Three complicated and interrelated issues are marine conservation, local development, and climate change. To seek insight into the challenges posed by these issues in a particular context, this dissertation focuses on seven communities near marine protected areas (MPAs) on the Andaman Coast of Thailand. The central question was “How can conservation outcomes and community livelihoods and adaptive capacity be enhanced in communities near MPAs on the Andaman Coast of Thailand in consideration of a changing climate?” The objectives were to explore local perceptions of social and environmental change and vulnerability, community opinions of Thailand’s National Marine Parks (NMPs), and the adaptive capacity of coastal communities. Literatures on resilience, adaptive capacity, vulnerability, conservation impacts, sustainable livelihoods, and governance and management frame the research. Fieldwork included Photovoice, interviews, and household surveys. Four stand-alone manuscripts are included in the dissertation: a) “A picture of change: Using Photovoice to explore social and environmental change in coastal communities on the Andaman Coast of Thailand”; b) “Vulnerability to multiple stressors in coastal communities: A study of the Andaman Coast of Thailand”; c) “Why local people do not support conservation: Community perceptions of marine protected area livelihood impacts, governance and management in Thailand”; and, d) “The capacity to adapt?: Communities in a changing climate, environment and economy on the northern Andaman Coast of Thailand”. Broadly, the dissertation offers relevant insights into the complex social-ecological changes being experienced by heterogeneous communities and the multi-faceted and multi-scalar actions required to address increasing challenges. Specifically, it a) demonstrates that Photovoice is an effective method for examining social and environmental change and providing input into community adaptation, conservation, and development processes, b) explores the social-economic and biophysical stressors that contribute to household vulnerability and suggests that multiple stressors, particularly economics and climate change, need to be considered in adaptation planning, c) recommends significant improvements to current NMP governance and management to engender local support for marine conservation, and d) illustrates that communities on the Andaman coast of Thailand are coping with environmental and fisheries declines, reacting to climate change and adapting variably to alternative livelihoods and proposes interventions for improving adaptive capacity. / Graduate / 0366 / njbennet@uvic.ca

During the 21st century, climatic change and non-climatic stressors are likely to impact forests leading to large-scale forest and biodiversity loss, and diminished ecological benefits. Assessing the vulnerability of forests and addressing the sources of vulnerability is an important risk management strategy. The overall goal of this research work is to develop methodological approaches at different scales and apply them to assess the vulnerability of forests in India for developing strategies for forest adaptation. Indicator-based methodological approaches have been developed for vulnerability assessment at local, landscape and national scales under current climate scenario, and at national scale under future climate scenario. Under current climate scenario, the concept of inherent vulnerability of forests has emerged by treating vulnerability as a characteristic internal property of a forest ecosystem independent of exposure. This approach to assess vulnerability is consistent with the framework presented in the latest report of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC AR5 2014). Assessment of vulnerability under future climate scenario is presented only at national scale due to challenges associated with model-based climate projections and impact assessment at finer scales. The framework to assess inherent vulnerability of forests at local scale involves selection of vulnerability indicators and pair wise comparison method (PCM) to assign the indicator weights. The methodology is applied in the field to a 300-ha moist deciduous case study forest (Aduvalli Protected Forest, Chikmagalur district) in the Western Ghats area, where a vulnerability index value of 0.248 is estimated. Results of the study indicate that two indicators - ‘preponderance of invasive species’ and ‘forest dependence of community’ - are the major drivers of inherent vulnerability at present. The methodology developed to assess the inherent vulnerability at landscape scale involves use of vulnerability indicators, the pair wise comparison method, and geographic information system (GIS) tools. Using the methodology, assessment of inherent vulnerability of Western Ghats Karnataka (WGK) landscape forests is carried out. Four vulnerability indicators namely, biological richness, disturbance index, canopy cover and slope having weights 0.552, 0.266, 0.123 and 0.059, respectively are used. The study shows that forests at one-third of the grid points in the landscape have high and very high inherent vulnerability, and natural forests are inherently less vulnerable than plantation forests. The methodology used for assessment of forest inherent vulnerability at the national scale was same as used at landscape scale. 