by Wong Chi Kan. / Thesis submitted in 1999. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 307-314). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Chapter Chapter I --- Introduction --- p.1-7 / Chapter 1.1 --- Reasons for the research / Chapter 1.2 --- Research design / Chapter 1.3 --- Definitions / Chapter 1.4 --- Setting up for the research / Chapter 1.5 --- The objectives and scope of the study / Chapter 1.6 --- Chapter summary / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Literature Review --- p.8-29 / Chapter 2.1 --- The feminist thoughts / Chapter 2.2 --- Self perceptions of women in general / Chapter 2.3 --- Discriminations against women in Hong Kong context / Chapter 2.4 --- From depression to empowerment / Chapter 2.5 --- Studies on self-help group for the unmotivated powerless people / Chapter 2.6 --- Chapter Summary / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Conceptual framework of self-help group for unmotivated powerless women --- p.30-45 / Chapter 3.1 --- Why community worker should concern those unmotivated powerless groups in the community / Chapter 3.2 --- Concepts of empowerment / Chapter 3.3 --- Why self help group for powerless people / Chapter 3.4 --- The concepts of self-help and self-help groups empowerment / Chapter 3.5 --- The concept of self-help group and empowerment / Chapter 3.6 --- The latent problems of women in Hong Kong / Chapter 3.7 --- Starting a self-help group / Chapter 3.8 --- The roles of social workers / Chapter 3.9 --- Chapter summary / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Methodology --- p.46-68 / Chapter 4.1 --- Research concept / Chapter 4.2 --- Rationale for application of qualitative research method / Chapter 4.3 --- Concept of qualitative research / Chapter 4.4 --- The built-in limitations of this research / Chapter 4.5 --- Research design of this study / Chapter 4.6 --- Chapter summary / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Preparations and Implementations --- p.69-100 / Chapter 5.1 --- Preparations / Chapter 5.2 --- Implementations / Chapter 5.3 --- The method of data collection / Chapter 5.4 --- The coding method / Chapter 5.5 --- The analysis framework / Chapter 5.6 --- Chapter summary / Chapter Chapter 6 --- The results of the study: The perceived empowerment effects of the self-help group on the unmotivated powerless women --- p.101-143 / Chapter 6.1 --- The first phase / Chapter 6.2 --- The second phase / Chapter 6.3 --- The third phase / Chapter 6.4 --- Testing the reliability: the common empowerment outcomes of the self-empowerment effects occurred in individual interviews and group meetings / Chapter 6.5 --- Chapter summary / Chapter Chapter 7 --- The perceived empowerment effects of individual members in the self-help process --- p.144-256 / Chapter 7.1 --- Member A / Chapter 7.2 --- Member B / Chapter 7.3 --- Member C / Chapter 7.4 --- Member D / Chapter 7.5 --- Member E / Chapter 7.6 --- Member F / Chapter 7.7 --- Member G / Chapter 7.8 --- Member H / Chapter 7.9 --- Member I / Chapter 7.10 --- Member J / Chapter 7.11 --- Member K / Chapter 7.12 --- Member L / Chapter 7.13 --- The explanations that generated from the results on the occurrence of difference in the development of different individuals in the same process / Chapter Chapter 8 --- The results of the study: under what conditions and how the process of the self-help group empowered the unmotivated powerless women --- p.257-276 / Chapter 8.1 --- The possible relationship between the self-help activities and the empowerment outcomes of the self- help group / Chapter 8.2 --- The possible relationship between the role of social work interventions and the empowerment outcome of the self-help group / Chapter 8.3 --- Chapter summary / Chapter Chapter 9 --- Discussions and Implications --- p.277-301 / Chapter 9.1 --- Discussions on the research findings / Chapter 9.2 --- Implications to community work / Chapter 9.3 --- Implications to social work / Chapter 9.4 --- Implications in working with women / Chapter 9.5 --- Implications in working with self-help group / Chapter 9.6 --- A proposed self-help group model for the unmotivated groups in the community / Chapter 9.7 --- Limitations of this study / Chapter 9.8 --- Chapter summary / Chapter Chapter 10 --- Conclusions --- p.302-306 / Reference List --- p.307-314

This study used a qualitative research design to explore and identify, from participant's perspective, the aspects of a breast cancer support group that facilitate a quality experience of support.

