A Narrative Approach to Child and Family Therapy in Africa*

Professional family therapy in Africa is heavily influenced by theories and principles of Western family practice. Its practice structure and philosophies are however grounded on African family values and the principles and orientations of traditional African psychology. This paper presents a clinical report that illustrates adaptations we make to incorporate compatible aspects of narrative family practice in African and Western cultures. A summary of African family values and child psychology intended as a background perspective is provided. The paper is significant against the background of the current need for forging multiculturally relevant healing methods that fit well with the globalized nature of the contemporary world. Augustine Nwoye, PhD, is Associate Professor and Chairman, Department of Psychology, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya (amnwoye@avu.org). Professor. Nwoye has developed an African paradigm for mental health and, in particular, for family and couple therapy. He also has experience in dealing with stress and multiple losses, especially surrounding HIV/AIDS within an African context. *An earlier version of the paper was presented to the members of staff and students of the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, England, UK, and the initial version was presented to the members of the Family Therapy Program of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada. I wish to thank Dr. Colleen McLaughlin (University of Cambridge) and Professor Karl Tomm (University of Calgary) for their invitation, assistance, time, attention, and suggestions.     

从生态自然观看细菌的耐药

伴随抗菌药物强大的抗感染疗效的同时,细菌等病原体对抗菌药物的耐药性问题日渐显露出来。运用生态自然观辨证地对细菌进行剖析,旨在突破传统思维认识细菌耐药性产生本质,从而更加有效,更加科学地控制细菌耐药的发生。     

大学生知识价值观的实证研究

该研究从理论上界定了知识价值观及其基本成分(即知识价值目标、知识价值评价和知识价值手段)。运用设计的《大学生知识价值观调查表》,对2043名大学生进行了调查。结果显示,大学生在知识价值目标、知识价值评价和知识价值手段三方面都呈现出年级、性别和专业的差异。     

国有企业与民营企业员工工作价值观的比较研究

采用修订后的工作价值观调查表对我国大陆6省市的257名国有企业员工和219名民营企业员工进行了调查。结果表明,国有企业员工的工作价值观在舒适与安全维度上显著高于民营企业员工;在能力与成长维度上显著低于民营企业员工;在地位与独立维度上二者差异不显著。     

我国大学生在关爱价值观者特征上的公众观

在开放式预调查基础上,对452名大学各专业学生进行调查研究。结果表明:我国大学生认为善良、真诚、有爱心、不歧视残障者、宽容、设身处地、尊重7项是关爱价值观者最应该具有的特征;个人修养、利他助人、处事交往、外表印象、内在气质、尊重宽容、奉献与责任是关爱价值观者的7个品质因素,其中个人修养的品质因素最为突出;对这些品质因素,男女大学生看法没有明显差异,对某些品质因素城乡大学生、不同专业大学生有明显不同的看法。     

Qualitative research in psychology: Attitudes of psychology students and academic staff

Qualitative research is experiencing a resurgence within the field of psychology. This study aimed to explore the range of attitudes towards qualitative research in psychology held by students and academics, using the model of attitudes by Eagly and Chaiken as a framework. Twenty‐one psychology students and academics were interviewed about their attitudes towards qualitative research. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. While qualitative research was described as inherent to the psychology profession and useful for generating rich data, some participants felt that this approach was not well respected or considered as legitimate as quantitative methods. Reflecting common misperceptions about qualitative research, participants also expressed concerns that qualitative research was too subjective and had limited generalisability. Furthermore, some participants felt that they lacked the skills and confidence necessary to conduct qualitative research. Large investments in time and resources were identified as barriers to undertaking qualitative research. Identifying attitudes towards qualitative research provides a basis for future work in dispelling myths, promoting attitudinal change and increasing both the use and teaching of qualitative approaches in psychology.     

Personal values and academic achievement

Using data from two studies, we investigate the role of basic values in predicting academic achievement. We focus on self-direction and conformity, two-value domains that have been neglected or understudied in earlier research on academic success. In line with the refined value theory, we split self-direction into independence of thought and of action, and conformity into compliance with rules and formal obligations (Rules), and avoidance of upsetting others (Interpersonal). We obtained grades as measures of academic achievement in two samples of Italian high-school students. In Study 1 (n = 234), we measured values with the PVQ-40 and academic motivation. In Study 2 (n = 215), we measured values with the PVQ-RR and both attendance rates and classroom conduct. Results: Both self-direction–thought and conformity–rules correlated with higher grades. These two values related to grades through a different path. Self-direction thought promoted grades through autonomous forms of academic motivation. Conformity rules promoted grades through better teachers’ evaluations of students’ classroom behaviour. Self-direction–action and conformity–interpersonal were unrelated to grades. Regarding the other values, hedonism and stimulation related negatively to grades. Theoretical and practical implications of results are discussed.     

Rational Actions and the Integration of Knowledge

Summary  The paper emphasizes the role of knowledge dimensions of an action which could be regarded as rational. Rational action usually results of specific decision – making process including selection, evaluation and acceptance of a preferred alternative. This process should integrate not only various types of knowledge but also the interdisciplinary or interdepartmental knowledge integration. The integration of knowledge may cover various forms, especially integration of knowledge relating to different domains, of different quality, of knowledge connected with different goal-orientations. The paper stresses the role of the hitherto known and recognized alternatives. The integration procedures should also include the integration of various spheres and types of knowledge with accepted and justified systems of values.     

Work values system development during adolescence

Work values stability, change, and development can be appreciably reduced to a living system model [Ford, D. H. (1994). Humans as self-constructing living systems: A developmental perspective on behavior and personality (2nd ed.). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates]. This theoretical model includes discrepancy-reducing and cohesion-amplifying mechanisms that interact to govern the change in standard- and goal-oriented work values over time [Boldero, J., & Francis, J. (2002). Goals, standards, and the self: reference values serving different functions. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 6(3), 232-241]. Employing longitudinal data from a sample of adolescents (n = 1010) spanning the 9th through the 12th grades, the results demonstrate that the value system develops in a theoretically predictable fashion during the adolescent period. Discrepancy reduction and cohesion mechanisms interact to either maintain or increase the integrity of and harmony between standard-oriented values associated with high school part-time work experiences and goal-oriented work values related to anticipated career-oriented work during adulthood. Exploratory analyses suggest that adolescents’ educational expectations influence the relative salience of standard- and goal-oriented work values and the discrepancy reduction process linking the two over time.     

Person-organization fit: Testing socialization and attraction-selection-attrition hypotheses

Using the socialization and attraction-selection-attrition (ASA) frameworks, this study examined the relation between employees’ work values and their organization’s values (person-organization fit). With a two year time interval, 140 respondents participated in a longitudinal study. After entry, socialization served to enhance homogeneity. The work values underwent small changes and the perception of fit with the organization grew. Despite high retention rates results confirmed the attrition effect. Results indicated that the lower the perceived match between own and organizational values at entry, the more likely it was that someone left the organization over time. We concluded that socialization as well as attrition mechanisms were present at the same time.