Browsing by Author "Abera, Dame (PhD)"

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    Adults' Variability in Self Acceptance and Personal Autonomy as A Function Of Chronological Age, Sex and Educational Attainment
    (Addis Ababa University, 2010-06) Birru, Aster; Abera, Dame (PhD)
    This study was primarily designed with the purpose of investigating the influence of chronological age, sex and educational attainment on adults' selfacceptance and personal autonomy achievements. What is the relationship between self acceptance, personal autonomy, is there a significant difference in adults self acceptance and personal autonomy as a result of their variation by sex and educational level were the major research questions that were formulated to be investigated in the study. In the study population to incorporate the sufficient number of male female well and less educated adults and to realize the satisfactory representation of these important variables to the study, disproportionate stratified random sampling technique was employed. The data was collected from 250 Hawassa university main campus academic and administrative adult staff, who attained a high school or more level education and whose age ranges between 22 and 63. A structured questionnaire consisting of 22 items that are adjusted to assess ones' self perception in comparison with others, the extent of ones' positive and negative feeling about likeable and unlikable aspects of one's personality, positive and negative attitudes about the past and present life experiences including one's accomplishment in life, in general one's ability to acknowledge both aspects of one's true self, were used to measure self acceptance. In the autonomy scale questionnaire 16 statements structured with a 5 point interval level scale ' were used to assess whether most behaviors of participants regardless of cultural and social influences were governed by their own genuine an.d thought full in.terest or regulated by external social pressures. In the process of investigating the influence of the above socio demographic variables on adults self acceptance and personal autonomy the mean score difference between male and female group and among the three educational level group was compared and the association between the age of respondents and their score were observed. Finally, the result indicated the existence of positive association between age and self acceptance. Unlike previously conducted researches' this study indicated a negative relationship between chronological age and personal autonomy. The finding also indicated that the extent of adults self acceptance and personal autonomy increases as they move up the educational hierarchy. In terms of gender difference the study found that there is a comparable ability between male and female adults in both self acceptance and personal autonomy dimensions. Generally, the finding highlights how some socio demographic variables affect adults self acceptance and personal autonomy. It is also insight the need for future research in particular about different dimensions of psychological and subjective well being to contribute for adults psychological health and life satisfaction enhancement.
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    Analysis of Suicide Attempt Cases Treated at the Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital of Addis Ababa)
    (Addis Ababa University, 2009-06) Mulugeta, Hewan; Abera, Dame (PhD)
    The main purpose of this study was to find out perceived precipitants and psychological experiences of suicide attempters and the treatment available to them at the Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital of Addis Ababa. Five people who had attempted suicide (3 male, 2 female), their parents or care givers as well as two Psychiatrists who had direct involvement with the suicide attempters were conveniently selected from in-patients of Amanuel Mental Specialized hospital as participants of this study. Data for the study was collected through interview and from patients' medical files. Qualitative case study research was used to analyze the data gathered. Results of the study showed that psychiatric illness was the main cause for the suicide attempts made by the participants. Psychiatric illnesses as depression, schizophrenia, psychosis and some others as mild retardation and epilepsy were the diagnosed causes of suicide attempts. Some factors to whom the causes were attributed in the suicide attempters were stressful life events, being dependent or unemployed and hereditary factors. Hopelessness, worthlessness, suspiciousness, sadness and anger were the psychological experiences encountered by the suicide attempters which were directly related to the diagnosed psychiatric illnesses in some of the participants . As to available services at the Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital, psychotherapy and medical treatments were attended by all suicide attempters. Antidepressants, Antipsychotics and ECT (Electro Compulsive Treatment) were types of medication which were made available for the suicide attempters. Individual, group and family therapy were also given for the suicide attempters. It was recommended that curing the already inflicted psychological problems and trying to address the precipitants of suicide to be important intervention strategies to prevent further suicide cases.
