Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:30:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 4979.pdf: 1038551 bytes, checksum: 709a439c826b0d6630ae64c9c4187eb8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-07 / Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos / This dissertation is a compendium of four scientific papers. Each paper describes a stage of the study, with the final goal of evaluating the effectiveness of different materials to increase parents knowledge on abusive head trauma. The first paper describes a review of national and international literature, which aimed to give a current overview of abusive head trauma (AHT). According to the review, AHT can be defined as injury to the skull and intracranial contents to a child due to a sudden unintentional impact and/or a violent shaking. It occurs mainly with babies and children under 1 year of age and can result in serious consequences for children's development, including death. Although there are specific signs for this type of abuse, it can be mistaken for common child illnesses or accidental head trauma. Thus, it is essential that health professionals are trained for the correct diagnosis. One of the main factors associated with its occurrence is the baby crying, which highlights the need for intervention with parents in order to teach them about child development and safe strategies to deal with the baby. The second paper aimed to investigate the knowledge of newborn parents about some characteristics associated with AHT, such as the pattern of the infant crying in the first months of life, strategies to deal with the crying baby and the consequences of shaking a baby. The results indicated a lack of knowledge about the severity of shaking a baby, as well as a possible Brazilian belief that babies should not be left crying alone. In this sense, there is a need for these issues to be addressed in AHT prevention efforts. The third paper aimed to investigate the belief of Brazilian parents about corporal punishment to infants, and its possible relation with abusive head trauma. As opposed to the international literature, participants of this study did not consider shaking as an appropriate strategy to discipline the baby, agreeing more with this strategy when it aimed to sooth the baby. Furthermore, the results indicated that the caregivers evaluation about the strategy s harm potential seems to influence its adoption in discipline and soothing contexts. Finally, the last paper describes the evaluation of the effectiveness of three different informational materials to increase knowledge of Brazilian parents about this type of abuse. The materials consisted of a video on abusive head trauma, a pamphlet individually read on the AHT, and a video on child safety, unrelated to AHT and used for comparison purposes. The results suggest that reading the pamphlet could be a useful strategy in prevention programs, since it increased participants' knowledge about the severity of shaking a baby, as well as the likelihood of using strategies to distance themselves from the baby when stressed by the crying. Although less significant, the results of the group who watched the video on the AHT also indicated an increase in knowledge about the average number of daily hours of baby crying. It is hoped that the results found in this dissertation will guide future AHT preventive efforts in Brazil. / A presente dissertação foi escrita no formato de um compêndio de quatro textos científicos. Cada artigo descreve uma etapa do estudo, que teve como objetivo avaliar a eficácia de diferentes materiais informativos para aumentar o conhecimento de pais de recém-nascidos sobre o trauma craniano violento pediátrico. O primeiro artigo descreve uma revisão da literatura nacional e internacional, que teve como objetivo traçar um panorama atual do trauma craniano violento (TCV). De acordo com a revisão, o TCV pode ser definido como a lesão ao crânio ou ao conteúdo intracraniano de uma criança devido a um impacto brusco intencional e/ou a uma sacudida violenta. Ocorre principalmente com bebês e crianças menores de 1 ano de idade e pode resultar em consequências graves ao desenvolvimento infantil, incluindo a morte. Apesar de haver sinais específicos para esta forma de maus-tratos, eles podem se confundir com doenças comuns em crianças ou traumas cranianos acidentais. Deste modo, torna-se imprescindível o preparo clínico dos profissionais de saúde para o diagnóstico correto. Um dos principais fatores associados à sua ocorrência é o choro do bebê, destacando a necessidade de intervenção com pais no sentido de ensiná-los sobre desenvolvimento infantil e estratégias seguras para lidar com o bebê. O segundo artigo visou investigar o conhecimento de pais de recém-nascidos sobre algumas características associadas a esta forma de maus-tratos, tais como o padrão do choro do bebê nos primeiros meses de vida, as estratégias para lidar com o choro e as consequências de sacudi-lo. Os resultados indicaram um desconhecimento dos participantes sobre a gravidade de se sacudir um bebê, bem como uma possível crença brasileira de que os bebês não devem ser deixados chorando sozinho. Neste sentido, destaca-se a necessidade dessas questões serem contempladas nas ações de prevenção do TCV. O terceiro artigo objetivou investigar a crença de pais brasileiros sobre a punição corporal em bebês e sua possível relação com o trauma craniano violento. Diferentemente do que aponta a literatura internacional, os participantes do presente estudo não consideraram o sacudir como uma estratégia adequada para disciplinar o bebê, obtendo maior concordância quando avaliada em seu potencial tranquilizador. Além disso, os resultados indicaram que a avaliação que os cuidadores fazem do potencial prejudicial de determinada estratégia parece influenciar sua adoção no cuidado com o bebê, tanto para acalmá-lo, quanto para discipliná-lo. Por fim, o último artigo descreve a avaliação da eficácia de três materiais informativos diferentes para o aumento do conhecimento de pais brasileiros sobre essa forma de maus-tratos. Os materiais consistiram em um vídeo sobre o trauma craniano violento, um panfleto sobre o TCV e um vídeo sobre segurança infantil, que não abordava o TCV e foi utilizado como comparação. Os resultados sugerem que o e leitura individual do panfleto pode ser uma estratégia útil em programas de prevenção, uma vez que a mesma aumentou o conhecimento dos participantes sobre a gravidade de sacudir um bebê, bem como a probabilidade de utilizarem estratégias de se afastar do bebê, quando estressados pelo choro. Apesar de menos expressivos, os resultados do grupo que assistiu ao vídeo sobre o TCV também indicaram um aumento no conhecimento sobre o número médio diário de horas de choro do bebê. Espera-se que os resultados encontrados na presente dissertação possam fornecer embasamento para futuras ações de prevenção dessa forma de maus-tratos.

