This study focused on the experiences of professionals in drafting and implementing parenting plans with high-conflict separating and divorcing families in the South African context. The primary aim of the study was to explore the participants’ personal and professional experiences through an in-depth and sensitive inquiry. The data was collected from five participants using face-to-face, semi-structured interviews. The interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. The results of this study indicate that professionals experience various challenges when working with high-conflict separating and divorcing families. The participants also shared their perceptions regarding parenting plans. Further research on the challenges specific to drafting and implementing parenting plans with high-conflict separating and divorcing families in the South African context is recommended / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

Hierdie studie is 'n kwalitatiewe ekosistemiese ondersoek van die fenomeen Chroniese Moegheidsindroom (CMS) . Die paradigmaverskuiwing vanaf die Cartesiaans-Newtoniaanse epistemologie na die kubernetiese epistemologie, het 'n aantal belangrike implikasies vir die bestudering en konseptualisering van CMS, soos uiteengesit in hierdie studie. 'n Bespreking van die konseptualisering en behandeling van CMS vanuit die tradisionele, reduksionistiese navorsing word verskaf. Die aannames van twee-orde kubernetika en sosiale konstruksionisme, is bespreek en toegepas op die beskrywing van twee sisteme waarin CMS voorkom. Die navorsingsmetodologie van die studie is gegenereer op grand van die genoemde teoretiese aannames. Die implikasies van die toepassing van die ekosistemiese epistemologie vir die konseptualisering van CMS word uitgewys. Die herkonseptualisering van CMS as 'n transisieproses word bespreek en riglyne vir verdere navorsing en psigoterapie word aangedui. Die huidige studie bied 'n beskrywing van die unieke betekenisse en oplossings wat gesinne genereer tydens die veranderings wat CMS vergesel. / The present study is a qualitative ecosystemic exploration of the phenomenon known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The paradigm shift from the Newtonian epistemology to the epistemology of cybernetics, has important implication for research and the conceptualisation of CFS, as indicated in the study. The traditional, reductionist conceptualisation of CFS in research and treatment methods, is discussed. The suppositions of second order cybernetics and social constructionism, are discussed and applied in the description of two systems where CFS occurs. The research methodology of the present study is generated from the theoretical suppositions. Die implications of the use of the ecosystemic epistemology for the conceptualisation of CFS are indicated. The re-conceptualisation of CFS as a transition process is discussed and guidelines are given for future research and psychotherapy. The present study is a description of the unique meanings and solutions that the families generated during the changes that accompany CFS. / Psychology / M.A. (Kliniese Sielkunde)

This thesis explores mothers' reactions to, and methods of dealing with, the sudden death of a child, using a constructivist approach. The study focusses on the meanings that mothers construe in relation to the sudden death of their child and the role of these constructions in her "recovery" from this loss. It also explores the grieving process, the effect of the loss on the mother, including a focus on changes in her value system, her role as a mother and as a wife, as well as the impact of this loss on the family system. The study was conducted on the basis of qualitative research methodology, making use of the case study method. The sample consisted of three mothers, selected purposively. The data gathered was analysed inductively. / Psychology / M.A.(Clinical Psychology)

This study focused on the experiences of professionals in drafting and implementing parenting plans with high-conflict separating and divorcing families in the South African context. The primary aim of the study was to explore the participants’ personal and professional experiences through an in-depth and sensitive inquiry. The data was collected from five participants using face-to-face, semi-structured interviews. The interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. The results of this study indicate that professionals experience various challenges when working with high-conflict separating and divorcing families. The participants also shared their perceptions regarding parenting plans. Further research on the challenges specific to drafting and implementing parenting plans with high-conflict separating and divorcing families in the South African context is recommended / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

