No description available.

Understanding the social impacts of tourism is important as it enables tourism managers and developers to manage the impacts toward fostering vital community support for the industry. More so the distinction between the tangible and intangible social impacts can refine tourism management, development and marketing processes. The measurement and management of these impacts are fairly straight forward in developed countries. However in developing countries, such as South Africa, more challenges exist in identifying and managing their impacts to the benefit of a wider community. South Africa has one of the most unequal distributions of income in the world as well as a very high unemployment rate which all complicates the understanding and management of these impacts. All factors taken into account create prevailing socio-political, economic as well as cultural barriers. This translates into community members not necessarily obtaining tangible benefits from the tourism industry such as increased levels of income, job creation and infrastructure development for instance, which is the ideal situation. The social exchange theory explains that these residents might as a result deter their support for the tourism industry. However it is important to determine which types of benefits will lead to increased levels of community support and therefore the following research questions can be formulated: “What are the tangible and intangible social impacts of tourism on communities and how strong is the role they play in fostering community support for the tourism industry?” Therefore the primary goal of this thesis was to conduct a critical assessment of the social impacts of tourism on selected communities with reference to the tangible and intangible impacts. This primary goal was reached through the achievement of four objectives. The first objective was a critical analysis of literature pertaining to sociology and how communities perceive tourism from a sociological perspective. The review analysed communities’ roles in tourism, barriers that hinder them from partaking in the industry as well as recommendations that were made to overcome the barriers. The term “social impact” as well as models that explain how and why social impacts take place, were analysed. This objective provided a foundation for the rest of the study in terms of social impacts of tourism on communities. The second objective was to critically analyse the social impacts that originate as a result of tourism activity, but to interpret it from a tangible contrasted with intangible point of view. This was done in order to create a better understanding what role tangible and intangible social impacts play, as well as how strong a role it plays in influencing community perceptions. The third objective was to determine the residents’ perceptions of tangible and intangible social impacts of tourism on three tourism dependent communities in South Africa as well as to determine the variables that influence the perceptions of these impacts. This was done with the aim of creating a model for measuring the tangible and intangible social impacts of tourism which will allow for improved marketing and managing of tourism in South African communities. The distinction between the tangible and intangible social impacts of tourism in mind, a selfadministered questionnaire was distributed in three tourism-dependent communities in South Africa by means of probability sampling within stratified sampling. The communities included in the research were Clarens (n=251), Soweto (n=375) and Jeffreys Bay (n=417). The questionnaires were captured in Microsoft Excel and analysed in the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS v 20.0.0), while the software package, Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS v 21.0.0) was utilised for the Structural Equation Model (SEM). The analysis of the data was done over three phases. The first phase was exploratory research which included the use of two-way frequency tables for compiling a combined community profile as well as two Exploratory Factor Analyses to explore the ways in which tangible and intangible social impacts can be grouped. In the second phase, Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA) revealed the theoretical model with four reliable tangible social impacts and two reliable intangible impacts. The tangible social impacts included: environmental improvement; environmental degradation; cost of daily living; and economic improvement while the intangible social impacts included: community upliftment and pride and community protection and education. The intangible social impact, community upliftment and pride was perceived as the most important impact, thus revealing the power of intangible social impacts for fostering community support for tourism. Significant to this study it was found that community members remained supportive of the industry, even if they are not directly involved in it. It was furthermore found that the communities are not homogenous which holds major implications for tourism planners and managers. This resulted in further analyses to compare the communities. Analyses were done in order to determine the influence of variables such as tourism perceptions, involvement in the tourism industry as well as residents’ levels of education on the perceptions of the tangible and intangible social impacts of tourism. Very few instances were found where these aspects acted as strong predictors of the perceptions of tangible and intangible social impacts of tourism. During the third and final phase, a model was developed for measuring the relationships between the tangible and intangible social impacts of tourism. This innovative model has been optimised so