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Evaluating mental health outcomes of a neurophysiological tremor intervention for adults with trauma-related stressors in South Africa

Dissertation (MA (Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2024.

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Other Authors: Matamela, Nyambeni
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: University of Pretoria 2025
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access_status_str Open Access
author2 Matamela, Nyambeni
author_browse Matamela, Nyambeni
author_facet Matamela, Nyambeni
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.
description Dissertation (MA (Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2024.
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institution University of Pretoria (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:38:13.361Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
publishDate 2025
publishDateRange 2025
publishDateSort 2025
publisher University of Pretoria
publisherStr University of Pretoria
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source_str UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
spelling oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/103888 Evaluating mental health outcomes of a neurophysiological tremor intervention for adults with trauma-related stressors in South Africa Matamela, Nyambeni zelna.aes@gmail.com Faurie, Zelna UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Trauma-related stressors Neurophysiological tremors Posttraumatic growth Resilience Adverse childhood experiences Dissertation (MA (Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2024. The study evaluated the mental health outcomes following a 12-week neurophysiological tremor intervention among adults in the Ekurhuleni region with trauma-related stressors. A quantitative methodology was used grounded in the Polyvagal theory, employing Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and Spearman’s correlations to analyse the relationships between ACE dimensions (abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction) and trauma-related outcomes. The research objectives were: (1) to explore childhood experiences of traumatic events and adult life adversities, (2) to determine a correlation between adverse child events and the other dependent variables (e.g., somatic symptoms, anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, as well as posttraumatic growth and resilience), (3) to determine the effect of the neurophysiological tremor intervention on the somatic symptoms, (4) to determine the effect of the intervention on anxiety, and depression, and posttraumatic stress symptoms, (5) to determine the effect of the intervention on posttraumatic growth, and (6) resilience. The results revealed that 73.5% of the participants experienced physical childhood abuse, followed by emotional neglect, household substance abuse and household mental illness during childhood. Findings revealed significant correlations between household dysfunction and avoidance symptoms and between abuse and anxiety. The study demonstrated significant improvements in posttraumatic stress symptoms and their subdomains (i.e. intrusion, avoidance, negative alterations, and hyperarousal symptoms). Participants reported enhanced growth across posttraumatic growth dimensions (i.e. relating to others, personal strength, and an appreciation of life) and resilience. The study contributes to the growing evidence reinforcing neurophysiological tremor interventions for trauma recovery, emphasising ANS self-regulation for psychophysiological recovery. Psychology MA (Psychology) Unrestricted Faculty of Humanities SDG-03: Good health and well-being 2025-08-13T10:35:55Z 2025-08-13T10:35:55Z 2025-09 2024-11 Dissertation * S2025 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/103888 10.6084/m9.figshare.29900108 en © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria
spellingShingle UCTD
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Trauma-related stressors
Neurophysiological tremors
Posttraumatic growth
Resilience
Adverse childhood experiences
Evaluating mental health outcomes of a neurophysiological tremor intervention for adults with trauma-related stressors in South Africa
title Evaluating mental health outcomes of a neurophysiological tremor intervention for adults with trauma-related stressors in South Africa
title_full Evaluating mental health outcomes of a neurophysiological tremor intervention for adults with trauma-related stressors in South Africa
title_fullStr Evaluating mental health outcomes of a neurophysiological tremor intervention for adults with trauma-related stressors in South Africa
title_full_unstemmed Evaluating mental health outcomes of a neurophysiological tremor intervention for adults with trauma-related stressors in South Africa
title_short Evaluating mental health outcomes of a neurophysiological tremor intervention for adults with trauma-related stressors in South Africa
title_sort evaluating mental health outcomes of a neurophysiological tremor intervention for adults with trauma related stressors in south africa
topic UCTD
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Trauma-related stressors
Neurophysiological tremors
Posttraumatic growth
Resilience
Adverse childhood experiences
url http://hdl.handle.net/2263/103888