Browsing by Subject "Psychology"

Now showing 1 - 20 of 309
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    A case study exploration of the therapeutic phenomena of projective identification, transference and countertransference: a brief therapy with a patient with psychotic anxiety
    (1996) Abrahams, Deborah L; Miller, Sheila; Swartz, Sally
    This dissertation reviews the concepts of projective identification, transference and countertransference from an Object Relations theoretical perspective. The developmental mother-infant relationship is explored as a model for understanding the therapist-patient interaction in both its normal and pathological forms. Projective identification is used to illuminate the workings of transference and countertransference. W.R. Bion's conception of the mother-therapist as 'Container' and infant-patient as 'Contained' is presented as pivotal to understanding that interaction. Failures in projective identification - and therefore in symbolic functioning - are explored, with particular focus given to psychotic and psychosomatic manifestations in patients. The relevance of transference and countertransference phenomena to brief psychotherapy is also considered. These concepts are then applied to a specific therapeutic case. The patient was seen as an in-and outpatient over a 5 month period 1-3 times per week. The patient's history and a brief formulation are presented, followed by a discussion of how the above-mentioned theoretical issues manifested in the therapy. The patient operated on the border between psychosis and neurosis and communicated in primitive pre-verbal and powerful symbolic ways. Case illustrations focus on the interplay between her psyche and soma, the impact of the hospital setting as well as particular transference and countertransference difficulties incurred.
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    A factorial study of arithmetical ability
    (1943) Olckers, Petrus Jacobus; Reyburn, H A
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    A factorial study of inferiority
    (1948) Yates-Benyon, John Wicht; Reyburn, H A
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    A multidimensional study of male transvestite homosexuals and male homosexuals
    (1972) Stanley Rabinowitz; Peter Lambley
    A sample of 12 males, 7 transvestites and 5 homosexuals, obtained mainly from a non-psychiatric population underwent a variety of tests in order to investigate: (1) Early developmental patterns (through the use of an unstructured clinical interview, an Interview Schedule of Money and Primrose 1969 and a questionnaire of early childhood relationships of Evans 1969); (2) The phenomenon of alienation (through the use of Rotter's I-E scale 1966 and Nettler's Alienation Scale 1957); (3) The amount of heterosexual activity (through the use of Bentler's Heterosexual Behaviour Assessment Questionnaire 1968); and (4) Personality dynamics (through the use of the Rorschach, MMPI and CPI). Mention should be made that early developmental patterns were studied only with the transvestite sample. A multi-dimensional approach was used which aimed at obtaining a comprehensive, overall picture of personality. No significant differences were obtained between .the groups on the tests measuring alienation and heterosexual activity. However on all the tests of personality the transvestite sample clearly showed themselves to be more psychologically and socially disturbed than did the homosexuals. The grossly retarded personalities of the transvestites was assumed to have been a result of their grossly disturbed early developmental patterns especially their pathologically dependent relationship with their mothers. A schizophrenic process was clearly evident in the transvestite sample, but was markedly absent from the homosexual sample.
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    A proposed typology for paedophilia: a grounded theory analysis of online discourse
    (2019) Verrijdt, Andrew; Foster, D H
    Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a human rights issue of interest to both science and society. Many CSA offenders are paedophiles. It follows that a thorough understanding of paedophilia is apposite. Unfortunately, there is disagreement in the literature about paedophilia. This may be because the group is not homogenous. To address this, studies have attempted to construct typologies. However, these suffered from methodological limitations including participant-dishonesty, difficulty in maintaining participant anonymity, small sample sizes and the tendency of clinicians to influence data. The current study attempts to address these. It examines a population of self-identified paedophiles who operated under a high degree of anonymity on a pair of websites (the “Pedophile Support Community”, and “Hurt 2 the Core”) that were hidden on the “dark internet” and accessible only via the anonymizing web browser “TOR”. The study qualitatively analyses participant discussions. Using the principles of grounded theory, it attempts to describe, compare and contrast the two sites’ users, with a view to identifying taxonomic distinctions. Most members of the first site used the platform to construct an identity, using cognitive distortions, that was more favourable to them than the one imposed by society. This was largely informed by the notion that child sexual abuse needn’t be harmful. Others eschewed child sexual abuse, preferring to satisfy their urges by viewing indecent images of children. These subtypes contrast to those who occupied the second site, who sought to enact both paedophilic and sadistic fantasies. The attitudes and actions of the sites' participants led to the construction of a proposed typology of potential child abusers. A distinction between ‘pedosexuals’ and ‘pedosadists’ is proposed. Whilst both are attracted to children, the latter is specifically aroused on the basis of violence (or thoughts of violence) against children, whilst the former explicitly is not. This distinction has implications for societal responses, vis a vis treatment, legal measures and theory.
