An analysis of previous reviews of the parent education literature revealed that few reviewers have incorporated sound methodological practice in their review process. Most reviewers included too few studies and ignored important information about the primary research studies that they reviewed. The Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) program has received less attention from reviewers than any of the other popular programs and information about its effectiveness is lacking. Forty primary research studies, addressing the effectiveness of the STEP program, were located and analyzed using the meta-analytic method of review. Research questions for this study addressed the issues of effectiveness in terms of parent and child attitude change, behavioral change, psychological functioning, changes in self-esteem, changes in the family environment, and changes in parent/child interactions. The variables that were coded and analyzed included the quality of the study, the publication source, socioeconomic status of the family, special parent characteristics (e.g., drug-addicted, abusive, Chicano, foreign), any children's handicaps (e.g . , learning disabled, Title I), type of group leader (professional or nonprofessional), type of tapes used (audiotape or videotape), design methodology, type of program participants (e.g., only mothers, couples, mixed parent groups), age of parents, education of parents, and age of child(ren). The dependent variables were coded and categorized into nine categories for parent measures and five categories for child measures . Effect sizes were computed for both immediate effects (immediately following treatment) and follow-up effects (after a designated elapsed time). Moderate effect sizes were found which diminished with the passage of time. The STEP program was found to be more effective with couples than with mothers or with mixed parent groups. In addition, the program was found to be more effective with younger, less educated parents with younger children. Also, although representing only a few studies, it was found that exposure to the STEP program was associated with larger effect sizes for abusive and drug-addicted parents. Regression analyses were conducted for selected dependent measures, and raw score prediction formulas were constructed using the age of parents, age of children, and education of parents as predictor variables. Suggestions are made for future research directions in the area of parent education and, specifically, changes in the STEP program that might add to its effectiveness.

Peer counseling programs benefit peer-to-peer relationships in schools through students providing active support for one another. Literature shows that peer counseling programs are effective with adolescents, especially in school-based settings. Bowen family systems theory is a model that focuses on the importance of emotional and relationship systems. Differentiation of self, a key concept in Bowen systems theory, is described as the balance between emotional and intellectual functioning; the higher the level of differentiation, the less likely one is to experience emotional and social difficulties. This dissertation I explored the potential for training high school senior counselors from a Bowenian perspective. A project called the Archimedean peer counseling program trained 32 high school senior peer counselors in Bowen family systems theory. This study used a mixed methods approach to understand the following research question: To what extent did participation in the Archimedean peer counseling program increase overall differentiation of self among high school senior counselors, as measured by pre- and posttest scores on the differentiation of self-inventory (DSI), an instrument used to measure fusion between emotional and intellectual functioning. In addition, scores for the DSI subscales (emotional reactivity, taking an I position, reactive distancing, and fusion with parents), and archival quantitative data were examined. Paired samples t-tests were conducted to assess mean differences in baseline and posttest DSI scores. A thematic analysis of qualitative data in the form of student reflection papers, journal entries, and personal communications with school administrators was also conducted. Results from this study help to illustrate the utility of Bowen family systems theory training in the context of an adolescent peer counseling program.

Text in English / The training of psychotherapists not only determines what new therapists learn about the practice of therapy, but influences significantly their identity and the development of a professional self. This dissertation explores the professional development of a trainee therapist, taking into consideration the training context and training approach, the trainee's unique training needs and the influence of own interactional style. The study was undertaken from an action research perspective, therefore emphasising solving a problem in the field and feeding this information back into the system during the course of the research project. The researcher describes how the training context (in this case, the Agape Healing Community in Mamelodi, South Africa), the training approach (systemic family therapy), and his personal style shaped his professional sense of self. He found however, that it was the process of action research which encouraged movement from feelings of inadequacy to competence in his professional development. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

Text in English / The training of psychotherapists not only determines what new therapists learn about the practice of therapy, but influences significantly their identity and the development of a professional self. This dissertation explores the professional development of a trainee therapist, taking into consideration the training context and training approach, the trainee's unique training needs and the influence of own interactional style. The study was undertaken from an action research perspective, therefore emphasising solving a problem in the field and feeding this information back into the system during the course of the research project. The researcher describes how the training context (in this case, the Agape Healing Community in Mamelodi, South Africa), the training approach (systemic family therapy), and his personal style shaped his professional sense of self. He found however, that it was the process of action research which encouraged movement from feelings of inadequacy to competence in his professional development. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)