Parental bereavement has widely been considered, in the context of child development and well being, to be one of the most traumatic events that can occur in childhood. Parental bereavement through substance misuse is a previously unresearched aspect of bereavement research, and a previously unresearched aspect of ‘hidden harm.’ This qualitative research looks at the lived experiences of four girls who have been parentally bereaved through substance misuse, using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). IPA serves the dual purposes of ‘giving voice’ to these previously unheard voices, and interpreting their experience of dealing with bereavements, through the lens of psychological theory and the wider canon of bereavement research. The information for the analysis was collected in individual meetings with each of the girls, gathered through semi structured interviews which took place over one to four meetings. Life for all the girls was difficult and complicated as a consequence of their parents’ troubled lives, and for all the girls their lives were marked by multiple losses and adverse childhood events both before and after their mother’s or father’s death. The analysis tries to capture the children’s narratives about their lives as a journey in which one girl is managing to stay ‘on track’, whilst the others have gone ‘off the rails.’ None of the girls had made a deliberate choice to be ‘off the rails’, yet the environment in which they live meant their life journey is a stormy one, with no safe haven, and their lives have not offered them the ‘lifelines’ they needed in order to stay ‘on track’, and navigate their way through this traumatic event. They feel shame for their disruptive manifestations of grief, for the ways in which they ‘cope ugly.’ They now have ‘spoiled identities’, and are struggling to achieve a sense of self that will help them to make the transition to adulthood. The experience of the fourth girl demonstrates the ways in which she works to achieve her personal identity, preserve her ‘reputation’, and the secure attachment she needed, in order to police her potentially disruptive manifestations of grief. In the context of this research ‘on track’ or ‘off the rails’ are positioned as more helpful constructs than ‘normal’ and ‘complicated’ grief. The findings of this small scale research demonstrate the risks and inaccuracies in accepting the conclusion of large scale research studies which seem to indicate parental bereavement is not a risk factor for child wellbeing when family variables are taken in to account. Instead it demonstrates the ways in which dealing with parental bereavement, especially when compounded by other complex life events and insecure attachments, can result in children being positioned as ‘bad’ rather than ‘sad’ as villains rather than victims, children for whom their troubled lives and loss offer ‘no excuse’ for their troubled grieving. More research is needed to understand more about the lives and experiences of this vulnerable sub group of parentally bereaved children.

This study aimed to explore and describe burnout from the perspectives of VLCs who struggled with this phenomenon at some stage during their work as VLCs. Phenomenology provided the epistemological framework and a qualitative research approach was used. Five in-depth interviews were conducted with five participants who are VLCs. The data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The participants’ stories were reconstructed as themes. A systematic analysis of the narratives was conducted and then linked to relevant literature. This study created an understanding of the complexity of burnout as it relates to VLCs. The themes highlighted the importance of exploring the experiences of VLCs and giving voice to their stories. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Psychology / unrestricted

Within the last twenty years, the number of undergraduate-age Nigerian immigrants to the United States has substantially increased. Most young Nigerian immigrants moved to the United States for better educational opportunities for themselves. The United States is viewed as the land of opportunity for young Nigerian immigrants because of the numerous options available in American universities. However, the reality of life as an immigrant especially for young Nigerian adults is often a challenging experience. Young Nigerian immigrant students face a lot of adversity because they have to deal with issues such as a new school environment, a foreign culture and living arrangements that might entail living with extended family members; challenges they are often not prepared to deal with and which ultimately format the direction of their lives. This Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) study explored the conflict experiences of 5 Nigerian women who lived with extended family while attending college at the undergraduate level 15-20 years ago and the impact this experience had on their identity formation and future aspirations. Guided by IPA, the central research question shaping this study was: How did undergraduate Nigerian immigrants (who came to the United States 15-20 years ago,) make sense of their intra-extended family conflict experience? With the use of in vivo coding, exploratory comments and extensive, cross-analysis of the participants’ responses, six key themes emerged: (1) Welcome Season, (2) Challenging situations, (3) Irrelevance, (4) Therapy & Motivated, (5) Impacts, and (6) Self-Reflection. By conducting this research, the intent is that the findings from this study will create more awareness and initiate dialogue on this topic to educate and inform relevant stakeholders.

