Browsing by Author "Isaacs, Gordon"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
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    Brief dynamic psychotherapy : an exploration of attitudes and practice among a group of local clinicians - some implications for training
    (1988) Becker, Lily; Isaacs, Gordon
    This study explores brief dynamic psychotherapy as a model of intervention with the individual adult client. The rationale for examining this area emanated from a few aspects. Firstly, increasing numbers of research studies indicated that the median length of psychotherapy, whether in private practice, or in community mental health centres, was actually of brief duration, whether planned or not; secondly, emerging studies indicated the proven effectiveness of brief intervention; and thirdly, the current emphasis on practice accountability with a more conscious use of time and outcome, were motivating factors to explore this model in practice. In addition, the study aimed to explore elements from the broader psychoanalytic tradition, which could be shaped and offered within a brief dynamic model of therapy.
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    Certain congenital anomalies : some psycho-social implications in adulthood
    (1988) Heydenrych, Joan Ingrid; Sippel, Gerd; Isaacs, Gordon
    This study is an investigation of some psycho-social implications in adulthood of being born with a congenital anomaly. The congenital anomalies - oesophageal atresia, Hirschsprung's disease and high anorectal malformations are surgically corrected at birth, but can be associated with residual problems. These problems could put patients at risk for psycho-social maladjustment. The three anomaly groups were seen to represent varying degrees of severity. The oesophageal atresia respondents represented the no to mild disability/residual problems group. Those who had Hirschsprung's disease represented the moderate disability/residual problem group. The high anorectal malformation respondents' represented the severe disability/residual problem group. The research hypothesis is that the severity of residual problems and psycho-social functioning will be directly proportional to each other, i.e. the more severe the handicap, the poorer the psycho-social functioning. A research study was conducted on 38 adult patients whose congenital anomalies were surgically corrected at The Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital. The research methods used were a descriptive survey method and a case-study method. The former involved three self-administered questionnaires. Information obtained concerned demographic, socio-economic, family background, medical and psycho-social problem data. An in-depth case-study was conducted with one respondent from each anomaly group. Information was obtained concerning the effect that residual problems had had on various aspects of patients' lives. Data was analysed descriptively. The findings of the study supported the research hypothesis, the medical prognosis and on the whole agreed with the literature. Severity of residual problems was found to be directly related to psycho-social functioning. Patients with severe disability/residual problems were experiencing the most psycho-social problems, those who had moderate disability/residual problems were found to have some psycho-social disability/residual problems, whereas those with mild disability/residual problems were found to have few or no psycho-social problems. Self-esteem, depression, interpersonal relationships and restricted social functioning were the psycho-social aspects found to be most affected by residual problems. The study revealed gaps in both medical and social work services for these patients in terms of ongoing follow-up services. Recommendation to improve these services have been proposed.
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    The development, implementation and evaluation of a training programme in rape crisis intervention for lay therapists : a community psychology approach
    (1981) Flisher, Alan John; Isaacs, Gordon; Papadopoulos, Renos
    A conceptual framework was developed in the context of community psychology for the development of a training programme in rape crisis intervention for lay therapists who were members of the Rape Crisis Organisation in Cape Town, South Africa. This framework was structured around the use of lay therapists, crisis intervention (including crisis intervention with rape victims) and consultation. The interrelationships of these three aspects were explored. The programme consisted of theoretical input and experiential exercises pertaining to rape crisis intervention and was held over two full days and one evening. The programme was evaluated by means of a modification of the instrument reported by Carkhuff (1969) to assess the levels of facilitativeness (FAC) and action orientedness (ACT) that therapists were able to offer. This instrument consists of 16 client stimulus expressions to which the therapists are required to provide responses which are rated. Besides the experimental group which consisted of the members of Rape Crisis who attended the programme (N=8), there were two control groups: control group A, consisting of members of Rape Crisis who did not attend the programme (N = 9) and control group B, consisting of people who were neither members of Rape Crisis nor who attended the programme (N = 8). The data were analysed by means of a 3 way AN OVA with repeated measures on two of the factors (the stage of assessment and the client stimulus expressions) and no repeated measures on the other factor (the groups). There were no differences in levels of FAC that subjects were able to offer within any of the groups for any of the client stimulus expressions. However, members of Rape Crisis offered significantly lower levels of FAC than subjects who were not members of Rape Crisis (overall the stage of assessment and the client stimulus expressions). The levels of ACT that subjects were able to offer increased in the case of the experimental group for all 16 client stimulus expressions, decreased in the case of control group A for 4 expressions and increased for one expression and decreased for one expression in the case of control group B. The theoretical and practical implications of these results were explored. In addition, this data was used in conjunction with information gathered from experiential reports that the members of the experimental group provided at the end of each component of the programme and from a questionnaire that they completed after the programme to yield a blueprint for future training programmes in rape crisis intervention. Finally, the training programme was discussed in relation to the conceptual framework that had been developed.