An adult female sample of childhood sexual abuse survivors (N=467) were surveyed to determine whether internalized shame moderated the effects of sexual inhibited difficulties. Other variables such as severity, duration, and frequency of sexual abuse, as well as whether physical abuse was also part of their experience, were examined to determine their role in later sexual inhibition. It was predicted that there would be a significant positive relationship between 1) Scores on variables of physical abuse, severity of abuse, frequency of abuse, duration of abuse, identity of the perpetrator and scores on the variable of inhibited sexual difficulties; 2) Scores of internalized shame and scores of inhibited sexual difficulties and 3) Scores on variable of physical abuse, severity of abuse, frequency of abuse, duration of abuse, identity of the perpetrator and scores on the variables of internalized shame. Through Structural Equation Modeling using AMOS, the results indicated a statistically significant positive relationship between severity, frequency and inhibited sexual disturbances but found no direct relationship between physical abuse, the identity of the perpetrator, the duration of the abuse and inhibited sexual disturbances. Results also indicated that shame had a direct positive relationship to inhibited sexual disturbances. The third finding was that physical abuse and severity of abuse had a significant positive relationship with shame which implies that shame is a moderating variable for inhibited sexual disturbances in adult women survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Internalized shame may be an important factor for therapists to consider in helping survivors overcome sexual inhibition as a result of childhood sexual abuse. If a woman develops a shame-prone identity she may be at risk for experiencing inhibition in her sexuality.

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The purpose of this research was to describe and explain crimes against women in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. It was conducted by means of a literature review, followed by empirical research, based on police dockets, against the background of Seligman's theory on learned helplessness. The literature review was used to design a research schedule. The schedule was used for data capturing from police dockets from the Crime Information Analysis Centre (QAQ at their Gauteng Regional office in Johannesburg. From this data, a convenience sample, consisting of 303 cases, was compiled. These cases were reported at the charge offices of Pretoria-Moot Villieria, Pretoria-North, Pretoria-West Eersterust and Hillbrow, for the period between 1 January 1997 and 1 March 1998. Finally, recommendations are made for the design of preventative strategies, and suggestions are made for possible future research. / Die doel van hierdie navorsing was om misdade teen vroue in die Gauteng Provinsie van Suid-Afrika te beskryf en te verklaar. Dit is gedoen aan die hand van literatuurstudie, en is uitgebrei met 'n empiriese ondersoek wat op polisiedossiere ebaseer is, teen die agtergrond van Seligman se teorie van aangeleerde hulpeloosheid. Die literatuurstudie is gebruik om 'n skedule te ontwerp. Die navorsingskedule is gebruik vir datavangs uit polisiedossiere. Die polisiedossiere van die Misdaadinligting-Analisesentrum (MIAS) van Gauteng se streekkantoor in Johannesburg is gebruik vir die samestelling van 'n gerieflikheidsteekproef bestaande uit 303 gevalle. Hierdie gevalle kom uit die aanmeldings by die aanklagkantore van Pretoria-Moot/ Villieria, Pretoria-Noord, Pretoria-Wes, Eersterust en Hillbrow, en wel tussen 1 Januarie 1997 en 1 Maart 1998. Ten slotte word aanbevelings vir die ontwerp van voorkomingstrategie gedoen en voorstelle vir moontlike toekomstige navorsing gemaak. / Criminology / M.A. (Criminology)

