A case study of narcissistic pathology : an object relations perspective
- Authors: Ivey, Gavin William
- Date: 1989
- Subjects: Narcissism Narcissism -- Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3188 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008453
- Description: The case-study method of psychological research was applied to the brief psychodynamic therapy of a narcissistically disordered female patient. The aim of this research was to explore, clarify and explain certain diagnostic and psychodynamic anomalies to emerge in the course of treatment, using a conceptual framework derived from select psychoanalytic object relations theorists in the area of narcissistic pathology. The author, discovering that there was no diagnostic or explanatory object relations model adequate to the therapeutic data, formulated his own diagnostic category narcissistic neurosis and an eclectic object relations model in order to explain the anomolous research findings. Narcissistic neurosis was defined as a form of psychopathology in which a primarily neurotic character structure presents with a distinctly narcissistic profile. The narcissistic false self-structure serves the functional purpose of protecting the psyche from a repressed negative self-representation derived from a destructive bipolar self-object introject. The primary etiological factor to emerge was that of a narcissistic mother conditional affection and self-object target child necessitated adaptive whose insensitivity, relationship with the premature self-sufficiency and the defensive emergence of a narcissistic surface self-representation. It was proposed that narcissistic neurosis and narcissistic personality disorder are two discrete forms of pathology differing in terms of severity, psychodynamics, defensive structure, mode of object relating, therapeutic accessibility and prognosis. Assessment criteria were proposed in order to differentiate the two areas of narcissistic pathology and assess suitability for psychotherapeutic treatment. Positive treatment results in this case-study suggest that narcissistic neuroses may receive long-term benefit from short-term psychodynamic therapy.
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Attitudes to family planning in the Taung area of Bophuthatswana: a social work perspective
- Authors: Thekisho, Geraldine Nomonde
- Date: 1989
- Subjects: Birth control -- South Africa -- Bophuthatswana , Bophuthatswana (South Africa) -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3277 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004914 , Birth control -- South Africa -- Bophuthatswana , Bophuthatswana (South Africa) -- Social conditions
- Description: Emphasis in the study is on the prevalence of poverty especially in the so called third world developing countries. Poverty as a social problem is caused by a number of factors, viz: Over population, unemployment, illiteracy, etc. In the case of the study the focus is the rapid population growth or "population explosion" as it is commonly known. Family planning is sen as important, but not the only strategy in combatting the interrelated problem of population growth and development. The relevance and importance of social workers, as members of a multidisciplinary team in the delivery of family planning programmes is emphasised. There is evidence in the study to support the observation that Black African people in particular are reluctant to use family planning methods. Based on this evidence, the basic assumption arrived at is that there is a general unfavourable attitude to family planning in the Taung area. The research design used is exploratory-descriptive. Of the 75 areas in the district, 10 areas were included In the investigation. A stratified random sample was used, with a sample size of 200 respondents. The interview schedule was used to collect data. It was structured and consisted primarily of close-ended questions, and was analysed using the Biomedical Data Programme (B.M.D.P.). The problem is formulated from literature concerned with population growth in the Republic of South Africa as well as Bophuthatswana. The following sub-problems were described: illegitimacy; health and economic problems associated with large families; abortion; malnutrition and malnourishment; and the absence of services of the National Family Planning Programme In the Taung area. Compatibility between social work and family planning is a central concern, with community development as a significant method of intervention. The three important concepts in the study were broadly defined, viz: Overpopulation, family planning and attitude. It was established that: -the use of family planning follows rather than precedes the process of modernisation and rising economic standards; -no family planning programme can be practised universally - because of factors such as culture, need and habit. Attitudinal change is considered based on the basic assumption arrived at. Little has been done on the subject of family planning in south Africa. With regard to the role of social work in family planning, there have been impediments along the following lines: lack of firm tradition; emphasis on treatment rather than on preventive work; a view of family planning asa health measure and to be offered solely in the medical and health services. To be active in this field social workers need formal education and training. Taung: - the area of study is predominantly rural with almost all characteristics of rural areas, those of: Irregular transport services to and from remote areas; corrugated roads; primitive sanitary conditions; poor communication system; absence of electricity in villages; illiteracy and unemployment. On the other hand, development is evident especially in the health, education and welfare fields. The central findings in the study are those arising from resistances to family planning usage - politically; culturally; morally and psychologically. The general conclusions are: The high rate of unemployment is present in the sample and there is financial dependence on partners (men); the importance of social workers in family planning is emphasised; there is a desire to have large numbers of children (children feature prominently in the area and are regarded as an asset in various ways); and lastly, improved education does lead to an increase in motivation to adopt family planning practices. Against the highlighted findings, recommendations were made, viz that: Community development be used as a strategy for change; social workers be involved as team members in family planning - in policy formulation and planning of population programmes at various levels, using different methods of intervention; paramedical aides beused - because of inter alia shortage of qualified manpower and lastly formal education and training to be granted to prospective change agents in family planning delivery programmes. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
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Family planning : an evaluative study on the attitudes and use of contraceptives by black males in Umtata
- Authors: Madikizela, Nosinodi Alicia
- Date: 1989
- Subjects: Birth control -- South Africa -- Transkei , Transkei (South Africa) -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3278 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006454 , Birth control -- South Africa -- Transkei , Transkei (South Africa) -- Social conditions
- Description: The purpose of this study is to identify, observe and record the attitudes and use to of contraceptives by black males in Umtata and to investigate the effect of education, urbanisation and age on fertility control. Data was gathered from a sample of adult males who were past the school going age and were employed or working in Umtata and its surburbs, which are Ngangelizwe, Ikwezi, Southernwood, Northcrest, Norwood, Ncambedlana, Nduli Crescent, Fortgale and Hill Crest. Information was also gathered from Nursing officers in charge of family planning service centres in the areas mentioned above. Findings reveal that, although black urbanised educated males in Umtata seem to have accepted the use of contraceptives by themselves and their sexual partners, their patterns of behaviour in relation to fertility control and the value of children to families remains traditional. This contributes to the relatively high fertility rate in the country. Children are an investment for old age. They are also regarded as a security factor against divorce. It is the duty of legally married couples to raise a family with children who will continue to bear the family name. It appears that men are either suspicious of modern contraception if not totally opposed to it. Many still prefer the use of natural methods of contraception. There is thus need for social workers and health planners to recognise and educate males on the use and benefits of modern contraceptives to limit the number of children borne and control periods when they would like to have children. This study will be of value to social welfare services and to family planning nurses who are in direct contact with clients in hospitals and clinics, in their family planning campaigns, when they motivate couples and individuals on the importance of family planning, and also in mother-and-child health services. Educationists, sociologists, psychologists and persons in other fields of study will also benefit from information attained in this survey.
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