Thesis (Ph.D.)--Duquesne University, 2005. / Title from document title page. Abstract included in electronic submission form. Includes bibliographical references (p. 175-182) and index.

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005.

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

While psychotherapy constitutes psychologists’ primary form of intervention, psychotherapy research has evidenced a dearth of qualitative data surrounding the practise of psychotherapy as experienced from the perspective of the psychotherapist. To address this, the aim of the present study was to explore the lived experiences and meaning(s) of South African psychologists doing psychotherapy. In doing so, a qualitative research approach, embedded within an interpretive phenomenological theoretical framework, was adopted. Six South African psychologists were identified and selected using snowball sampling and in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted with each of the participants. Each interview was audio recorded and interpreted using interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA). From the data, the following four main themes were identified the space, the process, the Sisyphean burden, and being-seen whilst seeing-others. Additional subthemes and integrated themes including: the self and the search for meaning also emerged. The findings spoke to the complex, challenging and deeply meaningful experiences psychologists identified in doing psychotherapy. The explored experiences and identified meaning(s) reflected psychologists’ understandings of, and responses to, the challenging nature of their profession. As such, the findings of this research study endeavour to contribute towards bridging the epistemological gap, surrounding the paucity of idiographic research and qualitative accounts, of the lived experiences of psychotherapy amongst psychologists in South Africa. These findings therefore aim to shed light on, and better equip, current and future practising psychologists in navigating the inherent stressors of their profession. / Mini Dissertation (MA Clinical Psychology)--University of Pretoria, 2020. / Psychology / MA (Clinical Psychology) / Unrestricted

Various sub models of a multi-zone phenomenological model are developed by incorporating Dec’s conceptual model and Siebers’ mixing limited theory and validated with experiments. The spray penetration model, liquid length model and lift-off length model are verified with experiment data. The ignition delay model is then validated with experiment data at different injection timings and loads. The air entrainment model is based on Siebers’ jet theory. Sub models for the premixed heat release rate and diffusion burn rate are also included. The overall phenomenological model is at first used to match the motoring pressure curve. The important sub models are well validated independently and the phenomenological model is useful in simulating diesel spray combustion. Future work is needed to integrate these sub models and to resolve existing issues in temperature profiles of the preparing zone and liquid zone.

Using qualitative methodology, the authors explored the experiences of 8 clients who received a 5-minute mindfulness meditation (MM) as implemented by 6 counseling students during a counseling session. Themes that emerged included (a) variations in individual experiences; (b) mental, physical, and emotional components of the experience; (c) perceptions of MM; (d) preferences for MM; and (e) implications for continued practice of MM.

This thesis suggests that the alliance between contemporary Psychology and Merleau-Ponty's Phenomenology provides a more complete analysis of the embodied experience of persons with Asperger's Syndrome (AS). This alliance would rely upon the first person experiences of those with AS in addition to the physiological analysis and observations provided by those in Contemporary Psychology. By examining the analysis provided by contemporary psychologists within in the framework of the philosophy of Merleau-Ponty, the 'whole' of the embodied experience of persons with AS will be revealed. The analysis of Dr. Simon Baron-Cohen, one of the foremost contemporary psychologists in the field of autism is examined. I will conclude that Baron-Cohen privileges interpersonal interaction while overlooking other types of interaction by an embodied being within the phenomenal world. First person accounts written by Temple Grandin, Ph.D. and Dawn Prince-Hughes, Ph.D., both persons with AS, are relied upon for the analysis of an alliance between the two disciplines. Critical to this examination is Merleau-Ponty' s Phenomenon of Substitution, the 'seat of illness', and the 'third term'. Also discussed will be issues of boundaries that serve to separate the neurotypical from those persons with AS. These boundaries serve to diminish the potential and accomplishments of those persons with AS while attempting to maintain the hierarchical supremacy of those who are neurotypical. / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA)

Background: Research has highlighted that parenting a child with autism can be challenging and stressful. However, many parents successfully cope with the challenges posed by autism. A systematic review investigated parental psychological predictors of positive adjustment and coping in parents with a child with autism. Although a range of potential predictor variables were examined, including social support, coping styles and religious beliefs, the results of the review were inconclusive due to the conceptual overlap of predictor variables, and inconsistent use of outcome indicators of positive adjustment. However, parental perceptions of their situation and themselves as parents were represented across a number of variables, and were thought to be of relevance in understanding processes of adjustment. Therefore, qualitative research was undertaken to explore this further. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight parents of children with autism on their experiences of being a parent, and their perceptions of influences on their sense of self. The data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Results: The following five super-ordinate themes emerged from the study: ‘experiencing autism as hard to know’, ‘experiencing autism as all-consuming and extreme’, ‘diagnosis giving understanding and confidence’, ‘parenting in the eyes of others’, and ‘dilemma of acceptance’. The meaning of these themes for parents and how they related to their sense of self and belief in their ability was discussed. For example, the ambiguity and difficulty in understanding autism, and the overwhelming nature of the condition related to feelings of self-doubt in parents. On the other hand, confidence increased when the diagnosis was identified, and when parenting skills and the child’s progress were recognised by others. Discussion: This research has provided a richer understanding of self-perceptions of parenting and the impact of these experiences on a parent’s sense of self. It has contributed to a broader literature on positive adjustment in families with a child with autism. This understanding will be useful to those seeking to engage and support families with a child with autism, and assist parents with coping and adjustment.

No description available.

Intercountry adoption, where children are born in one country and adopted by families in another country, has become an increasing global phenomenon (Scherman & Harré, 2004). As indicated by a review of the literature, the research in relation to intercountry adoptees provides contradictory findings in almost every area. However, since there is some evidence to suggest that a proportion of intercountry adoptees are at greater risk of developing mental health difficulties (Van Ijzendoorn & Juffer, 2006) further research, particularly in the UK, is required. As Anjudo (1988) posits, parents are their children‟s major reference group, and this research is therefore aimed at exploring the experience of parenting an intercountry adoptee. A qualitative approach, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Smith, 1996) was chosen as the most suitable methodology. This approach aims to explore in detail how participants are making sense of their world, and the meanings that experiences hold for them. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six participants who had accessed or were accessing support from a specialist Adoption and Fostering team. The analysis of the transcribed verbatim accounts yielded four super-ordinate themes; „the importance of resolve and tenacity‟, „blood versus water‟, „weathering the storm of parenthood‟ and „the complexity of cultivating a heritage‟. The results were consistent with some of the existing theoretical, research and clinical literature. Additionally they also provided some new areas for consideration such as the emotional difficulties in negotiating the process of intercountry adoption. Additionally, areas for future research were proposed. Due to the small sample size, implications and recommendations are considered tentatively and include (1) prospective intercountry adoptive parents would benefit from the provision of pre and post-adoption supportive groups, (2) intercountry adoptive families would benefit from greater availability of multi-disciplinary specialist teams to address their needs, (3) there is a role for cultural consultants to aid both adoptive parents and professionals in their work with intercountry adoptive families. Since the number of children internationally who need new families continues to increase it is important to continue to find improved ways to support intercountry adoptive families.