Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Thesis (PhD (Practical Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Practical Theology / PhD / unrestricted

The purpose of this study is to determine how the lack of social support can contribute to the recidivism rate of youthful offenders once they are released back into the community.

Older adopted children and their families often express high need for support for attachment and trauma related concerns. Post-adoption mental health intervention focused on enhancing the parent-child relationship among adoptive parents and adoptees is essential for fostering placement permanency among these families. This single group pilot study explored the effect of Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) for adoptive parents of preadolescents who reported attachment related concerns, stress in the parent-child relationship, and child behavior problems. Participants were 11 adoptive parents ages 25 to 64 (55% male; 91% couples; 100% married; 56% European American, 27% Asian, 9% Hispanic, and 9% Black American) with adoptees between the ages of 8 to 14 (56% male; 56% Hispanic, 33% European American, and 11% Black American). All child participants were adopted out of foster care. Data was collected at baseline, pretest, midtest, and posttest. Results from non-parametric Friedman test of differences across 4 points of measure indicated that CPRT demonstrated statistically significant improvement for the 3 outcome variables: parental empathy, child behavior, and parent child relationship stress. Specifically, results indicated that prior to receiving CPRT (baseline to pretest), parents demonstrated no change or worsening in functioning across all variables, whereas during the intervention phase findings showed a large treatment effect for parental empathy, a medium effect for parenting stress, and a small effect for child behavior problems. Findings from this pilot study support CPRT as a promising mental health intervention for adoptive parents and preadolescent children. Clinical implications and recommendations for working with adoptive parents of preadolescents are explored within the context of these findings.

Because of the prevalence of substance abuse in America and the association between this issue and common problems brought to the family therapist, it is important that family therapists be trained to diagnose and either treat or refer substance abusing clients and their families. This study gathered information from the Directors of Master's level family therapy programs accredited by AAMFT about the content and format of training that students in their programs receive preparing them to work with substance abusing families. Twenty of the 22 programs were represented by completed questionnaires. Five programs were reported as having a required substance abuse course; four, a popular elective. Three respondents reported plans to increase their coverage of the topic in their curricula. The average of the responses for prevalence of substance abuse as a central issue in practicum cases was 30%. Although about 75% of the respondents believed that their graduates were ready to diagnose and refer these cases, only 25% believed that these same students were ready to treat substance abuse cases. Data showed that 40% of the respondents believed it advisable for AAMFT to require a separate course on substance abuse. Comments from those opposed to such a requirement noted the crowdedness of existing curricula, the importance of academic freedom, and the abundance of other topics to be covered. / Master of Science

This study was designed to determine the effectiveness of filial therapy on reducing the stress experienced by incarcerated parents; its ability to increase the acceptance level by those parents toward their children ; and to determine the effectiveness of filial therapy on improving the self concept of the children of incarcerated parents.

Available literature reveals that most prevalently delinquency has been viewed from a modernist perspective. However, as cybernetic epistemology increased its stronghold within the field of psychology, explanations became increasingly systemic in nature. In this study a literature review is presented which articulates these approaches. This critique is followed by a comprehensive consideration of delinquency from a social constructionist stance as an alternative to modernist and early cybernetic perspectives. Examples are provided as to possible ways in which the label "delinquency" evolves within an interpersonal context, as well as the ways in which the meaning engendered is linked to broader cultural discourses. It has been acknowledged that this does not constitute the social constructionist perspective on delinquency, but represents some challenging ideas about how delinquency is co-created between people. Implications for therapy and research are also discussed. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

The impact of the diagnosis and the reality of being hearing impaired could trigger uncomfortable feelings at different times in the client's life. With the cochlear implant, these feelings will still be a reality, as the implant does not heal the hearing impairment. Psychological interventions could assist the client during this healing process. The process of cochlear implants could also bring other challenges into the client's life. Expectations of quick healing play a major role and should be addressed throughout the process of implantation and rehabilitation. This is another opportunity for the psychologist to intervene. This research shows that the role of the psychologist could be expanded not only to evaluate but also to bring about change. The treatment model gives a logical and workable explanation of how and where the psychologist may intervene in the process of cochlear implantation. This model was tested and adapted by the cochlear implant team at the University of Pretoria over a period of ten years. The model may be used as a template for new teams. Intervening as described in the model presents the opportunity to address various different needs as they occur. The qualitative research design proved to be a fitting method to explore the experiences of the participants from their own viewpoints. The qualitative research is also congruent with a systemic perspective and emphasises social context, multiple perspectives, complexity, recursion and holism. This study aims to develop a complementary psychological treatment programme and create awareness within professionals working with hearing impairment of the complexity of systems. The study shows that one can only understand the behaviour of any given system by tracking changes that occur within that system and its subsystems and by tracking changes between that system and the larger whole. In this study three different therapeutic interventions are used on three different case studies, two children from different age groups and an adult, to accommodate the multiple realities of the different systems. The aim of the study with cochlear implantees and their families is to stimulate new leads and avenues of enquiry that may be used as a basis for further research. / Psychology / Thesis (D.Litt. et Phil. (Psychology))

