Thesis (MEdPsych)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Since 1994, and the dissolution of the apartheid era, South African curricula have seen many revisions and adaptations to subject statements, learning programmes, and assessment guidelines. The most recent occurred in 2009, when the previously revised curricula statements (RNCS, 2005) were to be replaced with the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) for all approved subjects listed (including the subject of Life Orientation), taking effect in January 2012. These revisions have influenced curriculum implementation across contexts throughout the country – contexts that vary in culture, politics, and socio-economic status due to the inequalities of the past. It is these varied contexts, and the implementation of the current CAPS curriculum therein, that led to the formulation of this research study. The implementation of the subject of Life Orientation was of particular interest to the researcher as it is this subject that has been designed, throughout the many curricular revisions, to prepare learners for life and work in the outside world (i.e. in their specific contexts external to the primary education system). This research study attempts to explore the experiences of Life Orientation teachers, focusing specifically on the role that context plays in their implementation of the curriculum. Teachers working in the FET phase (grades 10-12), within two different contexts, were selected to participate. Bronfenbrenner’s bio-ecological model (Bronfenbrenner, 2005) was used as the theoretical framework for this study because of the overlapping and interrelated systems that influence the development of the child and the context in which learning takes place. This is informed by Vygotsky’s theory of social constructivism, which emphasises the social aspect of development and the influence that specific social contexts have on learning. For this research, the learners were placed in the centre of Bronfenbrenner’s model; while the school, family, and broader social community were placed in the outer systems. This study made use of a basic qualitative design and a qualitative methodology which is rooted within an interpretive paradigm. Purposeful sampling was used to select participants from the two respective school contexts in the Western Cape province, and three measures were used to collect data: (1) a self-administered questionnaire, which teachers were asked to complete in their own time; (2) semi-structured individual interviews with the principals and heads of Life Orientation from the two respective schools; and (3) focus group interviews with the teachers in their respective contexts. Qualitative content and thematic analysis was used to analyse the data generated by means of these three data collection methods. The findings of this research paper suggest that the delivery of the current Life Orientation curriculum within particular contexts was a challenging experience for the teachers who participated in the study. However, with appropriate and professional teacher training and/or a more flexible and adaptable curriculum design, the participants felt that these challenges could be overcome. While the findings of the study cannot be generalised to all schools in South Africa, recommendations can be made, based on this study, for the relevant schools as well as the Department of Education to assist in ensuring that appropriate measures are taken in order to improve curriculum implementation – whether through professional teacher training and development, curriculum design, or both. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sedert 1994, en die ontbinding van die apartheidsera, was daar verskeie wysigings en weergawes van die Suid-Afrikaanse kurrikulum ten opsigte van beleidsverklarings leerprogramme en assesseringsriglyne. Die mees onlangse wysiging het in 2009 plaasgevind, toe die voorheen Hersiene Nasionale Kurrikulum Beleidsverklaring (HNKV, 2005) vervang is met die Kurrikulum en Assesseringsbeleidsverklaring (KABV) vir alle goedgekeurde vakke (insluitende die vak Lewensoriëntering) – wat in Januarie 2012 in werking getree het. Hierdie wysigings het die implementering van die kurrikulum oor kontekste heen dwarsdeur die land beïnvloed – kontekste wat wissel in kultuur, politiek en sosio-ekonomiese status as gevolg van die ongelykhede van die verlede. Dit is die implementering van die huidige KAVB kurrikulum binne hierdie verskillende kontekste wat gelei het tot die formulering van hierdie navorsingstudie. Die implementering van die vak Lewensoriëntering was van besondere belang vir die navorser, aangesien dit hierdie vak is wat ontwerp is deur al die kurrikulumhersienings heen om leerders vir die lewe en in die wêreld daarbuite voor te berei ( in hul spesifieke konteks). Hierdie navorsingstudie poog om die ervarings van Lewensoriëntering-onderwysers te verken, met spesifieke fokus op die rol wat konteks speel in hul implementering van die kurrikulum. Onderwysers wat werk in die VOO (Verdere Onderwys en Opleidng)-fase (grade 10-12) binne twee verskillende kontekste is gekies om deel te neem aan hierdie studie. Bronfenbrenner se bio-ekologiese model (Bronfenbrenner, 2005) is gebruik as die teoretiese raamwerk vir hierdie studie weens die oorvleueling van en onderlinge verhoudings tussen sisteme wat die ontwikkeling