Browsing by Author "Collings, Steven John."

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A social science perspective on literature relating to medically prescribed stimulants: a systematic review.
(2022) Rode, Bo Staci.; Collings, Steven John.
Introduction: Ritalin, Concerta and Adderall are well-known medical drugs used to treat and manage attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Over the past couple of decades, there has been an increase in the medical prescriptions, consumption, and research of medically prescribed stimulants (MPS). A review of the literature indicated that common areas of enquiry were the use and wrongful use of MPS and suggested a great emphasis on academics and educational settings. The research indicated an ever increasing presence of MPS and reinforced the need for a consolidated overview of the available literature so that there is a deeper understanding and a guide for future research. Method: A systematic review was conducted; this was guided by the Cochrane Framework. A predetermined inclusion and exclusion were utilised, and various journal databases were searched using the JBI Reviewers Manual three-phase search strategy. The articles were analysed for eligibility for the study and then underwent coding. SPSS was used to analyse the data and measures of frequency and measures of central tendency were used. Results: This review included 167 research articles. Of that, 67.1% of them were from the USA and 89.8% of them emerged from first-world countries. Questionnaires and surveys were the most common data collection method, with 59.9% of the reviewed articles using them, and statistical analysis was the most common data analysis method, recording 46.1% of articles with this analysis method. Adults (over 18s) were the most common sample group, recording 67.1% of articles and 66.5% of the articles focused and investigated student populations. The top emerging themes associated with MPS use were academics (46.1%), prescriptions (13.8%), socioeconomic/demographic factors (12%) and attitudes and perceptions (7.2%). The top emerging themes associated with MPS wrongful use were academics (46.7%), attitudes and perceptions (12%), socioeconomic/demographic factors (8.4%) and prescriptions (6%). The majority of the data collection took place in a tertiary education setting (57.5%). Conclusion: This review recorded an abundance of MPS literature focusing on academics or an academic setting, suggesting these are frequently linked in the literature. There is an uneven representation in the literature, with minimal amounts of research emerging from developing/third-world countries. It also indicated the high concern over the wrongful use of MPS and the need for further investigations into different settings to form a comprehensive understanding of MPS.
Assessing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) specific knowledge in educators and identifying demographic predictors pertaining to educators’ knowledge of ADHD within the South African context.
(2021) Sim, Gina Dionne.; Collings, Steven John.
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most researched and controversial of all the childhood-onset disorders. It is also one of the most common disorders, with a high diagnosis rate in South Africa. Research over the last two decades shows a diagnosis prevalence rate of between 5 and 10%, thus making it one of the most commonly occurring disorders affecting South African children and adolescents. Despite its high rate of prevalence, ADHD is a condition that is largely misunderstood amongst parents, educators, and even medical practitioners such as doctors. Research has shown that educators have a basic understanding of ADHD but are not familiar with the more complex details related to its symptoms, treatment and associated features. This raises concern as educators are uniquely placed in the system to perform an instrumental role in the process that leads to ADHD referral and diagnosis. Therefore, this study aimed to measure levels of general knowledge amongst educators in the areas of ADHD associated features, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. It also set out to identify if there were any demographic predictors relating to educators’ level of ADHD knowledge. Knowledge levels were measured using the KADDS Knowledge of Attention Deficit Disorder Scale (KADDS), which is a questionnaire that measures an educator’s level of ADHD knowledge using the categories mentioned above. The KADDS questionnaire was administered along with a demographic questionnaire to 172 educators from primary and secondary schools located in the central Durban area. A demographic questionnaire was also administered to the same sample. Results from this study demonstrated that South African educators based in Durban had an overall level of knowledge rate of 47.14%. The scores obtained during this study fall within the average range of scores obtained from studies using the KADDS instrument, both nationally and internationally. The possible relationship between educators’ level of ADHD knowledge and their demographic characteristics was investigated using correlational analyses. The variable “sex”, which refers to the biological endowment (male/female) was the greatest contributing variable of all the options used in this study. The female sex in this study were found to have greater knowledge of ADHD than their male counterparts. These finding are relevant within the South African context as mental health and the stigma it carries is a barrier to seeking knowledge and being educated on such disorders as ADHD. The findings from this study contribute to the body of knowledge on levels of knowledge among educators in South Africa. Recommendations arising from this study include educators having increased exposure to pre-service and in-service ADHD related training. Educators also require practical experience and exposure to children suffering from ADHD, which will increase their understanding and knowledge of this disorder. Knowledge of self-efficacy as a variable, and its positive association with ADHD knowledge requires further exploration. Finally, it is recommended that further research is conducted on the role that gender plays in terms of the levels of ADHD knowledge among educators.
