Browsing by Author "Edwards, Steve"
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- ItemDevelopment of Ubuntu HeartMath Workshop for social coherence and spirit at work(University of Zululand, 2018) Edwards, SteveThis study reports on the development of an Ubuntu type HeartMath Workshop for the purpose of facilitating social coherence and spirit at work. The study employed a pre- and post-test, mixed methods, within subjects, outcome evaluative design. Data were collected in three workshops with a total sample of 10 women and 7 men, with mean age 38.23, and range 24 to 58 years. Pretesting and post-testing consisted of psychophysiological coherence, social coherence and spirit at work measures. The Ubuntu HeartMath Workshop procedure included HeartMath heart focused breathing and cultivating positive Ubuntu feelings, followed by instruction and group discussion of ways in which Ubuntu could promote social coherence with special reference to work spirit. Afterwards participants provided written experiential and evaluative descriptions of the workshops. Significant and meaningful quantitative and qualitative findings provided consistent evidence as to the efficacy of the workshops in improving psychophysiological coherence, social coherence and work spirit. Implications for the development and evaluation of further research with other participant samples in other contexts are discussed.
- ItemImproving sexuality in interpersonal relationships(2006) Roopnarain, Sonia; Edwards, SteveHuman sexuality refers to the way in which we experience and express ourselves as sexual beings. Healthy sexuality varies in individuals, relationships and societies. Sexual and relationship problems are common to all societies. Misunderstanding and misinformation related to sexual relationship problems as well as the solutions to such problems are widespread. This is understandable considering the diverse and multifactorial nature of sexual behaviour, which encompasses biological, psychological, social and spiritual aspects of existence. Sexual adjustment and satisfaction are important features of personal well-being and satisfaction with intimate relationships. This thesis constitutes theoretical and practical investigations into the relationship between sexuality and psychological well-being with special reference to the improvement of sexual functioning in interpersonal relationships. The research methodology consisted of a self-report questionnaire, which included biographical, quantitative and qualitative components, administered to 100 volunteer patients attending an outpatient clinic in a local general hospital for sexual problems, who had given informed consent to participate in the research. Quantitative components consisted of standardized sexuality and psychological well-being scales. The qualitative component consisted of participants' responses to an open-ended question as to suggestions recommended to improve their sexual relationships. Main quantitative findings were that the South African sample perceived them to be less psychologically well. This supported earlier comparative research with this scale on South African and USA samples. Analysts of sexuality scale data revealed that South African and USA samples perceived themselves as having equal sexual health. In terms of comparisons between the sexuality and psychological well-being scales, the sexual depression subscale was negatively correlated with psychological well-being dimensions of environmental mastery, positive relations with others and self-acceptance. Main qualitative findings with regard to improving sexual relationships related to improving communication, intimacy, affection, self-esteem and quality of life. Integrating theoretical and practical investigations, the thesis concludes with various recommendations with regard to improving sexuality in interpersonal relationships.
- ItemNeurophysiologic, phenomenological, cultural, social and spiritual correlates of empathy experiences : integral psychological and person centered perspectives(University of Zululand, 2011-01) Edwards, Steve; Cramer, Duncan; Kelaiditis, Dimitri; Edwards, David; Naidoo, Nira; Davidson, Dale; Thwala, Jabu; Mbhele, Buyi; Siyaya, Vusi; Singh, Ashmin; Tshabalala, Pumelela; Nzima, Dumisani; Govender, SumeshniThe main objective of this research was to explore neurophysiologic, phenomenological, cultural and social correlates of recipients’ experiences of empathy within the context of Wilber’s Integral approach and Person Centered theory and practice. Thirteen psychologists participated as co-researchers in a triangulated, within subjects’ post-test experimental design in which empathy data were compared with data from control conditions of factual information processing and rest. A consistent pattern emerged from data gathered. Empathy experiences were associated with an unexpected, statistically significant increase in alpha activity, with some associated increasing trends in theta and beta activity. Expected findings were significant decreases in delta activity accompanied by decreasing trends in gamma wave activity, muscle tension, heart and respiration rate. Individual experiences generally reflected an affective, interpersonal, cultural, social and spiritual state of normal waking consciousness. Participant consensus was that the neurophysiologic and other correlates corresponded truthfully with typical empathic moments, insights and/or peak experiences, which are associated with effective therapeutic change in traditional and contemporary healing contexts.
- ItemPromoting family resilience in South Africa : a community psychological, multicultural counseling approach(University of Zululand, 2015-01) Edwards, SteveThe aim of this article is to describe some projects in KwaZulu-Natal, which adopted a community psychological, multicultural counselling approach in promoting family resilience. Observing that every entity shares a dual nature: as a whole in itself, and as a part of some other whole, Wilber (2007) has adopted Arthur Koestler’s term ‘holon’ to describe such a phenomenon. In the present context, the focus is on individuals, families and communities as holons. More precisely, the concern is with perceptions of individuals, adolescents and parents, who comprise families, groups and communities. Although our main focus is on family resilience, axiomatically and conversely this focus includes a concern with community resilience, which consists of group, family and individual resilience patterns