ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I wish to thank the following people who made this dissertation possible: My husband, Dean, who provided the love, support (and difficult research questions!) that kept me going- the eternal catalyst. To Lisa and Christopher, our children, who gave up substantial family time in order to make this research possible and, through being who they are, kept things in perspective. Home is wherever the three of you are. My mother, Antoinette, for all the practical advice relating to the dissertation and, much more importantly, for providing the hands-on necessities (like grocery shopping) and luxuries (the never-ending supply of soup and home-made bread) that made this dissertation possible. My father, Philip, for instilling in me the belief that I could do absolutely anything to which I applied myself and making the option o f giving up, an unlikely one. In memory of Maria Eales, my grandmother, who provided much of the impetus for effort and achievement in the family, whose wisdom, exuberance and energy are sorely missed. Desiree Lawrence, for always being available to listen- mostly on the hands-free kit in poor reception areas