abstract: Prophylactic bilateral mastectomy (PBM) is the current recommended course of action for women with increased genetic risk for breast and ovarian cancer. Nevertheless, many receive negative feedback from family and friends surrounding the decision to undergo this surgery because they do not have cancer when the decision is made; this results in a limited support network for coping with their PBM. Low social support is associated with depression, negativity, and anxiety. Women who had a PBM, were currently undergoing or had completed reconstruction, and were in a committed romantic relationship at the time of the surgery were surveyed (N = 53). The hypotheses that women who received negative feedback about their decision to have a PBM would have poorer individual well-being, and that the use of a couples-based team approach would moderate these adverse effects were tested. Data analyses support the hypotheses that women in couples taking a team approach to PBM have better individual well-being. The effects of negative feedback from others about the decision to undergo a PBM on personal mental health were moderated by use of a couples-based team approach. Women who received negative feedback from multiple sources had better outcomes if they used a couples-based team approach. Many women have a preventative oophorectomy around the same time as their PBM. Menopause is associated with side effects such as increased vasomotor symptoms and decreased sexual functioning. The hypothesis that surgical menopause is related to declines in sexual satisfaction following PBM was also tested. Regression analysis revealed no relationship. This study indicates that women who experience social disapproval and lack collaborative support from their significant other may be at increased risk for poor individual well-being following PBM. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Psychology 2018

No description available.

The traditional role of speech-language therapists as feeding specialists appears to have focused primarily on the mechanics of feeding disorders, without fully considering the impact of nutritional needs on a child's development and communication. The aim of the study was to investigate the experiences and perceptions of a group of speech-language therapists regarding nutritional issues in children requiring feeding therapy or early communication intervention. A qualitative research design was employed in the form of a descriptive survey and a questionnaire was compiled as the data collection instrument. Forty-nine questionnaires were delivered to speech-language therapists within the Johannesburg and Pretoria geographical areas, of which 32 were suitable for analysis. Closed ended questions were analyzed quantitatively using descriptive statistics while responses to open-ended questions were categorized thematically. Results indicated that all respondents came into contact with clients who had, or who were at risk for, feeding disorders and nutritional deficiencies. However, findings revealed that during assessment and treatment of these clients, respondents tended to neglect issues related to nutrition, as well as psychosocial issues pertinent to feeding disorders. Furthermore, respondents appeared not to have fully realized the importance of their role as communication specialists within the feeding context. It was found that the majority of respondents were involved within a multidisciplinary team approach; however, the application of the more effective transdisciplinary approach was limited. This was confirmed by results revealing that collaboration with other professionals, such as dieticians, did not consistently occur. In terms of training, it was evident that respondents received the majority of their training in feeding therapy from continued education, which included aspects of nutrition. However, undergraduate training was perceived as having limitations within the theoretical content as well as practical application, and did not incorporate nutritional aspects. In light of the apparent need for a more holistic view of paediatric clients with feeding disorders, suggestions were made regarding the inclusion of vital nutritional issues and psychosocial factors within training and transdisciplinary service delivery in South Africa. Furthermore, relevant research topics within the field of paediatric feeding were presented. Broadening perspectives by means of holistic research and training may enhance service delivery to children with paediatric feeding disorders. / Dissertation (MCommPath)--University of Pretoria, 2002. / tm2015 / Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology / MCommPath / Unrestricted

No description available.

