Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2004. / Supervisor: Deborah J. Tharinger. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 144-151).

Thesis PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Psy. D.)--Wheaton College Graduate School, 2008. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 45-51).

Orientador: Ana Cláudia Bortolozzi Maia / Banca: Fábio Sgarbosa / Banca: Paulo Rennes Matçal Ribeiro / Resumo: Uma nova modalidade de atendimento para enfrentar a problemática do uso de drogas e suas consequencias psicossociais refere-se a uma proposta de redução de danos (PRD). Ainda desconhecida por muitos e polêmica entre diferentes profissionais, essa proposta representa um novo olhar sobre as populações vulneráveis e procura garantir a saúde pública, por meio de ações que tentam reduzir os danos causados pelo consumo de drogas lícitas e ilícitas, bem como práticas sexuais de risco para DTS/AIDS, com esclarecimento e orientações ao invés de proibição e punição. A implementação dessa proposta pro parte de psicólogos às pessoas que se encontram em situação de vulnerabilidade pelo exercício de práticas de risco e seus familiares ainda é um tema pouco estudado. Este estudo objetivou investigar a opinião de psicólogos, sejam esses atuantes em clínicas particulares ou em um Centro de Atenção Psicossocial, sobre a proposta de Redução de Danos e sua relação com os temas de sexualidade e vunerabilidade, por meio de entrevistas e análise de conteúdo em categorias temáticas: o conceito de redução de danos, a avaliação da proposta de redução de danos, a articulação da redução de danos com a sexualidade e a implicação da redução de danos em suas atuações profiessionais. Os dados revelaram a falta de informalção referentes ao tema da política de redução de danos nos dois grupos de psicólogos e como suas ações ainda são incipientes nos espaços de promoção de saúde pública. Espera-se contribuir para o esclarecimento e o debate necessário entre os psicólogos que atuam junto a profissionais da saúde no atendiemnto a esta população beneficiando enfim o pleno desenvolvimento humano / Abstract: A new modality of treatment to address the problem of drug abuse and its psychosocial consequences refors to a proposal for Harm Reduction (PRD). Still unknown to many and controversy between the experts, this proposal represents a new focus on vulnerable population and seeks to ensure public health, through actions that attempt to reduce damage caused by the consumption of licit and ilicit drugs and sexual practices risk for HIV/AIDS, with clarification and guidance rather than prohibition and punishment. The implementation of this proposal by psychologists for people who find themselves in a vulnerable situation by the exercise of risk practices and their relatives is still little research. This study aimed to investigate the option of psychologists, are those working in private practices or in a Psychosocial Care Center on the proposal of Harm Reduction and its relation to the themes of sexuality and vulnerability, through interviews and content analysis themes: the concept of harm reduction, assessment of the proposed harm reduction, the articulation of harm reduction with sexuality and the implication of harm reduction in their profissional appearances. The data revealed the lack or information regarding the issue of harm reduction policy in the two groups of psychologists and how their actions are still incipient in the spaces to promote public health. Expected to contribute to the classification and necessary debate among psychologists who work with health providers to care for this population ultimately benefiting the full human development / Mestre

M.A. (Psychology) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Since 2011, several reports regarding the increasing number psychologists on sick leave in Sweden have been published. These suggest deficits in their working environment. The aim of this study was to examine resources in the working environment of psychologists within the adult psychiatric clinics in a county council in northern Sweden. The research questions involved identifying resources in the workplace of psychologists, based on the four levels of Job Demand-Resources model (Bakker & Demerouti, 2007). The sample consisted of six participants and data was collected through individual in-person interviews. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis.  The results are in parts consistent with previous research but also include several resources less well-known related to well-being amongst psychologists. These were Nature of the work, Training and education, Physical resources and Mentoring. The conclusions provide useful information to improve the working environment of psychologists, by protecting existing resources and providing important resources requested.

