The aim of the Narrabundah Companionship programme was to provide young children ("Kids") from deprived cultural backgrounds with opportunities to learn appropriate social behaviours by pairing them with older students ("Companions") for activities involving social interactions. Unlike the typical work of the School Counsellor, which tends to be problem centered and crisis oriented, the Companionship programme is seen as a preventive activity which uses "peer helpers" as a means of extending the outreach services of the School Counsellor. The effects of this programme on the Companions, rather than on the Kids, was the focus of this study. The purposes of the present investigation were: a) to identify characteristics of A.C.T. secondary college students who volunteered to be Companions; b) to identify appropriate Companion selection procedures; c) to assess the effects of communications skills training on an initial group of Companions in comparison to late-entering Companions who did not receive such training; d) to assess the drives and sentiments which motivated college students to volunteer for the programme and to ascertain any changes in those drives and sentiments which might occur during the programme; e) to determine whether the Companionship experience influenced a change in vocational preference toward a career in social service; and, although not the major thrust of the study, f) to assess the effects of the Companionship experience on the Kids' social adjustment. After pilot programmes in 1978 and 1979, the present study was undertaken during Terms One and Two, 1980. Thirteen A.C.T. secondary college students volunteered to become Companions. Eleven A.C.T. primary school students and one junior secondary school student were selected to participate as Kids in the programme. Prior to active participation, volunteers completed the Kuder Preference Record - Vocational (Kuder) and the Motivation Analysis Test (MAT). The teachers of the Kids assessed them using the Bristol Social Adjustment Guide (BSAG) and completed a brief questionnaire to aid the Researcher in his pairing of Kids with Companions. The Companions attended six (1 1/2 hour) sessions of a communications skills training programme adapted from the Peer Counselling Student Training Course (Varenhorst & Hamburg, 1972). Based on perceptions formed during the training period, the Companions then rated each other using the Group Assessment of Interpersonal Traits (GAIT) developed by Goodman (1972). The Researcher also made a subjective ranking of each participant in relation to his perception of the individual's potential to be an effective Companion. Contrary to expectation, only two new Companions joined the programme at the beginning of Second Term. The Companionship activities terminated after two school terms, at which time all Kids were reassessed by their teachers on the BSAG and post-measures on the Kuder and MAT were completed for those Companions remaining in the programme. Four Companions who had left the programme before the termination of activities had completed these measures at the time of their withdrawal . The results of the present investigation included: a) Significantly more females than males volunteered to become Companions, and their family birth-order position as last-born was highly significant. b) The results of the ratings for potential effectiveness as a Companion on the GAIT and on subjective ranking by the Researcher produced a highly significant correlation (.01 level), indicating that either method of selection is appropriate. c) Because only two new Companions joined the programme at the start of Term Two, it was not possible to adequately compare the effects of training versus no training. d) As a group, there were two significant changes in the motivations of the older students. There were increases in MAT scores measuring the drive "Narcism-Comfort" and the sentiment "Sweetheart- Spouse," significant at the .05 level. e) The results of the initial administration of the Kuder revealed that volunteers already had a high preference for careers in social service areas. There was no significant change in this orientation following participation in the Companionship programme. f) The second administration of the B3AG revealed no significant changes in the teachers' perceptions of the Kids' social adjustment. The Companionship programme is considered to have been beneficial to both Kids and Companions. Although there were no statistically significant changes in the Kids in the short term of this study, it appears likely that there is potential for long term benefits. Several of the relationships are continuing on an informal basis. Companions spontaneously expressd the enjoyment and personal growth they had derived and their willingness to participate in the next programme. Some parents of Kids were enthusiastic in their evaluations and have sought to keep in touch with the Companion. The Companionship programme is seen to have been a valuable preventive programme in community mental health.