that it can be applied to other tourism dependents communities in South Africa. This model can thus assist tourism planners and managers to understand the tangible and intangible impacts as a result of tourism in the designated communities as well as how these communities will perceive the impacts. This model thus serves as a tool for maximising the positive social impacts created by tourism and minimising the negative, thus contributing to the sustainable development of the industry. The last objective was to draw conclusions and make recommendations with regard to the objectives of the study. The contributions of the study were also discussed as part of this objective. It was determined that this study makes multiple contributions towards social impact literature in tourism, towards the applicable methodology of determining social impacts in developing countries as well as practical contributions that will inform future planning and development in communities. This thesis firstly contributed towards the literature by distinguishing between tangible and intangible social impacts within a tourism and developmental context. These categorised social impacts can also be used in future research as it contributes to the research methodology through the development of a questionnaire that can measure the tangible and intangible social impacts of tourism within a South African context. This measuring instrument can also be used in future research. The finding which revealed that the intangible element (community upliftment and pride) was the most important to local residents has implications for tourism planning and development. It is therefore a factor that should be taken into account in future research. There are also several practical implications for tourism marketers, managers and developers. The development of the tangibleintangible impact model provides the latter with an instrument that can be used to measure and effectively manage the various social impacts of tourism. It is clear that communities cannot be seen as homogeneous, therefore individual planning should be done based on the character and composition of the applicable communities. / PhD (Tourism Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Understanding the social impacts of tourism is important as it enables tourism managers and developers to manage the impacts toward fostering vital community support for the industry. More so the distinction between the tangible and intangible social impacts can refine tourism management, development and marketing processes. The measurement and management of these impacts are fairly straight forward in developed countries. However in developing countries, such as South Africa, more challenges exist in identifying and managing their impacts to the benefit of a wider community. South Africa has one of the most unequal distributions of income in the world as well as a very high unemployment rate which all complicates the understanding and management of these impacts. All factors taken into account create prevailing socio-political, economic as well as cultural barriers. This translates into community members not necessarily obtaining tangible benefits from the tourism industry such as increased levels of income, job creation and infrastructure development for instance, which is the ideal situation. The social exchange theory explains that these residents might as a result deter their support for the tourism industry. However it is important to determine which types of benefits will lead to increased levels of community support and therefore the following research questions can be formulated: “What are the tangible and intangible social impacts of tourism on communities and how strong is the role they play in fostering community support for the tourism industry?” Therefore the primary goal of this thesis was to conduct a critical assessment of the social impacts of tourism on selected communities with reference to the tangible and intangible impacts. This primary goal was reached through the achievement of four objectives. The first objective was a critical analysis of literature pertaining to sociology and how communities perceive tourism from a sociological perspective. The review analysed communities’ roles in tourism, barriers that hinder them from partaking in the industry as well as recommendations that were made to overcome the barriers. The term “social impact” as well as models that explain how and why social impacts take place, were analysed. This objective provided a foundation for the rest of the study in terms of social impacts of tourism on communities. The second objective was to critically analyse the social impacts that originate as a result of tourism activity, but to interpret it from a tangible contrasted with intangible point of view. This was done in order to create a better understanding what role tangible and intangible social impacts play, as well as how strong a role it plays in influencing community perceptions. The third objective was to determine the residents’ perceptions of tangible and intangible social impacts of tourism on three tourism dependent communities in South Africa as well as to determine the variables that influence the perceptions of these impacts. This was done with the aim of creating a model for measuring the tangible and intangible social impacts of tourism which will allow for improved marketing and managing of tourism in South African communities. The distinction between the tangible and intangible social impacts of tourism in mind, a selfadministered questionnaire was distributed in three tourism-dependent communities in South Africa by means of probability sampling within stratified sampling. The communities included in the research were Clarens (n=251), Soweto (n=375) and Jeffreys Bay (n=417). The questionnaires were captured in Microsoft Excel and analysed in the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS v 20.0.0), while the software package, Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS v 21.0.0) was utilised for the Structural Equation Model (SEM). The analysis of the data was done over three phases. The first phase was exploratory research which included the use of two-way frequency tables for compiling a combined community profile as well as two Exploratory Factor Analyses to explore the ways in which tangible and intangible social impacts can be grouped. In the second phase, Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA) revealed the theoretical model with four reliable tangible social impacts and two reliable intangible impacts. The tangible social impacts included: environmental improvement; environmental degradation; cost of daily living; and economic improvement while the intangible social impacts included: community upliftment and pride and community protection and education. The intangible social impact, community upliftment and pride was perceived as the most important impact, thus revealing the power of intangible social impacts for fostering community support for tourism. Significant to this study it was found that community members remained supportive of the industry, even if they are not directly involved in it. It was furthermore found that the communities are not homogenous which holds major implications for tourism planners and managers. This resulted in further analyses to compare the communities. Analyses were done in order to determine the influence of variables such as tourism perceptions, involvement in the tourism industry as well as residents’ levels of education on the perceptions of the tangible and intangible social impacts of tourism. Very few instances were found where these aspects acted as strong predictors of the perceptions of tangible and intangible social impacts of tourism. During the third and final phase, a model was developed for measuring the relationships between the tangible and intangible social impacts of tourism. This innovative model has been optimised so that it can be applied to other tourism dependents communities in South Africa. This model can thus assist tourism planners and managers to understand the tangible and intangible impacts as a result of tourism in the designated communities as well as how these communities will perceive the impacts. This model thus serves as a tool for maximising the positive social impacts created by tourism and minimising the negative, thus contributing to the sustainable development of the industry. The last objective was to draw conclusions and make recommendations with regard to the objectives of the study. The contributions of the study were also discussed as part of this objective. It was determined that this study makes multiple contributions towards social impact literature in tourism, towards the applicable methodology of determining social impacts in developing countries as well as practical contributions that will inform future planning and development in communities. This thesis firstly contributed towards the literature by distinguishing between tangible and intangible social impacts within a tourism and developmental context. These categorised social impacts can also be used in future research as it contributes to the research methodology through the development of a questionnaire that can measure the tangible and intangible social impacts of tourism within a South African context. This measuring instrument can also be used in future research. The finding which revealed that the intangible element (community upliftment and pride) was the most important to local residents has implications for tourism planning and development. It is therefore a factor that should be taken into account in future research. There are also several practical implications for tourism marketers, managers and developers. The development of the tangibleintangible impact model provides the latter with an instrument that can be used to measure and effectively manage the various social impacts of tourism. It is clear that communities cannot be seen as homogeneous, therefore individual planning should be done based on the character and composition of the applicable communities. / PhD (Tourism Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Masters of Art / Die teoretiese tradisie aan die basis van die navorsingstuk is dié van die sosiolinguistiese teorie. Eksponente van hierdie teorie, maak benewens die linguistiese ook bemoeienis met die sosiale dimensie van taal. In aansluiting by Rubin & Jemudd (1971: xiv) wat argumenteer dat taalbeplanning deel van sosiale verandering is en daarom onderhewig is aan reëls van hierdie tipe verandering, kan taalbeplanning nie in isolasie geskied met sosiale beplanning nie. Hierdie studie is 'n ondersoek na die wyse waarop veeltaligheid hanteer word. In hierdie verband word ingegaan op die rol van buitelinguistiese faktore in die taalbeplanningsprosesse. Vanuit 'n sosiolinguistiese perspektief word taalbeplanning noodwendig beïnvloed deur breër sosiale faktore soos ekonomiese, sosiale, politieke, demografiese en psigologiese. Hierdie studie ondersoek die rol van nasionalisme, meer spesifiek Afrikaner-nasionalisme, in die hantering van die veeltalige karakter van Suid-Afrika. Daarbenewens word 'n oorsig gebied van die wyse waarop enkele Afrikalande met onafhanklikheid hul veeltaligheid hanteer het. Daar word veral gefokusseer op die rol van kolonialisme asook op welke wyse die breër politieke strewe In die lig van die voorafgaande word 'n kritiese analise gegee van die voorgestelde taalbeleid vir 'n veranderde Suid-Afrika.

