Dissertation / This study examined the experiential world of adolescents in the middle and late phases of adolescent development with homosexual parents. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to explore homosexual parenting and societal reactions to this phenomenon. Thereafter, Bronfenbrenner’s bio-ecological systems theory of child development was highlighted followed by a synopsis comprising different dimensions of the development of adolescents in the middle and late phases of adolescent development. The empirical investigation was carried out through qualitative research methodology. In-depth case studies selected by purposeful sampling were carried out with three adolescents, each of whom had a homosexual father. Although the qualitative data is not generalisable, the findings of the case studies revealed similarities in the life worlds of the adolescents. The participants were affected by the discovery of their father’s homosexuality, but they chose to accept their father’s sexual orientation and sought a relationship with him. Finally, recommendations for practice were made. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

Afrikaans text / Met hierdie studie is beoog om leerders se persepsies van skool vas te stel en om riglyne vir ouers daar te stel om leerders met negatiewe persepsies van skool te hanteer. Daar is beoog om hierdie riglyne deur middel van praktiese modelle en werksvelle te implementeer sodat ouers begrip vir kinders se persepsies kan verkry en dat konflik opgelos kan word deur middel van positiewe kommunikasie. In die literatuurstudie word ondersoek ingestel na persepsievorming en die oorsake vir die vorming van negatiewe persepsies van skool. ‘n Persepsie word gevorm deurdat betekenis aan ‘n ervaring, op grond van die persoon se verwysingsraamwerk gegee word. Interne- sowel as eksterne faktore speel ‘n rol wanneer persepsies gevorm word. Eksterne faktore behels die verhouding met rolspelers soos: die ouers, die skool en onderwysers, die portuurgroep en die leerder se verhouding met homself. Interne faktore wat in hierdie studie ondersoek is, behels: lokus van kontrole, motivering, emosionele probleme, kognitiewe probleme en gedragsprobleme.Die navorsingsprobleem is verken met behulp van ‘n loodsondersoek as ‘n voortoets en diagnostiese vraelys wat deur die navorsingsgroep van 50 leerders voltooi is. Onderhoude is met vyf leerders gevoer oor hulle ervaringe en behoeftes met betrekking tot hulle persepsies van skool. Bevindinge dui aan dat ongeveer ‘n vyfde van die skool se leerders oor ‘n negatiewe persepsie van skool beskik. In die vraelys is leerders se persepsies ten opsigte van verskeie rolspelers vasgestel. Daar bestaan behoefte by leerders dat ouers betrokke en ondersteunend sal wees en dat ouers begrip vir hulle persepsies sal toon. Deur middel van praktiese diagramme en werksvelle is begrip en positiewe kommunikasie tussen ouer en kind bewerkstellig. In Hoofstuk 6 word praktiese riglyne aan ouers gegee oor hoe om sy kind, met ‘n negatiewe persepsie van skool, te hanteer. Op hierdie wyse is gepoog dat leerders positiewe ervaringe sal geniet; ‘n positiewe verwysingsraamwerk sal vorm en sodoende positiewe persepsies van skool sal vorm. ‘n Bydrae is ten opsigte van ouerleiding gelewer. Ouers word toegerus om ‘n kind met negatiewe persepsies van skool met begrip te hanteer. / The aim of this study was to determine learners’ perceptions of school and to provide guidelines for parents to deal with negative perceptions of school. These guidelines were implemented using practical models as well as work sheets. These were specifically aimed at enhancing parents’ understanding of the negative perceptions and resolving conflict through positive communication. In the literary study, the constitution of perceptions as well as the causes of the constitution of negative perceptions was investigated. A perception is established when a person gives meaning to an experience based on that person’s frame of reference. Internal and external factors play a part when perceptions are constituted. External factors in this study entail the relationship with parents, school and teachers, peer group and the learner's relationship with himself. Internal factors referred to in this study are locus of control, motivation, emotional problems, cognitive problems and behavioural problems. vii The research problem was explored using a pilot investigation as pre-test. A diagnostic questionnaire was also completed by 50 learners. Five learners were interviewed about their experiences and needs specifically in relation to their perceptions of school. Findings show that approximately one fifth of the learners of the school have negative perceptions of school. In the questionnaire, the learners’ perceptions with respect to a variety of role players were determined. There is a definite need for parents to be involved and supportive. Learners also need them to show understanding for their perceptions. Positive communication and understanding between parents and learners were established through practical diagrams and work sheets. In Chapter 6 practical guidelines are given to equip parents to understand how to handle the child with negative perceptions. The aim of this was to encourage learners to enjoy positive experiences, to form a positive frame of reference and therefore develop positive perceptions of school. A contribution towards parental guidance was made. Parents are left equipped to deal with a child with negative perceptions of school. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Sielkundige Opvoedkunde)