Thesis (MA)-- Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Family caregivers play a large role in the lives of traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors. This study explored the experiences of family members who care for TBI survivors in the Western Cape. Emphasis was placed on the challenges and resources that were associated with the caregiving role. A qualitative exploratory research design was implemented, whereby thematic analysis was utilised to examine the semi-structured interviews that were conducted with 12 female family caregivers of TBI survivors. Several challenges emerged, namely trauma, consequences of a TBI, responsibilities, lack of support, unawareness, financial burden, emotional challenges and coping. Several resources were also identified, namely the road to recovery, social support, financial resource and coping. These findings suggest that although caregivers who care for a family member who sustained a TBI face several challenges through the caregiving task, these individuals have a number of resources that help them to cope. Interventions that focus on psycho-education have been identified as an important need amongst the participants of this study. In addition, the need for support groups were highlighted as an important way in which many of the challenges that these caregivers experience could be addressed. Caregivers also expressed a need for more active involvement of health care professionals with regard to the provision of guidance, empathy and information. It seems as if the caregivers view the relationship between themselves and the health care professionals involved in the treatment of their family member who sustained a TBI as very important. It was however evident from the findings of this study that the caregivers are generally not satisfied with the quality of the interaction between the health care professionals and themselves. This study’s findings serve as a basis for future research studies on the experiences of family caregivers of TBI survivors in the Western Cape. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gesinsversorgers speel ’n groot rol in die lewens van oorlewendes van traumatiese breinbeserings (TBB). Hierdie studie het die ervaringe van gesinsversorgers van TBB-oorlewendes in die Wes-Kaap verken. Die fokus is op die uitdagings en hulpbronne wat geassosieer word met die versorgingsrol. ’n Kwalitatiewe ontwerp is geïmplementeer, waarby tematiese analise gebruik is om die semigestruktureerde onderhoude van 12 vroulike gesinsversorgers van TBB-oorlewendes te bestudeer. Verskeie uitdagings het na vore gekom, naamlik trauma, gevolge van TBB, verantwoordelikhede, gebrek aan ondersteuning, onbewustheid, finansiële las, emosionele uitdagings en hantering. Die hulpbronne wat geïdentifiseer is, het die pad na herstel, sosiale ondersteuning, finansiële hulpbron en hantering ingesluit. Intervensies wat fokus op psigo-opvoeding is geïndentifiseer as ’n belangrike behoefte onder die deelnemers aan die studie. Hierbenewens is ook ’n behoefte aan ondersteuningsgroepe uitgelig as ’n belangrike wyse om die vele uitdagings wat hierdie versorgers ervaar aan te pak. Die versorgers het ook ’n behoefte ervaar aan meer aktiewe betrokkenheid van gesondheidskundiges ten opsigte van die voorsiening van leiding, empatie en inligting. Dit blyk dat versorgers die verhouding tussen hulself en die gesondheidskundiges betrokke by hul gesinslid met die TBB as belangrik beskou. Desnietemin blyk dit duidelik uit die bevindinge van hierdie studie dat versorgers oor die algemeen nie tevrede is met die kwaliteit van die interaksie tussen die gesondheidskundiges en hulself nie. Die bevindinge van hierdie studie dien as basis vir toekomstige navorsing oor die ervaringe van gesinsversorgers van TBB-oorlewendes in the Wes-Kaap.

There is a need for information regarding the relationship of phonological awareness to reading and spelling in the multilingual learner in South Africa. The speech-language therapist has a role to play as part of the collaborative team assessing and treating the learner with reading and spelling difficulties. The aim of the study was to examine the relationships that exist between phonological awareness, written spelling and oral reading abilities in four groups of school-aged learners. A quantitative research design was employed in the form of a descriptive survey. Twenty test subjects were selected randomly from Grade 2 classes at an English-medium inclusive school in Pretoria, South Africa. Their class teachers on their final school report of the year had rated the learners as having good or poor literacy ability. They were organized into four research groups which differed with respect to their home language (English or English as Additional Language) and with respect to their literacy ability as judged by their teachers (Good or Poor literacy ability). A questionnaire was designed to ascertain parental perspectives pertaining to the learners’ case history and literacy development. A test battery composed of the Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation (Goldman&Fristoe, 1986), the Phonological Assessment Battery (Frederickson, Reason&Frith, 1997), the ESSI Reading and the ESSI Spelling Test (Esterhuyse&Beukes, 1997), and the TOLD-P: 2 (Newcomer&Hammill, 1991), as well as a Class Spelling List and a Reading Comprehension Task developed by the researcher, was administered to all test subjects. Findings of subjects’ performance in this study supported international findings regarding the strong relationship between phonological awareness ability and performance on reading and spelling measures. In addition, multilingual learners in this study were found to have delays in language development that negatively impacted on their literacy rating. The language development of the English-speakers with poor literacy ability in this study also negatively affected their reading and spelling performance. The test battery used in this study, with the exception of the Reading Comprehension Task, proved useful in differentiating subjects with good and poor literacy abilities and appears to be applicable for use in the South African situation. The results provide useful insights for the assessment and treatment of these learners. Furthermore, relevant research topics in the field of literacy development in an inclusive education setting were presented. / Dissertation (M (Communication Pathology))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology / unrestricted