Magister Artium - MA / Psychological interventions can take place in a number of ways. The familiar one-to-one therapeutic approach is appropriate in most cases, but within certain contexts the following can be considered as disadvantages of such an approach: it is expensive; it can only involve a small number (one or two) people at any given time. The result is that only a few people can afford this type of service, as well as the under-utilization of professional people's ingenuity and expertise. This is especially the state of affairs pervasive within the South African context, where there exists a great need to involve more clients simultaneously. The latter can be achieved by using the model of the Psycho development process. As a result, Psycho-development programmes has become increasingly relevant in Psychology, Education and associated disciplines. Family Psychology is a field which presents a number of possibilities, concerning the social development of married couples. The development of psycho-social life-skills of married couples, is a specific area in which little research has been done to date - a fact which should be noted. The purpose of the present study was to devise a programme for the development of psycho-social life-skills for married couples. In addition, the results of the programme on an experimental group of married couples were ascertained. For evaluation of the effectiveness of the 'programme, a qualitative evaluation was done by conducting informal discussions with couples who participated. in the programme. 287 In conclusion, the general applicability of the programme for continued use, was assessed. The motivation for the present research was two-folded. Firstly, the author observed deficiencies in the psycho-social life-skills of couples. This observation was reinforced and confirmed through discussions with married couples, social workers and psychologists. Secondly, the assumption that the development of psycho-social life-skills should receive more attention, was confirmed through relevant literature. Most of the existing enrichment-programmes have limited attraction for potential couples. The programme that has been developed to address the problem of deficient psycho-social life-skills of couples, consists of the following sections, namely, "Getting acquainted and listing of strength "Why couples argue II j "Win-Win conflict negotiation" j "Understanding one another and communicating love to your parner"j "Sharing your feelings with your partner and assessing your sexual relationship". The assumption was that there would be a significant difference between couples that took part in a intervention programme (experimental group) and couples that did not take part in a intervention programme (control group). This was operationalised by involving 38 couples (sample) of which 18 couples (experimental group) took part in the intervention programme and 20 couples (control group) who did not take part in the intervention programme. During evaluation the fuctioning of couples was used as criteria, using the Dyadic Adjustment scale (Spanier, 1976) as the evaluation-instrument. The programme was implemented at the beginning of 1996 by applying it to an experimental group. Both the randomly selected experimental group and the control group (N = 76) were assessed by using the standardized measuring instrument. After pre-testing, the programme was implemented over a period of five weeks. Re-measurement (post-testing) occurred during the following two weeks and the follow-on measurement (post-posttesting), 17 weeks after the implementation of the program. Statistical analysis (quantitative investigation) after the implementation of the programme, indicated that the experimental group derived considerable benefit from the programme. This group obtained significantly better results than the control group in every section covered by the programme. These conclusions agree with the predominantly positive comments of the. participants about the quality and suitability of the programme. In conclusion it can be said that the main objectives of the research were accomplished, namely to devise a functional programme for the development of psycho-social life-skills for married couples, and that the validity of the programme has been established, both quantitatively and qualitatively.

Alhoewel dit hierdie jaar agtien jaar gelede is, nadat die Apartheidsisteem tot ‘n einde gekom het, kan die voetspore van verdeeldheid op grond van ras en etnisiteit tog nog gesien word in die Suid-Afrikaanse samelewing. Verskeie akademici erken wel dat die land ver gekom het in terme van versoening en sosiale kohesie, maar dat daar nog ‘n lang pad voorlê. Statistiek Suid-Afrika toon aan dat die Suid-Afrikaanse samelewing oorwegend religieus is, daarom is die navorser se vermoede dat die kerk ‘n groter rol kan en moet speel in terme van die bevordering van versoening en sosiale kohesie in Suid-Afrika. Die navorser stel dus ondersoek in na multikulturele liturgieë en of multikulturele eredienste as rolspelers in die bevordering van versoening en sosiale kohesie. Die vraagstelling van die navorsing is dus: Watter ritueel-liturgiese kwaliteite tydens