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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
11

台灣失業率的預測-季節性ARIMA與介入模式的比較 / Forecasting Taiwan’s Unemployment Rate –A Comparison Between Seasonal ARIMA and the Intervention Model

胡文傑 Unknown Date (has links)
本論文採用了由Box and Jenkins(1976)所提出的ARIMA模型,以及由BOX and Tiao(1975)所提出的Intervention Model,去配適台灣的失業率型態,以及比較其預測的結果。 結果顯示出台灣的失業率具有季節性的型態,亦即台灣的失業率並非僅僅受到月分之間的相關,年分之間也有所關連。是故,當本論文在預測失業率的水準時,也考慮到此一因素,加入季節性的ARIMA模型對台灣的失業率加以預測。另外,時間序列的資料常常受到外生因素的干擾。對於失業率來說,政策上的改變將會影響失業率本身的結構,因此利用介入模式預測失業率,可以得到一組較精確的預測值。介入模式的事件有以下五個,分別是解嚴、六年國建、台灣引進外勞、中共飛彈試射、新十大建設。前四個事件的確影響了失業率的結構,不過第五項,也就是新十大建設並沒有顯著影響失業率的結構。理由可能是新十大建設的內容並不能合宜的解決經濟上與社會上的問題,以及這些建設尚未完工,以致無法達到期預期的效果。 比較兩模型的預測結果時,採用了MPE、MSE、MAE、MAPE作為模型評估的準則,結果指出介入模式的預測結果比起季節性ARIMA的預測結果來的有效率。 / This article adopts the ARIMA model, which was first introduced by Box and Jenkins (1976), and the intervention model, which was developed by Box and Tiao (1975), to fit the time series data for the unemployment rate in Taiwan, and thus to compare the results of the forecasts. The results reveal that there is a seasonal effect in the data on the unemployment rate. This indicates that the unemployment rate figures are not only related from month to month but are also related from year to year. When forecasting the level of unemployment, we should examine not only the neighboring months but also the corresponding months in the previous year. Time series are frequently affected by certain external events. In the discussion on the unemployment rate, the policies implemented by the government as well as military threats indeed influence the structure of the series. By making a forecast using the intervention model, we can evaluate the effect of the external events which would give rise to more accurate forecasts. In this study, there were five interventions included in relation to the unemployment rate series, which were as follows. First, the lifting of Martial Law in February 1987. Second, the Six-year National Development Plan launched in June 1991. Third, the hiring of foreign labor in Taiwan, which took effect in October 1991. Fourth, the threats of missile tests from the PRC in Feb 1996. Fifth, the ten new construction programs launched in November 2003. The first four events were indeed found to give rise to a structural change in the unemployment rate series at the moment when they occurred. This result might also have implied that not all of the actual effect of expansionary policies could have exactly decreased the unemployment rate, and therefore have solved the economic and social problems simultaneously. When we refer to the comparison of the above two models, the ultimate choice of a model may depend on its goodness of fit, such as the residual mean square, AIC, or BIC. As the main purpose of this study is to forecast future values, the alternative criteria for model selection can be based on forecast errors. The comparison is based on statistics such as MPE, MSE, MAE and MAPE. The results indicate that the intervention model outperforms the seasonal ARIMA model.
12

中國大陸的改革開放與經濟成長 / The Structural Reforms and Economic Growth in Mainland China

楊忠城 Unknown Date (has links)
本文利用介入模式分析中共改革開放所造成的經濟結構之轉變,並建構包含軍事、非軍事政府、及私人等三部門的生產函數,來探討其與經濟成長之間的關聯性。實證結果顯示,改革開放使得中國大陸由閉關自守的內向型經濟轉為高貿易依存度的外向型經濟,經濟體制由計劃經濟邁向多元經濟成分共同發展的市場經濟,整體投資環境獲得改善,而軍事支出雖持續增加,但相對於高經濟成長,其軍事支出規模卻是下降的。此外,中共的經濟成長主要來自於積累率的提昇、公部門支出的正面影響和外溢效果、及國際經濟關係的開放,而技術變遷和勞動投入之成長的影響並不顯著。 / This article proposes intervention model to analyze the structural change of China’s transitional economy. We identify the relationship between economic growth and structural change by using the production functions from military, nonmilitary, and private sectors. The results indicate a more market-oriented economy and changing relationship between private and public ownership will continue to drive China toward modernization. In contrast to high economic growth, although military expenditure is still increasing but its relative scale is declining. The main sources of China’s economic growth are from the increase of accumulation rate, the positive and spillover effects of public expenditures, and the liberalization of international economic relations. Especially, much of China’s growth has come from producing goods for foreign trade. While on the other hand, the impacts of technological change and increased labor inputs are not significant in this study.
13