Child rape victims experiences in the aftermath of disclosure.
(2008) Ndlovu, Jabulile Charity.; Collings, Steven John.
This study was undertaken to explore children's experiences in the aftermath of rape disclosure. A qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive study was conducted at a Durban Treatment Centre. Clinical interviews were conducted with 20 rape survivors by a Psychologist in the participants' language, namely isiZulu or isiXhosa. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Most children disclosed their rape initially to their mothers and received supportive reactions from their mothers and family as well as from the community in general. The data revealed some key points which highlighted the type of support received by children in the aftermath of rape disclosure. It seems as though the children received largely supportive reactions from mothers, families and the community. However, children described their experiences with the police, social worker or other helping professions as being mostly negative. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for policy and practice.
The construction and validation of an equivalent form of the developmental trauma inventory appraisal scale.
(2018) Thomson, Tracy Lynne.; Collings, Steven John.
Trauma is unfortunately a common occurrence in children. For some children, the effects can be pervasive and multifaceted, leading to behavioural and psychological disorders which persist into adulthood if left untreated (Collishaw et al., 2007). To prevent this there is a need to provide cost-effective, evidence-based therapy. Cognitive theory asserts that the manner in which trauma is appraised predicts the onset and persistence of PTSD more so than the trauma itself (Barlow, Goldsmith Turow, & Gerhart, 2017; Cromer & Smyth, 2010). Identification of trauma appraisals enables a personalised therapeutic intervention to identify the trauma victim’s specific cognitive appraisals to be developed (Barlow et al., 2017). Many existing measurements of trauma appraisals are limited by a restricted operational definition of trauma, and do not incorporate the full range of trauma-related developmental appraisals (Valjee and Collings, 2016), limiting the effectiveness of the scale. In response, Valjee and Collings (2016) developed a Developmental Trauma Inventory (DTI) Appraisal Scale, a brief screen of developmental trauma appraisals found in children exposed to complex trauma. To track the effectiveness of therapy, and to do further research in support of a cognitive-mediation perspective, an alternate form of the DTI Appraisal Scale was found to be lacking. Employing a quantitative, cross-sectional survey research design, a self-administered questionnaire was completed by a convenience sample of high school learners. To create the new measure appraisals, drawn from a pool of trauma appraisals which were most strongly correlated with items from the original scale, were selected. The new scale was found to have high levels of internal consistency and convergent validity with the original scale. Cross validation of the new scale on a new sample revealed significant levels of internal consistency and high levels of correlation between the two scales using item analysis and convergent validity. This study builds onto the research conducted by Valjee and Collings (2016) to develop a reliable and valid alternate form of the DTI Appraisal Scale.
"Deaf ears and closed minds : do you hear the child's voice?" : exploring disclosures from the perspective of child rape victims.
(2008) Latif, Suhaila.; Collings, Steven John.