multikulturele aanbidding kan ‘n positiewe en opbouende effek op sosiale kohesie en versoening in die huidige Suid-Afrikaanse konteks hê? Die navorser het die navorsingsvraag ondersoek deur middel van ‘n literatuurstudie in die veld van liturgie, antropologie en ook sosiologie. Die vraag is ook verder ondersoek deur middel van empiriese navorsing by drie verskillende multikulturele eredienste in Pretoria. Die volgende aspekte is deur die loop van die jaar nagevors: <ul> <li> Teologiese en sosiologiese interpretasie van die huidige sosiale konteks van Suid-Afrika – in hierdie gedeelte van die navorsing het die navorser gepoog om die konteks van die Suid-Afrikaanse samelewing vir die leser weer te gee. Daar is grotendeels gebruik gemaak van die Sensus 2001 om die demografiese gegewens van Suid-Afrika weer te gee. Verder is die samelewing ook ondersoek deur gebruik te maak van sentrale teoretiese begrippe naamlik vergifnis, versoening, sosiale transformasie, sosiale kohesie en sosiale identiteit.</li> <li> Die aard van multikultulturele eredienste en die waarde van simbole, rituele en seremonies – in hierdie hoofstuk word daar ondersoek ingestel na die teologie van multikulturele liturgieë. Eerstens word daar gekyk na die waarde van simbole, rituele en seremonies binne multikulturele eredienste. Daarna word die ontwikkeling van die liturgie soos beïnvloed deur kultuur in breë trekke beskryf. Die essensie van aanbidding word ook op die tafel geplaas. Laastens word ‘n voorlopige teologie van multikulturele eredienste saamgestel uit die literatuurstudie.</li> <li> Gedetailleerde beskrywing van drie onderskeie eredienste – die drie multikulturele eredienste word in die fynste detail beskryf na aanleiding van wat voor, tydens en na die erediens gebeur. Die struktuur van die kerkgebou asook die liturgiese ruimte word in detail weer gegee.</li> <li> Empiriese navorsingsdata (fokusgroepe) analise – die navorser het onderhoude gevoer met gekose kandidate wat gereeld die onderskeie multikulturele eredienste bywoon om verdere kennis aangaande mense se belewenis van die eredienste in te samel.</li></ul> Die gevolgtrekking van die navorsing vind dan neerslag in die voorlopige teorie van multikulturele eredienste wat versoening en sosiale kohesie bevorder. ENGLISH : Although 2012 marks eighteen years since the demise of Apartheid, traces of division based on race and ethnicity can still be witnessed in the South African society. Several academics acknowledge that the country has made good progress with regards to reconciliation and social cohesion but that there is still a lot of work to be done. Statistics South Africa show that the majority of the South African society are religious. The researcher therefore supposes that the church can play a greater role in the promotion and strengthening of reconciliation and social cohesion. The research question are therefore as follows: Which ritual-liturgical qualities during multicultural worship can have a positive and edifying effect on social cohesion and reconciliation in the current South African context? The researcher has investigated this research question through a literature study in the fields of liturgy, anthropology and sociology. The research question was furthermore investigated through means of empirical research at three different multicultural worship services in Pretoria. The following aspects were studied throughout this year: <ul> <li> Theological and sociological interpretations of the current social context in South Africa – in this part of the research the researcher focused on providing the reader with a reflection on the current context in South Africa. The researcher primarily made use of the South African Census of 2001 to present the demographic information of the country. The society was also investigated by making use of a number of central concepts including forgiveness, reconciliation, social transformation, social cohesion and social identity.</li> <li> The nature of multicultural worship and the value of symbols, rituals and ceremonies – in this chapter multicultural liturgies are investigated. Firstly the researcher looks at the value of symbols, rituals and ceremonies in multicultural worship services. The development of liturgy as it was influenced by culture are discussed in broad terms. The essence of worship is also touched upon. Lastly a preliminary theology of multicultural worship services are developed based on the literature study.</li> <li> A detailed description of the three different worship services – the three multicultural worship services are descibed in as much detail as possible based on what happens before, during and after the worship service. The physical structure of the church building as well as a desciption of the liturgical space is also presented.</li> <li> Analysis of the empirical data (focus groups) – the researcher conducted interviews with selected candidates who attend the different multicultural worship services regularly in order to gain more knowledge about their experiences of the worship services.</li></ul> The conclusion of the research can then be found in the preliminary theory of multicultural worship services that promotes reconcilation and social cohesion. / Dissertation (MTh)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Practical Theology / unrestricted