This inquiry adopts the non-dualist stance of Merleau-Ponty regarding embodiment, where the “body” is considered to be a socially embedded lived experience (Merleau-Ponty, 1945/1962), and considers whether this concept is useful to counselling psychologists who work with individuals with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. The study adopts a horizonal structure arising from understandings of Gadamer’s (1960) hermeneutics, which requires an awareness of the limitations afforded by different perspectives. Semi-structured interviews are conducted with eight practitioners of psychotherapy, who have experience with individuals diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. They are invited to speak about their experience of practice with these individuals, then to respond to a Merleau-Ponty quote regarding embodiment and to consider its usefulness in their work. Interview transcripts are thematically analysed (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Initial themes conceptualise anorexia nervosa as emotional control and denial of needs; where it is helpful to have a model of understanding; understand weight issues but don’t’ talk about food and weight, be aware of power-relations and avoid control battles, overemphasising weight gain and refeeding; and to understand ambivalence and work motivationally. The findings suggest practitioners use knowledge, in the form of theories, to provide structure and a familiar language with which to explore clients’ unfamiliar worlds. Embodied views are found to open up conceptualisations regarding ontology and embeddedness, where “anorexia” becomes an ontological split, with controlling minds punishing bodies, where words aren’t enough and the symptoms are a paradoxical solution to problems of power and agency. The study finds engaging with embodied views highlights the embedded nature of being, opens up ambiguity, challenges dichotomies and acknowledges non-psychological aspects of existence and practice. It is suggested this supports the humanistic value base of counselling psychology practice by raising awareness of the ways in which the use of theory iii can help and hinder intersubjective contact with clients and the importance of embodying hermeneutic openness.

M.Phil. (Industrial Psychology) / Industrial psychology is a profession that provides behaviour focused services to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of businesses. Industrial psychologists implement interventions at an individual, group and organisational level to improve productivity and well-being as well as reaffirming strengths and organisational flourishing. It can be said that the industrial psychology profession has been subjected to identity challenges as the profession has evolved. Orientation: The study explored the dynamics of the challenges relating to the identity of the industrial psychology profession as well as its members and further explores the creation of professional identity through social interaction. Research purpose: The aim of this study was to report on the outcomes of the social construction process and the co-creation of the identity of the industrial psychology profession and professional. Motivation for the study: This study was aimed at acquiring an understanding on the outcomes of the process of socially constructing the professional identity of industrial psychology. Research design, approach and method: This study used social construction in the context of a qualitative field research. The researcher used social media as a data collection method and asked seven industrial psychology related questions to a sample of 80 participants who contributed to a total of 627 responses. Main findings: Findings apply to areas of the industrial psychology as a science, as a profession, and the industrial psychologist as a practitioner. A unifying industrial psychology identity should be established that may assist in the maintenance of the profession’s relevance and reduce professional identity challenges. Practical/managerial implications: There are many stakeholders of the industrial psychology profession that may be affected by the services provided by members of the profession. These stakeholders include: industrial psychologists themselves, industrial psychology academics and institutions, organisations, clients and internship providers as well as regulatory boards and associations. The recommendations made in this study have been specifically applied to all stakeholders. Contribution/value-add: This study may assist in the a) elimination of role ambiguity and b) the promotion of using social media as a data collection method.

This survey study attempts to investigate the status and role of school psychologists in Canada and the extent of variation of their status and role across Canada. Canadian literature has almost nothing to say about school psychologists in Canada. Data were gathered on the distribution of personnel, the scope of the service, working conditions, qualifications for the position, activities undertaken, the nature of pupil problems referred, and views on the status and role of school psychologists held by educational officials and the school psychologists themselves Sources of data were a questionnaire survey, communications with educational officials prior to distributing the questionnaire, and documents submitted by departments of school psychology. Fifty nine (59) returned questionnaires plus evidence from documents implied a total of ninety five (95) school psychologists in Canada. The breakdown by province is as follows: Nova Scotia (3); New Brunswick (1); Quebec (6); Ontario (40); Manitoba (16); Saskatchewan (6); Alberta (13); British Columbia (10). A lack of official position regarding a status and role for school psychologists is characteristic of most Provincial Departments of Education, School boards, however, have considerable interest in school psychological services. School psychologists working for these school boards are given adequate status and direction in their work. Function, though not defined for Canada, shows pattern in the kinds of problems faced and in approaches to their solution, in the somewhat excessive scope of those duties that are preferred by school boards, and in professional activities. The preferred school psychologist seems to be one who possess an M. A. degree in psychology or a closely related, equivalent aspect of educations School psychologists express unhappiness caused by an over-emphasis on testing with minimum follow-up and by awareness of problems, both pupil and professional, that are impossible to cope with under present conditions. In terms of status and role, it is possible to distinguish school psychologists from other special service personnel such as guidance and counseling personnel. / Education, Faculty of / Graduate