Doctor of Philosophy / School of Family Studies and Human Services / Amber V. Vennum / The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how emerging adults (18-29 year olds) define commitment in romantic relationships and have created meaning from the positive and negative examples of commitment they have witnessed. Twenty (10 men, 10 women) unmarried emerging adults were interviewed individually. Through the use of grounded theory four themes emerged to explain how emerging adults have constructed their understanding of commitment: complete loyalty, investment in the relationship, continual communication, and parental influence. From observing negative and positive examples of commitment, emerging adults learned to discern healthy and unhealthy characteristics of romantic relationships, are working to be different, and have learned what to do to make a committed relationship work long term including the sub-themes of unitedly persevere, prioritize the relationship, consider your partner, give substantial effort, have fidelity. These results extend our knowledge about the model of resilient commitment, and the critical purpose of meaning making. Implications for intervening with emerging adults to strengthen future romantic relationship stability are discussed.

Young men who grew up with emotionally absent fathers seem to find it difficult to attain equilibrium through dedication to both personal and relational concerns, probably because they tend to have low self-esteem, struggle to establish intimate relationships and may be at greater risk of engaging in antisocial or violent behaviour. The aim of this study was to explore the self-regulation strategies that white young adult male students employ to deal with the emotions and cognitions related to the experience of having emotionally absent fathers. Interactive Qualitative Analysis was applied to facilitate a discussion group process through which a hypothetical model for a purposive sample of nine participants’ self-regulation strategies was systematically constructed. Ten themes were identified, and judging from the model participants’ attempts at self-regulation seem to be unproductive in the long run, hence the presence of three feedback loops from which they are unable to produce constructive behavioural outcomes. Disappointment over emotionally absent fathers has introduced a number of inhibiting factors that hinder the participants’ growth towards self-actualisation. Results support the literature on the complex nature of self-regulation within conflicting relationships. Although the study was explorative and findings cannot be generalised, it does provide valuable cues for counsellors, psychologists and further research. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Emotions are integrated psychological, physical and cognitive responses that function as an internal automatic process that provides feedback to the individual regarding the success and quality of achieving goals, relations with others and the meaning of life. It is therefore important that emotions are regulated – this refers to the monitoring, evaluation and the modification of emotional reactions (Todd & Lewis, 2008) – so that failures do not negatively impact on a person‟s ability to achieve important goals in life. Young adulthood, between the ages of 20 and 30, can be typified as a developmental phase during which critical decisions with regard to goals in life are made. However, young adults are often not able to effectively regulate the emotional impact of blocked life goals. As a result the risk for poor decision-making and lower psychological well-being increases. The aim of this study is to firstly identify critical factors in emotional regulation of young adults in reaction to blocked life goals. Secondly, the research identifies relations between these critical factors and lastly, the study offers a model on emotional regulation in reaction to goals in life that are blocked. An availability sample of 77 young adults between the ages of 20 and 30 years took part in the study. The study was granted ethical permission by the North-West University and all the participants gave informed consent. Interactive Qualitative Analysis (IQA), a systems approach to qualitative research was used to generate and analyse data (Northcutt & McCoy, 2004). IQA uses interviews with groups and individuals to collect and analyse data in a participatory way. Eight themes are identified, three of which are specifically considered regulation strategies, namely: the supression of emotions, productivity and giving in to primal urges. The other five themes can be considered emotions, namely: loneliness, frustration and disappointment, uncertainty, anger and discouragement. Participants indicated 56 possible cause-and-effect relations between these eight themes. According to a frequency analysis only 24 of these relations, which explains 74.8% of the variance in the group, were used in the development of the model. The model indicates that there are three central processes, namely: a feedback-loop that comprises three negative emotions and suppression as regulation strategy, a destructive path and a productive path. The findings support the literature in terms of the fact that emotions serve as an internal feedback process that provides feedback to the individual about the success and quality of achieving his or her goals, relations with others and the meaning of life. In this case, negative emotions are experienced as a result of goals in life that are blocked. The literature (Kassin et al., 2008) also confirms that suppression is not a successful long term strategy and eventually it only leads to further loneliness, uncertainty, and ultimately frustration and disappointment. For some of the participants alternative behaviours characterised by anger, discouragement and giving in to primal urges like smoking and alcohol abuse follow this. This seems to be an externalisation of negative emotions by participants with lower self-control, and it supports previous literature in this regard (Caprara et al., 2013). On the other hand, it seems that participants with more self-control make constructive plans to reach their goals or set new goals despite the frustration and disappointment that comes with having goals in life blocked. The final conclusion is that the regulation of emotions can be described as a complex process that individuals use to change or control their emotions in order to achieve a desired outcome. In this study it was particularly evident that the suppression of emotions play an important role and further research is needed to determine its short and long term effects. Further research is also needed to determine the factors that differentiate between young adults that apply destructive