Case studies of brain fag syndrome in South Africa
- Authors: Finnemore, Gerard le Cornu
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Brain fag syndrome , Brain -- Diseases
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2977 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002486 , Brain fag syndrome , Brain -- Diseases
- Description: Against the background of culture bound syndromes and the universalism/relativism debate, this research set out to investigate the diagnosis of brain fag syndrome by examining case studies in a South African context. Diagnostic criteria were identified by way of an analysis of the symptoms reported by a convenience sample of 20 black students experiencing problems related to study. In-depth case studies were conducted with three of the participants from the sample who most thoroughly met the criteria for brain fag syndrome. In a comparison between the brain fag diagnoses and the DSM-IV diagnoses, it was established that while the DSM-IV was not without merit in a cross cultural context, cultural differences were found which suggested the usefulness of the brain fag syndrome diagnosis. A speculative statement on the universalism/relativism debate was proposed based on the principle of complementarity derived from Quantum physics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
- Authors: Finnemore, Gerard le Cornu
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Brain fag syndrome , Brain -- Diseases
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2977 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002486 , Brain fag syndrome , Brain -- Diseases
- Description: Against the background of culture bound syndromes and the universalism/relativism debate, this research set out to investigate the diagnosis of brain fag syndrome by examining case studies in a South African context. Diagnostic criteria were identified by way of an analysis of the symptoms reported by a convenience sample of 20 black students experiencing problems related to study. In-depth case studies were conducted with three of the participants from the sample who most thoroughly met the criteria for brain fag syndrome. In a comparison between the brain fag diagnoses and the DSM-IV diagnoses, it was established that while the DSM-IV was not without merit in a cross cultural context, cultural differences were found which suggested the usefulness of the brain fag syndrome diagnosis. A speculative statement on the universalism/relativism debate was proposed based on the principle of complementarity derived from Quantum physics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
Cognitive behavioural treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome: an in-depth case study
- Authors: Rusch, Mary L
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Chronic fatigue syndrome , Chronic fatigue syndrome -- Psychological aspects , Chronic fatigue syndrome -- Exercise therapy , Chronic fatigue syndrome -- Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3046 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002555
- Description: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a chronic disabling condition characterised by persistent physical and mental fatigue, and a variety of somatic, psychological and neurological symptoms. The aetiology of CFS is unknown and the cause of the illness remains controversial. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is a non-pharmacological treatment approach that has been shown to be effective in treating patients with CFS. It is based on a model that hypothesises that certain maladaptive thoughts and dysfunctional beliefs may contribute to self-defeating behaviour that perpetuates symptoms and disability, and thereby impedes recovery. The main aim of this study was to critically examine the cognitive-behavioural approach of CFS outlined by Sharpe, Chalder, Palmer & Wessely (1997) by conducting three in-depth case studies. An additional aim was to present a full cognitive developmental case conceptualisation of CFS based on the theories of Leahy (1996) and Young (1994). This case study evaluated the effectiveness of a CBT treatment programme in a 48-year-old Caucasian woman diagnosed with CFS for three years. The treatment consisted of sixteen sessions of CBT and was evaluated both quantitatively and qualitatively. On the basis of this study, a set of core maladaptive schema in the area of disconnection and rejection was identified. In addition, it was found that specific compensatory schemas had developed to offset the core maladaptive schemas and that this compensatory strategy played an important role in maintaining the condition. The results also showed a significant decline in fatigue coupled with a moderate decline in functional disability and depression. A one-month follow-up interview revealed evidence of a substantial consolidation of therapeutic gains in that the improvements observed at the end of the treatment were sustained. Finally, the feasibility of incorporating a cognitive-developmental and/or schema-focused model into the standard CBT treatment model is discussed and the case study method as a research toll is evaluated in light of the findings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
- Authors: Rusch, Mary L
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Chronic fatigue syndrome , Chronic fatigue syndrome -- Psychological aspects , Chronic fatigue syndrome -- Exercise therapy , Chronic fatigue syndrome -- Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3046 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002555