As comunidades terapêuticas para dependentes químicos são importantes recursos, descritos pela Secretária Nacional Antidrogas, na rede de atenção aos transtornos relacionados ao abuso de substâncias psicoativas. A equipe profissional nestas comunidades terapêuticas é representada, principalmente, por conselheiros em dependência química. É consenso entre os especialistas, pela complexidade desta problemática, que o tratamento deve abordar o paciente em seu contexto sociofamiliar (Stanton e Todd, 1990). O presente estudo tem como objetivo apresentar e avaliar um programa de tratamento e prevenção para dependentes químicos em comunidades terapêuticas com foco em seu contexto sociofamiliar, por nós denominado TRA: terapia de rede para adictos. Um programa destinado aos conselheiros em dependência química, que trabalham nestas comunidades. Fundamentados no pensamento-novo-paradigmático, de Esteves de Vasconcellos (2002), e na representação social, de Moscovici (2003), utilizamos como método uma pesquisa interventiva, com delineamento qualitativo construtivista, baseado em Pakman (1995), o que significa, no contexto deste trabalho, que o modelo de TRA foi construído em conjunto com os participantes: conselheiros e pacientes da comunidade terapêutica na qual realizamos a pesquisa. As principais técnicas empregadas foram: a família de origem do conselheiro e o discurso do sujeito coletivo (DSC), de acordo com Lefèvre e Lefèvre (2003). Para a análise dos resultados, usamos a técnica de triangulação de dados, segundo Denzin e Lincoln (2000). Os resultados obtidos contribuíram para conhecermos as representações sociais dos participantes sobre suas famílias e, sistemicamente, compreendermos os múltiplos aspectos envolvidos na complexidade do ciclo da drogadicção. As téc nicas interventivas auxiliaram no resgate dos aspectos resilientes e das competências dos sistemas familiares e no empoderamento da comunidade terapêutica, dos pacientes e de suas famílias, para lidar com os problemas da dependência química. Estas técnicas também colaboraram para a compreensão e a abordagem da imprevisibilidade ocorrida, em vários âmbitos, no desenvolvimento da pesquisa. As diferentes representações sociais nos DSC foram analisadas sob o olhar da intersubjetividade, proporcionando uma rica troca entre os participantes. A coparticipação, na elaboração deste modelo, contribuiu, principalmente, para a coconstrução de um novo saber em prevenção e tratamento para as comunidades terapêuticas, com um olhar mais amplo e globalizador, para o sistema familiar e outros sistemas envolvidos no problema da drogadicção / Therapeutic communities for chemical dependents are important resources, described by National Antidrug Secretary, to the network of care for disorders related to the abuse of psychoactive substances. The professional team in these therapeutic communities and represented, mainly, by advisers in chemical dependency. There is a consensus among the experts, the complexity of the problem, that treatment must approach the patient in their family environment (Stanton and Todd, 1990). The purpose of the present study is to present and assess a program of prevention and treatment for chemical dependents in therapeutic communities with a focus on their family environment, we called TRA: therapy of network for addiction. A program for counselor in chemical dependency, working in these communities. Based on thought-new-paradigmatic, Esteves de Vasconcellos (2002), and the social representation of Moscovici (2003), we used the method an interventional research, with qualitative design constructivist, based in Pakman (1995), which means, in the context of this work, that the model of TRA was built together with the participants, counselors, and patients in the therapeutic community where we have the research. The main techniques used were: the family of origin of the counselor and the collective subject discourse (DSC), according to Lefèvre and Lefèvre (2003). For the analysis of the results, we used the technique of data triangulation, second Denzin and Lincoln (2000). The results contributed to know the social representations of the participants on their families, and systemically, we understand the many aspects involved in the complexity of the cycle of drug-addiction. The interventional techniques helped with the rescue of the aspects resilient and the skills of the family systems and the empowerment of the therapeutic community, patients and their families to approach with the problems of chemical dependency. These techniques also collaborated for the understanding and approach of unpredictability that occurred in a number of areas in the development of the research. The different social representations in DSC were analyzed under the gaze of the intersubjectivity, providing a rich Exchange of views between the participants. The participation in colaboration, in drawing up this model contributed mainly to build together a new knowledge in treatment and prevention for the therapeutic communities, with a broader perspective and global vision, for the family system and other systems involved in the problem of drug-addiction