The focus of this dissertation revolved around the phenomenon of friendship, specifically amongst adolescents. Friendship is a universal phenomenon, that occurs in every race, culture and religion. Within friendship there are some universal aspects that were investigated. The research attempted to understand the phenomenon of friendship amongst the developmental phase of the adolescent. Furthermore, the effect of friendship on the adolescent’s general psychological functioning had been investigated. The research came to the conclusion that friendship does have a positive influence on an adolescent’s general psychological functioning but that some psychological factors, such as communication skills, social skills and self confidence need to be developed to a certain extent in order for friendship to have a positive influence on the adolescent’s psychological functioning. If these psychological factors are however not in place, friendship may to a certain extent highlight an adolescent’s weaknesses and reinforce his/her social inadequacy, inferiority, lack of self confidence and negative self talk. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

Text in Afrikaans / Die invloed van die persoonskonstruk, lokus van kontrole, op die akademiese prestasie van leerlinge in die senior sekondere skoolfase is aangespreek. Literatuur bevestig 'n verband tussen lokus van kontrole en akademiese prestasie. Interne kontrole word met hoe akademiese prestasie en verantwoordelikheidsaanvaarding geassosieer. Persoonlikheidskenmerke van intern of ekstern georienteerde leerlinge, die invloed van lokus van kontrole op persoonlike perspektief, selfkonsep en akademiese prestasie toon dat internes hulself as bekwaam, effektief en suksesvol beskou terwyl eksternes meer negatiewe persoonskenmerke beklemtoon. Die CNS-IE en IAR vraelyste is gebruik om algemene- en akademiese lokus van kontrole onderskeidelik te meet. Leerlinge wat akademies volgens vermoe presteer, behaal hoer interne tellings as die wat onderpresteer. Geen een-tot-een verwantskap tussen lokus van kontrole en akademiese prestasie is tydens die empiriese ondersoek gevind nie. Daar is dus ander faktore wat saam met lokus van kontrole die akademiese prestasie van senior sekondere leerlinge beinvloed. / The influence of the personality construct, locus of control, on the academic achievement of pupils in the senior secondary school phase was investigated. Literature confirms a relation between locus of control and academic achievement. Internal control is associated with high academic achievement and acceptance of responsibility. Personality characteristics of internals and externals, the influence of locus of control on personal perspective, self-concept and academic achievement shows that internals view themselves as capable, ef cient and succesful while externals emphasise more negative personality characteristics. The CNS IE and IAR were used to measure general and academic locus of control. Academic achievers obtained higher internal scores than underachievers on both questionnaires. The results of the Empirical research indicate that locus of control is not the sole determinant of academic achievement. Therefore, other factors in conjunction with locus of control influence academic achievement. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Voorligting)

The primary aim of this research was to determine whether the home environment of secondary school children has an influence on their academic performance. A literature study was done where the major aspects of the home environment were identified: family lifestyle, parental involvement and attitude, physical living conditions. An analysis of academic performance and the factors affecting it was done. A measuring instrument was developed in order to measure the home environment in terms of being positive or negative. The results of the empirical research indicated that while home environment and age do play a significant role in the academic performance of secondary school children, gender, maternal employment, and whether the child lives permanently with both parents, did not. The educational implications of the findings and the teacher's role are discussed, and guidelines regarding the development of a home environment conducive to better academic performance are given. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

While a great deal of psychological research is conducted on college students, less has been done on their adaptation to college. These young adults, as they develop ego identity and differentiate themselves from parents and families, must adjust to the social and academic environment of college. Psychosocial adjustment predicts college retention better than academic predictors do. First generation college students face greater than typical challenges adapting to college. The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program exists to aid first generation, lower income undergraduate student who wish to pursue a doctoral degree. Self-definition scored from thematic apperceptive technique stories reflects an individual’s relative freedom from social role constraint. This study examined the role of self-definition and familial understanding and acceptance in this population as predictors of successful adaptation to college. While neither was found to be a significant predictor, family understanding and acceptance was found to be a more defining characteristic of this sample than was self-definition. This suggests that when social support is sufficient, individuals do not need to rely on self-definition.