In South Africa the idea of a peer helping service has gained impetus and is viewed as a viable option given the fact that there is a shortage of professional school-counsellors and complementary care-givers in the public school environment. This research emanated from an awareness that there was a need to develop an objective assessment tool regarding the identification of peer-counsellors. This instigated an investigation of the essential criteria, predominant characteristics and requirements of effective peer-counsellors. The primary focus of this research has been to develop a self-assessment instrument that will assist in the identification and selection of potential peer-counsellors. The self-assessment instrument proved to be a valuable tool in discriminating between good, average and weak peer-counsellors. Findings indicate that the self-assessment instrument should be used in conjunction with other modes of assessment such as the self-report data, teacher ratings and peer ratings. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

In South Africa the idea of a peer helping service has gained impetus and is viewed as a viable option given the fact that there is a shortage of professional school-counsellors and complementary care-givers in the public school environment. This research emanated from an awareness that there was a need to develop an objective assessment tool regarding the identification of peer-counsellors. This instigated an investigation of the essential criteria, predominant characteristics and requirements of effective peer-counsellors. The primary focus of this research has been to develop a self-assessment instrument that will assist in the identification and selection of potential peer-counsellors. The self-assessment instrument proved to be a valuable tool in discriminating between good, average and weak peer-counsellors. Findings indicate that the self-assessment instrument should be used in conjunction with other modes of assessment such as the self-report data, teacher ratings and peer ratings. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive description of what a peer helper programme is and to set guidelines for the design and implementation of a peer helping programme for university residence students. In order to achieve these objectives a literature study was firstly conducted to attain a good understanding of the problems that students of tertiary institutions are currently experiencing. The conclusion was made that students are today faced with a lot of frustrations, problems and challenges resulting in a need for care, support and effective help. Secondly the terms "peer helping", "peer helper" and "peer helper programmes" were defined and peer helping was consequently identified as an effective way of addressing the need for help in the student community. This was followed by a description of guidelines for the design and implementation of a peer helper programme for students in university residences. Plomp's general educational design model was used as a point of reference in the setting of these guidelines. An empirical study was done in the form of a case study as it was exercised only at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University. The aims of the empirical research were to determine firstly if there was a real need for the implementation of a peer helper programme among students in university residences; secondly, to look into and examine the guidelines set for the design and implementation of a peer helpers' programme in university residences, and finally to evaluate the efficacy of the training of peer helpers for university residences. Questionnaires, observations and semi structured interviews were used in the empirical study in order to come to the following general conclusions: Students tend to confide in friends when they experience problems of a more serious nature. In other words they share their problems and concerns with people whom they are in a close relationship with. There is a definite need for a peer helpers' programme in university residence environments. Students are willing to take part and make use of such a programme and students want to take the lead in organising and managing such a programme. In order to design and implement a peer helpers' programme successfully in a university residence, the set guidelines for the effective designing and implementation of such a programme should be followed. Finally it is recommended that a peer helpers' programme should be implemented in every residence or on the campus of every university or tertiary institution in South Africa in order to address the growing need for help among students, effectively. Various recommendations for further research were made. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive description of what a peer helper programme is and to set guidelines for the design and implementation of a peer helping programme for university residence students. In order to achieve these objectives a literature study was firstly conducted to attain a good understanding of the problems that students of tertiary institutions are currently experiencing. The conclusion was made that students are today faced with a lot of frustrations, problems and challenges resulting in a need for care, support and effective help. Secondly the terms "peer helping", "peer helper" and "peer helper programmes" were defined and peer helping was consequently identified as an effective way of addressing the need for help in the student community. This was followed by a description of guidelines for the design and implementation of a peer helper programme for students in university residences. Plomp's general educational design model was used as a point of reference in the setting of these guidelines. An empirical study was done in the form of a case study as it was exercised only at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University. The aims of the empirical research were to determine firstly if there was a real need for the implementation of a peer helper programme among students in university residences; secondly, to look into and examine the guidelines set for the design and implementation of a peer helpers' programme in university residences, and finally to evaluate the efficacy of the training of peer helpers for university residences. Questionnaires, observations and semi structured interviews were used in the empirical study in order to come to the following general conclusions: Students tend to confide in friends when they experience problems of a more serious nature. In other words they share their problems and concerns with people whom they are in a close relationship with. There is a definite need for a peer helpers' programme in university residence environments. Students are willing to take part and make use of such a programme and students want to take the lead in organising and managing such a programme. In order to design and implement a peer helpers' programme successfully in a university residence, the set guidelines for the effective designing and implementation of such a programme should be followed. Finally it is recommended that a peer helpers' programme should be implemented in every residence or on the campus of every university or tertiary institution in South Africa in order to address the growing need for help among students, effectively. Various recommendations for further research were made. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Thèse de doctorat présenté en vue de l'obtention du doctorat en psychologie - recherche intervention, option psychologie clinique (Ph.D) / La gestion des réactions de stress post-traumatique dans les premiers jours suivant l’exposition à un événement traumatique (ÉT) au travail reste un défi pour les organisations de premiers répondants et répondantes d’urgence tels que les services médicaux d’urgence (SMU) dans lesquels travaillent les paramédics et les répartitrices et répartiteurs médicaux d’urgence (RMU). Ces travailleurs et travailleuses sont particulièrement exposés à des situations traumatiques imprévisibles et récurrentes, qui les rendent plus à risque de vivre de la détresse et des difficultés d’adaptation. Les recherches doivent se poursuivre pour savoir comment intervenir auprès de ces personnes, car à l’heure actuelle aucune intervention n’a démontré une efficacité suffisante. L’approche des Premiers Soins Psychologiques (PSP), informée par les données probantes, vise à réduire la détresse initiale et promouvoir des stratégies d’adaptation chez les individus exposés à un ÉT. Elle peut être délivrée par des paires aidantes et pairs aidants précocement, en accord avec des directives internationales. Cette approche est encore peu étudiée par la recherche scientifique. L’objectif de cette thèse est d’identifier comment l’approche des PSP peut s’intégrer auprès de paramédics et RMU. Une première étude a été menée auprès de 11 paires aidantes et pairs aidants afin d’explorer qualitativement les facteurs qui peuvent influencer l’adhésion dans le temps des bénéficiaires et des paires aidantes et pairs aidants dans leur participation à l’intervention des PSP, grâce à des entretiens semi-structurés individuels. Quatre thèmes et 11 sous- thèmes influençant l’adhésion ont été identifiés : (1) perceptions et attitudes individuelles des paires aidantes et pairs aidants et des bénéficiaires à l’égard des PSP ; (2) impacts perçus sur les paires aidantes et pairs aidants et les bénéficiaires ; (3) soutien organisationnel aux PSP et (4) congruence avec la culture professionnelle. Les résultats de cette étude suggèrent qu’il est possible d’agir sur divers facteurs au niveau individuel, organisationnel et culturel pour améliorer l’adhésion et qu’il faut surveiller les facteurs pouvant nuire à l’intervention des PSP dans le temps. Une seconde étude qualitative a exploré la perception des bénéficiaires (n=13) de l’intervention des PSP. Les résultats semblent indiquer que l’intervention des PSP permet de répondre aux besoins immédiats des travailleurs et travailleuses en accord avec les cinq principes essentiels d’une intervention précoce de Hobfoll (Hobfoll et al., 2007). L’intervention des PSP favoriserait également l’adaptation et le rétablissement après un ÉT, en contribuant à réduire la stigmatisation de la santé mentale, à augmenter les comportements de recherche d’aide et à diminuer les impacts négatifs organisationnels. Enfin, des éléments spécifiques à l’intervention ont été identifiés comme favorisant l’appréciation de l’intervention. L’identification de ces composantes nous donne des pistes d’amélioration de l’intervention afin de guider au mieux les organisations dans l’implantation et la mise en œuvre des PSP. Ces résultats qualitatifs peuvent également contribuer à informer de futures études quantitatives quant aux directions à prendre pour tester l’efficacité des PSP. Les résultats issus de ces deux articles ont permis de contribuer au développement de la littérature scientifique sur la pertinence et la façon dont peut s’intégrer l’intervention des PSP dans les organisations de premiers répondants et répondantes d’urgence en agissant sur divers facteurs au niveau individuel, organisationnel et culturel et ainsi améliorer l’adhésion dans le temps. Ils mettent aussi en lumière les bénéfices possibles des PSP et offrent des pistes concrètes d’amélioration pour les organisations qui souhaitent implanter ou bonifier la mise en œuvre des PSP comme intervention post-traumatique précoce auprès de leur personnel. / Managing post-traumatic stress reactions during the first days following exposure to a traumatic event (TE) at work remains a challenge for first responder organizations such as emergency medical services (EMS) (p.ex. paramedics and emergency medical dispatchers). These workers are particularly exposed to unpredictable and recurring traumatic situations, which puts them at increased risk for distress and adjustment difficulties. More research is needed to determine how to intervene with these people as no intervention has yet been shown to be sufficiently effective. The evidence informed Psychological First Aid (PFA) approach aims to reduce initial distress and promote coping strategies in individuals exposed to a TE. It can be early delivered by peer helpers, congruently with international guidelines. This approach is still largely unexplored in the scientific literature. The purpose of this thesis is to identify how the PFA approach can be integrated among paramedics and emergency medical dispatchers. The first paper was conducted with 11 peer helpers to qualitatively explore factors that may influence adherence over time of recipients and peer helpers in their participation in the PFA intervention, through individual semi-structured interviews. Four themes and 11 subthemes influencing adherence were identified: (1) individual perceptions and attitudes of peer helpers and recipients about PFA intervention; (2) perceived impacts on peer helpers and recipients; (3) organizational support to PFA intervention; and (4) congruence with the occupational culture. The results of this study suggest that a variety of factors can be acted upon to improve adherence and that factors that may interfere with PFA involvement over time should be monitored. A second paper explored recipients’ (n=13) perceptions of the PFA intervention. The results of the thematic analysis suggest that the PFA intervention addresses the immediate needs of workers in accordance with Hobfoll’s five essential principles of early intervention (Hobfoll et al., 2007). This intervention would also promote adjustment and recovery after a TE, regarding the reduction of stigma, the increase of help-seeking behaviours, and the decrease of organizational difficulties. Finally, specific components regarding the intervention or the provider were identified as promoting appreciation of the PFA intervention. The identification of these components provides us with avenues for intervention improvement to best guide first responder organizations in the implementation and delivery of PFA. These qualitative findings also help to inform future quantitative studies as to which directions to take to test the effectiveness of this intervention. The results of these two articles have contributed to the development of the scientific literature on whether and how to integrate the PFA intervention in first responder organizations. They highlighted the possible benefits of such an intervention and offered concrete avenues for improvement for organizations wishing to implement or improve the implementation of PFA as an early post-traumatic intervention for their personnel.