The aim of this study was to explore and describe the experience of an only-child adolescent’s lived experience of parental divorce. Gestalt field and phenomenological theory in conjunction with current literature provided an overview of the theoretical underpinnings pertaining to the study. A qualitative research approach with a case study of an only-child adolescent dealing with parental divorce was conducted in an ethical manner by means of two face to face, one-on-one, in depth interviews. Two main themes were identified. The first being experienced feelings associated with grief and bereavement, which revealed feelings of anger in the notion that the participant’s childhood was lost as a result of the divorce and being caught between the parental conflicts. The participant seemed to take it upon herself to take care of those significant to her in fear that she would lose them and that the loss would continue to be repeated. It was further revealed that when the only-child adolescent felt a loss of her own identity she in turn felt out of control. The second theme identified was; experience pressure due to being an only-child. Pressure in being an only-child was very significant surrounding the participant. The participant shared a great deal of feelings pertaining to feeling lonely and longing for a sibling. As parents in divorce situations seem to be focussed on their divorce often the child suffers from stress and the unrealistic expectations parents often have surrounding their children. In this study the only-child could not seem to cope with the pressure and in times of despair made use of coping mechanisms, mainly that of cutting to compensate for the emotional pain experienced. The researcher is of the opinion that the study delivered new found awareness into the only-child adolescent’s lived experience of parental divorce and is in hope that the new found results are utilised as a platform for further studies about this vulnerable population. / MSW (Play Therapy), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Mental health problems are increasing in Swedish adolescents and mortality rates are higher in this age group than among younger. 10-20% of all adolescents suffer from a chronic medical condition (CC). Few protective factors (PF) and clustering of health-risk behaviours (HRB) are frequent among adolescents with CCs. One of the most common CC in Swedish adolescents is type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Metabolic control often deteriorates during adolescence, especially in girls. Poor metabolic control is associated with increased risk for long-term complications, of which cognitive problems are common. However, the implication of cognitive/executive problems in patients with T1DM has not been sufficiently studied. Neither has the impact of neurodevelopmental problems (NDP), such as ADHD, on HRB in adolescents with CCs been analysed. Methods: In paper I and II the questionnaire ”Life and Health in Youth” was distributed to all students in year nine and year two of the upper secondary school in the county of Sörmland, 2008 (n=5771) and 2011 (n=5550). Adolescents with CCs were compared to healthy peers with regard to PFs and HRBs. In paper III, the ”Five to Fifteen” questionnaire was used in 175 paediatric patients with T1DM. Patients with indications of NDPs were compared with patients without such problems with regard to metabolic control. In paper IV, the BRIEF questionnaire and the ADHD Rating Scale as well as data from the Swedish Childhood Diabetes Registry was used in 241 adolescents with T1DM. Patients with indications of executive problems were compared with patients without such problems with regard to diabetes control. Results: CCs were associated with few PFs and clustered HRBs. The combination of CCs and low numbers of PFs was found to be associated with an increased risk of clustered HRBs. In the presence of coexisting ADHD the pattern of few PFs and clustering of HRBs was aggravated. ADHD was more common among adolescents with other CCs. Definite memory and learning problems as well as mild executive problems were associated with poor metabolic control, especially among adolescents. Executive problems were also associated with many outpatient visits and low physical activity. Girls with T1DM tended to self-report executive problems to a larger extent than boys, while parents more often reported these problems in boys. Conclusion: Knowledge about factors influencing treatment adherence and life in general is essential in the work with chronically ill adolescents. Focus must be put on enhancing PFs in order to avoid HRBs. Identification of coexisting NDPs, such as ADHD, is crucial, since such problems can adversely influence treatment adherence, HRBs and school achievements

