Over the last decade the focus has shifted to ensure a holistic view of employee well-being in organisations by focusing on both physical and psychological well-being. Previous research suggests that work characteristics and psychological work-related well-being influence both the individual (i.e. health) and organisational outcomes (i.e. commitment, safety, productivity, etc.). Moreover, the increasing importance of focusing on work-related psychological well-being of employees is evident in legislation from around the world. In South Africa the Occupational Health and Safety legislation, spesifically the Construction Regulations, also recognises the importance of the psychological well-being of employees and refers to it as ?psychological fitness?. However, no clear definition or instrument for psychological fitness exists. Similarly, no instrument exist to measure work characteristics of blue-collar workers. The objectives of this research were 1) to propose a defintion for psychological fitness of blue-collar employees 2) to propose a theoretical framework to better our understanding of psychological fitness 3) to develop a psychological fitness instrument for blue-collar employees that is suitable for the South African context 4) to test the psychometric properties of the newly developed psychological fitness instrument 5) to develop a work characteristics questionnaire for blue-collar mine workers to gain insight into their work experiences, and 6) to evaluate the psychometric properties of the newly developed job demands-resources scale for blue-collar mine workers. The empirical study consisted of two phases. During the first phase, following an extensive literature review, a definition and theoretical framework for psychological fitness was proposed. Thereafter, a new instrument for measuring psychological fitness was developed and tested. An instrument for measuring the work characteristics of blue-collar mine workers has also been developed to further the understanding of their work experiences. During the second phase, the psychometric properties of the newly developed psychological fitness instrument were tested (i.e. factorial validity, factorial invariance, reliability and external validity; N = 2769). Furthermore, the psychometric properties of the newly developed job demands-resources scale for blue collar workers were also investigated (i.e. factorial validity, reliability and the relationship with theoretically relevant external variables; N = 361). During the conceptualisation process, the definition of psychological fitness has been proposed based on previous work-related well-being literature. The work-related well-being concepts, distress and eustress were proposed as indicators of psychological fitness. Therefore, psychological fitness was defined as a state in which an employee display high levels of emotional and mental energy and high levels of psychological motivation to be able to work and act safely. The dimensions of burnout and engagement were proposed as possible indicators of psychological fitness and included exhaustion, mental distance, cognitive weariness, vitality and work devotion. Furthermore, the underlying work-related well-being theories and models were identified as the theoretic framework to enable the development of a questionnaire for psychological fitness. In order to ensure that the low literacy employees understand the meaning of each questionnaire close attention has been paid during the development of items. Firstly, the psychological fitness instrument (SAPFI) for blue-collar employees has been translated into all the official languages of South Africa following a multistage translation process. Secondly, the job demands-resources scale for blue collar mine workers (JDRSM) has been translated into the three most commonly spoken languages (Sesotho, isiXhosa and Setswana) by employees working in this specific mine. During this phase various problematic items were identified and eliminated from both questionnaires using the Rasch measurement model. The final phase included the validation study where the psychometric properties of both the new instruments were investigated. The SAPFI results provided evidence for factorial validity, factorial invariance, reliability and significant relations with external variables of the distress scale. Although evidence was provided for the factorial validity, reliability and external validity of the eustress scale, factorial invariance could not be confirmed. Furthermore, the JDRSM results provided evidence for the factorial validity, reliability (except for the workload scale) and external validity. Recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

This study aims at exploring how fathers' parenting strategies and the relationship they have with their children influences the children's ability to form other relationships outside the home. The study is based on parenting strategies identified by Diana Baumrind. Reviewed literature state that where a relationship between the father and his children is good, the children are more confident, stable and secure and therefore able to form seemingly stable social relationships. Where the relationship between father and his children is unhealthy, the children may be unsure of themselves and find it harder to form relationship outside the home. The parenting strategy resulting in the best relationships between the father and his children is the authoritative parenting strategy. Authoritative fathers set rules and follow them through while allowing dialogue. They encourage the development of self-identity and are lovingly involved in their children's lives. All participating fathers in this study have a son and daughter in the age range 13 to 25 years and all are able to communicate in English. The four participating fathers are from different ethnic groups, religious faith and professions. For each father interviewed, a son and a daughter were interviewed too. The same father parenting strategies identified in the literature were identified in this study. Three fathers fit the description of the authoritative parental strategy. Their six children agree that their relationships with their fathers are good. Even though these fathers are strict, they are loving and therefore the children feel secure and confident. These children are able to form stable relationships outside the home. The fourth father is an abusive father whose relationship with his children is unhealthy. His children are not very secure and are withdrawn. They have very few friends because they are afraid of the repercussions from friends discovering they have problems with their father. This study is a door opener in an area with little documented research namely parenting strategies in Africa in general and fathering strategies in particular. There is a need to explore the field further in order to develop training and care-giving structures based on African parental voices. / Psychology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)