- Description: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a chronic disabling condition characterised by persistent physical and mental fatigue, and a variety of somatic, psychological and neurological symptoms. The aetiology of CFS is unknown and the cause of the illness remains controversial. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is a non-pharmacological treatment approach that has been shown to be effective in treating patients with CFS. It is based on a model that hypothesises that certain maladaptive thoughts and dysfunctional beliefs may contribute to self-defeating behaviour that perpetuates symptoms and disability, and thereby impedes recovery. The main aim of this study was to critically examine the cognitive-behavioural approach of CFS outlined by Sharpe, Chalder, Palmer & Wessely (1997) by conducting three in-depth case studies. An additional aim was to present a full cognitive developmental case conceptualisation of CFS based on the theories of Leahy (1996) and Young (1994). This case study evaluated the effectiveness of a CBT treatment programme in a 48-year-old Caucasian woman diagnosed with CFS for three years. The treatment consisted of sixteen sessions of CBT and was evaluated both quantitatively and qualitatively. On the basis of this study, a set of core maladaptive schema in the area of disconnection and rejection was identified. In addition, it was found that specific compensatory schemas had developed to offset the core maladaptive schemas and that this compensatory strategy played an important role in maintaining the condition. The results also showed a significant decline in fatigue coupled with a moderate decline in functional disability and depression. A one-month follow-up interview revealed evidence of a substantial consolidation of therapeutic gains in that the improvements observed at the end of the treatment were sustained. Finally, the feasibility of incorporating a cognitive-developmental and/or schema-focused model into the standard CBT treatment model is discussed and the case study method as a research toll is evaluated in light of the findings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
Cumulative mild head injury in rugby: a comparison of cognitive deficit and postconcussive symptomatology between schoolboy rugby players and non-contact sport controls
- Authors: Beilinsohn, Taryn
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Rugby football injuries , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Complications , Brain damage
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2931 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002440 , Rugby football injuries , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Complications , Brain damage
- Description: This study investigates the cumulative effects of concussive and subconcussive mild head injury on the cognitive functioning of schoolboy rugby players. A comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests and a self-report postconcussive questionnaire were administered to top level schoolboy rugby players (n=47), and a non-contact sport control group of top level schoolboy hockey players (n=34). Group comparisons of the percentage of individuals with cognitive deficit were carried out between i) the schoolboy rugby and the schoolboy hockey players, ii) the rugby forward and the rugby backline players; iii) the rugby forward and the schoolboy hockey players and, iv) the rugby backline and the schoolboy hockey players. Results on the neuropsychological test battery did not provide any substantial evidence of a higher level of neuropsychological impairment in the rugby players relative to the control group, or in the rugby forward players relative to the rugby backline players. Results obtained on the postconcussive symptom questionnaire provided tentative indications that the rugby players do report a greater frequency of postconcussive symptomatology. The symptoms most frequently reported were being easily angered, memory problems, clumsy speech and sleep difficulties. It was hypothesized that the absence of cognitive impairment in the schoolboy rugby players compared with that noted for professional players was due to their younger age, relatively high IQ and education level and a less intensive level of physical participation in the sport, and hence less accumulated exposure to the game, thereby decreasing their exposure to mild head injuries. From a theoretical perspective, these pre-existing conditions were considered to act as protective factors against reductions in brain reserve capacity and concomitant susceptibility to the onset of neuropsychological dysfunction.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
- Authors: Beilinsohn, Taryn
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Rugby football injuries , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Complications , Brain damage
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2931 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002440 , Rugby football injuries , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Complications , Brain damage
- Description: This study investigates the cumulative effects of concussive and subconcussive mild head injury on the cognitive functioning of schoolboy rugby players. A comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests and a self-report postconcussive questionnaire were administered to top level schoolboy rugby players (n=47), and a non-contact sport control group of top level schoolboy hockey players (n=34). Group comparisons of the percentage of individuals with cognitive deficit were carried out between i) the schoolboy rugby and the schoolboy hockey players, ii) the rugby forward and the rugby backline players; iii) the rugby forward and the schoolboy hockey players and, iv) the rugby backline and the schoolboy hockey players. Results on the neuropsychological test battery did not provide any substantial evidence of a higher level of neuropsychological impairment in the rugby players relative to the control group, or in the rugby forward players relative to the rugby backline players. Results obtained on the postconcussive symptom questionnaire provided tentative indications that the rugby players do report a greater frequency of postconcussive symptomatology. The symptoms most frequently reported were being easily angered, memory problems, clumsy speech and sleep difficulties. It was hypothesized that the absence of cognitive impairment in the schoolboy rugby players compared with that noted for professional players was due to their younger age, relatively high IQ and education level and a less intensive level of physical participation in the sport, and hence less accumulated exposure to the game, thereby decreasing their exposure to mild head injuries. From a theoretical perspective, these pre-existing conditions were considered to act as protective factors against reductions in brain reserve capacity and concomitant susceptibility to the onset of neuropsychological dysfunction.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
