A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts (Counselling Psychology) in the Department of Psychology, University of Zululand, 2010. / The present study examined the experiences of sexual harassment from those who were survivors of sexual harassment. The study consisted of two main objectives. The first objective was to ascertain the type of psychological and physical effects of sexual harassment. The second objective was to examine the possible causes or/and perpetuating factors of sexual harassment. The study revealed that all the respondents experienced stress related symptoms as the main effect of sexual harassment. It was found that: 40% of the respondents experienced discomfort, confusion, and feeling unsafe; 60% experienced disorientation and were obsessive; 60% experienced nervousness; 55% experienced depression or some symptoms of depression; 30% responded with avoidance behavior and 40% became introverted. In summary, respondents experienced emotional consequences, such as anger, self blame, low self esteem, and lack of trust. Cognitive consequences included lack of concentration while behavioral consequences included impulsive behavior. Lastly, the study revealed that power (55%), disrespect for human dignity (10%), and poverty (25%) are the main causes or perpetuating factors of sexual harassment at the University of Zululand. The general consensus in literature is that sexual harassment has been recognized as a serious problem in the literature over the 30 years (Pina, Gannon and Saunders, 2009; Hill and Silva, 2005; Nethling, 2005; Karjane, Fisher and Cullen, 2002). In this study, the researcher review the existing research surrounding the phenomenon of sexual harassment, paying particular attention to factors of relevance for understanding the effects of sexual harassment and the causes/perpetuating factors. The different theoretical perspectives and models of sexual harassment (sociocultural, organization, sex-role spillover, natural/biological, socio-cognitive, and four-factor) are also considered. Finally, several suggestions are made for future research and treatment avenues relating to the sexual harassment in institutions of higher learning.

Understanding underlying mechanisms and pathways that lead to chronic homelessness would help develop intervention strategies that could help prevent subsequent episodes of homelessness. Quantitative data for this cross-sectional study was gathered by interviewing individuals who were homeless in the State of Arkansas, using a structured survey between 2007 and 2011. Qualitative data was gathered using semi-structured interviews between 2016 and 2018. Chi-square statistics and a multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the quantitative data, while phenomenological methods were used to analyze the qualitative data. Nearly half of the study participants identified themselves as being chronically homeless. Chronically homeless adults in this region were significantly more likely to be older men with no family ties, more likely to be victims of domestic violence, have higher rates of physical health problems, and have alcohol and substance abuse problems. Results from the multivariate nominal regression revealed that individuals who reported themselves as chronically homeless were more likely to be in the 50 years or older age group. In addition, study findings highlighted a dynamic interplay between three biopsychosocial risk factors for homelessness. Fostering development of inclusive sustainable communities, intergenerational relationships, and shared housing practices could help ease such social inequities and prevent problems such as chronic homelessness in older homeless adults.