A comparison of gender, age, grade, and experiences of authoritarian parenting amongst traditional and cyberbullying perpetrators

In this study, we explore the differences between learners who perpetrate cyberbullying and traditional bullying in Gauteng with regard to their sociodemographic characteristics and the level of self-reported, authoritarian parenting they experienced. This study was conducted on Grade Six and Seven learners from four primary schools in Benoni, Gauteng (N = 279). Pupils completed an adapted version of the Revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire (R-OBVQ) and items from the Parenting Practices Questionnaire (PPQ), which measured the authoritarian parenting style. Results revealed that grade was significantly associated with both traditional and cyberbullying perpetration; Grade Six learners were significantly more likely to have perpetrated traditional bullying behaviours, χ² (3, N = 272) = 9.26, p < .05, and Grade Seven learners were more likely to have perpetrated cyberbullying behaviours, χ² (1, N = 272) = 5.96, p < .05. Age was significantly associated with cyberbullying perpetration only, with older learners more likely to perpetrate such behaviours, χ² (2, N = 272) = 9.24, p < .05. Both types of bullying were significantly related to self-reported, authoritarian parenting, therein suggesting that this parenting style is more prevalent in the households of bullying perpetrators.Keywords: authoritarian parenting style; cyberbullying; Parenting Practices Questionnaire (PPQ); Revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire (R-OBVQ); traditional bullyin

The psychological profiles of Fibromyalgia patients : towards a model of taxonomy and maintenance of the illness

The debate over the legitimacy of Fibromyalgia as a pain syndrome is often highlighted in the literature. The result of this is that patients are left feeling demoralised by the lack of acknowledgement of their symptoms and the innuendos of hypochondria or malingering. This study proposes that professionals move beyond this and into a more solution-focused stage that encourages the examination of predisposing factors and the implementation of means of improving the lives of patients. The aim of this study was to describe the psychological profiles of Fibromyalgia patients in terms of attachment styles, Sense of Coherence, Attributional Style and depression. Twenty-nine patients aged between twenty-two and sixty-four participated in the study, completing the relevant questionnaires. The design is a quantitative one, with both descriptive and inferential statistical procedures being employed to analyse the data. It is argued that key elements in the onset, maintenance and augmentation of Fibromyalgia Syndrome symptoms are to be found by examining the psychological feature of patients with the disorder. Although some research has been conducted into psychological factors in Fibromyalgia, the field is not nearly as well explored as the physical elements. This research is therefore of great importance to the Fibromyalgia knowledge base. Moreover, it offers a Salutogenic perspective, which may be useful in combating the devastating effects of this chronic pain syndrome. The study is limited by its cross-sectional design and lack of control group. Nonetheless, it does give rise to some intriguing findings. If attachment is to be regarded as the working model that an individual maintains of self and other, then it is possible that disorders that are believed to be related to depression (such as FMS) will also be correlated to insecure attachment styles. The research, however, indicates that the FMS patients in this sample do not display the predicted high percentage of insecure attachment styles. An almost even split between those having a high Sense of Coherence and those with a low score was also found. When relating these findings to other psychological parameters (such as Attributional Style and level of depressive symptoms), a discussion is born that allows for more complex interactions than a linear argument does. The research is then lifted from its pathogenic origins to embrace the origins of health. Further research is then prompted by this study and framed in the Salutogenic question: how do some patients with FMS maintain healthy attachment styles and a high Sense of Coherence despite their illness?Dissertation (MA (Clinical Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2007.Psychologyunrestricte

Biopsychosocial correlates of health-related quality of life in migraine without aura

Migraine - with or without aura - is an enervating primary headache disorder that represents a heavy economic and social burden. The health-related quality of life of migraineurs is poor. The aim of this research was to investigate the health-related quality of life of migraine without aura sufferers. As the thesis was approached from a biopsychosocial perspective, potential determinants were chosen for investigation from the molecular, individual, interpersonal and wider societal levels. The research was executed in two phases: Phase 1 data (N = 341) were gathered using a survey of health-related quality of life (Short Form 6), temperament (the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire), catastrophizing as a pain coping strategy (the four-item Pain Coping Scale) and the amount of perceived social support (the six-item Social Support Questionnaire). For phase 2, participants were requested to provide blood specimens for ELISA serum quantification of glutamate (n = 66) and gene expression analysis of the main glutamate transporter gene SLC1A2 on real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (n = 20). Of the 341 adult residents of Gauteng Province, South Africa that participated in the survey, 94 (28%) met the criteria for migraine without aura and a further 60 (18%) suffer from possible migraine without aura, using the International Classification of Headache Diagnosis (2nd edition) criteria. This indicates that migraine without aura is a significant burden for South Africa. Health-related quality of life was significantly poorer for migraineurs versus those without migraine (p < .001), and is in fact comparable to that of liver transplant, cardiac bypass and elderly populations. This raises concerns about the severe burden of the disease on the mental and physical well-being of South African sufferers. Investigation of the predictors of health-related quality of life yielded two significant variables when controlling for sex, head and neck injury and language - Harm Avoidance and vii Catastrophizing. The regression model accounts for 29% of the variance in health-related quality of life. A reciprocal relationship likely exists between Harm Avoidance and Catastrophizing, in which a harm avoidant migraineur interprets the headache pain as a catastrophic event to be avoided – even at high cost to the self. Though there have been calls for more biopsychosocial studies of migraine, this thesis did not find added understanding of health-related quality of life through the combination of biological and psychosocial data. The implication is that the role of glutamate in migraine without aura still requires further investigation. Further study is also required with regard to which biological factors may influence the sufferer’s quality of life. The thesis indicates a key role for psychological intervention in aiding migraineurs to live a life of quality. The inclusion of interventions for the psychological aspects of migraine may yield improved outcomes for patients. However, Gauteng residents suffering from MO are potentially unaware of their diagnosis and therefore of potential management for their disorder. Awareness around migraine needs to be the first step in limiting this disorder’s devastating impact on individuals, their relationships and their potential to contribute meaningfully to society.PsychologyD.Litt. et Phil. (Psychology