van die kind en die konteks waarin leer plaasvind, beïnvloed. Dit word toegelig deur Vygotsky se teorie van sosiale konstruktivisme, wat die sosiale aspek van ontwikkeling en die invloed wat spesifieke sosiale kontekste op leer het, beklemtoon. Vir hierdie navorsingstudie is die leerders in die middel van Bronfenbrenner se model geplaas; terwyl die skool, gesin en die breër sosiale gemeenskap in die perifêre sisteme geplaas is. Hierdie studie het gebruik gemaak van 'n basiese kwalitatiewe ontwerp en ‘n kwalitatiewe metode wat gewortel is in 'n interpretatiewe paradigma. Doelbewuste steekproefneming is gebruik om deelnemers uit die twee onderskeie skoolkontekste in die Wes-Kaap te kies. Die studie het gebruik gemaak van drie metodes om data in te samel: (1) ‘n self-geadministreerde vraelys wat die onderwysers gevra is om te voltooi in hul eie tyd; (2) semi-gestruktureerde individuele onderhoude met die skoolhoofde en hoofde van Lewensoriëntering uit die twee onderskeie skole; en (3) fokusgroeponderhoude met die onderwysers uit die onderskeie kontekste. Kwalitatiewe inhouds- en tematiese analise is gebruik om die data wat gegenereer is deur middel van hierdie drie data-insamelingsmetodes te ontleed. Die bevindinge van hierdie navorsingstudie het aan die lig gebring dat die lewering van die huidige Lewensoriëntering kurrikulum binne hulle bepaalde kontekste 'n uitdagende ervaring vir die onderwysers was wat aan die studie deelgeneem het. Die deelnemers was egter van mening dat hierdie uitdagings oorkom kan word met toepaslike en professionele opleiding van onderwysers, en/of ‘n meer buigsame en aanpasbare kurrikulumontwerp. Hoewel die bevindinge van hierdie studie nie veralgemeen kan word tot alle skole in Suid-Afrika nie, kan aanbevelings tog gemaak word aan die betrokke skole, sowel as die Departement van Onderwys om te help verseker dat die nodige maatreëls in plek gesit word om implementering van die kurrikulum te verbeter– hetsy deur professionele opleiding en ontwikkeling van onderwysers, of deur kurrikulumontwerp, of albei.

Text in Afrikaans, abstract in Afrikaans and English / The development of leadership potential in adolescents cannot be approached in a haphazard manner. It ought to occur on the basis of a dynamic development model within a structured space. Such a model should not only prepare adolescents for their current leadership role, but also, and more particularly, its very nature should be more career-oriented. The question of what model will strive to equip adolescents with greater entrepreneurially-orientated leadership knowledge, therefore justifiably calls for closer investigation. In this study, an attempt has been made to find a suitable model to meet these needs. With this in mind, a study of the literature on the phenomenon of successful leadership was undertaken. Various relevant aspects that incorporate organisationally-structured management, were also examined. This enabled the researcher to develop a practice-oriented model from a study of the literature. In the implementation of the research design, use was made of qualitative research methods and techniques in order to collect and analyse relevant data. The study entailed 'action research' in which two independant groups were involved. For this purpose, the research results of the second cycle were concentrated on in order to reach findings and draw conclusions, and to make recommendations. This research ultimately revealed that adolescents have a deep need for entrepreneurially-oriented leadership development content. Individual participants also derived significant benefits from the implementation of the model. Owing to the success achieved with this research study, the management team of the school involved has decided to establish a full-time entrepreneurship centre for its pupils. This study can therefore be regarded as a contribution towards meeting the need for similar models in South African schools, in a practical and viable way. / Die ontwikkeling van adolessente se leierspotensiaal is nie iets wat lukraak aangepak kan word nie. Dit behoort aan die hand van 'n dinamiese ontwikkelingsmodel binne 'n gestruktureerde ruimte te geskied. Sodanige model behoort adolessente nie alleen vir hul huidige leierskaprol voor te berei nie, maar behoort in besonder ook 'n meer beroepsgerigte karakter te openbaar. Daar kan dus tereg gevra word hoe die model behoort te lyk wat daarna streef om adolessente met groter entrepreneursgerigte leierskapskennis toe te rus. In hierdie studie is gepoog om vas te stel of 'n geskikte model gevind kan word wat aan bogenoemde behoefte voldoen. Met die oog hierop, is 'n literatuurstudie oor die verskynsel van suksesvolle leierskap onderneem. Daarbenewens is verskeie toepaslike aspekte waarbinne die bestuurswese hom in 'n organisatoriese struktuur vergestalt, ook van nader beskou. Dit het die navorser in staat gestel om 'n praktykgerigte model vanuit 'n literatuurstudie te ontwikkel. Tydens die implementering van die navorsingsontwerp, is van kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetodes en -tegnieke gebruik gemaak om relevante data in te samel en te analiseer. Die studie het voorts die vorm van aksienavorsing aangeneem waarby twee onafhanklike groepe betrek is. Vir die doeleindes is daar op die navorsingsresultate van die tweede siklus gekonsentreer om bevindinge, gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings te maak. Hierdie navorsing het uiteindelik getoon dat adolessente 'n groot behoefte aan entrepreneursgerigte leierontwikkelingsinhoude toon, terwyl individuele deelnemers baie baat by die implementering van sodanige model gevind het. Op grond van die sukses wat met hierdie navorsingstudie behaal is, het die bestuurspan van die betrokke skool besluit om 'n voltydse entrepreneurskapsentrum vir sy leerlinge tot stand te bring. Hierdie studie kan derhalwe beskou word as 'n bydrae om die behoefte aan soortgelyke modelle in Suid-Afrikaanse skole op 'n prakties-uitvoerbare wyse te vervul. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Sielkundige Opvoedkunde)

