An important area of research is emerging for adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) with respect to the challenges they face in their social relationships. Social relationships include those that are romantic in nature such as dating, cohabitation and marriage. Researchers suggest that engaging in a healthy and happy romantic relationship has many physical and mental health benefits that contribute to improved quality of life. This study used a quasi-experimental group design to explore the effects of psychoeducation for adults with ASD. Study participants were assigned to one of two group conditions. One group received the Relationship Enhancement®(RE) program and the other received RE with supplements targeting specific social skills. Social skills, empathy and social support were measured pre and post intervention for participants both within and between groups. Significant differences were found in the assessment of all participants, in both groups, as measured by t-tests and effect sizes in the variables of social skills (t(37)=- 2.28-2.72, p=.028-.029, η2=.122) and empathy (t(37)=-2.31, p=.027, η2=.123). These differences indicate that all participants, in both groups improved in social skills and empathy from pre to post treatment. No significant differences were found among all group participants for the variable of social support. There were no significant differences between groups for the three variables measured (p>0.05). Overall, these results provide support for the use of RE and the targeted supplements to increase social skills and empathy among adults with ASD who are interested in engaging in romantic relationships. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Submitted by Filipe dos Santos (fsantos@pucsp.br) on 2018-09-28T12:26:48Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Luiz Fernando Rodrigues Veronica.pdf: 1060390 bytes, checksum: d83ae3a4f04b1d7d01b9468421a1130d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-28T12:26:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Luiz Fernando Rodrigues Veronica.pdf: 1060390 bytes, checksum: d83ae3a4f04b1d7d01b9468421a1130d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-08-29 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / The aim of this study was to present the contributions of D. W. Winnicott on schizoid pathology, seeking to explain the place that this pathology occupies in the theoretical and clinical framework of the author and also the aspects related to etiology, dynamics and clinical management highlighted by the author. This is a theoretical research, where the results were based on a detailed reading of the author’s work and two of his clinical cases, diagnosed by him as schizoid. It had as a methodological basis the principle of hermeneutics, which considers the articulation of the whole with the parts, understanding the meaning as relative to the context, so that the whole is understood in relation to its parts and the parts in relation to the whole. As results, the author locates schizoidia in the field of psychoses, having its origin in the earliest period of life, before the individual has achieved a more consistent integration of the self. Schizoid individuals suffered abrupt, disastrous failures as a result of a chaotic environment, they still succeeded in forming, even in a very incipient way, a self. The consequence of environmental failures in schizoids, produces a near-permanent sensation that the world and everything relating to the external or shared reality is dangerous and pernicious. Therefore, their attitude is to always flee from the world, from contact, from relationships, living circumscribed to their subjective world, in order to protect their incipient self, against the unpredictability and invasion of the environment / Este estudo teve por objetivo apresentar as contribuições de D. W. Winnicott acerca da patologia esquizoide, buscando explicitar o lugar que essa patologia ocupa no arcabouço teórico e clínico do autor e também os aspectos referentes à etiologia, dinâmica e manejo clínico destacados pelo autor. Trata-se de uma pesquisa teórica, na qual os resultados foram embasados em uma detalhada leitura da obra e de dois casos clínicos do autor, diagnosticados por ele como esquizoides. Teve como base metodológica o princípio da hermenêutica, que considera a articulação do todo com as partes, entendendo o significado como relativo ao contexto, de modo que o todo é compreendido em relação às suas partes e as partes em relação ao todo. Como resultados, verificou-se que o autor situa a esquizoidia no campo das psicoses, tendo sua origem no período mais precoce da vida, antes de o indivíduo ter alcançado uma integração mais consistente do self. Os indivíduos esquizoides sofreram falhas abruptas, desastrosas, em decorrência de um ambiente caótico, ainda assim, conseguiram constituir, mesmo de forma muito incipiente, um self. A consequência das falhas ambientais produz, nos esquizoides, uma sensação quase que permanente de que o mundo e/ou tudo aquilo que diz respeito ao relacionamento com a realidade externa ou compartilhada é algo perigoso, pernicioso. Por isso, sua atitude é a de sempre fugirem do mundo, do contato, das relações, vivendo circunscritos a seu mundo subjetivo, a fim de protegerem seu incipiente self contra a imprevisibilidade do ambiente

