Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Haifa, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references and index.

Despite the growing global momentum and commitment to addressing child malnutrition over the past few decades, undernutrition in children remains a global health crisis, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and leads to deleterious physical and cognitive effects on children. The maternal social network has been linked to child development and health outcomes, partially through its effect on maternal depression, which in turn affects maternal behavior and child health. However, there is limited research in LMICs broadly and in Uganda specifically on the infant/young child caregiving social network, the social network through which mothers receive infant/young child caregiving assistance. This mixed-methods dissertation study piloted and refined a measure to capture this infant/young child caregiving social network in northern Uganda, and then examined sample descriptive data and the associations between networks’ characteristics and maternal depression using a social network analysis (SNA) approach. We also qualitatively examined challenges, barriers, and facilitators to infant and young child caregiving social support. Results found the social network measure to be feasible, acceptable, and comprehensible, and refinements were added to further increase clarity and suitability to the cultural context. Quantitative analyses found higher maternal depression severity to be significantly correlated with lower support on several network characteristics including the average number of caregiving tasks people assisted with, the number of people helping with advanced tasks, and the network density. Further exploration showed that higher network density was also correlated with higher number of tasks alters assisted with. Qualitative results found that mothers often experienced multiple ongoing challenges and barriers in their relationships, such as chronic spousal abuse and financial restriction, and highlighted a lack of systemic support and interventions to address these challenges. We also found several facilitators that helped mothers obtain much needed caregiving support, such as through their older children or Food for the Hungry, a non-profit organization. Though larger future studies are needed to corroborate findings, results of the study may inform interventions for maternal depression and child nutrition/health, identifying possible targets such as network density and highlighting the importance of addressing specific chronic barriers to caregiving social support. Lastly, we also developed a measure that may be used in future studies to examine caregiving networks as a mechanism of change in existing interventions.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-02-23T14:53:33Z No. of bitstreams: 1 anaclaudiaferreiracezario.pdf: 1505910 bytes, checksum: 07c2c43b54d13874e6c19a8abe7ef2da (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-02-26T14:57:57Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 anaclaudiaferreiracezario.pdf: 1505910 bytes, checksum: 07c2c43b54d13874e6c19a8abe7ef2da (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-02-26T14:57:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 anaclaudiaferreiracezario.pdf: 1505910 bytes, checksum: 07c2c43b54d13874e6c19a8abe7ef2da (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-11 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A violência entre parceiros íntimos (VPI) é um fenômeno social e um problema de saúde pública. Entretanto, na maioria dos casos, esta é abordada apresentando apenas a mulher como vítima e homem como seu respectivo agressor. Assim a presente pesquisa teve como objetivo levantar e identificar dados em relação à VPI contra o homem, perpetrada por suas parceiras, no município de Juiz de Fora – MG. Foram utilizados dados qualitativos através de entrevistas semiestruturadas autoaplicadas em 40 profissionais e estagiários da psicologia e serviço social e transcrições de entrevistas individuais com 8 homens vítimas de suas parceiras. Para análise utilizou-se a estatística descritiva e a Análise de Conteúdo de Bardin (2011). Dos resultados encontrados 95.0% dos profissionais e estagiários informaram acreditar na possibilidade do homem ser vítima da VPI e 37.5% afirmaram já terem atendido homens nesta situação. Quanto aos homens vítimas de suas parceiras íntimas, a violência psicológica, o controle do comportamento e a violência física foram as categorias mais apontadas em relação à agressão sofrida. Através deste estudo, percebe-se a existência da VPI contra o homem no município de Juiz de Fora – MG e a necessidade de novos estudos que possam identificar e levantar mais dados quanto a este tipo de específico de violência. / The intimate partner violence (IPV) is a social phenomenon and a public health problem. However, in the most of cases, the violence is discussed only considering the women as victims and men as her respective aggressor. Thus this research aims to investigate and collect information about the intimate partner violence against man perpetrated by his partners in Juiz de Fora. We used qualitative data through self applied semi-structured interviews with 40 professionals and trainees of psychology and social work and singles interviews, recorded and transcribed with 8 male victims of IPV. For analysis, we used descriptive statistics and content analysis of Bardin (2011). Of the founded results 95.0% of professionals and trainees said has believed in the possibility of man to be a victim of IPV and 37.5% affirmed had already attended men in this situation. In relation to men who were victims of their partners, psychological violence, controlling behavior and physical violence were most frequently categories which have been mentioned relative to suffered aggression. Through this study, we notice the existence of IPV against men in the city of Juiz de Fora - MG and the necessity of new studies that should be identify more information on this specific type of violence.