Elements of dream interpretation: laying the foundation of a basic model for clinical practice
- Authors: Schön, Joan
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Dream interpretation Dreams
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3050 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002559
- Description: The study addresses certain paradoxes evident in the theory and practice of dream interpretation. These relate to the considerable value afforded to dreams in psychoanalytic thinking, compared with (1) the surprising dearth of literature, research, and training on dream interpretation in clinical practice, (2) the difficulties voiced by clinicians regarding dream interpretation, and (3) the diversity of keys employed by different schools to unlock the ‘truth’ of dreams. The intention of the study is to examine these paradoxes in order to develop a model fordream interpretation which falls within the ambit of psychodynamic psychotherapy. It is argued that there have been few insights over the century to match the seminal work of Freud (1900/1976), except perhaps the work of Carl Jung. As a result of the 1914 rift between these two, Jung’s insights have been largely ignored in mainstream psychoanalytic thinking and the focus on dreams has given way to other areas of development, such as, unconscious thinking, symbol formation, and interpretation in a general sense. These, it is argued, have contributed to a more comprehensive understanding of dreams and their interpretation. Thus a model would need to consider both Freud and Jung’s work, and later salient developments. It would also need to be informed by local, contemporary practice. The method used in this thesis is one of breaking down the process of dream interpretation into component parts, in order to examine useful contributions from different sources and to compare work with dreams to work with other material. The literature review examines the major theoretical contributions in relation to four elements of dreams interpretation: the nature and function of dreams, methods of dream interpretation, the meaning of dreams, and the goals of dream interpretation. A model which accommodates diverse theories without resorting to eclecticism is then proposed. Dream interpretation is further examined in the light of a multiphase clinical study, designed to provide different perspectives on the topic. The study yielded findingscompatible with the literature reviewed, as well as certain problems in relation to the proposed model. These included shortcomings of the elements used in the literature review, particularly the sequence of these elements, and caveats about affording dreams a special focus in the consulting room. Thus a second configuration was posited, namely the idea of viewing dream-work as a triangular situation, comprising the dream, the dreamer, and the dream interpreter. The final model which is the outcome of the study provides two interrelated methods of addressing dream interpretation which accommodate the theory/practice dichotomy. In the first, the elements of dreams and their interpretation are considered sequentially. This method provides a framework for considering theoretical contributions on dreams, as well as issues of technique, without recourse to the introduction of theory in the consulting room. In the second, dream interpretation is regarded as a triangular situation, comprising the interchange between therapist and patient in relation to the patient’s dream-life. This structure accommodates the alliance which is discernible in practice and draws on Segal’s (1957/1986) notion that the process of symbol formation is a triangular situation. The value of regarding ‘dream-work’ in the consulting room as a triangular situation is threefold: (1) it is akin to symbol formation in terms of the meaning reached; (2) dreams cannot be accurately interpreted in isolation from the contributions of both therapist and patient; and (3) it provides ‘dream-work’ in practice with its own structure, highlighting a perspective that dreams are an element of clinical practice, rather than a focus, a subtext within the broader framework of psychodynamic psychotherapy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
- Authors: Schön, Joan
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Dream interpretation Dreams
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3050 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002559
- Description: The study addresses certain paradoxes evident in the theory and practice of dream interpretation. These relate to the considerable value afforded to dreams in psychoanalytic thinking, compared with (1) the surprising dearth of literature, research, and training on dream interpretation in clinical practice, (2) the difficulties voiced by clinicians regarding dream interpretation, and (3) the diversity of keys employed by different schools to unlock the ‘truth’ of dreams. The intention of the study is to examine these paradoxes in order to develop a model fordream interpretation which falls within the ambit of psychodynamic psychotherapy. It is argued that there have been few insights over the century to match the seminal work of Freud (1900/1976), except perhaps the work of Carl Jung. As a result of the 1914 rift between these two, Jung’s insights have been largely ignored in mainstream psychoanalytic thinking and the focus on dreams has given way to other areas of development, such as, unconscious thinking, symbol formation, and interpretation in a general sense. These, it is argued, have contributed to a more comprehensive understanding of dreams and their interpretation. Thus a model would need to consider both Freud and