This study compared the effectiveness of two group treatment procedures in reducing adolescent anxiety in a school setting. The interventions included group cognitive-behavioral treatment, group relaxation training, and study skills (control group). Participants were students in Grades 5-12 who were parent, teacher, or school personnel nominated. The adolescents had to exhibit T scores of > 60 on an anxiety scale of the Youth Self Report for ages 11-18 or Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC), self-report rating scales, a parent rating scale or teacher report form for ages 6-18 of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Measurements were collected at preintervention, postintervention, and a 6-week follow up for the treatment groups. The control group was assessed at preintervention and postintervention only. The data gathered consisted of an overall student anxiety scale score from the MASC, and anxious/ depressed, anxiety problems, and internalizing problems scale scores from the student, teacher, and parent CBCL rating scales.All three groups exhibited lower scores from preintervention to postintervention on the student self-reported MASC. No differences were found among the groups in the reduction of teacher or parent reported anxiety levels from preintervention to postintervention except on the parent ratings of the CBCL anxious/depressed scale. A statistically significant group by time interaction indicated that the students in the CBT group showed significantly lower posttest scores than the relaxation and study skills groups. The significant interaction of group by time from preintervention to postintervention on the parent CBCL anxious/depressed scale score was expanded to the follow-up measure; however, no significant interaction between group and time was found. The main effect of time was significant and post hoc comparisons of the anxious/depressed scale found that the CBT and relaxation groups were significantly lower at postintervention than at preintervention and significantly lower at follow up than at preintervention. However, the sample was not significantly different from postintervention to follow up.The results were discussed in relation to the research literature on cognitive-behavioral treatment of fears and related anxieties in children and adolescents.

Asthma is a chronic disease that affects 8.4 million children in the United States (American Lung Association [ALA], 2007). Adolescents with asthma need tailored management of their care with attention given to particular developmental concerns. Standards of care, such as the National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute [NHLBI] 2007 asthma guidelines (NHLBI, 2007), exist to guide patient care and in this case, also address specific adolescent needs. Advanced practice nurses should incorporate "national standards of care as a framework for managing patient care" (American Association of Nurse Practitioners [AANP], 2007, p. 2). There is a lack of research about nurse practitioner use of standards of care, especially in caring for adolescents with asthma.The purpose of this practice inquiry was to explore patterns of practice and perceptions of practice by the nurse practitioners who care for adolescents with asthma, and to evaluate the current patterns of practice in comparison with national standards for providing care to adolescents with asthma at the Larry Combest Community Health Wellness Center [LCCHWC]. The design for this practice inquiry was descriptive retrospective, using mixed methods for process evaluation of a program through description of nurse practitioner practice at an academic nurse-managed primary care clinic.The nurse practitioners addressed all components of the process of care recommended by the AANP (2007), which includes assessment, diagnosis, development and implementation of a treatment plan, and evaluation of the patient status. However, despite comments about the importance of using evidence based practice in the form of guidelines, results from health records review indicate that nurse practitioners have not fully integrated the NHLBI 2007 asthma guidelines into providing care to adolescents with asthma. This study establishes a baseline measure of adoption of the NHLBI 2007 asthma guidelines by nurse practitioners at this clinic site. The results of this study may ultimately contribute to nurse practitioners' awareness of use of standards of care and improved quality of care for adolescents with asthma.

Homophily, the tendency for like to associate with like or for birds of a feather to flock together, is one of the most robust findings in all of social science. Despite its ubiquity and obvious importance, however, it is uncertain how much of this regularity derives from the tendency to become friends with those like ourselves (i.e. selection) as opposed to the tendency to become like those with whom we associate (i.e. harmonization). This dissertation grapples with the issue by proposing, first, that both forces play a role and, second, that the impact of one cannot be understood without also considering the effect of the other. After a review of the literature, theory is developed, data introduced, analytical techniques described, and then empirical analysis is undertaken. It is determined that several of the predicted combinations of selection and harmonization are, indeed, present and that these combinations can meaningfully inform our understanding of social life. Directions for future research are then discussed.

In this paper I will present my research about different kinds of social workers, and there way of looking at and working with adolescents alcohol use. To get my result, we interviewed eight social workers from four different organizations. The Interview participants were people working with adolescents on their spare time, and in the school environment. There were also participants representing social services and the police. The theory that we have chosen to apply to our thesis is systems theory. The results shows that professionals in Oskarshamn see that high school youth alcohol consumption generates large negative effects on the individual. One of the most complained of the impact of young girls drinking is so serious implications, as different forms of sexual exploitation. The result also shows that the preventive work is the focus of efforts to combat youth alcohol use.