Women are more at risk of experiencing violence involving people at home or close acquaintances, than from virtual strangers and outsiders. Domestic violence affects as many as one in two women in South Africa. Most women may keep secret abusive relationships and this might reside in a deep-seated fear of further abuse or as be frowned upon by a community that endorses social taboos which prohibit speaking about or even implying the reality of incidents of domestic violence. This phenomenological study investigates the actual experiences of women staying in physically abusive relationships. In this study a qualitative approach, involving thorough research, are presentation has been adopted in order to discuss, in a meaningful manner, the suffering of women who have experienced physically abusive relationships. The participants in the study include eight women who have been involved and suffered physically abusive relationship and these, living in Pretoria and suburbs, comprise an age category ranging from between twenty five to fifty. Data gathered and utilised has been accumulated by means of semi-structured open ended interviews. Hermeneutic phenomenological analysis was used to analyse and come to a conclusion regarding the data obtainable. The findings of the study have highlighted the role played by power and control, gender inequality and patriarchy experienced by women involved in these intimate relationships. The study further revealed the complexities surrounding the reasons and motives contributing to women staying in and suffering physically abusive relationships / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology: Research consultation)

Women are more at risk of experiencing violence involving people at home or close acquaintances, than from virtual strangers and outsiders. Domestic violence affects as many as one in two women in South Africa. Most women may keep secret abusive relationships and this might reside in a deep-seated fear of further abuse or as be frowned upon by a community that endorses social taboos which prohibit speaking about or even implying the reality of incidents of domestic violence. This phenomenological study investigates the actual experiences of women staying in physically abusive relationships. In this study a qualitative approach, involving thorough research, are presentation has been adopted in order to discuss, in a meaningful manner, the suffering of women who have experienced physically abusive relationships. The participants in the study include eight women who have been involved and suffered physically abusive relationship and these, living in Pretoria and suburbs, comprise an age category ranging from between twenty five to fifty. Data gathered and utilised has been accumulated by means of semi-structured open ended interviews. Hermeneutic phenomenological analysis was used to analyse and come to a conclusion regarding the data obtainable. The findings of the study have highlighted the role played by power and control, gender inequality and patriarchy experienced by women involved in these intimate relationships. The study further revealed the complexities surrounding the reasons and motives contributing to women staying in and suffering physically abusive relationships / Psychology / M. A. (Psychology: Research consultation)

Despite the large number of children and siblings who are exposed to domestic violence, relatively few studies have examined sibling influences on the psychosocial effects of exposure to domestic violence. The aim of this study was to explore the opinions of experienced child and family clinicians on whether, and how, the presence of siblings moderates children’s experiences of domestic violence and any subsequent effects on their development and wellbeing. This study employed an Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis to analyse interviews with five clinicians. Analysis of the interviews revealed six superordinate themes; one sibling taking on a protective and parental role; polarisation of sibling relationships; factors influencing sibling relationships; the impact on the sibling taking on a parenting or protective role; impact on the sibling being protected; and the importance of individual family context. Overall, the findings from the interviews with the clinicians suggest that in families where children are exposed to domestic violence one child tends to take on a parental role and also attempts to protect their siblings from the violence. These results also emphasise the importance of formulation in understanding the influence of sibling relationships on the psychosocial effects of domestic violence, as there are many different factors which need to be considered. Some implications for clinical practice are discussed and potential future research directions are outlined.

In all the Black communities, women’s rights have always been taken for granted. Women have always been subordinate to the patriarchal system. The denial of domestic violence against rural women has its origin in the age long patriarchal society, deeply rooted in culture and tradition. The main aim of the patriarchal society is the control of women by men. The idea of protecting women abuse is not really new. It is a necessary component of long established and internationally recognized human rights. This includes the right to equality and freedom, liberty and personal security. The recognition could be traced to the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 (UDHR). However, women’s rights remain unrealized and are continuously violated despite the fact that these rights are well expressed in many international documents and national laws. The study examined the factors that conduce towards domestic violence against rural women in the Kwa Zulu Natal Province of South Africa. In this regard, the reasons why they support culture and traditional practices that are detrimental to their health were also explored. The small isolated area of Umzimkhulu was used. In-depth face to face interviews were employed to elicit information from the respondents and brief notes were written down to collect the data. The findings revealed that women are not aware of their human rights. This ignorance and negative attitude is influenced by the dependency of women to men, supremacy of the patriarchal system and the dominance of culture. Most disturbing is that these women don’t seem to see anything wrong with the situation. It is evidently clear therefore that women empowerment, through education, will not only affect women’s autonomy but will also increase their worth and make them understand the impact of traditional practices that they support. All these will have implications for policy and legislative interventions.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Air Force Family Advocacy Program and examine the effects that situational dynamics have on recidivism. Although, the high volume of program participants and low recidivism rate demonstrated that the Family Advocacy Program is a valuable resource for treating families referred for spousal domestic violence.