Despite recent increases in public, media and research concern with the issue of child rape, not much is known about the disclosure of this phenomenon. This study focused on exploring disclosure from the perspective of child rape victims (i.e., elucidating the subjective meaning of disclosure for children, as well as exploring the circumstances, and factors that facilitate or hinder disclosure). The sampling frame included 16 cases of child rape (12 girls and 4 boys) in the age range 5-17 years old, with 12 years being the average age of the children. The process of thematic analysis revealed three broad thematic areas, as well as a number of dominant and sub-themes. The first broad thematic area, Pre-Disclosure, provides insight into the intrapersonal process children undergo in the aftermath of rape; the children's thoughts and anxieties in coming to understand that they have been raped; and the decision-making process they underwent prior to disclosing their rape experience(s). The second thematic area, Disclosure, provides insight into the children's lived experiences of disclosing their rape and of the disclosure process. At this point in the disclosure process, disclosure is not only experienced at the intrapersonal level, but is experienced in relation to others (interpersonal level). Lastly, Post-Disclosure, provides insight into the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and intergroup/ institutional influences in the aftermath of disclosure that play a role in the child's feelings about having disclosed, their evaluation if disclosing was worthwhile, and their decision to engage in subsequent disclosures (i.e., to keep telling). The present study indicated that disclosure can best be conceptualised using the 'Tipping the Balance' model (London Family Court Clinic, 1995). This theoretical model employs a scale as a metaphor for the competing influences on a child who is sexually victimised, and proposes that a fragile balancing act precedes the decision to disclose (London Family Court Clinic, 1995). Such a decision is affected by competing pressures (intrapersonal, interpersonal and intergroup/ institutional), and by what the present study has identified as facilitators and inhibitors. In each child's case, the balance must tip so that the facilitators and perceived benefits outweigh the influence of the many factors which can inhibit disclosure (London Family Court Clinic, 1995). In addition, the decision to use the ecosystemic theory as a conceptual framework for the present research proved to be of heuristic value as it recognises the multiple levels of influence (intrapersonal, interpersonal, inter-group/institutional) that have an effect on the child.
Distinguishing between psychogenic and organically-based seizures : the search for critical psychological variables.
(2006) Wells, Marlene.; Mansfield, Douglas John.; Collings, Steven John.
Differentiating between organic epilepsy and psychogenic pseudoseizures is a difficult task even for experienced practitioners . Both disorders present in a similar manner and at present there are no clinical signs that distinguish between them. Latrogenesis may occur when psychogenic seizures are treated medically and sometimes aggressively in order to control seizure activity. Quality of life is negatively impacted on in both patient groups and stigmatisation and social isolation frequently occur. Psychiatric comorbidity is associated with both epilepsy and psychogenic seizures. The primary aim of this study was to explore the possibility of finding a definitive means of discriminating between the two patient groups. This study assessed quality of life and psychiatric dysfunction in both patient groups using the QOLIE-31 and the SCL-90-R instruments, respectively. The Seizure Questionnaire was used to assess qualitative aspects. The sample (n = 19) was made up of 10 females and nine males with a mean age of 30.6 years (S D = 8.9, range l8 - 44 years). One case of mixed seizures was excluded. The sample was taken from an epilepsy monitoring unit in a hospital in Durban, South Africa. On the scales of the SCL-90-R, Anxiety showed significant difference between groups and on the QOLIE-31 scales, Energy/Fatigue, Cognitive Functioning and Overall score showed significant differences. These differences were in the expected direction as found in previous research i n the literature. These trends need to be interpreted cautiously given the sample size.
The effectiveness of a centre-based early intensive behavioural intervention in a young child with autistic disorder.
(2008) Simons, Nikki Lyn.; Collings, Steven John.
While there is considerable evidence that applied behaviour analysis (ABA) is an efficacious treatment for Autistic Disorder (AD) in a controlled research setting, the effectiveness of current applications of ABA in the South African context have not yet been established. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an intensive ABA programme for a young child with AD. A single case study was conducted using a within-subject, repeated measures, evaluation design. The ABA treatment, an applied verbal behaviour version ofABA (AVB/ABA), was implemented by behaviour consultants and technicians at TRIAD (Therapy and Research in Autistic Disorders): a private centre in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, that specialises in the behavioural treatment of children with AD. The subject was a young boy, who was diagnosed with AD at the age of 21 months, initiated treatment at TRIAD at 22 month of age, and underwent 20 hours of treatment per week over a 22 month period. Cumulative outcome data across all learning domains was obtained using the standard outcome measure at the centre: the Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills (ABLLS). The ABLLS was administered by a senior behaviour consultant on five occasions, namely at baseline (i.e., at 0 months); at various intervals throughout the intervention (at 2,3, and 14 months); and in the final week of the study period (at 22 months). Results were tabulated and converted into linear graph format by the researcher. In addition, the caregiver was asked to rate the child's progress on a five point Likert scale as a means of establishing the social validity of the behaviour change. Visual inspection of the linear graphs revealed that the subject improved considerably across all ABLLS domains over the 22 month period and the child's caregiver rated that his behaviour had "significantly improved" since the onset of the intervention. In addition, at the end of the 22 month treatment period, the subject was enrolled in a mainstream school with the assistance of an aide and was engaging with same-age peers. The present study thus provides support for the effectiveness of the AVBIABA programme at TRIAD, contributes to the existing ABA outcome literature, and provides further evidence for the efficacy of the AVB approach to ABA. Furthermore, results confirm the role of predictor variables, such as age at onset, hours of treatment, skill acquisition rates, and parental involvement. Finally, given the gains made in the present study, it is suggested that the initial cost of intensive treatment may be economical in the long term.