Life skills education and training programmes, which offer skills to help people cope with everyday life, have in recent years become a highly popular method of intervention and prevention in social work. It is a proactive method and supports the developmental approach of social welfare. The research entailed the development, implementation and evaluation of the Personal and Interpersonal Life Skills Programme. The intervention research model was employed as foundation for the design and development of the programme and the ecological perspective as the theoretical framework. The study highlighted the school as an appropriate context within which to improve the life skills of learners. The main goal of the study was to develop and implement a personal and interpersonal life skills programme for Grade 7 learners in the senior phase of a school, and to evaluate whether participation in the life skills programme would lead to personal growth (self-empowerment) and social competence and thus contribute to the optimal social functioning of children in the classroom, school, family and community (capacity building). A descriptive design with a quasi-experiment, the one-group pre-test-post-test experiment, was used in this study. A non-parametric statistical test was utilized because the data was measured on an ordinal scale (Wilcoxon signed-rank test). The Life Skills Programme was implemented over twelve sessions, lasting about one-and-a-half hours, held twice weekly over a period of six weeks. Using experiential learning within the groupwork method, the programme was subsequently implemented with Grade 7 learners at a traditional black primary school in Pretoria and their ages varied from approximately 12 to 16 years. Forty learners constituted the sample in the study and a non-probability sampling procedure was used. In the school context it is expected that the social worker will include all learners in the classroom (classroom intervention). The sample was divided in six smaller groups with 5 to 7 learners in each group. The study found that the Personal and Interpersonal Life Skills Programme had a statistically highly significant effect (all items = p value ¡Ü 0.01) on the personal and interpersonal life skills development of the Grade 7 learners in the senior phase of the General Education and Training Band in the particular primary school. It is recommended that this intervention programme be implemented and facilitated by a social worker who is part of the multidisciplinary education support personnel. Copyright 2002, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. Please cite as follows: Bender, CJG 2002, A life skills programme for learners in the senior phase : a social work perspective, MA dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd < http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-011222002-110633 / > / Thesis (MA (Social Work))--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Social Work and Criminology / Unrestricted

Project SCORE: Life Skills for Future Success, is a structured, 20-lesson curriculum, designed to help students develop academic and life skills, as well as self-responsibility, commitment, optimism, respect, and excellence. The curriculum was presented during 36, 90-minute class periods over the fall semester of the students' freshmen year. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Project SCORE at improving grades, learning strategies, self esteem and coping skills with freshmen students at an inner-city high school. In order to evaluate the program, students completed paper-pencil surveys at the beginning and end of the semester in which they were enrolled in the Project SCORE class. In addition, teachers completed evaluations on their perceptions of each student's peer relationships, classroom behavior, mood, and activity level. All teachers and students involved in the course were asked to complete an evaluation to determine their level of satisfaction with the course and areas in need of improvement. Lastly, information pertaining to grades, discipline and standardized test scores were used to determine the impact of SCORE. Participants were 333 9th grade students at a large 4A high school in Texas. Findings suggest that SCORE had a positive effect on coping resources, study skills and grades during the semester students were enrolled in the course. Specifically, students reported significantly higher levels of school self concept and improved coping resources at the end of the semester long course. Lastly, students and teachers believed SCORE to be helpful in easing the transition into high school and at teaching the various life and study skills.

