Ce travail de recherche vise à investiguer la relation entre la critique à l'encontre des entreprises et les stratégies individuelles et collectives qu'elles déploient afin d'y faire face et de l'exploiter. L'étude du cas du champ du médicament orphelin aux États-Unis et en Europe permet de montrer la capacité des entreprises à récupérer la critique et à élaborer des réponses stratégiques leur permettant de saisir et/ou de créer de nouvelles opportunités et d'identifier et/ou faire face à de nouvelles menaces. Cette thèse contribue aussi à la compréhension du processus de construction d'un nouveau champ organisationnel et montre le rôle important des parties prenantes dans ce processus. / This research intends to investigate the relationship between criticism of firms and individual and collective strategies they use to address and exploit it. The case study of the orphan drug field in the United States and Europe shows the ability of firms to recover criticism and develop strategic responses allowing them to seize and/or create new opportunities and to identify and/or address new threats. This dissertation also contributes to the understanding of the process of constructing a new organizational field and shows the important role of stakeholders in this process.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a potentially fatal disease, more common in an elderly population. The American Cancer Society estimates 21,450 new cases of AML and 10,920 deaths from AML in the United States in 2019. This malignancy originating in the Bone Marrow (BM), usually presents with peripheral blood (PB) abnormalities. Rarely, AML, particularly monoblastic variants can present with extramedullary disease. Here we describe a case of AML presenting with diffuse lymphadenopathy and a biopsy revealing myeloid sarcoma. A 53 years old male developed diffuse lymphadenopathy. Failure of outpatient empiric antibiotic treatment prompted right cervical lymph node biopsy. Lymph node architecture was distorted by the presence of malignant monocytic myeloid cells. Both the peripheral blood and bone marrow were involved by AML with monocytic features. The monoblasts count was 14% in PB and 24% in BM and the promonocyte count was 12% in PB and 26% in BM. Complete Blood Count showed total white blood cell count of 31,700, hemoglobin 11.8, monocytes 22.5% and platelets 122,000. Flow cytometry of the bone marrow demonstrated a blast population with positive expression of cMPO, CD33, CD13, CD11b, HLA-DR, CD64, CD14 and CD4; and negative for CD34, CD117, nTdT, cCD3, cCD79a. Fluorescence in situ hybridization study was positive for MLL gene rearrangement. Molecular study was positive for IDH1 mutation, and negative for IDH2, RUNX1, FLT3 mutations. Further laboratory analysis was significant for lactate dehydrogenase 346, uric acid 8.6, prothrombin time 13.6, INR 1.2, partial thromboplastin time 33.5 and fibrinogen 293. Computed tomography of chest, abdomen, pelvis with contrast revealed extensive adenopathy with enlarged bilateral supraclavicular, bilateral axillary, mediastinal, bilateral hilar, upper abdominal, periaortic retroperitoneal, pelvic and inguinal lymph nodes. Hepatosplenomegaly was also reported. The term Myeloid Sarcoma (MS) is used when leukemic cells are present outside the bone marrow and peripheral blood. MS tends to oocur more commonly in middle aged males (male-to-female ratio, 2:1, median age, 56 years). The Mayo Clinic Experience of 96 cases demonstrated 27% of patients had no bone marrow involvement, and 69% of patients had primary bone marrow disease. Extramedullary involvement can occur prior to, simultaneously, or after bone marrow involvement. Just as in our case this is an important feature for clinicians to remember so that they may recognize this rare entity early.

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) play a key role in a broad range of biological processes by binding to a wide variety of signaling molecules, which have resulted in 34% of all FDA-approved drugs which target GPCRs. The human genome encodes for approximately 800 GPCR members of which about 140 non-olfactory receptors remain orphans with an unknown function and endogenous ligand. Despite prolonged efforts to deorphanize the unresolved receptors, they remain orphans until this day. By studying scientific publications, this thesis has clarified the challenges with the deorphanization of GPCRs to explain why there are still so many orphan GPCRs when they have confirmed involvement in so many human disorders.