With the maturation of the child custody investigative process, the role of investigators and the process of these investigations have come under increasing scrutiny. The investigators are expected to be objective, neutral, and professional while following procedures that conform to model standards. However, this assumption of a lack of bias has been largely overlooked in the literature regarding the investigative process. It is assumed that investigators should self-monitor to ensure that their stance is objective and neutral. Furthermore, this position of neutrality and objectivity is assumed to be intuitive and natural. By using a case study, this thesis investigates and describes the process of a child custody investigation predicated on a constructivist epistemology. It highlights the impossibility of any investigator to be objective and neutral in any investigation automatically, regardless of the procedures and methods employed. The thesis highlights the participant observer status of investigators. An aim of the thesis is thus to sensitise investigators to this inevitable vulnerability with the expectation that such an awareness may allow investigators to establish processes to render investigations consciously more balanced, considered, and transparent. A further aim is to describe a child custody evaluation from an eco-systemic perspective by contextualising the investigation in the larger ecosystem to which it belongs. This description includes the investigation as part of an evolving problem-determined system. An awareness of this wider and evolving context may enable investigators to approximate a position of objectivity and neutrality more effectively. It may also act as an inoculation against the ‘contamination’ of the investigator by the investigative system. With the maturation of the child custody investigative process, the role of investigators and the process of these investigations have come under increasing scrutiny. The investigators are expected to be objective, neutral, and professional while following procedures that conform to model standards. However, this assumption of a lack of bias has been largely overlooked in the literature regarding the investigative process. It is assumed that investigators should self-monitor to ensure that their stance is objective and neutral. Furthermore, this position of neutrality and objectivity is assumed to be intuitive and natural. By using a case study, this thesis investigates and describes the process of a child custody investigation predicated on a constructivist epistemology. It highlights the impossibility of any investigator to be objective and neutral in any investigation automatically, regardless of the procedures and methods employed. The thesis highlights the participant observer status of investigators. An aim of the thesis is thus to sensitise investigators to this inevitable vulnerability with the expectation that such an awareness may allow investigators to establish processes to render investigations consciously more balanced, considered, and transparent. A further aim is to describe a child custody evaluation from an eco-systemic perspective by contextualising the investigation in the larger ecosystem to which it belongs. This description includes the investigation as part of an evolving problem-determined system. An awareness of this wider and evolving context may enable investigators to approximate a position of objectivity and neutrality more effectively. It may also act as an inoculation against the ‘contamination’ of the investigator by the investigative system. xviii In South Africa, we have yet to formulate a document that establishes a model standard of practice or specific, dedicated training in this area. This thesis identifies what could be included in both areas (in addition to the expected protocols and procedures) by describing the investigator’s position as an expert learner, rather than just an ‘expert’. In line with current literature, it highlights the benefits of thinking consciously and in a considered manner. Furthermore, it indicates the benefits of a team approach to investigations, which could be considered an area for further investigation. In South Africa, we have yet to formulate a document that establishes a model standard of practice or specific, dedicated training in this area. This thesis identifies what could be included in both areas (in addition to the expected protocols and procedures) by describing the investigator’s position as an expert learner, rather than just an ‘expert’. In line with current literature, it highlights the benefits of thinking consciously and in a considered manner. Furthermore, it indicates the benefits of a team approach to investigations, which could be considered an area for further investigation. / Psychology / D. LITT et. Phil. ( Psychology)

This thesis draws on a case study research method conducted to identify the challenges of school leadership and to investigate the opportunities of instructional leadership practices via a distributive approach for secondary school principals in Haramaya District of Oromia region, Ethiopia. This qualitative research approach allows for obtaining detailed information from the participants for the issue under study. The participants of the study were five secondary school principals, 25 secondary school management members and five Haramaya District Education Office experts. Totally 35 participants were the subjects of the study. The data collected from the participants were analysed using a thematic analysis by employing the necessary steps of qualitative data analysis. Therefore, the study identified that school principals do not give equal emphasis for some of the instructional leadership roles and distribute instructional leadership roles based on a traditional ways rather than using a theme approach. The support provided to school principals from stakeholders to strengthen their instructional leadership practices using a distributive approach is also low. In addition, lack of knowledge and skill of principals to understand the recent school leadership theories and a distributive approach make principals not to practice instructional leadership via a distributive approach effectively and efficiently. Moreover, low commitment of stakeholders to take instructional leadership roles and activities, lack of adequate support from stakeholders to principals and lack of instructional materials and qualified personnel were the major challenges of principals in practicing instructional leadership via a distributive approach. Finally, the researcher recommended that school principals, Haramaya District Education Office and East Hararghe Zone Education Desk should work collaboratively to formulate and communicate a school vision, to use technology for assisting learning and strengthen CPD programme based on need assessment. Moreover, school principals should work on the approach of distributive leadership on a team base to use the various knowledge, skill, expertise and experience of stakeholders. Teachers, students, parents, community, educational authorities at different levels, GO and NGOs should distribute instructional leadership roles and activities to support principals. Haramaya District Education Office and East Hararghe Zone Education Desk in collaboration with NGOs should prepare up-to-date training and strengthen school-community relationships. / Educational Management and Leadership / D. Ed. (Education Management)

