This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of a filial therapy training model with high school students enrolled in a Peer Assistance Leadership (PAL) program. Specifically, this study was designed to determine the effectiveness of filial therapy in: (1) increasing observed empathic behavior with children, (2) increasing acceptance toward children, (3) increasing the ability to allow children self-direction, and (4) increasing the level of involvement with children. Additionally, this study was designed to determine the effectiveness of filial therapy in facilitating healthy parenting attitudes of nonparenting adolescents. A research question was presented to determine if a relationship exists between empathy, acceptance, involvement and allowing children self-direction and other factors considered to be healthy parenting attitudes. An Analysis of Covariance on post-test scores revealed significant findings in the high school students ability to demonstrate empathy towards children, allowing the child self direction, communication of acceptance, and involvement as measured by the Measurement of Empathy in Adult-Child Interactions (MEACI). An Analysis of Covariance on post-test scores revealed no significant changes in parenting attitudes as measured by Adult- Adolescent Parenting Inventory (AAPI-2). A Bivariate Correlation revealed a statistically significant correlation between the Empathy, Acceptance, Allowing the Child Self-Direction and Involvement scales on the Measurement of Empathy in Adult-Child Interactions (MEACI) and the Oppressing Children's Power and Independence scale on the Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory (AAPI-2). This study supports the use of filial therapy as an effective training model for increasing high school students' empathic behavior with children. Filial therapy training offers significant possibilities for future use in high school curricula to facilitate the development of healthy parenting attitudes and interactions between future parents and children.

Conflict is inevitable in school and in life. Many children lack skills necessary to resolve daily conflicts constructively. Without knowledge of positive ways to manage conflicts, violence may result. Limited research suggests that involvement in a peer mediation program may have a positive influence on children. This study assessed effects peer mediation training and mediation experience had on student mediators. The pretest-posttest, control-group, and quasi-experimental study investigated the effects of a year long peer mediation program implemented in a suburban elementary school.

published_or_final_version / Nursing Studies / Master / Master of Nursing

The research attempts to find the relationship between self-concept, academic achievement and peer counselling among students of the University of North West in South Africa. The study covered the following: Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Diplomas. The following questions are the focus of the research: Do you accept criticism objectively?; Do you reward yourself when YSU study?; and Are you comfortable working in a group?. Data for the research were collected by means of questionnaires. Facts, opinions and information were obtained from 100 respondents. An analysis of data revealed some interesting results. Though self-concept, academic achievement and peer counselling were in a way related, it is crucial for all stakeholders to make coherent efforts to assist students to improve drastically in their academic performance. / Thesis (M. Ed.) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2003

The purpose of this study is to describe and provide a critical review of a program called peer mediation currently adapted by a Montreal Area Anglophone School Board or MAASB. This program was implemented to address the growing incidence of violence and conflict within MAASB high schools. This study focuses on the objectives that the MAASB established in addressing the problem of violence in their high schools and the peer mediation programs' ability to meet these objectives based on the claims it purports to. Described and examined in this study is the setting in which peer mediation becomes a suitable "response" to conflict and violence in high schools and including: the role and responsibilities of schools; some of the sources and causes of violence; some of the challenges facing adolescents; and the links between violence as the problem, peer mediation as a possible solution, and the role schools play to make this happen. Of specific interest and addressed in this study is whether or not the peer mediation program is resolving violence and conflict at the source, or if the program serves primarily as problem management. Following a qualitative approach to research, observation and interviews were conducted using semi-structured and open-ended methods. This study also includes some recommendations for further research.

