Within the psychological literature two main approaches can be identified as influential factors in the increase of well-being, defined in this thesis as Hedonic (SWB) vs. Eudaimonic Well-Being (PWB). One of the key qualities of the human mind is its ability to think about and act upon the future. The first approach emphasises the role of psychological strengths related to the utilisation of foresight and planning in such a way as to influence the consequences of current actions. The second approach focuses on the function of basic personality traits in the setting of goals and mental functioning. To integrate these approaches, this thesis brings together two lines of research: future-orientation and personality traits. Two longitudinal studies investigate the predictive qualities of future-orientated constructs in relation to personality traits, while also focusing on their contribution to the setting and attainment of goals and the perception of well-being. In the first study two cognitive-motivational scales, Hope and Personal Growth Initiative (PGI), were administered to measure two hundred and sixty four participants’ future-orientation. The first aim of this study was to examine the distinctiveness of these two scales in predicting well-being. Results from factor analyses cast doubt on the uniqueness of Hope and PGI, while regression analyses demonstrate Hope to be the strongest, most significant predictor of PWB and SWB. A further aim of the study was to ascertain if future-orientation could account for additional variance in the prediction of well-being, after the influence of the Eysenck’s Personality traits have been controlled for. It was indicated that individuals’ Hope levels do account for residual variance in PWB and SWB. The last aim of the study was to determine if future-orientation could contribute to long-term goal attainment and well-being. The results indicate that participant’s Hope levels did not significantly contribute to long-term goal attainment, however it had a direct, significant effect on long-term PWB. The second study, utilising 117 participants, replicated prior findings that demonstrate Hope, instead of PGI, to be the strongest, most significant predictor of both PWB and SWB. The study also extents prior research by utilising the Big-Five traits in the prediction of PWB and SWB. Factor analyses results indicate Hope to share an underlying factor structure with Openness and Conscientiousness, while PGI share an underlying factor structure with Agreeableness. It was further indicated that participants’ Hope, but not PGI, accounts for residual variance in the prediction of PWB, after controlling for the Big-Five traits. Conversely, Hope and PGI did not account for any residual variance in the prediction of SWB, instead almost 60% of the variance can be attributed to the Big-Five personality traits. Extending the first study, the aim of the second study was to ascertain attainment through independent verification and not participant self-assessment. The results indicate that participants who demonstrate greater levels of Openness and PGI tend to set higher quantitative goals. Although not predictive of goal attainment, participants with greater Openness showed higher performance on the goals. Overall, the results question the distinctiveness of Hope and PGI in the prediction of well-being. It adds to our knowledge of how psychological strengths such as future-orientation can contribute variance to the prediction of well-being after basic personality traits have been controlled for. Finally the results also add to our understanding of how personality traits, as well as, Hope and PGI independently contribute to the setting of goals.

This mixed methods study contains two studies that are linked together sequentially to explore the work/nonwork boundary management of home-based teleworkers through the overarching research question: Do personality traits and ICT use influence how teleworkers manage their work-nonwork boundary? Mobile ICT s such as smartphones are becoming increasingly more important for work and they can have a boundary blurring effect on the work-nonwork boundary as they may be used at anytime and anywhere. However, the issue of how personality traits influence ICT use and work-nonwork boundary management has been neglected, particularly in a teleworking context. As people manage their work-nonwork boundaries differently and some people work better at home than others, it is not known to what extent personality traits play a role in boundary management and ICT use. Study One explores the relationships between the big five personality traits of conscientiousness, extraversion and neuroticism, the facet level traits of dutifulness, gregariousness, and impulsiveness and work/nonwork boundary interruptions. It also explores the relationships between these traits and frequency of technology use for work purposes and the relationship of ICT s (smartphones, tablets and laptops) to work/nonwork boundary interruptions. Data was collected via an online survey, with recruitment from social media sites and Local Authorities totalling 391 usable responses. Conscientiousness was found to be negatively related to work-nonwork and nonwork-work interruptions, dutifulness negatively related to nonwork-work interruptions, neuroticism positively related to work-nonwork interruptions and impulsiveness positively