The purpose of this study was to compare the differences in the utilization of coping mechanisms of minority and White adolescents. By measuring the coping skills in adolescents, it sought to identify which strategies are most frequently used within the construct of race.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This programme is aimed at providing parent guidance to single parents. It is based on a reciprocal and egalitarian work relationship, using the parent's own skills, knowledge, unique strengths and previous successes. Solution-focused therapy developed from postmodernism. Therefore the absence of an objective reality functions independently of a reality that is linguistically constructed. The assumptions that underpin Solution-focused therapy are discussed, since they form an essential element in the composition of this programme. Since the guidance programme is implemented in a group context, attention is paid to the therapeutic factors, dynamics and principles of solution-focused group work. Techniques unique to Solution-focused work, such as the miracle question, exceptions questions and grading questions are explained. These techniques are put into practice over six sessions: (1) identifying problematic issues in single parent families, (2) focusing on any slight change, (3) if it works, don't fix it, (4) if it doesn't work, do something else, (5) focus on what is right, (6) celebrate changes and exceptions. Goals are set and procedures work out for each session. The programme is aimed at enhancing the single parent's own capacity for generating solutions and constructing alternative meaning in a move away from a problem orientation towards a solution orientation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie program is op ouerleiding aan enkelouers gerig. Oit berus op 'n wederkerige en eqalitere werksverhouding, gebaseer op die ouer se vaardigheid, eie kennis, unieke vermoens en vorige suksesse. Oplossingsgerigte terapie het ontwikkel vanuit die postmodernisme. Hiervolgens is daar nie 'n objektiewe werklikheid wat onafhanklik funksioneer van die lingu"istiese gekonstrueerde weergawe van die realiteit nie. Die aannames waarop Oplossingsgerigte terapie berus word bespreek, aangesien dit 'n belangrike element in die samestelling van hierdie program vorm. Aangesien die ouerleiding in groepverband geskied, word daar aandag geskenk aan die terapeutiese faktore, dinamiek en beginsels van oplossingsgerigte groepwerk. Tegnieke eie aan oplossingsgerigte werk, soos die wonderwerkvraag, uitsonderingsvrae en graderingsvrae, word verduidelik. Die verpraktisering van bogenoemde geskied in ses sessies wat soos volg uiteengesit is: (1) die identifisering van problematiese kwessies by enkelouergesinne, (2) fokus op klein veranderinge, (3) as dit werk, moet dit nie 'regmaak' nie, (4) as dit nie werk nie, doen iets anders, (5) fokus op dit 'wat reg is', (6) die viering van verandering en uitsonderings. uiteengesette doelwitte en prosedurenotas. Hierdie program poog om die ouer se eie kapasiteit vir die generering van Elke sessie het oplossings te fasiliteer en alternatiewe betekenisse te konstrueer, deur die klem te verskuif van 'n probleemgerigtheid na 'n oplossingsgerigtheid.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The relationship between stress and coping strategies in bereavement was examined in 70 recently widowed rural black women (mean age 36.53 years). Correlations were sought between coping strategies (as measured by the Coping Strategy Indicator) and anxiety (as measured by the S-scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), depression (as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory), social support (as measured by the Social Support Scale) and biographical variables. Of the participants, 88.57% were at least mildly depressed, while 78.57% experienced anxiety of above average intensity. Depression scores were significantly higher for those who were unemployed than for those who had