Given the high prevalence rates of mental health difficulties among child welfare clients, this study attempted to map psychological services for such individuals in New Zealand and Australia. In conducting semi-structured interviews with Principal/Senior-Regional Psychologists and Directors from government departments and non-government organisations working alongside child welfare clients throughout Australasia, this study obtained information pertaining to the nature and scope of psychological services provided by such agencies. The most comprehensive data was obtained for New Zealand and New South Wales, while incomplete data described psychological services in Western Australia and Queensland. The findings of this study highlight the absence of a ‘best practice’ model among such services in addition to the disparities that exist between the number of care and protection notifications received by the government child welfare departments in New Zealand and New South Wales, and the development of psychological services within these departments. Furthermore, the lack of acknowledgement of the mental health needs of child welfare clients among both government child welfare departments and non-government organisations in these jurisdictions needs to be addressed before such services can be effectively delivered to these vulnerable children and young people.

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Arts in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master in Arts Clinical Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2013. / The main aim of this study was to investigate the attitudes of the University of Zululand students towards campus psychological services made available to them. The sample for the study was made up of a total of ten (10) participants; consisted of four (4) male and six (6) female participants. The results showed that female students of the University of Zululand were more likely, than their male counterparts, to seek professional help from the campus psychological services. It was also found that most students in their first and second years at the University of Zululand were less likely, than their final year and postgraduate counterparts, to proactively seek out psychological services. It was equally observed that although all participants admitted to have had psychological and emotional problems but not all of them sought psychological help. It was further observed that the students’ lack of awareness about the availability of campus psychological services was congruent with their perception that there was no need for psychological services at the University of Zululand. Although some students may be aware of the availability of the psychological services and some have utilized them, they do not often chat about the psychological services. This may be attributed to the fact that they share common beliefs and values; that it is better to communicate with those within their social circles instead of talking to a psychologist. The findings suggested that those who utilized and thus advised others about psychological services, started by communicating with their friends before seeking psychological services. It also became evident that seeking professional help may not be a common primary step among the University of Zululand students.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Education in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University Of Zululand, South Africa, 2014 / The study was aimed at investigating the level of principals and teachers’ satisfaction with the delivery of school psychological services by Educational Psychologists (EPs) in Zimbabwe. This investigation was prompted by observations of trends in international school psychology surveys that indicated that EPs wished to diversify their professional functioning by reducing the amount of time they spent in assessment activities and increasing the amount of time they spend in alternative roles. Currently there is little or no public empirical data in Zimbabwe on teachers and principals satisfaction with the services they are getting from EPs. This lack of adequate research on school psychological services may be preventing EPs from providing an equitable and efficient service. Eighty (80) school principals and 160 teachers were randomly selected from a list provided by the educational psychologists working with schools in four of the country’s ten administrative provinces. Two researcher-constructed questionnaires and a semi-structured interview schedule were administered to the stakeholders. The theory that steered this study was the gap model of service quality. The study employed a two group mixed exploratory design. Both the self-administered questionnaires and face-to-face interviews were used as a means of data collection. Interviews were conducted by the researcher from 5 to10 January 2012. The quantitative data processing was done electronically by computer using the IBM SPSS statistics 22. Chi-Square statistics, produced results from which discussions were derived. The Chi-Square tests done between the identified groups produced results showed statistical significant differences in satisfaction between male and female educators, qualifications and teaching experience of stakeholders. The results show that generally, teachers and principals are not satisfied with the provision of the psychological services. The prevalence of dissatisfaction seems also to be fairly randomly widespread among the stakeholders. The study concludes by making some recommendations for further research and structural changes to Schools Psychological Services and Special Needs Education (SPS & SNE) Department to improve school psychological service delivery to all stakeholders. / University of Zululand Research Fund

MA by course work and research report, Community-Counselling Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, 2010

While there is extensive research on medical doctors and their mental health, little is known about the specific barriers which prevent them from accessing psychological services. Numerous studies have shown that rather than asking for help from other professionals such as counselling psychologists and therapists, doctors would rather turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with their psychological distress. Junior Doctors (JDs) specifically are at particular risk of mental ill-health but feel prevented by their profession from seeking psychological treatment. Little research has been conducted on this particular subject area focusing specifically on JDs. This study readdresses the empirical evidence available for the issue and informs more clearly how counselling psychology and related professions can provide a more effective service to this client group. A constructivist grounded theory approach using eight participants allowed for a detailed examination of the participants’ subjective experiences of the research phenomenon and the generation of new theory on the barriers which prevent JDs from accessing psychological help. Of the eight participants, seven were from an Asian background and one was of Caucasian origin. Further, seven were male with the remaining one participant being female. A core category was uncovered from the analysis of the data which apply to the research participants: psychosocial barriers to accessing psychological services by JDs. This core category was informed by three main themes: 1) medical identity 2) the development of coping strategies in the British medical culture, and 3) the unacceptability of difference. This core category and its themes make up the grounded theory of the research. In light of the findings it may be suitable to adapt the usual process of therapy and negotiate a more appropriate method of delivering psychological support to reduce barriers and to promote credibility and effectiveness of counselling psychology among this client group.