and productive regulation strategies respectively. / MA (Clinical Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Young men who grew up with emotionally absent fathers seem to find it difficult to attain equilibrium through dedication to both personal and relational concerns, probably because they tend to have low self-esteem, struggle to establish intimate relationships and may be at greater risk of engaging in antisocial or violent behaviour. The aim of this study was to explore the self-regulation strategies that white young adult male students employ to deal with the emotions and cognitions related to the experience of having emotionally absent fathers. Interactive Qualitative Analysis was applied to facilitate a discussion group process through which a hypothetical model for a purposive sample of nine participants’ self-regulation strategies was systematically constructed. Ten themes were identified, and judging from the model participants’ attempts at self-regulation seem to be unproductive in the long run, hence the presence of three feedback loops from which they are unable to produce constructive behavioural outcomes. Disappointment over emotionally absent fathers has introduced a number of inhibiting factors that hinder the participants’ growth towards self-actualisation. Results support the literature on the complex nature of self-regulation within conflicting relationships. Although the study was explorative and findings cannot be generalised, it does provide valuable cues for counsellors, psychologists and further research. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Emotions are integrated psychological, physical and cognitive responses that function as an internal automatic process that provides feedback to the individual regarding the success and quality of achieving goals, relations with others and the meaning of life. It is therefore important that emotions are regulated – this refers to the monitoring, evaluation and the modification of emotional reactions (Todd & Lewis, 2008) – so that failures do not negatively impact on a person‟s ability to achieve important goals in life. Young adulthood, between the ages of 20 and 30, can be typified as a developmental phase during which critical decisions with regard to goals in life are made. However, young adults are often not able to effectively regulate the emotional impact of blocked life goals. As a result the risk for poor decision-making and lower psychological well-being increases. The aim of this study is to firstly identify critical factors in emotional regulation of young adults in reaction to blocked life goals. Secondly, the research identifies relations between these critical factors and lastly, the study offers a model on emotional regulation in reaction to goals in life that are blocked. An availability sample of 77 young adults between the ages of 20 and 30 years took part in the study. The study was granted ethical permission by the North-West University and all the participants gave informed consent. Interactive Qualitative Analysis (IQA), a systems approach to qualitative research was used to generate and analyse data (Northcutt & McCoy, 2004). IQA uses interviews with groups and individuals to collect and analyse data in a participatory way. Eight themes are identified, three of which are specifically considered regulation strategies, namely: the supression of emotions, productivity and giving in to primal urges. The other five themes can be considered emotions, namely: loneliness, frustration and disappointment, uncertainty, anger and discouragement. Participants indicated 56 possible cause-and-effect relations between these eight themes. According to a frequency analysis only 24 of these relations, which explains 74.8% of the variance in the group, were used in the development of the model. The model indicates that there are three central processes, namely: a feedback-loop that comprises three negative emotions and suppression as regulation strategy, a destructive path and a productive path. The findings support the literature in terms of the fact that emotions serve as an internal feedback process that provides feedback to the individual about the success and quality of achieving his or her goals, relations with others and the meaning of life. In this case, negative emotions are experienced as a result of goals in life that are blocked. The literature (Kassin et al., 2008) also confirms that suppression is not a successful long term strategy and eventually it only leads to further loneliness, uncertainty, and ultimately frustration and disappointment. For some of the participants alternative behaviours characterised by anger, discouragement and giving in to primal urges like smoking and alcohol abuse follow this. This seems to be an externalisation of negative emotions by participants with lower self-control, and it supports previous literature in this regard (Caprara et al., 2013). On the other hand, it seems that participants with more self-control make constructive plans to reach their goals or set new goals despite the frustration and disappointment that comes with having goals in life blocked. The final conclusion is that the regulation of emotions can be described as a complex process that individuals use to change or control their emotions in order to achieve a desired outcome. In this study it was particularly evident that the suppression of emotions play an important role and further research is needed to determine its short and long term effects. Further research is also needed to determine the factors that differentiate between young adults that apply destructive and productive regulation strategies respectively. / MA (Clinical Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Play is acknowledged as a fundamental need and right of the human experience. However, across the human lifespan is not always valued. Research on play has traditionally been on children, and while some attention is now being paid to older adults, there is little scholarship regarding play in adulthood. This exploratory study examined how early adulthood (25-40 years old) play, the influence playing has on creativity and career performance, and implications for future research on play. The study was completed utilizing traditional and non-traditional research methods with the intent to incorporate the participants' voice and perspectives into a human-centered research design. The end results of this study, demonstrated that early adults engage in a number of play experiences that shape their development and learning as well as influence their creativity and work performance. The use of human-centered research provided participants with the opportunity to individualize data collection, analyze results, and have a voice in the final product.