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Die verskynsel van tienerswangerskap kom in alle samelewingsvorme voor en toon 'n steeds stygende toename in alle wêrelddele sodat dit deur sommige outeurs as epidemies beskou word (Chelala, 1988: 22). Dit vorm deel van die toename in bevolkingsgetalle en die sogenaamde bevolkingsontploffing. Gevolglik word die demografiese tendense beïnvloed en so vorm tienergeboortes 'n belangrike bydrae tot bevol_kingsgroei Die studie van tienerswangerskappe kan egter nie in isolasie benader word nie. Dit vorm deel van 'n kringloop van verwante samelewingsverskynsels wat oorsaaklik of gevolglik mag wees, byvoorbeeld bevolkingstoename en ander demografiese tendense, armoede, swak behuisingstoestande, drankmisbruik en dwelmverslawing, gebrekkige voeding en onderwys, om maar net 'n paar te noem. In hierdie studie sal daar gepoog word om aan te dui dat tienerswangerskap in verband gebring moet word met die interaksie van 'n verskeidenheid van dinamies interafhanklike psigo-sosiale verskynsels. Verder sal daar ondersoek ingestel word om te bepaal watter psigo-sosiale faktore spesifiek by die voorkoms van tienerswangerskap betrokke is.

Taking into consideration the dramatic changes ushered in by the exponential growth of social networking, marketers are left without a dependable framework on how to implement social networking strategically and in alignment with other modern as well as traditional marketing disciplines. In light of this, the study aims to explore the strategic implementation of social networking within the context of a dependable marketing theoretical model, known as the marketing communications mix. During the study’s literary exploration, social networking’s capacity as a viable professional marketing tool was discussed. Thereafter, the study’s main theoretical underpinning, marketing communications was discussed and analysed. During the empirical phase of the research, a process of grounded theory was firstly followed in order to compile a list of typical social networking communications actions that are performed on social networking platforms. The list of typical social networking communication actions were then compared with the five disciplines of the marketing communications mix and consequently paired, based on their inherent similarities in regards to characteristics. In an attempt to illustrate the practical use of the paring of social networking actions and the disciplines of the marketing communications mix, the empirical study conclusively followed a process of action research in order to analyse an organisation’s social networking strategy. It was established that the model could possibly increase the strategic alignment of an organisation’s social networking initiatives but that it should only be used as a guiding and adaptable framework as to not hamper the creative capacity of social networking marketing. It was suggested that a follow-up study explore the ways in which social networking can complement and support other modern as well as traditional marketing initiatives as way to strengthen the case for an integrated approach to professional, strategic marketing. / Thesis (MA (History of Art))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Taking into consideration the dramatic changes ushered in by the exponential growth of social networking, marketers are left without a dependable framework on how to implement social networking strategically and in alignment with other modern as well as traditional marketing disciplines. In light of this, the study aims to explore the strategic implementation of social networking within the context of a dependable marketing theoretical model, known as the marketing communications mix. During the study’s literary exploration, social networking’s capacity as a viable professional marketing tool was discussed. Thereafter, the study’s main theoretical underpinning, marketing communications was discussed and analysed. During the empirical phase of the research, a process of grounded theory was firstly followed in order to compile a list of typical social networking communications actions that are performed on social networking platforms. The list of typical social networking communication actions were then compared with the five disciplines of the marketing communications mix and consequently paired, based on their inherent similarities in regards to characteristics. In an attempt to illustrate the practical use of the paring of social networking actions and the disciplines of the marketing communications mix, the empirical study conclusively followed a process of action research in order to analyse an organisation’s social networking strategy. It was established that the model could possibly increase the strategic alignment of an organisation’s social networking initiatives but that it should only be used as a guiding and adaptable framework as to not hamper the creative capacity of social networking marketing. It was suggested that a follow-up study explore the ways in which social networking can