家庭暴力互為相對人案件之處遇模式研究 / A study on intervention model for couples with mutual violence

史惠姍, Shih, Hui Shan Unknown Date (has links)
以家庭暴力或親密關係暴力為主題的相關文獻相當豐富,但關於互為相對人案件的探究仍屬少數,因此,本研究以互為相對人案件的處遇模式為題,希望能更加瞭解互為相對人案件的情況,以及整理出社會工作者在提供服務的過程中會運用到哪些資源,以及透過哪些服務方式滿足互為相對人個案的需求。本研究採半結構式訪談,訪談了八位分別在被害人服務單位以及相對人方案任職的社會工作者。研究結果如下: 社會工作者在提供互為相對人案件服務時所面臨的價值議題包含: 1.互為相對人案件的樣貌差異:社會工作者必須面對互為相對人案件中的兩造,在權力彼此抗衡下所呈現出的樣貌,包含「被害人不再弱勢;相對人不再強權」以及許多「工具性的通報進案」。 2.相對人社工角色的衝突:受訪的相對人方案社工在以被害人為服務主體的家暴體制之下,在提供互為相對人案件服務時必須面對的便是與被害人體制的衝撞,以及「要以誰為案主」的價值選擇議題。 在提供互為相對人案件服務時所運用的處遇觀點則包含 1.選擇能夠接受的處遇觀點:受訪社工在提供互為相對人案件服務的過程中,最常以女性主義觀點、優勢觀點以及系統觀點等三個處遇觀點作為提供服務的依歸。 2.服務方向:整理出社會工作者在提供互為相對人案件的服務過程中包含了六個面向,包含釐清哪方為相對人、保持中立超然立場、評估的面向依對象而異、促進兩造達成共識、轉介相對人服務以及夫妻協談,每一個面向都是受訪者在提供互為相對人案件服務時所會運用到的。 最後,研究者結合上述研究結果以及受訪社會工作者的建議,在最後提出本研究的限制與建議,提供實務工作者、政策制定者以及未來研究者參考。 / Since past till today, there has a great number of family violence or intimate violence literature and analyses, but mutual violence. Consequently, this research is studying with the intervention model for couples with mutual violence, in order to much more understood the situation of mutual violence cases, and sort out how social workers use resources or service model to meet service user’s need. This research interviewed 8 social workers via semi-structured interview, who were worked in victim service organizations or batterer programs. The results are as follows: The issue about personal value will be met when social workers provide mutual violence cases services include: 1.The different pattern between mutual violence cases: social workers need to face the both side of mutual cases, and have to figure out the pattern of power contention. These conditions includes ” victim no more weakness and batterer no more powerful” and a lot of “ instrumental purpose report”. 2.The conflict of batterer social worker’s role: under the family violence system, the batterer program social workers need to fight with the victim system, and deal with the issue of “who should be the service user?” The intervention perspective including: 1.Choose an intervention perspective can be accepted: Feminist perspective, Strength perspective and System perspective are the most often used in mutual violence service process. 2.The service orientations: clarify who should be the batterer, maintain neutrality, different service user with different evaluation, promote the consensus between both side of service users, referral to batterer program services and couple counceling. These six orientations were applied in social workers provide mutual violence cases services process. At last, this research lists out the limitations of the study, and provide some suggestions which are according to all of the results and social workers’ advises to social workers, policy maker and researcher in the future.
14