The experiences of caregivers whose children disclose child rape.
(2008) Nkabinde, Brenda Nozipho.; Collings, Steven John.
The purpose of this research was to examine what the caregivers of raped children experience in the aftermath of child rape disclosure. Nineteen caregivers were drawn from a Treatment Centre, for child rape victims, using purposive sampling. Information was gathered from them by means of focused in-depth interviews that were conducted by a qualified psychologist and the data collected from these interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. According to the findings of this study, caregivers reacted emotionally, physically, and psychologically to rape discovery. What was feared by most caregivers was that their children might have contracted HIV during the rape incident. Most caregivers also complained of the service rendered by the police and considered it to be the worst as compared to that provided by medical staff. When it comes to coping strategies, most caregivers seemed to have been assisted by the Treatment Centre in dealing with rape disclosure. This suggests a need for the development of more such Treatment Centres which are readily accessible by the public.
The experiences of family caregivers of children living with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
(2019) Zulu, Siluleko Zamokuhle.; Collings, Steven John.
A limited number of studies have explored and documented the daily challenges faced by the caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal,South Africa. The literature on the challenges of raising a child with autism spectrum disorder is mostly reported in northern American and European countries (Boyd, 2002). South Africa has little awareness of the ramifications associated with raising a child with this neuro-developmental disorder, irrespective of it being recognized as highly prevalent in South Africa (Stephens, 2012). The aim of this study was to document what family caregivers face in raising a child with autism spectrum disorder in Durban,South Africa. A qualitative approach was adopted by the researcher in order to gain insight into the experiences of family caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder. Interviews were conducted with seven biological mothers (and according to race: five black, one white and one coloured) of children with autism spectrum disorder. Interviews were grouped using thematic analysis and the themes which were discovery included:(1)perceived daily challenging behaviour, (2) discipline and its effect on caregiving, (3) life style changes, (4) financial burden, (5) communication difficulties and caregiving, (6) emotional burden, and (7) support system. The results have suggested that family caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder experience different degrees of stress,which stem either from difficulties in finding schools or not understanding what their child needs.They,however, showed some levels of optimism about their circumstances. The findings also emphasized on where family caregivers themselves believe they need additional support.Some family caregivers raised key coping strategies they found helpful in dealing with daily challenges.
The experiences of help received by children in the aftermath of rape.
(2007) Itabor, Lindelani Lynette.; Collings, Steven John.
The aim of the study was to explore and describe the experiences of children who have been raped. It is a known fact that children are raped every day in South Africa, but how the consequences are experienced by the child victims of rape is another matter. Specifically, the researcher wanted to determine whether these children receive the support that is their constitutional right and whether or not they are subjected tc secondary victimization. The sampling strategy employed was purposive sampling. This type of sampling wai selected, as the researcher was looking for a particular type of participant, that is, children who had disclosed rape. The sample consisted of six female children between the ages of 5 and 17years. Participants' parents were consulted for their consent at c counseling centre for abused children in Durban, where participants attended group counseling and individual sessions. The data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews and analyzed usin^ thematic analysis. Unstructured interviews were tape recorded and transcribed. Thesi transcriptions were coded for descriptive themes and were analyzed using thematic conten analysis. The research findings suggest that children have mixed views regarding the quality of the help they receive; some had positive experiences and some had negative experiences. Despite the fact that most participants experienced a sense of being interrogated and had feelings of being not involved during discussions, two participants reported that although rape is an atrocious experience there were positive consequences for them. For example, getting attention from significant people in their lives was one of their positive experiences. It was the experience of the researcher that there is a lack of research pertaining to the experiences of children who are rape victims, especially research focusing on the quality of support that rape victims ought to receive. Further research is recommended to clarify and measure the prevalence of typical feelings and experiences of children who have been raped
Exploring young people’s constructions of domestic violence as portrayed in the media.