Holland's theory of vocational personalities and work environments incorporates four theoretical constructs (congruence, consistency, differentiation and identity) which attempt to explain sources in variability of achievement and satisfaction among employed adults and college students. This study sought to: (1) investigate the relationship of Holland's constructs to academic achievement and educational satisfaction of undergraduate music majors; (2) investigate differences in all variables according to gender and degree major. Data were collected from undergraduate music majors (N = 100) enrolled at the University of North Texas using the Vocational Preference Inventory. Mv Vocational Situation. and the Music Major Satisfaction Questionnaire. Reliability for the Music Major Satisfaction Questionnaire was estimated at .92 using Cronbach's coefficient alpha. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients indicated that: (1) congruence was significantly related to academic achievement and educational satisfaction; (2) identity was significantly related to academic achievement and educational satisfaction; (3) consistency was significantly related to academic achievement, but not to educational satisfaction; (4) differentiation was significantly related to academic achievement, but not to educational satisfaction. Multiple regression using a stepwise entry method indicated that: (1) the identity construct was the best predictor of educational satisfaction scores; (2) identity was the best predictor of academic achievement scores. The results of the study suggested: (1) it is unlikely that any single theory accounts for all dimensions of variability in achievement among college music majors. To arrive at a comprehensive model of achievement, it will be necessary to utilize constructs of several theories. Such a model should include Holland's constructs of identity, congruence, and possibly differentiation. (2) similarly, a comprehensive model of satisfaction should include Holland's constructs of identity and congruence. (3) Holland's classification system may distinguish among two traditionally held divisions of college music majors, performance majors and education majors. (4) music education majors and music performance majors differ on the social dimension of their vocational personalities.

Despite growing evidence of their prevalence, clinical and subclinical disordered eating behaviors among men continue to be understudied phenomena. When compared to females, predictors of male disordered eating vary across ethnic groups, suggesting cultural influences on disordered eating. Moreover, gay and bisexual men experience pronounced levels of body dissatisfaction, sensitivity to societal body image standards, and subsequent disordered eating when compared to straight men and gay women. This study investigated possible differences in prediction of disordered eating among intersections of male ethnicity and sexuality. We approached this question through a transtheoretical lens that integrated intersectionality and minority stress theories. Archival data from a sample of African American, Latino, and White college men were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression. Predictors of emotional and binge eating behaviors differed across ethnicity, in that body dissatisfaction and media internalization for African American and Latino males exhibit the strongest unique associations with emotional and binge eating behaviors, while the strongest unique predictors of emotional and binge eating behaviors among White males are depressive symptoms and low self-esteem. Moreover, African American sexual identity and depressive symptoms interact, as gay or bisexual men report stronger unique associations between depression symptoms and emotional and binge eating. All predictors (i.e., body dissatisfaction, depression symptoms, low self-esteem, media internalization, and sexual minority identity) were unable to explain sufficient variance in over exercise behaviors in African American men. Results suggest ethnicity and sexual orientation are meaningful to the experience of disordered eating in men, and that underlying mechanisms may exhibit differing associative patterns across ethnic identity. Clinicians working with ethnically and sexually diverse male disordered eating populations may use the results to better inform treatment interventions and conceptualization. These findings also support the value of intersectional quantitative methodology and the limits of relying on single-axis identity as a predictive element.