Les études typologiques sur les conjoints violents ont mis en évidence qu’il n’existe pas un profil unique de conjoints violents et que certaines psychopathologies peuvent expliquer le passage à l’acte (ex. : caractéristiques associées à un trouble de la personnalité, abus de substances, dépression, etc.). Toutefois, il existe un manque de connaissance concernant le profil psychopathologique et des traits de personnalité des conjoints qui agressent sexuellement leur partenaire. Ainsi, cette étude a pour objectif de classifier des conjoints violents à partir de leurs psychopathologies et traits de personnalité (MCMI-III et NÉO-PI R) afin de vérifier s’il existe une concordance entre les profils obtenus entre, d’une part, une approche dimensionnelle et, d’autre part, une approche catégorielle. Dans un second temps, cette étude a pour objectif de distinguer les groupes de conjoints violents en fonction : du type de violence commise, soit sexuelle et/ou physique ; de leur niveau d’hostilité envers les femmes ; de leurs stratégies de résolution de conflit en contexte conjugal ; de leurs stratégies d’adaptation face à des situations stressantes ; et de leurs croyances sur le viol. Pour ce faire, 121 hommes ayant été condamnés pour avoir commis au moins une forme de violence conjugale ont été rencontrés en entrevues et ont complété des questionnaires. Parmi eux, 21 ont commis au moins une violence sexuelle et 100 ont commis au moins une forme de violence physique et/ou psychologique. En ce qui concerne l’analyses de classification (two-step cluster anlysis) réalisé à partir de données obtenues à l’aide du MCMI-III, elle a permis d’identifier trois groupes, soit le sadique/antisocial, le très pathologique et le non pathologique. L’analyse de classification à partir de données obtenues à l’aide du NÉO PI R a permis d’identifier trois groupes présentent certaines similitudes avec les trois groupes de notre première classification, soit celle obtenu en fonction du MCMI-III. En effet, l’hostile présente aussi des caractéristiques associées au trouble de la personnalité sadique et antisociale. Le névrosé est caractérisé par la présence de diverses psychopathologies et le contrôlant est caractérisé par une absence de caractéristiques associées à un trouble de la personnalité et autres trouble mentaux. / Studies on abusive spouses have shown that there are different factors that predispose a man to become violent (sexual, physical, psychological). Indeed, compared to non-violent partners, violent partners present more psychopathologies (ex.: personality desorders, anxiety, etc). Furthermore, the different typologies of violent spouses have shown that there is no single profile of violent spouses. The majority of studies have found that antisocial and borderline personality disorders are significantly associated with the perpetration of violence in intimate relationships. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the psychopathological profile of spouses who sexually assault their partners. This study aims to: (1) classify (two step cluster) abusive spouses on the basis of their psychopathological profile; and (2) to compare the psychopathological characteristics (e.g., substance abuse) and types of violence committed (e.g., physical or sexual) in the profiles. To do this, 121 men who had been convicted of committing at least one form of spousal violence were interviewed and completed questionnaires (MCMI-III NÉO PI-R, CTS2, CISS, Rape Myth Scale, Hostility Toward Women Scale). Among them, 21 had committed at least one sexual violence and 100 had committed at least one form of physical and/or psychological violence. The two-step cluster anlysis of the MCMI-III data identified three groups: sadistic/antisocial, highly pathological and non-pathological. The classification analysis based on data obtained using the NEO PI R identified three groups with certain similarities to the three groups in the first classification (MCMI-III) : the hostile, which presents characteristics associated with sadistic and antisocial personality disorder, the neurotic, which is characterized by the presence of various psychopathologies, and the controlling, which is characterized by an absence of characteristics associated with a personality disorder and other mental disorders.