A Feasibility Study of Therapeutic Conversations with Family Members to Reduce the Symptoms of Post-Intensive Care Syndrome

Tehan, Tara 25 May 2022 (has links)
PURPOSE: The purpose of this feasibility study was to explore the use of a nurse-centered intervention, the Critical Caring Program, with family members of critically ill adults. The intervention was a series of therapeutic conversations with a family member, beginning in the ICU and following patient discharge from the ICU. FRAMEWORK: The Family Adjustment and Adaptation Response Model (Patterson, 1988) provided the conceptual framework; the intervention was adapted from the Calgary Family Assessment and Intervention Model. DESIGN: A randomized, controlled design with two groups (usual care and intervention) was used to assess the feasibility of the intervention. A convenience sample of 19 adult family members were recruited from an 18-bed ICU from October 2021–January 2022. RESULTS: 151 family members were screened for participation; 40 who were eligible and 19 were enrolled. Overall retention was 58% for the intervention group; 62% for the usual care group. Outcomes revealed no statistically significant differences between groups or changes within groups. The nurses viewed the training and conversations as positive but identified incorporating the visits into routine practice as challenging. CONCLUSION: The Calgary Family Intervention Model is a useful model for addressing families’ need for communication and support. Additional research is needed on incorporating therapeutic conversations into critical care nursing practice.
15

Stress management through therapeutic recreation in the Botswana Defence Force

Young, Marie Elizabeth Magdalena January 2013 (has links)
Military staff are repeatedly exposed to stressful and unpleasant traumatic life events. These can cause psychological injury, leading to mental and emotional stress. The stigma of mental health problems in military settings runs deeper than in civil society. Being admitted with mental health problems while serving can be a career stopper, but at times can also be associated with cowardice or malingering. It is the primary responsibility of the military to maintain and promote high military/combat readiness among staff. The change in focus of modern military forces, such as the Botswana Defence Force (BDF), with units being deployed more often, places greater demands on troops. Such operations call for increased training exercises, planning sessions and equipment inspections. Training emphasizes discipline and integrity as the core values of the BDF. These form a foundation for healthy and successful coping strategies. The morale of employees is the starting point for measuring their wellness. Morale in the military is embedded in the fitness programs. These are biased towards military training, creating physical fitness, mental alertness and the qualities of military preparedness. The programs are normally involuntary, mandated through the commander, and form part of a soldier‘s military duties. Military recreation, morale and welfare programs were introduced as a way to provide soldiers with the opportunity to relax and rejuvenate. Recreation serves as a powerful tool for achieving an optimal experience, motivating people to change and improve their health and wellness. The problem identified for this study was that members of the BDF were exposed to situations in a military context, as well as in their personal lives, which caused stress. It was postulated that BDF members had little knowledge or the resources to utilize appropriate recreation-related coping strategies. The study aimed primarily to explore the use of sport and recreation activities in military settings as means to reduce and manage stress. To achieve this goal, it was necessary first to determine the current sport and recreation participation of BDF staff members, then to assess their existing stress levels, their overall psychological well-being, and any dysfunctional behaviours resulting from stress. On the basis of these findings, a Therapeutic Recreation Stress Management Intervention Model was proposed, designed to reduce stress and promote the psychological well-being of BDF members. A survey was carried out using a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the collected data, offering a basic description of the data through frequency distributions, measures of central tendency, variances and relationships. Inferential statistics were used to draw conclusions from the data collected, giving the various factors. The results revealed that the BDF was a male-dominated institution, recruiting soldiers between the ages of 18 and 44, most of whom had some level of education. Most of the staff members came from the lower ranks and had experienced one or more deployments since being recruited into the military. The results further indicated that BDF staff members participated in sport and recreation activities, reflecting an active and healthy lifestyle, with satisfactory levels of involvement. Analysis of stress responses revealed that members experienced stress and that this was related not just to operational or non-operational military stressors but also to personal stressors resulting from their social, financial or emotional conditions. Members of the BDF did not receive the necessary social support from family members and friends to cope with these stressors. The findings on stress in relation to sport and recreation participation revealed that BDF members were intrinsically motivated to embrace healthy lifestyles which could contribute to lower levels of stress. This could even lead to a decrease in stress, supporting the literature which indicates that engaging in physical activities, as part of living a healthy lifestyle, might lead to a reduction in stress levels. The results on the stress-coping measures used by BDF members revealed that recreation activities were deliberately used to cope with stress. Although physical exercise was used as a way of coping with stress, sedentary recreation activities were more prevalent among BDF members. Positive stress-coping measures were adopted by respondents, contrary to the findings of previous studies which indicated that military staff adopted dysfunctional behaviour as a coping measure (e.g. excessive drinking) that formed part of the military culture. The stress-coping abilities of BDF members differed in terms of personal and military demographics from those of previous studies, posting a new contribution to military literature. The results further revealed that BDF members were not sufficiently skilled in coping with stress during military training. This study concluded that the Botswana Defence Force is no different from other military forces, experiencing operational and non-operational stress, as well as personal stress, which need to be addressed. Recommendations were made for further research on stress in military contexts and further guidelines were suggested to the BDF on the use of sport and recreation, together with more specific therapeutic recreation, as ways to reduce stress. A Therapeutic Recreation Stress Management Intervention Model was recommended for further testing in the BDF, as well as in other military forces. / Thesis (DPhil)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Biokinetics, Sport and Leisure Sciences / unrestricted
16