related to nonwork-work interruptions. Personality traits were found to have small correlations to boundary interruptions which was a new finding, although it was expected that the correlations might have been larger than they were found to be. Extraversion was positively related to frequency of laptop use and extraversion and gregariousness were positively related to frequency of smartphone use, neuroticism was negatively related to frequency of smartphone use which were new findings in a work context. Frequency of ICT use was positively related to work-nonwork interruptions, with smartphones showing the highest correlation, followed by tablet and then laptop displaying a stepped effect. This finding of a stepped effect was new and suggests that the portability of smartphones makes them much easier to connect to work out of hours, than laptops and tablets. The second study included interviews from 20 participants who had completed the survey, four from each of five boundary management groups (Strong Segmentors, Strong Integrators, Moderate Managers, Work Boundary Protectors and Family Boundary Protectors). The groups were derived from scores from the survey data, in order to investigate in more depth, other factors that influenced boundary management interruptions that were not picked up in Study One and specifically the idiosyncrasies of ICT use between groups. The qualitative data was analysed via Template Analysis and the final themes in the template were Boundary Management, Crafting Work, Individual Differences, Telework and Interruptions. The theme of Boundary Management was dealt with in this study. Some key findings were that Study Two built upon Study One by finding that proactivity was a key theme and that this trait may be particularly active while individuals are teleworking due to the context. ICT s were used in a way that reflected the wide ranging boundary management preferences of the individuals using them.

Objectif. L’idéation suicidaire est la première étape dans la spirale infernale du comportement suicidaire. Pour mieux prévenir l’idéation suicidaire, le but de notre étude est d’investiguer ses prédicteurs chez des étudiants de licence : traits de personnalité, stress lié aux événements devie, troubles psychopathologiques, estime de soi, satisfaction de la vie et relations interpersonnelles.Méthode. L’étude s’est déroulée { l’Université Paris Ouest Nanterre la Défense entre 2008 et 2010, et nous avons recueilli les données auprès d’un échantillon de 855 étudiants (âge moyen de 23 ans, écart-type de 5,5 ans; H = 198, F = 657) provenant de plusieurs filières de licence, mais avec une forte surreprésentation de la filière de psychologie (n=614). Nous avons utilisé une batterie d’instruments pour mesurer les variables cibles.Résultats. Les résultats des analyses en pistes causales avec médiation montrent que seulementquelques variables prédictrices expliquent plus de la moitié de la variance de l’idéation suicidaire (52%). Les prédicteurs les plus efficaces en termes de significativité sont l’agréabilité (β entre -0,06 à -0,18), l’estime de soi (β entre -0,08 à -0,52), la présence de l’anxiété-l’insomnie (β entre 0,17 { 0,37), le dysfonctionnement social (β entre 0,09 { 0,23), le trait d’être renfermé (en retrait, introverti) (β entre 0,08 { 0,29), les troubles de pensée (β entre 0,16 { 0,40) et le comportement transgressif (β entre 0,14 { 0,31).Discussion. Malgré les limitations de notre étude, nous constatons qu’un petit nombre de prédicteurs expliquent une variance importante de l’idéation suicidaire et que les prédicteurs ne se comportent pas de façon identique pour les différents sous-groupes ; hommes/femmes, appartenance à la filière psychologie/autres. / Objective. Suicide ideation is the first stage that leads to the vicious circle of suicidal behaviours.Thus, the objective of our research is to investigate the association between suicide ideation andits predictor variables (personality traits, stress related to life events, psychopathological disorders, self esteem, satisfaction with life and interpersonal relationships) amongst undergraduate university students.Method. This study was conducted at the Université Paris Ouest Nanterre la Défence between2008 and 2010. We have collected data from a sample of 855 students (average age of 23 yearsand standard deviation of 5 years and 6 months; M = 198, F = 657) composed of different disciplines but with an overrepresentation of psychology undergraduates (n = 614 with an average age of 23 years; σ = 6). We used a battery of instruments to measure the variables of interest.Results. The results of path analysis show that only a few predictor variables explain more than half of the variance in suicidal ideation (52%). The most effective predictors in terms of significance are: agreeableness (β between -0.06 to -0.18), self-esteem (β between -0.08 to -0.52), comorbidity of anxiety-insomnia (β between 0.17 to 0.37), social dysfunction (β between 0.09 to 0.23), withdrawal (β between 0.08 to 0.29), thought disorders (schizophrenia) (β between 0.16 to 0.40) and rule breaking behaviour (β between 0.14 to 0.31). Discussion. In spite of the limitations of our study, we have found that a relatively small number of predictors explains a significant amount of variance in predicting suicidal ideation. Moreover, predictor variables are not identical for different subgroups.