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    A psychological investigation of the incidence of absenteeism amongst Cape factory workers and the reasons therefor
    (1951) Naude, David B; Reyburn, H A; Taylor, J G
    With the dawn of 1952 great possibilities face South African industrialists. The natural impetus the war gave to industry has passed over to a more gradual expansion, and we are able to look around us and take stock of the situation. The wise industrialist, by every available means at his disposal, with the assistance of the Industrial Psychologist, Sociologist and Engineer, is consolidating his position.
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    A psychological study of children legally removed from parental care
    (1972) Stricklin, Ann Burns; Lambley, Peter
    The problem of the child who is legally removed from their parental care, although it may only be on a temporary basis, is an enormously expensive undertaking, both in terms of financial and emotional expenditure. In every respect, to all concerned, the event is a painful and tragic one. there have been few studies in other countries relative to the child legally removed from parental care. A careful search of the literature failed to bring to light other studies which were of the same nature as the present study. No studies of a psychological nature had been undertaken in South Africa, thus leaving the practitioner in this country with a limited and uncertain knowledge base from which to work with children requiring protective services
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    A schistosomiasis health education intervention among rural Malawian school children : lessons learned
    (2000) Bandawe, Chiwoza Rutendo; Foster, Donald
    This thesis is the product of a two-year intervention aimed at controlling the prevalence of schistosomiasis (Bilharzia), a parasitic disease, among school children in a rural area of11angochi District, Malawi between 1996 and 1998. The question this thesis addresses as its focus is, which degree of health education input is the most efficient in controlling schistosomiasis? Guided by the. empirically supported social psychology theories of reasoned action (Ajzen & Fishbein, 1980) and planned behaviour (Ajzen, 1991), three varying degrees of health education input were provided to three primary schools, in the Koche catchment area of Mangochi. Each school was randomly assigned a different input. One school received "minimum" input consisting of basic information provision through a brief talk given by a health professional. Another school was given the "medium" condition which was similar but had the addition of multimedia input to the school through peers in the form of clubs and the third school deemed the "maximum" condition had the addition of pupil interaction with the local community. The framework that guided the intervention was Green's PRECEDE-PROCEED model (Green & Kreuter, 1991). It was used to guide the planning, implementation and evaluation of the intervention. Qualitative and quantitative research methods were employed to assess the three schools pre and post intervention. Comparisons were made across the schools as well as within two of the schools, comparing members of Bilharzia clubs established with non-members. No significant differences were observed across the input conditions. However, a subsection of the participants, the school club members experienced the most positive shifts in knowledge, attitude, behavioural intention and practice, Reduction of the prevalence of the disease was dependent on ongoing medication. It is concluded that the most efficient health education input was intense weekly input through the formation of clubs othenNise a brief lecture has the same effect on knowledge and practice as multimedia campaigns. Intentions of the sample were predominantly under non-native control prompting recommendations for further culturally based research using discursive approaches.
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    "A study of time behaviour in the neurotic"
    (1969) Katz, Lorna; Grover, V M; Danziger, K
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    A Systematic Review of Interventions for Teaching Empathy in Child and Adolescent Samples
    (2023) Blacher, Ashlee; Malcolm-Smith, Susan; Pileggi Lea-Ann
    Introduction: Escalating levels of youth violence and aggression is today a major global concern and is notably apparent in South Africa. Despite the deleterious consequences associated with these acts, a long-term, efficacious intervention is still lacking. Furthermore, early onset aggression has repeatedly been linked to later aggression, which underscores the need for intervention in a younger cohort of the population. Various international studies have positioned empathy as a notable correlate of violence and aggression, associating increased empathy with a decreased risk of presenting with violent and aggressive behaviour. Research has also demonstrated the potential to enhance child and adolescent empathic behaviour using various interventions. These findings lend themselves to the possibility of using empathy enhancing interventions to counteract youth violent and aggressive behaviours. Method: To this end, a PRISMA-P compliant systematic review of randomised pre-/post-test experimental studies was conducted to assess the efficacy of interventions that have been used to enhance empathic behaviour among child and adolescent samples. Eight journal databases were searched, using key terms relating to teaching, empathy, children/adolescents, and interventions. Results: Of the 1,656 articles found, the authors reviewed the full texts of 161 articles. A total of 38 articles were included in the final analysis (ten randomised control trials, 18 cluster randomised control trials, one class randomised cross over design and nine pre-/post-test randomised experimental designs). Included interventions were classified according to eight categories: classroom-based social emotional learning (SEL) interventions (N=10), narrative/conversation-based interventions (N=8), game-based interventions (N=3), physical education (PE) interventions (N=2), mindfulnessbased interventions (MBIs; N=3), home-based, caregiver-administered interventions (N=2), role play interventions (N=1) and other (N=9). Conclusion: Evidence from the review indicates that empathic behaviour can be enhanced in children and adolescents. Notably, this review is the first of its kind to assess the efficacy of these interventions in an all-inclusive, universally applicable manner and in neurotypical child and adolescent samples. However, the review also highlights the need for a concrete, unanimously accepted definition of empathy so that future research can make more definitive conclusions and more accurate comparisons.