Conception d’un modèle interprofessionnel d’interventions de soutien à l’adhésion au traitement par corset chez les adolescents atteints de scoliose idiopathique

Provost, Myriam 12 1900 (has links)
Le port d’un corset orthopédique de 20 à 23 heures par jour est reconnu comme efficace pour prévenir la progression de la courbe chez les adolescents atteints de scoliose idiopathique, mais il engendre des conséquences biopsychosociales importantes qui perturbent leur quotidien et qui contribuent à un problème de non-adhésion au corset généralisé. En effet, le temps de port réel observé est d’environ 12 heures par jour. Il n’existe aucune intervention dans la littérature qui vise à améliorer l’adhésion au corset pour cette population spécifique. Le but de ce mémoire était de concevoir un modèle interprofessionnel d’interventions de soutien à l’adhésion au traitement par corset chez les patients atteints de scoliose idiopathique. Pour répondre à ce but, nous avons effectué des entrevues individuelles auprès de neuf professionnels d’expertises variées afin de comprendre leurs perspectives et leurs stratégies potentielles pour soutenir les patients vers une meilleure adhésion au corset. Les entrevues ont été enregistrées, transcrites et codées. Nous avons procédé à l’analyse thématique des verbatim et conçu le modèle d’intervention résultant. Lors des entrevues, les participants ont relevé des barrières à l’adhésion au corset et au soutien professionnel ainsi que des stratégies fonctionnelles, éducatives, motivationnelles, psychologiques et interprofessionnelles pour répondre à ces barrières. Le modèle a été validé par un panel d’experts cliniques. Le modèle d’intervention Interprofessionnel en Soutien à l’Adhésion (IPSA) au traitement par corset est structuré en trois paliers (préparation au corset, ateliers de groupe et consultation individuelle) et nous estimons qu’il a un grand potentiel d’implantation en clinique de scoliose. / Wearing a spinal brace between 20 to 23 hours a day is recognized as effective to prevent curve progression in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis, but it generates important biopsychosocial consequences that disturb patients’ daily activities and that contribute to the generalized problem of brace nonadherence. Indeed, the observed time spent in-brace is approximately 12 hours a day. A thorough review of the literature could not yield any intervention to enhance brace adherence for this specific population. The purpose of this master’s thesis is to develop an interprofessional support intervention model to enhance brace adherence in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. To fulfill this purpose, we have conducted individual interviews with 9 professionals of various expertise in order to understand their perspectives and their potential strategies to support patients towards better brace adherence. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed and coded. We proceeded to a thematic analysis of the interview transcripts, which resulted in the intervention model. During the interviews, participants mentioned adherence barriers to brace treatment and professional support barriers as well as functional, educational, motivational, psychological and interprofessional teamwork strategies for answering these issues. The model was reviewed by an expert panel of clinicians. The Interprofessional Adherence Support intervention model (IPAS) to brace treatment is three-tiered to provide different levels of intensity of support to patients (brace preparation, group workshops and one-on-one consultations) and has great potential for implementation in clinical practice.
17