40% of forest grid points in India are assessed with high and very high inherent vulnerability. Except in pockets, the forests in the three biodiversity hotspots in India i.e., the Western Ghats in peninsular India, northeastern India, and the northern Himalayan region are assessed to have low to medium inherent vulnerability. Vulnerability of forests under future climate scenario at national scale is estimated by combining the results of assessment of climate change impact and inherent vulnerability. In the present study, ensemble climatology from five CMIP5 (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5) climate models for RCP (Representative Concentration Pathways) 4.5 and 8.5 in short (2030s) and long term (2080s) is used as input to IBIS (Integrated Biosphere Simulator) dynamic vegetation model. Forest grid points projected to experience vegetation-shift to a new plant functional type (PFT) under future climate are categorized under ‘extremely high’ vulnerability category. Such forest grid points in India are 22 and 23% in the short term under RCP4.5 and 8.5 respectively, and these percentages increase to 31 and 37% in the long term. IBIS simulated vegetation projections are also compared with LPJ (Lund-Potsdam-Jena) simulated projections. Both the vegetation models agree that forests at about one-third of the grid points could be impacted by future climate but the spatial distribution of impacted grid points differs between the models. Vulnerability assessment is a powerful tool for building long-term resilience in the forest sector in the context of projected climate change. From this study, three forest scenarios emerge in India for developing adaptation strategies namely: (a) less disturbed primary forests; (b) degraded and fragmented primary forests; and (c) secondary (plantation) forests. Minimizing anthropogenic disturbance and conserving biodiversity are critical to reduce forest vulnerability of less disturbed primary forests. For disturbed forests and plantations, adaptive management aimed at forest restoration is necessary to build resilience. Mainstreaming forest adaptation in India through Forest Working Plans and realignment of the forestry programs is necessary to manage the risk to forests under climate change.

Background: Occupational stress is a global and complex phenomenon, and workers in developing countries can be affected by it (International Labour Organisation 2001). Staff within maternity settings have been identified as being at risk of suffering from stress, resulting in adverse health outcomes (Evenden and Sharpe, 2002). However, MWAs’ perceptions of stress have not been captured and are not reflected in the literature. Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore MWAs’ perceptions of occupational stress, possible cause(s), the impact and support available and the coping methods they adopted within maternity care settings (hospital) in Nigeria. Methodology: This study adopted a qualitative methodology. Husserl’s (1962) phenomenological approach was chosen as it enabled the researcher to collect rich, in-depth, descriptive accounts of the MWAs’ perceptions of the phenomenon under study through the use of semi-structured interviews. Findings: The major sources of stress for MWAs included work overload, long working hours, staff shortages, work exploitation and intensification and lack of support from senior staff. The stress levels MWAs experienced impacted on their health and well-being and resulted in related behavioural and physical reactions. Conclusion: This study confirmed that MWAs were exposed to similar stress factors experienced by other health workers and reported in the research literature. Additionally, it demonstrated the need for more qualitative studies to explore the perceptions of occupational stress among under-represented groups of healthcare workers. Importantly, this study created an opportunity to explore the experience of dedicated women facing challenging employment practices in hospital settings in Nigeria. Equally, it gave a voice to these unrecognised, almost invisible women, who were the MWAs that played a key role within the maternity services.