As comunidades terapêuticas para dependentes químicos são importantes recursos, descritos pela Secretária Nacional Antidrogas, na rede de atenção aos transtornos relacionados ao abuso de substâncias psicoativas. A equipe profissional nestas comunidades terapêuticas é representada, principalmente, por conselheiros em dependência química. É consenso entre os especialistas, pela complexidade desta problemática, que o tratamento deve abordar o paciente em seu contexto sociofamiliar (Stanton e Todd, 1990). O presente estudo tem como objetivo apresentar e avaliar um programa de tratamento e prevenção para dependentes químicos em comunidades terapêuticas com foco em seu contexto sociofamiliar, por nós denominado TRA: terapia de rede para adictos. Um programa destinado aos conselheiros em dependência química, que trabalham nestas comunidades. Fundamentados no pensamento-novo-paradigmático, de Esteves de Vasconcellos (2002), e na representação social, de Moscovici (2003), utilizamos como método uma pesquisa interventiva, com delineamento qualitativo construtivista, baseado em Pakman (1995), o que significa, no contexto deste trabalho, que o modelo de TRA foi construído em conjunto com os participantes: conselheiros e pacientes da comunidade terapêutica na qual realizamos a pesquisa. As principais técnicas empregadas foram: a família de origem do conselheiro e o discurso do sujeito coletivo (DSC), de acordo com Lefèvre e Lefèvre (2003). Para a análise dos resultados, usamos a técnica de triangulação de dados, segundo Denzin e Lincoln (2000). Os resultados obtidos contribuíram para conhecermos as representações sociais dos participantes sobre suas famílias e, sistemicamente, compreendermos os múltiplos aspectos envolvidos na complexidade do ciclo da drogadicção. As téc nicas interventivas auxiliaram no resgate dos aspectos resilientes e das competências dos sistemas familiares e no empoderamento da comunidade terapêutica, dos pacientes e de suas famílias, para lidar com os problemas da dependência química. Estas técnicas também colaboraram para a compreensão e a abordagem da imprevisibilidade ocorrida, em vários âmbitos, no desenvolvimento da pesquisa. As diferentes representações sociais nos DSC foram analisadas sob o olhar da intersubjetividade, proporcionando uma rica troca entre os participantes. A coparticipação, na elaboração deste modelo, contribuiu, principalmente, para a coconstrução de um novo saber em prevenção e tratamento para as comunidades terapêuticas, com um olhar mais amplo e globalizador, para o sistema familiar e outros sistemas envolvidos no problema da drogadicção / Therapeutic communities for chemical dependents are important resources, described by National Antidrug Secretary, to the network of care for disorders related to the abuse of psychoactive substances. The professional team in these therapeutic communities and represented, mainly, by advisers in chemical dependency. There is a consensus among the experts, the complexity of the problem, that treatment must approach the patient in their family environment (Stanton and Todd, 1990). The purpose of the present study is to present and assess a program of prevention and treatment for chemical dependents in therapeutic communities with a focus on their family environment, we called TRA: therapy of network for addiction. A program for counselor in chemical dependency, working in these communities. Based on thought-new-paradigmatic, Esteves de Vasconcellos (2002), and the social representation of Moscovici (2003), we used the method an interventional research, with qualitative design constructivist, based in Pakman (1995), which means, in the context of this work, that the model of TRA was built together with the participants, counselors, and patients in the therapeutic community where we have the research. The main techniques used were: the family of origin of the counselor and the collective subject discourse (DSC), according to Lefèvre and Lefèvre (2003). For the analysis of the results, we used the technique of data triangulation, second Denzin and Lincoln (2000). The results contributed to know the social representations of the participants on their families, and systemically, we understand the many aspects involved in the complexity of the cycle of drug-addiction. The interventional techniques helped with the rescue of the aspects resilient and the skills of the family systems and the empowerment of the therapeutic community, patients and their families to approach with the problems of chemical dependency. These techniques also collaborated for the understanding and approach of unpredictability that occurred in a number of areas in the development of the research. The different social representations in DSC were analyzed under the gaze of the intersubjectivity, providing a rich Exchange of views between the participants. The participation in colaboration, in drawing up this model contributed mainly to build together a new knowledge in treatment and prevention for the therapeutic communities, with a broader perspective and global vision, for the family system and other systems involved in the problem of drug-addiction