Im Zuge der Überarbeitung der DVG-Richtlinie zur Prüfung der Viruzidie chemischer Desinfektionsmittel in der Nutztierhaltung wurden BVDV, EAV und PPV auf ihre Eignung als potentielle Prüfviren getestet. Das bisher vorgeschriebene Newcastle-Disease-Virus und das Vacciniavirus sollen mit anderen behüllten Viren wie BVDV oder EAV verglichen werden. Beweggründe für einen möglichen Austausch sind die derzeitige Situation in der Tierseuchenbekämpfung, die Erhöhung der Anwendersicherheit durch Wegfall des zoonotischen Potentials, die einfachere Kultivierung und Handhabung der Prüfviren sowie speziell bei NDV die höhere Aussagekraft der gewonnenen Ergebnisse. Die Desinfektionsmittelversuche wurden gemäß DVG-Richtlinie auf Pappelholzkeimträgern durchgeführt, wobei das jeweilige, mit fetalem Kälberserum vermischte, Virus auf die Keimträger aufgetragen und angetrocknet wurde. Die DVG schreibt eine Trocknung im Brutschrank von 60 Minuten bei 37°C vor. Um die Trocknungsverluste der eingesetzten Viren zu untersuchen, wurden vergleichende Trocknungsversuche wie vorgeschrieben im Brutschrank und im Exsikkator bei Raumtemperatur durchgeführt. Die nach der Trocknung im Brutschrank durchgeführten Desinfektionsmittelversuche wurden mit chemischen Grundsubstanzen kommerziell erhältlicher Desinfektionsmittel durchgeführt. Dabei kamen verschiedene Anwendungskonzentrationen von Ameisensäure, Glutaraldehyd, Natriumhypochlorit, Natronlauge und Peressigsäure zum Einsatz. Bei der vorgeschriebenen Trocknung im Brutschrank kam es zu Titerverlusten von 0,8 bis zu 2,75 log10KID50/ml. Durch eine Trocknung der Holzkeimträger von 30 Minuten bei Raumtemperatur im Exsikkator konnten die Titerverluste auf 0,3 bis 1,0 log10KID50/ml reduziert werden. In den nachfolgenden Desinfektionsversuchen zeigte sich die besonders hohe Tenazität von PPV. Es war den eingesetzten Desinfektionsmitteln gegenüber deutlich resistenter als alle anderen untersuchten Viren. In den Trocknungsversuchen zeigte PPV mit Abstand die niedrigsten Titerverluste. Mit BVDV und EAV konnten zwar ausreichend hohe Titer erzielt werden, allerdings waren die Trocknungsverluste beider Viren sehr hoch. In den Keimträgerversuchen konnte nur in wenigen Versuchen eine Titerreduktion von mehr als 3 Logarithmusstufen erreicht werden. Hier könnte zukünftig die Trocknung im Exsikkator Abhilfe schaffen, um die Trocknungsverluste zu minimieren und eine höhere Titerreduktion zu ermöglichen. Die Ergebnisse einer früheren Arbeit zeigen identische Ergebnisse von NDV und BVDV im Keimträgertest. Ein Ersatz von NDV durch BVDV ist somit zu empfehlen. Eine Verwendung der untersuchten Viren gemäß den derzeitigen DVG-Richtlinien ist möglich, allerdings müssten im Zuge der weiteren Harmonisierung von CEN- und DVG-Richtlinie die Kontrolltiter entsprechend erhöht werden, um die von der CEN geforderte Titerreduktion von vier Logarithmusstufen für eine vollständige Virusinaktivierung einzuhalten. Die Vermehrung der untersuchten Viren zu höheren Ausgangs-, bzw. Kontrolltitern sollte daher Gegenstand weiterer Forschungsarbeit sein. Einer weiteren Verwendung der bisherigen Prüfviren BEV und REOV steht nichts im Wege. Aufgrund der Ergebnisse der vergleichenden Trocknungsversuche wird für alle untersuchten Viren zukünftig eine 30 minütige Trocknung im Exsikkator empfohlen.