Jung’s work, and later salient developments. It would also need to be informed by local, contemporary practice. The method used in this thesis is one of breaking down the process of dream interpretation into component parts, in order to examine useful contributions from different sources and to compare work with dreams to work with other material. The literature review examines the major theoretical contributions in relation to four elements of dreams interpretation: the nature and function of dreams, methods of dream interpretation, the meaning of dreams, and the goals of dream interpretation. A model which accommodates diverse theories without resorting to eclecticism is then proposed. Dream interpretation is further examined in the light of a multiphase clinical study, designed to provide different perspectives on the topic. The study yielded findingscompatible with the literature reviewed, as well as certain problems in relation to the proposed model. These included shortcomings of the elements used in the literature review, particularly the sequence of these elements, and caveats about affording dreams a special focus in the consulting room. Thus a second configuration was posited, namely the idea of viewing dream-work as a triangular situation, comprising the dream, the dreamer, and the dream interpreter. The final model which is the outcome of the study provides two interrelated methods of addressing dream interpretation which accommodate the theory/practice dichotomy. In the first, the elements of dreams and their interpretation are considered sequentially. This method provides a framework for considering theoretical contributions on dreams, as well as issues of technique, without recourse to the introduction of theory in the consulting room. In the second, dream interpretation is regarded as a triangular situation, comprising the interchange between therapist and patient in relation to the patient’s dream-life. This structure accommodates the alliance which is discernible in practice and draws on Segal’s (1957/1986) notion that the process of symbol formation is a triangular situation. The value of regarding ‘dream-work’ in the consulting room as a triangular situation is threefold: (1) it is akin to symbol formation in terms of the meaning reached; (2) dreams cannot be accurately interpreted in isolation from the contributions of both therapist and patient; and (3) it provides ‘dream-work’ in practice with its own structure, highlighting a perspective that dreams are an element of clinical practice, rather than a focus, a subtext within the broader framework of psychodynamic psychotherapy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
Heads and tales: the effect of mild head injuries of rugby players: cognitive deficit and postconcussive symptoms
- Authors: Border, Michael Anthony
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Rugby football injuries , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Complications , Brain damage
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:2937 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002446 , Rugby football injuries , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Complications , Brain damage
- Description: This study investigated the cumulative effect of mild head injuries on rugby players. A comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests was administered and subjects completed a self-report postconcussive symptom questionnaire. Data were collected for the two rugby groups, Springbok rugby players (n = 26) and Under 21 rugby players (n = 19), and for the control group, national hockey players (n = 21). Group comparisons of the percentage of individuals with deficit or self-reported symptomatology were made between: (i) the contact sport groups and the control group; (ii) the forwards and the backs within each rugby group and the rugby forwards and the control group; and (iii) the Springbok and Under 21 rugby players. Broadly speaking, comparative results on the neuropsychological tests and the self-reported postconcussive symptoms clearly distinguished between contact sport players and non-contact sport players and indicated the presence of diffuse brain damage in the contact sport players. There was also clear evidence of positional variation within the rugby groups, with the forwards (more full contact positions) most susceptible to impairment. Neuropsychological test results revealed deficit in information processing speed, attention and concentration, mental flexibility, visual memory and verbal new learning. The most significant neuropsychiatric complaints were reported in the areas of memory, social contact, sensitivity to noise, lowered frustration tolerance, anxiety and worry, and depression. The most sensitive neuropsychological test used in the present study was the Digit Symbol Substitution test. This test clearly distinguished contact sport players from non-contact sport players, and forwards from backs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
- Authors: Border, Michael Anthony
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Rugby football injuries , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Complications , Brain damage
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:2937 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002446 , Rugby football injuries , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Complications , Brain damage
