Loneliness in the workplace has received relatively little attention in the literature. The research surrounding loneliness tends to focus almost exclusively on personal characteristics as the primary determinant of the experience, and largely ignores the workplace as a potential trigger of loneliness. As such, personality tends to be overestimated as the reason for loneliness, whilst only modest emphasis is given to environmental factors, such as organisational environments. Therefore, the overall aim of this thesis was to explore the notion of loneliness in the workplace, with a particular emphasis on examining the antecedents and outcomes of its development in work contexts. The first stage of the research included the development and empirical examination of a scale measuring work-related loneliness. A 16-item scale was constructed and tested for its reliability and factor structure on a sample of 514 employees from various organisations. Exploratory factor analysis indicated two factors best represent the data, namely Social Companionship and Emotional Deprivation at Work. For the main study, a theoretical model was constructed whereby various antecedents (personal characteristics, social support, job characteristics, and emotional climate) were hypothesised to influence the development of work-related loneliness, which in turn was thought to affect employee attitudes and wellbeing. Employees from various organisations were invited to participate in the online research via email, which generated 362 submissions from diverse occupational groups. Structural equation modelling techniques were used to assess the hypothesised model, which was evaluated against a number of fit criteria. The initial results provided limited support for the Loneliness at Work Model. Consequently, a number of adjustments were necessary to obtain sufficient fit. The modified model suggests that organisational climate (comprising climate of fear, community spirit at work, and organisational fit) serves to simultaneously predict the emotional deprivation factor of loneliness (made up of seven items) and employee attitude and wellbeing. The results indicate that environmental factors such as fear, lack of community spirit, and value congruence play a role in the experience of work-related loneliness and have an overall negative effect on employee withdrawal behaviours and job satisfaction. The findings from this study offer insight into possible areas for organisational intervention and future research.

This study investigated the intrapersonal and interpersonal context of female dieting and partner support for dieting in 44 heterosexual couples. Participants completed questionnaires assessing self and relationship functioning, dieting levels and eating disordered attitudes, and weight-loss support frequency and helpfulness, in both a cross-sectional and longitudinal study. As predicted, a) higher levels of unhealthy dieting were significantly related to more negative views of the self (e.g., lower self-esteem), and b) lower perceived levels of support from the partner were significantly related to higher levels of eating-disordered attitudes, anxious attachment, and lower relationship satisfaction. However, testing more complex causal models showed that self-esteem played a pivotal role. First, tests confirmed that the impact of self-esteem on unhealthy dieting was mediated by more disordered attitudes to eating. Second, those with low-self-esteem were much less likely to diet in an unhealthy fashion with more frequent and positive partner support, whereas high self-esteem women were not influenced by the support offered by their partners. These findings did not apply to the frequency of healthy dieting, with the important exception that more frequent partner support encouraged healthier dieting, and they held up when plausible third variables were statistically controlled. The findings suggest that dieting behaviour is influenced both by individual differences and the nature of support in intimate relationship contexts.

Chronic pain is recognized for its intra- and interpersonal stress, with greater social support being associated with better patient outcomes. Urologic Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndromes (UCPPS) are pain-associated conditions that are prevalent across genders and are strongly associated with diminished quality of life (QOL). To date, no gender-based research has examined such supportive behaviours in UCPPS samples. One model, the stress-buffering model of social support, suggests people with greater support within their proximal (e.g., marriage) and distal (e.g., physician) social environment may be protected from negative stressor impact (i.e., pain). Due to their strong associations with poorer QoL, I hypothesized catastrophizing and perceived pain control as important intrapersonal cognitive variables to also consider in such relations between pain and patient QoL. In this dissertation, I examined several research questions using two self-report studies: 1) Are there gender differences in social support for people with UCPPS?; 2) Does social support moderate the relationship between pain and patient outcome variables and are there gender differences in this effect?; and 3) If social support moderates the relationship between pain and outcomes, is this effect further moderated by cognitive variables and/or gender? In Studies 1 and 2, women with IC/PBS endorsed higher levels of solicitous and distracting spouse responses to pain behaviour than did men with CP/CPPS. Additionally, in Study 2 women reported greater support from friends than did men. In regard to moderation effects in Study 1, distracting spouse responses buffered the relationships between patient pain and mental QoL, and between pain and disability. However, spouse solicitousness had a detrimental effect on the relationship between patient pain and mental QoL but only at low levels of catastrophizing in the patient. The genders did not differ in the effect of spouse responses to pain behaviour in Study 1, and Study 1 results with respect to the stress-buffering role of distracting spouse responses were not replicated in Study 2. In Study 2, sources of social support from outside of the marriage also did not have a stress-buffering effect on the relationship between pain and patient outcome. Of the models reviewed, no one current model for understanding the role of social support or catastrophizing in chronic pain was sufficient to account for the findings reported in these studies. However, a dyadic emotion regulation perspective is suggested with implications for marital therapy with couples with chronic pain. / Thesis (Ph.D, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2013-11-18 19:17:11.276

