There is nothing new about the utilization of the arts, generally speaking, as a method of facilitation. It is used not only in the context of the performing arts such as dance, drama and music, but particularly too in painting, sculpture, pottery, weaving, and a number of other art media and types. Yet all of these use a hands-on approach whereby it is expected of the participants to be active in the act of creation or performing. Of these, music stands out as an art form that can be used in a non-performance mode, and where a passive engagement with the completed work of art receives the focus. No such approach seems to have been suggested, described or developed for the visual arts. This study suggests and researches exactly that: the use of visual art works without involving a hands-on creative process, in a psycho-educational facilitative programme. This process is described as an isomorphic identification with the work of art, and the research design has been characterised by the relative novelty of the suggested approach towards intervention and stress facilitation outlined in this thesis. Although the term isomorphic identification is not of uncommon usage, it appears only very rarely in literature, and then in context with very recent work only to be found on the Internet. Undeniably, the occurrence of unhealthy stress levels in any population is on the increase. This research focuses on the way that stress impacts on the lives of young adults, particularly students, who share two common denominators; clearly identifiable unhealthy stress levels, and an academic background in which an art appreciation or an art history course was a part of their academic curriculum. The stated goal of this research is to design, develop and describe a method of stress management using the visual arts in a psycho-educational programme. The approach to this study is qualitative, with the research design being based on the single case study with an emphasis on the trustworthiness of research findings. The explorative nature of this research is underlined as being extremely important, with the role of the researcher as central to this type of qualitative research emphasised at every stage of the research strategy. As an important characteristic of the psycho-educational nature of this research, approaches to theory construction and the evaluative research cycle are followed by a discussion on strategies to ensure trustworthiness, including an analysis of and discourse on ethical measures. Obviously the major focus falls on the development, application, analysis, interpretation and evaluation of the programme for the facilitative use of the visual arts as an intervention procedure. Emphasis is put on the idea that art does in actual fact serve a number of purposes, and that the (visual) arts do not exist merely for the sake of existing. The argument is tendered that (visual) art can serve the function of personal homeostasis via a number of varieties of visual experiences according to which art could be experienced and interpreted. The idea is advanced that art works contain a message that is embedded in the medium of the artwork, and that interactive participation through graded exposure should be deemed a cathartic experience of value to the participant. This in turn focuses attention on the narrative discourse made possible through the interactive viewing mentioned, which in turn could be used by the participants as a journey of discovery, which is part and parcel of the facilitation suggested. The psycho-educational theoretical model for use within the visual arts is based on a hierarchical flow of events by way of a three-tiered four-phase approach that shares some characteristics with existing art historical models. As a programme, isomorphism as a strategy of facilitation fits well into a Post-modern paradigm, as it focuses on a holistic stress management programme designed to be of benefit for the participants. / Prof. C.P.H. Myburgh

The purpose of the study was partly to investigate the experiences of school counselors the factors that may be behind young people's stress (16-25 years) and partly to explore school counselors' perceptions of what tools are needed to reduce young people's stress. All school counselors participated in the study working at the student health care in Sweden. The study is based on twelve qualitative interviews with school counselors in Sweden. The theoretical frameworks used are tacit knowledge, work alliance, role theory and professional theory. The results showed that many different factors contributed to young people's stress, for example too little sleep, inactivity and large examinations. It became clear that the school counselors had similar opinions about what was behind young people's stress. Furthermore, it became clear that school counselors use different tools to reduce young people's stress. These tools consisted of getting students to think positively, to have a balance between leisure time, school and work, and to have time for recovery.

The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between life stress, emotional adjustment and family relationships in early adolescents from low-income urban areas. A non-experimental, survey research design was adopted for this study. The sample consisted of 119 early adolescents, aged between 12 and 14 years, from 3 low-income neighbourhoods on the Cape Flats.

The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between life stress, emotional adjustment and family relationships in early adolescents from low-income urban areas. A non-experimental, survey research design was adopted for this study. The sample consisted of 119 early adolescents, aged between 12 and 14 years, from 3 low-income neighbourhoods on the Cape Flats.