Exploring positive psychological strengths in employees attending EAP in the public service: a qualitative study

Ndhlovu, Mojalefa James 11 1900 (has links)
The purpose of this study was to explore and highlight positive psychological strengths that are required and, to a lesser extent, negative psychological factors that are to be eliminated in employees attending EAP in the public service in order to make the EAP beneficial and successful. EAPs in the public service have not been as successful as expected because employees drop-out prematurely and/or benefit minimally from attending their sessions. Through the use of a qualitative research approach, this study explored positive psychological strengths that played a significant role in assisting employees attending EAP to achieve their health goals. Research data was collected through the narratives and in-depth interviews from eight participants, who shared their EAP experiences with the researcher. The collected data was analysed through the use of content analysis and positive psychological strengths in the form of themes emerged. The themes were compared with the framework of positive psychology, which is known as the VIA classification system of strengths and virtues framework, in order to determine alignment or compatibility with it. In addition, a few negative emotions were also reported as having been experienced by the participants while attending EAP. The results of this study indicate that certain positive psychological strengths possessed by employees while attending EAP contributed significantly in making them benefit from their EAP consultations. Although a few negative emotions were also reported as having being present during the EAP consultation, they did not affect the progression and success of the EAP. An EAP intervention model is recommended herein for future use, in order to facilitate the success of EAP sessions. / Psychology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)
18

The development of a criminological intervention model for the Rosslyn industrial environment in Tshwane, Gauteng, South Africa

Pretorius, William Lyon 02 1900 (has links)
The problem investigated in this research is the ongoing crime threat and the extreme risks which impact negatively on the sustainability of the Rosslyn Industry - the industrial hub of Tshwane in the Gauteng Provence of South Africa. Businesses in Rosslyn are desperate for a solution that will mitigate these crime threats and risks, and ensure the future sustainability of this important industrial community. An intervention model is urgently required to prevent this type of crime, not only as a short term solution but as a sustainable long term intervention. This research study initiated the collaboration required for the successful implementation of a Crime Prevention Intervention Model (CPIM) in the Rosslyn industrial environment. The intended crime prevention model has been designed in such a way that it addresses the entire environment of crime that prevails in the Rosslyn area involving both the offender and the victim. This design is rooted in the ontology of Environmental Criminology and more specific on the applied epistemology of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). Participants in this project are representatives who are responsible for all security functions in both big businesses and small enterprises. And with their dedicated assistance the research findings disclosed the current crime status of the Rosslyn environment regarding the threat, risk, security vulnerabilities, controls and needs: • Crime and its causal factors, in Rosslyn, are rife and no noteworthy action has been implemented to mitigate these threats. • Collaboration between Rosslyn role players (neighbours, local government and law enforcement) is for all purposes non-existent. • And to complicate matters even more, knowledge of how to effectively mitigate crime is limited and handicapped by the re-active physical security methods currently being used. • The implication of these findings is that the status quo will eventually render business in Rosslyn unsustainable. Thus a CPIM in Rosslyn is inevitable. What was crucial to this research and to the CTPED design is the detailed sourcing of accurate data addressing the experiences and the needs the respondents identified in the current Rosslyn crime situation concerning; status, the threat, risk, security, vulnerabilities and controls. In order to achieve this level of data sourcing and assimilation, the essential features of the research method were based on a mixed approach where quantitative and qualitative methods were implemented in parallel. The diverse fields, sources and respondent mix required for a Rosslyn Industry CPIM also necessitated a MIT (Multi,-Inter,-Trans,-Disciplinary) approach. This MIT requirement is successfully facilitated through the applied criminological CPTED approach. The CPIM is based on the combined outcomes of the following three research fields: • Field-one: Environmental criminology theories are researched through an in-depth literature review to demonstrate the criminological grounding of crime prevention and to guide its application through the development of an applied CPTED SUITE. • Field-two: Supply Chain Security (SCS) are researched through an in-depth literature review to establish its criminological relevance and applications. SCS requirements are identified and built into the Field-Three research process and tested for relevance and for incorporation in the CPTED SUITE. • Field-three: Based on a mixed research process, using a custom designed Criminological Risk Analyses tool incorporating scheduled interviews and questionnaires, the crime and needs profile of the Rosslyn Industry are uncovered and analysed. The results are filtered through the CPTED SUITE to indicate the correct criminological approach for mitigating the identified problems and needs. Even though this study takes an applied crime preventative approach, the criminological-philosophical mould of crime prevention is imperative for the effective application of the CPTED. Security and crime prevention training, planning and application, without this approach will remain underdeveloped and outdated. Finally the underlying intention of this research is for this Crime Prevention Intervention Model (CPIM) to be adapted and implemented and to serve as a guide or a benchmark for security practitioners in any industrial environment that has the same crime threats and crime risk challenges. / Criminology and Security Science / D. Litt. et Phil. (Criminology)
19