The success of the future for South African organisations relies heavily on its leadership, rather than on its management. Transformational leadership is critical to modem business, especially within the South African context. Transformational leadership is essentially about instilling a sense of purpose. in those who are led, and encouraging commitment by empowering employees through growth and development. This enables employees the opportunity to adapt and grow within organizations. The leader promotes change by creating a motivational climate which enhances growth, development, commitment, goal achievement and enjoyment. In order to facilitate the requirements of such an environment the employee needs social support that would enable job autonomy and ultimately job satisfaction. The objective of this study was to investigate the moderating effect of social support between job autonomy and job satisfaction, and to see if job satisfaction of employees in a large banking group can be predicted by their experience of job autonomy and social support in the workplace. The study was conducted within one of South Africa's leading financial institutions. In order to achieve the study objectives, data was collected from a sample (n=178) which consisted of employees ranging from junior management (CIT levels) to middle management (MIP levels). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. Stepwise multiple regression analyses were carried out to determine whether the independent variables hold any predictive value regarding the dependent variable (job satisfaction). The results of the multiple regression revealed that gender had no effect in predicting participants' job satisfaction, indicating that effects for the other variables may operate similarly for males and females. It was found that participants' experience of autonomy, and the support they receive from colleagues are important in predicting their experiences of job satisfaction. However, the moderating effect of social support (from either colleagues or supervisor), was not supported in this research. This finding indicates that social support does not play a role in the translation of the experience of autonomy in job satisfaction. Further research into the moderating effects of social support between job autonomy and job satisfaction is warranted. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007

Background: Metabolic control declines during adolescence, increasing the risk of severe medical complications. Numerous burdensome treatments including insulin management, blood glucose monitoring, diet and exercise are necessary to prevent such complications. Adolescence is characterised by the transition from reliance on the family to independence and increased peer affiliation. It is therefore important to examine the roles of family and peer support for diabetes management tasks within a developmental context. Previous research indicates that family may have a role in supporting practical diabetes management, whilst peers may provide emotional support. Currently there is no research that compares the impact of diabetes-specific family and peer support on both metabolic control and quality of life. The present study addresses these issues. Methods: Ninety adolescents aged 13-18 with type 1 diabetes participated in this crosssectional study. Data included youth report of diabetes-specific social support (DSSQ) from peers and family, quality of life (PedsQL) and metabolic control (HbA1c). The relationships between social support, quality of life and HbA1c were examined using t-tests and correlations. Fishers Z transformations and hierarchical multiple regression were used to investigate the social support measures as potential predictors of HbA1c and quality of life. Results: Family provided significantly more support for practical diabetes management tasks than did peers. Peers provided significantly more support for exercise, but less emotional support, than did family. Better metabolic control was predicted by lower levels of peer support for insulin management, higher levels of peer support for blood glucose monitoring, increased mood and higher levels of family support for exercise. Quality of life was predicted by increased mood, higher levels of family emotional support, family support for diet, lower levels of peer support for insulin management and higher levels of peer support for exercise. Conclusion: Whilst family support remains important throughout adolescence, peer support also has an important role in the metabolic control and quality of life of adolescents with diabetes. This has implications for clinical practice, the most significant of which being the education and inclusion of peers in diabetes care.

