A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Arts in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Degree of Master of Research Psychology at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2004. / This study investigated the attitudes of the medical laboratory employees (MLE's) towards their work environment. The study determined from the employees whether variables of gender, age, qualifications and years of experience had influence on the attitudes of the MLE's towards their work environment. The sample was drawn from the State Pathology Laboratory in Umtata, Eastern Cape (under the O.R.Tambo District Council). It consisted of males and females with ages ranging from 20 to 64 years, qualifications ranging from standard 10 to B.Tech. Biomedical Technology and above, years of experience ranging from 1 year to 30 years. A structured questionnaire constructed according to a five-point scale, the Likert scale, was used to collect data from the subjects. The statistical technique used to test the hypotheses was the Cm-square. The results showed that the majority of MLE's held negative attitudes towards their work environment. The two sections of response categories reflected a weak relationship between the variables ofj gender, age, level of qualification and experience in the attitudes of the MLE's towards their work environment. Although not overwhelmingly demonstrated, there was a presumptive evidence that the work environment had an impact on the attitudes of the MLE's. There was an urgent need for improvement of certain service conditions in the medical laboratory to change the attitudes of the MLE's. Lack of fulfillment and inspiration could make the MLE's lose interest and abandon the profession as was confirmed by the informal interviews.

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This study investigated the neuropsychological correlates of psychopathy among adolescents. Forty-four male offenders between the ages of 15 and 18 were evaluated for level of psychopathy using the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV). The PCL:YV results for the entire sample were then subjected to a Rasch analysis. The sample of youth were also administered a series of neuropsychological measures designed to assess functioning of the prefrontal cortex and hemispheric specialization. A questionnaire designed to assess schizotypy was also administered. All participants were assessed while in custody and had been charged or convicted of a criminal offense. Hypotheses included (1) that the PCL:YV would fit the Rasch model, (2) that youth high on psychopathy would display deficits on executive functioning measures sensitive to processing of the orbital prefrontal cortex (OPFC), but not on measures sensitive to functioning of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), (3) that the psychopathic group would display reduced hemispheric lateralization, and (4) that the psychopathic group would display elevations on measures of schizotypy. The results indicated that the PCL:YV does fit the Rasch model, but failed to support either the presence of orbitofrontal dysfunction or reduced laterality among psychopaths. Psychopaths, however, were elevated on the schizotypy measures of Social Anhedonia and Impulsivity-Nonconformity. Results are discussed in terms of the biological and developmental characteristics of psychopathy.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Medicine in the branch of Psychiatry Johannesburg, October 2014 / Introduction In a constant quest for political power and control incredulously extending from medieval times to present day, the infliction of physical and psychological torture on each other by warring factions is sadly an ongoing reality worldwide. These gross insults on human rights may have a significant impact on the psychological wellbeing of the tortured individuals and result in clinical psychiatric illness. Methods A retrospective record review of all clients visiting the Southern African Centre for Survivors of Torture (SACST) in Johannesburg over a one year period was conducted. Their demographic profiles and torture experiences were analysed using the information available in the centre’s record system. The prevalence of psychiatric illness within this study group was explored. Attempts were made to ascertain differences in trauma experiences endured and psychopathology sustained. The validity of the Self Reporting Questionnaire 8 (SRQ8) rating scale as a screening tool for psychiatric illness was also evaluated. Ethics approval to conduct the study was obtained from the University of the Witwatersrand Human Research Ethics Committee (Medical). IV Results The cases studied were predominantly married, previously employed males less than 40 years old with at least a secondary level of education. All of these cases had experienced some form of torture but their SRQ 8 scores were variable and could not be linked to a specific torture experience or psychiatric diagnosis. Those cases finally assessed by a psychiatrist were all suffering from a psychiatric disorder with a significant 55% diagnosed with a comorbid Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Only 8% had an isolated PTSD and 24% unipolar depression alone. Conclusion The political conflict occurring in neighbouring Zimbabwe has resulted in large numbers of their nationals fleeing across their borders and seeking refuge in South Africa due to alleged human rights abuses including political torture. Assessment of a small percentage of these individuals in this local study has confirmed the prevalence on MDD, PTSD and combined MDD/ PTSD in this population

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Thesis (Ph. D.)--Drexel University, 2004. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 77-110).

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 65-71). / vii, 71 leaves, bound 29 cm

The treatment of Depressive Disorders in patients with chronic comorbid disease states warrants careful consideration of the risk-benefit ratio pertaining to the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of the antidepressant being considered, against the physiological susceptibilities of the patient; potential drug-drug interactions and depressive symptoms. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between Depressive Disorders and the most frequently diagnosed chronic comorbid disease states in a depressed South African study population; and to comment on the appropriateness of antidepressants prescribed to these patients. This retrospective drug utilisation study consisted of two parts: the first part focused on the prevalence of the most frequently diagnosed chronic comorbidities in a depressed South African population (N = 21 171). The three most prevalent chronic comorbid disease states were Hypertension (52.87 percent), Lipid Disorders (20.40 percent) and Arthritis (16.70 percent). The second part of the study included an assessment of the antidepressants prescribed to depressed patients in 2004 (N = 6 150). Emphasis was placed on the suitability of antidepressants selected for depressed adult patients (18 years of age and older) with comorbid Hypertension, Lipid Disorders or Arthritis. SSRIs were prescribed most frequently to the depressed patients during 2004 (59.67 percent). SSRIs are the suggested first-line treatments for depressed patients with multiple chronic comorbid disease states. However, of the SSRIs, fluoxetine has the least favourable pharmacokinetic profile and was found to be the antidepressant prescribed most often. Amitriptyline, which was the TCA prescribed most frequently, produces the greatest degree of anticholinergic, sedative and hypotensive effects, relative to other agents in the same antidepressant class. Thus, it is not recommended as a first-line antidepressant, especially in depressed patients with comorbidities. This study identifies potential areas of intervention regarding antidepressant prescribing in depressed individuals with chronic comorbid disease states and offers recommendations to promote the selection of optimal, individualised drug treatment strategies for these patients.

Research has established a link between parental psychopathology, perceptions of parents, and child outcomes. Separately, negative perceptions of a parent and parental psychopathology are associated with negative outcomes. However, a stronger relationship may exist when these factors are combined. Current research indicates that children tend to view a parent with psychopathology more negatively and consequently are at a greater risk for psychopathology. Less research examines the outcomes of children who hold positive perceptions of a parent with psychopathology, as well as the effects of perceptions of parents on emerging adults. The current study tested a model where perceptions of parents moderated the relationship between parental psychopathology and emerging adult psychopathology. Results indicated that holding positive perceptions of a parent with internalizing problems puts an emerging adult at a greater risk for internalizing problems, whereas the effect of parental psychopathology and perceptions of parents on emerging adult externalizing problems was unclear.

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