Based on existing theories of personality and socio-emotional functioning (e.g. Clark, 2005; Lynch, Hempel & Clark, in press) a new model is proposed and tested. The model hypothesises that (i) temperament (reward and threat sensitivity) and childhood invalidation predict problems with interpersonal functioning, (ii) this effect is mediated by self-regulatory capacity; where self-regulatory capacity comprises self-control (ranging from emotional over-control to emotional under-control) and flexible control and (iii) self-regulatory capacity itself has a quadratic relationship with interpersonal functioning. A UK community sample (n= 512) completed a self-report survey, measuring each of the aforementioned latent variables. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to determine the goodness-of-fit of this and variations of this model. SEM identified that a non-mediation model provided the best fit (χ²=49.403, p< 0.001; CFI=0.98; RMSEA=0.056). Good-fit was obtained for a model including flexible control as a partial mediator (χ²=269.06, p< 0.001; CFI=0.956; RMSEA=0.081) and adequate-fit for a model including over-control as a partial mediator (χ²= 91.744, p < 0.001, CFI=0.932; RMSEA= 0.096). Correlation analyses suggested that over-control and under-control correlated positively with interpersonal problems. Results from SEM provided promising initial evidence for the mediating role of self-regulatory capacity, particularly for the flexible control component. Correlation analyses provided support for the non-linear relationship between self-regulatory capacity and interpersonal functioning, whereby extreme over-control or extreme under-control is associated with interpersonal problems. Findings have implications for identifying mechanisms of change for therapeutic approaches to emotion dysregulation and for understanding the over-controlled population, which has previously been overlooked.

English: At DISA-clinic the researcher found that young women between the ages of 16 and 25 are faced with various sexual problems. As a result the aim of this study was to explore the socio-emotional influence of sexual problems on young women. For the purpose of this study an exploratory research design was used because little information was found on the socio-emotional influence of sexual problems on young women in available literature. A contribution can be made through exploring the socio-emotional influence that sexual problems have on young women. Sexual problems for the purpose of this study were organised in three main groups: Sexual dysfunctions; these include Dyspareunia, Vaginismus, Anorgasmia. Unintended pregnancy; these include abortion, adoption, early parenting. Sexually transmitted diseases and sexually related diseases; these include HIV infection and AIDS, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Herpes. It was essential in this study to use a qua I itative research approach because the researcher wanted to explore the socio-emotional influence of sexual problems on young women and formulate a holistic understanding of this phenomenon. This qualitative study consequently presented the reader with an understanding of the socio-emotional influence that sexual problems have on young women. The data collection method which was used is document study. In this study personal letters of young women received between June 2002 and February 2003 were included. The researcher gathered one hundred and fifteen personal letters of young women that fitted the sample criteria. Seven main themes and related themes were identified in the personal letters and the researcher analyzed the information according to Creswell's spiral model. After these themes were identified it can be emphasised that there is definitely a sense of similarity between the influence of the three main groups of sexual problems on the socio-emotional functioning of young women. Consequently the researcher states that from the above seven themes that were identified, it became clear that various sexual problems influence young women's socioemotional functioning in a similar manner. Further research on preventing the rising statistics of sexual problems under young women is recommended. / Afrikaans: Die navorser het by DISA-kliniek gevind dat jong vrouens tussen die ouderdom van 16 en 25 gekonfronteer word met verskeie seksuele probleme. Gevolglik is die doel van die studie om die sosio-emosionele invloed van seksuele probleme op jong vrouens te eksploreer. Vir die doel van hierdie betrokke studie is 'n eksplorerende navorsingsontwerp gebruik omrede min informasie gevind is ten opsigte van die sosio-emosionele invloed van seksuele probleme op jong vrouens in beskikbare literatuur. 'n Bydrae kan gemaak word deur die sosio-emosionele invloed wat seksuele probleme op jong vrouens het, te eksploreer. Seksuele probleme is vir die doeleindes van die studie in drie hoofgroepe georganiseer: Seksuele disfunksies; wat insluit Dyspareunia, Vaginismus en Anorgasmia. Onbeplande swangerskappe; wat insluit aborsie, aanneming en vroee ouerskap. Seksueel oordraagbare siektes en seksueel verwante siektes; wat insluit MIV infeksie en VIGS, Gonorrhea, Sifilis en Herpes. Dit was essensieel in die studie om 'n kwalitatiewe navorsingsbenadering te volg omrede die navorser die sosio-emosionele invloed van seksuele probleme op jong vrouens wou eksploreer en 'n holistiese begrip van die betrokke fenomene wou kry. Die kwalitatiewe studie verskaf die leser gevolglik met 'n begrip van die sosio-emosionele invloed wat seksuele probleme op jong vrouens het. Die data-insamelingsmetode wat gebruik is, is dokumentanalise. In die studie is anonieme, persoonlike briewe van jong vrouens ingesluit wat tussen Junie 2002 en F ebruarie 2003 ontvang is. Die navorser het een honderd en vyftien briewe van jong vrouens volgens die vasgestelde steekproefkriteria geselekteer. Sewe hooftemas en verwante temas is geidentifiseer vanuit die anonieme persoonlike briewe en die navorser het die data volgens Creswell se spiraal model geanaliseer. Na identifisering van die temas kan klem daarop geplaas word dat daar definitief 'n ooreenkoms bestaan tussen die invloed wat die drie hoofgroepe seksuele probleme op die sosio-emosionele funksionering van jong vrouens het. Gevolglik maak die navorser die aanname dat vanuit die geidentifiseerde sewe temas, dit duidelik is dat verskeie seksuele probleme 'n soortgelyke invloed op die sosio-emosionele funksionering van jong vrouens het. Verdere navorsing op die voorkoming van die stygende statistieke van seksuele probleme onder jong vrouens, word aanbeveel. / Dissertation (MSD (Play Therapy)--University of Pretoria, 2003. / Social Work and Criminology / MSD (Play Therapy) / Unrestricted

