M.A. / In this study an attempt is made to understand the phenomenological experience of girls in late adolescence who have had eating disorders, as well as the family dynamics that form part of this disorder. A developmental perspective regarding adolescence is discussed in this study. Eating disorders as a construct and the family of origin are broadly discussed in the literature chapter. Phenomenological research procedures are used to investigate three participants’ experience of eating disorders and their family of origin. Themes and sub themes that stood out in this study have been formulated and discussed. These main themes are the following: identity; emotionality; friendship relationships; compulsive behavior regarding food, body and weight; medical factors due to eating disorders; academic performance and competition; possible triggers for eating disorders; family factors; family patterns; family communication, and the road to recovery. The value of this study is illuminated. Some shortcomings of this study are recognized and suggestions for future research are made.

Background: Adolescent risk behaviors are important public health problems worldwide. They can lead to significant mortalities and morbidities. Common and important adolescent risk behaviors include tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking, drug abuse, dating, sexual activity, suicide, participation in fighting and gambling. Various factors were studied on the association with youth risk behaviors. Families, schools and communities play important roles. Having meals with families have been shown to be associated with less risk behaviors in youths in other studies. However, there is no study on the association between family dinner and youth risk behaviors in Hong Kong. Objectives: The objectives of the current study are to test for any association between the frequency of family dinner and youth risk behaviors and to raise the public awareness of the importance of youth risk behaviors and the associated factors. Methods: The data in the current study was extracted from the Child Health Survey (CHS) conducted in 2005/2006. The CHS was commissioned by the Surveillance and Epidemiology Branch Centre for Health Protection under Department of Health. Children in the age group of 11 to 14 years old were included in this study. In CHS, self-administered questionnaires including Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) which were validated were completed by the parent. For children of 11 to 14 years of age, except those who were mentally handicapped, data on quality of life, psychological assessment and risk behaviors were collected through a separate face-to-face interview and a self- administered questionnaire in Chinese. The association between number of family dinners per week and youth problems including smoking, alcohol drinking, drug abuse, dating, sexual experience, suicidal ideation, participation in fighting and gambling were tested using univariate analysis. Risk behaviors found to be significantly associated with frequency of family dinner were further tested by adjustment of possible confounders using logistic regression. Results: Family dinner of 3 times or more per week was associated with less alcohol drinking, dating and participation in fighting. Alcohol drinking, sexual experience and peer smoking were significantly associated with youth smoking. Youth alcohol drinking was found to be associated with smoking, dating, gambling and externalization problem. Smoking and alcohol drinking were significantly associated with dating. Alcohol drinking, drug abuse, participation in fighting, anxiety and depression problem were associated with suicidal ideation. Suicidal ideation, gambling, anxiety and depression problem, and externalization problem were significantly associated with participation in fighting. Factors associated with youth gambling included alcohol drinking, suicidal ideation and participation in fighting. Conclusion: Family dinner is likely to be a protective factor against certain youth risk behaviors, including alcohol drinking, youth dating and participation in fighting. It should be promoted to all families in Hong Kong. Youth risk behaviors were inter-related. Detection of one youth risk problem should prompt the detection of other risk problems. / published_or_final_version / Public Health / Master / Master of Public Health

This research investigated the effects of mothers' and stepfathers' parental behaviors on late adolescent adjustment and the moderating effects of stepfathers' parental status on the relationship between stepfathers' parental behaviors and late adolescent adjustment. In Study 1 a measure for parental status (PSI: The Parental Status Inventory) was developed. Parental status, as a social cognition, addresses the degree to which the stepparent is perceived as a parent by the stepchild, the stepparent, and/or the residential parent. Findings resulted in a 14-item scale with good reliability (Cronbach's alpha .97). The PSI was moderately associated with attachment and closeness to the stepparent but was not associated with peer attachments. The PSI had a low to moderate association with the age of the respondent at the time the stepfamily originated. In Study 2, the effects of late adolescent perceptions of parental behaviors by mothers and stepfathers on late adolescent adjustment and the moderating effects of stepfathers' parental status on the relationship between his parenting behaviors and late adolescent adjustment were explored. Results of a series of hierarchical multiple regression analyses with interaction terms indicated that, of mothers' and stepfathers' parenting behaviors, only mothers' connection explained a significant amount of variance (10%) in female adaptive behaviors. The models explaining problem behavior in late adolescents did not show significant results for either females or males. Additional findings were that parental status did not moderate the effects of stepfathers' connection, regulation or psychological control on late adolescent adaptive or problem behaviors for either females or males. In summary, parental status did not moderate the variables in question. However, the evidence from this research suggests that the construct of parental status is valid and that the PSI is a valid and reliable measure. Together the construct of parental status and the PSI have the potential to contribute to the development of knowledge in stepfamilies in theoretical, research and clinical settings.