Depuis l’introduction du premier théâtre chinois en Europe au XVIIIe siècle, le sujet chinois exerce un fort attrait sur les dramaturges européens, dont les réécritures dramatiques témoignent d’une évolution sensible du genre tragique. L’enjeu de cette thèse est de faire découvrir le processus de réécriture théâtrale qui, à travers les choix esthétiques et idéologiques qu’elle traduit, manifeste à la fois l’engouement des auteurs pour l’exotisme, leur attachement à la tradition et leur désir d’innovation. La démarche adoptée est à la fois transtextuelle et transculturelle. Les modalités de la réécriture, de l’Orphelin de la maison de Tchao de Ji Junxiang à l’Orphelin de la Chine de Voltaire et à The Orphan of China de Murphy, sont abordées par l’analyse des liens de filiation ou de rupture entretenus par les auteurs avec leurs textes-sources. L’examen de la dramaturgie montre que la réécriture des Orphelins, comme pratique théâtrale interculturelle et interlangagière, entraîne une modification profonde de la nature du texte théâtral. Cette thèse examine d’abord le contexte historique, puis les éléments dramatiques de la réécriture de la tragédie chinoise dans l'Europe des Lumières, afin de saisir le sens accordé par Voltaire et Murphy à ce sujet chinois, qu’ils renouvellent en profondeur. / Since the introduction of the first Chinese drama in Europe in the eighteenth century, the Chinese subject exerts a strong attraction on European playwrights whose dramatic rewritings reflect a sensitive evolution of the tragic gender.The aim of this thesis is to show the process of theatrical rewriting, which through the authors’ aesthetic and ideological choices, demonstrates their passion for exoticism, their attachment to tradition and their desire for innovation. This thesis basically takes a transtextual and transcultural approach. The modes of rewriting from Ji Junxiang’s The Orphan of the house of Tchao, to Voltaire’s L’Orphelin de la Chine and to Murphy’s The Orphan of China is tackled by analyzing the relation maintained by authors in accordance with their texts-sources. This dramaturgical study shows that the rewriting of the Orphans, as intercultural and interlanguage theatrical practice, leads to a profound change in the nature of the theatrical text. This thesis discusses firstly the historical context, secondly the dramatic elements of Chinese tragedy’s rewriting in the European Enlightenment, in order to better grasp the meaning given by Voltaire and Murphy to this Chinese subject, which they renovate in depth.

Im Zuge der Überarbeitung der DVG-Richtlinie zur Prüfung der Viruzidie chemischer Desinfektionsmittel in der Nutztierhaltung wurden BVDV, EAV und PPV auf ihre Eignung als potentielle Prüfviren getestet. Das bisher vorgeschriebene Newcastle-Disease-Virus und das Vacciniavirus sollen mit anderen behüllten Viren wie BVDV oder EAV verglichen werden. Beweggründe für einen möglichen Austausch sind die derzeitige Situation in der Tierseuchenbekämpfung, die Erhöhung der Anwendersicherheit durch Wegfall des zoonotischen Potentials, die einfachere Kultivierung und Handhabung der Prüfviren sowie speziell bei NDV die höhere Aussagekraft der gewonnenen Ergebnisse. Die Desinfektionsmittelversuche wurden gemäß DVG-Richtlinie auf Pappelholzkeimträgern durchgeführt, wobei das jeweilige, mit fetalem Kälberserum vermischte, Virus auf die Keimträger aufgetragen und angetrocknet wurde. Die DVG schreibt eine Trocknung im Brutschrank von 60 Minuten bei 37°C vor. Um die Trocknungsverluste der eingesetzten Viren zu untersuchen, wurden vergleichende Trocknungsversuche wie vorgeschrieben im Brutschrank und im Exsikkator bei Raumtemperatur durchgeführt. Die nach der Trocknung im Brutschrank durchgeführten Desinfektionsmittelversuche wurden mit chemischen Grundsubstanzen kommerziell erhältlicher Desinfektionsmittel durchgeführt. Dabei kamen verschiedene Anwendungskonzentrationen von Ameisensäure, Glutaraldehyd, Natriumhypochlorit, Natronlauge und Peressigsäure zum Einsatz. Bei der vorgeschriebenen Trocknung im Brutschrank kam es zu Titerverlusten von 0,8 bis zu 2,75 log10KID50/ml. Durch eine Trocknung der Holzkeimträger von 30 Minuten bei Raumtemperatur im Exsikkator konnten die Titerverluste auf 0,3 bis 1,0 log10KID50/ml reduziert werden. In den nachfolgenden Desinfektionsversuchen zeigte sich die besonders hohe Tenazität von PPV. Es war den eingesetzten Desinfektionsmitteln gegenüber deutlich resistenter als alle anderen untersuchten Viren. In den Trocknungsversuchen zeigte PPV mit Abstand die niedrigsten Titerverluste. Mit BVDV und EAV konnten zwar ausreichend hohe Titer erzielt werden, allerdings waren die Trocknungsverluste beider Viren sehr hoch. In den Keimträgerversuchen konnte nur in wenigen Versuchen eine Titerreduktion von mehr als 3 Logarithmusstufen erreicht werden. Hier könnte zukünftig die Trocknung im Exsikkator Abhilfe schaffen, um die Trocknungsverluste zu minimieren und eine höhere Titerreduktion zu ermöglichen. Die Ergebnisse einer früheren Arbeit zeigen identische Ergebnisse von NDV und BVDV im Keimträgertest. Ein Ersatz von NDV durch BVDV ist somit zu empfehlen. Eine Verwendung der untersuchten Viren gemäß den derzeitigen DVG-Richtlinien ist möglich, allerdings müssten im Zuge der weiteren Harmonisierung von CEN- und DVG-Richtlinie die Kontrolltiter entsprechend erhöht werden, um die von der CEN geforderte Titerreduktion von vier Logarithmusstufen für eine vollständige Virusinaktivierung einzuhalten. Die Vermehrung der untersuchten Viren zu höheren Ausgangs-, bzw. Kontrolltitern sollte daher Gegenstand weiterer Forschungsarbeit sein. Einer weiteren Verwendung der bisherigen Prüfviren BEV und REOV steht nichts im Wege. Aufgrund der Ergebnisse der vergleichenden Trocknungsversuche wird für alle untersuchten Viren zukünftig eine 30 minütige Trocknung im Exsikkator empfohlen.