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[pt] Normas são aplicadas em sistemas multiagentes como mecanismos capazes de restringir o comportamento dos agentes de software com o objetivo de alcançar uma ordem social desejável. Entretanto, essas normas podem entrar em conflito, como por exemplo, uma norma que proíbe um agente de realizar uma determinada ação e outra norma que obriga o mesmo agente a realizar a mesma ação no mesmo intervalo de tempo. A decisão do agente sobre quais normas serão cumpridas pode ser definida com base nas recompensas e punições normativas e nos objetivos do agente. No entanto, em determinadas situações a avaliação desses atributos pode não ser o suficiente para permitir que o agente efetue uma tomada de decisão satisfatória. Nesse contexto, foi elaborada uma abordagem que considera traços de personalidade em agentes de software para aprimorar o processo de resolução de conflitos normativos e a escolha dos planos para tomada decisões, além de realizar a comparação da abordagem proposta com diferentes abordagens encontradas na literatura. / [en] Norms are applied in multiagent systems as mechanisms capable of restricting the behavior of software agents in order to achieve a desirable social order. However, norms eventually can be conflicting - for example, when there is a norm that prohibits an agent to perform a particular action and another norm that obligates the same agent to perform the same action in the same period of time. The agent s decision about which norms to fulfill can be defined based on rewards, punishments and agent goals. Sometimes, this balance will not be enough to allow the agent to make the best decision. In this context, this proposal introduces an approach that considers the agent s personality traits in order to improve the plan decision-making process and resolving normative conflicts. Our approach s applicability and validation is demonstrated by an experiment that reinforces the importance of considering the norms both in the agent and society s points of view.

The correlations among personality, academic performance and other variables in 170 university students were studied, using two instruments validated into the population: the NEOPJ-R, and the EPPS. Other variables as age, study level, self perception of academic achievement and self perception of motivation, and sources of support were included. Jt was confirmed the reliability and validity of both tests and the correlations between them. The results showed associations among academic performance and conscientiousness, endurance,change, and aggression. The academic performance was better explained by achievements triving, deliberation, change, self perception of academic achievement and age. / Se investigó la relación entre personalidad, rendimiento académico y otras variables en 170 universitarios, mediante dos instrumentos validados para esta población: el NEO PI-R de Costay McCrae y el EPPS de Edwards4• Se consideró las variables edad, ciclo académico, percepcióndel rendimiento, de la propia motivación para estudiar, y fuentes de apoyo. Se confirmo la validez y confiabilidad de ambas pruebas y sus respectivas correlaciones. Se encontraron asociaciones entre el rendimiento y conciencia, perseverancia, cambio y agresión. El rendimiento fue mejor explicado por la aspiraciones de logro, reflexión, cambio, percepción del rendimientoy edad del estudiante.