(2022) Mtshali, Zandile Penelope.; Collings, Steven John.
Domestic violence (DV) is a severe problem experienced mostly by women and girls locally and on other continents. Existing literature on DV has predominantly focused on quantitative analysis and the adult population. There is a paucity of research concerning young people’s views, understandings, and experiences of DV. Therefore, this study aimed to map and comprehensively analyze studies that examined how young people view, understand, and construct domestic violence to uncover existing evidence in the field and establish areas for future research. This study was exploratory and expanded knowledge of existing literature about young people’s narratives about DV. The theoretical framework navigating this study was the ecological systems theory to achieve an interdisciplinary perspective. The present study was a qualitative research study that utilized Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) scoping review method. The search strategy for this scoping review entailed three electronic databases, PubMed, Google scholar, and dissertations from SABINET online. The search period was from 2011 to 2021. Eligible studies were screened independently by the researcher. Extracts of young people’s narratives from primary qualitative studies were employed. Data were extracted and then analyzed using descriptive statistics in table form and thematic content analysis to categorize research results into themes. The data charting included tables from articles that met the inclusion criteria. Charting involved synthesizing and interpreting data according to key issues in a table form. Six studies met the inclusion criteria. Three prominent themes were developed: (1) Constructions of violence, (2) Normalization of violence, and (3) Young people’s agency, coping, and resistance strategies. Broadly, the findings of the present study illustrated that a deficit of understanding DV in young people is related to numerous issues, namely: low age, inadequate knowledge, growing up in a low-socioeconomic environment, normalization of violence by family and society, socially constructed gender norms and inaccurate media depictions. As a result, young people reported being scared to disclose the abuse to family and society and perceive it as a private matter. The findings of this study suggested an essential narrative behind the difficulties of intervening for young women who are victims of DV. However, numerous constructive implications may be helpful for young people, their families, and the health professionals working with them.
Factors associated with the severity of long-term reactions to a childhood sexual experience.
(1994) Collings, Steven John.; Lachenicht, Lance Gary.
Abstract available in the pdf file.
The incidence and correlates of intimate partner violence in a sample of South African university students.
(2017) Smith, Michelle René.; Collings, Steven John.
This study aimed to obtain an indication of the incidence (past 12 month) of intimate partner violence (IPV) in a South African student sample, and to explore the association between exposure to intimate partner violence and psychological adjustment. Study participants were 146 undergraduate students, aged 18-25years old, registered for psychology modules on the Howard College campus of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. The incidence of IPV was assessed using the physical assault and sexual coercion subscales of the revised Conflict Tactics scale, with exposure to emotional abuse being assessed using scores on the Women’s Experience of Battering Scale. The impact of exposure to IPV was assessed using the depression and anxiety subscales of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist and scores on the Brief Screening Instrument for PTSD. Past 12 month incident rates for exposure to any form of IPV were high (92.5%), with incident rates for specific forms of IPV being: physical assault (31%), sexual coercion (14%), and emotional abuse (41%). Although females were significantly more likely than males to report sexual coercion (18.2% versus 5.6%), there were no significant gender differences in incidence rates for exposure to physical assault or emotional abuse. A series of regression analyses indicated that exposure to: (a) emotional abuse was associated with significantly higher scores on the measures of depression and PTSD, (b) sexual coercion was associated with significantly higher scores on the measure of depression, and (c) physical assault was not associated with scores on any of the clinical measures used in the study. Study findings are discussed with respect to their implications for practice and for further research.
An investigation into the relationship between homophobic attitudes of female grade 12 students and parental attitudes.
(2000) Cahill, Susan Mary.; Collings, Steven John.