by Leung Wing-man Winnie. / Include questionnaire in Chinese. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 153-165). / Acknowledgements --- p.i / Abstract --- p.ii / Table of Contents --- p.iv / List of Tables --- p.viii / List of Figure --- p.x / Chapter CHAPTER ONE --- INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1.1 --- Background of the Problem --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Purpose of the Study --- p.4 / Chapter 1.3 --- Significance of the Study --- p.6 / Chapter CHAPTER TWO --- LITERATURE REVIEW / Chapter 2.1 --- Single-sex vs. Co-educational Schooling --- p.9 / Chapter 2.2 --- Self-concept --- p.13 / Chapter 2.2.1. --- Definition of Self-concept --- p.15 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Structure of Self-concept --- p.17 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Sex Effects in Self-concept --- p.20 / Chapter 2.3 --- Sex-role Orientation --- p.23 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Definitions --- p.23 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Development of Sex-role Orientation --- p.25 / Chapter (a) --- Family --- p.25 / Chapter (b) --- School --- p.26 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Structure of Sex-role Orientation --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Effects of Sex-role Orientation --- p.31 / Chapter 2.4 --- "Single-sex vs. Co-educational schooling, Self-concept, and Sex-role Orientation" --- p.34 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Self-concept and Single-sex vs. Co-educational School- ing --- p.35 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Sex-role Orientation and Single-sex vs. Coeducational Schooling --- p.37 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Self-concept and Sex-role Orientation --- p.39 / Chapter 2.4.4 --- "Sex-role Orientation, Self-concept, Single-sex vs Co-educational Schooling" --- p.40 / Chapter 2.5 --- Summary --- p.43 / Chapter CHAPTER THREE --- METHODOLOGY / Chapter 3.1 --- Definitions --- p.46 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- School Type --- p.46 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Self-concept --- p.46 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Sex-role Orientation --- p.48 / Chapter 3.1.4 --- Academic Achievement --- p.48 / Chapter 3.1.5 --- Family Socio-Economic Status --- p.49 / Chapter 3.1.6 --- Social Exchange with Opposite Sex Peers --- p.49 / Chapter 3.2 --- Research Hypotheses --- p.50 / Chapter 3.3 --- Instruments --- p.53 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Pilot Study --- p.55 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Main Study --- p.57 / Chapter 3.4 --- Subjects --- p.58 / Chapter 3.5 --- Procedures --- p.61 / Chapter 3.6 --- Limitations --- p.61 / Chapter 3.7 --- Data Analysis --- p.62 / Chapter 3.7.1 --- School Type and Sex-role Type effects on Self-concepts --- p.62 / Chapter 3.7.2. --- School Type effect on Sex-role Type Distribution --- p.63 / Chapter 3.7.3 --- School Type effect on Social Contact with Opposite Sex Peers --- p.63 / Chapter CHAPTER FOUR --- RESULTS / Chapter 4.1 --- School Type and Sex-role Type effects on Self-concepts --- p.65 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- General self-concept --- p.66 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Mathematics self-concept --- p.70 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- Verbal self-concepts --- p.74 / Verbal-Chinese self-concept --- p.74 / Verbal-English self-concept --- p.78 / Summary on Verbal self-concepts --- p.82 / Chapter 4.1.4 --- Social self-concepts --- p.83 / Relations with Opposite Sex Peers --- p.83 / Relations with Same Sex Peers --- p.87 / Relations with Parents --- p.90 / Summary on Social self-concepts --- p.94 / Chapter 4.1.5 --- Physical self-concepts --- p.96 / Physical Abilities self-concept --- p.96 / Physical Appearance self-concept --- p.100 / Summary on Physical self-concepts --- p.104 / Chapter 4.1.6 --- Summary --- p.105 / Chapter 4.2 --- School Type and Sex-role Type Distribution --- p.107 / Chapter 4.3 --- School Type and Contact with Opposite Sex Peers --- p.111 / Contact with Opposite Sex Peers in Activities Unrelated to School --- p.112 / Leisure --- p.114 / Intensity of Social Contact --- p.115 / Closeness with Opposite Sex Peers --- p.116 / Summary --- p.118 / Chapter 4.4 --- Summary of Results --- p.119 / Chapter CHAPTER FIVE --- DISCUSSION / Chapter 5.1 --- Singléؤsex Schooling vs Co-education: Different domains of self-concept --- p.121 / Chapter 5.1.1 --- General self-concept --- p.122 / Chapter 5.1.2 --- Mathematics self-concept --- p.123 / Chapter 5.1.3 --- Verbal self-concepts --- p.126 / Chapter 5.1.4 --- Social self-concepts --- p.127 / Chapter 5.1.5 --- Physical self-concepts --- p.130 / Chapter 5.1.6 --- Summary --- p.133 / Chapter 5.2 --- Single-sex Schooling vs Co-education: Sex-role Orientation --- p.135 / Chapter 5.3 --- Single-sex Schooling vs Co-education: Social Contact with Opposite Sex Peers --- p.136 / Chapter 5.4 --- Self-concepts: its relation to Sex-role Type --- p.139 / Chapter 5.5 --- "School Type, Sex-role Type and Self-concept" --- p.140 / Chapter 5.6 --- Summary --- p.142 / Chapter CHAPTER SIX --- CONCLUSION / Chapter 6.1 --- Summary of Findings --- p.145 / Chapter 6.2 --- Implications of Findings --- p.148 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- School Type --- p.148 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Sex-role Type --- p.150 / Chapter 6.3 --- Directions for Future Research --- p.151 / REFERENCES --- p.153 / APPENDICES --- p.166 / Chapter A --- Bem Sex Role Inventory --- p.166 / Chapter B --- Self Description Questionnaire --- p.168 / Chapter C --- Pilot Questionnaire --- p.173 / Chapter D --- Final Questionnaire --- p.182