Thesis (MA (Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie verkennende studie is onderneem om die rol van fisiese welstand rakende algehele geestesgesondheid te ondersoek. Die hoofdoelstelling is om vas te stel of daar verskille is tussen die selfkonsep en veerkragtigheid van ‘n groep individue wat kompeterend aan muurbal deelneem (vir ten minste die afgelope 12 maande) en ‘n ander groep wat geensins aan enige fisiese oefening deelneem nie (ook vir die afgelope 12 maande). Beide die groepe behoort tot die ouderdomsgroep van 50- tot 60 jariges. Hierdie navorsing is aangepak binne die positiewe paradigma van sielkunde as die wetenskaplike bestudering van die oorspronge, die prosesse en meganismes rakende optimale vlakke van menslike funksionering. Binne die kwantitatiewe benadering is ‘n vergelykende navorsingstipe gebruik. Sestig deelnemers is vir die doel van die studie gebruik. Die deelnemende groep (n=30) neem op ʼn gereelde basis aktief deel aan georganiseerde muurbal in die Meestersliga van die Westelike Provinsie se Muurbalunie. Die nie-deelnemende groep (n=30) het bestaan uit dertig individue wat glad nie aan enige fisiese oefening deelneem nie. Drie meetinstrumente is deur al die respondente voltooi, naamlik die Demografiese Vraelys, die Rosenberg Selfkonsepvraelys en die Veerkragtigheidsvraelys. Statisties beduidende verskille is gevind tussen die selfkonsep en veerkragtigheid van die deelnemende groep en nie-deelnemende groep. Die deelnemende groep het ʼn hoër selfkonseptelling en veerkragtigheidstelling as die nie-deelnemende groep getoon. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This explorative study was undertaken to investigate the role of physical well-being regarding mental wellness. The main objective was to establish whether there is a difference in the self-concept and resilience of a group of individuals who participate in squash on a competitive level (for at least the past 12 months) and an age equivalent that does not take part in any physical exercise (for also at least the past 12 months). Both these group’s members belong to the age group of 50 to 60 year olds. This research was located in the paradigm of positive psychology as the scientific study of the origins, processes and mechanisms regarding the levels of optimal human functioning. In this quantitative approach a comparative research method was used. Sixty persons were included in the sample of the study. Members of the participating group (n=30) take part in organised squash actively in the Masters League of the Western Province Squash Union on a regular basis. The non-participating group (n=30) consisted of individuals that do not take part in any physical exercise. Three measuring instruments were completed by all the respondents, namely the Demographic Questionnaire, the Rosenberg Self-Concept Questionnaire and the Resilience Questionnaire. Significant statistical differences were found in measures of the self-concept and resilience between the participating group and the non-participating group. The participating group showed a higher self-concept score and resilience score than the non-participating group.