Evaluation of a programme to facilitate positive youth development / A.J.W. Brink

Brink, Andrea Johanna Wilhelmine January 2010 (has links)
The South African context, in particular, is characterized by a definite need for the facilitation of the development of the youth in a more positive trajectory. Family structures are not always robust enough to support the positive development of the youth, owing to the demands made on single–parent families, amongst other reasons. Community structures may also be less supportive of the development of the youth, because of the impact of the changes associated with the transitional phase of the country during the past sixteen years (Meehan, Peirson & Fridjhon, 2007). Furthermore, young people under the age of 15 years comprise almost a third of the total South African population (Statistics South Africa, 2009), and in the future, they will have to be prepared for an adulthood faced with previously unknown challenges (United Nations Population Fund). The importance of the development of the youth, in order to enable them to contribute to their country in future, is acknowledged by the South African Governement (National Youth Commission website). This study was conducted within the parameters of the newly developing positive youth development (PYD) paradigm. The empirical level of this paradigm is well represented in the literature, indicating that the content areas, or the “what” of PYD, have been well elucidated. However, there is a lack of theory, especially with regard to models describing developmental change (Larson et al., 2004), and evaluation of interventions aiming at the facilitation of PYD. In order to contribute to the answering of the questions regarding the “how” of development, this study had the following main aims: a) the compilation of a theoretical model, describing developmental change in the youth; b) the operationalization of this model for intervention purposes; and c) the evaluation of a programme and the model on which it is based. The study is reported on in an article format, and comprises a total of three articles. The first article focuses on the process of the compilation of a theoretical model by means of: a) the construction of a comprehensive meta–theoretical matrix, b) the integration of theory that features in the PYD literature, and c) the expansion of the latter with theory from other compatible sub–disciplines in psychology. The resultant Positive Youth Development Intervention (PYDI) model provides a process–related description of developmental change ? and is one of the first models to do so. The second article describes the operationalization of the PYDI model, by means of an indication of the relevant constructs, phenomena and processes to be facilitated. Although recent research points to a relation between PYD and self–regulation, there has been no model, describing the role of self–regulation in the facilitation of the positive development of the youth. This study adapted a model from an educational context (Heckhausen & Gollwitzer, 1987 (as cited in Boekaerts & Niemivirta, 2005)), in order to describe the regular self–regulatory processes constituting the bi–directional interactions between the youth and their primary life contexts, as proposed by developmental systems theory (Lerner, 1998), the meta–theory to PYD (King et al., 2005). A further specifc contribution is that the presentation aspects of the programme material, aimed at facilitating the integration thereof, are addressed on a theoretical level. The third article describes the evaluation of the PYDI model and programme, with young adolescents in a school in a rural area as participants. A mixed–methods study, which has been shown to render much richer information than a quantitative study alone, was applied. Although the quantitative data did not prove the success of the programme, the qualitative data suggested that some aspects of self–regulation had indeed been facilitated successfully. A second follow–up assessment, conducted seventeen months later, indicated that certain skills had only become internalized by that time, suggesting that the implementation and evaluation of such a programme should be expanded over an extended time–frame. This study has contributed to the level of theory of PYD, by indicating, a) the lacunae, and b) that theory in compatible sub–disciplinary paradigms could be used in order to devise workable models for PYD. Furthermore, the process–related nature of the PYDI model and programme, owing to its adaptability to different needs, may be adapted and extended to be applicable to the needs of the diverse South African population. Recommendations regarding future application and research, especially within the South African context, have also been put forward in the study. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.
20