The high value of good health in Africa and the serious threat to life posed by diseases that plague the African continent including South Africa, are highlighted in this thesis. The question whether the church in South Africa as a stakeholder in human development in Africa, contributes meaningfully to the continental and national vision of "a better life for all" or "good health for all" is posed and an attempt made to answer it. Operating from the Western world-view, the Hervormde Kerk in Suidelike Afrika (HKSA) is found not to be contributing meaningfully to the realisation of the African vision of "good health for all". Resistance to cure and healing by means of Western medicine and pastoral care and counselling as well as a lack of spiritual and numerical growth in the HKSA are identified as consequences of the imposition of exclusively Western Christian theological formulations on the African church. The assumption underlying this thesis is that ministry to the sick in the African mainline churches should recognise the role played by supernatural forces in the belief systems of Africans regarding health and illness. This assumption is based on the fact that theological formulations are socially influenced and constructed. Following Zerfass' methodological model, this research examines the principles underlying the ministry to the sick in the HKSA and the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika (NHKA); highlights the core African beliefs with regard to the health and illness discourse and practice; points out the shortcomings of the current ministry to the sick in the HKSA. The findings of the investigation into the theological tradition and the results of the exploration of the literature on the African context are brought into the critical dialogue. On the strength of findings of the critical dialogue between the church's traditional theological theory and the results of the exploration of the literature on the African context, the church's healing ministry is recommended as a necessary part of the church's official task in a black South African context. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D.Th. (Practical Theology)

The pastor‘s own well-being is essential in order to attend to the spiritual well-being of others. Therefor pastors need to be cared for. I have found in transgeneration, narrative as well as participation-action-research, convergent within a threefold approach, a workable tool for caring, with pastors. But then we actually need a paradigm shift from a therapeutic towards a participatory mutual care approach within an African context. The focus is placed on pastoral attitude rather than specialised theories and prescribed techniques. This pastoral attitude is to be found within friendship related to the Celtic anamchara relationship. Particitatory pastoral care is not knowledge or skills for therapeutic practices as such, but rather a self emptying on a participatory journey, seeking unique outcomes. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology)

Social Work / D.Phil. (Social Work)

The interface of religion, spirituality and mental health was investigated by conducting interviews with a group of Protestant evangelical pastors, and a group of registered counselling/clinical psychologists. The participants were selected through snowball sampling and were asked to describe their perceptions of, and experiences with religion, spirituality, and mental health in their respective positions as pastors and psychologists. The interview protocols were analysed through thematic analysis where themes were drawn from the data provided by participants. The data showed that both the pastors and the psychologists perceived a distance between the disciplines of religion, spirituality and mental health. The pastors described this distance as representing “two worlds”, a world of religion and spirituality and, a separate world of mental health. The psychologists similarly described an “unnamed conflict” that arises between the two worlds that can, at times, be characterised by perceived tension, discomfort and uncertainty. This tension has been amplified by the cultural climate of secularism in which religion had been marginalised and relegated to the private, rather than the public sphere of societal functions. With the shift to post-secularism has come greater acknowledgement of the role of religion and spirituality for individuals in society, bringing the necessity to consider the interface of religion, spirituality and mental health within mainstream psychological science. The data showed, however, that neither the psychologists nor the pastors had received formal training in this interface, which had resulted in high levels of ignorance and stigmatisation both between, and within the disciplines. Some of the stigmatisation about the interface of religion, spirituality and psychology could be attributed to the socio-political history of South Africa, making such stigmatisations indigenous to this country. Not only is training required on this interface, but as part of the findings of this study, an official position statement is proposed regarding Psychology’s approach to the interface of religion, spirituality and mental health, so that the proposed position statement can guide ethical psychological practice within the South African context. Despite the perception of the “two worlds” and the “unnamed conflict”, both the pastors and the psychologists agreed that collaboration between the two disciplines would be optimal, were committed to such a collaborative process, and provided suggestions about how that collaboration could be fostered. By naming the dynamics that characterise the “unnamed conflict”, greater levels of knowledge, transparency, respect, communication, openness, understanding, and ethical astuteness would serve to diminish the distance between the “two worlds”. / Psychology / Ph. D. (Psychology)

German text / Die vorliegende wissenschaftliche Arbeit befasst sich mit den amaZioni, die den größten Teil der südafrikanischen AIC-Bewegung („African Independent/Indigenous/Initiated Churches“) ausmachen. Für die meisten Theologen stellen die amaZioni eine synkretistische christliche Kirchenbewegung dar, die in ihren Ritualen und Gottesdienstformen starke Einflüsse von traditionellen afrikanischen Religionen (ATR) aufweist. Nicht desto trotz öffnen sich viele der amaZioni-Kirchen gegenüber biblischer Lehre durch Missionare. Um eine solide Grundlage für die Missionsarbeit zu schaffen, befasst sich die vorgeschlagene Arbeit damit, wichtige Bedürfnisse der amaZioni zu erforschen, so dass diese als Anknüpfungspunkte für die weitere Evangeliumsverkündigung genutzt werden können. / The proposed research examines the needs of the amaZioni, who are part of the South African AIC-movement. The amaZioni, as one of the largest religious groups in South Africa, are viewed by most theologicans as syncretistic christian churches. It is obvious that their common believe system as well as their rituals show a strong influence of african traditional religions (ATR). But nevertheless, many of the members of the Zion-churches are opening up for bible teaching provided by missionaries. In order to establish a solid base for the future mission work the proposed research focuses on finding out the amaZioni's needs, so that this needs can be used as reference points in the endeavour of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the missionaries. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology)

