This study investigated changes in the content and favourability of South African racial stereotypes over the past fifty years, with van den Berghe’s (1962) study providing baseline data. The scope of the current investigation was expanded to include investigations of stereotype uniformity, differences between personal and cultural stereotypes, and the degree to which racial subtypes overlap with global racial categories. The findings reflected an interesting change in the descriptive language used by the respondent groups between the two studies. At the same time, many trends observed in the van den Berghe (1962) study have persisted today. Stereotypes appear to be at least as (if not more) negative now than in 1962, with the exception of ‘English whites’ and ‘city blacks’, which were described more favourably in the present study. A significant difference between cultural and personal stereotypes was found for the global racial categories (black, white, Indian, coloured), but not for the two subtype groups (English and Afrikaans white; city and rural black). Thus there was only partial evidence to support Devine and Elliot’s (1995) hypothesis, which proposes that cultural stereotypes may remain relatively stable over time while personal stereotypes may undergo revision. The rural black subtype was most evidently reflected in the global black category, whereas the white global category seemed to be more of an aggregate of the English and Afrikaans white subtypes. Through investigating stereotypes using various methods outlined in this thesis, it was possible to assess shifts in people’s perceptions in response to sociopolitical change in South Africa over the past 16 years.

This study investigated the Ethic, Law, and Human rights (ELH) dilemmas of researchers involved in preparing for and/or conducting HVTs in African countries. Furthermore it investigated availability of ELH material resources and infrastructure necessary for the successful conduct of HVTs. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The main ethical challenges that researchers face when conducting HVTs include; high seroconversion rates, determining social value, working collaboratively with participants and communities, and paying trial participants. Legal challenges faced by researchers included; termination of participants who meet study inclusion criteria due to demands to do so from their parents and/or male partners, and in some countries lack of support from health care service providers when it comes to caring form trial participants. Understanding of consent age in African countries by communities was reported as a human right concern for researchers. The study concludes that researchers conducting or preparing to conduct HVTs in African countries face different ethics, law and human rights challenges when conducting HVTs at their sites and these challenges need to be addressed in order to improve the conduct of HVTs in Africa.

Research in resource-limited, multi-cultural contexts raises complex ethical concerns. The term ‘over-researched community’ (ORC) has increasingly been raised as an ethical concern and potential barrier to community participation in research. However, the term lacks conceptual clarity and is omitted from established ethical guidelines and academic literature. In light of the concern being raised in relation to vitally needed HIV prevention research in developing countries, a critical exploration of the meaning of the notion was undertaken. Guided by Emanuel et al.’s (2004) eight principles for ethically sound research in developing countries, this study explored the relevance and meaning of the terms ‘over-research’ and ‘over-researched community’ through a thorough review of ethical guidance documents and analysis of key stakeholder perspectives. In-depth interviews were conducted with 23 resource persons from research ethics committees, community advisory boards and research organisations in South Africa. Interviews were transcribed and translated where necessary and data were analysed thematically. ‘Over-research’ was found to reflect a conglomeration of ethical concerns, often being used as a proxy for existing ethical concepts. ‘Over-research’ might be interpreted to mean exploitation. However, exploitation itself could mean a range of different things. ‘Over-research’ seemed fundamentally linked to disparate positions and perspectives between different stakeholders in the research interaction, arising from challenges in inter-stakeholder relationships. Analysis of the data suggests that using the term may lead to an obscured understanding of real or perceived ethical transgressions, making it difficult to intervene to address the underlying concerns. It is recommended that the term not be used in research ethics discourse. However, because it represents other legitimate concerns, it should not be dismissed without careful exploration. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.

This study investigated the relationship between career indecision and family dynamics among matriculants. The sample was drawn from two high schools in, an African township. The Olson Circumplex model of Marital and Family Systems was applied to test various types of family relations and how they would influence career decisiveness. Career indecision is, therefore, the independent variable with the two dimensions of family relations (cohesion and adaptability) as given in the model as primary predictor variables. Other variables that were tested were exposure to career information as determined by the differences between the two schools, and gender differences. ,The My vocational Situation (MVS), the Career Decision Scale (CDS) and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale III (FACES III) were used as instruments of measurement. Multiple regression and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) were used as methods of statistical analysis. Significant differences were found between subjects from the two ·schools. Findings indicate that exposure to career information is a strong determinant of career decisiveness. It was also found that career identity is highly correlated with career decisiveness. Differences were also found between male and female participants particularly in the measures of career indecision, career identity and occupational information, with boys being more decisive than girls. Family adaptability was demonstrated to have a weak correlation with career indecision while no statistically significant relationship was demonstrated between family cohesion and career indecision. Recommendations in this study are that career counselling in the schools needs to be introduced and intensified. Career information given to pupils should also be integrated for them to assist them achieve career identity. Research has demonstrated that there is a strong relationship between career development and family dynamics. Results of this study~ however, demonstrate a weak relationship. This brings up questions about the Circumplex 'model applied in this study and the FACES III as an instrument used to test it. Further research is recommended in this area. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1997.