The aim of this dissertation is to examine gender differences in salutogenic functioning in military deployment. Salutogenisis focuses on the origin of health and wellness, and the salutogenic constructs sense of coherence (SOC), hardiness (PVS) and self-efficacy (SES) which were conceptualised focus on how individuals handle stressors positively and still remain healthy. Gender differences in military deployment were discussed, focusing on different stressors that impact on individuals' functioning when deployed. Empirically the salutogenic constructs: SOC, PVS and SES were measured. The population consisted of males and females working at 7 SAI Phalaborwa who were deployed in Kwa-Zulu Natal. Statistical techniques were applied to determine differences between males and females. The data was analysed statistically using the SPSS programme. Statistical significance was found in the SOC sub-scale "meaningfulness" and the PVS sub-scales "commitment" and "challenge". / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Admin (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Human schistosomiasis popularly known as bilharzias in many regions of Africa is a freshwater snail-transmitted disease caused by parasitic flatworms known as schistosomes. The growth and development of schistosomes typically requires developmental stages in multiple hosts and transmission stages in freshwater. These life cycle environments present a plethora of stressors. Certain gene families including heat shock proteins (HSPs/Hsps) and universal stress proteins (USPs) help schistosomes to respond to unfavourable conditions. The availability of genomes sequences information for Schistosoma japonicum, Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium provide unique research resources to apply bioinformatics analysis of its associated USPs to predict regulatory features from sequence analysis. The objectives of the research were to (i) Infer the biochemical and environmental regulation of universal stress proteins of Schistosoma species; (ii) Identify biological function relevant protein sequence and structure features for prioritized universal stress proteins from Schistosoma species; (iii) Determine the distinctive structural features of a predicted regulator of Schistosoma adenylate cyclase activity that has possible influence on the functioning of universal stress proteins. The findings revealed that (i) schistosomes USPs are hydrophilic and very reactive in the water environment or in aqueous phase, which seems adaptive with their immediate environment and developmental stages; (ii) The functions of Smp_076400 and Sjp_0058490 (Q86DW2) are regulated by conserved binding site residues and metallic ions ligands (Ca2+, Mg2+ and Zn2+), particularly Ca2+ predicted to bind to both USPs; (iii) The S. mansoni life cycle and stress resistance pathway protein (Smp_059340.1) is regulated by Ser53, Thr188, Gly210 and Asp207 residues. The overall scope has highlighted the role of bioinformatics in predicting exploitable regulatory features of schistosome universal stress proteins and biological pathways that might lead to identification of putative functional biomarkers of common environmental diseases. The findings of this research can be applicable to other areas of environmental health and environmental genomics. / Environmental Sciences / (D. Litt et Phil. (Environmental Sciences)

The stress at work has been too investigated in Brazil and abroad due to their harmful consequences to individuals and organizations. The profession of driver has already been identified as one of the most subject to the occurrence of stress. In view of these issues, the present study aimed to know which factors bus drivers consider as stressors at work, and also identify wheather they are under stress, and which are the symptoms and the stress phase they present. A sample with 134 drivers from two public transportation companies in Uberlandia, Minas Gerais, participated in this study, using as instrument an interview script composed by questions related to the perceived stress factors, to personal and professional data and the Lipp Inventory of Stress for Adults - ISSL. All data obtained have been entered into a spreadsheet SPSS for Windows program, version 17.0, for performing statistical analysis. The answers obtained with the interviews were subjected to content analysis, getting seven categories of stressors, among them "traffic", "social relationships" and "pressure of time" were predominant. Personal and professional data were correlated with data about stress using statistical analysis through Pearson correlation and Chi-square. The analysis by the Pearson coefficient showed that the greater the time in the current company, more symptoms of stress were reported. The associations obtained with Chi-square only were significantly