This paper is a qualitative study based on a phenomenological perspective. The purpose of the study has been to examine how the artistic work with a Community Theatre can visualize the beliefs held by young girls in Skellefteå today regarding the power structures that exist in their lives and how they affect them. Furthermore, the study aims to examine how the work of a theater can provide participants with the opportunity to visualize these structures of power to the public. Questions raised in the study concerns the power structures the young girls are experiencing in their daily lives, how they affect them, how to through a theater approach them in an artistic practice and how the participants' experience of existing power structures is influenced by the work of a theater. The study began with a focus conversation about the participants' view of power in different areas. Based on the conversation, we decided to revise and orchestrate a part of Shakespeare's Othello, focusing on jealousy and men's violence against women in intimate relationships. This was rehearsed and performed to an audience during Trästockfestivalen in Skellefteå. The study ended with a further focus conversation which concerned the work of the theater production and how it affected the participants' view of power. The results show that participants believe that it has been useful to work with the power structures in this way. In particular, they have appreciated the discussions and the opportunity of amateurs to work with the profession, and in this work get visibility to real-life, current issues for an audience.

The aim of the current investigation is to explore potential subtypes of depressive symptomatology from a phenomenological vantage point, focusing on dimensions of positive human functioning and character strengths. The study examines distinct presentational depressive symptom clusters in light of recent research on developmental depression—defined as depressive symptomatology that may characterize periods of major life transition, existential upheaval, and personal growth. To inductively derive clusters, unique homogeneous classes are explored across depressive and positive psychological variables within a large heterogeneous sample of 3,806 emerging adults (aged 18-25, mean = 20.0, SD = 1.9). The present investigation utilizes two latent class analysis (LCA) models, both interpreted in light of the developmental depression hypothesis. Phase I examines a LCA model containing three depressive symptomatology clusters, including mood/anhedonia, somatic, and cognitive areas of depressive functioning. Average scores on spiritual, existential, positive psychological, and relational covariate variables are examined across classes. Phase II produces a LCA model that combines salient depressive symptomatology and positive psychological variables from Phase I into a unified model. Results suggest that distinct subtypes of depression may exist throughout emerging adulthood. An interpretation of these results that supports the developmental depression hypothesis is proposed.

Paper one is a systematic review aimed at improving our understanding of the culturally determined risk factors of postnatal depression (PND) within 'Sub-Saharan Africa', by integrating evidence from quantitative and qualitative studies. A mixed-method systematic review approach was employed, nine quantitative and three qualitative studies were quality assessed, synthesised, and integrated. Stressful life events, adhering to cultural values and traditions, the effects of negative cultural perceptions and difficulties within the African extended family system were found to be risk factors for the development and maintenance of PND in Sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of paper two was to explore the lived experience of postnatal depression in West African mothers living in the UK. A qualitative design using semi-structured interviews with six West African mothers (Nigeria = 3; Ghana = 3) who were experiencing low mood in the postnatal period was undertaken. Participants were recruited from mother and baby groups within the National Health Service. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to explore and analyse the data. Five overarching themes emerged: (1) conceptualiszing PND, (2) isolation, (3) loss of identity, (4) issues of trust and (5) relationships as a protective factor. Each theme consisted of a number of subthemes. Women exhibited symptoms of PND but did not regard it as an illness, with the name 'depression'. They viewed their emotional distress as a result of social stress, and described feelings of isolation, loss of identity and relationship difficulties. Women's cultural background influenced their help-seeking behaviour; participants often avoided talking about their feelings and kept their distress to themselves. The findings have clinical implications in how services should be designed to meet the needs of African communities. Paper three reflects on the process of developing culturally competent research through the development of the current thesis. Suggestions for future research and reflections on the strengths and limitations of the research process are embedded throughout. Clinical implications are discussed with reference to a community psychology model.