Hierdie studie is 'n kwalitatiewe ekosistemiese ondersoek van die fenomeen Chroniese Moegheidsindroom (CMS) . Die paradigmaverskuiwing vanaf die Cartesiaans-Newtoniaanse epistemologie na die kubernetiese epistemologie, het 'n aantal belangrike implikasies vir die bestudering en konseptualisering van CMS, soos uiteengesit in hierdie studie. 'n Bespreking van die konseptualisering en behandeling van CMS vanuit die tradisionele, reduksionistiese navorsing word verskaf. Die aannames van twee-orde kubernetika en sosiale konstruksionisme, is bespreek en toegepas op die beskrywing van twee sisteme waarin CMS voorkom. Die navorsingsmetodologie van die studie is gegenereer op grand van die genoemde teoretiese aannames. Die implikasies van die toepassing van die ekosistemiese epistemologie vir die konseptualisering van CMS word uitgewys. Die herkonseptualisering van CMS as 'n transisieproses word bespreek en riglyne vir verdere navorsing en psigoterapie word aangedui. Die huidige studie bied 'n beskrywing van die unieke betekenisse en oplossings wat gesinne genereer tydens die veranderings wat CMS vergesel. / The present study is a qualitative ecosystemic exploration of the phenomenon known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The paradigm shift from the Newtonian epistemology to the epistemology of cybernetics, has important implication for research and the conceptualisation of CFS, as indicated in the study. The traditional, reductionist conceptualisation of CFS in research and treatment methods, is discussed. The suppositions of second order cybernetics and social constructionism, are discussed and applied in the description of two systems where CFS occurs. The research methodology of the present study is generated from the theoretical suppositions. Die implications of the use of the ecosystemic epistemology for the conceptualisation of CFS are indicated. The re-conceptualisation of CFS as a transition process is discussed and guidelines are given for future research and psychotherapy. The present study is a description of the unique meanings and solutions that the families generated during the changes that accompany CFS. / Psychology / M.A. (Kliniese Sielkunde)

This thesis explores mothers' reactions to, and methods of dealing with, the sudden death of a child, using a constructivist approach. The study focusses on the meanings that mothers construe in relation to the sudden death of their child and the role of these constructions in her "recovery" from this loss. It also explores the grieving process, the effect of the loss on the mother, including a focus on changes in her value system, her role as a mother and as a wife, as well as the impact of this loss on the family system. The study was conducted on the basis of qualitative research methodology, making use of the case study method. The sample consisted of three mothers, selected purposively. The data gathered was analysed inductively. / Psychology / M.A.(Clinical Psychology)

Family secrets can be a driving force, whether explicitly or implicitly, for many seeking therapy. Despite this, there is little qualitative research examining how individuals experience and make sense of their family secrets. Through this study the researcher examined the phenomenon of family secrets amongst five individuals from different families. Qualitative research using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) along with a Bowen Family Systems Theory approach was used to explore multigenerational family secrets. Purposive sampling was used to select that participants and data was collected through semi-structured interviews. A genogram was also drafted to identify multigenerational relationships and the history of family secrets. By exploring and mapping the functions of multigenerational family secrets, the researcher examined in detail how participants make sense of their lived experience with holding a family secret. Through semi-structured interviews, the researcher was able to extract the meanings found within keeping a secret and the functions that secrets serve within families. Six superordinate themes were identified: what’s in a secret, living with a secret, finding meaning, anxiety and differentiation, multigenerational transmission process, and functions of family secrets. The data collected and analysis reflecting the experiences shared by the five participants add to the existing literature on the phenomenon of keeping family secrets and details the implications for the emotional system and marriage and family therapy. By mapping the hidden, a new conversation on the taboos of family secrets can lead to new hope for individuals and generations to come.

Bowen Family Systems Theory’s (BFST) concept of differentiation of self has the ability to contribute to the self-development of the therapist, and is considered the technique of this theory (Kerr & Bowen, 1988). Emotional intelligence is an essential skill for Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs), as it provides the ability to accurately perceive, express, and evaluate emotions in one’s self and others to facilitate thought, and the regulation of emotions in order to enhance emotional and intellectual growth (Salovey & Mayer, 1997). This study explored the lived experiences of Marriage and Family Therapy students who studied BFST and related those experiences to concepts of differentiation of self and emotional intelligence. This qualitative study utilized Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to gather, process, and analyze the essence of students’ experiences. This process included semi-structured open-ended interviewing of six doctoral students, transcribing, and analyzing the data in accordance with IPA. This study led to the outcome of the coined term differentiated intelligent emotion. The findings of the study produced nine themes: (1) BFST impact on clinical work, (2) BFST impact on personal development, (3) Differentiation of self, (4) Emotional intelligence, (5) Anxiety, (6) Nuclear family emotional process, (7) Multigenerational transmission process, (8) Triangulation, and (9) Individuality and Togetherness. The findings suggest the study of BFST resulted in awareness and an increase in the differentiation of self supported by an increase in emotional intelligence. This led to improvements in personal development, professional development in therapeutic relationships, anxiety, nuclear family functioning, multigenerational transmission process, detriangulation, and sense of individuality. This study contributes to the existing training and development literature concerning MFT’s in terms of their differentiation of self and emotional intelligence. The research presents implications for future research, clinical practice and training.