Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 46-01, page: 0315. Adviser: Susan Tortolero. Includes bibliographical references.

Text in English / Literature notes an increase in the number of children and adolescents diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Several challenges faced by clinicians who diagnose and treat early-onset bipolar disorder have been discussed with particular emphasis being placed on its pharmacological management. The contributions made by psychologists including psychosocial interventions, have been explored in this regard; however, there still exists a paucity of voices in the field of psychology that discuss the experiences surrounding the management of this disorder. Most studies on early-onset bipolar disorder do not distinguish between childhood and adolescent presentations. Adolescence has been recognized herein, as a distinct developmental and transitional phase and thus, it forms the basis of this inquiry. This qualitative study thus explores clinical psychologists’ experiences ofmanaging adolescents diagnosed with bipolar disorder and will be approached from a social constructionist perspective which was selected as a means of exploring the meanings that individuals attribute to their experiences as they engage with others in their environment. A literature review evaluated the current available literature on juvenile bipolar disorder. Clinical psychologists in private practices were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. The participants were selected using purposive sampling. Two pilot studies were used to pre-test the study. One participant took part in pilot study 1 and one in pilot study 2. Thereafter, four semi-structured interviews were held with four participants who took part in the main study. Themes were drawn from the data and were explored using thematic content analysis. An analysis of the themes revealed several shared experiences in clinical psychologists’ management of juvenile bipolar disorder which were similar to what is reflected in the current available literature on early-onset bipolar disorder. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

Text in Afrikaans / Depression as disorder is an ever-increasing phenomenon. Especially, during the adolescent years, depression seems to be on the increase. The developmental phase of adolescence, characterised by a fragile self-esteem, places high demands on the adolescent. The depressed adolescent frequently has a negative self-esteem manifesting from the adolescent's belief that the demands of this phase are inadequately met. It would appear as if the depressed individual constantly tends to see himself in a negative light. In this study the focus is on the negative thought processes (cognitive distortions) demonstrated by the depressed adolescent. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of cognitive therapy on the self-esteem of the adolescent and interplay thereof with depression. Beck's psychotherapeutic model is evaluated in the light of a single case study / Educational Studies / M.Ed.

The prevalence of dieting is alarmingly high amongst adolescents in South Africa. Dieting behaviour, influenced by the promotion of the thin ideal, poses one of the main risks for eating disorders, which have serious physical, psychological and social consequences, including death. Treatment of eating disorders is a costly, difficult and long-term process, therefore preventative measures have been advocated. One of the shortcomings of existing school-based primary intervention programmes has been the failure to bring about significant changes in body image, a key defining feature of eating disorders. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a modified version of Rosen's body image programme with adolescents, with the view to exploring the idea of adding a body image component to existing preventative programmes. The modified version of Rosen's programme proved to be effective in improving the body image of mid-adolescents. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Psychology of Education, with specialisation in Guidance and Counselling)

An investigation into the prevalence and causative factors of adolescent depression in the greater Johannesburg area was undertaken. Present-day South African socio-economic pressures together with the normal demands and difficulties of adolescence, led to an investigation into which factors were having a bearing on adolescent depression and whether more male than female adolescents were depressed. A literature study was done and major factors, which could potentially influence the development of depression, were identified. The results of the empirical investigation indicated that negative family relations and negative peer relations play a significant role in the development of adolescent depression. Other identified factors did not appear to have a statistically significant bearing on adolescent depression. No significant statistical difference was found between the prevalence or severity of male and female adolescent depression. Educational implications of the findings are discussed and guidelines are given to teachers and parents. / Teacher Education / M.Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

This study examines the relationship between adolescent depressive symptomology and substance abuse. From a literature study six hypotheses were developed. A quantitative empirical study, undertaken in a South African high school, investigated the level of adolescent depressive symptomology and substance abuse, as well as the relationship between the two. The influence of various moderator variables was also examined. In line with most international studies, the relationship between adolescent depressive symptomology and substance abuse was found to be significant. This research has shown that adolescent depressive symptomology is significantly and positively correlated with earlier age of onset of substance abuse as well as frequency of usage. There appear to be gender differences in the way adolescents deal with their depression in terms of substance abuse. In addition, risk factors for depression and substance abuse were confirmed. Recommendations have been made based on these results. / Psychology of Education / M.Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

This study examines the relationship between adolescent depressive symptomology and substance abuse. From a literature study six hypotheses were developed. A quantitative empirical study, undertaken in a South African high school, investigated the level of adolescent depressive symptomology and substance abuse, as well as the relationship between the two. The influence of various moderator variables was also examined. In line with most international studies, the relationship between adolescent depressive symptomology and substance abuse was found to be significant. This research has shown that adolescent depressive symptomology is significantly and positively correlated with earlier age of onset of substance abuse as well as frequency of usage. There appear to be gender differences in the way adolescents deal with their depression in terms of substance abuse. In addition, risk factors for depression and substance abuse were confirmed. Recommendations have been made based on these results. / Psychology of Education / M.Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

The goal of this study was to discover the contributing factors to depression in adolescents leading to hospitalisation to a psychiatric hospital. The study was conducted in a Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Enugu, Nigeria. The study population was adolescents (between 11-19years of age) both males and females who were diagnosed of depression admitted between the year of 2017-2018 at Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Enugu, Nigeria. A qualitative descriptive research was done. Participants were chosen by purposive (non-probability) sampling methods. Data was collected through face-to face individual interviews method. The study’s findings showed that factors contributing to depression in adolescents are related to biological, psychological and social causes. It would further be useful to help the health professionals in their care of adolescents’ psychiatric patients with depression having known the contributing factors. The study recommended early detection and treatment that could reduce incidence of depression and hospitalisation in the psychiatric units. / Health Studies / M. P. H. (Public Health)

Text in Afrikaans / Depression as disorder is an ever-increasing phenomenon. Especially, during the adolescent years, depression seems to be on the increase. The developmental phase of adolescence, characterised by a fragile self-esteem, places high demands on the adolescent. The depressed adolescent frequently has a negative self-esteem manifesting from the adolescent's belief that the demands of this phase are inadequately met. It would appear as if the depressed individual constantly tends to see himself in a negative light. In this study the focus is on the negative thought processes (cognitive distortions) demonstrated by the depressed adolescent. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of cognitive therapy on the self-esteem of the adolescent and interplay thereof with depression. Beck's psychotherapeutic model is evaluated in the light of a single case study / Educational Studies / M.Ed.

The prevalence of dieting is alarmingly high amongst adolescents in South Africa. Dieting behaviour, influenced by the promotion of the thin ideal, poses one of the main risks for eating disorders, which have serious physical, psychological and social consequences, including death. Treatment of eating disorders is a costly, difficult and long-term process, therefore preventative measures have been advocated. One of the shortcomings of existing school-based primary intervention programmes has been the failure to bring about significant changes in body image, a key defining feature of eating disorders. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a modified version of Rosen's body image programme with adolescents, with the view to exploring the idea of adding a body image component to existing preventative programmes. The modified version of Rosen's programme proved to be effective in improving the body image of mid-adolescents. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Psychology of Education, with specialisation in Guidance and Counselling)