paid work. Those with an education of Standard 6 or below made significantly more use of social support-seeking strategies than those with high school and tertiary education. Those whose husbands had died suddenly made more use of problem-solving strategies, while those whose husbands had died of chronic illness made more use of social support-seeking coping strategies. Significant positive correlations were found between an avoidant coping strategy and both depression and anxiety. A significant positive correlation was found between a social support-seeking coping strategy and perceived social support. Significant negative correlations were found between both problem-solving and social support-seeking coping strategies and anxiety as well as depression scores. An avoidant coping strategy emerged as a significant positive predictor of both anxiety and depression, while problem-solving and social support-seeking coping strategies emerged as significant negative predictors of depression. A problem-solving coping strategy alone emerged as a significant negative predictor of anxiety. These findings point to the need for interventions aimed at more effective use of problemsolving and social support-seeking coping strategies, rather than avoidance, if the widowed are to effectively deal with their conjugal loss. Another implication of these findings is the importance of helping those who are undergoing bereavement to continuously re-define their social support structures for continued sustenance of social and emotional support. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die verband tussen stres en hanteringstrategieë is in 'n groep van 70 landelike swart vrouens (gemiddelde ouderdom 36.53 jaar) wat hul eggenote onlangs aan die dood afgestaan het, ondersoek. Korrelasies tussen hanteringstrategieë (gemeet deur die Coping Strategy Indicator) en angs (gemeet deur die S-skaal van die State- Trait Anxiety Inventory), depressie (gemeet deur die Beck Depression Inventory), sosiale ondersteuning (gemeet deur die Social Support Scale) en biografiese veranderlikes is ondersoek. Van die deelnemers was 88.57% minstens tot 'n ligte mate depressief, terwyl 78.57% bogemiddelde angsvlakke ervaar het. Depressietellings van werklose vroue was hoër as van diegene met 'n gesalarieerde werk. Diegene met Standerd 6 opleiding of laer het beduidend meer gebruik gemaak van sosiale ondersteuning-soekende strategieë as diegene met hoërskool en tersiêre opleiding. Diegene wie se eggenote skielik afgesterf het, het meer gebruik gemaak van probleemoplossende hanteringstrategieë terwyl diegene wie se eggenote afgesterf het as gevolg van 'n chroniese siekte, meer gebruik gemaak het van sosiale ondersteuning-soekende hanteringstrategieë. Beduidende positiewe korrelasies is aangetref tussen 'n vermydende hanteringstrategie en beide depressie en angs. 'n Beduidende positiewe korrelasie is aangetref tussen 'n sosiale ondersteuning-soekende hanteringstrategie en waargenome sosiale ondersteuning. Beduidende negatiewe korrelasies is aangetref tussen beide probleem-oplossende en sosiale ondersteuning-soekende hanteringstrategieë en angs sowel as depressie. 'n Vermydende hanteringstrategie was 'n beduidende positiewe voorspeller van beide angs en depressie, terwyl probleem-oplossende en sosiale ondersteuning-soekende hanteringstrategieë beduidende negatiewe voorspellers was van depressie. 'n Probleemoplossende hanteringstrategie was 'n beduidende negatiewe voorspellers van angs. Hierdie bevinding dui op die noodsaaklikheid van intervensies wat gemik is op die meer effektiewe gebruik van probleemoplossende en sosiale ondersteuning-soekende hanteringstrategieë, eerder as vermyding, vir die weduwee om die afsterwe van haar eggenoot effektief te kan hanteer. Nog 'n implikasie van die bevindinge is die belangrikheid daarvan om diegene wat rou te help om voortdurend hul sosiale ondersteuningstrukture te herdefinieer vir voortdurende onderhouding van sosiale en emosionele ondersteuning.