Social support plays an important role in our physical and mental health, and is also recognised as a key factor for the success and well-being of athletes. It would be of significant interest for researchers and practitioners to identify the components of perceived and received social support, support antecedents, and subsequent consequences of support. The first aim of this thesis was to apply a univariate generalisability theory approach to examine the components of perceived and received support. The second aim was to apply a multivariate generalisability theory approach to identify the antecedents and consequences of perceived and received support across different levels of analysis. Four studies were conducted applying either a fully crossed or partially nested design to examine components of social support when athletes rated coaches or their most important support providers within their existing social networks. Further, in Studies 3 and 4, participants also completed a performance task in the presence of support providers. Univariate analyses demonstrated that consistently across all studies the relational and social components accounted for the largest amount of variance in both perceived and received support. These findings suggest that perceivers rated certain providers to be particularly supportive, in comparison to how they rated other providers. Across all studies multivariate analyses revealed that provider personality and social identity related to perceptions of support at the relational and social level. In Studies 1 and 4, coach competency also related to perceptions of support at the relational and social level. When athletes perceived certain providers to exhibit specific personality traits, particularly the trait of agreeableness, felt certain coaches were highly competent, and shared a common identity with providers, those providers were also perceived to be particularly supportive. Studies 3 and 4, however, were unable to identify antecedents of received support at any level of analysis, suggesting that perceived and received support have distinct antecedents. Further, in Studies 3 and 4, perceived and received support had unique relationships with self-confidence and performance across the different components. At the perceiver and trait level, when athletes felt they generally received support from providers, they generally felt more confident. In comparison, at the relational and social level, if athletes perceived certain providers to be particularly supportive, they performed better in their presence. The support received from those providers was also beneficial through enhancing self-confidence and, in turn, performance. The findings from the current thesis significantly further conceptual understanding of perceived and received support by identifying their correlates at the different levels of analysis. The current thesis also offers evidence based recommendations for social support interventions.

Manitoba has the highest rate of type 2 diabetes in Canada, exceeding other provinces 12-fold. Current literature has suggested that social supports are critical to the promotion and adoption of healthy living in youth living with type 2 diabetes. As such, high quality social support has been perceived as positive and can enhance youths’ resilience against life stressors. Despite this suggestion, there is little evidence on how best to support this population. The purpose of this Masters thesis was to explore the meaning of social support among Manitoban youth living with type 2 diabetes. Guided by a constructivist grounded theory approach, youth identified the following avenues of social support: family, friends, health care professionals, school and programming. Future interventionists should be aware of the vast incongruence in patients’ and physician’s perceptions of health in type 2 diabetes and design interventions accordingly. / February 2017

Life after treatment for cancer has become a primary focus for health service provider communities as the number of individuals living longer grows. The medical and psychosocial needs of cancer survivors have been prominent in the popular and scientific literature. A major focus for psychologists has been the relationships and social support networks of individuals diagnosed with cancer. The current study explored a recent phenomenon within this realm, the use of Internet resources for online support. The purpose of this study was to compare social support received online and social support received offline among people diagnosed with cancer who use the Internet for cancer-related support. Specifically, the study first compared types of support received online and offline. Based on the existing literature, the study then explored relationships between offline and online social support and other psychological variables, including positive affect, health-related quality of life, and coping. The research design was cross-sectional, and self-report data were collected from 102 participants who had been diagnosed with cancer. Participants reported a variety of reasons for using cancer-related websites and online communities and provided information regarding types, frequency, and intensity of online activities. Most hypotheses were supported for traditional social support but were not supported for online support. Consistent with hypotheses, total social support received offline was higher than support received online. Emotional support and informational support were significantly higher offline than online. As predicted, participants experienced fewer unsupportive interactions online than offline. Also consistent with the hypotheses, emotional support received from the main support person was positively associated with positive affect and health related quality of life, whereas online emotional support was only positively associated with Focus on the Positive coping. Contrary to the hypotheses, hierarchical regression equations indicated that received informational support was positively associated with avoidant coping. This study contributes to the literature as one of the first studies to explore social support received online in a systematic manner. The results have important research and clinical implications for understanding the distinct and overlapping elements of social support received online and offline by individuals with cancer. Future research directions are also discussed.

