Epidemiological studies have revealed high rates of criminal victimization in the general community as well as in treatment seeking populations. As a consequence, many crime victims present with a broad range of psychological and physical health impacts which exceed far beyond the current conceptualization of posttraumatic stress disorder. Accordingly, the current project aimed at an exploration of the complex problems faced in the context of severe interpersonal violence, using a mixed methodological design within a pragmatist paradigm. The first study (n=58) involved a quantitative exploration of the psychological and physical health problems in victims of crime as compared to a normally stressed community sample without a history of traumatization. Psychological impacts were assessed by standardized psychological measures, whereas influences on physical health were captured by an analysis of biochemical markers that reflect stress- related changes in immune functioning. Once impacts on psychological and physical health were established, a second study (n=17) was conducted to gain a better understanding of individual stress conceptualizations. This study involved a qualitative framework analysis of semi-structured interviews with victims of crime. The results from Study I and II informed the development of a phase oriented psychological treatment program for victims of crime, using cognitive-behavioural and hypnotherapeutic treatment components. This was followed by an outcome –and process evaluation of a combined CBT/Hypnotherapy treatment in comparison to a CBT treatment only to explore additive benefits of hypnotherapy. Although a multiplicity of traumatic sequelae was indicated by the results of the preceding studies, the treatment process revealed an even greater complexity of traumatization which was difficult to accommodate in the proposed treatment program. Moreover, twelve out of nineteen participants discontinued treatment, making it difficult to determine the additive benefits of hypnotherapy. A qualitative analysis of the treatment sessions was conducted to elucidate critical treatment variables with a particular emphasis on the differences between treatment completers and non-completers. The results were interpreted with respect to recently suggested theories and associated treatment approaches such as the Theory of Structural Dissociation (Van der Hart, Nijenhuis, & Steele, 2006) which may better accommodate the needs of complex trauma survivors encountered in a real world clinical practice. Furthermore, the challenges associated with interventions and treatment evaluations involving a highly complex clinical sample such as victims of crime are discussed in light of the current debate on evidence-based practice and the dilemma of providing reliable, methodologically sound evidence without compromising internal validity of the treatment. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1347975 / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2008

Epidemiological studies have revealed high rates of criminal victimization in the general community as well as in treatment seeking populations. As a consequence, many crime victims present with a broad range of psychological and physical health impacts which exceed far beyond the current conceptualization of posttraumatic stress disorder. Accordingly, the current project aimed at an exploration of the complex problems faced in the context of severe interpersonal violence, using a mixed methodological design within a pragmatist paradigm. The first study (n=58) involved a quantitative exploration of the psychological and physical health problems in victims of crime as compared to a normally stressed community sample without a history of traumatization. Psychological impacts were assessed by standardized psychological measures, whereas influences on physical health were captured by an analysis of biochemical markers that reflect stress- related changes in immune functioning. Once impacts on psychological and physical health were established, a second study (n=17) was conducted to gain a better understanding of individual stress conceptualizations. This study involved a qualitative framework analysis of semi-structured interviews with victims of crime. The results from Study I and II informed the development of a phase oriented psychological treatment program for victims of crime, using cognitive-behavioural and hypnotherapeutic treatment components. This was followed by an outcome –and process evaluation of a combined CBT/Hypnotherapy treatment in comparison to a CBT treatment only to explore additive benefits of hypnotherapy. Although a multiplicity of traumatic sequelae was indicated by the results of the preceding studies, the treatment process revealed an even greater complexity of traumatization which was difficult to accommodate in the proposed treatment program. Moreover, twelve out of nineteen participants discontinued treatment, making it difficult to determine the additive benefits of hypnotherapy. A qualitative analysis of the treatment sessions was conducted to elucidate critical treatment variables with a particular emphasis on the differences between treatment completers and non-completers. The results were interpreted with respect to recently suggested theories and associated treatment approaches such as the Theory of Structural Dissociation (Van der Hart, Nijenhuis, & Steele, 2006) which may better accommodate the needs of complex trauma survivors encountered in a real world clinical practice. Furthermore, the challenges associated with interventions and treatment evaluations involving a highly complex clinical sample such as victims of crime are discussed in light of the current debate on evidence-based practice and the dilemma of providing reliable, methodologically sound evidence without compromising internal validity of the treatment. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1347975 / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2008

