An exploratory study of responsible gambling behaviour
- Authors: Harris, Cheyne
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Gambling -- Case studies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Gambling -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Gambling -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Gambling -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3187 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008442
- Description: In light of the findings of a pilot study by this researcher, entitled a study of the behaviour and strategies of responsible gamblers, it is vital that responsible gambling behaviour in the Eastern Cape be researched more thoroughly. The pilot study found that many ordinary gamblers experience cognitive distortions which may predispose them to varying levels of gambling problems, as well as specific biographical attributes that may determine such an outcome. The present study aims to address the limitations and recommendations put forward by the pilot study, namely its relatively small scale, and lack of generalisability as a result of sampling from a single gambling population. This project set out to assess gambling behaviour, and more so responsible gambling practices, to be able to conclude how, and in what form, responsible gambling takes place. The research was conducted USll1g a sample of one-hundred-and-thirty-seven gamblers from Hemingway's Casino in East London to develop data and establish norms on general gambling behaviour over a week, by administration of a survey questionnaire. The analysis of the data focussed on areas such as the link between gender and gambling behaviour, amount earned and amount spent on gambling, age and gambling trends as well as belief in luck and chances to win. Finally, the strategies (if any) used by gamblers to avoid problem gambling or overspending were assessed, and described by the gamblers themselves, and added to the results of the research. The results indicate that the majority of gamblers in the Eastern Cape are responsible, but many do still exhibit cognitive distortions and other behaviours that might put them at risk for problem gambling. With these results it is possible to provide basic data and information about the nature of gambling in the East London area that can be added to previous (as well as subsequent) studies, in order to build a clearer and more representative picture of the gambling situation in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Contemporary experiences of the Buddhist mediation practice: a case-study approach
- Authors: Ravgee, Champavati Lala
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: Meditation -- Buddhism -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3156 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007549 , Meditation -- Buddhism -- Case studies
- Description: The concern of this investigation is to explore a range of contemporary experiences of the Buddhist Meditation Practice of three South Africans of Western origin and to understand what factors were involved in their meditation practice. The number of people practising Buddhist Meditation in this country is gradually increasing and retreat centres for the meditation practice are emerging at various places in this country. A wide range of experiences accompany the meditation practice but very little research has been done amongst adults to study this phenomenon. Initially, in this study, the researcher practised Buddhist Meditation by participating in a meditation programme at the Buddhist Retreat in Ixopo in KwaZulu-Natal, for twenty-one days, to familiarize herself with the experiential knowledge of Buddhist Meditation. This was done by the researcher compiling a detailed diary of the meditative experiences and various themes were drawn from it. The data collected was compared and validated with contemporary research findings on Buddhist Meditation. This data was then used to formulate some of the questions for the semi-structured interviews that were conducted subsequently. Three adult subjects of Western origin, one male and two females were interviewed. Each subject had been meditating for an average period of ten years and can therefore be regarded as long-term meditators. They had practised Buddhist meditation in groups at various retreat centres around the country and also individually at home. The average age of the subjects was forty-five years, with the youngest subject being forty years old and the oldest being fifty-three years old. All three subjects were professional people employed at a university in South Africa and all were able to articulate their meditative experiences very well. Since the research project involved the study and exploration of the human experience related to Buddhist Meditation, it was more appropriate to use the phenomenological case-study approach rather than a measurement orientated procedure. The descriptive, phenomenological perspective is more appropriate for the elucidation of the data collected. It gives greater and clearer meaning to the human experience of meditation that is being investigated. The results of the study can best be summarised by stating that all three subjects undertook the Buddhist Meditation Practice because of their awareness of an existential conflict in their lives. Another reason for practising meditation was for personal development. The study also shows that a variety of effects of the meditation practice was experienced by the subjects. These included experiencing feelings of calmness, peace and relaxation, transformation of consciousness, heightened or increased awareness of certain external and internal stimuli, conscious of the changing nature of experience and experiences of objective consciousness.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1997
An investigation into the relationship between adolescent parasuicide, depressive illness and associated risk factors
- Authors: Read, Gary Frank Hoyland
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: Youth -- Suicidal behavior , Depression in adolescence
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3116 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004615 , Youth -- Suicidal behavior , Depression in adolescence
- Description: This study aimed at investigating the relationship between adolescent parasuicide, depressive illness and associated risk factors. Reports worldwide indicate that suicidal behaviour in this age group has risen 150% over the past 20 years, whilst the rate for suicide in adults and the elderly has remained the same (Deykin et al, 1985; Neiger & Hopkins, 1988; Sudak, Ford & Rushforth, 1984a). In South Africa statistics confirm similar trends with regard to attempted and completed suicide. Statistics reveal that a high local incidence of adolescent suicide attempters are seen at psychiatric units. One pilot study recorded 187 adolescent suicide attempters during a three month period. This study was based on the hypothesis that the incidence of depressive illness in adolescent suicide attempters is higher than is generally accepted and that this condition often goes unrecognised and is misdiagnosed because it manifests differently with acting out behaviour and "masked" symptomatology. A random sample of suicide attempters between the ages of 13 - 25 who presented at C23 (psychiatric emergencies) Groote Schuur Hospital following a suicide attempt were assessed. 100 subjects were seen over a period of three months. The research procedure comprised a comprehensive assessment incorporating a semi-structured interview, self-report and objective rating scales for depression as well as instruments designed to assess the general health of each subject and their level of suicide intent. The depressive inventories used have been validated for use in this age group and were designed to elicit the associated features of adolescent depression. If warranted, a clinical diagnoses was given based on DSM 1V criteria. This diagnosis was substantiated by information from the research instruments which formed part of the assessment process. A high incidence of clinical disorders was diagnosed in the sample (86%). Depressive illness was found to be a significant risk factor for suicidal behaviour with 68% of the subjects suffering from an affective disorder and 21% reporting depressive symptoms. This study shows that the correlation between parasuicide and depressive illness is high enough to suggest that all suicidal behaviour in this age group should be taken seriously as parasuicide in itself is often a reliable indicator of an underlying depressive condition. Additional risk factors for adolescent parasuicide identified in this study correlated well with the findings of similar research studies. Psychiatric co-morbidity, especially substance use (42%) and cluster B personality factors (54%), were high and served to increase an individual's vulnerability to suicide risk. Psychosocial factors such as sexual abuse (28%) and physical abuse (37%) were also identified as high risk factors for adolescent suicidal behaviour. Individuals at risk for depression and suicidal behaviour typically came from broken homes which were disrupted and unsupportive. Family members were frequently abusing alcohol and 67% of the subjects reported the presence of psychiatric illness in the family. The preferred method of suicide attempt was an overdose (90%). These attempts were generally unplanned and impulsive with no disclosure prior to the event. Intent was usually high at the time of the act. It is only through identifying the risk factors specific to the developmental concerns of this age group and acknowledging the role of depressive illness in adolescent suicidal behaviour that effective preventative measures can be devised.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1996