Prejudice can be defined as the possession of negative attitudes or beliefs that have the potential for people to behave in a discriminatory or hostile manner toward a person because they belong to a certain group. It is believed that attitudes are passed on and communicated inter-generationally. In this context attitudes were examined in a sample of Grade 12 pupils and their parents to establish whether there was a relationship between adolescents and parents attitudes toward homosexuals. Results support the hypothesis that parents' attitudes impact on daughters' attitudes but more specifically that daughters' attitudes are more closely related to mothers' attitudes than they are to fathers' attitudes. Findings for the Attitude Toward Lesbian and Gay men scale revealed that respondents demonstrated more negative attitudes toward gay men than they did toward lesbians, with male respondents (fathers) being more homophobic than females (mothers and daughters). These findings are discussed in terms oftheir implications for research, education strategies, and legislative amendments.
An investigation into the value of the school readiness programme offered by the reception class.
(1990) De Lange, Erna Augusta.; Collings, Steven John.; Cunniffe, Natalie.
In this research an attempt was made at establishing the value of the Reception Class programme. Bridging the gap between home and school has received a lot of attention in the past decade and although numerous suggestions have been put forward, a pattern of hit-or-miss has developed. This research aims to present a suggestion of successful entry into the formal phase of education for every child, regardless of colour, at a much lower cost for both authorities and parents. In an attempt to determine the success of the Reception Class programme, three measures were used: the First Grade Screening Test (AGS), the HSRC Test for 5-6 year olds and as a qualitative measure a questionnaire completed by the class one teachers of the school where the Reception children entered the formal phase of education in 1990. Results of these tests showed that the Reception Class programme was the most successful in achieving a high level of school readiness and on all three measures these pupils did significantly better than their peers who had attended pre-primary schools, crèches, day-care centres and those who had come straight from home. An analysis of test items showed that the Reception Class pupils had excelled in areas involving concentration and listening skills, fine muscle control and application of knowledge. The HSRC Test for 5-6 year olds showed evidence of well developed problem solving skills and a sound knowledge of mathematical language. Although the sample as such was found to be sufficient, a limitation of this study is the fact that all four the Reception Classes could not have been included in this research.
Non-supportive disclosure in child sexual abuse.
(2005) Akal, Matthew Jordan.; Collings, Steven John.
Confidants' non supportive reactions to disclosure in child sexual abuse constitutes an extensive and significant problem and is associated with a variety of negative consequences: (a) Victims do not receive adequate support or intervention and are left vulnerable to further victimization, (b) non-supportive intra-familial confidants are at greater risk of having their children removed, and (c) the justice system is rendered ineffective by the associated lack of police reporting. This study examined the extent of non-supportive disclosure and the factors associated with such reactions in a sample of 856 cases of child sexual abuse (796 girls and 60 boys) reported in the North Durban policing area of KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa) in the period January 2001 to December 2003. Of the various agents identified as having provided non-supportive reactions, three categories of non-supportive confidants emerged: namely family members, professional persons, and community members in their respective order of significance. Hierarchical cluster analysis of disclosure variables identified two broad homogenous groups (clusters) of cases of non-'supportive disclosure ("Incestuous Abuse Disclosed Within the Family", and "Extra-familial Abuse Disclosed Outside of the Family"). Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that cluster membership was meaningfully predicted by the three measure of consanguinity included in the analysis, but not significantly related to other abuse related variables. Furthermore, in cases of extra-familial abuse, nonsupportive disclosure was significantly more likely when (a) victims were below the age of twelve years, (b) no violence was used by the offender, and (c) the confidant was not related to the victim. The implications of the findings for secondary prevention and for future research are discussed in detail in this article.
Nowhere to hide : an exploration of adolescent school children's fears and anxieties in their communities.
(2013) Norton, Lynn Margaret.; Collings, Steven John.; Sliep, Yvonne.