The aim of this study was to investigate 10-14 year old Thai School children’s habits related to television, computer games and eating, and to make comparisons regarding these issues between genders as well as between a rural and an urban area of Thailand. A descriptive comparative, cross-sectional study with a quantitative method was used. Data were collected at two schools, one in Bangkok and another in Ayuttahaya, Thailand. A purposive sample consisting of 441 participants was included in the study, from grade 5, 6 and 7. The chosen theoretical framework was Virginia Henderson´s nursing theory. The result showed that most children watch television 1-4 hours/day and play computer games 30min-1hour/day. Significant differences between the genders or areas regarding television viewing were not found. Habits of playing computer games were similar in the urban and rural area, although boys played more computer games than girls. The children in the urban and rural area ate quite healthy food regarding intake of fruits and vegetables. However fast food and snacks while watching television and playing computer games were more common among children in urban area than rural area. A different between genders was also found, showing that girls eat more than boys, both healthy alternatives and more unhealthy while watching TV and playing computer games.  Limitation and reduction of television watching and playing computer games are needed for the children and also motivation to more physical activity as well as healthier food choices.

Relational, or indirect, bullying amongst girls has more recently received greater attention from researchers across the globe, in recognition of its potentially devastating psychological effects. Particularly in South Africa, with its unique history of apartheid, racial and gender inequalities and violent struggles amongst marginalized communities to be given the freedom to have a voice, the tendency of girls to „hide‟ their aggression, and to express it in covert ways needs to be understood and addressed. Additionally, in South African schools, many educators do not adequately appreciate the grim reality of girls‟ aggression as an antecedent to serious psychiatric illness. These girls are already coping with the effects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, which is leaving many of them orphaned and raising younger siblings whilst still children themselves, thereby increasing their vulnerability to psychiatric adjustment difficulties. The present study therefore investigated the prevalence and psychological effects of relational bullying, and explored the developmental trajectory of different types of bullying amongst school-aged South African girls. The sample included 169 learners, from grade One to grade Twelve, in an independent school located in an urban area of KwaZulu-Natal. A self-report questionnaire, including direct questions and projective techniques, was utilized to collect data relating to the nature of girls‟ experiences of bullying, the psychological effects thereof, their friendships and their levels of social, cognitive and moral functioning. The current study showed a 33.5% prevalence rate of bullying victimization amongst the sample. It was hypothesized from a review of the literature that as girls grow older, and their skills in the cognitive, social and moral reasoning domains improve, friendship ties become closer and more important, and they utilize increasingly sophisticated forms of relational aggression. The research findings supported this prediction. In addition, it was found that older girls are increasingly negatively affected by girl-bullying, as reflected in a range of psychologically unhealthy reactions, which may constitute the precursors to psychiatric illness in adulthood. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.

A cross-sectional survey design was used to establish the prevalence and form of bullying behaviour in a saturation sample of 385 Grade Eight and Nine female students in a KwaZulu-Natal high school. Relationships between peer relations, self-efficacy, conflict resolution strategies and bullying behaviour were investigated using well established measures with robust psychometric properties. The majority (79%) of students had been involved in bullying behaviour. Both direct and indirect forms of bullying were present. A significant predictive relationship between self-efficacy and peer relations was found (α.001 p<.005); quantity of friends was significant in predicting peer attachment style (Beta=.000 P<.005); level of victimisation predicted peer attachment style (Beta=.018 p<.05); and bullying roles were associated with specific dominant conflict resolution strategies (Victim & Accommodating 12%; Bully & Competing/Avoiding 10%; Bully-Victim & Competing/Avoiding 4%; Bystander & Collaborating 2%; Not bullied & Avoiding 6%). These findings are discussed in the context of the relevant empirical and theoretical literature on bullying and female psychosocial development. While the bully, victim, bully-victim and bystander differed in several important respects, further research is recommended to differentiate these roles in term of social relations, self-efficacy, identity development, psychosocial development and conflict resolution strategies in order to inform anti-bullying interventions within a school setting. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