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    Comparative Study on Certain Personality Characteristics and Attitudes Toward Corrections Between Convicts of Homicide and Non-Criminal Groups in Hawassa
    (Addis Ababa University, 2009-06) Worku, Manaminosh; Abera, Dame (PhD)
    The main purpose of this study was to compare certain personality characteristics and attitudes toward corrections of convicts of homicide and non-criminals in Hawassa_ And the research questions were the following_ 1_ Is there sta tistica lly s ignificant difference in p ersonality characteristics between convicts of homicide a nd non criminals? 2 _ Is t here statis tically significant d ifference in attitudes t oward corrections between convicts of homicide and non criminals? 60 homicides were randomly selected from Hawassa correction center_ And 60 non-criminals were purpos ive ly selected at the same town_ Two typ es of questionnaires (the Big Five personality questionnaire and attitude questionna ire) were used to gather information_ Analysis of the data was made using quantitative methods_ In order to determine each group's personality characteristic and attitude towards corrections, the observed sample mean was compared with expected mean or average mean_ Independent t-test was also run to determine their difference_ The results of the study revealed that, the majority of convicts of homicide and non criminals were extroverts and there was no significant difference in extraversion between these g roups_ Howe ve r, the maj ority of non-criminals were agreeable while most convicts of homicides were not agreeable and there was statistically significant difference. Consequently, both groups were open to experience and there was no significant difference in openness between these groups. The majority of convicts of homicide were not emotionally sable where as the majority of non-criminals were emotionally stable and statistically significant difference was found between the two groups. Even though the majority of convicts of homicide and non-criminals were conscientious, there was significant difference in conscientiousness between these two groups. The results of the study also revealed that, though the majority of convicts of homicide and non-criminals had positive attitude toward corrections there was significant difference in attitudes between the groups. In accordance with the findings and conclusions, recommendations were forwarded.
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    Comparative Study on Certain Personality Characteristics and Attitudes toward Corrections Between Convicts of Homicide and Non-Criminal Groups in Hawassa
    (Addis Ababa University, 2009-06) Worku, Manaminosh; Abera, Dame (PhD)
    The main purpose of this study was to compare certain personality characteristics and attitudes toward corrections of convicts of homicide and non-criminals in Hawassa_ And the research questions were the following_ 1. Is there statistically significant difference in personality characteristics between convicts of homicide and non criminals? 2 . Is the re s tatistically significant difference in a ttitudes towal-d corrections bet ween convicts of h omicide and non criminals? 60 homicides were randomly selected from Hawassa correction center. And 60 non-criminals were purpos ive ly s elected at the same t own. Two types of questionnaires (the Big Five personality questionnaire and attitude questionnaire) were used to gather information. Analysis of the data was made using quantitative methods. In order to determine each group's personality characteristic and attitude towards corrections, the observed sample mean was compared with expected mean or average mean. Independent t-test was also run to determine their difference. The results of the study revealed that, the majority of convicts of homicide and non criminals were extroverts and there was no significant difference in extraversion between these groups. However, the majority of non-criminals were agreeable while most convicts of homicides were not agreeable and there was statistically significant difference. Consequently, both groups were open to experience and there was no significant difference in openness between these groups. The majority of convicts of homicide were >'lot emotionally sable where as the majority of non-criminals were emotionally stable and statistically significant difference was found between the two groups. Even though the majority of convicts of homicide and non-criminals were conscientious, there was significant difference in conscientiousness between these two groups_ The results of the study also revealed that, though the majority of convicts of homicide and non-criminals had positive attitude toward corrections there was significant difference in attitudes between the groups. In accordance with the findings and conclusions, recommendations were forwarded.
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    The Process of Mate Selection and the Problem of Cohabiting Couple 50 Adjustment ·for Marriage Contract in the Case of Debre Markos Town
    (Addis Ababa University, 2010-07) Belay, Habtamu; Abera, Dame (PhD)
    This paper examines the process of mate selection and the problem of cohabiting couple's adjustment for marriage contract in case of Debre Markos town. Data were gathered by using questionnaire and interview. The items were scales of mate selection, reason for cohabitation and cohabiting couple's adjustment problem of marnage contract and the interview supplement the questions raised in the questionnaire. Hundred eight (55 male and 53 female) participani:s were selected. Among the total respondents (91%) of the respondents were orthodox Christians and the majority of the participants were grown up in a middle class family which accounts (72%). Comparison of mean difference, linear regression and t-test were computed to analyze the data. The major criteria to choose a potential mate in Debre Markos were economic capacity (M=23.3,sd=.70), and persona! characteristics (22.B,sd=.336). There is no significant difference between men and women in mate selection criteria (t (98) = 1.89, P>0.05. At the same time these five criteria together do have very high predictive power that accounts R2 = .974. That means the fiw criteria of mate selection together can predict 97.4% of mate selection. The result on reasons for cohabitation revealed that people cohabit primarily for convenience purpose (M= 3.02, sd = .73). Racial background (M=3.24, sd= .58), unrealistic concept of expenditure (M=3.lB, sd=4.l5) and fear of birth before marriage (M=3.lB, sd=4.l5) were the major adjustment problems of cohabiting couples for maniage contract.