This research explores the relationship between social, cultural and politico-historical factors and the interpretation of events as causing disruption and significant distress in the lives of rural Zulu-speakers in KwaZulu Natal. Focus groups, each comprising a different category of first-language Zulu speakers were conducted, namely a youth group, a women's group, a group of traditional and faith healers and a group of community health workers, The groups were conducted in Zulu, recorded and then transcribed and translated into English. The translated transcripts were then analysed for common themes. It was found that explanatory systems of illnesses, based on the African worldview produce a tendency to cluster events into 'paths ofdistress' that are endowed with traumatic meaning. These paths are initiated by events that are significant in terms of people's history and culture. They are an attempt to describe how the connection and relationship between events, which are to a large extent outside ofone's control, contribute to aconcept of 'trauma' or'suffering' that implies disruption and distress on an ongoing and wider scale than is captured in the Western concept of PTSD. Aprofound sense offailure and a breakdown of community relationships and processes are some ofthe effects of such paths. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

Thesis (M.A.)--Baylor University, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 41-47).

M.A. (Psychology) / This study was motivated by the relative lack of research pertaining to the following aspects ofperfectionism: ~ The differences between the personality structure of high and low perfectionists. ~ The trend in available research in respect of perfectionism to regard the high perfectionist individual as maladapted and the low perfectionist individual as normal. ~ The possible association between parental styles and the development of perfectionist behavior in children. The literature describes perfectionism as a multi-dimensional construct. Perfectionism is perceived as consisting of both intra- and interdimensional aspects. The focus of the perfectionist can either be on the self (self-oriented perfectionism), on others (olher-oriented perfectionism) or on expectations from the outside world (socially prescribed perfectionism) (e.g. Hewitt &Flett, 1991a). According to a number of research studies the perfectionist is lnclned to suppress emotions (e.g. Smith, 1990) and harbour irrational thought patterns (e.g. Flett, Hewitt, Blankstein & Koledin, 1991). Interpersonal problems arise because the perfectionist, for example, isolates herself socially, criticizes others (Smith, 1990) and has an extreme need for control within interpersonal relationships (e.g. Mental Health Net, 1999). In spite of research regarding the association between perfectionism and certain personality traits there remains a dearth of findings concerning personality structure and perfectionism in women...

Increasing prevalence and severity of undergraduate psychopathology, combined with heightened burden on college campus counseling centers and the potential for sustained distress and self-harm, has necessitated comprehensive, vertically integrated on-campus mental health services. Initiatives include preventive interventions that: 1) foster resilience and adaptive coping, 2) ameliorate sub-threshold symptoms of pathology as secondary prevention, and 3) foster well-being and meaningful student experiences for greater fulfillment and thriving. A growing body of supportive data has led to some expansion of mental health and wellness services on college campuses, including the use of spiritually integrated mind-body practices to promote well-being. While college campuses’ wellness initiatives show promise, structured spiritual-mind-body (SMB) interventions have yet to be formally tested in either open or controlled clinical trials. The primary aim of this open-trial pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of an eight-session SMB-integrated wellness intervention, Awakened Awareness for Adolescents (AA-A), adapted specifically for late adolescent (ages 18 - 25) college students from Awakened Awareness for adults (AA) to support spiritual development and individuation. A secondary aim was to obtain preliminary data on changes in undergraduate students’ mental health and spiritual well-being across the AA-A intervention. Participants consisted of 77 non-clinically-referred undergraduates aged 18 - 24, who attended an average of M = 5.75 (SD = 1.42) out of the eight sessions. Measures included common psychopathology symptoms, spiritual well-being, psychological, and psychosocial variables using validated self-report assessments. Additionally, we explored the effect of spiritual well-being variables’ change scores as predictors of post-AA-A psychopathology symptom scores, controlling for pretest symptom scores. Differential effects between participants with high and low baseline depression symptoms were examined on outcome measures. Preliminary findings support the feasibility and acceptability of the AA-A intervention for college student’s mental health and spiritual well-being. Results include significant reductions in depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms, and significant improvements in numerous spiritual well-being, psychological, and psychosocial variables. Further, a recovery process from high rates of PTS symptomatology and spiritual decline may be initiated by SMB interventions that foster enhanced spiritual perception and build awareness of personal and relational spirituality.