Thesis (MTech (Education))--Peninsula Technikon, Cape Town, 2003 / Peace Education strives to provide for the promotion and building of a peaceful society. A Peer Mediation Programme is one of the strategies designed to promote Peace Education in that it provides the skills for the resolution of conflict. The main objective of this evaluation research was to evaluate the conceptualisation, the design, the implementation and the impact of a Peer Mediation Programme that is being implemented at a primary school. The literature review was an in-depth study of the existing literature relating to conflict resolution and peer mediation. The main aspects covered by the literature were the nature of conflict and how it evolved and created meaning for itself. It also examined discipline and behaviour in the context of schools and the move towards alternative behavioural programmes at schools. It defined Peace Education and outlined the use of peer mediation as an alternative behavioural strategy, which could instil positive values and skills. It finally reviewed the benefits of alternative mediation programmes and the positive effects that it would have on the stakeholders involved in the programme. The research design used was Mouton's Logical model. The research was conducted. by using qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative methods included five focus group interviews and two individual interviews with all the relevant stakeholders who were associated with the programme. All the relevant documentation relating to the programme was examined and analysed. The quantitative method consisted of a questionnaire which all the mediators completed. The analyses of the data led to interesting findings. The Peer Mediation Programme was well conceptualised by the different stakeholders. There was the problem of 'dual roles' for mediators that impacted on the stakeholders' conceptualisation of the programme. The school had developed a unique design which was adapted to the culture of the school. The programme was well implemented and impacted positively on the school, the mediators, the parents and the community. Community involvement, however, was lacking. While the evaluation research revealed that the programme was successfully implemented, with positive results, it was recommended that the conceptualisation of the programme be expanded on and developed in order to improve the overall understanding of the programme. It was also recommended that the design should include all grades in an adapted programme. Parents also needed to become more involved in the programme.

No description available.

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

Medical students experience elevated levels of psychological distress and they are reluctant to seek professional help for mental health problems. They are also reticent to notify authorities about colleagues experiencing psychological distress. Yet, young people are more likely to seek help from peers than from any other source and we know very little about the help that these peers provide to their distressed colleagues. The current research explored medical students’ approaches to colleagues experiencing psychological distress: firstly, to determine whether they notice the distress of colleagues; secondly, to explore what determines consideration to intervene and help colleagues; and thirdly, the range of helping behaviours provided. Comparisons were made with students from other professional tertiary disciplines. Students from all six years of an undergraduate medical course were compared with convenience samples from Psychology, Law and Mechanical Engineering at The University of Adelaide. Students were recruited for one of three studies which employed a variety of measures, including the Kessler Measure of Psychological Distress (K10), a Retrospective Helping Behaviour Instrument (RHBI) and a Hypothetical Helping Behaviour Instrument (HHBI). Psychological distress (as determined by the K10) among the disciplines surveyed (N = 949) was 4.4 times that of age-matched population normative data. Despite this high rate of distress, students consistently rated the distress of their colleagues as significantly lower than the colleagues’ own self ratings. All disciplines were equally inaccurate in detecting the distress of their colleagues. Analysis of hypothetical helping behaviours, in response to a vignette, indicated that medical students offered more help to non-medical students than they did to fellow medical students; however, the quality of help delivered to fellow medical students was superior. Non-medical students offered more help to medical students than they did to students from their own discipline, but the quality of help they offered did not change between the two disciplines. Analysis of the mixed method RHBI indicated that discipline had an effect on the types of help provided to distressed colleagues, the reasons for and for not helping a colleague, and general helping concerns. Three main types of help were provided: social support, academic assistance and therapeutic assistance. Medical students from Year 3 onwards offered a diverse array of helping behaviours, whilst law and mechanical engineering students primarily offered academic support. Help was considered more frequently than it was actually given and reasons for and against providing help were associated with belief or doubt about the benefit of helping, positive or detrimental effects for the helper, the closeness or lack of friendship with the helpee, and confidence to help. This research has improved our understanding of the mechanisms that produce helping behaviour. It has also provided a rich inventory of the type of help offered by the medical students and by other tertiary students. This knowledge is crucial in the development of effective approaches to assisting distressed students, particularly in regards to the theoretical and practical development of peer support programmes. Peer support programmes take into account young peoples’ preferences to speak to peers. Peer support programmes that build on the students’ existing behaviours and resources (those behaviours identified in this research) have an increased chance of acceptance and validity. Such programmes may offer a viable adjunct to formal support services and, more importantly, may have far reaching effects in breaking down the stigma of mental health problems within professions such as Medicine. / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Population Health and Clinical Practice, 2009