[pt] Apesar do acentuado crescimento do uso de dispositivos móveis no contexto de viagens, muitas lacunas de pesquisa ainda estão presentes. A tese se propõe a medir a influência dos traços de personalidade (introversão, abertura a experiências, instabilidade emocional, necessidade de excitação) sobre os construtos dos modelos de aceitação de tecnologia (utilidade percebida, facilidade percebida de uso, confiança e risco percebidos), além da conectividade ubíqua percebida. Buscou-se também verificar os possíveis efeitos de moderação das gerações sobre algums relações do modelo proposto com equações estruturais. Uma fase qualitativa exploratória foi conduzida com 15 entrevistados, que forneceram indicações para composição de uma survey aplicada a 912 respondentes. Na amostra da geração X (N igual a 587), a abertura a experiências apresentou efeito significativo sobre a utilidade utilidade percebida e risco. Já a necessidade de excitação apresentou efeito significativo sobre a confiança. Tanto a utilidade apresentou efeito significativo sobre a atitude, quanto também a facilidade de uso, a confiança e a conectividade ubíqua percebida. A conectividade ubíqua percebida também apresentou efeito significativo sobre a utilidade e sobre a facilidade de uso percebida. Já a atitude apresentou efeito significativo sobre a intenção de compra. Como resultados da amostra da geração Y (N igual a 312), dos traços de personalidade, apenas a necessidade de excitação apresentou efeito significativo sobre a confiança. Semelhante à amostra da geração X, tanto a utilidade apresentou efeito significativo sobre a atitude, quanto também sobre a facilidade de uso e confiança. Na geração Y, a conectividade ubíqua percebida também apresentou efeito significativo sobre a utilidade e sobre a facilidade de uso percebida, assim como a atitude apresentou efeito significativo sobre a intenção de compra. Foi verificado efeito moderador significativo das gerações sobre algumas das relações propostas no modelo principal e nos modelos alternativos. Os traços de personalidade não se mostraram como antecedentes tão cruciais para se prever relações com os construtos de adoção de tecnologia (facilidade de uso, utilidade confiança e risco), atitude e intenção de compra. No entanto a conectividade ubíqua e o efeito das gerações sobre alguns elementos da compra via dispositivos móveis, parecem ser elementos importante para serem incluídos em análises gerenciais que venham a ser realizada no contexto dos turismo mediado por dispositivos móveis. / [en] Despite the sharp growth in the use of mobile devices in the context of travel, many research gaps are still present. The thesis brings as innovation the combination of constructs of technology acceptance models, personality traits and the moderation effect of the generations, aiming to propose and test a new model with structural equations. A qualitative exploratory phase was conducted with 15 interviewees, who provided indications for the composition of a survey applied in 912 respondents. Personality traits (introversion, openness to experiences, emotional instability, need for excitement) with internal aspects of the system (perceived utility, perceived ease of use, perceived trust and risk), and perceived ubiquitous connectivity were proposed. Finally, other relationships between the internal aspects of the system were proposed with the attitude when making purchases through mobile devices and the intention to purchase tourist products and services. A possible moderating effect of the generations on these relationships was also tested. In the generation X sample (N equal to 587), the openness to experiences had a significant effect on perceived utility and risk. The need for arousal had a significant effect on trust. Utility had a significant effect on attitude, as well as on perceived ease of use, trust and perceived ubiquitous connectivity. Perceived ubiquitous connectivity also had a significant effect on utility and on perceived ease of use. On the other hand, the attitude had a significant effect on purchase intention. The results on generation Y sample (N equal to 312) revealed that of all the personality traits tested, only the need for arousal had significant effect on trust. Similar to the generation X sample, utility had a significant effect on attitude, as well as on pereceived ease of use and trust. In the Y generation, perceived ubiquitous connectivity also had a significant effect on utility and on perceived ease of use, as well as attitude had a significant effect on purchase intention. In addition a few significant moderating effect of the generation was verified over some of the relationships proposed. Personality traits did not evidence to be so crucial in order to predict relationships with technology adoption constructs (e.g. ease of use, trust, risk, and usefulness), attitude, and purchase intent. However, the ubiquitous connectivity and the effect of generations on some elements of mobile devices purchase seem to be important elements to be included in future managerial analyzes in the context of mobile tourism.