Thesis (M Social Work)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / Some digitised pages may appear illegible due to the condition of the original hard copy. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The basic premise underlying this research is the ability to gain a deeper understanding of a person with a mental illness, and more specifically the residents living in a supported housing facility. It is significant for social workers to establish a basic profile of the individual in order to understand and realize the resident's specific I?-eeds.The aim of the study is to present a description of the personal needs, capacities and socio-emotional functioning of a mentally ill person living in a supported housing facility. The research report includes identifying the personal needs and capacities of people with a mental illness living in a supported housing facility. This comprises of aspects applicable to the daily living conditions and lifestyles of people with a mental illness residing in such a care facility, including needs and concerns, capacities, strengths and limitations and the role of the family in the individual's life. The report also investigates the social welfare services essential in the intervention and rehabilitation of people living in a supported housing facility, by utilizing various perspectives applicable to social workers. The empirical study consisted of using a quantitative method in order to explore the pragmatic aspect of the study, which would allow an investigation into the nature of the needs, capacities and socio-emotional functioning of people with a mental illness living in a supported housing facility. Information was gathered by means of a questionnaire and subsequently analysed in order to attain valid conclusions from the research. These fmdings were consequently noted, and conclusions and recommendations drawn. The fmdings of this research can be used as guidelines for social workers and other social welfare practitioners working with people with a mental illness. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die studie is daarop gemik om 'n beter begrip te ontwikkel van geestesiekes, en in besonder die inwoners van 'n ondersteunde behuisingsfasiliteit. Dit is van groot belang vir maatskaplike werkers ten einde 'n basiese profiel van die individu saam te stel en sodoende die inwoner se spesifieke behoeftes te verstaan en te bevredig. Die doelwit van die studie is om 'n beskrywing van die persoonlike behoeftes en kapasiteit van 'n geestelik versteurde persoon wat in 'n ondersteunde behuisingsfasiliteit tuisgaan, daar te stel. Die navorsingsverslag sluit dus die identifisering van die persoonlike behoeftes en kapasiteit in van geestesiekes in 'n ondersteunde behuisingsfasiliteit. Dit behels aspekte van toepassing op hulle daaglikse lewensomstandighede en lewenstyl, insluitend behoeftes en bekommernisse, kapasiteit, sterkpunte, beperkings en die rol van die familie in die individu se lewe. Die verslag ondersoek ook die maatskaplike dienste wat van belang is vir die behandeling en rehabilitasie van mense wat in 'n ondersteunde behuisingsfasiliteit tuisgaan. Die empiriese studie bestaan uit beide kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe metodes ten einde die pragmatiese aspek van die navorsing te ondersoek. Dit het 'n ondersoek moontlik gemaak na die persoonlike behoeftes, kapasiteite en sosio-emosionele status (funksie) van geestesiekes in 'n ondersteunde behuisingsfasiliteit. Inligting is ingewin deur middel van 'n vraelys, en is daarna ontleed ten einde geldige gevolgtrekkings op grond van die navorsing te maak. Die bevindings van hierdie studie kan gebruik word as riglyne vir maatskaplike werkers en ander maatskaplike praktisyns wat met geestesiekes werk.

Families are now often the primary caretakers of severely psychiatrically disabled relatives, also referred to as the chronically mentally ill (CMI). As a result, families report experiencing stressors such as a lack of psychosocial resources, disturbance in family routine, and increased financial problems--in addition to feelings of guilt and embarrassment. Research has indicated that the families need education, support, and training in coping skills. La Frontera Center, Inc. (LFC), a comprehensive community mental health agency in Tucson, Arizona, provided both education and support to families of the severely psychiatrically disabled. The education essentially involved providing families with knowledge regarding schizophrenia; support was available through a task-oriented self-help group. The purpose of the present research was to develop a complementary coping skills training program, and investigate its effectiveness. The research was conducted through two separate studies. The first study compared subjects who received the skills training, and education, with subjects who received education only. The second study utilized members from the LFC support/advocacy group who had previously attended the education class. One-half of these subjects received the skills training, while continuing involvement with the support group, and were compared to subjects who were involved with support only. In each study, subjects were randomly assigned to either the treatment or comparison group. Both designs involved repeated measures, with data analyzed according to an analysis of covariance statistical procedure. Though the hypotheses were not supported statistically in the first study, a number of results were statistically significant in the second study, and did support the hypotheses, including treatment subjects experiencing decreased anxiety, decreased depression, decreased conflict within the family, and increased social functioning and use of community resources.

M.A. (Psychology) / Please refer to full text to view abstract