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    An exploration into the counselling needs of battered women : a feminist perspective for clinical social work practice
    (1990) Angless, Teresa M; Isaacs, Gordon; Tshabalala, Mandla
    Despite the severity and extent of battering, the experiences of battered women remain largely hidden and unacknowledged due to the privacy of the family and the relative unimportance accorded women in a sexist society where male dominance and control are sanctioned. This study attempts to break some of the silence surrounding the problems and experiences of battered women with a view to influencing clinical practice. Battering is situated within its social, historical and theoretical context offering a feminist analysis to provide most clarity on this complex issue. Battering is regarded as one form of extensive male violence against women, and viewed as an extension of behaviour and roles supported and encouraged by the dominant culture. The sample consisted of nine battered women drawn from the case-loads of counsellors who are members of the Coordinated Action for Battered Women group. A feminist methodology which attempts to do research for women rather than on women, was adhered to. Within this the experiences of women themselves are sought to elucidate the general position and experience of women thereby allowing the personal/individual to be connected with political/collective spheres. The research was conducted in the form of a literature search followed by holding individual in-depth interviews with open-ended questions to elicit qualitative data on the women's relationships, their experiences of violence, and their experiences of helping agents. From the transcribed interviews common themes and trends· were drawn out, highlighting the difficulties facing battered women and thereby signifying the complex psychological and practical factors which may keep women trapped in violent relationships. The women's stories therefore serve to indicate issues which clinicians need to consider in their work with battered women. Findings indicate that clinicians need to have a thorough knowledge of the complexities of battering, the effects on women, the resources available and that their role of advocate and change-agent be amplified since socio-legal and economic forces prove the major constraints to battered women. Recommendations for training and increased resources are therefore made. Feminist therapy is advocated as the most appropriate for battered women since its principles and tenets embrace issues such as power, domination, gender, social change and consciousness which are fundamental to an adequate analysis of battering.
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    Institutionalization as a contributing factor in antisocial behaviour : implications for statutory social work practice
    (1987) Clarke-Mcleod, Peter George; Isaacs, Gordon
    This study looks at the role of statutory social work practice within the framework of current South African legislation. The implications of this legislation for persons exhibiting antisocial behaviour were examined in the light of institutional and community-based management options. An overview of the literature is presented in order to place the concepts of institutional care, community-based options and legal reform in perspective. These literature studies provided the framework for an exploratory survey of 70 purposely sampled statutory social work clients, with a view to re-examining institutionalization as a possible contributing factor in their antisocial behaviour. Using a structured interview schedule, the Researcher elicited information concerning the respondents' histories of institutionalization, their evaluations of its effects and other possible factors contributing to their antisocial behaviour. The outcome of the study confirmed the major research question, namely that institutionalization could be regarded as a contributing factor in antisocial behaviour. Conversely, the findings reflected major literature surveys which stated that institutionalization has an adaptive potential for certain client systems. Results flowing from both negative and positive factors are mediated by the characteristics of the institution; by those who are institutionalized, and by other factors which precede, coexist with or follow institutionalization. The study supports the preferential use of community-based alternatives in statutory social work as well as providing guidelines for institutional reform and future research.
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    A study and evaluation of client dropout at a drug counsellling centre in Cape Town
    (1990) Rogers, Catherine Anne; Isaacs, Gordon
    This study is motivated by the fact that half the clients attending a drug counselling centre in Cape Town, dropped out of treatment before the fourth interview. The study examines and describes the factors which contribute towards this dropout behaviour. Literature describing dropout behaviour and patterns of illicit drug abuse identified multiple factors influencing dropout behaviour. The present study utilizes four such categories: a) motivation factors, which include the pressure that families or employers exert on clients to attend treatment; b) client factors, including aspects of demography, symptomology and personality; c) treatment factors, such as evaluation methods, the initial contact, client expectations of the agency and treatment effectiveness; and d) therapist factors including therapist attributes, contracting and response to dropout behaviour. In order to explore factors contributing to dropout behaviour, an initial sample of 32 subjects was selected of which fourteen were interviewed by means of a structured questionnaire. An analysis of the results gives rise to the following important findings: Families do not influence the dropout to continue with treatment. Dropouts tend to have unrealistic treatment expectations, such as immediate medical relief from drug related symptoms. Dropouts also tend to have lower educational status and are more frequently employed in relation to the average client. The dropouts experience anxiety during the initial contact, which is often met by uncaring therapist attitudes. Finally, the study demonstrates that inflexible agency hours and a lack of therapist contracting also contribute toward dropout behaviour.