This thesis is a study of a leadership model for the effective management of Further Education and Training (FET) colleges in the Gauteng Province. This research was triggered by the need for quality and sound leadership skills highly needed in FET colleges. The vision of FET colleges lies at the heart of the integration of the country's education and training system. Leadership is the distinguishing factor in bringing about organisational transformation. A key contemporary issue in the development of a high quality education service relates to the new thinking about how best to pursue quality and excellence in FET colleges. Leadership, strategic planning and the need for alternative models of management lead, inevitably, towards a reconsideration of both staff competencies and continuing staff and organisational development. This research seeks to assist those who have the responsibility of leading and managing the further conceptualisation and implementation of further education and training. A qualitative research was conducted, in which a newly merged college in Pretoria was chosen as a case study for this research. The following constituted the broad aims of this study:  To examine the leadership strategies that should be employed for effective management of FET colleges;  To investigate the vision and mission development and implementation and the organisational structures established;  To determine the opportunities and challenges offered by the new large and multi-sited college; and  To investigate a leadership model for the effective management of FET colleges. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with the leadership of the college ranging from the senior managers, campus managers, middle managers to educators. Analysis of documents and observation notes was also done to supply more data about FET leadership. Data were analysed and interpreted by identifying themes and categories that would shed more light into the effective leadership of the college. The following recommendations were made:  A new approach to the leadership of the college should be adopted;  The leadership of the college should be more accountable and responsive to community needs;  More financial support should be allocated to FET colleges; and  More focus should be given to learner support. / Educational Studies / D.Ed. (Education Management)

With the maturation of the child custody investigative process, the role of investigators and the process of these investigations have come under increasing scrutiny. The investigators are expected to be objective, neutral, and professional while following procedures that conform to model standards. However, this assumption of a lack of bias has been largely overlooked in the literature regarding the investigative process. It is assumed that investigators should self-monitor to ensure that their stance is objective and neutral. Furthermore, this position of neutrality and objectivity is assumed to be intuitive and natural. By using a case study, this thesis investigates and describes the process of a child custody investigation predicated on a constructivist epistemology. It highlights the impossibility of any investigator to be objective and neutral in any investigation automatically, regardless of the procedures and methods employed. The thesis highlights the participant observer status of investigators. An aim of the thesis is thus to sensitise investigators to this inevitable vulnerability with the expectation that such an awareness may allow investigators to establish processes to render investigations consciously more balanced, considered, and transparent. A further aim is to describe a child custody evaluation from an eco-systemic perspective by contextualising the investigation in the larger ecosystem to which it belongs. This description includes the investigation as part of an evolving problem-determined system. An awareness of this wider and evolving context may enable investigators to approximate a position of objectivity and neutrality more effectively. It may also act as an inoculation against the ‘contamination’ of the investigator by the investigative system. With the maturation of the child custody investigative process, the role of investigators and the process of these investigations have come under increasing scrutiny. The investigators are expected to be objective, neutral, and professional while following procedures that conform to model standards. However, this assumption of a lack of bias has been largely overlooked in the literature regarding the investigative process. It is assumed that investigators should self-monitor to ensure that their stance is objective and neutral. Furthermore, this position of neutrality and objectivity is assumed to be intuitive and natural. By using a case study, this thesis investigates and describes the process of a child custody investigation predicated on a constructivist epistemology. It highlights the impossibility of any investigator to be objective and neutral in any investigation automatically, regardless of the procedures and methods employed. The thesis highlights the participant observer status of investigators. An aim of the thesis is thus to sensitise investigators to this inevitable vulnerability with the expectation that such an awareness may allow investigators to establish processes to render investigations consciously more balanced, considered, and transparent. A further aim is to describe a child custody evaluation from an eco-systemic perspective by contextualising the investigation in the larger ecosystem to which it belongs. This description includes the investigation as part of an evolving problem-determined system. An awareness of this wider and evolving context may enable investigators to approximate a position of objectivity and neutrality more effectively. It may also act as an inoculation against the ‘contamination’ of the investigator by the investigative system. xviii In South Africa, we have yet to formulate a document that establishes a model standard of practice or specific, dedicated training in this area. This thesis identifies what could be included in both areas (in addition to the expected protocols and procedures) by describing the investigator’s position as an expert learner, rather than just an ‘expert’. In line with current literature, it highlights the benefits of thinking consciously and in a considered manner. Furthermore, it indicates the benefits of a team approach to investigations, which could be considered an area for further investigation. In South Africa, we have yet to formulate a document that establishes a model standard of practice or specific, dedicated training in this area. This thesis identifies what could be included in both areas (in addition to the expected protocols and procedures) by describing the investigator’s position as an expert learner, rather than just an ‘expert’. In line with current literature, it highlights the benefits of thinking consciously and in a considered manner. Furthermore, it indicates the benefits of a team approach to investigations, which could be considered an area for further investigation. / Psychology / D. Litt. et Phil. ( Psychology)