The aims of this study were to establish the prevalence of violence in a sample of women in the North West Province of South Africa, and to determine whether a higher frequency of experiences of violence are associated with more distress and differences in coping strategies and levels of psychological well-being. A stratified, random population-based sample of 387 participants completed several questionnaires in a cross-sectional survey design with the aid of trained fieldworkers who conducted the survey in the mother tongue of the participants. Questionnaires measured the frequency and kinds of violence experi enced, distress symptoms, coping strategies, psychological well-being and quality of life experienced. Data on the relevant variables were also gathered in four in-depth individual interviews and a focus group discussion. The results indicated that 62% of women in the sample had experienced some form of violence in relationships and 42% experienced violence on a regular basis. This study adds data on the epidemiology of various types of violence against women in South Africa. Women who had experienced violence, and more so, women who had experienced a higher frequency of violence, showed more distress symptoms, lower levels of psychological well-being and a lower quality of life in several domains of life, than women who had no or less experience of violence. However, even those women who experienced high levels of violence managed to maintain some strengths and constructive coping strategies that might have helped them to survive. It is indicated that identifying and building psychological strengths in women from a positive psychology perspective may add value to current interventions and preventative efforts.

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The aim of this study was to explore and describe adult horse riders’ perceptions regarding their communication with horses and how it translates to their communication with family. A qualitative explorative, descriptive research design was implemented. The sample group, which was recruited through either a purposive or snowball sampling technique, included nine participants between the ages of 19 and 53. Data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews and analyzed with the use of thematic analysis. The findings reveal similarities between the communication that takes place between the participants and horses, and between the participants and their family members. These similarities make it possible for the communication in one context (with horses) to be translated to the other context (with family members), and the findings suggest that such a translation is possible and is supported by the systems theory.