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    The Relationship between Social Identity and Interpersonal Relationship of Addis Ababa University Students: The Case of Main Campus
    (Addis Ababa University, 2010-06) Bekele, Dereje; Abera, Dame (PhD)
    Social Identity is playing a significant role in influencing people's interactions either in favorable or unfavorable directions. In view of this fact, therefore, this study was intended to examine the linkage between social identity and interpersonal relationship among Addis Ababa University students as the main objective. To realize the above set objective different components of social identity such as gender, ethnicity, and religion were taken as independent variables and interpersonal relationship as a dependent variable. Hence, the researcher has set research questions to check whether there is relationship between the independent and dependent variables and to determine the prediction power of each predictor variable on the criterion variable. The study was conducted on 338 (113 of them are females) Third and Fourth year undergraduate regular students attending their studies at the main campus of Addis Ababa University during the Academic Year of 2009/2010. The participants were selected by the use of simple random and purposive sampling techniques. The study also relied on quantitative method of data collection and analysis. And the researcher used questionnaires as a data collection tool. The participants ' social identity was measured using a 26 items adapted from Aspects of Identity Questionnaire (Cheek, 2002), and their Interpersonal relationship is also measured by a 26 items which was adapted from intergroup interaction scale (Plant, Butz & Taratakovsky.2009). The data were analyzed by Pearson Product Momentum Correlation and Step-wise regression statistical techniques analyzed with the help of Statistical package for social scientists (SPSS) version 13. O. The study revealed that positive and significant relationships were found between all independent variables and the dependent variable. Moreover, gender, ethnic, and religious identities were independent significant predictors of interpersonal relationship. However, among the three independent variables ethnicity was found to be the most prominent determinant of interpersonal relationship among the subjects. Hence, interpersonal relationship of students was mainly dependent on similarity of ethnic background. Finally, the study had suggested some recommendations to address the identified problems.
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    Type and Prevalence of Psychosocial Problems Presented to Witches and Proposed Solutions: A Case Study in Dessie Town
    (Addis Ababa University, 2010-06) Mekonen, Getachew; Abera, Dame (PhD)
    The purpose of this study was to determine the types and prevalence of psychological problems presented to witches and proposcd sol utions. To achieve these objectives, data were collected from some s e1ectcd individuals who have gone and consulted witches. Indepth interview were held wi th all the respondents using interview guide. In addition data was served from Dessie Ilighcr Court and from Dessie Police Station. The participants were purposefully select cd and the data werc analyzed qualitatively. An effort was made to probc in to witchcraft belief in the culture within which it operates, types, prevalence or psychological problems presented to witches, solution methods. The result of the present study shows that witch is often considered as, a wise person, who is an expcrt in making herbal remedies, and who possessed the ultimate remedies of all human problems. Witchcran is mainly considered as a positive cultural tradition and an easy explanation of the ill s of life. The result revealed also that the local people consult witches for every type of' health problems looking for solution; wishing to harm or to make others suiTer li'om misfortunes or diseases looking for charms or spells; to find shortcuts to the social , personal, and emotional perfection they are seeking. Witches are also found to be seen in time of conflict and disagreement between closest. The result of this investi ga tion also revealed that the use of herbs, magic charms and spell casting, forecasting or forete lling, caring out dua, and getting peoples in to an oath were found to be witches methods used to so lve problems presented to them. The result also revealed that witchcraft belicl' was found to be the sources of complex and wide spread problems with significant psychological and social effects on the society. Finally, on the bases of the research findings, the following recommendations have been made: an enlightened reli gion. education, medicine and better social and racial conditions will helps to abolish the beliel·. The local peoples should make more use of social and legal mechanisms for settling their di sputes. They should devote themselves to faith in God, education and hard work to realize one's full potential, and in addition the government has to enforce strong legal sanctions on witchcraft practitioners.