Masters Degrees (Psychology)
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- ItemRape myth acceptance: investigating the dimensionality of the Illinois rape myth acceptance scale and the male rape myth scale.(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-12) Geldenhuis, Demi Louise; Kafaar, Zuhayr; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Department of Psychology.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The measurement of rape myth acceptance has thus far been grounded in classical test theory, and rape myth acceptance scales have historically focused exclusively on either male or female rape myths. My research is an exploratory investigation into the dimensionality of the Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale, the Male Rape Myth Scale, and the combined item pool of both measures. Using convenience sampling, I recruited 2,536 students from Stellenbosch University in South Africa. I conducted a series of dimensionality assessments under a bifactor analytic framework, to determine whether (a) one or both scales could be considered essentially unidimensional, and (b) whether both sets of items tap into the same underlying construct. The results of my dimensionality investigation indicate that both the Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale and the Male Rape Myth scale can be treated as unidimensional under an item response theory framework, but not under a factor analytic framework. Furthermore, the male rape myths and female rape myths included in this study appear to tap into the same general rape myth acceptance dimension.
- Item“I got lean in my cup” – Critically analysing South African Hip Hop music discourses that may promote the adoption of the Codeine Culture amongst adolescents.(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-12) Rafique, Mohhadiah; Lesch, Anthea; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Department of Psychology.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The endorsement of the pharmaceutical drug known as codeine-containing syrup in Hip-Hop music (HHM) began around the 1990’s in Houston, Texas. Several Hip-Hop artists around the globe continue to convey positive messages about codeine in their songs and music videos. Repeated exposure to HHM that endorses, glamorizes, and normalizes the recreational use of codeine-containing syrup, may alter the cognitive processes of youth who consume HHM, and encourage substance use behaviours. Codeine is a weak, but highly addictive drug that can lead to addiction, dependency, and even death. Previous literature focussed on the prevalence of codeine use and dependence, over-the-counter sales of codeine, and prevention and intervention methods for codeine addiction. However, there is a lack of research that focuses on the discourse of South African Hip Hop music and its association with the codeine culture. This study critically analysed the lyrical and visual discourses presented in 21 South African Hip-Hop songs and 7 HHM videos. Data was collected & analysed from the songs and videos, according to micro-level, meso-level, and macro-level of Fairclough’s threedimensional model of critical discourse analysis. The micro-level provides a description of discourse, the meso-level looks at the production and consumption of discourse, while the macro-level explains the social practices established by discourse. Furthermore, systemic functional linguistics was adopted as the analytical approach for the songs, while social semiotic approach was used for the music videos. The findings of this study suggest that there is a strong association between South African Hip Hop music and the cultivation of the codeine culture. The findings confirm that a codeine culture does exist in a South African context. Nowadays South African Hip-Hop artists are writing songs that have more and more codeine-referenced lyrics than before. Consequently, these Hip-Hop discourses foster narratives through their lyrical and visual content. Hip-Hop music seems to actively contribute to the potential cultivation of the codeine culture because it is a source of information that informs young people about the social practices within the codeine culture. It is recommended that more research be conducted about adolescent’s motivation for initiating the recreational use of lean, examining adolescent perceptions of the codeine culture and exploring specialized treatment models for codeine addictions and dependency.
- ItemExploring the health-related quality of life of women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-11) Mosalisa, Meghan; Roomaney, Rizwana; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Department of Psychology.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a condition marked by its cyclical nature in symptom expression during the late luteal phase. Approximately 2 % - 8% of the adult female population have PMDD. Quantitative studies have shown the impact of PMDD symptoms on quality of life (QOL), but there are no qualitative studies reporting on this. In this presentation, I present findings of the first qualitative study that explored QOL among women with PMDD. Participants were 27 females with self-reported PMDD. Data were collected using a phenomenological research approach where semi-structured interviews were conducted. Interviews were transcribed and analysed in ATLAS t.i. Thematic analysis was used to explore women’s Health related quality of life (HRQoL) and four main themes emerged; (1) Culture surrounding premenstrual distress disorders, (2) Psychological functioning and PMDD, (3) Interpersonal relationships and PMDD, and (4) Healthcare and PMDD. The findings highlight the impact of PMDD on a number of factors associated with HRQoL particularly women’s self-concept, interpersonal relationships, occupational responsibilities and psychological well-being. The results also highlight the importance of diagnosis in women’s PMDD journey as it facilitates in self-awareness, interpersonal relationship understanding and contributes to better healthcare experiences. Several findings of this study are not apparent in current research which indicates the need for additional research evaluating the impact of PMDD. The findings provide insight into the female experience of PMDD and recommendations for healthcare and mental health practitioners are provided.
- ItemExploring primary school learners’ perceptions of mental health and mental health-related stigma at a South African primary school: a qualitative study(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-11) Johnson, Aimee; Coetzee, Bronwyne Jo’sean; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Department of Psychology.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction. Mental health conditions (MHC) constitute a global crisis and place a heavy burden on the lives of children and young people (CYP). In South Africa, risk factors such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, non-communicable diseases, community violence, substance abuse, poverty, and economic inequalities threaten progress toward improved well-being and place CYP at high risk for the development of MHC. Research indicates that in this country, 10-20% of CYP have a greater chance of developing a common mental health condition. Despite the increased prevalence of MHC, many CYP in South Africa who would benefit from access to mental health care services do not receive adequate treatment or are unable to access the appropriate care. Extant literature indicates that poor mental health literacy, lack of emotional understanding and emotional competence, limited prior experiences with mental health care services, and stigma influence help-seeking behaviour amongst CYP. However much of what we know about help-seeking behaviours for MHC amongst CYP is found in studies restricted to high-income settings. Consequently, few studies in South Africa have explored CYP’s perceptions of mental health, MHC, and mental health-related stigma. In this study, I sought to explore primary school learners’ perceptions of mental health, MHC, and mental health-related stigma. Methods. Participants comprised of 25 primary school-aged children attending two public primary schools in the Western Cape, South Africa. Of those 25 participants, I conducted indepth semi-structured interviews with 20 participants (aged 10-14) from school 2 and five from school 1. Of those 25 participants, 13 formed part of the pilot study (five from school 1 and 8 from school 2). Five case vignettes were developed and used in this study to further elicit participants' understanding of mental health terminology. I analyzed the data using reflexive thematic analysis and ATLAS.ti v9 software. Findings. I identified five superordinate themes that elucidated participants’ perceptions of mental health terms: (1) understanding of mental health terminology, (2) scope of emotional vocabulary, (3) ability to identify a mental health disorder, (4) understanding of stigma related to a mental disorder, and (5) understanding of stigma related to a physical temporary injury. Participants did not present difficulty articulating their understanding of most of the mental health terminology presented to them. However, participants struggled to express their understanding of the term’s stigma and mental health-related stigma. Participants possessed an extensive understanding of emotional vocabulary and were able to identify positive and negative emotions in case vignettes. However, some participants though able to identify emotions only had a limited vocabulary in this respect. Participants presented no difficulty in identifying different mental and emotional states in the case vignettes, which suggested an adequate level of mental health literacy was present. Participants identified a mental health condition as being more severe than that of a physical disorder. Nonetheless, these participants remained willing to seek MH care services for their mental and/or emotional problems. They were cautious about who would discover their problems for fear they would be discriminated against. However, this did not impact their willingness to seek MH care services. Conclusion. Within the South African context, this qualitative study demonstrates that CYP were able to engage with and understand mental health terms. The findings from the study highlight the potential of children to engage in therapeutic programmes whether aimed at prevention or more targeted programmes. Furthermore, as stigma was not well understood by participants the findings emphasize and highlight the importance and need for additional research and further development of age-appropriate interventions.
- ItemAdolescents' experiences of living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) within a South African context : a qualitative study(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-10) Pestana, Katia; Coetzee, Bronwyne; Lochner, Christine; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Department of Psychology.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder characterised by recurrent, repetitive and intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and/ or repetitive behaviours or mental acts (compulsions). The obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms cause substantial impairment and distress; in children, they interfere with developmental adaptation and daily functioning. The 2019 coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) may have triggered and reinforced obsessive thinking and compulsive behaviours, and such aggravation might, in turn, correlate with poorer functioning and worsening of quality of life (QOL) of individuals with OCD. Available literature regarding the impact of OCD on everyday functioning and QOL has been mainly quantitative in nature. Moreover, research studies mostly include adults with OCD. There are currently no published qualitative studies that attempt to explore the influence of COVID19 on the everyday lives of children and adolescents with OCD. Therefore, the present study aimed to qualitatively explore the subjective experience of living with OCD from the perspectives of adolescents (12-18 years old) and their parents within a South African context. The second aim was to qualitatively explore how COVID-19 has impacted South African adolescents with OCD from their own perspectives as well as that of their parents. Eight adolescents (6 females and 2 males) and eight parents (8 females) took part in online semi-structured interviews. All the participants provided written informed consent and assent, and were given assurance that their identities would be kept strictly confidential and anonymous. The interviews were conducted online via Zoom or MS Teams and were audio-recorded with permission. Thereafter, the interviews were transcribed verbatim and entered into a qualitative software programme and thematically analysed. In total, 8 themes and 17 sub-themes were identified and analysed through the lens of the Ecological Systems Theory (EST). The thematic analysis uncovered participants’ subjective experiences of living with OCD. This is the first study to qualitatively explore how OCD impacts on the everyday life of youth, also within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown phases, from the perspectives of adolescents and their parent/s. The findings were that OCD is debilitating, with a substantial impact on all domains, including home, social functioning, and schoolwork. Adolescents with OCD (and their parents) reported extreme guilt and shame because of OC symptoms and an inability “to be themselves.” Results on the impact of COVID-19 were mixed. Some participants reported exacerbated symptoms (e.g., worse contamination fears and increased compulsive washing) in this context, whereas others denied any impact. Overall, these findings offer deeper insight into the subjective experiences of living with OCD, also during the COVID-19 pandemic, from the perspectives of adolescents and their parents. The findings highlight the importance of involving parents in treatment strategies and emphasizes the need for well-defined guidelines to assist parents in effectively implementing at-home reinforcement of therapeutic teachings. Moreover, the data accentuate the importance of psychoeducational programs at schools and in the community, to increase awareness and coping with OCD, specifically in children and adolescents.