This research investigated the effects of mothers' and stepfathers' parental behaviors on late adolescent adjustment and the moderating effects of stepfathers' parental status on the relationship between stepfathers' parental behaviors and late adolescent adjustment. In Study 1 a measure for parental status (PSI: The Parental Status Inventory) was developed. Parental status, as a social cognition, addresses the degree to which the stepparent is perceived as a parent by the stepchild, the stepparent, and/or the residential parent. Findings resulted in a 14-item scale with good reliability (Cronbach's alpha .97). The PSI was moderately associated with attachment and closeness to the stepparent but was not associated with peer attachments. The PSI had a low to moderate association with the age of the respondent at the time the stepfamily originated. In Study 2, the effects of late adolescent perceptions of parental behaviors by mothers and stepfathers on late adolescent adjustment and the moderating effects of stepfathers' parental status on the relationship between his parenting behaviors and late adolescent adjustment were explored. Results of a series of hierarchical multiple regression analyses with interaction terms indicated that, of mothers' and stepfathers' parenting behaviors, only mothers' connection explained a significant amount of variance (10%) in female adaptive behaviors. The models explaining problem behavior in late adolescents did not show significant results for either females or males. Additional findings were that parental status did not moderate the effects of stepfathers' connection, regulation or psychological control on late adolescent adaptive or problem behaviors for either females or males. In summary, parental status did not moderate the variables in question. However, the evidence from this research suggests that the construct of parental status is valid and that the PSI is a valid and reliable measure. Together the construct of parental status and the PSI have the potential to contribute to the development of knowledge in stepfamilies in theoretical, research and clinical settings. / Education, Faculty of / Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of / Graduate

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A review of the literature strongly suggests that poor family dynamics play a critical role in an adolescent's choice of suicide. This thesis examines the literature and research findings on adolescent suicide and family functioning. It will bring together recent findings to help professionals access the information on adolescent suicide as it relates to the family. The psychosocial and cognitive theories of development are explored to provide a framework for understanding adolescents and the reasons for the choices and problem solving they make in their quest for identity. Since social workers are increasingly implicated in the prevention of youth suicide, the thesis applies the argument to prevention from a social work perspective.

A DISSERTATION SUBMITIED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE: M.A (CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY) IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY FACULTY OF ARTS UNNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND, 2003. / This study evaluates the effectiveness of a parent support group on the relationship between parents and adolescents within a church community. Subjects were referred to the group by the priest of the local Catholic Church. The group consisted of five married couples and the researcher, who adopted an observer — participant role. The group ran for seven sessions in total. Motivation to begin such a group was prompted by the researcher's experience of working with parents and adolescents who had very strained relationships with each other. Data was collected using qualitative and quantitative questionnaires. Results revealed that the parent support group was effective in improving relationships between parents and adolescents.

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This qualitative study aimed to explore the male adolescent’s sense of belonging in his family, in order to arrive at a Gestalt understanding of this concept. In order to achieve the aim, a conceptual framework was outlined focusing on concepts central to this topic, including belonging, adolescence and Gestalt theory. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eleven adolescents in order to obtain rich data. The data collected during these interviews was subsequently analysed and several themes and categories were identified and explored by the use of a literature control. Conclusions, recommendations and a Gestalt understanding of belonging were then presented. / Play Therapy / M. Diac. (Play Therapy)