In terms of section 28 of the South African Bill of Rights (Constitution, 1996) all children have the right to be cared for and to be protected from harm, including the right not be maltreated, neglected, abused or degraded. Despite this, children living in this country have been found to be "scared everywhere" - in their homes, at school and in their communities. Violence against children is reported as being ubiquitous and beatings and injury are common. Children are also affected by death, disease, violence and injuries in various other ways resulting in fears that are beyond the normal, imaginary ones of an ideal childhood. These myriad sources of fear and a clear link between childhood exposure to adversity and adverse health and social development, necessitates looking broadly at the full range of experiences that can bring distress to children. The purpose of this study was to explore and understand, from a child-centred perspective, what adolescent children in South Africa are most afraid of, at what level their fears are experienced and what children believe could happen to make them feel safer. As part of a broader project this was conducted across three domains: the family, school and community; all of which are regarded as sources of vulnerability for children. The study was theoretically based on an ecological systems perspective so that the complexity of children’s fears could be considered in interaction with the individual’s environment. The specific focus in this study was on the experience of children’s fears in their neighbourhood or community. Study findings indicate that exposure of children to community-based violence in South Africa is extremely high with clear links having been found between exposure to community violence and adversity to an array of distress symptoms. This was a quantitative exploratory study designed to obtain baseline information directly from adolescents so that fear, within a community setting, could be better understood and conceptualised in a South African context. An inductive approach was used and open-ended questionnaires with a rating scale were administered to a sample of 312 adolescent school children in the North West Province. Data from the open-ended questions were coded and analysed using systematic content analysis. The free-option method used in this study was discussed and compared with previous studies using fear survey schedules, in support of literature which indicates that different results are obtained depending on the type of assessment used. Common fears are discussed and conceptualised in terms of Hobfoll’s (1998) Conservation of Resources Theory in an attempt to broaden the conceptualisation of fear and understand child fears in terms of resources that are valued by children who will experience fear or anxiety when those valued resources are threatened. Findings indicated a high level of fear in relation to interpersonal violence and fears affecting the survival of participants. These are discussed in light of research findings relating to the high exposure of children to violence in South African communities and other forms of adversity impacting on South African children in their environments. Solutions proposed by children provided a clear indication of the need for more safety and security within communities, and the need for community involvement with issues relating to child fears. Implications of the study are discussed together with recommendations for further study in support of an ecological perspective looking at all levels of a child’s experience.
Parental supervision as a protective family factor associated with conduct competence in adolescent males with alcohol dependent fathers.
(2009) Magqoki, Thenjiwe Boipelo.; Collings, Steven John.
The effects of parental alcohol dependence on children have been well documented in the literature. Parental alcohol dependence has been linked with negative developmental outcomes such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, difficulties in school and conduct problems in children (Johnson, 2001). However, some studies have indicated that there may be some protective factors in the environments of children of alcohol dependent parents (COAs) which promote positive developmental outcomes for such children (Menees & Sergin, 2000). The current study focused on parental supervision as a protective family factor that is linked to conduct competence in COAs. The participants’ perception of parental supervision was measured using the Parental Monitoring Assessment and their level of conduct competence was measured using the Weinberger Adjustment Inventory. The Weinberger Adjustment Inventory includes four domains of conduct competence: suppression of aggression, consideration of others, impulse control and responsibility. The main hypothesis of the study was that the participants’ perception of parental supervision correlates with their level of conduct competence with regards to the four domains. The sample included twenty adolescent males who were recruited through their fathers’ involvement in an alcohol rehabilitation program. The results indicated that the participants’ perceptions of parental supervision correlate with levels of conduct competence in the domains of consideration of others, there is no correlation between perception of parental supervision and conduct competence in the domain of responsibility, whilst there is a negative correlation between perception of parental supervision and conduct competence in the domains of suppression of aggression and impulse control.
Patterns of reduction of distress in clinical conditions using eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR).
(2009) Bodill, Brigitte.; Collings, Steven John.
