The PTSD model of trauma encapsulated in the DSM has been subject to numerous challenges concerning the model's appropriateness and applicability in the South African context. These challenges relate specifically to specific nature of the traumatic stressors produced by the discriminatory policies of the Apartheid regime and the levels of political violence that permeated the entire country, especially entire rural communities in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province. This form of endemic and incessant violence that traumatised entire communities has surpassed the DSM -IVTR's conceptualisation of trauma. This research study aims to open up a space for exploring alternate ways of conceptualising distress in the South African landscape of endemic violence and incessant trauma. This study draws attention to how men and women living in rural KZN experience and construct the meanings of their distressing experiences using the cultural resources available to them. Focus groups were conducted with six groups of first language isiZulu speakers from rural communities across KZN. Focus groups included a youth group, a male leaders group, a women's group, a group of traditional healers, a community health workers group, and a feedback session group. The groups were conducted in isiZulu, recorded, transcribed, and translated into English. The transcripts were interpreted using discourse analytic theory, analysing discursive constructions of distress and the subject positions contained within them. It was found that experiences of distress were interpreted through the lens of a socio-cultural African worldview which differed from that assumed by Western psychology. This worldview shaped the conceptualisation of distress and determined specific coping strategies. Distress was interpreted as a breakdown in the organisational matrix of life that systematically increases people's vulnerability to a range of interwoven complex stressors endowed with social, cultural and political meaning. These stressors perpetuate a cycle of distress that situates men and women in diverse and predominantly disempowering subject positions, shaping distinct experiences of trauma. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2005.

Substance abuse and its related risk behaviours feature among the greatest threats to public health. Despite the advances made in interventions for addictive behaviours in the last two decades, there continues to be a high rate of recidivism among substance abusers. While many factors contribute to recidivist rates, an important part of treatment success is the motivation or readiness of the patients to change their addictive behaviours. Significant work in understanding the process of change has emerged from the health promotion literature in the form of the transtheoretical model of change (TIM). While the model comprises several dimensions, its core constructs centre on stages of change, i.e., behavior change occurs through a series of stages. Individuals in treatment could then be at various stages of change, which would enhance or limit the effects of the treatment. An individual decision to change is also affected by an evaluation of the pros and cons of change. The self-efficacy to change constitutes a third element for successful change to occur. Using a cross sectional survey design, this study explored the relationship between readiness to change, decisional-balance and self-efficacy in a sample of 88 inpatients at a public treatment facility admitted for alcohol and other drug use. The results showed that patients were indeed at various stages of change. Thirty-nine percent of inpatients were not ready to change, 43% were in the preparatory stage of change, and less than a quarter (18%) of inpatients was ready to change. Pro decisionalbalance was an important predictor of readiness to change. Further research tailoring treatment programmes to readiness to change among substance abuse patients is suggested. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2005

This study focuses on the mother-daughter relationship conceptualised as friendship and explores the ways in which this conceptuafisation articulates with broader concerns of feminine subjectivity. Using Denzin's (2001) interpretive interactionism as a framework for in-depth interviews, women's own talk about their mother-daughter relationships was analysed. Friendship implies a relationship of choice and equality rather than the traditional asymmetries of power typical of mother-daughter dynamics and the participants asserted this characteristic as the defining feature of their relationships. Their understanding of this rubric of friendship was analysed in terms of three primary themes: 1) Talk constructs and maintains particular levels of intimacy between mother and daughter, disclosing the self to the other; 2) This form of interaction is gendered, only possible between women. Fathers in particular are positioned predominantly within a discourse of 'absence' or 'emotional defectiveness' and this is seems to provide a gendered counterpoint to the exclusive intimacy shared between mother and daughter; and 3) The ostensibly equal form of the relationship conceals patterns of regulation, in particular certain forms of self-regulation. Women are encouraged by social structures such as tradition, culture, religion and so forth to regulate themselves in ways that keep feminine subjectivity as 'nice' and 'good' . In these ways, the conceptualisation of the mother-daughter relationship as 'friendship' affords both women important measures of relational support, challenging more masculine versions of parenting, generational authority and the centrality of autonomy and separation in the developmental process. However, in parallel with these positive shifts, the relationship thus conceptualised also serves to conceal relations of power and the explicit gendering of these forms of relating may further entrench an already naturalised female/ male duality. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2006.

