Thesis (M. Soc. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1990.

Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1990. / Also available in print.

Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1992. / Also available in print.

Family Group Therapy has in the past ten years gained much notice in the field of Mental Health, especially in the treatment of children. However, despite the fact that much family group therapy has been done, little research into the results or lasting effects has been carried on. This study hoped to explore some of the effects of family group therapy on a particular group of families from which a random sample was taken. They were seen at the Burnaby Mental Health Centre, over a period of one year. In family group therapy the approach is radically different from that of individual therapy with an identified patient. The whole family is seen together with an emphasis on total family functioning. Therefore, in our follow-up study we designed our questionnaires and data analysis to include the entire family equally with no emphasis on any particular member. In designing our questionnaire we chose the six areas of family functioning considered most important, both by the therapists and the theorists, in the field of family group, therapy. In each of these areas changes in the families’ perception of their own functioning was elicited. To determine the reliability of our results a reliability test originally designed by Kerckhoft was used in the areas of husband-wife task sharing and role relationships. We then compared the results of our questionnaire and Kerckhoft reliability test with four independent variables. These variables including socio-economic class, family type, number of interviews, and therapists' impressions. In two variables particularly, the socio-economic class and the number of interviews, we found a relationship between the results of our questionnaire and the variables. We experienced difficulties in obtaining a suitable sample to interview. Only eighteen families agreed to be interviewed for the purposes of this study, from a total of fifty-four families contacted. For that reason a superficial study is also done of those families who refused to be interviewed. As our sample was found to be not really representative of all families seen in family group therapy it is rather premature to draw any real conclusions from our study. However, it is possible to say that family group therapy did seem to effect changes in a number of the families interviewed. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

Although there is an increasing amount of literature on the area of child sexual abuse, there is a dearth of information on the experiences of mothers following disclosure. Illuminating the issues of mothers following disclosure is necessary in formulating therapeutic procedures with these women and their families. This qualitative study explored the experiences of five mothers whose children were sexually abused by a father or step father. One and a half to two hour videotaped interviews were conducted utilizing a general interview guide. The findings were categorized into three areas: Reaction to Disclosure, Changing Social Relationships, and Healing Process. Emerging from these three categories were two themes that appeared to link the categories. These themes were the importance these women placed on their role as protector of their children, and the struggles with role or relationship disruptions. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

Thirty-six subjects participated in a restricted environmental stimulation technique (REST) study investigating the psychophysiological effects of flotation. Subjects floated for one hour under differing expectations regarding duration of a float session and the physical properties of the environment that was to follow. EMG and two measures of cardiac activity (T-wave amplitude and heart rate) were recorded for the entire session; however, EMG was dropped as a variable due to an excessive noise-to-signal ratio. It was found that neither durational expectations nor beliefs about a dissimilar environment had any significant effects on the patterns of response of the two remaining variables. Subjects did show a significant within-subjects trend when considered as a whole group. Further research in the area of cardiovascular and muscle activity patterns in the flotation tank is suggested. / Arts, Faculty of / Psychology, Department of / Graduate

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1952 P64 / Master of Science

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

published_or_final_version / Comparative Asian Studies / Master / Master of Arts