An expanse of research literature has confirmed that a significant percentage of women are concerned about their body size and appearance. Western cultures have emphasized that women must look good to be worthy. Media attention that alludes to the benefits of a thin, fit body exacerbates women's beliefs that they need to look a certain way to be acceptable and to fit in. How though, can the majority of women fit into a world of contrary ideals? Being strong and healthy does not absolutely mean a woman has to be model thin with conspicuous abdominal muscles and extreme body definition. In the field of art therapy, there has been no specific research to demonstrate the advantages of clay for the exploration of body-image, male or female. The research undertaken focuses on and evaluates the manner and methods in which clay can be employed as an enabling material for body-image issues with women within art therapy practice. With the help of small groups of female participants who were invited to attend sessions in my pottery to make their body-images from clay and join in discussion, I was able to explore within a safe and contained environment the ways in which clay can be utilised within an art therapy setting. None of the women who took part in the research had a diagnosis relating to body-image issues. By pursuing the methods of Participatory Action Research (PAR) for Study One I employed the fundamental features of Cycles of Reflection. The results of Study One assisted me in choosing Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to further the research. In this way, I would be able to identify the most robust of themes within the dialogues of the three women who attended the individual sessions that comprised Study Two. The final results of the research point to a positive and contained means of working with clients and patients in order to provide a significant resource to help women explore and be more accepting of their bodies.

Over the past thirty years, academic dialogue on the relationships between science and religion within historical, theological and philosophical contexts has flourished, with the importance of this dialogue being positively expressed. In particular, at the intersection of psychology and religion there is a triple relationship between these domains and in this thesis, we bring the Hindu tradition of Classical Yoga into this discourse, aiming for a psychological understanding of the Yogasutra of Patañjali as the primary text of this tradition. With a 'psychology in religion' perspective we identify key psychological concepts in the first six sutra of the text, explicate and explore its psychological dimension, through referencing with other key sutra or aphorisms in the Yogasutra. With a robust methodology consisting of a hermeneutic and phenomenological based close reading of the text and rigorous conceptual analysis, we construct a detailed model of the mind contextualised within the principles and practice of Yoga. We discuss the modifications and states of the mind, the underlying subliminal factors; the nature of embodiment, identity and subjective experience, and the affective and volitional aspects of the individual, as explicated from the text. In Section Three of this thesis we take a dialogical and comparative approach at the intersection of psychology and religion. Csikszentmihalyi has asserted that there is a close resemblance between Yoga and Flow, the latter being developed within the domain of Western Positive Psychology. We carry out a detailed comparative analysis of the phenomenology of Flow and Samadhi presented within a proposed methodology and framework of dimensions of subjectivity and consciousness, to investigate this claim. Clarifying the conceptual differences, establishing parallels and demonstrating common topographical and functional areas in the two phenomena, opens the possibility for an empirical investigation, which we propose. Finally, we point out the contributions of this study and suggest future directions for research in this field.