Personality, ways of coping and occupational burnout were examined within the context of child care work, using a number of self-report questionnaires. Subjects included 70 full-time child care workers from children's homes in the Natal-KwaZulu area. The subject sample was treated as one group, as environmental sources of stress were perceived more or less consistently across the population. Stepwise multiple regression was used to assess the relationships between personality (neuroticism, extraversion) and ways of coping and the three facets of burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and personal accomplishment). Demographic variables such as age and experience were also explored. Varying degrees of burnout were found, with particularly high levels of diminished personal accomplishment. Both emotion- and problem-focused coping strategies contributed significantly to the burnout response, with emotion-focused coping being the most frequently reported coping strategy. Significant relationships were found between personality and burnout. Neuroticism contributed a significant proportion of the variance in all three dimensions of burnout, particularly emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation. Extraversion and psychoticism contributed significantly to higher levels of personal accomplishment. A significant relationship was found between personality and ways of coping. Neuroticism contributed significantly to the prediction of emotion-focused coping strategies, particularly wishful thinking and self-blame. Extraversion was found to contribute significantly to problem-focused coping and growth-oriented coping. Demographic variables, particularly age and experience, were found to influence both burnout and coping responses. Ethnic identity was found to influence the coping strategies used. The results were discussed primarily in terms of their function as defenses, or as efforts to adapt (successfully or unsuccessfully) to the stress being experienced, and as vulnerability factors. The importance of contextual factors in the stress and burnout process, particularly within the current South African context, was highlighted. Recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1997.

Recent research into marital satisfaction has highlighted distan.ce regulation as a central source of controversy in couples' relationships ((Byng-Hall, 1991b, 1995; Marvin & Stewart, 1990; Pistole, 1994; Stevenson-Hinde, 1990). Shifts in the spatial arrangements or structural elements of the marital couple may escalate or de-escalate attachment behaviour and partners continually regulate this distance in order not to experience separation anxiety. Albeit differently, structural family, theory (Minuchin, 1974) also emphasizes the spatial arrangements of the couple and how these differentially affect the Viability of the system. In view of the fact that both attachment theory and structural family theory are concerned with the spatial arrangements of the couple, this research proposes to examine the interface between these theories and how they may jointly, rather than separately, inform research into marital satisfaction. Opportunistic sampling of 6 groups was undertaken and self-report questionnaires assessing sociodemographics,.attachment styles, attachment history, marriage structure and marital satisfaction distributed to married couples only. Self-report questionnaires comprised the following assessment instrume,nts: the Close Relationships Questionnaire (Hazan & Shaver, 1987) measuring attachment style (viz. secure, anxious/ambivalent, avoidant); an Adjective Checklist measuring attachment-history variables (Hazan & Shaver, 1987); the Adult Attachment Scale (Collins & Read, 1990) measuring attachment dimensions (viz. Close, Depend, Anxiety); the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scales (FACES III) (Olson, Portner & Lavee, 1985) measuring-.Qoth marriage structure (viz. the variables cohesion and adaptability) and marital satisfaction; and a 5-item Marital Satisfaction Scale compiled by the researcher. The final sample constituted 82 participants of which 34 were couples and 14 were individuals. The 14 individual respondents comprised 10. wives and 4 husbands. Statistical analyses included Pearson correlation coefficients, a Canonical Discriminant Functions Analysis, one-way analyses of variance (ANOVA's), chi-square /tests of independence and t-tests. Hypotheses examined the relationship between family/couple structure, attachment classifications and marital satisfaction. Relationships between individual attachment classifications and marriage structure (viz. cohesion and adaptability) (FACES III - Olson , et al., 1985) were, for the most part, not supported. The hypothesis investigating the relationship between individual attachment classifications and satisfaction with the marriage was, for the most part, not supported, however, the second part of the hypothesis investigating the relationship between couple attachment classifications and couples' satisfaction with the marriage showed a significant relationship between couple attachment style groupings (viz. secure husband, anxious wife, etc.) and one of the scales measuring couple satisfaction. Some significant relationships were found between individuals' attachment classifications and their recollection of childhood relationships with parents and parents' relationships with one another. In view of the fact that research into this area has only recently been embarked upon, it is concluded that future research using multiple methods of assessment be undertaken in order to more comprehensively establish the merits or otherwise of combining attachment theory and structural family theory in research into marital satisfaction. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1996.