- Description: This study investigated the cumulative effect of mild head injuries on rugby players. A comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests was administered and subjects completed a self-report postconcussive symptom questionnaire. Data were collected for the two rugby groups, Springbok rugby players (n = 26) and Under 21 rugby players (n = 19), and for the control group, national hockey players (n = 21). Group comparisons of the percentage of individuals with deficit or self-reported symptomatology were made between: (i) the contact sport groups and the control group; (ii) the forwards and the backs within each rugby group and the rugby forwards and the control group; and (iii) the Springbok and Under 21 rugby players. Broadly speaking, comparative results on the neuropsychological tests and the self-reported postconcussive symptoms clearly distinguished between contact sport players and non-contact sport players and indicated the presence of diffuse brain damage in the contact sport players. There was also clear evidence of positional variation within the rugby groups, with the forwards (more full contact positions) most susceptible to impairment. Neuropsychological test results revealed deficit in information processing speed, attention and concentration, mental flexibility, visual memory and verbal new learning. The most significant neuropsychiatric complaints were reported in the areas of memory, social contact, sensitivity to noise, lowered frustration tolerance, anxiety and worry, and depression. The most sensitive neuropsychological test used in the present study was the Digit Symbol Substitution test. This test clearly distinguished contact sport players from non-contact sport players, and forwards from backs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
Nurses' experience of contesting discourses in HIV/AIDS activities in the primary health care setting
- Authors: Tutani, Lumka
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Primary health care , AIDS (Disease) -- Nursing , AIDS (Disease) -- Patients -- Counseling of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3074 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002583 , Primary health care , AIDS (Disease) -- Nursing , AIDS (Disease) -- Patients -- Counseling of
- Description: This paper explores the experience of nurses who work both as Primary Health Care Providers and counsellors trained in the narrative model of counselling in primary health care settings. Five focus groups were conducted in both Xhosa and English. Discourse analysis was used as a method of analysing the data. Training nurses in the narrative counselling model introduced an alternative discourse, which was experienced as contradicting their usual way of working. Two dominant discourses were the “not knowing” approach, assumed by the narrative model of counselling, and the “knowing” stance, assumed by health education. The institutionalised construction of counselling by doctors and matrons, and their power versus the power of the nurse counsellors was also cited as sources of conflict. Despite the tensions, narrative model of counselling seems to be offering new positions, which may benefit people living with HIV and improve HIV/AIDS activities in the Primary Health Care (PHC) context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
- Authors: Tutani, Lumka
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Primary health care , AIDS (Disease) -- Nursing , AIDS (Disease) -- Patients -- Counseling of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3074 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002583 , Primary health care , AIDS (Disease) -- Nursing , AIDS (Disease) -- Patients -- Counseling of
- Description: This paper explores the experience of nurses who work both as Primary Health Care Providers and counsellors trained in the narrative model of counselling in primary health care settings. Five focus groups were conducted in both Xhosa and English. Discourse analysis was used as a method of analysing the data. Training nurses in the narrative counselling model introduced an alternative discourse, which was experienced as contradicting their usual way of working. Two dominant discourses were the “not knowing” approach, assumed by the narrative model of counselling, and the “knowing” stance, assumed by health education. The institutionalised construction of counselling by doctors and matrons, and their power versus the power of the nurse counsellors was also cited as sources of conflict. Despite the tensions, narrative model of counselling seems to be offering new positions, which may benefit people living with HIV and improve HIV/AIDS activities in the Primary Health Care (PHC) context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
Sapphic experience: lesbian gender identity development and diversity
- Authors: Crowley, Michelle Laureen
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Lesbian couples Gender identity Sexual orientation Heterosexual women Lesbian feminists
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2956 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002465
- Description: This dissertation explores lesbian experience, or the psychological meaning of being lesbian from the point of view of women who call themselves lesbian. The researcher suspended the binary paradigm of sex and gender, and argued that lesbians' identity development must be understood against the background of how patriarchy understands the category 'woman' through history. Towards this purpose the pOSition of women in the West, as well as contemporary images and literature about lesbians, was reviewed. On the basis of this review questions about lesbian gender construction, lesbian identity development and lesbian individuation were identified. In order to access the psychological meaning of being lesbian, or lesbian experience from the inside out, the dream-series of three lesbians constituted an empirical basis for further exploration. These dream-series were amplified with intensive face-to-face interviews, transcribed, and subjected to a hermeneutic-phenomenological inductive method. Common inter-case concerns were identified and synthesized. In dialogue with the literature reviewed, twenty-two statements of meaning about being lesbian were distilled. These revealed two possible constructions of gender for primary lesbians. In addition, primary lesbians involved in the research demonstrated remarkable flexibility with respect to their gender orientations and gender identifications, were in the process of integrating with and differentiating from different aspects of their masculine and feminine potentials, and developed and negotiated their gender identities in relationship to both their lovers and friends. The explication also revealed that participants identified with archetypal aspects of the father that their fathers' did not express, and desired archetypal aspects of the mother that their mother's did not express. Finally, in so much as the method distinguished ~ sex, sexual identity and sexual orientation from gender, gender identity, gender identification and gender orientation, it may prove useful for exploring gender in heterosexual relating.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