by Chun-fat Lin. / Thesis submitted in: December 1997. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 95-108). / Abstract also in Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgments --- p.iii / Table of Contents --- p.iv / List of Tables --- p.vii / List of Figures --- p.viii / List of Appendices --- p.viii / Chapter CHAPTER ONE --- INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1 --- Background of the Problem / Chapter 1.1 --- Stress and Secondary School Students --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Coping Behaviour of Secondary School Students --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3. --- Gender and Age Difference in Coping Behaviour --- p.3 / Chapter 1.4. --- The Influence of Family Environment on Coping Behaviour --- p.4 / Chapter CHAPTER TWO --- LITERATURE REVIEW / Chapter 2.1. --- Adolescent Coping / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Conceptualization of Adolescent Coping --- p.7 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Situational and Dispositional Factors in Adolescent Coping --- p.10 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Development of Adolescent Coping Instrument (COPE) --- p.12 / Chapter 2.2 --- Gender and Ethnic Differences in Coping / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Coping Behaviour of Males --- p.14 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Coping Behaviour of Females --- p.15 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Age Differences in Coping --- p.18 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Ethnic Differences in Coping --- p.20 / Chapter 2.3 --- Family Environments and Adolescent Coping / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Family Environments as Sources of Stress and Support --- p.22 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- The Influence of Parenting Styles on Adolescent Coping --- p.25 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- The Influence of Family Environments on Adolescent Coping --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3.3.1 --- Family Environment Scales ( FES ) --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3.3.2 --- Relationships Between Family Environment Subscales and Coping Strategies --- p.31 / Chapter 2.3.3.3 --- Relationships Between Family Environments and Coping Strategies --- p.34 / Chapter 2.4 --- "Chinese Confucian Culture, Family Relations and Adolescent Socialization" / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Essences of Chinese Confucian Culture --- p.38 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Family Structure and Adolescent --- p.39 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Adolescent Socialization in Family Context --- p.40 / Chapter CHAPTER THREE --- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY / Chapter 3.1. --- Overview of the Study --- p.44 / Chapter 3.2 --- Significance of the Study --- p.44 / Chapter 3.3. --- Subjects / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Pilot Study --- p.48 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Main Study --- p.49 / Chapter 3.4 --- Instruments / Chapter 3.4.1 --- COPE --- p.49 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Family Environment Scale (FES) --- p.52 / Chapter 3.5 --- Procedure --- p.54 / Chapter CHAPTER FOUR --- RESULTS / Chapter 4.1 --- Descriptive Statistics of the Whole Sample --- p.56 / Chapter 4.2 --- Coping Strategies of Adolescents / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Rank Order of Question Items of COPE --- p.57 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Descriptive Statistics of COPE --- p.60 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Gender and Age Difference in Coping --- p.62 / Chapter 4.2.3.1 --- Gender Difference in Coping --- p.62 / Chapter 4.2.3.2 --- Age Difference in Coping --- p.64 / Chapter 4.3. --- Family Environments Perceived by Adolescents --- p.66 / Chapter 4.4 --- Family Environment Types (FETs) / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Demographic Information of FETs --- p.68 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Description of FETs Based on FES Subscales --- p.70 / Chapter 4.5 --- Family Environment Types and Coping Strategies --- p.74 / Chapter CHAPTER FIVE --- DISCUSSION / Chapter 5.1 --- Coping Strategies of Adolescents --- p.77 / Chapter 5.2 --- Family Environments Perceived by Adolescents --- p.79 / Chapter 5.3 --- Relationship between Coping Strategies and Family Environments --- p.80 / Chapter 5.4 --- Family Environment Types --- p.81 / Chapter 5.5 --- Family Environment Types and Coping Strategies --- p.82 / Chapter 5.5.1 --- Expressive FET --- p.83 / Chapter 5.5.2 --- Conflictual-Controlling FET --- p.84 / Chapter 5.5.3 --- Permissive FET --- p.84 / Chapter 5.5.4 --- Cohesive-Organized FET --- p.85 / Chapter 5.5.5 --- Crucial Role of Control in FETs --- p.86 / Chapter 5.6 --- Implications of Findings --- p.87 / Chapter 5.7 --- Limitations of the Study --- p.91 / Chapter 5.8 --- Directions of Future Research --- p.92 / REFERENCES --- p.95 / APPENDICES / Appendix 1 Number of Items and Descriptions of Items of COPE Subscales --- p.109 / Appendix 2 Number of Items and Descriptions of Items of FES Subscales --- p.110 / Appendix 3 Reliability Coefficients of COPE in Other Studies --- p.111 / Appendix 4 Inter-correlations between subscales of COPE --- p.112 / Appendix 5 Reliability Coefficients of FES in Other Studies --- p.113 / Appendix 6 Inter-correlations between subscales of FES --- p.114 / Appendix 7 Inter-correlations between subscales of FES and COPE --- p.115