Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ball State University, 2009. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Nov. 12, 2009). Includes bibliographical references (p. 73-82).

Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Psy. D.)--Rutgers University, 2009. / "Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology." Includes bibliographic references (p. 101-104).

Burnout is considered the final step in the progression of unsuccessful attempts at coping with a number of stressful conditions. The present study aimed to explore the perceived effectiveness of training of educational psychologists at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg to manage and cope with stress and burnout. The study also explored the perceived effectiveness of training to cope with demands of the profession, and the choice of coping mechanisms in stress management. The sample consisted of 8 educational psychologists who had completed their degrees at the University of Natal, Pietermartizburg. The sample comprised five males and three females. The study was qualitative in nature and the data was analyzed employing Kruger's phenomenological approach. A semi-structured interview was conducted consisting of four questions. The data received was thereafter analyzed by the phenomenological steps stipulated by Kruger (1988). Categorization of the data revealed the following themes: (a) incongruencies in practice and training; (b) perceived influence of professional training on the choice of coping skills and stress management techniques; (c) stress management techniques and elements that psychologists thought should be included in the training programme; (d) contributory factors of stress and burnout in psychologists, and society's perception of psychologists. A gap was perceived between the training received and practice. The respondents felt that there was a lack of focus on issues pertaining to educational psychology. The meta-issue that arose was that the professional training received was incongruent with work demands. With regard to the choice of coping skills, the training received was perceived as being unhelpful, but aided in the refinement of existing coping skills. The findings of the study are discussed, limitations of the study considered, and suggestions for further research offered. / Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1999.

This study used a survey to look for significant gender differences in the career experiences of doctoral graduates from one counseling psychology program. The following areas were examined: income, employment patterns, professional self-view, motivational values, and satisfaction. The participants in this study were 135 doctoral graduates (93 males and 42 females) who graduated over a 23 year period (1968-1990) from a counseling psychology program at a mid-size midwestern state university. They completed a four page, 34 item questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize and describe the data; and analyses of variance, analyses of covariance, chi square tests of significance, and t-tests for means were used to test for significant differences.There were gender differences in the career experiences of counseling psychologists in this study. Male counseling psychologists earned larger salaries and larger total annual income than female counseling psychologists. Females were more likely than males to work part-time-only and males worked more hours than females. However, gender differences in salary and income remained after controlling for the number of hours worked. Experience, defined as the number of years since graduation, was not a factor in income differences, as there were no differences between early and late graduates. There was a tendency for proportionately more women than men to be employed in community mental health centers. Males published more articles than females. Males attached more importance to the motivational value "making a lot of money" and there was a tendency for more males than females to see themselves as scientist-practitioners and for more females to see themselves as practitioners. Both males and females were satisfied with their training and their careers. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

Includes bibliography. / Over the past decade clinical psychologists have increasingly begun to work in general hospital settings, but little published research has dealt in depth with the adjustments and negotiations that need to occur at the interface of clinical psychology and medicine. In this dissertation, the relationship of the psychosocial to medicine and the professional relationships of psychologists and doctors are discussed. Consultation- liaison psychiatry and multidisciplinary treatment teams are presented as two ways in which medicine has attempted to deal with the psychosocial, and which provide potentially useful models of practice for psychologists. Four cases that were referred to the author while working as an intern clinical psychologist in a Neurosurgery unit are discussed in terms of the insight they provide in understanding implicit assumptions about and expectations of psychology. In addition, the head of this Department of Neurosurgery and the two clinical psychologists working in this department were interviewed, and these interviews, together with the cases, provide the material for a discussion of various issues which face clinical psychologists in this unit. These include: the power structures and relationships in the unit; the use of consultation-liaison psychiatry and multidisciplinary treatment team models of practice; the inability of psychologists to fulfil present demands for their services; and the issue of reactive or proactive definition of psychological functions. Finally, some suggestions for enhancing the psychological contribution to patient care in Neurosurgery are made, based on the principles that arise out of the discussion.

No description available.

This study conceptualises the workings of supervision within a South African community clinic setting, focusing specifically on trainees’ experiences of work and supervision in such contexts. Training and working in community contexts has become increasingly important in the field of clinical psychology in South Africa. Multiple and varied challenges face trainees learning and working in these contexts. The experience may evoke overwhelming emotional responses for trainees. Supervision can play an important role in offering support and providing a reflective space for trainees, thus helping to render their experiences manageable and meaningful. A qualitative research design was used in this study to explore the experiences of trainee psychologists learning and working at a community clinic in Johannesburg as a component of their clinical psychology Masters training. Six past clinical psychology trainees from the University of the Witwatersrand were interviewed in order to gain understanding of their experiences of work and supervision from their own perspectives. What emerged from analysis of the interview material was a rich description of the community clinic and the challenges trainees are faced with in working there. The impact of being a new therapist within the environment was an area commonly discussed in interviews. Most significantly, the importance of supervision within the context was highlighted, with interviewees focusing on the need for containment and a space to think. Bearing these ideas in mind, the study draws on psychodynamic theory, particularly that of Wilfred R. Bion, to help conceptualise the workings of supervision in such a context. The study illustrates that considerable and meaningful work and learning can be done in less than ideal circumstances.

Abstract not available

To compare the work practices and training needs of rural and urban psychologists, 774 surveys were sent to psychologists throughout Australia. The psychologists were selected from the Australian Psychological Society (APS) Directory of Psychologists, 1992- 1993. A total of 86 rural psychologists and 282 urban psychologists responded to the survey. The survey comprised of four sections with questions asking respondents their demographic and employment background, past and current training activities, work experience, and relations with community. Results showed that the decision to practice and remain in a rural area was influenced by psychologists’ childhood experience and professional training in a rural setting, A substantial proportion of rural psychologists (28%) had been working in rural practice for five years or less. These rural psychologists were identified as a group that had a demographic and training profile more similar to urban psychologists than their rural colleagues. The employment conditions and training background of rural and urban psychologists were similar, though rural psychologists were more likely to be working in private practice and have undertaken their studies in a rural setting. Rural and urban psychologists rated their undergraduate and postgraduate training in psychology as only somewhat adequate. Training in rural health and community issues received the lowest ratings from both groups of psychologists. The work practices of rural and urban psychologists were also similar. There were some differences in the demographic profile of the client groups seen by the two groups. Rural psychologists reported the type of relations with their communities that are conducive to rural practice. The main evidence of this was that rural psychologists were collaborating with the natural helpers of their communities, and expressed willingness to formally train natural helpers to assist in the provision of psychological services. There were several conclusions drawn from this study. The first conclusion was that rural psychologists with urban demographic and training backgrounds are a group that is likely to migrate from rural practice to urban practice, Secondly, training needs to be specialised for rural practice if there is to be an improvement in the number of psychologists practicing in rural settings. Thirdly, rural psychologists were conducting the type of relations with their communities that are important to the requirements of rural practice.