The study aims to explore the role of children’s homes in the educational performance of primary school learners. It employed qualitative approach which follows a case study design. It was conducted in three schools and children’s home. The participants consisted of six caregivers, six teachers and six learners whose responses were collected using in-depth interviews as an instrument. They were all purposefully selected as they possess information that is rich and relevant to my study. Participants were told that their interview was voluntary and they were free to withdraw at any time if they feel uncomfortable. The confidentiality in order to protect the identity of the participants was maintained. The data were collected by writing response from participants and using tape recorder. It was then transcribed, organised, marked by hand, and coded to produce themes. The major findings are that children’s homes can affect the performance negatively or positively; positively, if homes create enough time for children to study and have more access to people and resources in support of their studies and negatively in that there are numerous educational barriers that the caregivers in the children’s home face daily when it comes to assisting the orphaned and vulnerable learners in their school work. Based on the findings, the study gives a number of recommendations, namely, there is need to strengthen collaborative efforts between government and other non-governmental organisations to ensure increased availability of necessary resources to the orphaned and vulnerable learners; caregivers in children’s homes need to receive proper training and assistance in order to be able to handle the psychological difficulties experienced by the orphaned and vulnerable learners; education and legal campaigns must be put in place to eliminate stigma associated with orphan-hood. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

The nuclear receptor superfamily is responsible for regulating the expression of genes involved in development, reproduction and metabolism. These transcription factors control the expression of their target genes through the binding of small molecule regulators to their ligand binding domains. Classical nuclear receptors include the steroid receptors, which bind endocrine hormones and have been important targets of pharmaceutical intervention. However, approximately one half of the human nuclear receptors remain orphans and are without known cognate ligands. Focusing on the Drosophila orthologues of these orphan receptors, this project used mass spectrometry to identify the chemical diversity associated with the receptors following expression in recombinant systems. In a genome-wide screen of Drosophila nuclear receptors, this approach identified co-purifying molecules with a number of receptors. The physiological relevance of these putative ligand/receptor pairs was determined through biochemical analysis, in vivo characterization and structure determination. Ligand(s) or the ligand state was identified for the Drosophila receptors: DHR3, DHR96, E75, Ftz-f1 and USP. Of these, three were validated through the efforts of this project, and independent groups confirmed the remaining two. The most significant findings were the discoveries that the fly nuclear receptor E75 is regulated by heme, gas and redox, and that there is a similar regulatory scheme in the human orthologues, Reverbα and β. Furthermore, crystallization of the heme-bound Rev-erbβ ligand binding domain was also achieved, and this provided key insights into the mechanism of ligand regulation for the Rev-erbs. This project highlighted the role of nuclear receptors in metabolic surveillance. The ligands/signals identified in association with these receptors include: cholesterol, dehydrocholesterol, heme, NO, CO, redox and phospholipids. Unlike the classical steroid hormones, these are not dedicated signaling molecules, but instead are key substrates or products of metabolism. In the context of nuclear receptor signaling, I hypothesize that these metabolites serve as metabolic indicators/signals in the regulation of development and metabolism. Furthermore, four of these Drosophila receptors comprise the ecdysone-response pathway in the developing fly. Taken together, this suggests that both the metabolic state of the organism and steroid hormones drive nuclear receptor regulation of development.