In this study, a self-report questionnaire was used to obtain a picture of sources of stress amongst a sample of 150 adolescents (75 male and 75 female) at a secondary school in KwaZulu-Natal. Students scored the intensity of stress on a four point stress scale. In addition, students completed similar rating scales to assess self-esteem and depression amongst the students, and to obtain a picture of coping strategies they used. Findings revealed that students, both male and female, perceived the main sources of stress to be related to academic and life stress factors such as: the fact that there is too much schoolwork, being nervous to speak in front of the class, the worry that they may not pass grade 11, fear of being a victim of crime or violence, fear of losing a loved one, being prone to over-react to things, fear of not finding a job upon leaving school. Male students also reported fear of contracting a serious illness as a source of stress. The study found a significant negative correlation between stress and self-esteem, and a significant positive correlation between stress and depression. The findings on coping strategies indicates that the most frequently used coping strategies are: talking to friends, turning to religion, thinking positive thoughts. However, the number of students who responded in the categories 'often" and 'all the time" was fairly low: It is interesting to note that although students did not perceive family factors as key stressors in their lives, only 43 students talked to parents when experiencing stress. There was evidence of gender differences in the use of certain strategies. 25 males and 12 females indicated that they turn to religion 'all the time' as a means of dealing with stressors in their lives. More males (21) than females (6) use the strategy of talking to friends 'all the time'. / Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

by Kwong Lai-king. / Thesis (M.A.Ed.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1991. / Bibliography: leaves 106-119. / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.ii / LIST OP TABLES --- p.vi / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.vii / ABSTRACT --- p.viii / Chapter CHAPTER ONE： --- INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1. --- Background of the Problem: Adolescents in Hong Kong --- p.1 / Chapter 2. --- Purposes of the Study --- p.9 / Chapter 3. --- Significance of the Study --- p.10 / Chapter CHAPTER TWO： --- REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE / Chapter 1. --- Definition of Stress --- p.12 / Chapter 2. --- Life Events and Stress --- p.14 / Chapter 3. --- Adolescents and Stress --- p.23 / Chapter 4. --- Life Events and Stress Symptoms --- p.34 / Chapter 5. --- Type A/B Behaviour Pattern and Stress --- p.36 / Chapter 6. --- Adolescents' Coping Strategies When Facing Stressful Life Events --- p.39 / Chapter CHAPTER THREE： --- METHOD / Chapter 1. --- Framework of the Study --- p.46 / Chapter 2. --- Definition of Terms --- p.48 / Chapter 3. --- Null Hypotheses --- p.49 / Chapter 4. --- Sample --- p.49 / Chapter 5. --- Instruments --- p.50 / Chapter 6. --- Procedures --- p.57 / Chapter 7. --- Data Analysis --- p.59 / Chapter CHAPTER FOUR： --- RESULTS AND DISCUSSION / Chapter 1. --- Characteristics of the Sample in the Main Study --- p.62 / Chapter 2. --- Reliabilities of Instruments --- p.65 / Chapter 3. --- Major Life Events Happened to Form 6 students --- p.67 / Chapter 4. --- stress Symptoms Experienced by Form 6 students --- p.76 / Chapter 5. --- Type A/B Behaviour Pattern of Form 6 students --- p.80 / Chapter 6. --- Ways of Coping of Form 6 students --- p.83 / Chapter 7. --- "Relationship among Life Events, Stress, Type A/B Behaviour Pattern and Ways of Coping" --- p.87 / Chapter 8. --- Limitations of the Present Study --- p.94 / Chapter CHAPTER FIVE： --- SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION / Chapter 1. --- Summary of Findings --- p.95 / Chapter 2. --- Importance of Findings --- p.97 / Chapter 3. --- Recommendation --- p.103 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.106 / APPENDICES --- p.120 / Chapter Appendix A: --- Life Events Checklist --- p.120 / Chapter Appendix B: --- Modified Life Events Checklist (Translated version) --- p.121 / Chapter Appendix C: --- Type A Questionnaire --- p.122 / Chapter Appendix D: --- General Health Questionnaire --- p.123 / Chapter Appendix E: --- Ways of Coping --- p.125 / Chapter Appendix F: --- Test Battery (Translated version) --- p.126

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

University of Macau / Faculty of Education