Evaluation of a programme to facilitate positive youth development / A.J.W. Brink

Brink, Andrea Johanna Wilhelmine January 2010 (has links)
The South African context, in particular, is characterized by a definite need for the facilitation of the development of the youth in a more positive trajectory. Family structures are not always robust enough to support the positive development of the youth, owing to the demands made on single–parent families, amongst other reasons. Community structures may also be less supportive of the development of the youth, because of the impact of the changes associated with the transitional phase of the country during the past sixteen years (Meehan, Peirson & Fridjhon, 2007). Furthermore, young people under the age of 15 years comprise almost a third of the total South African population (Statistics South Africa, 2009), and in the future, they will have to be prepared for an adulthood faced with previously unknown challenges (United Nations Population Fund). The importance of the development of the youth, in order to enable them to contribute to their country in future, is acknowledged by the South African Governement (National Youth Commission website). This study was conducted within the parameters of the newly developing positive youth development (PYD) paradigm. The empirical level of this paradigm is well represented in the literature, indicating that the content areas, or the “what” of PYD, have been well elucidated. However, there is a lack of theory, especially with regard to models describing developmental change (Larson et al., 2004), and evaluation of interventions aiming at the facilitation of PYD. In order to contribute to the answering of the questions regarding the “how” of development, this study had the following main aims: a) the compilation of a theoretical model, describing developmental change in the youth; b) the operationalization of this model for intervention purposes; and c) the evaluation of a programme and the model on which it is based. The study is reported on in an article format, and comprises a total of three articles. The first article focuses on the process of the compilation of a theoretical model by means of: a) the construction of a comprehensive meta–theoretical matrix, b) the integration of theory that features in the PYD literature, and c) the expansion of the latter with theory from other compatible sub–disciplines in psychology. The resultant Positive Youth Development Intervention (PYDI) model provides a process–related description of developmental change ? and is one of the first models to do so. The second article describes the operationalization of the PYDI model, by means of an indication of the relevant constructs, phenomena and processes to be facilitated. Although recent research points to a relation between PYD and self–regulation, there has been no model, describing the role of self–regulation in the facilitation of the positive development of the youth. This study adapted a model from an educational context (Heckhausen & Gollwitzer, 1987 (as cited in Boekaerts & Niemivirta, 2005)), in order to describe the regular self–regulatory processes constituting the bi–directional interactions between the youth and their primary life contexts, as proposed by developmental systems theory (Lerner, 1998), the meta–theory to PYD (King et al., 2005). A further specifc contribution is that the presentation aspects of the programme material, aimed at facilitating the integration thereof, are addressed on a theoretical level. The third article describes the evaluation of the PYDI model and programme, with young adolescents in a school in a rural area as participants. A mixed–methods study, which has been shown to render much richer information than a quantitative study alone, was applied. Although the quantitative data did not prove the success of the programme, the qualitative data suggested that some aspects of self–regulation had indeed been facilitated successfully. A second follow–up assessment, conducted seventeen months later, indicated that certain skills had only become internalized by that time, suggesting that the implementation and evaluation of such a programme should be expanded over an extended time–frame. This study has contributed to the level of theory of PYD, by indicating, a) the lacunae, and b) that theory in compatible sub–disciplinary paradigms could be used in order to devise workable models for PYD. Furthermore, the process–related nature of the PYDI model and programme, owing to its adaptability to different needs, may be adapted and extended to be applicable to the needs of the diverse South African population. Recommendations regarding future application and research, especially within the South African context, have also been put forward in the study. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

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