- Authors: Crowley, Michelle Laureen
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Lesbian couples Gender identity Sexual orientation Heterosexual women Lesbian feminists
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2956 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002465
- Description: This dissertation explores lesbian experience, or the psychological meaning of being lesbian from the point of view of women who call themselves lesbian. The researcher suspended the binary paradigm of sex and gender, and argued that lesbians' identity development must be understood against the background of how patriarchy understands the category 'woman' through history. Towards this purpose the pOSition of women in the West, as well as contemporary images and literature about lesbians, was reviewed. On the basis of this review questions about lesbian gender construction, lesbian identity development and lesbian individuation were identified. In order to access the psychological meaning of being lesbian, or lesbian experience from the inside out, the dream-series of three lesbians constituted an empirical basis for further exploration. These dream-series were amplified with intensive face-to-face interviews, transcribed, and subjected to a hermeneutic-phenomenological inductive method. Common inter-case concerns were identified and synthesized. In dialogue with the literature reviewed, twenty-two statements of meaning about being lesbian were distilled. These revealed two possible constructions of gender for primary lesbians. In addition, primary lesbians involved in the research demonstrated remarkable flexibility with respect to their gender orientations and gender identifications, were in the process of integrating with and differentiating from different aspects of their masculine and feminine potentials, and developed and negotiated their gender identities in relationship to both their lovers and friends. The explication also revealed that participants identified with archetypal aspects of the father that their fathers' did not express, and desired archetypal aspects of the mother that their mother's did not express. Finally, in so much as the method distinguished ~ sex, sexual identity and sexual orientation from gender, gender identity, gender identification and gender orientation, it may prove useful for exploring gender in heterosexual relating.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
Talking about teams within a team building context: a discourse analytic study
- Authors: Chapman-Blair, Sharon
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Discourse analysis , Teams in the workplace
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2947 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002456 , Discourse analysis , Teams in the workplace
- Description: This research initiative responds to some of the issues raised by theoretical challenges leveled at Industrial Psychology (postmodernism), and practical challenges in the workplace (the use of teams) by investigating notions of what a team is via the postmodern methodology of discourse analysis. The research explores “team talk” – repertoires of speech employed by individuals to construct particular versions of “the team” for specific effects, of importance given emphasis placed on shared understanding, expectations and goals in a “team”. A Rhodes University Industrial Psychology Honours class required to work as a team (having participated in a team building exercise), as well as their lecturers who facilitated the team building process were interviewed to obtain “talk” to analyse. This uncovered a multiplicity of meaning, namely four ways of speaking about (constructing) the team. These repertoires are explored in terms of how they are constructed, how they differ across context and speakers, how they interrelate and what they function to achieve. The educational team repertoire constructs academic hierarchy, justifies individualism, positions members as experts and maintains distance from interpersonal processes. The machine repertoire divides work and interpersonal issues, regulates productivity and constructs team roles (defining individual activity and “team fit”), but is inflexible to change. The family repertoire voices emotive aspects to maintain cohesion via conformity, leaderlessness, group identity and shared achievement, but cannot accommodate conflict or workpersonal boundaries. The psychologised team repertoire constructs the team primarily as a therapeutic entity legitimately creating individual identities (and expertise) and facilitating personal growth, but this flounders when support in the “team” fails. Given that each repertoire has a different emphasis (reflective learning versus work processes versus building relationships versus personal growth), there are slippages / clashes between repertoires. This postmodern look at “the team” thus assists in recognizing and problematising these multiple meanings and identifying practical implications.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
- Authors: Chapman-Blair, Sharon
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Discourse analysis , Teams in the workplace
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2947 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002456 , Discourse analysis , Teams in the workplace