Depression and bone mineral density

The aim of the study was to investigate the association between depression and low bone mineral density (BMD) in premenopausal females. The rationale for the study was that depression is often characterized by cortisol hypersecretion. The role of cortisol includes effects on bone metabolism and the immune system: cortisol is a bone resorption agonist through its support of osteoclastogenesis. The release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, (especially IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-alpha) which induce cortisol secretion, also pushes the balance of bone remodelling in favour of resorption, consequently causing loss of bone mineral density. Significant results have been reported in studies of various groups across the USA, Europe and Asia, indicating a causal role for depression in osteoporosis. However, some studies could not support this association. With both osteoporosis and depression representing growing public health concerns in South Africa, the aim of this study was to examine the association between depression and loss of BMD in a South African sample with varying levels of depression. The study was approached from two starting points: the first used low BMD as the departure point and the second was undertaken from the diagnosis of depression. This was achieved by first investigating women where the primary concern was possible low BMD (referred to as Study 1) and secondly by assessing women whose primary diagnosis was clinically confirmed major depression (Study 2). Study 1 involved investigation of BMD in a volunteer-based sample of 40 premenopausal women drawn from three different sources. All volunteers underwent a DEXA scan, were assessed for depression and supplied saliva for cortisol analysis. Study 2 examined the BMD of five psychiatric patients diagnosed with severe, recurrent major depression and four healthy controls. These volunteers were required to undergo the same testing as subjects in Study 1. In addition, blood and urine samples were taken to examine bone turnover markers (bone specific alkaline phosphate, osteocalcin, urine pyridinoline cross-linked C-telopeptide and deoxypyridinoline). The pro-inflammatory status of the psychiatric patients was compared to reference ranges. The latter served as a small exploratory study and an introduction to further avenues of research. Study 1 revealed no clear general association between depression and bone density on DEXA scores. However, a correlation was found between left femoral neck BMD and depression in those women with low BMD only. Significant differences were found though between subjects with normal and low BMD in terms of body mass index (BMI) and contraception use. Study 2 on the other hand, indicated a trend of association between depression and low BMD: subjects suffering with severe major depression were noted to have lower bone density (on DEXA) and higher bone turnover (as measured by markers of bone turnover) as well as higher cortisol levels than healthy controls. In addition, depressed subjects exhibited elevated IL-1-alpha levels but normal TNF-alpha levels when compared to normative data. In conclusion, the study indicated that the effect of depression on bone density is dependent on the intensity and duration of depression. IL-1-alpha and cortisol may be instrumental in this loss of BMD.Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2008.Physiologyunrestricte

The effect of sports vision exercises on the visual skills of university students

Stress is an important factor which most students must deal with and is known to adversely affect the ability to perform visual skills effectively. The results showed an improvement in all tests in both the control and experimental groups. The experimental group showed a greater improvement in tracking, sequencing, visualisation and the reflex test. The study clearly showed that correct sports vision training can improve certain visual skills and lead to an enhancement of motor learning and performance. Sports vision exercises are therefore an efficient method of improving visual skills and possibly minimising any deficits caused by stress.This paper was initially delivered at the Annual Congress of the Biological Sciences Division of the South African Academy for Science and Art, ARC-Plant Protection Research Institute, Roodeplaat, Pretoria, South Africa on 01 October 2010.http://www.satnt.ac.zaam2014ay201

The effect of sports vision exercises on the visual skills of university students

Vision is one of the most important special senses and is the primary source of external information. The role of vision in our everyday lifestyles is immense and adequate visual skills are needed for simple tasks which include reading and writing, that are especially important for students. Stress is an important factor which most students deal with, and along with other external factors, could adversely affect the ability to effectively perform many visual skills. This study aims to determine if sports vision exercises could improve visual skills and thereby enhance motor and cognitive performance. A 169 second year physiology students (18-22 years of age) participated in the study. The students were divided into control (n=78) and experimental groups (n=91) and pre and post sports vision tests were conducted. This included testing visual skills such as visual acuity, eye dominance, focusing, tracking, vergence, sequencing, eye-hand coordination, visualization and reflex. The results showed a significant improvement in the sequencing and eye-hand coordination tests in the experimental group, whilst a non-significant improvement (control group) was observed in the visual acuity, visualization, tracking, vergence and reflex tests. The improvements (except for focusing) were greater in the experimental group than in the control group. The study clearly showed that correct sports vision training can improve certain visual skills and lead to an enhancement of motor and cognitive learning and performance. Sports vision exercises are therefore an efficient method of improving certain visual skills and possibly minimizing any defects caused by stress.http://www.ajol.info/journal_index.php?jid=153&ab=ajpher

The correlation between cardio stress and visual skills

Armed forces recruits were tested during a six month period of intense basic training. Data was collected at the start, after 12 weeks and 20 weeks. Means indicated significant decreases in cardio stress and increases in visual skills performance after 12 weeks and 20 weeks. Results indicate that cardio stress has a definite effect on visual performance.This abstract was initially presented at the annual Biological Sciences Symposium, presented under the protection of the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns. The symposium was held at the University of Johannesburg on 01 October 2011.http://www.satnt.ac.z

Postural variations in Cardio Stress Index scores

Numerous factors influence heart rate variability, including age, exercise and posture. The Cardio Stress Index (CSI) is a transformed measure of heart rate variability that is determined via a miniature digital multi-channel electrocardiogram system. Although the CSI and heart rate variability are reportedly analogous, little is known about how the two concepts compare in peer-reviewed research. The aim of this study was to examine the differences between CSI and heart rate as measured on a mini- electrocardiogram device when subjects were sitting upright and when they were lying down (in supine position). This is a case-series study with no intervention or follow-up. Sitting and supine CSI and heart rate readings were compared in a random sample of 55 women volunteers recruited through advertising in Pretoria, South Africa. The mean age of the sample was 25.01 years (SD = 7.56). After completing a biographical questionnaire, subjects’ CSI and heart rates were evaluated using a digital medical device, the ViportTM. The combined CSI for the group was elevated above the normative value of 20% (31.00%; SD = 14.03). The seated, supine and combined CSI all differed significantly from one another (p<0.05) and the CSI was significantly correlated with heart rate (p=0.41). In conclusion, the CSI readings, like heart rate variability measurements taken in different postures, cannot be used interchangeably in clinical practice or in research. The CSI appears to mirror existing research evidence on heart rate variability and posture.http://www.ajol.info/journal_index.php?jid=153&ab=ajpher

Comparison of the performances of male and female armed services recruits undergoing sports vision testing

Research has shown that a strong correlation exists between vision and performance. In the sporting environment, it is believed that athletes perform better than non-athletes and males perform better than females. In this study we used sports vision to compare performance between males and females. One hundred and thirty male and one hundred female armed service recruits were tested, using techniques of visualization, eye-hand coordination, focusing, sequencing, tracking and reflexes. Previous research has shown that the difference in performance in both males and females is the result of brain lateralization, test familiarity and nerve conduction velocity in the brain. This was, however, not reflected in the study. Results showed a significant difference in performance with regard to visualization (p=0.006), tracking (p=0.048), reflexes (p=0.0001) and sequencing (p=0.046). The increased performance might become more evident with repetition of tests. Future research should therefore investigate the exact physiological mechanisms and interrelation of variables thought to affect performance.http://www.ajol.info/journal_index.php?jid=153&ab=ajpher

Initial assessment of well-being in South African armed services personnel

As professionals in law enforcement and defence (armed services) function under high pressure, the maintenance of overall health should be emphasized and closely monitored in training facilities. The aim of this research was to assess current health status and risk factors of the members of three armed service training facilities. This represents the first step in an integrated approach toward health maintenance in this important sector. The sample consisted of 323 members from three different armed service training facilities in South Africa. The subjects completed a questionnaire on health history and coping with stress. Heart health, body composition, general fitness and co-ordination were then examined. The mean age of the sample was 38.08 years (SD=8.81). The mean blood pressure readings were pre-hypertensive (Systolic 127.4mmHg, SD=16.67; Diastolic 82.74mmHg, SD=10.94) and the mean BMI was in the overweight category (27.97kg/m2, SD=8.81). The percentage (more than 40 %) of subjects that require physical fitness intervention reflects an urgent need for effective implementation of wellness programmes in this sector.http://www.ajol.info/journal_index.php?jid=153&ab=ajpher