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    Access to alcohol and drug treatment for people from historically disadvantaged communities in the Cape Town metropole
    (2007) Myers, Bronwyn Jane; Louw, Johann
    This study examined factors associated with access to alcohol and drug treatment for people from historically disadvantaged communities in Cape Town, South Africa. The Behavioural Model of Health Services Utilisation was used as a conceptual framework for variable selection, data analysis and the interpretation of findings. A mixed methods design was used that comprised a case-control study and qualitative in-depth interviews. For the case-control study, data were gathered from 434 cases who had accessed treatment and 555 controls who had alcohol or drug problems but had not accessed services. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to gather data on socio-demographic variables, indicators of treatment need, and barriers to service use.
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    Acquired brain injury and the unraveling of theory of mind: exploring the role of personality change and spatial cognition
    (2024) Mosdell, Jill; Solms, M. L.; Malcolm-Smith Susan
    This study investigates the intricate relationship between spatial cognition, personality changes (notably egocentrism), and Theory of Mind (ToM) following right hemisphere dysfunction (RHD) due to Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). Given the critical role of the right hemisphere in social and emotional behavior, this research focuses on understanding the connection between ToM and personality alterations, particularly as they relate to Cluster B personality traits postinjury. Through an exploration of right hemisphere syndrome deficits, including anosognosia and spatial neglect, the study aims to provide lesion-based insights into how ToM, spatial cognition, and personality changes interrelate post-ABI. The research is organized into two distinct phases: acute and chronic. It addresses three core objectives: firstly, to clarify the relationship between visuo-spatial abilities and ToM, hypothesizing that RHD adversely affects these capabilities and their interplay. Secondly, to examine the impact of ABI on Cluster B personality changes and their relationship to ToM, with a focus on narcissistic traits such as empathy, self-insight, and social interaction. Thirdly, to analyze ToM task performance in RHD individuals, especially in tasks like the Faux Pas test, controlling for executive functioning and intelligence. Employing both qualitative and quantitative methods, this study provides a unique perspective on RHD patients who maintain core cognitive abilities yet exhibit significant changes in social cognition and personality. Integrating insights from psychoanalysis, developmental, and abnormal psychology, the research enhances the understanding of ToM in the context of cognitive changes post-neurological impairment. This approach offers a comprehensive view of how patients adapt to brain injuries affecting their social and spatial cognitive functions. This study underscores the need for future ToM research to consider the impact of spatial cognition and personality traits. It highlights how these factors compound the loss of cognitive ToM abilities, leading to substantial alterations in patients' relationships and perceptions of the world. The findings emphasize the profound changes in ways of relating to self and others postneurological trauma, reinforcing the importance of a holistic understanding of ToM in clinical neuropsychology.
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    Activity and life satisfaction in the elderly : a study at seniors' centres
    (1994) Gillespie, Charles William Ian; Louw, Johann
    Although the activity theory of optimal ageing has attracted much interest amongst psychological gerontologists since its explication by Havighurst and Albrecht {1953), little work has been done in the South African context. As the many seniors' centres which now exist in South Africa have the beneficial effects of heightened life satisfaction through improved social activity as their rationale, a study was undertaken at six seniors' centres in Cape Town to examine the connection between social activity and life satisfaction.
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    Adolescent adjustment to parental divorce : an investigation from the theoretical perspective of structural family therapy
    (1985) Abelsohn, David Selwyn; Saayman, Graham
    Significant Aided-Unaided differences are also found: Aided families are perceived as more chaotic, disengaged, and enmeshed than Unaided families; Aided adolescents are characterized by more Externalizing (i.e . acting out) behavior problems than Unaided adolescents; and while all Unaided adolescents fall within the nonclinical normative range on the standardized test on Externalizing Problems, more than one third of Aided adolescents fall within the clinical range on this test. Further, significant differences in mothers' postseparation incomes are found between the Aided and Unaided groups, with the Aided being lower. Comparisons of the adjustment scores for the combined Aided plus Unaided groups with the test norms of the clinical and nonclinical standardization groups reveal that the adolescents as a group fall between the clinical and nonclinical norms, suggesting that divorce is a stressor for these adolescents which is within the realm of nonclinical, or nonsymptomatic, adaptation. These findings represent a first quantitative attempt with separated families to (a) demonstrate that individual adolescent adjustment is contingent on structural features of the family, and (b) differentiate in one study between characteristics of Aided and Unaided families and their adolescents. This is an important methodological issue which has not been controlled in previous studies. (iii) (2) Two qualitative clinical case studies demonstrate the pertinence of these family dimensions, both in understanding the plight of clinical postseparation families with adolescents and in guiding their treatment. The first family is characterized by disengagement and a collapsed Generational Hierarchy. The second family is characterized by rigid enmeshment and disengagement in the mother-son and father-son subsystems respectively. Finally , the family dimensions are employed to understand the successful efforts of a nonclinical , separated family with an adolescent to adapt over a 3- year period after the separation . As far as is known, these case studies are the first systematic attempt to apply these structural family concepts to postseparation families. Thus , the contribution of this thesis to our current understanding of the adjustment of adolescents to their parents' separation represents a first attempt to (a) quantitatively relate adolescent adjustment to structural dimensions of the family , and to differentiate between characteristics of Aided and Unaided families and their adolescents, and (b) qualitatively demonstrate the applicability of these structural dimensions in the clinical situation, and to understand the successful efforts of a nonclinical family to adapt after a separation.