patterns, severe personality patterns, depressive constructs, other clinical syndromes, severe clinical syndromes and dissociation following EMDR treatment. Thirty-two people, ranging from 23 to 65 years old, underwent the full EMDR protocol treatment for up to three traumas. The findings regarding clinical personality patterns revealed that EMDR is most effective in reducing the symptoms of dependent personality pattern because 76% of participants with clinically significant dependent personality pattern before EMDR treatment no longer had a clinically significant score (>75) on the MCMI-III at the end of EMDR treatment; compared to 75% with masochistic personality pattern, 77% with negativistic personality pattern, 69% with avoidant personality pattern, 40% with depressive personality pattern and 29% with schizoid personality pattern. These gains were maintained on the MCMI-III at follow-up by 76% with dependent personality pattern, 64% with masochistic personality pattern, 46% with negativistic personality pattern, 38% with avoidant personality pattern, 30% with depressive personality pattern and 29% with schizoid personality pattern. The analysis of the severe personality patterns at the end of EMDR treatment revealed that the scores on the MCMI-III reduced from within one standard deviation above the mean (60-74) to below the mean (<60) for 84% of participants with borderline personality pattern, compared to 68% with paranoid personality pattern and 52% with schizotypal personality pattern. These gains were maintained on the MCMI-III at follow-up by 84% with borderline personality pattern, 68% with paranoid personality pattern and 48% with schizotypal personality pattern. The analysis of the depressive constructs revealed that EMDR is most effective in reducing symptoms of major depression as 86% of participants with clinically significant major depression before EMDR treatment no longer had a clinically significant score (>75) on the MCMI-III at the end of EMDR treatment; compared to 73% with dysthymia and 40% with depressive personality pattern. These gains were maintained on the MCMI-III at followup by 86% with major depression, 58% with dysthymia, and 33% with depressive personality pattern. The findings regarding the other clinical syndromes revealed that 91% of participants with clinically significant post traumatic stress before EMDR treatment, no longer had a clinically significant score (>75) on the MCMI-III at the end of EMDR treatment, compared to 75% of participants with anxiety. These gains were maintained on the MCMI-III at followup by 91% of participants with post traumatic stress and 69% of participants with anxiety. The analysis of the severe clinical syndromes at the end of EMDR treatment revealed that the scores on the MCMI-III reduced from within one standard deviation above the mean (60-74) to below the mean (<60) for 78% of participants with delusional disorder, compared to 67% with thought disorder, 32% with bipolar (manic), 28% with alcohol dependence and 28% with drug dependence. These gains were maintained on the MCMI-III at follow-up by 67% of participants with delusional disorder, compared to 63% with thought disorder, 53% with bipolar (manic), 48% with alcohol dependence and 57% with drug dependence. The analysis of the effects of EMDR on dissociation revealed that there was a significant decrease in symptoms of dissociation on the DES at the end of EMDR treatment and these gains were maintained at the follow-up measurement at the end of the study. Whilst the findings of the present study cannot be generalised due to the small sample size, the findings do suggest that EMDR is successful in the treatment of a number of clinical conditions in addition to post traumatic stress; with further research being strongly indicated in order to further explicate the efficacy of EMDR across different psychiatric conditions.
A postmodern, collaborative approach to therapy using a narrative lens with individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
(2020) Cohen, Ivan.; Collings, Steven John.
Bipolar disorder affects nearly 60 million people worldwide. It is a debilitating mood disorder that severely impacts on the functioning of those diagnosed as well as their significant others. Psychotherapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy and family orientated interventions have been used in conjunction with pharmacological treatment to reduce symptom severity, limit time spent in depressive or manic states and increase the duration between relapses, with these treatments showing varying degrees of success. Recently, there has been a focus on perceived quality of life as a measure of improvement for those with mental disorders, as opposed to symptom reduction alone. Collaboration, a technique employed by postmodern clinicians, can be defined as a philosophical stance to therapy that involves working with the client towards a mutually agreed outcome and can be extended to include other professionals and significant others chosen by the client. Collaborative approaches to therapy have been used increasingly in recent years, however they do not feature extensively in the literature and their effectiveness is not yet well-documented. To determine the effects of collaboration on the quality of life of those with bipolar disorder as well as their significant others involved in the therapeutic process, the researcher conducted three semi-structured interviews with three participant dyads. Each pair comprised a young adult (aged 16 to 23 years) who had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and his/her significant other. Each dyad was currently receiving therapy or had completed therapy with a postmodern narrative practitioner making use of collaborative techniques. Data were collected using grounded theory research methods and analysed using the Gilligan’s Listening Guide. Ten dominant themes emerged from the data, viz. early-onset bipolar disorder, comorbidity, helping others, relevance of diagnosis, illness management, relationships, collaboration, stigmatisation, overshare and difficulty of being the significant other of an individual with bipolar disorder. These themes are discussed in terms of the study’s conceptual framework and research implications are considered. Collaboration resulted in improved quality of life and overall functioning for those involved in the study and has potential to be used in a range of settings with a variety of mental disorders.