O diagnóstico de neoplasia em crianças e adolescentes, bem como os cuidados oncológicos necessários, impõem aos pacientes e a suas famílias o convívio cotidiano com múltiplos eventos adversos ao desenvolvimento, que podem ser de natureza biológica, psíquica, social e econômica. Essa complexa realidade exigirá recursos e estratégias pessoais e familiares para positivo desfecho, superando situações de vulnerabilidade. Até o momento, apesar do crescente número de casos de câncer, encontra-se reduzida produção científica sistematizada no campo da Psico-oncologia Pediátrica sobre quais variáveis seriam as mais relevantes em termos de efeitos no desenvolvimento infantojuvenil, embora se reconheça importância dos recursos pessoais (incluindo características de personalidade), sócio-familiares e dos serviços de saúde. Nesse contexto, este trabalho objetivou avaliar longitudinalmente possíveis efeitos da vivência de adoecimento e cuidado oncológico sobre recursos pessoais, familiares e características de personalidade de crianças e adolescentes com câncer. Trata-se de estudo longitudinal, de natureza quantitativa, descritivo-comparativo e interpretativo, a partir de instrumentos de avaliação psicológica. Foram compostos dois de crianças e adolescentes, de sete a 17 anos, de ambos os sexos, bem como seus respectivos pais/responsáveis, compondo amostra de conveniência. O Grupo Clínico (G1, n=30, crianças/adolescentes com diagnóstico de neoplasia há pelo menos um mês) foi retirado de pacientes do Setor de Oncologia e Hematologia Pediátrica de um hospital-escola público, considerado serviço de referência na área. O Grupo de Comparação (G2, n=20, crianças/adolescentes com desenvolvimento típico), foi constituído de modo a ser balanceado em relação a idade, sexo e origem escolar (particular ou pública) a G1. Todos os voluntários (crianças/adolescentes e seus pais/responsáveis) responderam, individualmente e em ambiente adequado para avaliação psicológica, a uma bateria de instrumentos avaliativos, aplicados em dois momentos, nomeados nesse estudo como Fase 1 (recorte transversal) e Fase 2 (recorte longitudinal, após intervalo mínimo de seis meses da primeira avaliação). Os pais/responsáveis responderam a: Critério de Classificação Econômica Brasil, Questionário de Capacidades e Dificuldades (SDQ), Inventário de Recursos do Ambiente Familiar (RAF), Escala de Eventos Adversos (EEA), Escala de Adversidades Crônicas (EAC) e Inventário de Percepção do Suporte Familiar (IPSF). Na criança/adolescente foram administrados: Matrizes Progressivas de Raven (Coloridas ou Escala Geral), Método de Rorschach (Escola Francesa) e Teste das Pirâmides Coloridas de Pfister. A aplicação e a avaliação dos instrumentos seguiram seus respectivos padrões técnico-científicos, realizando-se análises descritivas e comparativas de G1 e G2 (Teste t de Student ou Teste de Wilcoxon, p0,05%), nas duas fases do estudo. Os resultados apontaram, como síntese das duas fases avaliativas, sinais de preservação dos recursos familiares e cognitivo/afetivos das crianças/adolescentes com câncer, com manutenção do funcionamento adaptativo, embora com impacto negativo na percepção de si e de sua identificação com o humano, tendendo a maior mobilização emocional, com tensão e ansiedade em seus esforços adaptativos, identificados pelos pais/responsáveis como indicadores de dificuldades em termos de saúde mental, comparativamente ao Grupo de Comparação. O Grupo Clínico tendeu a recorrer mais a estratégias defensivas baseadas em mecanismos repressivos e de racionalização, inibindo expressões afetivas no ambiente, favorecendo-lhes adaptação ao contexto de vida. Estes achados empíricos evidenciaram, numa perspectiva longitudinal, os recursos e os esforços adaptativos de crianças/adolescentes que convivem com o diagnóstico oncológico, bem como suas famílias. Foi possível apontar a relevância da sistemática avaliação e reavaliação da complexa rede de variáveis envolvidas nesses processos, atestando a contribuição dos métodos projetivos no campo da Psico-Oncologia Pediátrica. / The neoplasia diagnosis in children and adolescentes, as well as the oncological care needed, impose to patients and their families the daily living with multiple adverse events to the development, that may be of biological, psychic, social and economic nature. This complex reality will demand personal and family resources and strategies for a positive outcome, overcoming situations of vulnerability. To date, despite the growing number of cancer cases, there is a reduced systematized scientific production in the field of Pediatric Psycho-Oncology about what variables would be the most relevant in terms of effects on child and adolescent development, although the importance of personal resources (including personality characteristics), socio-family and health services is recognized. In this contexto, this study aimed to longitudinally assess possible effects of the experience of illness and cancer care on personal, family and personality characteristics of children and adolescents with cancer. This is a longitudinal study, of a quantitative, descriptive-comparative and interpretative nature, based on psychological assessment instruments. The were composed two groups of children and adolescents, from seven to 17 years of age, of both sexes, as well as their respective parents/guardians, composing a convenience sample. The Clinical Group (G1, n=30, children/adolescents