This research examines the applicability of the Kindernothilfe self-help group approach among the Ngäbe indigenous people in Panama from the perspectives of complex system theory and development as empowerment. It is based on an extensive literature review and an empirical qualitative study with focus group discussions and expert interviews following the grounded theory method. The dissertation displays the multiple dimensions that have reverberated to poverty and to the failure of development and most group approaches in the Ngäbe region. Nevertheless, it indicates that a culturally fitting self-help group concept could become a promising approach to empowering the Ngäbe people. Some crucial adaptations, however, are necessary. The most significant change regards the suggestion to work with mixed-sex ‘family groups’ that combine peer group meetings and joint gatherings. It represents the most suitable approach both from the perspective of the Ngäbe people and from the viewpoint of gender mainstreaming and complexity. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)

A quantitative, descriptive and exploratory study was undertaken. The purpose was to explore and describe the perceptions of hypertensive patients regarding hypertension support groups in Carletonville District in order to make recommendations based on the research findings that could lead to improvement of the quality of management of hypertensive patients. The study included 350 hypertensive patients who agreed to participate voluntarily in the study. A questionnaire was used to collect data, which was analysed by computer. The findings revealed that the hypertension support group had strengths and weaknesses. The strengths included providing moral support, health education and a sense of belonging. The weaknesses identified were prolonged support group sessions, domination by other group members and unresolved conflicts. Some patients could not attend the support group sessions regularly because of transport problems and employment. Other respondents felt that the nurse who facilitated the support group did not respect their cultural beliefs. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

Chemical dependency in the health profession is a growing concern. With easy access to controlled substances, many nurses divert prescription drugs and even work while under the influence. Nurses who are under the influence and working with patients are an obvious public hazard. Many states in the USA have non-punitive programs to offer recovery to nurses with chemical dependency and return them to work. In California this program is named the Diversion Program. Part of the requirements of successful completion of the Diversion Program is to attend weekly meetings called support groups. These support groups are facilitated by other nurses experienced in the field of chemical dependency. This study explored the experiences of nurse facilitators of support groups for nurses with chemical dependency in the California, USA, Diversion Program. Data were collected through twelve individual interviews selected through purposeful, non-probability convenience sampling. A phenomenological research design was used that was descriptive, explorative, and contextual. The data analysis revealed four major themes: (1) experience of communication within the Diversion Program; (2) experience of the structure of the Diversion Program; (3) experience of their role within the Diversion Program; and (4) experience of facilitation of support groups. The study revealed that even though many of the nurse facilitators‟ experiences were positive with respect to the support groups they expressed concern about the communication patterns within the Diversion Program. To offer support for the nurse facilitators, guidelines and a conceptual framework were created to enhance their experience and mitigate their feelings of marginalization from the Diversion Program. / Health Studies / D.Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

In the present study, an anger management treatment program was compared to a pseudo-social skills training program (self-help group) and waiting list control group to determine its effectiveness in reducing irritable/angry behavior in head injured subjects. Subjects consisted of 28 adults with previous head injury trauma who had difficulty with excessive irritability and anger. Subjects averaged 35.4 years of age and had an average of 8.9 years post head injury. Treatment consisted of 10 group sessions over a five week period. Anger management training was designed to teach subjects self management skills aimed at reducing the frequency of angry acting out behavior. Training methods included role playing, relaxation training, assertiveness training and cognitive restructuring. The pseudo-social skills training group was a self-help group designed to encourage discussion of irritability problems without teaching specific coping techniques. To assure some degree of homogeneity in cognitive abilities among subjects, minimum eligibility scores were required on five subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Revised and the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test. Dependent measures were pre and posttreatment scores obtained from five categories of the Katz Adjustment Scale - Relative form: belligerence, negativity, general psychopathology, social obstreperousness, and social role functioning. In addition, pre and posttreatment recordings of observed angry/irritable behavior in the subjects were obtained from a significant other. Results failed to reveal statistically significant differences on the dependent measures between the three study groups. In addition, analysis failed to reveal any significant variables that predicted outcome. It is evident that much more organized research is needed to further investigate the possibilities of treatment for various problems encountered by those with head injuries.