This is a constructivistic, qualitative single case study of the reflections of a social work post-graduate student in a practical family therapy training situation, to illustrate the integration of person centered and systemic family therapy theory. The element of uncertainty of the therapist, is the focus of this study. The element of uncertainty, being a part of both the therapist and the therapeutic process, especially if challenged to make paradigm shifts and master new theory and skills, is identified, described, redefined and contructively applied. The focus is to highlight the use of the reframed element of uncertainty in empowering the therapist in the therapeutic process of family therapy. It is outlined how uncertainty can also be of value to empower the therapist to evolve an own unique therapeutic style. / Social work / M.A. (Geestesgesondheid)

The purpose of this study was to investigate and describe the experience of infertility of African women, men and family member. It is hoped that this description will contribute to a deeper understanding of the psychosocial difficulties involved in the area of infertility and ofthe ways in which people respond to the situation of infertility. A qualitative research approach was used, and in particular social constructivist-interpretive research and feminist research approaches. The sample consisted of39 participants: 19 women, 10 men, and 10 family members faced with infertility. The research orientation was field-based, concerned with collecting data using the technique of in-depth semi-structured interviews. Each participant was interviewed individually. The interviews were recorded on tape, transcribed in their full length and translated into English. Data were analysed on the basis of the interpretive feminist approach. Analysis of individual cases and crosscase analysis were employed. The findings suggested a contextual definition of infertility, for example, for some, having had an ectopic pregnancy or a miscarriage meant that they did not fit into the definition of infertility. The findings revealed that for many African women and men, blood ties still defined the family and the persona. Thus, failure to have a blood child resulted in courtship and marital break up, extramarital relationships, polygamy, and divorce and remarriage. Infertility had serious psychosocial consequences for both the infertile individuals and their families. Participants experienced repeated periods of existential crisis, which began at different points for different participants. Analysis of gender differences indicated similarities in the experience of the crisis, but differences in terms of expression and ways of responding to the crisis. Family dynamics within the context of infertility were coloured by ambivalent feelings, resentment, insensitivity, and miscommunication, but also affection, and social support. Traditional and modern medical health systems offered the possibility of finding explanations and treatment, but there was further strain from the negative experiences with the health care system. The findings in this study suggested the need for policy reformulation, for psychosocial intervention as part of the treatment plan, and for future research on the outcome of using various coping strategies. / Psychology / D. Phil. (Psychology)

This study focuses on the therapeutic interventions by mental health practitioners when faced with rebellious youths. Rebelliousness refers to the act of defying lawful authority or a resistant way of relating to authority or convention. It is manifested in, amongst others, withdrawal, deviance, delinquency, antisocial behaviour, and suicide. To date there are no interventions for rebellious youths per sé. Rebellious youths are often treated with traditional strategies which are often ineffective and show little promise for eliminating rebellious behaviour. Research has revealed that teen problem behaviours stem from "life-problems" such as psychosocial stressors. Therefore treating the adolescent for substance abuse, for example, is treating him/her for the wrong reasons. It is no surprise that many adolescents who have undergone intervention programmes for specific behaviour problems relapse soon after they are released from the programmes. The study focuses on integrating different strategies in order to combat rebelliousness in adolescence and beyond. This holistic approach argues that all treatments share certain curative processes. Therefore each treatment works best when it is combined with other aspects of treatment. For this reason, individual, family and group therapy were combined together with school strategies. The results of this study indicate that combining procedures that are designed to improve problematic behaviour in teenagers are viable forms of treatment. / Educational Studies / D.Ed.(Psychology of Education)