complement and support other modern as well as traditional marketing initiatives as way to strengthen the case for an integrated approach to professional, strategic marketing. / Thesis (MA (History of Art))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Methamphetamine (MA) abuse is a fast growing drug problem, and is the second most widely abused drug world-wide. MA abuse has been linked to the development of symptoms indistinguishable from schizophrenia, referred to as MA psychosis. MA abusing individuals, who most often comprise adolescents and young adults, are 11 times more likely than the general population to develop psychosis. Of further concern is that in utero exposure to MA is also a growing problem, with more women addicts choosing MA as their primary drug. This has significant implications for the neurodevelopment of the child, with subsequent behavioural deficits later in life. Epidemiological studies suggests that in utero or early life MA exposure places a vulnerable individual at greater risk for developing schizophrenia, although this has never been formerly studied either at clinical or pre-clinical level. Animal models of early life adversity, such as post-weaning social isolation rearing (SIR), can assist in understanding the underlying mechanisms in MA abuse and vulnerability to develop MA psychosis. The aim of the current study was to investigate the long term effects of either prenatal (in utero) or early postnatal administration of MA on the development of schizophrenia-like behavioural and neurochemical abnormalities later in life. In the in utero study, pregnant female Wistar rats received either saline (Sal) or MA 5 mg/kg/day for 16 days by subcutaneous (s.c.) injection , starting on prenatal day 13 (PreND-13) up to postnatal day 2 (PostND02). Male offspring were selected for the study. On PostND 21, the animals were weaned and reared under group or isolation reared conditions for 8 weeks. In the early postnatal study, adult male Wistar rats were divided into group reared and SIR conditions from PostND21. Either group received an escalating dose of MA twice a day (0.2 mg/kg – 6 mg/kg s.c.) or Sal for 16 days, from PostND35 to PostND50. Both in utero and early postnatal groups were then subjected to various behavioural tests on PostND78, including assessment of social interaction (SI) and prepulse inhibition (PPI) of acoustic startle. Following behavioural testing, rats were sacrificed and brains snap frozen for later analysis of cortico-striatal monoamine concentrations, superoxide dismutase activity and lipid peroxidation. In the prenatally exposed group no differences in %PPI was observed, although group reared animals receiving MA and SIR animals receiving Sal or MA showed a decrease in social interactive behaviours, including approaching, time together and anogenital sniffing. SIR animals receiving Sal or MA also showed a decrease in rearing. Regarding self-directed behaviours, group reared animals receiving MA and SIR animals receiving Sal or MA showed an increase in self-grooming. Although some disturbances in regional brain monoamines were observed in the frontal cortex and striatum across the groups, this did not reach significance. A significant increase in malondialdehyde was observed in the striatum in group reared animals receiving MA as well as SIR animals receiving Sal or MA, indicating cell damage, possibly of redox origin. In the early postnatal study, %PPI was significantly reduced in group reared animals receiving MA as well as in SIR animals receiving Sal or MA. Group reared animals receiving MA and SIR animals receiving Sal or MA showed a decrease in social interactive behaviours, including rearing, approaching, time together and anogenital sniffing. Regarding self-directed behaviours and locomotor activity, self-grooming and squares crossed was significantly increased in group reared animals receiving MA and SIR animals receiving Sal or MA. A significant increase in DA was evident in the frontal cortex of SIR and grouped housed animals receiving MA. DA in the MA + SIR combination was elevated but not significantly so. None of the treatments affected striatal monoamine levels. In the group reared animals receiving MA as well as the SIR animals receiving Sal or MA, a significant decrease in SOD activity was observed in the frontal cortex, indicating the presence of oxidative stress in this brain region. None of the parameters indicated an additive effect in MA + SIR treated animals. In conclusion, prenatal exposure to MA led to some evidence of late-life behavioural and neurochemical abnormalities akin to schizophrenia, confirming its penchant for psychotogenic effects. However, chronic postnatal MA exposure was more emphatic, being as effective as SIR, a neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia, in inducing deficits in the above-mentioned behavioural and neurochemical parameters. Thus, early adolescent abuse of MA is a significant risk factor for the later development of schizophrenia or psychosis. However, the risk appeared not to be exacerbated in a population at risk, i.e. in SIR animals. / Thesis (MSc (Pharmacology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.