Plant pathogens have the ability to quickly overcome host resistance and shift to novel hosts. The (re)emergence of plant pathogens is a major concern in agriculture and in conservation of natural landscapes. The rapid adaptation to hosts and new environments depends on the genetic variability in pathogen populations. Despite of the importance of sugarcane for Brazilian agribusiness and the persistence of the smut pathogen Sporisorium scitamineum in most cropping areas, genetic variation studies are still missing for Brazilian isolates. In the chapters 1 and 2, molecular variability studies were performed for Brazilian and Argentine isolates of S. scitamineum, using molecular markers (AFLP, telRFLP) and sequencing (ITS and a candidate effector gene) strategies. No variation was found in ITS sequences. On the contrary, telRFLP marker generates almost a unique fingerprint for each strain. Two genetically distinct groups were formed by the joint analysis of the AFLP and telRFLP markers. The two groups were the same formed by haplotypes of a candidate effector gene. The presence of polymorphisms that causes non-synonymous mutations in a candidate effector gene potentially involved in the specific interaction with sugarcane may cause distinct performances on host genotypes. S. scitamineum is part of the highly diverse clade of Ustilaginomycetes fungi that includes several smut disease agents. Despite being phylogenetically close and present similar lifestyles, species of smut fungi have distinct and narrow host ranges. Hence, another objective in this thesis was to identify the genetic basis of host specialization in smut fungi using comparative genomics analyses. In chapter 3, the mating-type loci were described in S. scitamineum genome and compared among smut fungi. Transposable elements are the likely mechanism causing chromosomal rearrangements between mating-type loci. The presence of trans-specific polymorphisms at the genes encoding pheromone/receptor proteins suggests a hybridization potential among smut species. In the chapter 4, a broad comparative genomics analysis was performed among nine species of smut fungi infecting distinct hosts. The genetic basis of host specialization in smut fungi is complex and seems to involve a range of evolutionary processes, including gene gain/loss and episodic selection events. Species-specific effectors and positively selected genes will be good candidates for further characterization in regards to their role in host adaptation. / Fitopatógenos apresentam a habilidade de rapidamente suplantar os mecanismos de defesas da planta e adaptar-se a um novo hospedeiro. A (re)emergência de patógenos é uma das maiores preocupações na agricultura e na conservação de populações naturais. A rápida adaptação ao hospedeiro e a novos ambientes depende da variabilidade genética nas populações de patógenos. Apesar da importância da cana-de-açúcar para o agronegócio brasileiro e da persistência do patógeno Sporisorium scitamineum, o agente causal do carvão da cana-de-açúcar, na maioria das áreas canavieiras, estudos de variabilidade genética ainda não foram realizados para isolados brasileiros. Nos capítulos 1 e 2, estudos de variabilidade molecular foram realizados para isolados brasileiros e argentinos de S. scitamineum, usando marcadores moleculares (AFLP e telRFLP) e dados de sequenciamento (ITS e um gene candidato a efetor). Nenhum polimorfismo foi encontrado usando sequências ITS. Contrariamente, o marcador telRFLP gerou quase um fingerprint para cada linhagem. Dois grupos geneticamente distintos foram formados pela análise conjunta dos marcadores telRFLP e AFLP. Os dois grupos também foram formados pelos haplótipos obtidos pelo sequenciamento de um candidato a efetor. A presença de polimorfismos causando mutações não-sinônimas em um candidato a efetor pode acarretar em performances distintas em diferentes genótipos de cana-de-açúcar. S. scitamineum pertence à classe Ustilaginomycetes, a qual também abrange vários outros agentes causais de doenças do carvão. Apesar de filogeneticamente próximos e com estilo de vida similar, espécies de carvão apresentam uma faixa distinta e estreita de hospedeiros. Portanto, outro objetivo desta tese foi identificar a base genética da especialização ao hospedeiro por fungos causadores de carvão usando análises de genômica comparativa. No capítulo 3, os loci envolvidos na determinação do tipo de reação sexual (mating-type) foram caracterizados no genoma de S. scitamineum e comparados com sequências de outras espécies de carvão. Tranposons foram identificados como provável mecanismo de rearranjo cromossômico entre os loci de mating-type. Polimorfismos trans-específicos nos genes codificadores de feromônios e receptores sugerem o potencial de hibridização entre espécies de carvão. No capítulo 4, análises de genômica comparativa abrangendo nove espécies de carvão infectando hospedeiros distintos foram realizadas. A base genética da especialização ao hospedeiro em fungos causadores de carvão é complexa e parece envolver processos evolutivos de ganho/perda de genes e seleção positiva. Efetores espécie-específicos e sob seleção positiva são destacados como bons candidatos para serem caracterizados quanto ao papel que estabelecem na adaptação ao hospedeiro.