with diagnosis of neoplasia for at least one month) was composed from patients of the Oncology and Pediatric Hematology Sector of a public school hospital, considered a reference service in the area. The Comparison Group (G2, n=20, children/adolescents with typical development) was constituted in order to be balanced against age, gender and school origin (private or public) to G1. All volunteers (children/adolescents and their parents/guardians) responded, individually and in a suitable environment for psychological assessment, to a battery of assessment instruments, applied in two moments, named in this study as Phase 1 (transversal cut) and Phase 2 (longitudinal cut, after a minimum interval of six months of the first assessment). Parents/guardians responded to: Brazil\'s Economic Classification Criteria, Capacities and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), Family Environment Resource Inventory (RAF), Adverse Event Scale (EEA), Chronic Adversity Scale (EAC), and Inventory of Perception of Family Support (IPSF). In the child/adolescent were administered: Progressive Matrices of Raven (Colored or General Scale), Method of Rorschach (French School) and Test of Colored Pyramids of Pfister. The application and assessment of the instruments followed their respective technical-scientific standards. Descriptive and comparative analyzes of G1 and G2 (Student\'s t test or Wilcoxon test, p0.05%) were carried out in both phases of the study. The results showed, as a synthesis of the two evaluative phases, signs of preservation of the family and cognitive/affective resources of the children/adolescents with cancer, with maintenance of the adaptative functioning, although with a negative impact on the perception of self and its identification with the human, tending to greater emotional mobilization, with tension and anxiety in their adaptive efforts, identified by parents/guardians as indicators of difficulties in terms of mental health, compared to the Comparison Group. The Clinical Group tended to resort more to defensive strategies based on repressive mechanisms and rationalization, inhibiting affective expressions in the environment, favoring adaptation to the context of life. These empirical findings have evidenced, from a longitudinal perspective, the resources and the adaptive efforts of children/adolescents living with cancer diagnosis, as well as their families. It was possible to point out the relevance of systematic assessment and re-assessment of the complex network of variables involved in these processes, attesting the contribution of projective methods in the field of Pediatric Psycho-Oncology.

Researchers have found that 40 to 50 percent of youth's time can be classified as free or residual, which yields great opportunities for their participation in leisure and recreation activities. When all structured voluntary activities available to youth are considered, the greatest amount of time is spent participating in youth sports. Organized sports participation has been associated with positive developmental outcomes (e.g., healthier lifestyle; increases in self-efficacy; enhanced academic achievement); however, not all experiences are positive. Research has found that the context of the activity contributes significantly to participation being associated with positive or negative outcomes. Understanding important contextual elements related to sports participation, particularly as viewed by key stakeholders (e.g., coaches and players), is important in developing quality experiences that promote beneficial growth. The purpose of this study was to explore the potential of youth basketball as a positive developmental context. More specifically, it examined: (1) the outcomes associated with participation as identified by coaches of youth sport select teams; (2) the methods used by coaches to promote positive development; (3) the perceptions of the players related to coaching intentions and behaviors; and (4) the fidelity with which coaches carry out their identified coaching methods in practices and games. Findings indicated that coaches and players were able to accurately identify desired goals and methodologies along three domains: (1) player improvement; (2) development of life skills; and (3) enjoying the playing experience. One outcome theme showing inconsistency across the respondent groups was the identification of enjoying the playing experience, which was not identified by the player group. This inconsistency, however, did not show up when the respondents were identifying methodological approaches. Further analysis of sub-themes indicated considerable variation between coach and player responses. In addition, data obtained through observation corroborated the major thematic findings; however, when discrepancies existed the data revealed closer association to player responses. Player's also offered insight regarding personal goals and positive developmental outcomes they attributed to participation. Observational data also confirmed a portion of coach and player identified methodologies, but new approaches were also discovered.

