Thesis (DMed (Psychiatry))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / BACKGROUND Schizophrenia is a heterogeneous disorder, which has been shown to have both environmental and genetic risk factors. Since family history (genetic loading) of psychosis appears to be one of the strongest risk factors for the development of schizophrenia, the investigation of affected sib pairs can be used to explore shared familial factors. The Xhosa-speaking inhabitants in the Western, Eastern and Southern Cape provinces, an African population of relatively homogeneous ethnicity, provided a sample of the first large clinical phenotype of schizophrenia. AIM The main aim of this study was to identify shared symptoms or symptom clusters in a sample of Xhosa-speaking sib pairs, with the aid of structured assessment tools.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: see item for full text / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: sien item vir volteks

Thesis (PhD (Psychiatry))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia is a heterogeneous illness resulting from complex gene-environment interplay. The majority of molecular genetic work done has involved Caucasian populations, with studies in these and Asian populations showing 2-32% of sufferers to have chromosomal aberrations. So far the discovery of a specific susceptibility mechanism or gene still eludes us, but the use of endophenotypes is advocated as a useful tool in this search. No cytogenetic studies of this nature have been reported in any African schizophrenia population. AIM: The aim of the study was to combine genotypic and phenotypic data, collected in a homogenous population in a structured manner, with the hope of characterising an endophenotype that could be used for more accurate identification of individuals with possible chromosomal abnormalities. METHODOLOGY: A structured clinical interview was conducted on 112 Xhosa schizophrenia patients. (Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies, including Schedules for the Assessment of Negative and Positive Symptoms.) Blood samples (karyotyping and/or FISH analysis) as well as urine samples (drug screening) were obtained and nine head and facial measurements were performed. Descriptive statistics were compiled with reference to demographic, clinical and morphological variables. Comparisons between mean differences for these variables were made.

Thesis (MEdPsych (Educational Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / The research focuses on the needs of Xhosa-speaking learners with Down syndrome. The needs of these learners are not known by the service providers. Different organisations base their service delivery to these communities on the needs of learners with Down syndrome from other cultures. It was therefore imperative for this study to discover the needs of Xhosa-speaking learners with Down syndrome from a disadvantaged background. The study involves a case study of two Xhosa speaking learners with Down syndrome. A major aim was to depict the quality of life of the learners with Down syndrome. This was done from an ecosystemic perspective. In the case study the needs of these two learners with Down syndrome in a Xhosa community are portrayed through the voices of their parents, educators, neighbours, and the two learners with Down syndrome. The following means of data production were used: interviews and observations. The parents, siblings of the learners with Down syndrome, and the learners with Down syndrome were seen as experts in the process.