Flow is a mental state characterised by a feeling of energised focus, complete involvement and success when fully immersed in an activity. The dimensions of and the conditions required for flow to occur have been explored in a broad spectrum of situational contexts. The close relationship between flow and peak performance sparked an interest in ways to induce flow. However, any process of flow induction requires a measure to trace the degree to which flow is in fact occurring. Self-reports of the flow experience are subjective and provide ad hoc information. Psycho-physiological measures, such as EEG, can provide objective and continuous indications of the degree to which flow is occurring. Unfortunately few studies have explored the relationships between psycho-physiological measures and flow. The present study was an attempt to determine the EEG correlates of flow under conditions of peak performance. Twenty participants were asked to perform a continuous visuomotor task 10 times. Time taken per task was used as an indicator of task performance. EEG recordings were done concurrently. Participants completed an Abbreviated Flow Questionnaire (AFQ) after each task and a Game Flow Inventory (GFI) after having finished all 10 tasks. On completion, performance times and associated flow scores were standardised where after the sample was segmented into a high flow - peak performance and a low flow - low performance level. Multi-variate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted on the performance, flow and EEG data to establish that a significant difference existed between the two levels. In addition, a one-way analysis of variance between high and low flow data was conducted for all variables and main effects were established. Inter-correlations of all EEG data at both levels were then conducted across four brain sites (F3, C3, P3, O1). In high flow only, results indicated increased lobeta power in the sensorimotor cortex together with a unique EEG pattern showing beta band synchronisation between the prefrontal and sensori-motor areas and de-synchronisation between all other areas, while all other frequencies (delta, theta, alpha, lobeta, hibeta, and gamma) remained synchronised across all scalp locations. These findings supported a theoretical neuropsychological model of flow. / Psychology / D. Com. (Consulting Psychology)

Flow is a mental state characterised by a feeling of energised focus, complete involvement and success when fully immersed in an activity. The dimensions of and the conditions required for flow to occur have been explored in a broad spectrum of situational contexts. The close relationship between flow and peak performance sparked an interest in ways to induce flow. However, any process of flow induction requires a measure to trace the degree to which flow is in fact occurring. Self-reports of the flow experience are subjective and provide ad hoc information. Psycho-physiological measures, such as EEG, can provide objective and continuous indications of the degree to which flow is occurring. Unfortunately few studies have explored the relationships between psycho-physiological measures and flow. The present study was an attempt to determine the EEG correlates of flow under conditions of peak performance. Twenty participants were asked to perform a continuous visuomotor task 10 times. Time taken per task was used as an indicator of task performance. EEG recordings were done concurrently. Participants completed an Abbreviated Flow Questionnaire (AFQ) after each task and a Game Flow Inventory (GFI) after having finished all 10 tasks. On completion, performance times and associated flow scores were standardised where after the sample was segmented into a high flow - peak performance and a low flow - low performance level. Multi-variate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted on the performance, flow and EEG data to establish that a significant difference existed between the two levels. In addition, a one-way analysis of variance between high and low flow data was conducted for all variables and main effects were established. Inter-correlations of all EEG data at both levels were then conducted across four brain sites (F3, C3, P3, O1). In high flow only, results indicated increased lobeta power in the sensorimotor cortex together with a unique EEG pattern showing beta band synchronisation between the prefrontal and sensori-motor areas and de-synchronisation between all other areas, while all other frequencies (delta, theta, alpha, lobeta, hibeta, and gamma) remained synchronised across all scalp locations. These findings supported a theoretical neuropsychological model of flow. / Psychology / D. Com. (Consulting Psychology)

This work attempts to confront certain political problems created by the individualistic bias in psychoanalytic thinking, and the resulting failure to adequately theorise the importance of social processes. The thesis traces the origins of intrapsychic thinking to Freud's initial move from the seduction theory to the Oedipal theory. This development is offered as a prototype for the debates between conceptualisations of childhood traumatisation as a social problem of actual abuse occurring within dermed power relations, and theories which locate pathology purely within internal conflicts occurring inside the individual. Several criticisms of this shift are offered, and it s impact on later theory is considered. Here a contrast is offered between the theoretical approaches of Melanie Klein and Donald Winnicott, arguing for the usefulness of Winnicott's emphasis on environmental factors within psychodynamic theory. The impact of these theoretical approaches is illustrated through a critical evaluation of Freud's case study of Judge Schreber. Additional historical material is brought in to show the importance of environmental considerations ignored by Freud, and contrasting psychodynamic readings of the case are offered. As an alternative to purely intrapsychic approaches, a reinterpretation of certain strands of Critical Theory is then presented. Adorno's theory of the Authoritarian Personality and Marcuse' s concept of One-Dimensional Man are extended using Winnicott's formulations concerning psychological development. This leads to an examination of the question of the relationship between social structure and individual consciousness. Post-structuralist accounts of language and the construction of identity are explored. These are then developed drawing on theories of ideology, language and consciousness, integrating these with Winnicott's developmental theory to offer an alternative psychodynamic understanding of the relationship between social process and psychopathology. An attempt is made to reformulate - the notions of consciousness and the unconscious in terms of the possibilities and difficulties of representation within available social symbolic codes. In conclusion the it is argued that psychology needs to integrate critical social theory and contemporary understandings of the social construction of consciousness in order to become a meaning force in positive social transformation.