- Description: This research initiative responds to some of the issues raised by theoretical challenges leveled at Industrial Psychology (postmodernism), and practical challenges in the workplace (the use of teams) by investigating notions of what a team is via the postmodern methodology of discourse analysis. The research explores “team talk” – repertoires of speech employed by individuals to construct particular versions of “the team” for specific effects, of importance given emphasis placed on shared understanding, expectations and goals in a “team”. A Rhodes University Industrial Psychology Honours class required to work as a team (having participated in a team building exercise), as well as their lecturers who facilitated the team building process were interviewed to obtain “talk” to analyse. This uncovered a multiplicity of meaning, namely four ways of speaking about (constructing) the team. These repertoires are explored in terms of how they are constructed, how they differ across context and speakers, how they interrelate and what they function to achieve. The educational team repertoire constructs academic hierarchy, justifies individualism, positions members as experts and maintains distance from interpersonal processes. The machine repertoire divides work and interpersonal issues, regulates productivity and constructs team roles (defining individual activity and “team fit”), but is inflexible to change. The family repertoire voices emotive aspects to maintain cohesion via conformity, leaderlessness, group identity and shared achievement, but cannot accommodate conflict or workpersonal boundaries. The psychologised team repertoire constructs the team primarily as a therapeutic entity legitimately creating individual identities (and expertise) and facilitating personal growth, but this flounders when support in the “team” fails. Given that each repertoire has a different emphasis (reflective learning versus work processes versus building relationships versus personal growth), there are slippages / clashes between repertoires. This postmodern look at “the team” thus assists in recognizing and problematising these multiple meanings and identifying practical implications.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
The changing knowledge and expectations of public health nurses in a HIV/AIDS training programme for managers
- Authors: Harry, Karuna
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: HIV infections , HIV infections -- Nursing , HIV-positive persons -- Counseling of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2986 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002495 , HIV infections , HIV infections -- Nursing , HIV-positive persons -- Counseling of
- Description: This research project examined the changing expectations and knowledge of Managers in the Department of Health who attended the Sexual Health Counselling Project offered by Rhodes University, East London, South Africa. These managers came from contexts in which the hierarchical medical model is firmly entrenched. The Sexual Health Counselling Project, drawing on theoretical principles from Narrative and other theories,presented a challenge to the standard management practices used by the managers. It also challenged how they dealt with clients. This research explored changes in expectations and knowledge prior to and during a two- week training course that the managers attended. A personal awareness and shift in knowledge occurred for many managers who examined their current practices. Some managers, who were firmly entrenched in the hierarchical model,found it difficult to change their ways of working.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
- Authors: Harry, Karuna
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: HIV infections , HIV infections -- Nursing , HIV-positive persons -- Counseling of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2986 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002495 , HIV infections , HIV infections -- Nursing , HIV-positive persons -- Counseling of
- Description: This research project examined the changing expectations and knowledge of Managers in the Department of Health who attended the Sexual Health Counselling Project offered by Rhodes University, East London, South Africa. These managers came from contexts in which the hierarchical medical model is firmly entrenched. The Sexual Health Counselling Project, drawing on theoretical principles from Narrative and other theories,presented a challenge to the standard management practices used by the managers. It also challenged how they dealt with clients. This research explored changes in expectations and knowledge prior to and during a two- week training course that the managers attended. A personal awareness and shift in knowledge occurred for many managers who examined their current practices. Some managers, who were firmly entrenched in the hierarchical model,found it difficult to change their ways of working.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
The development of a scale to measure sexual orientation and an examination of its psychometric properties
- Authors: Heath, Lance Julian
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Sexual orientation , Sexual orientation -- Research -- Psychological aspects , Psychometrics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3145 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007408 , Sexual orientation , Sexual orientation -- Research -- Psychological aspects , Psychometrics
- Description: The purpose of the study was to develop a scale to measure sexual orientation and to examine its psychometric properties. Previous scales were critically examined and compared and the need for a scale which simultaneously measures same and opposite sex responsiveness independently, and accounts for dynamic changes over time, while testing a number of overt and covert dimensions of sexual orientations, was established. A 48-item scale was designed to tap self-reported intensity and frequency of Emotional Attachment, Sexual Fantasy, Sexual Attraction and Sexual Contact towards males and females in the Past, Present and Future. An initial study was conducted with 13 undergraduate university students of both genders, representing a variety of sexual orientations and nationalities, and qualitative feedback was obtained and utilized to make appropriate adjustments and refinements to the scale. The scale was then administered to 133 Rhodes University undergraduate psychology students to obtain quantitative data with regard to its internal structure. The scale was found to have a good internal consistency reliability Cronbach alpha coefficient of 0.8106. Existing sub-scales had lower alpha coefficients. Factor analysis, a form of construct validation, was performed and four factors emerged. These had very good internal consistency reliability alpha coefficients: Sexual Responsiveness to Females (0.9894), Sexual Responsiveness to Males (0.9741), Emotional Attachment to Females (0.8403) and Emotional Attachment to Males (0.8372). These factors were further statistically analysed to ascertain how they relate to one another and to the demographics of gender, age, relational status and sexual orientation identity. Future research will need to assess other forms of reliability and validity and focus on larger and more varied samples.