The history of heroin use disorder intervention has been characterised by fads and fashions. Some of the treatments that have been used have been, at best ineffective, and at worst harmful, and occasionally even dangerous. It is a sad reflection upon the field that practices and procedures for the treatment of heroin use disorders can so easily be introduced and applied without (or even contrary to) evidence. In South Africa, the field of heroin use disorder intervention has been `in transition' since the outbreak of the heroin epidemic. Yet despite growing evidence of an association between heroin dependents use of supplementary intervention services (such as psychosocial and pharmacological/medical care) and intervention outcomes, and the fact that international emerging standards for substance use disorder intervention have called upon treatment intervention providers to enhance traditional substance use disorder services with services that address clients' psychological and social needs, heroin use disorder intervention programmes in South Africa generally fail to meet these research-based intervention standards. Much of what is currently delivered as intervention is based upon current best guesses of how to combine some science-based (for example, cognitive-behavioural therapy and pharmacotherapies) and self-help (12-step programmes) approaches into optimal intervention protocols. As progression is made in the twenty-first century, scientific information is now beginning to be used to guide the evolution and delivery of heroin use disorder care internationally. Regrettably, a scarcity of heroin use disorder intervention research is noted in South Africa. The present study delved into the insights of ten heroin use disorder specialists, and synthesised the findings with the results of a previous study undertaken by the author relating to forty long-term voluntarily abstinent heroin dependents. In terms of theory and practice, findings of the study suggest that the field is less in transition now than it was in 1995. It is an imperative that law-enforcement action be followed by an integrated programme of psychological, social and pharmacological outreach. These programmes will have to be expanded to address new demands and will need to include specialised skills training. Many interventions and procedures have begun to be integrated routinely into clinical practice. / Psychology / (D. Phil. (Psychology))

The history of heroin use disorder intervention has been characterised by fads and fashions. Some of the treatments that have been used have been, at best ineffective, and at worst harmful, and occasionally even dangerous. It is a sad reflection upon the field that practices and procedures for the treatment of heroin use disorders can so easily be introduced and applied without (or even contrary to) evidence. In South Africa, the field of heroin use disorder intervention has been `in transition' since the outbreak of the heroin epidemic. Yet despite growing evidence of an association between heroin dependents use of supplementary intervention services (such as psychosocial and pharmacological/medical care) and intervention outcomes, and the fact that international emerging standards for substance use disorder intervention have called upon treatment intervention providers to enhance traditional substance use disorder services with services that address clients' psychological and social needs, heroin use disorder intervention programmes in South Africa generally fail to meet these research-based intervention standards. Much of what is currently delivered as intervention is based upon current best guesses of how to combine some science-based (for example, cognitive-behavioural therapy and pharmacotherapies) and self-help (12-step programmes) approaches into optimal intervention protocols. As progression is made in the twenty-first century, scientific information is now beginning to be used to guide the evolution and delivery of heroin use disorder care internationally. Regrettably, a scarcity of heroin use disorder intervention research is noted in South Africa. The present study delved into the insights of ten heroin use disorder specialists, and synthesised the findings with the results of a previous study undertaken by the author relating to forty long-term voluntarily abstinent heroin dependents. In terms of theory and practice, findings of the study suggest that the field is less in transition now than it was in 1995. It is an imperative that law-enforcement action be followed by an integrated programme of psychological, social and pharmacological outreach. These programmes will have to be expanded to address new demands and will need to include specialised skills training. Many interventions and procedures have begun to be integrated routinely into clinical practice. / Psychology / (D. Phil. (Psychology))

The "Dancing with Change" Programme (DWCP) is an ecosystemically informed substance abuse intervention programme that was developed by the participants and myself with the aim of building resilience towards substance abuse among youth. The DWCP was conducted in the school setting, with ten volunteer Grade 7 learners over a ten-week period for an hour a week. The learners' parents participated in an initial needs assessment and in a feedback session at the end of DWCP, together with the life skills teacher and headmaster who observed and contributed to the process. An independent observer, present at each session, served to increase the dependability and confirmability of the evaluation findings. The DWCP appeared to have achieved its goals as defined by the participants. The evaluation findings are presented as a guide for people working in the field of adolescent substance abuse that synthesises best practice and lessons learnt in the field. / Psychology / M.A.(Clinical Psychology)