Abstract not available. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, 1985.

A commonly used method for treating students with test anxiety in tertiary academic institutions is Skills Workshops. These workshops encompass study, time management and test taking skills. However, Meichenbaum & Butler's (1980) model of test anxiety suggests that test anxiety has four components that need to be taken into consideration when treating test anxiety. These are (1) Internal Dialogue, (2) Behavioural Acts, (3) Behavioural Outcomes and (4) Cognitive Structures. They suggest that Stress Inoculation Training (SIT) is an ideal treatment method for treating test anxiety as it addresses all these components. This study looked at the effectiveness of SIT in comparison to the Skills Workshops as well as no treatment at all. The results showed that both SIT and Skills Workshops were effective in reducing test anxiety levels but SIT was a more superior method. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2007.

This study aimed to determine hospice workers' perceptions, understanding of and attitudes to spirituality, spiritual care and religion. In order to test the hypotheses, attitude scales and a semi-structured interview schedule was used. A sample of 73 was obtained from various hospices around KwaZulu-Natal who completed the Spiritual and Spiritual Care Rating Scale (SSCRS), the Spirituality and Religious Attitude and Practice Scale and a short questionnaire measuring biographical information, work history and issues relating to spirituality / religion and training. The study found that study participants were aware that there were differences between spirituality and religion but had a difficulty differentiating between the two concepts. They considered themselves to be spiritual and that spirituality was relevant in their personal and professional lives. The implications of the findings are discussed. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2006.

Religion and spirituality are universal concepts which provide significant platforms of meaning for many people (Pargament, 1999). However, traditional psychology training programs have typically omitted these issues (Brawer, Handal, Fabricatore, Roberts and Wadja-Johnston, 2002; Shafranske, 2001), thus neglecting an important dimension of human experience. The present study involved sending a survey questionnaire to all lecturers, coordinators and directors involved in psychology masters programmes within South Africa. This study explores the extent to which religious and spiritual issues are currently included in masters programmes, the perceptions of those involved regarding religious and spiritual issues, and possible ways of integrating these issues within the existing program. Within an integrative framework, results are analysed descriptively, using content analysis for the qualitative responses. Current inclusion of religious and spiritual issues within psychology training programs is varied between modules and universities, and the perceptions of those involved regarding inclusion is ambivalently in favour. Integrating religious and spiritual issues into existing modules is generally favoured. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2007.

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects a person's ability to think and function well. Perceptions, feelings, and behaviour become impaired, making it difficult for the person to manage emotions, make decisions, and relate to other people (Dyck, Short & Vitaliano, 1999). According to Brady and McCain (2005) schizophrenia does not only affect individuals, but the entire family. Very often a family member becomes the primary caregiver to a loved one with schizophrenia. Brady and McCain (2005) point out that the lifetime emotional, social, and financial consequences experienced by individuals with schizophrenia have significant effects on their families. Family responses to having a family member with schizophrenia include: care burden, fear and embarrassment about the illness signs and symptoms, uncertainty about the course of the illness, lack of social support and stigma. This study investigated the nature of the relationship between indicators of psychological well- being (satisfaction with life and general well- being) and social support as a stress buffering mechanism in a sample of 29 caregivers who were not affiliated to a support group and 30 caregivers in a support group residing in the areas within Polokoane Municipality. The instruments used were the General Well - Being Schedule (Dupuy, 1977), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (Diener, Emmons, Larsen & Griffin, 1985) and the Social Support Appraisal Scale (Vaux, Phillips, Holley, Thompson, William & Stewart, 1985). Findings revealed a positive correlation between satisfaction with life and social support appraisal for example in a support group. A negative correlation was found in caregivers who were not affiliated to a support group between social support appraisal and general well - being. Furthennore social support appraisal was found to be the best predictor of satisfaction with life. Additionally the fmdings revealed no significant difference in general well - being between the two groups. This study was however conducted in areas within the Polokoane Municipality using a small sample which limits the generalizability of findings. It is recommended that future studies use a larger and representative sample as well as instruments that have been culturally nonned. This study examined the psychological well - being of 30 caregivers of individuals with schizophrenia affiliated to Tshepo Family Support Group and 29 caregivers of people living with schizophrenia who were not affiliated to a support group. The study indicated the importance of being connected with other families living with people diagnosed with schizophrenia. By connecting with other families living with schizophrenia caregivers may not feel isolated and may also share the challenge of caring for someone with schizophrenia, this would increase the caregivers' psychological well - being. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2006.