The objective of this study is to explore the impact of a social group work programme in the lives of adolescent orphans in foster care in the North–West province who are also affected by HIV and AIDS, and to enhance their social functioning. Keywords: Adolescent, foster care, foster parent, social work, social group work, empower, family, orphan, HIV and AIDS There are a growing number of children in need of care in South Africa who are placed with foster parents. The biggest reason for foster placement is due to the rising mortality rate of biological parents due to HIV and AIDS. Section A refers to the problem statement, research objectives, research procedures and research methodology. The limitations of the research are also investigated and the definitions of key words. The research was conducted in two phases. The needs assessment was conducted in phase one and the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the social group work programme in phase two. The problem statement in section A is based upon the following: It was found that insufficient research is being conducted on the problems and circumstances of adolescent orphans in South Africa. It is evident that the physical and emotional needs of adolescent orphans are not being fulfilled. The HIV and AIDS pandemic have a negative effect on the quality of daily life for orphans under foster care. The problem statement gave rise to five research aims. The overarching research design conformed to the Development and Utilization Research model. The model was divided into five phases that guided the research. The single–system design was used to gather quantitative and qualitative data. A literature study was conducted around the themes of foster care, foster parents, social group work, and circumstances of the foster care situation. Section B consists of the four articles that form the report on the research outcomes Each article is dealt with as a self–contained unit focusing on specific research objectives that were achieved via specific research methods. These methods were employed to collect the necessary data for the design and evaluation of the social group work programme. Article 1: The circumstances and needs of the adolescent orphan in foster care. The aim of this article is to identify the circumstances and needs through a self–designed and structured schedule. Thirty adolescent orphans in foster care from the researcher's case load were identified to take part in the research. Twenty adolescent orphans were selected by means of accidental sampling. Ten (N = 10) were selected for the experimental group and ten (N = 10) were selected for the control group. The results indicated the problems and needs experienced by adolescent orphans. These could be used for discussion during a social group work programme designed to provide knowledge, teach skills, and improve the social functioning of the group. Article 2: The role of the social worker during service delivery to adolescent orphans in foster care. The nature and extent of foster care in the North–West province was investigated by means of the completion of questionnaires. The role of the social worker regarding services to adolescent orphans in foster care was also investigated. A self–structured questionnaire was used for data collection purposes and 85 questionnaires were sent to social workers in the North–West province. The results show the state of existing programmes and the opinions of social workers on topics that could be included in a social group work programme. The data was used in Article 2. Article 3: A social work intervention programme for adolescent orphans in foster care. The programme was developed according to the data received from the 30 (N=30) adolescent orphans in foster care and the 85 (N=85) social workers in the North–West province. The programme was presented to 30 (N=30) adolescent orphans in foster care. Social group work was used as method to present the programme. The group gained knowledge and received skills training, both of which served to enhance their social functioning. Article 4: The evaluation of a social group work programme for adolescent orphans in foster care The purpose of this article is to evaluate the social group work programme. Three standardized measuring instruments were used. The Generalized Contentment Scale, the Index of Family Relations, and the Personal Self–esteem Profile were used. These instruments were used three times: once before intervention, once during intervention and once after intervention. The control group 10 (N=10) also completed the questionnaire three times but did not attend the social group. A self–developed questionnaire was completed before and after each session. A self–developed evaluation was completed after the final session to assess the effectiveness of the programme. Section C - Summary, conclusions and recommendations. Section D - contains the appendices with the results of the three standardized measuring instruments that were used for data collection. Section E - Contains the Bibliography. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.