This dissertation examines the health insurance status of young adults during the transition to adulthood. In a series of three essays, I analyze what happens as young adults reach important milestones and the effects of public policies. The first essay is a descriptive study on how insurance status changes after reaching age 19 and graduating from college. The likelihood of becoming uninsured rises sharply once turning age 19 and then peaks at age 23. While the proportion uninsured also increases following college graduation, this increase disappears after one year. The second essay analyzes the effect of a dependent age law in New Jersey, which allowed dependent coverage for young adults up to age 30 and did not require full-time student status. Pennsylvania did not pass a law and was used as a control state. Among 19-to-22-year olds, there was a rise in health insurance coverage in New Jersey relative to Pennsylvania. There also was a negative effect on college enrollment in New Jersey relative to Pennsylvania. The final essay considers other unintended consequences of dependent age laws. Using a national dataset, I estimate that there were no clear effects on decisions related to living arrangements, marriage, and full-time employment.

Same-sex experiences are more prevalent than is thought. Individuals often engage in same-sex behaviours in order to understand their same-sex attractions, which may result in the incorrect integration of a homosexual or bisexual sexual identity. Same-sex behaviour may also lead to feelings of guilt and shame, and can result in confusion regarding sexual identity, which could ultimately influence the successful integration of a sexual identity (a key developmental task during adolescence) and subsequent stages of an individual’s life. This study investigated how young males experienced their sexual identity after having same-sex experiences. In order to better understand these experiences, this study also looked at sexual identity and its development from a psychosocial approach. In addition, this study also took a phenomenological approach into account to better understand how young males understand their same-sex experiences within their socio-cultural context. The qualitative research method was used because it aims to understand how people make sense of their everyday lives and foregrounds participants’ perceptions and experiences. When researching human behaviour, context and behaviour cannot be separated and therefore a phenomenological design was used. The population included five young males who lived in the Boland and Northern suburbs of the Western Cape and who have had same-sex experiences. The participants were selected utilizing the non-probability (convenient purposive) sampling technique, however, the sampling procedure also made use of snowball sampling. Biographically, the participants were between the ages of 18 and 24, and had different sexual orientations. The participants included black and white students who spoke Afrikaans or English, and originated from different provinces in South Africa. Data were collected through a two-part semi-structured interview. The first interview focused on questions about the participants’ sexual preference and identity, same-sex experiences and support system. During the second interview participants were asked to make a collage representing how they viewed their sexual identity with regards to the same-sex experiences they have had. This interview also focused on member checking. The collages and member checking served as forms of triangulation. Data were transcribed and analysed by means of a content analysis that focused on four main categories. These categories corresponded to four main questions that formed part of the first interview. The researcher concluded that each participant experienced his sexual identity and same-sex encounters differently and that none of them experienced the development of their sexual identity as ‘natural’ or as something that was present from birth. They all experienced confusion and conflict about their sexual preference because it was in contrast to their sociocultural context. Same-sex experiences were the result of confusion but also caused confusion and this confusion was mostly experienced in the earlier life stages. More research is needed on the heterosexual identity development of heterosexual identified individuals who have same-sex experiences, so that these individuals can also be accommodated within a sexuality. The development of programmes for therapeutic and/or educational purposes, that focus on the sexual identity and sexual identity development of adolescents, must also be considered in future research. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Using hierarchical multiple linear regression, this study examined the predictive relationship between micro-career transitions and career related outcomes and how those relationships were moderated by equilibration style. Participants (n = 177) answered an online survey which included a variety of measures for control, predictor, moderator, and outcome criterion (i.e., demographic descriptors, Instrumentality, Openness, Job Insecurity, Social Support Satisfaction, Microtransitions, Equilibration Style, Job Satisfaction, Job Burnout, Life Dissatisfaction, and Career Optimism). Research questions addressed the nature of micro-career transitions (e.g., frequencies, average stress ratings, category types), their predictive relationship with job and career outcomes, and the moderating role of Identity Styles on that relationship. Micro-career transitions were described according to responses for the research sample (n = 638). Significant effects were discovered between microtransitions and career outcomes (p < .05 and .01). Equilibration styles were also established as having a moderating effect on the predictive relationship between microtransitions and career outcomes (p < .05 and .01). Interaction terms were decomposed to examine the direction of significant moderating effects. In all cases where interaction terms were significant, moderators enhanced the negative predictive relationship between microtransitions and career outcomes.