Increasingly adolescents are making unhealthy choices concerning their lifestyle. Behaviour patterns develop which are often carried into adulthood and become an established lifestyle pattern. Examples of these are the abuse of drugs, smoking, alcohol, irresponsible and hazardous sexual behaviour and so forth. It is also reported that young people increasingly contemplate and attempt suicide. It is important to find the reasons for such behaviours. During the last century, spirituality was not regarded as being important in the everyday lives of people. There are however many voices today calling for a reintegration of spirituality into education, health and various other areas of life. The movement of Health Promoting Schools could serve as a basis for reintegrating spirituality into the curriculum. Spirituality can be described as providing primarily meaning, relationship with God and people, a feeling of transcendence and the acquisition of values. These facets of life, neglected and considered unscientific in the positivistic modem era, are now seen as necessary within our post-modem society. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible correlation between the lifestyle choices adolescents make and their spiritual well-being. Both quantitative and qualitative measures were used to investigate the above mentioned correlation. Quantitative results indicated a significant positive correlation between measures of spiritual well-being and risk behaviours. The qualitative analysis indicated that adolescents believe that spiritual values are important when considering meaning in life as well as lifestyle choices. It was concluded that the construct spirituality remains salient in the lives of most adolescents. A possible rationale for integrating spirituality into the practice of Health Promoting Schools was proposed. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Adolescence is marked with significant changes in how girls feel and act within their bodies, and is considered a special risk period for body image disruptions. Cross sectional quantitative research within this area suggests that parents represent an important contextual and developmental contributor to body image. The present study aimed to address gaps in previous research by investigating parental influences, including both protective and risk factors, on girls’ embodied experiences through utilizing a prospective qualitative design with a diverse sample of twelve girls, ages 9-18, interviewed annually over four years. Results revealed the presence of both protective and risk factors related to embodiment experiences within the parental relationships, including aspects of relational qualities, self-care, evaluative gaze and social location. Results are discussed in relation to Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory and to previous research. The implications for future research are also discussed.

As the dangers of teens and the internet make media headlines, Jennifer Shapka sifts through the fact and fiction of adolescent internet use.

Increasingly adolescents are making unhealthy choices concerning their lifestyle. Behaviour patterns develop which are often carried into adulthood and become an established lifestyle pattern. Examples of these are the abuse of drugs, smoking, alcohol, irresponsible and hazardous sexual behaviour and so forth. It is also reported that young people increasingly contemplate and attempt suicide. It is important to find the reasons for such behaviours. During the last century, spirituality was not regarded as being important in the everyday lives of people. There are however many voices today calling for a reintegration of spirituality into education, health and various other areas of life. The movement of Health Promoting Schools could serve as a basis for reintegrating spirituality into the curriculum. Spirituality can be described as providing primarily meaning, relationship with God and people, a feeling of transcendence and the acquisition of values. These facets of life, neglected and considered unscientific in the positivistic modem era, are now seen as necessary within our post-modem society. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible correlation between the lifestyle choices adolescents make and their spiritual well-being. Both quantitative and qualitative measures were used to investigate the above mentioned correlation. Quantitative results indicated a significant positive correlation between measures of spiritual well-being and risk behaviours. The qualitative analysis indicated that adolescents believe that spiritual values are important when considering meaning in life as well as lifestyle choices. It was concluded that the construct spirituality remains salient in the lives of most adolescents. A possible rationale for integrating spirituality into the practice of Health Promoting Schools was proposed. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Adolescence is marked with significant changes in how girls feel and act within their bodies, and is considered a special risk period for body image disruptions. Cross sectional quantitative research within this area suggests that parents represent an important contextual and developmental contributor to body image. The present study aimed to address gaps in previous research by investigating parental influences, including both protective and risk factors, on girls’ embodied experiences through utilizing a prospective qualitative design with a diverse sample of twelve girls, ages 9-18, interviewed annually over four years. Results revealed the presence of both protective and risk factors related to embodiment experiences within the parental relationships, including aspects of relational qualities, self-care, evaluative gaze and social location. Results are discussed in relation to Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory and to previous research. The implications for future research are also discussed.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2006. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.