Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF file (viewed December 4, 2006). Available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 498-526).

This study constitutes an exploration of the role of the experience of loss in the social processes of meaningmaking - regarding self, other and the world - especially as it applies to therapists. Traditionally a focus on loss has entailed a description of the mourning processes brought about by this inevitable but dreadful event. Here the lens is widened to evolve a description of how the loss experience can contribute to a transformation of a person's sense of her self and of her patterns of relating. This description. rests on a social constructionist understanding of the experience of self. A person's sense(s) of self is seen to evolve within the usual and seemingly predictable patterns of connecting and disconnecting that constitutes the social webs of the discursive communities that people move in. Thus her sense of I is indelibly linked to 'Nho and 'Nhere her Yous are. Indeed, all meaning is proposed to evolve from a template of connection-disconnection patterns. The experience of loss is seen to be able to disrupt these seemingly stable patterns within such a community sufficiently, as to be able to bring about in depth transformation of the meanings evolving from these habits of relating. One nuance of these meanings in transformation, entails a person's sense of her self. Experiences of, and struggles around connection and disconnection are centrally important in the world of therapists. It does not only constitute a basic focus of their 'M)rk, but is also the template in their personal lives that contributes to their O\Ml evolution as therapists. Thus the experience of loss is specifically explored as potentially transformational - on a personal and professional level - in the lives of therapists. / Psychology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)

Thesis (doctoral)--Freie Universität Berlin, 1982. / Includes bibliographical references (p. [11]-34) and index.

Thesis (doctoral)--Freie Universität Berlin, 1982. / Includes bibliographical references (p. [11]-34) and index.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Suicide is currently one of the leading causes of death in many countries, and is still stigmatized to some extent in some cultures. As bereavement by suicide is a very difficult loss to adjust to, this study aims at creating a better understanding of the adjustment process that survivors of suicide have to go through. The study focuses on the impact of this kind of bereavement on family members and other people touched by the loss of someone to suicide. The needs of the bereaved have to be researched so that a suitable intervention programme can be developed to lessen the severity of the aftermath for survivors of suicide. Supportive aftercare (postvention) may also help prevent further tragedies following in the wake of suicide. The severity and stigma of suicide often contribute to the isolation of nuclear family members in their grief at a time when societal support would have been most helpful. Suicide touches the lives of people of all ages. Some may have special needs such as parents who lose a child to suicide or children whose parent has committed suicide. Better knowledge and understanding of the experiences of these survivors may guide caregivers to assist them with their bereavement and adjustment process as well as assist them in acquiring the necessary coping skills to work through the guilt, fears, anger, regrets and sorrow associated with their tragic loss. A review of the relevant literature is presented with pertinent hypotheses to inform further research to develop a suitable intervention programme for survivors of suicide in the nuclear family. A questionnaire is also presented that may guide interviewing of people affected by suicide in the family. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Selfmoord lS tans een van die leidende oorsake van sterfte in baie lande van die wereld. Die verlies van 'n geliefde aan selfmoord is baie moeilik om te verwerk, en hierdie studie beoog om beter begrip vir hierdie proses te bewerkstellig. Daardeur kan die samelewing meer bewus word van die impak van selfmoord op die naasbestaandes van iemand wat as gevolg van selfrnoord gesterf het. Die spesifieke behoeftes van die treurendes moet nagevors word sodat toepaslike intervensieprograrnme uitgewerk kan word, wat kan bydra om die impak van selfmoord op naasbestaandes to help versag. Ondersteuning aan naasbestaandes na selfmoord kan die voorkoms van verdere tragedies in die gesin help voorkom. Die geweldige impak asook die stigma van selfmoord van 'n gesinslid dra dikwels by tot isolasie van die kemgesin tydens hul routydperk,juis terwyl hulle dit die nodigste het. Selfrnoord raak mense van aile ouderdomme, elk met hul eiesoortige behoeftes, soos ouers wie se kind selfmoord gepleeg het of kinders van wie 'n ouer gesterf het as gevolg van selfmoord. Beter kennis en begrip van die ervarings van naasbestaandes kan hulpverleners lei om bedroefdes te help met hul rouproses en aanpassing, asook hulle bystaan om die nodige hanteringsvaardighede te verwerf sodat hulle die samehangende skuldgevoelens, vrese, woe de, berou en verdriet kan verwerk. 'n Oorsig van die toepaslike literatuur word aangebied met pertinente hipoteses om verdere navorsing toe te lig in die ontwikkeling van 'n toepaslike intervensieprogram vir naasbestaandes na selfmoord in die kemgesin. 'n Vraelys word aangebied wat onderhoudvoering met naasbestaandes kan lei.

Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on Feb 17, 2010). The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file. Thesis advisor: Dr. M. Lynne Cooper. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2003. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vii, 161 p. : ill. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 132-141).

This study was carried out to determine whether or not attachment would enhance our ability to predict the breakup of nonmarital romantic relationships. In phase one of the study, 217 introductory psychology students completed measures of attachment, satisfaction, investments, alternatives, commitment, length of current relationship, and asserts that commitment to a relationship will be greater to hundred thirteen of these individuals were contacted seven weeks later to follow-up on the status of their relationships. Fifty-four of these relationships had ended at follow-up. Through regression analyses, only moderate support was found for the investment model. This model the extent that an individual is highly satisfied, has invested heavily in it, and does not see his/her alternatives as particularly attractive. Contrary to predictions, than it was to the length of the of time spent associating with the attachment was found to be more strongly related to investments and commitment relationship or the amount partner. Whatever contribution attachment may have made to the prediction of breakup appears to have been suppressed by commitment, which was found to be the best single predictor of breakup. Finally, more women than men were found to be the initiators of the breakup of their relationships, but these differences were only marginally significant. / Department of Psychological Science

Thesis (M.A.) in Communication--University of Maine, 2008. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 211-222).

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Wyoming, 2008. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on June 28, 2009). Includes bibliographical references (p. 69-74).