to those who responded positively to the questions "Are you experiencing a problem outside the work situation that is causing your stress?" and/or "Have you ever had any health problem due to your work?" Further the subjects that have pointed the categories Low power" and "Social relationships" represented a proportional greater stress than those who haven t. The index of stress presented by the sample was 34,3%, and that was considered comparatively low. Among the drivers who have stress, the resistance phase and the psychological symptoms were predominant. It is suggested that future research investigate the specific working conditions of Uberlândia and the public transportation companies of the city. / O estresse no trabalho tem sido tema bastante pesquisado no Brasil e no exterior devido às suas conseqüências nocivas aos indivíduos e às organizações. A profissão de motorista já foi identificada como uma das mais sujeitas à ocorrência do estresse. Tendo em vista estas questões, o presente estudo visou conhecer quais os fatores considerados pelos motoristas de ônibus urbano como geradores de estresse no trabalho, assim como identificar se os mesmos estão sob estresse, qual a sintomatologia presente e a fase de estresse em que os sujeitos se encontram. Uma amostra com 134 motoristas de duas empresas de transporte coletivo de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, participou do estudo utilizando-se como instrumento um roteiro de entrevista composto de questões a respeito dos fatores percebidos de estresse, um questionário de dados pessoais e profissionais e o Inventário de Stress para Adultos de Lipp - ISSL. Todos os dados obtidos foram digitados em uma planilha do programa SPSS for Windows, versão 17.0, para realização de análises estatísticas. As respostas obtidas com as entrevistas foram submetidas à análise de conteúdo obtendo-se sete categorias de fatores estressores, entre as quais se sobressaíram Trânsito , Relacionamentos sociais e Pressão do tempo . Os dados pessoais e profissionais foram correlacionados com os dados a respeito do estresse utilizando-se análise estatística por meio de correlações de Pearson e Qui-quadrado. As análises através do coeficiente r de Pearson revelaram que quanto maior o tempo de trabalho na empresa atual, maior a quantidade de sintomas de estresse relatados. As associações obtidas com o Qui-quadrado em relação aos dados pessoais e profissionais só foram significativas para quem respondeu afirmativamente às perguntas Está passando por algum problema fora da situação de trabalho que esteja lhe causando estresse? e Você já teve algum problema de saúde devido ao seu trabalho? . Também os sujeitos que citaram as categorias de estressores Baixo poder de decisão e Relacionamentos sociais representaram uma proporção maior de estresse do que os que não citaram. O índice de estresse apresentado pela amostra foi de 34,3%, considerado comparativamente baixo. Dentre os motoristas que apresentaram estresse predominou a fase de resistência e a sintomatologia psicológica. Sugere-se que futuras pesquisas investiguem as condições de trabalho específicas de Uberlândia e das empresas de transporte da cidade. / Mestre em Psicologia Aplicada

Submitted by Divisão de Documentação/BC Biblioteca Central (ddbc@ufam.edu.br) on 2018-08-29T14:46:37Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Ana Lucia_Dissertação.pdf: 609780 bytes, checksum: 83dbb30b4dc3b76e057a1a6e2ffd4661 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Divisão de Documentação/BC Biblioteca Central (ddbc@ufam.edu.br) on 2018-08-29T14:47:15Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Ana Lucia_Dissertação.pdf: 609780 bytes, checksum: 83dbb30b4dc3b76e057a1a6e2ffd4661 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Divisão de Documentação/BC Biblioteca Central (ddbc@ufam.edu.br) on 2018-08-29T14:47:26Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Ana Lucia_Dissertação.pdf: 609780 bytes, checksum: 83dbb30b4dc3b76e057a1a6e2ffd4661 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-29T14:47:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Ana Lucia_Dissertação.pdf: 609780 bytes, checksum: 83dbb30b4dc3b76e057a1a6e2ffd4661 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-27 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Stress is considered an adaptive response of the body of the individual against the most varied situations especially those threatening. Differences between positive and negative stress characterized as eustress - stress the positive nature and DISTRESS - stress that sick. In the hospital, the nursing staff makes up the largest workforce, participating as a member of the health team, the shares which meet the health needs of patients seen, experiencing unhealthy work conditions, due to excessive workload or double shifts triple