PYC4802
November 2020 Exam
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compile your exam answers.
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, Question 1
South Africa is regarded as having a ‘culture of violence’. Define and critically discuss the
diagnosis of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and its diagnostic criteria and clinical
features. In addition, discuss the factors which would influence the assessment of PTSD in
light of wider contextual considerations (25)
Let’s look at the question:
• Focus point – SA CULTURE OF VIOLENCE
• Define PTSD
• Discuss diagnosis of PTSD
• Diagnostic criteria of PTSD
• Clinical features of PTSD
• Factors that influence the assessment of PTSD
• Focus point – SA CULTURE OF VIOLENCE
START ANSWER WITH A DEFINITION AND INTRODUCTION
Definitions:
Violence and trauma defined:
Violent crime and trauma are currently normative within South African society. Many
commentators have come to refer to South Africa as a "culture of violence" - a society
which endorses and accepts violence as an acceptable and legitimate means to resolve
problems and achieve goals (Vogelman & Simpson, 1990)
Walter (1996), defines violence as: Destructive harm, including not only physical assaults
that damage the body, but also the many techniques of inflicting harm by mental or
emotional means.
Introduction:
The relationship between illness and stress depends on the interaction between biological,
psychological, social and social-cultural factors. The diagnosis of PTSD requires that a
person is exposed to a traumatic event that led to a response of fear, helplessness or
horror, a traumatic event could refer to exposure to actual or threatening death, serious
injury or sexual violence, experienced either directly of by witnessing events as they occur
to others.
Within the South African context of violence and trauma, reports indicate that post-
apartheid South Africa has extremely high rates of violent crimes, sexual violence and
domestic abuse. Surveys have found that South Africa has among the highest incidence of
November 2020 Exam
With Reliable information to help
compile your exam answers.
Distinction Guaranteed
, Question 1
South Africa is regarded as having a ‘culture of violence’. Define and critically discuss the
diagnosis of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and its diagnostic criteria and clinical
features. In addition, discuss the factors which would influence the assessment of PTSD in
light of wider contextual considerations (25)
Let’s look at the question:
• Focus point – SA CULTURE OF VIOLENCE
• Define PTSD
• Discuss diagnosis of PTSD
• Diagnostic criteria of PTSD
• Clinical features of PTSD
• Factors that influence the assessment of PTSD
• Focus point – SA CULTURE OF VIOLENCE
START ANSWER WITH A DEFINITION AND INTRODUCTION
Definitions:
Violence and trauma defined:
Violent crime and trauma are currently normative within South African society. Many
commentators have come to refer to South Africa as a "culture of violence" - a society
which endorses and accepts violence as an acceptable and legitimate means to resolve
problems and achieve goals (Vogelman & Simpson, 1990)
Walter (1996), defines violence as: Destructive harm, including not only physical assaults
that damage the body, but also the many techniques of inflicting harm by mental or
emotional means.
Introduction:
The relationship between illness and stress depends on the interaction between biological,
psychological, social and social-cultural factors. The diagnosis of PTSD requires that a
person is exposed to a traumatic event that led to a response of fear, helplessness or
horror, a traumatic event could refer to exposure to actual or threatening death, serious
injury or sexual violence, experienced either directly of by witnessing events as they occur
to others.
Within the South African context of violence and trauma, reports indicate that post-
apartheid South Africa has extremely high rates of violent crimes, sexual violence and
domestic abuse. Surveys have found that South Africa has among the highest incidence of