In this qualitative study five police stations in the Tshwane Policing Precinct were selected. The objectives were to describe and explore the South African Police Service (SAPS) officials’ experiences on the nature and extent of domestic violence and the responsive strategies by relevant stakeholders thereof. Data collection literature review and key informant interviews were selected. Purposive sampling was adopted to cater for 40 sworn SAPS officials; each station was represented by seven participants. The findings suggest that many academics around the world overlook the importance women and children as core victims. As a result, they become the neglected people in our society. Thus, there is no simple solution to this crime to date. For recommendations a multi-agency approach whereby all relevant stakeholders try to address this scourge is needed to enhance reporting channels, advance SAPS skills and obtain more convictions. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Policing)

In this study, the research problem sought to explore the degree of implementation of the Domestic Violence Act 116 of 1998 by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS). The Domestic Violence Act clearly stipulates the responsibilities of members of the South African Police Service in terms of the policing and management of domestic violence. Data was collected by means of a literature study and individual interviews conducted with SAPS members at the station level. These police officials are responsible for implementing the provisions set out in the DVA. The researcher also drew on her investigative experience in the SAPS, including the investigation of domestic violence. In addition, the researcher conducted a comprehensive literature study of national legislation, internal SAPS policies and directives that govern and promote the regulation of domestic violence in South Africa, the policing of domestic violence, media and newspaper reports as well as library resources and international studies. The findings of the research indicate that participants had a diverse understanding of domestic violence. This study also serves as testimony that the majority of the participants perceived and experienced the implementation of the DVA by the SAPS in various ways. However, participants understand their role and responsibilities to efficiently implement the provisions of the DVA. It was further determined that most of the participants knew their responsibilities regarding record keeping in incidences of domestic violence, and that members of the SAPS knew the procedure to follow in order to serve protection orders. It is, however, questionable whether they will be able to do so when necessary as most of them have not served it themselves as there are specific members at the station level who have been designated the duty of serving protection orders. However, it became evident that SAPS members are confronted with various challenges, at the station level, which hinder the proper implementation of the DVA. The recommendations made in this study may provide the SAPS with knowledge regarding the challenges and shortcomings that police officials experience in effectively implementing the provisions set out in the DVA, the role and responsibilities of SAPS members to efficiently implement the DVA, as well as the training and resources necessary to effectively execute the DVA. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Policing)

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the relationship between Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) symptoms and childhood experiences, and to explore the role of Early Maladaptive Schemas and core beliefs as variables possibly mediating this relationship. Previous research with clinical samples has established a strong link between childhood maltreatment and adult BPD (& other PD) symptoms in clinical samples. However, difficulties with these studies limit the specificity of results. For example, BPD has been shown to be highly comorbid with other axis I and axis II psychiatric conditions. Given that studies examining the relationship between BPD and childhood maltreatment generally fail to control for these comorbid conditions, the specificity of their results must be questioned. Furthermore, it has been well established that childhood familial environment is strongly related to childhood maltreatment. Again studies examining the relationship between BPD and childhood maltreatment have generally failed to concurrently assess childhood familial environments, hence opening the possibility that the relationship between BPD and childhood maltreatment may be due to family functioning rather than childhood maltreatment per se. Finally, studies linking childhood maltreatment with adult BPD have primarily utilized clinical samples. However, the primary use of clinical samples to examine the aetiology of disorders in this context ignores the vast literature showing adequate psychological functio ning for the majority of individuals exposed to childhood maltreatment. Hence, the primary aim of the current study was to examine the relationship between childhood maltreatment and adult BPD symptoms in a primarily non-clinical sample whilst statistically controlling for commonly comorbid axis I and axis II symptomatology and concurrently measuring childhood familial functioning. It was a secondary aim of the current study to examine the mediating effects of beliefs on the relationship between childhood factors (i.e., childhood maltreatment & childhood familial functioning) and adult BPD symptomatology. That is, cognitive-behavioural theorists argue that personality disorders may be triggered by adverse childhood experiences leading to maladaptive beliefs (or schemas) related to the self, others, and the world, and it is these beliefs which lead to the behavioural disturbances evident in personality disorders. One hundred and eighty-five primarily non-clinical participants completed questionnaires measuring a variety of axis I and axis II symptoms, early maladaptive schemas and core beliefs, as well as retrospective reports of family functioning and childhood maltreatment. Results showed a significant relationship between childhood factors and adult BPD symptomatology. For example, the largest correlation between BPD symptoms and a childhood factor was .27 (for childhood emotional abuse). Furthermore, early maladaptive schemas and core beliefs were found to mediate the relationship between childhood factors and adult BPD symptomatology thus supporting cognitive-behavioural theories of personality disorders. However, early maladaptive schemas and core beliefs were also found to mediate the relationship between childhood factors and other Axis I and Axis II symptoms. Hence, it was concluded that while there was some support for a cognitive mediation hypothesis for BPD symptoms, future research is needed in exploring the specificity of the cognitive mediation hypothesis for BPD.