The informal breach of client confidentiality by psychologists was discussed in relation to various issues in professionalism and professional ethics, both in general and in the South African context. lnformal breaches of client confidentiality were identified as a common by under researched form of ethical malpractice, and nominated as the dependent variable in this study. Different emphases in ethical education were discussed in relation to various theories of moral thinking and moral action (particularly the 'levels' theory of moral thinking of R.M. Hare), and identified as an independent variable for the empirical portion of the study. A second independent variable, of countertransference responses by psychologists to clients, was also identified and discussed. A purpose-developed postal questionnaire was administered to a sample of South African clinical, counselling, and educational psychologists to assess the incidence of informal breaches of confidentiality in a South African sample, as well as the relationship between the variables. Although a high incidence of informal breaches of confidentiality was reported by the sample, and indirect support for Hare's levels theory of moral thinking found, the results did not demonstrate a significant relationship between the independent and dependent variables. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1998.

A Westemised model of parenting dominates the literature, and is largely the model against which all other parenting practices are compared. This study aimedto address whether the principles inherent in this model, actually fonn the basis of South African parents' ideas of 'well brought-up' children. Focus groups were conducted on groups of white (English and Afrikaans), coloured, Indian and black (urban, Zulu) mothers, and then qualitatively analysed. Family demographics and variables, such as stress levels and socioeconomic status, were also compared across groups. Some characteristics such as love, respect, consideration and obedience were important for all groups, whereas independence, individuality, honesty, religion and education were discussed in only some of the groups. The findings may prove useful for developing localised parenting programs, enhancing understanding across the groups, furthering education, and stimulating further research. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sci.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1999.

Narcissism and physical self-efficacy and exercise commitment were investigated in 'addicted' and 'non-addicted' runners (n = 112) and aerobics exercisers (n = 57) and compared to a control group of non-exercisers (n = 42). Runners and aerobics exercisers were assigned to an 'addicted' or 'non-addicted' group using Hailey and Bailey's (1982) Negative Addiction Scale. All subjects completed biographical questionnaires, the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) and the Physical Self-Efficacy Scale (PSE). Although both narcissism and physical self-efficacy were found to play a significant role in exercise adoption, narciss\ism was the only significant variable when comparing 'addicted' and 'non-addicted' exercisers. Differences between the runners and aerobics exercisers were found with the aerobics exercisers exhibiting higher narcissistic tendencies than the runners. The runners were assigned to one of four quadrants based on their level of commitment and addiction to running and the Perceived Physical Ability subscale of the PSE and the Self-Sufficiency subscale of the NPI produced significant differences between the four quadrants. Taken together, the results suggest that addicted exercisers have the tendency to exhibit narcissistic traits, however the interaction with physical self-efficacy is equivocal. The findings are discussed with reference to relevant personality theory and implications for future research in this area. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1997.

The main aim of the current study was to examine risk and protective factors associated with the development ofpsychological problems in children with epilepsy. The study aimed to answer the broader question of "Why do some children with epilepsy develop psychological problems while others do not?" A number of risk and protective factors were investigated in children with epilepsy between the ages of 8 - 13 years of age. Three main sets of variables were investigated to determine their association with risk ofpsychological problems in children with epilepsy: 1) family variables ie. family adaptability, family cohesion and family coping 2) illness variables ie. type of seizures, seizure frequency, type of medication, length oftime of diagnosis and 3) demographic variables (including child variables) ie. socio-economic status, number of siblings, age and gender ofthe child with epilepsy. 45 mothers were interviewed and required to complete questionnaires that provided information related to their child's illness, family functioning and demographic factors. In addition, mothers were requested to provide further information related to behavioural and emotional problems that were experiencing with their epileptic child. Broadly the study concluded that a number of risk factors were found to be associated with the development of psychological problems in children with epilepsy. Specifically grandmaI seizures were associated with an increased risk of disorder when compared to petit mal seizures. Higher levels of family adaptability and cohesion were associated with a decreased risk of disorder, and children from families classified as functioning at balanced levels were additionally associated with a lower risk of disorder. Family coping in contrast did not appear to be associated with risk of disorder. The use of poly-medication by children with epilepsy also increased the risk of disorder when compared to those children who used only one type of medication. Children from families falling within the classification of low socioeconomic status were also at an increased risk of disorder as well as those children with epilepsy who came from families where they had a larger number of siblings. The study additionally developed a model of risk and protective factors using logistic regression. It was found that there was a "good fit" of the combined illness variables (type of epilepsy, type of medication), family variables (family type) and demographic variables (SES) with the predicted dependent variable 'risk of disorder'. These results suggest that disease, demographic, family and contextual factors all interacted and overlapped to some extent in predicting the psychological adjustment of epileptic children in the current study. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1999.