work, night work, unexpected situations, lack of essential equipment to support life such as respirators, beds and medications, and inter-relationships that often generate conflicts, among other extremely stressful situations in the workplace. Objective of this study was to identify through the evidence described in the literature surveyed, the main stressors that are exposed to the nursing professional in the exercise of their profession and the organic and psychological changes triggered in professional nursing from its exposure to stressors present in the work environment. As for the design methodology, we conducted a review Integrative according to criteria established by Ganong (1987), a descriptive, qualitative, establishing a data collection tool previously developed for this purpose. The research related to this issue provide important information that can serve as a basis for developing strategies aimed at confronting and overcoming these stressors present in the work environment, qualitatively improving the nursing care provided to patients but also the quality of life of men and women who have chosen to devote part of their lives caring for human beings at times when they are most vulnerable and in need of not only physical care and specific (biological) but emotional, psychological and spiritual as well. Of the 23 studies analyzed the stressors present in the work environment and the nursing staff that affect the quality of care provided to patients, we observed that 82.6% indicated the emotional burden caused by the suffering of others and duty to contain their emotions , then we have the conditions unsuitable and / or unhealthy working with 73.9% of the citations; interpersonal relationships / inter conflicting with 60.8% of the citations, the workload emerges in 56.5% of the work, the pace of work appears in 43.5% of the citations; observed in 30.4% of their citations in task conflict, inadequate staffing organization, decision-making power limited and inadequate environmental factors; still have 21.7% of Quote respectively, coercive power, complexity of work, reporting relationship of technicians and nursing assistants and nurses in relation to salary issues; workload was cited by 17.4% work; fear of unemployment was cited by 8 6% of the work and finally the physical pain was mentioned only in one working analyzed corresponds to 4.3%. Since most studies with design specification and transverse, and as such, it is specific studies, which are reflected in reality of the situation presented in loco where no posterior segment to investigate outcome and therefore do not reflect the reality of other comprehensive institutions of different regions of Brazil. It is suggested that further studies be conducted to analyze more comprehensively the situation now proposed. / O estresse é considerado uma resposta adaptativa do organismo do individuo frente a situações das mais variadas especialmente aquelas ameaçadoras. As diferenças entre o estresse positivo e o negativo caracterizam-se como: EUSTRESS – o estresse de natureza positiva e DISTRESS– o estresse que adoece. No ambiente hospitalar, a equipe de enfermagem compõe a maior força de trabalho, participando como integrante da equipe de saúde, das ações que visem satisfazer as necessidades de saúde dos pacientes atendidos, enfrentando condições insalubres de trabalho, carga horária excessiva devida a jornadas duplas ou triplas de trabalho, trabalho noturno, situações inesperadas, falta de equipamentos essenciais para dar suporte à vida tais como respiradores, leitos e medicações, além das relações interprofissionais que muitas vezes geram conflitos, entre outras situações extremamente estressantes, no ambiente de trabalho. Objetiva-se neste estudo, identificar através das evidências científicas descritas nas literaturas pesquisadas, os principais agentes estressores a que está exposto o profissional de enfermagem, no exercício de sua profissão e as alterações orgânicas e psicológicas desencadeadas nos profissionais de enfermagem, a partir de sua exposição aos fatores estressora presentes no ambiente de trabalho. Quanto ao design metodológico, foi realizada uma revisão integrativa segundo os critérios estabelecidos por Ganong (1987), de caráter descritivo, qualitativo, sendo elaborado um instrumento de coleta de dados previamente elaborado para este fim. As pesquisas relacionadas a este tema trazem informações importantes que podem servir de base para formulação de estratégias que visem o enfrentamento e superação desses fatores estressores presentes no ambiente de trabalho, melhorando qualitativamente a assistência de enfermagem prestada aos pacientes mas também a qualidade de vida de homens e mulheres que optaram por dedicar parte de suas vidas cuidando de seres humanos nos momentos em que se encontram mais fragilizados e