Chemical dependency in the health profession is a growing concern. With easy access to controlled substances, many nurses divert prescription drugs and even work while under the influence. Nurses who are under the influence and working with patients are an obvious public hazard. Many states in the USA have non-punitive programs to offer recovery to nurses with chemical dependency and return them to work. In California this program is named the Diversion Program. Part of the requirements of successful completion of the Diversion Program is to attend weekly meetings called support groups. These support groups are facilitated by other nurses experienced in the field of chemical dependency. This study explored the experiences of nurse facilitators of support groups for nurses with chemical dependency in the California, USA, Diversion Program. Data were collected through twelve individual interviews selected through purposeful, non-probability convenience sampling. A phenomenological research design was used that was descriptive, explorative, and contextual. The data analysis revealed four major themes: (1) experience of communication within the Diversion Program; (2) experience of the structure of the Diversion Program; (3) experience of their role within the Diversion Program; and (4) experience of facilitation of support groups. The study revealed that even though many of the nurse facilitators‟ experiences were positive with respect to the support groups they expressed concern about the communication patterns within the Diversion Program. To offer support for the nurse facilitators, guidelines and a conceptual framework were created to enhance their experience and mitigate their feelings of marginalization from the Diversion Program. / Health Studies / D.Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Text in English / This research examines the applicability of the Kindernothilfe self-help group approach among the Ngäbe indigenous people in Panama from the perspectives of complex system theory and development as empowerment. It is based on an extensive literature review and an empirical qualitative study with focus group discussions and expert interviews following the grounded theory method. The dissertation displays the multiple dimensions that have reverberated to poverty and to the failure of development and most group approaches in the Ngäbe region. Nevertheless, it indicates that a culturally fitting self-help group concept could become a promising approach to empowering the Ngäbe people. Some crucial adaptations, however, are necessary. The most significant change regards the suggestion to work with mixed-sex ‘family groups’ that combine peer group meetings and joint gatherings. It represents the most suitable approach both from the perspective of the Ngäbe people and from the suitable approach both from the perspective of the Ngäbe people and from the viewpoint of gender mainstreaming and complexity. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)

Submitted by Filipe dos Santos (fsantos@pucsp.br) on 2017-06-22T12:19:46Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Sandra Regina Martins Caldas.pdf: 1508699 bytes, checksum: 748d89be44fc628649fefa233d65bac7 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-22T12:19:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Sandra Regina Martins Caldas.pdf: 1508699 bytes, checksum: 748d89be44fc628649fefa233d65bac7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-06-13 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This study aims to assess the Nar-Anon anonymous mutual-aid family groups of drug addicts based on reviews from interviewees experiences with members of this brotherhood in the city of São Paulo. What values are incorporated by its members? How do such groups achieve their primary goal of providing support to addicts’ family members? This research was conducted based on the use of semi-structured interviews as well as a bibliographic study on the structure of these groups, an ethnographic analysis on the experience within the Nar-Anon groups considering the material collected through the interviews alongside the researcher's own experience over eight years of attendance in two rooms of the brotherhood in the city, between 2008 and 2016.Therefore, emphasis is placed on the sense attributed by the group to recovery and spirituality for the construction of a new way of live coexisting with the chemical dependency syndrome. The approach adopted here will be that of Magnani, for whom looking close up and within (2002) allows one the apprehension of behaviors and meanings, for that matter, turning to a look from outside and from a distance for a broadened understanding of these groups as a totality. Authors like Foucault, Le Breton, Goffman, Novaes, and Campbell provide a critical view on the collected material / Este projeto tem por objetivo investigar os grupos anônimos de mutua ajuda para familiares de dependentes químicos – Nar-Anon, a partir de análises de vivências experimentadas por entrevistados junto a frequentadores da irmandade na cidade de São Paulo. Que valores são incorporados por seus membros? De que forma conseguem tais grupos praticar seu objetivo primordial que é o de prestar ajuda a familiares de dependentes químicos? Esta pesquisa optou por entrevistas semi-estruturadas bem como de um estudo bibliográfico sobre a estrutura desses grupos, uma análise etnográfica sobre a vivência dentro dos grupos de Nar-Anon a partir do material coletado através das entrevistas bem como da experiência da própria pesquisadora ao longo de oito anos de participação em duas salas da irmandade na cidade, entre 2008 e 2016. Assim, busca-se ênfase no sentido, atribuído pelo grupo, à recuperação e espiritualidade para a construção de uma nova maneira de viver dentro da convivência com a síndrome da dependência química. A perspectiva adotada será a de Magnani, para quem o olhar de perto de dentro (2002), permite a apreensão de comportamentos e significados, para aí sim, se passar a um olhar de fora e de longe para a compreensão destes grupos enquanto totalidade. Autores Como Foucault, Le Breton, Goffman, Novaes e Campbell propiciam um olhar crítico sobre o material coletado