The purpose of this study was to determine the sources of stress, support systems, coping strategies and psychological well-being of adolescents in a rural area, and to use this information to develop a coping and life skills programme. While all families face stressor events and crises, some are more likely than others to experience a series of challenges that threaten their functioning. Rural families often face a greater variety of stressor events on a more continues basis than do families in metropolitan areas (Dyk, 2003). Rural families do not have as many resources and services available lo address their problems as do urban families (Deavers & Hoppe, 2001). Farm schools suffer from a variety of shortages. Many schools suffer from a pressing shortage of space and educational aids and in most cases there is only one teacher for every 50 learners (Van Kleist, 2002). Some of the learners have to walk more than 1Okm to school everyday because of the lack of transport. Most schools lack proper sanitation and electricity. Recreational and cultural activities are curtailed through shortages of equipment and suitable locations. Education in life skills may contribute to the enhancement of life quality, The development of constructive coping strategies protects mental health and enhances bio psycho- social well-being in times of high stress. Previously it was assumed that each individual acquired these skills as part of growing up. Alas, the truth is that many people do not cope with life and never learned these skills. These skills should therefore be taught in a direct and systematic way, rather than being left to be learnt incidentally. The qualitative research design was based on a sample of 56 male and female adolescents between 1 2 and 16 years of age. The adolescents were from four farm schools situated in the Potchefstroom area. Sixteen learners were randomly selected for semi-structured interviews to obtain basic information for the pilot study. Approximately 37 learners took part in the programme. The learners attended Grades 4-7. The deve1opment of the programme was done in five phases. During phase one semi structured interviews were held with some of the learners. During phase two the interviews were evaluated thematically, The data was then organized into conceptual categories and was then analyzed. During phase three the programme was developed according to the themes derived from phase two. In phase four the programme was presented at the schools as a trial test. During phase five the programme underwent some changes according to the findings in phase four. The development of the programme went well, however presenting the programme was a more demanding task. Almost none of the participants could properly speak or understand Afrikaans or English. / Thesis (M.A. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007

Many children and adolescents in South Africa are being exposed as witnesses or are direct victims of violence in today's society. The purpose of this study is to explore what violent exposure adolescents have experienced and to develop a programme that includes coping skills, expression of emotion and communication. The research formed part of the FLAGH study. The research was done in the form of action research where the adolescents took part in the whole process of developing the programme. The study was done in four phases. In the first phase a random sample of 36 adolescents from Fikadibeng School in the North West Province were selected. They completed the Coping Responses Inventory-Youth Form, the Survey of exposure to community violence, Things I have seen and heard questionnaire and the Self-expression and control scales. In the second phase the programme was developed using the results of the pre-testing and a literature study on the effects of the exposure of violence on children. During the third phase the developed programme was pilot tested on a randomly selected group of the children and the post-testing took place in order to evaluate and adjust the programme according to the results found. Suggestion for the adjustment of the programme was done during the fourth phase of the study. Adolescents were largely exposed to community violence. They also displayed tendencies to internalize anger and used looking for guidance and cognitive avoidance as part of their coping repertoire. The programme proved to benefit the children in their coping with violence. It is recommended that for the future, larger groups of adolescents should be evaluated and programmes should be presented to a larger community in order to assist adolescent in their use of coping skills. / Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

The dramatic increase in the masculine practice of tattooing among girls in Western societies is an area of interest for feminist researchers and visual culture educators. Girls’ tattoos are perceived as diverse practices of conformity, resistance, reclamation, and empowerment, and/or as contemporary markers of femininity, sexuality, and desire. Eleven adolescent girls with tattoos from the Central Okanagan region of British Columbia were interviewed during a 12 month period in 2007/2008. Discourse analysis was employed as a method to interpret and deconstruct girls’ narratives with respect to understanding why girls have adopted traditional Western male practices of tattooing as expressions of individuality or identity. Secondly, responses were examined with respect to girls’ knowledge of potential risks involved with tattooing. The majority of participants had strong attachments to their relatives and their tattoos signified a desire to maintain that close family relationship. Research findings indicated girls’ mothers were influential in their daughters’ decisions to get tattooed and in the type of image tattooed. Girls were adamant that popular media figures with tattoos and advertisements of models with tattoos could influence or encourage girls to engage in body art. Knowledge of potential risks was learned primarily from tattoo artists and relatives, with infection indicated as the main associated risk. Participants suggested the distribution of pamphlets in school counseling centres could inform students of potential risks and provide information related to safe body art practices. Participants believed societal norms respecting girls’ behaviors and practices were different than those experienced by their mothers. However size, placement, and image of their tattoos, their own biases, and their experiences with older relatives including grandmothers and some fathers indicate that traditional Western attitudes regarding femininity and the female body continue. In spite of this, girls believe that they have the freedom to choose how they enact femininity and assert their individuality, and they believe “if guys can do it, so can girls”. As visual culture educators we need to listen to and respect the voices of girls to achieve a greater understanding of how girls experience and perform gender through their everyday practices within the popular visual culture.