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    Adolescent suicidal behaviour in the 'lost city' : the experiences of mental health workers
    (1995) Welsh, Merran; Swartz, Leslie
    This study examines the high levels of anxiety and stress of mental health workers when dealing with cases involving adolescent suicidal behaviour. Mental health workers including nursing sisters, social workers and paraprofessionals were interviewed: Initially an unstructured interview schedule was used to explore the nature of adolescent suicidal behaviour in the course of their work. A semi-structured interview schedule, using focus groups was utilised to elicit the experiences and reactions of mental health workers to adolescent suicidal behaviour. A year after the initial interviews a few respondents were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. The aim was to evaluate the effects of the research intervention. A thematic analysis highlights factors which disorganise the work of mental health professionals and paraprofessionals and contribute to their high levels of anxiety and stress.
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    Afrikaans autism diagnostic observation schedule-2 : translation and cultural appropriateness for the coloured population from low-middle socioeconomic backgrounds living in the Western Cape
    (2015) Smith, Lesia; Malcolm-Smith, Susan; De Vries, P T
    One of the key needs in diagnostic practice for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in South Africa is to generate acceptable and valid diagnostic tools for use in the official languages of the country. The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 (ADOS-2) is the "gold standard" diagnostic tool for ASD and it is increasingly used in South Africa. However, its use is limited to English-speakers, as the tool has not been translated into any of South Africa's commonly spoken languages. Moreover, the cultural appropriateness of this tool for the local cultures of South Africa has not been explored. Consequently, this study translated the ADOS-2 into Afrikaans and assessed its cultural appropriateness for the coloured population from low-middle SES backgrounds residing in the Western Cape by using a mixed method approach. Three components associated with method bias were investigated to determine the cultural appropriateness of the tool for this population; the language used in the Afrikaans translation of the ADOS-2, the social interactions and activities in the ADOS-2, and the ADOS-2 materials. The Afrikaans ADOS-2 was pre-piloted in a clinical sample and an ethnographic investigation of play, social interaction, and social activities was conducted in a community sample. The data regarding play collected from the community sample is new to literature on this population.
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    Allocentric spatial memory following anterior temporal lobectomy: A comparison between active and sedentary epileptic adults
    (2009) Cotton, Sarah; Thomas, Kevin
    The association between neural activity of the left hemisphere hippocampal region and verbal memory has been well established. Similarly, neuropsychological outcomes following left anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) have been well documented, with deficits in the ability to learn new verbally encoded material consistently displayed. However, the association between non-verbal memory and functioning of the right hemisphere hippocampal region and, consequently, neuropsychological outcomes following right ATL, remains an area of debate. Moreover, relatively new evidence suggests that physical activity could improve overall hippocampal function (McCloskey, 2003). Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate spatial cognition in patients with intractable epilepsy and also to establish whether physical activity levels of these patients, i.e. active versus sedentary, had an effect on neuropsychological functioning. Spatial and verbal cognition were assessed in three groups: a pre-surgical (awaiting ATL) group, a post-surgical (following ATL) group and a healthy control group. Physical activity levels of all participants were established and left-sided damage and right-sided damage patient groups were divided into those with moderate-to-high activity levels and those with low activity levels. Results showed that on tests of spatial cognition, patients with right-sided damage tended to show more deficits than patients with left-sided damage when assessed using experimental tasks. However, no group differences were found when using standard clinical tests for assessment. On tests of verbal memory, patients with left-sided damage displayed more deficits than patients with right-sided damage. Patients with moderate-high activity levels performed better than patients with low activity levels on tests of spatial cognition, but both groups performed similarly on tests of verbal memory. The data therefore largely confirm the hypotheses. This is the first demonstration, within a single study, of spatial memory deficits using a virtual environment spatial navigation task in epileptic adults; and of an association between activity levels and improved spatial cognition on the CG Arena task in epileptic adults.
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