This research was aimed at the development, implementation and evaluation of a parenting program for parents with pre-school children, after a divorce, in order to improve the sosio-emotional functioning of the adults, as well as the children. The motivation for this study stemmed from the reality of divorce in many family systems. Intervention research as applied research was utilised. A two-phase research approach was undertaken. A quantitative questionnaire approach as used during phase 1. The following research question was formulated for this phase: What should the content of a parenting program for parents after a divorce with pre-school children be? A needs assessment questionnaire was completed by 20 members of the population and an assessment of child-respondents, was undertaken. This data, complemented the literature study which was undertaken and brought information to the foreground which established the contents of the parenting program. The research question could therefore be answered. A child assessment was undertaken with the children of the parents who would attend the workshop during phase 2, in order to explore the children’s experience of their living environment. The quantitative approach was used in phase 2 as the single system design. The following research hypothesis was formulated for this phase: If parents and their pre-school children attend a parenting program after a divorce, a significant change in their sosio-emotional functioning should realise. Four workshops were implemented, in the following way: Theoretical workshops for the custodial and non-custodial parent respectively and practical workshops for the custodial parent and child and the non-custodial parent and child respectively. A quantitative questionnaire was completed prior to the workshops and thereafter by the 5 family systems involved. This instrument of measurement confirmed the hypotheses. A comparison was done between the literature and the empirical data. Conclusions and recommendations for future research were formulated, as a result of the research study. / Thesis (DPhil (Social Work))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

The adolescent with specific barriers to learning often exhibit socio-emotional problems. Conversely, adolescents experiencing socio-emotional upsets do not achieve academically. The exact nature of the relationship is difficult or nearly impossible to elucidate. The aim of this study was to establish the specific challenges that the adolescent learner with barriers to learning with an average or above average intelligence, experiences on socio-emotional level and to take these feelings, experiences and needs as a lancer basis to develop and implement a social work intervention programme. Also to evaluate the effect of this programme on the socio-emotional functioning and academic progress of the adolescents involved. The process of intervention research was followed during the empirical study. The combined, two-phase approach of Cresswell was used for data gathering. The one group pre-test post-test was utilized for the evaluation of the effectiveness of the social work intervention programme. The Child functioning inventory High School (CFI – High) was used to gather information during the quantitative phase. This study focused on the socio-emotional functioning and challenges of the adolescent learner with specific barriers to learning and used Gestalt play therapy within a group context to address these challenges. During the qualitative phase two focus group discussions were held where the experiences, emotions and challenges of adolescents with specific barriers to learning were discussed with a group of five girls and five boys. Based on data gathered from these discussions, and a literature study a social work intervention programme was developed and implemented. This programme consisted of play therapy techniques within the Gestalt therapy framework. The social work intervention programme consisted of ten group sessions of about 90 minutes each, with a group of five girls and a group of five boys. The respondents were between 14 to 16 years, of an average to above average intelligence, and were referred to the social worker of a branch of Child Welfare: South Africa, Mpumalanga because of socio-emotional problems. This study attempted to incorporate the essential elements of Gestalt therapy, various play therapy techniques and the dynamics of group work into a programme to address socio-emotional issues experienced by the adolescent learner with barriers to learning. Socio-emotional aspects that were conceptualised and specifically evaluated are: positive functioning elements, self perception, trauma dynamics, interpersonal relationships and decision making abilities. Based on the findings, the conclusion could be made that the social work intervention programme brought about an improvement in the socio-emotional functioning and the academic progress of the respondents. / Thesis (PhD (Social Work))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Social Work and Criminology / PhD / unrestricted