The AIDS epidemic has a severe impact on South Africa's population. One of the most disastrous consequences is the thousands of children affected and infected by HIV / AIDS. Various non-government organizations (NGO) take responsibility for orphan and vulnerable children's relief activities within a community development model. Efforts are often made by NGO's to identify natural leaders (volunteer care workers) from the community and to train them to help with their OVC-psychosocial outreach programmes. However, the voluntary care workers need to be guided by appropriate, goal orientated training and to be provided with a vision to guide them in their community work. Ongoing training is important to reinforce existing and to develop new skills. However, not all programmes used by the various NGOs who are involved in the care and support to OVC are based on sound theoretical principles, nor carefully monitored and evaluated. Evaluation is thus an essential tool to improve care and support initiatives through identifying the shortfalls in a training program that may impact negatively on its effectiveness. In light of the above, St Josephs Care and Support Trust, an NGO involved in the care of OVC, approached the researcher to evaluate the effectiveness of its care and support programme. The research focused on gaining insight into and exploring voluntary care worker's perceptions and experiences of the effectiveness of the training they have received in providing care and support to children affected and infected by HIV / AIDS with the view to improve St. Joseph's community outreach activities. The use of participatory evaluation was viewed as an appropriate method to use for the study in facilitating an understanding of the voluntary care worker's own experiences with regard to their work and problems they experience in a specific setting. The study is qualitative in nature and utilized focus group discussions as a means of data collection. All (twenty one) voluntary care workers that form part of the St Josephs Trust psychosocial programme participated in the study. A thematic analysis technique was used to analyze the data of the present study. The present study concluded that the training programme equipped the voluntary care workers with knowledge and skills enabling them to provide comprehensive care to the ave and to mobilize existing resources. The training was also instrumental in providing the voluntary care workers with opportunities for critical reflection and self-development. However, working as voluntary care workers proved to be stressful at times and became apparent in the difficulties they experience in coping with the demands made on their professional and private lives. The much needed basic counseling skills did not form part of voluntary care worker's training and contributed to them feeling inadequate at times, that in turn contributed to increased experiences of stress. Although support efforts by the NGO was seen as helpful by the voluntary care workers, a greater focus and acknowledgment of their role and needs would strengthen their efforts in providing care and support to the ave. Recommendations are made with regard to programme improvement, protocol development and supportive strategies for the voluntary care workers. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2006.

The socioeconomic and physiological burdens associated with HIV / AIDS have historically been treated through a biomedical focus. This study aims to shift away from this traditional analytical lens and take into consideration the plethora of psychological, social and economic factors that play an influential role in influencing individuals' perceived vulnerability to HIV infection. A purposive sample of six health science students from the University of KwaZulu-Natal were interviewed with the intention of exploring the dynamics that inform their perceived vulnerability towards HIV infection within both their social and occupational settings. Through an inductive approach to analysing the semi-structured in-depth interviews, it was found that certain key variables within their occupational and their social settings informed their perceived vulnerability to contracting HIV. More specifically, themes that emerged in relation to the individual and interpersonal levels (such as universal precautions, sexual behaviour, intrinsic factors and gender differences), and community and societal levels (such as culture, religion and race) were seen to be important determinants of perceived vulnerability towards HIV infection. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2007.