This dissertation study, The Knowledge of Children of a Selected Secondary School about Poverty, characterizes the concept of poverty from different angles. The theory part concretely defines the concept of poverty. It describes types of poverty, treats the topic of reasons behind and outcomes of the mentioned global problem. This work delineates the marking of poverty in the Czech Republic and maps out in general the situation of the global problem in the world. It demarcates the meaning of The World Bank, which effectively decreases poverty in the world. The closing argument of the theory part treats the topic of preventing poverty, and organizations which deal specifically with poverty. The empirical portion of the dissertation is handled through the vehicle of research, realized through questionnaire surveys with the help of non-standardized questionnaires, which ascertain poverty awareness of pupils of the selected middle school. The practical part of the dissertation analyzes the Ministry of Education's Requirements for Education of Students of ZŠ a MŠ Králův Dvůr, Jungmannova 292, 267 01, (the primary school and kindergarten of Kralův Dvůr, Jungmannova 292, 267 01). Drawing on this analysis of the school educational program of the given school, the author created a project as a tool for...

According to the World Health Organization (2016), 10% of all pregnant women worldwide suffers from some kind of mental disorder, mainly depression. This is considered a women’s health issue and there is a great lack of studies conducted in low- and middle- income countries. The aim of this study was to study the prevalence of depressive symptoms amongst Thai pregnant women, in the upper northeast of Thailand, and their need of support from surrounding social relationships. A cross-sectional descriptive design with a quantitative method was used for this study. The results show that 28% of the participants had a possible minor or major depression scoring > 10 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. 51.6% of the women reported feeling anxious or worried during the past seven days. Health personnel were mostly needed as support regarding knowledge and attention during pregnancy and childbirth. Husband/partner were mainly wanted as support with attention and concern about pregnancy, reaching an understanding with spouse’s family, support related to the baby’s gender and support with household activities. Mother/mother-in-law was the most important source of support regarding taking care of the baby. In conclusion, screening and interventions towards perinatal depression is much needed in the upper northeast of Thailand. Further research is required to investigate the role of social support during pregnancy. / Enligt världshälsoorganisationen, WHO (2016), lider 10% av alla gravida kvinnor i världen av psykisk ohälsa, främst depression. Detta ses som ett kvinnohälsoproblem världen över och bristen på forskning på detta ämne är stor, framförallt i låg- och medelinkomstländer.Syftet med denna studie var att mäta prevalensen av depressiva symtom hos Thailändska gravida kvinnor i nordöstra Thailand samt deras behov av stöd från människor i deras omgivning. Kvantitativ metod med tvärsnittsdesign användes i denna studie. Resultatet visar att 28% av kvinnorna som deltog i denna studie lider av möjlig depression. 51.6% av kvinnorna rapporterade att de hade upplevt ångest eller oro någon gång under de senaste sju dagarna. Sjukvårdspersonal var mest efterfrågade som stöd angående kunskap om egenvård vid graviditet och förlossning. Många av kvinnorna uppgav att de främst ville ha stöd från sin man/partner. Speciellt i frågor beträffande omsorg och omtanke under graviditeten, barnets kön, hjälp med hushållssysslor och för att få förståelse från mannens/partnerns familj. Kvinnans mor/svärmor visade sig vara ett viktigt stöd vad gällande omhändertagandet av barnet. Det finns ett stort behov av att screena gravida kvinnor för depression samt tillämpa åtgärder för att förebygga och behandla perinatal depression i nordöstra Thailand. Ytterligare forskning är nödvändig för att vidare undersöka kvinnors behov av stöd under graviditet.