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
- Authors: Heath, Lance Julian
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Sexual orientation , Sexual orientation -- Research -- Psychological aspects , Psychometrics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3145 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007408 , Sexual orientation , Sexual orientation -- Research -- Psychological aspects , Psychometrics
- Description: The purpose of the study was to develop a scale to measure sexual orientation and to examine its psychometric properties. Previous scales were critically examined and compared and the need for a scale which simultaneously measures same and opposite sex responsiveness independently, and accounts for dynamic changes over time, while testing a number of overt and covert dimensions of sexual orientations, was established. A 48-item scale was designed to tap self-reported intensity and frequency of Emotional Attachment, Sexual Fantasy, Sexual Attraction and Sexual Contact towards males and females in the Past, Present and Future. An initial study was conducted with 13 undergraduate university students of both genders, representing a variety of sexual orientations and nationalities, and qualitative feedback was obtained and utilized to make appropriate adjustments and refinements to the scale. The scale was then administered to 133 Rhodes University undergraduate psychology students to obtain quantitative data with regard to its internal structure. The scale was found to have a good internal consistency reliability Cronbach alpha coefficient of 0.8106. Existing sub-scales had lower alpha coefficients. Factor analysis, a form of construct validation, was performed and four factors emerged. These had very good internal consistency reliability alpha coefficients: Sexual Responsiveness to Females (0.9894), Sexual Responsiveness to Males (0.9741), Emotional Attachment to Females (0.8403) and Emotional Attachment to Males (0.8372). These factors were further statistically analysed to ascertain how they relate to one another and to the demographics of gender, age, relational status and sexual orientation identity. Future research will need to assess other forms of reliability and validity and focus on larger and more varied samples.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
The effects of level and quality of education on a South African sample of English and African first language speakers, for WAIS-III digit symbol-incidental learning
- Donnelly, Martin Joseph Rhodes
- Authors: Donnelly, Martin Joseph Rhodes
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale , Intelligence tests -- South Africa , Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2965 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002474 , Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale , Intelligence tests -- South Africa , Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale -- South Africa
- Description: This study examined the effects of level and quality of education on WAIS-III Digit Symbol-Incidental Learning performance. The Pairing and Free Recall measures were administered to a South African sample (N = 68, age range 19-30), which was stratified for English and African language, level of education attained (Grade 12s and Graduates) and quality of education (advantaged and disadvantaged schooling). Results yielded no significant main or interaction effects between acculturation factors of level and quality of education. Normative guidelines of 13 or more pairs and 8 or more free recall symbols, appropriate to a non-clinical sample in a multicultural setting, are provided. Digit Symbol-Incidental Learning proved to be a culture-fair test, which contributes to its clinical utility as a sensitive memory screening tool.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
- Authors: Donnelly, Martin Joseph Rhodes
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale , Intelligence tests -- South Africa , Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2965 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002474 , Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale , Intelligence tests -- South Africa , Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale -- South Africa
- Description: This study examined the effects of level and quality of education on WAIS-III Digit Symbol-Incidental Learning performance. The Pairing and Free Recall measures were administered to a South African sample (N = 68, age range 19-30), which was stratified for English and African language, level of education attained (Grade 12s and Graduates) and quality of education (advantaged and disadvantaged schooling). Results yielded no significant main or interaction effects between acculturation factors of level and quality of education. Normative guidelines of 13 or more pairs and 8 or more free recall symbols, appropriate to a non-clinical sample in a multicultural setting, are provided. Digit Symbol-Incidental Learning proved to be a culture-fair test, which contributes to its clinical utility as a sensitive memory screening tool.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
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