necessitando não somente de cuidados físicos e específico ( biológicos) mas afetivos, psicológicos e espirituais também. Dos 23 trabalhos analisados quanto aos estressores presentes no ambiente de trabalho da equipe de enfermagem e que interferem na qualidade da assistência prestada aos pacientes, podemos observar que 82,6% apontaram a sobrecarga emocional, causada pelo sofrimento alheio e o dever de conter as suas emoções; em seguida, temos as condições inadequadas e/ou insalubres de trabalho com 73,9% das citações; as relações interpessoais/interprofissionais conflituosas com 60,8% das citações; a sobrecarga de trabalho desponta em 56,5% dos trabalhos; o ritmo de trabalho aparece em 43,5% das citações; observamos que em 30,4% das respectivas citações, em conflito de tarefa, organização inadequada de pessoal, poder de decisão limitada e fatores ambientais inadequados; temos ainda com 21,7% das citações respectivamente, poder de coerção, grau de complexidade do trabalho, relação de subordinação dos técnicos e auxiliares de enfermagem em relação ao enfermeiro e questões salariais; carga horária de trabalho foi citada em 17,4% trabalhos; medo do desemprego foi citado em 8,6% dos trabalhos e finalmente a dor física foi citada apenas em 1 trabalho analisado corresponde a 4,3%.Sendo a maior parte dos estudos com design descritivo e transversal, e como tal, trata-se de estudos pontuais, que transparecem a realidade “in loco” da situação apresentada onde não há segmento posterior para investigar desfecho e, portanto não refletem a realidade abrangente de outras Instituições das diferentes regiões do Brasil. Sugere-se que novos estudos sejam realizados a fim de analisarmos de maneira mais abrangente a situação ora proposta.

De plus en plus de contraintes pèsent sur les organisations avec de plus en plus de règles et de procédures à respecter. Ces contraintes ont une répercussion sur les salariés et se traduisent notamment par un surcroît de pression et de stress. Le secteur de la santé n’est pas épargné par ce phénomène de société avec des défis majeurs à relever : contenir l’augmentation des dépenses de santé, faire face aux progrès de la médecine et de la technologie, faire face également à la pression du public pour l’amélioration de la qualité et de la sécurité des soins, et répondre à une demande accrue due au vieillissement de la population. Ces défis peuvent générer chez le personnel soignant de l’absentéisme et du turnover. L’absentéisme et le turnover du personnel infirmier représentent un problème de santé publique coûteux et désorganisant. Les travaux réalisés sur l’absentéisme et l’intention de départ montrent qu’il s’agit de concepts à la mécanique complexe. Une lecture de ces comportements à travers les concepts d’implication organisationnelle, de satisfaction au travail et de tensions de rôle permet d’appréhender la complexité de ces phénomènes. Les précédents travaux sur les tensions de rôle n’ont jusqu’à présent jamais mesuré conjointement les trois formes de tensions de rôle. En effet, ils ont en majorité porté sur le conflit de rôle au détriment des deux autres formes de tensions de rôle (ambiguïté de rôle et surcharge de rôle). Une analyse simultanée des trois formes de tensions de rôle représenterait pourtant un intérêt managérial important puisqu’elle permettrait d’orienter préférentiellement les actions managériales sur la ou les formes de tensions de rôle qui sont véritablement des facteurs explicatifs des variables dépendantes. Cela conduirait à une meilleure adaptation des pratiques de Gestion des Ressources Humaines, et à terme favoriserait leur efficacité. Telle est l'ambition de notre travail de thèse. Une première étude qualitative exploratoire, adossée à une revue rigoureuse de la littérature, nous a permis de construire des modèles de recherche que nous avons ensuite confrontés à l'épreuve des faits dans une étude quantitative mobilisant plus de 300 personnels infirmiers et une trentaine de cadres de santé. Notre travail contribue à éclairer le déterminisme des tensions de rôle dans le phénomène de turn-over, ou plus précisément dans les intentions de départ des personnels, ainsi que dans la satisfaction au travail, et l'implication organisationnelle. Nos résultats sont plus décevants s'agissant de l'absentéisme, ce qui souligne la difficulté de son étude et tend à confirmer la complexité de ce phénomène. / There are more and more constraints weighing on organizations, with more and more rules and procedures to respect. These constraints have a repercussion on employees, in particular through increased pressure and stress. The health sector has not been spared by this societal phenomenon and must face major challenges that lie ahead: contain increased health care costs, face technological and medical advances, deal with public pressure to improve the quality and