Ma, Chun Fai. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 210-221). / Abstract also in Chinese. / Abstract --- p.5 / 摘要 --- p.6 / Acknowledgements --- p.7 / Introduction A phenomenological study of Being and Nothingness --- p.8 / Chapter §1 --- Explanation of the title of thesis --- p.8 / Chapter §2 --- The historical background: Sartre the existentialist and phenomenologist --- p.9 / Chapter §3 --- Structure of the present research --- p.12 / Chapter (i) --- Scope of research: Being and Nothingness --- p.12 / Chapter (ii) --- Methodology --- p.14 / Chapter (iii) --- Themes and structure of the research --- p.15 / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Sartre´ةs phenomenological method --- p.18 / Chapter §1.1 --- Sartre's project: a “phenomenological ontology'' --- p.18 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- The difficulties for a phenomenological re-interpretation of BN --- p.18 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Sartre´ةs concept of phenomenon --- p.21 / Chapter § 1.2 --- The Husserlian moment: intentional and eidetic analysis --- p.26 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Abschattung and essence --- p.27 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- The percipere: consciousness as the directedness of intentions --- p.31 / Chapter § 1.3 --- The Heideggerian moment: the question of the meaning of Being --- p.34 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- The question of the meaning of Being: Heidegger´ةs ontological difference --- p.34 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Phenomenon of being and being of phenomenon --- p.37 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- A phenomenological anthropology --- p.42 / Chapter §2.1 --- A new motive for phenomenological research --- p.42 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- A follower of the old path? --- p.42 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Husserl and his quest for foundational science --- p.44 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Heidegger and his pursuit of fundamental ontology --- p.47 / Chapter § 2.2 --- A project of phenomenological anthropology --- p.51 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Sartre and his anthropological concern --- p.51 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- The ontology of human reality and its ethical implication --- p.54 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Existential psychoanalysis as a moral description --- p.56 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Human reality versus Dasein? --- p.59 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Being-for-itself and being-in-itself --- p.66 / Chapter §3.1 --- A preliminary sketch of being-for-itself and being-in-itself --- p.66 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- The wrestling between the Husserlian and Heideggerian elements in BN --- p.66 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Two regions of being: their eidetic and ontological implications --- p.69 / Chapter §3.2 --- Being-for-itself as the origin of nothingness (I 'origine du neant) --- p.74 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- The meaning of nothingness (neant) --- p.74 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Consciousness as nihilation (neantis ation) --- p.81 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Consciousness (of) self and pre-reflective cogito --- p.84 / Chapter §3.3 --- Being-in-itself as transcendent object --- p.90 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- The transcendent object and its transphenomenality --- p.91 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- World and instrumentality --- p.94 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- "Human ekstasis: Facticity, Transcendence and Temporality" --- p.100 / Chapter §4.1 --- From nihilation to human ekstasis --- p.100 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- The under-thematized aspects of the For-itself --- p.100 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- The inadequacy of our preceding analysis --- p.102 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- The phenomenological concept of human ekstasis --- p.104 / Chapter §4.2 --- The human ekstasis (1): Facticity --- p.106 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- The For-itself and its pre-destined situation --- p.106 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- "The engagement in projects, tasks and instruments" --- p.108 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Facticity and reality --- p.111 / Chapter §4.3 --- Human ekstasis (2): Transcendence --- p.114 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Transcendence as the ekstasis of the For-itself --- p.114 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Transcendence as projection and surpassing --- p.116 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- The self of For-itself --- p.119 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- The radical undeterminedness of the For-itself --- p.123 / Chapter 4.3.5 --- Possibles and the possibility of being --- p.127 / Chapter 4.3.6 --- Choice and reality: the Transcendence in Facticity --- p.130 / Chapter 4.3.7 --- Value as the being of For-itself --- p.133 / Chapter §4.4 --- Human ekstasis (3): Temporality --- p.138 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- "A naturalistic conception of time, and time as a holistic structure" --- p.138 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- The concreteness of time --- p.141 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Time as the mode of being of For-itself --- p.143 / Chapter 4.4.4 --- The presence of the For-itself: the temporal dimension of Present --- p.145 / Chapter 4.4.5 --- The possibilities of the For-itself: the temporal dimensions of Past and Future --- p.148 / Chapter 4.4.6 --- The primary structure of time --- p.157 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- The phenomenon of bad faith (mauvaise foi) --- p.160 / Chapter §5.1 --- The existential psychoanalysis --- p.160 / Chapter 5.1.1 --- The necessity of an existential psychoanalysis --- p.160 / Chapter 5.1.2 --- A lie to oneself and a lie to the other --- p.162 / Chapter 5.1.3 --- The “anti-ethical´ح character of bad faith --- p.166 / Chapter §5.2 --- The descriptive examination on concrete instances of bad faith --- p.168 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- The dating woman (1): the confinement of human Transcendence and Temporality --- p.169 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- The dating woman (2): the disintegration of human Transcendence and Facticity --- p.176 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- The homosexual: the manipulation and disintegration of human Temporality --- p.181 / Chapter §5.3 --- The “ideal´ح mode of being: on sincerity and authenticity --- p.188 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Sincerity as the opposite of bad faith? --- p.188 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Descriptive analysis on concrete instances of sincerity --- p.190 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- An examination unfinished: authenticity as the “ideal´ح mode of being --- p.196 / Conclusion --- p.202 / Chapter §1 --- The phenomenological and anthropological-ethical contribution of Being and Nothingness --- p.202 / Chapter §2 --- "The limitation of this thesis, and possible directions for further investigation" --- p.205 / Bibliography --- p.210 / Chapter 1 --- Works by Sartre --- p.210 / Chapter 2 --- English/ French materials --- p.210 / Chapter 3 --- Chinese materials --- p.221

