Thesis (Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

This study examined the academic achievement, academic self-concept, and academic motivation of 573 immigrant and non-immigrant adolescents in two public secondary schools in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Multivariate analyses revealed statistically significant differences between immigrant and non-immigrant adolescents with respect to their academic achievement, academic self-concept, and academic motivation. In addition, supplemental exploratory analyses indicated significant ethnic group differences in academic achievement, academic self-concept, and academic motivation. Surprisingly and importantly, analyses showed the absence of statistically significant gender differences among immigrant adolescents in terms of their academic achievement, academic self-concept, and academic motivation. Results from multiple linear regression analyses provided support for the Self-Description Questionnaire II as a measurement to be used with both immigrant and non-immigrant adolescents. In contrast, support for the Academic Motivation Scale, which is based on the Self-Determination Theory, was not adequately substantiated in the current research for either immigrants or non-immigrants. / Thesis (Master, Education) -- Queen's University, 2007-11-20 10:34:07.043

Chronic pain is a public health problem that is likely to increase as the population ages, and has few effective treatments. Although viewed by many as profoundly distressing and disabling, there are a surprising number of people (approximately 30%) who cope well with their chronic pain and do not continue to seek treatment. There is little theory to explain how and why these individuals manage their pain well. This means there is limited knowledge about the approaches used by people who cope well and whether these strategies could help those who have more difficulty. This thesis presents a substantive grounded theory of living well with chronic pain, the theory of re-occupying self. Seventeen individual interviews were recorded, with data collection, analysis and theory generation following classical grounded theory methodological approach. Constant comparison, theoretical sampling, theoretical coding, and theoretical sensitivity were used to identify the main concern of people who cope well with pain. This concern is achieving self-coherence, and is resolved by re-occupying self. Resolution involves making sense to develop an idiographic model of their pain; deciding to turn from patient to person, facilitated or hindered by interactions with clinicians and occupational drive; and flexibly persisting where occupational engaging and coping allow individuals to develop future plans. By completing this process, individuals form a coherent self-concept in which they re-occupy the important or valued aspects of themselves. This study supports using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy because of its functional contextual view of people and their actions. This study illustrates that coping strategies are used in different ways depending on the primary goal within that context. Occupations, or active; purposeful; meaningful; contextualised and human activities, are used by people to make sense of their situation, and as a key motivation for developing coping strategies. These findings lead to new research questions about values-aligned activity, coping with identity change, and acceptance.

The purpose of this study was to discover: (A) Whether the Tennessee Self-Concept Test would predict academic success better than the Scholastic Aptitude Test. (B) Whether Tennessee Self-Concept Test would add to Scholastic Aptitude Test as a predictor of academic success.The subjects were 102 first quarter Freshmen English students enrolled at Ball State University during the Fall Quarter of 1974. The predictor variables studied were: Scholastic Aptitude Test - verbal, Scholastic Aptitude Test -mathematical and Tennessee Self -Concept Test the counseling form. All the 14 scores on Tennessee Self-Concept Test, self criticism, total-P scores, Row 1-identity, Row 2-self satisfaction, Row 3-behavior, Column 1-physical self, Column 2-moral self, Column 3-personal self, Column 4-family self, Column 5-social self, Total variability score, Column total, Row total, and D-distribution score, were included. The criteria of success was the final grade point average.In order to find the statistical significance of the variables studied as a predictor of academic success, step wise multiple regression was applied.The result of this study indicated that (A) the single variable that offered the best information for predicting academic success was Scholastic Aptitude Test-verbal; (B) only one variable on Tennessee Self Concept Test, the personal self, was significant as a predictor of academic success; (C) the combination of variables on Scholastic Aptitude Test and Tennessee Self-Concept Test was test d. Only three variables were found to be significant as a predictor of academic success: SAT-verbal, Column 4-the family self, and Column 3-personal self.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Research indicates that Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is associated with a poor self-concept and high levels of anxiety (peens et al., 2004; Piek et al., 2000; Skinner & Piek, 2001). Research also substantiates that participation in a well planned motor intervention programme can enhance the self-concept of a child with DCD (Colchico et al., 2005). Literature further indicates that DCD is associated with neuro-motor problems which may vary in severity (Sigmundsson & Hopkins, 2005). It is further indicated that more boys than girls are diagnosed with DCD and also that, in general, boys have a higher self-concept than girls (Maldonado-Duran, 2002; Stein et al., 1998). The aim of this study was firstly, to determine the influence of DCD on the self-concept and anxiety of 7-9 year old children in the Potchefstroom district. Secondly, the study aimed to determine whether gender and the ethnic group of DCD children have an effect on the success of different intervention programmes. A third aim was to determine whether a motor based intervention programme, a self-concept enhancing programme or a combination of the two (psycho-motor intervention programme) would have the best effect on enhancing children's self-concept and motor proficiency. Lastly, the study attempted to determine whether neuro-motor problems could have a negative influence on an intervention programme for DCD children. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC), Bruininks-Oseretsky Test for Motor Proficiency (BOTMP-SF), Sensory Input Measurement Instrument (SIM) and Quick Neurological Screening Test II (QNST) were used to determine children's motor proficiency as well as possible neuro-motor problems. The Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (Child Form) (TSCS-CF) and Child Anxiety Scale (CAS) were used to determine the children's self-concept and anxiety respectively. One way variance of analysis, repeated measures analysis, independent t-testing, co-variance of analysis as well as correlational coefficients (r) were conducted, using the Statistica computer package in order to analyze the data according to the above-mentioned aims. A p-value of smaller than or equal to 0.05 was accepted as a significant difference. From the results of the study it seemed that the self-concept and anxiety of randomly selected 7-9 year old children (N=58) diagnosed with DCD are negatively influenced and that girls are more vulnerable to these influences. Repeated measure analyses over a period of one year showed that of the three programmes the motor intervention programme showed the best results at improving the children's motor proficiency while, on the other hand, the psychomotor intervention programme improved their self-concept most. Ethnic group and gender did not have a significant effect on the success of intervention programmes. Lastly, it was found that underlying neuro-motor problems could influence the effect of an intervention programme negatively. It is clear from this study that DCD has a negative effect on children, but that participation in a well planned intervention programme will have positive effects on both their motor proficiency and self-concept. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

The transitions experienced throughout adolescence and young adulthood are difficult, and can be even more challenging to navigate for youth living with developmental or mental health challenges. These youth commonly experience challenges in daily life, leading to difficulties participating in reciprocal relationships, experiencing good mental health, and establishing positive identity and self-esteem. Adventure-based therapies may be a milieu where youth can explore their identities, connect with nature, establish social relationships, and gain experiences overcoming a variety of challenges. This qualitative case study illuminated the experiences and identity development of youth who have participated in an adaptive recreation program in Victoria, British Colombia. Semi-structured interviews were held with five youth who have participated in the program, five parents of youth who have participated, and three staff involved in the development and delivery of the program. For the within-participant analysis, Rhodes’ (2000) ghostwriting approach was used to present youth participants’ stories of their involvement. Across-participant analysis followed Braun and Clarke’s (2006) steps of thematic analysis to discover some of the shared themes among participants. Participants described development of positive self-concepts and skills, the inclusive social environment and supportive staff, opportunities to try fun and unique activities, connecting with and learning about nature, overcoming personal challenges, and the importance of this program in the lives of the youth, their families, and their communities. The results have important implications for theory, research, and practice regarding counselling and community-based adaptive recreation programming. / Graduate

国立情報学研究所で電子化したコンテンツを使用している。

Diss. (sammanfattning) Linköping : Linköpings universitet, 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1992.