Entrepreneurs develop new technology ventures in uncertain conditions with unproven technologies and limited resources. The majority of such ventures fail, yet entrepreneurship is regarded as a national (and regional) engine for economic growth. This thesis aims to examine entrepreneurs’ attitudes to failure in order to reveal insight on how entrepreneurs learn and how they identify subsequent opportunities, and investigate possible regional differences in such attitudes and entrepreneurial responses. There is much literature on entrepreneurial failure but relatively little that is focused on attitudes to failure, the high-technology industry, or international comparisons. This thesis examines how entrepreneurs’ attitudes to failure in early-stage technology companies differ in the USA (Silicon Valley), UK (Cambridge) and Germany (Munich), and implications for entrepreneurial learning and opportunity identification in these regions. Interviews with habitual entrepreneurs explore their experiences of failed ventures, using a methodology from qualitative psychology - Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) - for the gathering and analysis of data to reveal emergent trends. This analysis is then used to compare attitudes to failure within and between each region, and a preliminary conceptual framework is proposed for analyzing future experiences of entrepreneurial failure. Findings from this idiographic study suggest that although each entrepreneur’s experience of and attitudes to failure is unique, there are more commonalities than differences between regions. Furthermore, these findings reveal the importance of the use of language and narrative in the analysis of such accounts. In addition, the results allow reflection on the appropriateness and limitations of methodologies such as IPA for this subject. This thesis contributes to theory by examining ‘effectuation’ as a way to understand these experiences, and discussing the impact of findings in relation to attribution theory, prospect theory and real-options theory. This thesis contributes to practice by augmenting existing knowledge of entrepreneurial failure through the comparative (regional) approach and the industry-specific (high-technology) focus. It may also improve the preparedness of new practitioners and entrepreneurs, with positive implications for future entrepreneurial success.

Background: This thesis explores, in-depth, the experience and sense-making of transactional analyst psychotherapists working with clients who present with Internet addiction (IA). It engages with the therapist’s broad experience and understanding of Internet addiction presentation, therapeutic assessment, ‘diagnosis’ and ‘treatment’ rather than the singular experience, expression, and meaning-making of the individual client. Method: As a counselling psychologist trainee, I was particularly interested in sampling highly experienced therapists, with an extensive range of skills developed through a robust clinical training. Four therapist participants, all professional members of the European Association of Transactional Analysis (EATA), were interviewed using semi-structured, one-to-one interviews and the material was analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA). Findings and Discussion: Four higher-order concepts emerged within this study. They concerned: the complexity of IA; aetiological and predisposing factors; functions and features of IA; and treatment factors. Practical and theoretical implications for future research, clinical supervision, treatment, psycho-educational and political programmes are presented. Of the key emergent findings the Internet was understood by participants as a conduit or medium for addiction given a high prevalence of an underlying ‘disorders’. All of the participants believed in the existence of childhood aetiological roots which underpinned comorbidity with IA. Attachment difficulties in childhood would often predispose individuals to develop issues around loneliness, low self-esteem, control, loss and instability, and cognitive dissonance later in life. Participants believed a relationship existed between depression, low self-esteem and escapism as contributing factors. Conclusion: A systematic review of the extant research is proposed, along with quantitative studies to specifically evaluate the strength of this relationship. Further empirical research is particularly recommended to explore how these factors can predispose individuals to developing sub-types of IA, and especially in the context of historic childhood abuse and / or neglect. The complex nature and aetiology of IA can demand a high level of clinical expertise from professionals who would benefit from specific trainings concerning childhood attachment difficulties. Integrating a psychodynamic approach, or being aware of transference processes, could possibly enhance treatment effectiveness, and help safeguard both clients and therapists from counter-therapeutic interventions.

No description available.

People convicted of sexual offences are arguably one of the most marginalized criminal offender groups because both the general population and offender populations tend to have hardened views of these individuals (Spencer, 2009; Wilson & Prinzo, 2001). Circles of Support and Accountability Ottawa (CoSA-Ottawa) is an organization that helps people convicted of sexual offences reintegrate into society by challenging traditional forms of community reintegration. CoSA-Ottawa was founded on the principles of restorative justice, which are exemplified in their mottos “no more victims” and “no one is disposable.” The organization relies on the commitment and contribution of volunteers to assist with the reintegration process. While there have been various studies on CoSA from different perspectives (Duwe, 2012; Fox, 2014; Wilson, Picheca, and Prinzo, 2007; Wilson & Prinzo, 2001), there have been few studies directly focusing on CoSA-Ottawa volunteers through a critical lens. This study examines the subjective experiences of CoSA-Ottawa volunteers who work with people labeled as ‘sex offenders.’ The research was conducted using semi-structured interviews with six participants. Each interview transcript was transcribed and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The master themes that developed through this study include: the humanization of the monstrous, the reintegration and re-socialization through a helping relationship, and overall impacts of these relationships on CoSA-Ottawa volunteers. Using a governmentality and power conceptual framework, this thesis demonstrates how the relationships between the core members and volunteers are transformative and act as an extension of the carceral system. Further, this thesis illustrates that the supportive function of these relationships is explicit, while their governing function is implicit.