En nous référant aux théorisations de l’épistémologie psychanalytique, nous concevons la schizophrénie comme résultant d’une expérience traumatique primaire n’ayant pu être intégrée au sein de la subjectivité. Ce traumatisme, nous le rattachons moins à un évènement en tant que tel qu’à la position impensable qu’il désigne pour le sujet. Ainsi, en nous inspirant de la pensée de P. Aulagnier et de R. Roussillon, nous suggérons que le noyau traumatique conditionnant le développement d’une problématique schizophrénique se rapporte à la position d’objet pulsionnel, ou de non-désir, à laquelle se trouve identifié le sujet au sein des premiers échanges avec son environnement. <p><p>Face à l’impensable de cette position identificatoire, le sujet se voit contraint de s’extraire de la scène relationnelle avec ses objets primaires, se clivant par la même opération du capital représentatif qui lui est associé. Dans ces conditions, nous pensons que le délire, moins d’apparaître comme une production pathologique dépourvue de sens, correspond à un mode de réponse face au retour hallucinatoire de l’impensé traumatique. Aussi, à partir d’une méthodologie qualitative basée sur l’analyse d’une douzaine de cas cliniques, nous mettons en évidence trois principales fonctions du délire dans la schizophrénie. La première, conceptualisée sous le terme de « fonction contenante », procède à la mise en forme et à la transformation signifiante de ce qui ne put être symbolisé de l’expérience traumatique. La seconde, nommée « fonction localisante », tente de situer en dehors du sujet le débordement pulsionnel inhérent au traumatisme primaire. La troisième, appelée « fonction identifiante », permet à la personne délirante de s’attribuer un énoncé identificatoire qui, de manière auto-créée, supplée à l’énigme de son histoire insensée.<p><p>Enfin, l’analyse de nos données cliniques souligne que ces trois fonctions de l’activité délirante ne se réalisent pas de façon aléatoire mais qu’elles s’articulent selon une logique particulière. Ainsi, nous suggérons qu’à partir de sa triple opération le délire schizophrénique tend à se déployer en un « processus délirant », par lequel le sujet peut rendre pensable et supportable la position traumatique à laquelle il a été identifié au cours de son histoire.<p><p><p>By following theories from the psychoanalytical epistemology, we consider schizophrenia as the result of a primary trauma that has not been assimilated within the subjectivity. We connect less this traumatism with an event than with the unthinkable position the subject is identified to. Therefore, being inspired by the thought of P. Aulagnier and R. Roussillon, we suggest that the traumatic nucleus which conditions the development of schizophrenia is related to the position of instinctual object, or of non-desire, to which the subject is identified within the first exchanges with his environment. <p><p>In view of this unthinkable position, the subject is forced to remove himself from the relationship with his primary objects, splitting off from the representative capital that is associated with it. In these conditions, we think that the delusion appears less as a meaningless pathological production than as a way of answering to the hallucinatory return of the traumatic unthought. From a qualitative methodology based on the analysis of a dozen clinical cases, we highlight three main functions of the delusion in schizophrenia. The first, conceptualized under the term «containing function», carries out the shaping and the significant transformation of what could have not been symbolized of the traumatic experience. The second, called «localizing function», tries to locate outside of the subject the instinctual overflow inherent to the primary trauma. The third, named «identifying function», enables the delusional person to assume an identificatory principle which, in a self-created way, compensates for the enigma of his senseless history.<p><p>Finally, the analysis of our clinical data underlines that these three functions of the delusional activity are not randomly accomplished but are organized according to a particular logic. Thus from its triple operation, we suggest that the schizophrenic delusion tends to develop into a «delusional process», by which the subject can make thinkable and bearable the traumatic position to which he was identified during his history.<p> / Doctorat en Sciences Psychologiques et de l'éducation / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished