The potential of the therapeutic relationship in dealing with learning disabled children

This study is an exploratory investigation into the intrapsychic experiences of three learning disabled children whom have been in psychoanalytic therapy. The research used open-ended interviews to focus on the child, the therapist and the parent's experience of the therapeutic relationship. As there has been limited research in this area, the research searched for tentative, common experiences. A qualitative methodology was used as a means to elicit the essential meanings held by the participants, without initially presuming what they might be. The aim of the research was description and conceptualisation, rather than hypothesis testing. The methodology that was applied was an interpretative method that followed hermeneutic phenomenology principles. The results of this study add to the growing literature on the importance of the relationship factors in the child, mother and the therapist experience of the psychotherapy process. Results indicate a positive working relationship with the mother. This relationship was seen to work in a reciprocal manner and enhanced the effectiveness of the therapy. The working alliance with the mother appeared to be an intervention in its own right. The research indicated that the learning disabled children's relationship with their mothers impacted on their emotional well being. The lack of containment and lack of confidence from the mothers resulted in an insecure relationship with their child. Consequently, the mothers needed guidance, assistance and reassurance. The research confirms that learning disabled children are not emotionally limited, however it often takes time to explore their emotional experiences. In examining the participant's experience, it is of interest to note that family dynamics and family relationships were consistently the most important theme in the therapy. Family circumstances appeared to shape the child's and the mother's concerns. Themes of guilt, pity and contempt were evident in both the mother's and the therapist experience of the therapy process in relation to the child. The findings are largely confirmatory of other research studies that have outlined the impact of a learning disability on self-esteem. The use of the enmeshed and preoccupied defence styles emerged as a way of coping for the learning disabled child. Finally, the therapy was found to assist the learning disabled child with making sense of their environments and emotional experiences. The therapy by providing a containing and holding space for the mother and child, not only improved relationships but also enabled the child to develop a stronger sense of self. Possible directions for future research of the psychoanalytical therapeutic work with learning disabled children are discussed.Thesis (PhD (Psychotherapy))--University of Pretoria, 2007.Psychologyunrestricte

Communication difficulties reported by patients diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and their carers : a European focus group study

This paper explores commonalities in the experience and unmet needs of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients and carers in Europe throughout the care pathway, focusing specifically on the unmet communication needs of patients and carers. Four patient organisations/groups in Europe held focus groups (Italy (seven patients and four carers); Belgium (six patients); Ireland (23 patients and 10 carers); and England, UK (five patients and three carers)). A focus group schedule was provided and translated into the language of each focus group by the European Lung Foundation (ELF). Content analysis was conducted by the ELF and verified by the authors of the paper. Three main themes emerged: professional-patient, professional-professional and patient-patient communication. Within these themes, eight priority areas were highlighted by two or more of the focus groups. In addition, 17 suggested action points were identified. Patients and carers in Europe have unmet communication needs, which could be met by specialist physicians and specialist centres providing more effective information and signposting to support services, including support groups and patient organisations

Synthesis of Oxetane- and Azetidine-Containing Spirocycles Related to the 2,5-Diketopiperazine Framework

A simple two-step sequence is used to efficiently make novel spirocyclic analogues of the diketopiperazine nucleus. Conjugate addition of chiral α-amino esters to nitroalkenes, generated from oxetan-3-one or N-Boc-azetidin-3-one, followed by nitro group reduction provides, after spontaneous cyclization, the spirocycles in good overall yields. These rigid scaffolds can be functionalized by selective N-alkylations as well as by carbonyl reduction to the corresponding piperazines

Making good law: research and law reform

Research plays an integral role in law-making processes. But could academic research be applied more strategically to improve the processes and outcomes of law reform

Genes of the serotonergic and dopaminergic pathways and their interaction affect the expression of Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms in Dementia (BPSD).

Although there is evidence for the involvement of genes of serotonergic and dopaminergic systems in the manifestation of the Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms in Dementia (BPSD), genetic association studies are contradictory. We used 1008 probable AD patients from the UK and applied a Multiple Indicators Multiple Causes (MIMIC) approach to investigate the effect of 11 polymorphisms in the serotonergic and dopaminergic systems, on four behavioural sub-phenotypes, namely "psychosis"," moods", "agitation" and "behavioural dyscontrol", as well as on 12 NPI items. Significant findings included the association of DRD1 A48G with "psychosis" (p=0.037), the association of DAT1 VNTR with "agitation" (p=0.006) and the association of DRD4 with "moods" sub-phenotype (p=0.008). In addition, associations were identified between DRD1 A48G and DAT1 VNTR with aberrant motor behaviour (AMB) symptoms (p=0.001 and p=0.015 respectively), between DRD4 and sleep disturbances (p=0.018) and between 5HTTLPR and apathy (p=0.033). Finally, significant interactions were observed between COMT Val158Met and 5HTTLPR with "psychosis" (p=0.026), between HTTLPR and STin2 with "psychosis" (p=0.005), between DAT1 3'UTR VNTR and COMT Val158Met with "agitation" (p=0.0001) and between DAT1 3'UTR VNTR and 5HTTLPR with the "moods" factor (p=0.0027). The complexity of the interrelations between genetic variation, behavioural symptoms and clinical variables was efficiently captured by this MIMIC model

Synthesis of oxetane- and azetidine-containing spirocycles related to the 2,5-diketopiperazine framework

A simple two-step sequence is used to efficiently make novel spirocyclic analogues of the diketopiperazine nucleus. Conjugate addition of chiral α-amino esters to nitroalkenes, generated from oxetan-3-one or N-Boc-azetidin-3-one, followed by nitro group reduction provides, after spontaneous cyclization, the spirocycles in good overall yields. These rigid scaffolds can be functionalized by selective N-alkylations as well as by carbonyl reduction to the corresponding piperazines

Shattering lives and myths : a report on image-based sexual abuse

Image-based sexual abuse is a pervasive and pernicious form of sexual abuse. We use the term ‘image-based sexual abuse’ to refer to a broad range of abusive behaviours including the taking and/or distribution of nude or sexual images without consent, including threats to do so, which includes so-called ‘revenge porn’, ‘upskirting’, fakeporn, sexual extortion and videos of sexual assaults and rapes. This report draws on interviews with 25 victim-survivors of image-based sexual abuse and over 25 stakeholders, including police, policy-makers, lawyers and survivor organisations conducted over a six-month period in 2018

Digital harassment and abuse: Experiences of sexuality and gender minority adults

Digital harassment and abuse refers to a range of harmful, interpersonal behaviours experienced via the internet, as well as mobile phone and other electronic communication devices. While much existing research has focused on the experiences of children and young people (including foremost ‘cyberbullying’), there have been few international studies on adult experiences of digital harassment and abuse. As such, little is currently known about the extent, nature and impacts of digital harassment and abuse on adult victims. In particular, there exists a significant gap in current research into sexual, sexuality and gender based digital harassment and abuse. This article draws on findings from a larger research project in which we surveyed 2,956 Australian adults and 2,842 British adults (aged 18 to 54) about their experiences of technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV). The data presented here focus on the experiences of sexuality diverse adults (n = 282) who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or heterosexual, as well as gender diverse adults (n = 90), including women, men and transgender individuals. Results suggest that transgender individuals experienced higher rates of digital harassment and abuse overall, and higher rates of sexual, sexuality and gender-based harassment and abuse, as compared to heterosexual cisgender individuals. Implications of the findings are discussed with respect to policy, prevention, and future research

Image-based sexual abuse: The extent, nature, and predictors of perpetration in a community sample of Australian residents

Image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) involves three key behaviors: the non-consensual taking or creation of nude or sexual images; the non-consensual sharing or distribution of nude or sexual images; and threats made to distribute nude or sexual images. IBSA is becoming increasingly criminalized internationally, representing an important and rapidly developing cybercrime issue. This paper presents findings of the first national online survey of self-reported lifetime IBSA perpetration in Australia (n = 4,053), with a focus on the extent, nature, and predictors of perpetration. Overall, 11.1% (n = 411) of participants self-reported having engaged in some form of IBSA perpetration during their lifetime, with men significantly more likely to report IBSA perpetration than women. With regard to the nature of perpetration, participants reported targeting men and women at similar rates, and were more likely to report perpetrating against intimate partners or ex-partners, family members and friends than strangers or acquaintances. Logistic regression analyses identified that males, lesbian, gay or bisexual participants, participants with a self-report disability, participants who accepted sexual image-based abuse myths, participants who engaged in or experienced sexual self-image behaviors, and participants who had a nude or sexual image of themselves taken, distributed, or threatened to be distributed without their consent were more likely to have engaged in some form of IBSA perpetration during their lifetime