Background: The aim of this study was to explore the experience and sense making oftherapists working with clients who present with a PTSD diagnosis. The study engaged with therapists experience and understanding of predisposing factors to PTSD and how they incorporate this understanding into the therapy process. Further to this the experience of the therapists understanding of the influence of predisposing factors on the expression of PTSD was explored. Literature Review: A literature review is presented identifying core research relating to PTSD, predisposing factors to the development of PTSD and the treatments used when working with PTSD as a presenting issue. Methodology: To address the aims of the study 9 therapist participants were interviewed. Semi-structured, one to one, in-depth interviews were utilised to elicit participant’s experience of the issues outlined within the aims. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to identify re-current themes across the interviews and analyse the data, which emerged. Findings: The main findings present thirteen sub-ordinate themes that reflect the essence of the participant’s experience of the phenomenon under investigation. These were based around eight Super-ordinate (master) themes of Previous history, Therapy relationship, Psychoeducation and Normalisation, Identity, Culture, Attachment, Presenting Therapy Themes, and Support Systems. Discussion and Conclusion: The study identified the participant’s experience of predisposing factors on the expression of PTSD. There was consensus from the participant’s in relation to the significant impact of client’s previous life experience on their expression of PTSD. The participants further identified that the client’s previous life experience influenced their formulation and treatment of PTSD. Significant issues that were described by all of the participants regardless of their theoretical or therapeutic perspective were (1) the central importance of the therapeutic relationship, (without a strong, trusting and safe relationship the participants would not engage the therapy work), (2) the importance of in-depth history taking (identification of previous life experience and its impact on the current response to the trauma), (3) the impact of previous trauma(s), and (4) the impact of support systems, environment and identity. These issues are discussed alongside the existing literature around this topic. Additionally, suggestions for future directions of research and recommendations for practice are presented.

(in English): Our topic of this work is the effect of film therapy on the experience of people with depressive symptoms. Its aim is to find out what emotional responses films evoke in people with depressive symptoms and whether they find any risks or benefits in film therapy. In the theoretical part, firstly we focus on film therapy itself, its origins, empirical anchoring, definition and its application with a focus on its effects. We also discuss depression and its symptoms, which we examine in more detail, as well as the current treatment options for depression, based on ICD- 10. In this section, we also focus on the latest findings regarding the possibility of treating depressive symptoms through film therapy. The empirical part follows, which is focused qualitatively. Based on the analysis of semi-structured interviews with six respondents who have subjectively experienced depressive symptoms in the last five years, we are now looking for answers to the identified research questions. The results of the research are described in the last part of the empirical work, where they are discussed and compared with previous research results on this topic and the literature. Subsequently, other possibilities of potential folowing researches are discussed.

The purpose of this thesis study was to explore and examine the experiences andperceptions of special education preservice teachers (PSTs) preparing to work with students with mild to moderate or severe disabilities relative to completing a required special education multicultural class as part of their required course of study. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was incorporated to collect and analyze naturalistic interview data from 24 PSTs who were closest to the real-life contexts of this study. Each participant had completed the same multicultural class one year prior to being individually interviewed. At the time of the interviews, participants had completed a teaching practicum and were participating in their teaching internship or had completed a teaching internship. Findings indicated that as a group, PSTs perceived six overall benefits from the special education multicultural course. Perceived benefits included the benefit of an expanded understanding of culture; the benefit of assignments that led to greater understanding; the benefit of moving from a lens of stereotypes, fixed mindsets, and single stories towards more empathic understandings; the benefit of leveraging a safe classroom environment in order to consider personal biases; the benefit of shame rejection protocols providing emotional space for participants to work on recognizing privilege; and the benefits of learning from instructor's characteristics and pedagogical teaching strategies. Furthermore, findings from the data analysis indicated that students reported more easily applying broader concepts from the multicultural course to teaching contexts. On the other hand, findings from the data also indicated that students seemed to struggle more with applying specific teaching strategies to new teaching contexts. Moving forward, those who teach this special education multicultural class may consider including more targeted role-plays and directed learning experiences that hone in on specific teaching strategies as applied to a variety of teaching contexts. PSTs need to practice and receive feedback on applying teaching strategies that are culturally sensitive. Additionally, strategies should stem from empathy-based personal self-reflection of one's cultural impact.