This study aimed at exploring the grade nine learners' experience of career counselling at school in order to determine their ability to make informed subject and career choices. The literature review explored career education programmes and the changing world of work in South Africa. The importance of knowledge about career possibilities, personal values, personality traits and individual interests and abilities was highlighted. Qualitative research involved grade nine learners and Life Orientation teachers in individual and focus group interviews. Data analysis led to the following conclusions: Life Orientation teachers are not adequately informed about the purpose and aim of the career counselling process. Most teachers do not have the necessary knowledge and skills to support learners to make informed subject and career choices. Career counselling in grade nine does not meet the needs of the learners. / Educational Studies / M. Ed.(Psychology of education)

The aim of this study was to unify a South African model of organisational trust with the globally accepted Integrative model of organisational trust on a theoretical and empirical level. The antecedents of trust in direct supervisors represented by five personality dimensions and four managerial practices were used to extract the facets of trustworthiness of ability, benevolence and integrity to create a unified trust model. Based on literature, a methodology was developed to re-assign the various dimensions on an item level into three new scales representing the antecedents of trust. Data gathered between 1995 and 2013 in South African organisations by means of the Trust Relationship Audit was used and subject matter experts reassigned the items into the three antecedents of trust. Structural equation modelling was employed to replicate the Martins (2000) model and to test the measurement and structural regression models, arriving at a five-factor model. A unified model of trust in supervisors was fitted to the data and validated. This unified model emphasises the importance of the affective component as an antecedent of trust towards supervisors in organisations in an African context. Managerial concern, based on benevolent managerial practices and communication, was found to have the biggest impact on trust. Integrity as a personality trait was the only other component that had a positive impact on trust. Contrary to most studies, ability had a minimal or negative impact on interpersonal trust in direct superiors, but is a prerequisite for high integrity and benevolence as facets of trustworthiness. Managerial ability and, to a lesser degree, a benevolent personality are necessary but not sufficient for trust to develop. Being very agreeable and competent is not sufficient to be perceived as trustworthy; managers or supervisors also need to exhibit high levels of concern and integrity. In this study the author responds to the calls in the literature that a common terminology be used in trust research. The multitude of measures causes a situation where studies and concepts cannot be compared and therefore no basis exists upon which to build trust research. Future researchers can now with confidence apply the South African model of organisational trust within the context of a globally accepted model. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / D. Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Background: In today’s fast-moving society organizational changes have become absolutely essential for long-lasting success. A great challenge is to create the internal support for change projects among the employees in order to avoid failure. The underlying problem to this study focuses on the perception towards change under the aspect of a new generation which more and more represents today's workforce.  Research Question: Are there relations between distinct characteristics of Generation Y and their attitude towards change and does this result in new approaches for practical implementations? Purpose:         The purpose of this study is to scrutinize typical characteristics of Generation Y and find out if they influence their attitude (“Readiness for change”, “Commitment to change”, “Openness to change” and “Cynicism about change”) towards change projects. This enhances existing knowledge about the attitude towards change and how this interrelates with specific characteristics. The authors aim is to find out which characteristics can be identified as beneficial for change and how that can be useful for collocating successful change project teams.  Method:          A qualitative research method with an abductive approach was used in this study. The authors were conducting two phases of qualitative interviews. The first interview phase composed of eight respondents with distinct expertise in change projects and the second phase composed of nine (three respondents each from Generation Y, Generation X and Baby Boomers) interviews. The respondents had no specific knowledge in the field of change but experience in working with Generation Y which assisted to expose their specific characteristics. Theoretical Framework:   The underlying theories consist of employees’ general attitude towards organizational change as well as the distinct characteristics of Generation Y. For a more practice-oriented evaluation of the implementation of organizational change, the theory about change project teams is presented as well.   Findings:       The study revealed that members of Generation Y are well equipped with a set of distinct characteristics that positively influence their attitude towards organizational change. Characteristics like “Informationalization”, “High level of education”, “High level of flexibility”, “Critical Thinking” and “Globality” were evaluated as having positive effects on their “Openness to Change”, “Readiness for Change”, “Commitment to Change”, and “Cynicism about Change”. Furthermore, those findings enhance existing selection processes when it comes to the collocation of change projects teams.