behavioral interventions. Therefore, referrals to psychologists for behavioral treatments may often be warranted. The factors that influence medical professionals’ referral decisions have not been investigated. The current study investigated factors implicated in referral behaviors including pediatric medical professionals’ knowledge, screening patterns, treatment preferences, and referral patterns in the area of pediatric behavioral disordered sleep. A total of 65 medical professionals were recruited to complete an online survey to investigate these factors. Results indicated that participants in the current study demonstrated significantly higher sleep knowledge and rates of screening than what was found in a previous study. Regarding predictors of sleep knowledge, taken together, specialty, years in practice, and screening behaviors significantly predicted sleep knowledge scores. Additionally, sleep knowledge of participants who indicated that a referral was necessary when presented with a hypothetical case example of a child presenting with disordered sleep was significantly lower than the sleep knowledge of those who did not refer. Further, rates of referral were significantly lower than reported in previous research. Confidence in managing sleep problems and rates of providing behavioral recommendations were also explored. Overall, results of the current study indicate that pediatric medical professionals may benefit from additional training in the area of pediatric behavioral sleep and increased awareness of appropriate referral sources. Further exploration into the influence of screening behaviors and treatment preferences on referral behavior is necessary.