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-28T20:39:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Angela de Leao Bley.pdf: 50524358 bytes, checksum: 8c7ab6fd31c339ece792eb61561816e7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-05-08 / This investigation intends to study, to analyze, and to discuss the psychological impact of cardiopaty on patients and health care supporters as well as behavior and emotional strategies on pediatric cardiopaties at Pequeno Príncipe Hospital in Curitiba. It is necessary to deepen contempts concerning the heart and to point out medical activities that, after all, work together with the psychological staff that deals, not only with the patient, but also with this patient s siblings. Besides, this research stands for the need of working with protection factors which may increase a resilient attitude towards facing this hard situation which eventually may help this group with some psychological deeds. The methodology used is that of a quantity and a qualifying research, with the use of field researches, interviews, comparative analyzes, charts, and with the necessary support of a major bibliography. This thesis is divided in nine chapters: the first of all deals with this organ named heart; the second works with the symbolic meaning of this very heart; chapter 4 studies infant up to adolescent developing steps; chapter 5 talks on resilience, facing the situation issues, and infant s and juvenile s quality of life. Chapter 6 shows the method of this study; chapter 7 points out the outcome of samples, charts, graphics, and the hypothesis shown during this investigations; chapter 8 studies the psychological impacts on groups that carry cardiopaty out. And last of all proposes a discussion on the studied issues in order to point out the relevance of this research. Thus, in intention here is to contribute for more effective psychological strategies in pediatric treatment concerning heart disease / Esta tese objetiva estudar, analisar, discutir o impacto psicológico das cardiopatias no paciente e em seus cuidadores, além de verificar os fatores de resiliência, qualidade de vida, problemas emocionais e comportamentais, e suas interações entre gravidade, tempo de diagnóstico, necessidade de cirurgia e presença de dispositivo cardíaco implantável. O nível de resiliência e as estratégias de enfrentamento utilizadas pelos cuidadores também foram mensuradas. O estudo também observou a representação simbólica dos pacientes e seus cuidadores de sua doença e do coração. A pesquisa foi realizada no Serviço de Cardiologia do Hospital Pequeno Príncipe de Curitiba. Faz-se necessário aprofundar esses conteúdos e apontar atividades médicas que, afinal, trabalham junto com o apoio psicológico dado aos pacientes e seus familiares. Justifica-se a investigação pela necessidade de se perceber e então trabalhar com fatores de proteção que virão a fomentar uma atitude resiliente por parte dos pacientes e cuidadores, capaz de levar ao enfrentamento da situação e eventualmente sair dela com algum ganho psíquico. A metodologia empregada é a da pesquisa quantitativa e qualitativa, com pesquisa de campo, entrevistas, análises comparativas, elaboração de tabelas e apoio necessário de referencial teórico. Entre os resultados dessa pesquisa pode-se verificar que as crianças apresentavam sinais de ansiedade e que a gravidade da doença piorava os sintomas de ansiedade, retraimento e sintomas de estresse póstraumático. Os jovens, por sua vez, apresentaram alto índice de vulnerabilidade e reatividade emocional. Os achados desse estudo apontaram para a necessidade do cuidado emocional tanto do paciente quanto de seu cuidador. Pretende-se, portanto, com esta tese contribuir para estratégias psicológicas mais eficazes com vistas ao tratamento das cardiopatias pediátricas que envolvem crianças até adolescentes de 18 anos de idade

This master's thesis deals with issue of cyberbullying. It reports comprehensive view of the phenomen, whose severity has an increasing tendency, in particular thanks to continuous technical progress and development in the field of information and communication technologies. It characterizes particular tools, describes a specific form the resulting risks, which can develop through using the Internet and other digital media. It deals with the effects of cyberbullying to the psychic of the adolescents and brings a comprehensive view and experiences of children and adolescents with this issue. It focuses on the differences in the perception of cyberbullying by children and adults and on the role of social worker in the process of prevention and solution of cyberbullying.