No description available.

A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS (COUNSELLING PSYCHOLOGY) at the UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND, 2007. / Zululand, the north eastern area of Kwa-Zulu Natal in South Africa is characterized by its diversity in development. This resulted from historical imbalances that were enforced by the Apartheid system and so, typifying South Africa with its unlevelled development. With large parts of the region being underdeveloped, the Zululand Mental Health Community Psychology Programme (ZMHCPP) was formally established in 1994 in response to the high demands for local community psychological services in the area. For the programme to stay updated and effective, constant evaluation is necessary. This will allow the programme to build upon its strengths as well as respond to short comings and new emerging needs. This qualitative study investigated the ZMHCPP from an appreciative perspective. It records valuable aspects of the ZMHCPP and identifies challenges and opportunities for improvement. Findings in this study were guided by relevant stakeholders 7 first hand experiences of the ZMHCPP. Participants' experiences of the ZMHCPP were generally positive. The programme was mainly appreciated for the essential services it provides to the community and the fact that it also indirectly contributes to the profession of Community Psychology by creating opportunities for intern training and research. While the ZMHCPP was appreciated for providing psychological services at affordable rates, the need for funding to secure adequate resources and to sustain itself was expressed. This dilemma highlighted the greatest challenge for the programme. It is hoped that this research project will encourage government and potential donors / sponsors to further realise the value of the programme and provide financial support. / National Research Foundation

Thesis(M.A. (Clinical Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2018 / The study explored recidivism as a lived experience among the youth incarcerated at Polokwane Secure Care Centre in Polokwane, Limpopo Province. The study focused on describing the subjective meanings that recidivist youth attach to their behaviour and established what the youth consider to be the causes of their recidivist behaviour. Furthermore, the study explored what the youth perceive as possible interventions to reduce recidivism. A total of six participants (all males; aged between 16 and 18) were selected using the purposive sampling method. Data were collected using semi structured interviews. Thematic analysis method was used to analyse the data. The six major themes that emerged during data analysis were; a) labelling; b) peer pressure; c) substance abuse; d) socialisation; e) conduct disorder; and f) self discipline and constructive activities. The findings of the study suggest that various factors contribute to recidivism including the use of substances; parenting styles as well as peer pressure. Furthermore, the findings showed that behavioural problems including criminal behaviour in the youth, may be due to being labelled as a criminal or Conduct Disorder. The findings further suggest the influence the environment has on the youth, and how being socialised in an environment that emphasises a fancy lifestyle may contribute to the youth engaging in criminal activities to meet the standards of that particular environment. The findings further suggest that self discipline and of constructive activities may help to reduce recidivism among the youth. The study is concluded by, among others, recommending that psychological services be widely available to communities which will allow the youth to have easy access to such services. This may assist them in dealing with issues such as their experiences within the households (such as abuse) and how to better manage/ control their emotions as opposed to responding aggressively.

There is a dearth of psychological research with Polynesian populations in the United States Research on this population is needed to meet the demands of this increasingly growing population. This study aims to investigate the psychological well-being of an understudied Latter-day Saint (LDS) Polynesian American emerging adult group in order to better provide them with cultural-specific professional psychological services. The sample included 327 LDS Polynesian American emerging adults ranging from 18 to 26 years of age (191 females, 136 males). Specifically, this study examines the associations among coping strategies, religiosity, ethnic identity, depression, anxiety, and self-esteem. An online questionnaire was used to collect the necessary data. Descriptive statistics, bivariate correlations, and path analyses were conducted to examine relationships among variables. The results yield findings that are unique to this specific population. This study's results found family support, religiosity, and ethnic identity to be influential among LDS Polynesian emerging adults with regards to their psychological well-being. As this study mentions, identifying and recognizing the influential cultural values on well-being for this population can contribute to assisting mental health professionals provide culturally sensitive and appropriate interventions for their LDS Polynesian American emerging adult clients.

There is a noted discrepancy between police psychological services offered and services utilized. It is important to understand reasons for underutilization when creating services for officers. The purpose of this study was providing empirical evidence from the officers-perspectives to answer this question. The conceptual foundation was officers may refuse participation due to police culture. The conceptual framework was represented in research questions focused on officers- perspectives regarding psychological services provided by psychologists without law enforcement (LE) experience. The participants were employed law enforcement officers (LEOs) from regions across the United States. Officer participation from all 50 states was targeted to assist in ensuring demographic variability. Phenomenological methods were employed. Samples were gathered by contacting 2 police departments (PDs) per state, in arbitrarily chosen cities and rural areas. One questionnaire with pre-addressed, stamped envelopes was sent to each department indicating the research post office box. Data were analyzed by applying qualitative research data software, open coding, in-margin notetaking procedures, and individual recognition of themes. Ten to 25 participants were required and 10 were achieved. Two categories, 6 subcategories, 2 themes, and 3 subthemes emerged from the data analyses. Data analyses aligned with previous findings in 2 aspects and did not support others. Positive social change will be affected through identifying reasons for low service utilization. Agencies may begin restructuring program policies, developing more effective training, and other psychological protocols for LEOs and providers.