security of health care and respond to a rising demand due to the ageing population.These challenges may give rise to absenteeism and turnover among caregivers. Absenteeism and turnover among nursing staff constitutes a major public health problem that is both costly and disrupting. Work carried out on absenteeism and departure intentions shows that complicated, intricate concepts are involved. Interpreting these behaviours through the concepts of organisational commitment, job satisfaction and role stressors allows one to grasp the complexity of these phenomena. Previous work done so far on role tensions has never jointly measured the three different forms of role tensions. In fact, the majority have concentrated on role conflict, to the detriment to the two other forms (role ambiguity and role overload). A simultaneous analysis of the three forms of role tensions, however, would be of great managerial interest as it would preferentially orientate management action on the form or forms of role tension which are the true explanatory factors in dependent variables. This would lead to better adaptation of the Human Resources Management practices and, in the end, boost their efficiency. This is the aim of our research. An exploratory qualitative study, supported by rigorous review of the literature, allowed us to construct research models that were tested in a quantitative study involving 300 nurses and around 30 health professionals. Our work contributes to shedding light on the determination of role tensions in the turnover phenomenon, or more precisely on the intent to leave of personnel, as well as job satisfaction and organisational commitment. Our findings are more disappointing in regard to absenteeism, which highlights the difficulty of its study and tends to confirm the complexity of this phenomenon.

Magister Commercii - MCom / The main sources of teacher stress stem from difficulty in maintaining classroom discipline, time pressures, workload demands, excessive change, being evaluated by others, challenging relationships with colleagues and poor working conditions. This study therefore highlights the significant relationship between occupational stressors and the stress experienced by teachers at high risk secondary schools in the Western Cape. Occupational stress is related to job satisfaction, job overload and job control. The coping strategies of teachers at high risk secondary schools are explored. The results indicate that there were no significant relationships between teacher stress and job satisfaction, job overload and job control at high risk secondary schools in the Western Cape. Job satisfaction however, showed an inverse, albeit not significant relationship to teacher stress. Furthermore, male and female teachers respond differently to these occupational stressors. Females were more prone to the experience of stress than males. The recommendations are based on the conclusions drawn from the study. In conclusion, occupational stress is considered a major source of stress for teachers, which needs to be addressed more vigorously at high risk secondary schools in the Western Cape. / South Africa

In the past century, seagrasses have experienced massive die off episodes in what has been collectively referred to as “wasting disease.” Researchers generally agree that wasting disease is caused by a protist of the Labyrinthula genus, and that environmental stressors can make some populations of seagrasses more susceptible to infection. The purpose of this study was to examine the combined effects of elevated salinity, elevated temperature, elevated sulfide and night-time hypoxia on Thalassia testudinum health and its response to Labyrinthula sp. infection under controlled conditions. To test these effects, microcosms were utilized and individual seagrass shoots were randomly assigned to treatment groups consisting of various combinations of abiotic stressors. They were then infected with Labyrinthula sp. and monitored for lesion formation and a reduction in photosynthetic efficiency. It was hypothesized that seagrasses incubated under the application of a given stressor would show evidence of declining health, and, in turn, would be more prone to infection, as quantified by lesion size and reduced photosynthetic capacity. Results indicated that abiotic stressors have little effect on T. testudium’s ability to resist infection from Labyrinthula sp. However, the Labyrinthula sp. was highly sensitive to abiotic stressors, specifically salinity, indicating that the health of the pathogen greatly contributed to the severity of the disease. Therefore, the stress thresholds of both the host seagrass and the pathogen need to be considered. Indeed, the interaction(s) among T. testudinum, Labyrinthula spp. and the environment are complex and not as linear as previously thought.