Adjustment to prison culture may influence the development of psychological issues for some individuals and may contribute to the difficulties of reentry to society, potentially contributing to the high rates of recidivism. The purpose of this study was to explore prisonization and its potential psychological effects from the perspective of individuals who experienced it. The theoretical foundation used to guide this study was the constructivist self-development theory, which can be used to explain how individuals may or may not have been affected by their traumatic experience. The participants for this phenomenological study included 10 individuals who experienced incarceration to fulfill the purpose of exploring psychological effects that may have developed during incarceration. The open-ended research questions that were used in this study were designed to obtain a full description of the prisonization and postincarceration experience, including any psychological issues that may have resulted from the incarceration experience. The process of explicitation, which included bracketing, extracting unique themes, and summarizing, was used to analyze the collected data. The interviews suggested that symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder may result from the prisonization experience. It is hoped that the results of this study may bring to awareness the psychological effects that can develop in some individuals during incarceration and may contribute to the difficulties of successful reentry to society.

Victims of childhood trauma are vulnerable to substance abuse due to their inability to develop coping skills following trauma, which can lead to criminal and violent behavior. Guided by the ecodevelopmental theory, this phenomenological study attempted to relate the perceived experiences of violent behaviors as a result of methamphetamine use in women to the types of childhood trauma the women experienced. Fourteen women were recruited using purposive sampling in collaboration with the South Brunswick Counseling Center, based on inclusion criteria that included being over the age of 18; having abstained from methamphetamine use for at least a year; having experienced a childhood trauma including physical, sexual, emotional/verbal abuse or neglect; and having perpetrated violence against others as an adult while under the influence of methamphetamine. Data were analyzed using Moustakas' qualitative analysis method and revealed 5 themes: unresolved anger over childhood trauma, 'roller coaster of emotions,' lack of coping resources, initial negative influences, and therapist influence. The participants confirmed previous research findings that unresolved anger over past childhood trauma is the main consequence associated with methamphetamine-induced violence. The study impacts social change by adding to the body of knowledge regarding the shared experiences of these women between childhood trauma and methamphetamine-induced violence. These findings could aid in the development of community-based prevention and intervention programs for victims of childhood trauma, mental health professionals establishing evidence-based interventions, and victims' parents, who are susceptible to substance abuse and resulting violence.

Few colleges and universities have adopted the practice to provide credits for the majority of undergraduate coursework for military career training. Easing the transition from military to civilian life has become a priority for the Department of Defense, yet there is a significant gap in empirical knowledge regarding the potential benefits of a college degree on soldiers exiting the military. The purpose of this study was to understand the lived experiences of Army Medics who have transitioned back into civilian life after graduating from a college degree program that grants significant credit for military training. This phenomenological study used a conceptual framework derived from Schlossberg's adult transition theory. Data were collected from a focus group, semi-structured interviews, and interviewer notes. Seven participants were identified through purposive sampling. Interview transcripts and interviewer notes were analyzed using the Van Kaam method and yielded 4 pre-transition and 6 transitional themes. Findings indicated that the participants' initial fears of the transition were replaced with higher perceptions of self-worth and confidence, which benefitted them as they assimilated back into civilian society. The implications for positive social change include informing the Department of Defense and policymakers who are supporting soldiers transitioning to civilian life about study participants' increased feelings of self-worth and confidence upon degree completion.

With approximately 65 stillbirths occurring each day in the United States, a significant number of parents are left to navigate a difficult grieving process. An event like stillbirth presents many individual and relational challenges. For this study, researchers focused on the hospital experience for couples following notification of stillbirth. Interviews were held with 8 couples that had experienced stillbirth within the past 10 years. Researchers wanted to know what similarities and differences existed in how mothers and fathers described the clinical encounter. The data for this study were collected through interviews. Couples were encouraged to share as much or as little as they’d like about the hospital experience. Couples were also asked to describe how they experienced the clinical encounter as individuals and as a couple. Participants in this study were also given the opportunity to provide feedback on what doctors and other hospital staff could do to assist individuals and couples during this difficult time. Participants discussed how hospital staff helped to shape the experience. This was done both in their interactions with staff and the accommodations that were made. Some parents described hospital staff as “gems” or their “angels” while others reported the pain of hospital staff invalidating their experience. While similarities existed in how parents experienced the clinical encounter, each participant’s experience was unique. Studies should continue to be conducted in an effort to further develop evidence-based practices in hospitals meant to help parents navigate this difficult experience.