Workplace authenticity for African Americans has received much attention in recent years, both in various research domains and in popular media. However, empirical research is scarce regarding what drives Blacks' decisions around whether to outwardly express their inner racial identity at work and what impact (in)authenticity has on workplace outcomes. The lack of empirical research is likely due, in part, to the fact that there are few existing measures designed to assess Blacks' workplace authenticity. Thus, the purpose of the current research was to develop and provide initial validation evidence for a situational judgment test (SJT), called the African American Workplace Authenticity Scale (AAWAS), aimed at measuring Blacks' propensity to use various identity negotiation strategies related to authenticity. Those identity negotiation strategies included identity shifting, referred to as code-switching by laypeople, avoidance, and authentic self-expression. The first phase of the research included item generation and refinement of the item pool using a web-based sample of Black working adults (n=207). For this phase, 38 items were created. Each item included one scenario and three response options each; each response option corresponded to one of the three aforementioned identity negotiation strategies, and each identity negotiation strategy is considered its own subscale. Furthermore, each scenario involved a situation wherein a Black individual was presented with pressure to conform to their White counterparts at work. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted to determine which items to retain, which resulted in a three-factor solution and the retention of 13 items. The second phase of the research involved gathering initial validation evidence for the 13-item scale, again using a web-based sample of Black working adults (n=252). For this phase, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and analysis of measurement invariance between genders was completed to determine whether the three-factor solution fit on a new sample and whether the scale can be used to make meaningful comparisons between males and females. Additionally, the relationships between the AAWAS and existing scales related to authenticity and response bias were explored using correlations. The CFA generally supported the three-factor solution, and metric invariance was found between males and females. Evidence for convergent and discriminant validity from the correlational analyses is presented. Moreover, the subscales of the AAWAS demonstrated good reliability according to rules of thumb for Cronbach's alpha (Identity Shifting Cronbach's α = 0.79, Avoiding Cronbach's α = 0.85, and Authentic Self-Expression Cronbach's α = 0.85). Overall, the AAWAS demonstrated promising psychometric properties thus far and has the potential to facilitate causal modeling in the area of workplace authenticity for Blacks with further validity evidence. / Doctor of Philosophy / Workplace authenticity for African Americans has received much attention in recent years, both in various research domains and in popular media. However, empirical research is scarce regarding what drives Blacks' decisions around whether to outwardly express their inner racial identity at work and what impact (in)authenticity has on workplace outcomes. The lack of empirical research is likely due, in part, to the fact that there are few existing measures designed to assess Blacks' workplace authenticity. The current research is focused on developing and providing initial validation evidence for a situational judgment test (SJT), called the African American Workplace Authenticity Scale (AAWAS), aimed at measuring Blacks' propensity to use various identity negotiation strategies related to authenticity.

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The study emanates from the need to explore the perceptions, opinions and experiences of family therapy practitioners with regard to the epistemological shifts in family therapy theory and intervention, reflecting team practice, and the development of the personal/professional self. The need arose as a result of the evolution of family therapy from first-order cybernetics to the postmodern theoretical environment and the potential impact of such a shift on the capacity for reflexivity and authenticity in practice for family therapy practitioners at Family Life Centre. Family Life Centre provides training for staff members, sessional workers and students (social work and psychology) who have an interest in the practice of family therapy. In the past however, such training has focused more on the experiential dimension, specifically within the context of reflecting team practice. Theoretical training has been inadequate, with practitioners’ knowledge typically gained from under- and post-graduate studies. Knowledge of family therapy theory in terms of approach and extent is varied. While the diverse theoretical backgrounds of counsellors at Family Life Centre adds texture and depth to the practice of family therapy, the possibility of confusion exists, and may create a lack of confidence and authenticity in practice. Family therapy practice at Family Life Centre leans towards a postmodern paradigm, although eclecticism is valued. The multiplicity of approaches to family therapy necessitates an awareness of one’s chosen paradigm, and understanding of the potential impact of the self of the family therapy practitioner upon the therapeutic encounter with a client family. A theory or theories that represent a personal embodiment for the practitioner are more likely to be experienced as authentic to the self of that practitioner and thus impact positively on the development of the therapeutic relationship with the client family. The significance of this therapeutic relationship with regard to healing is well documented in the literature. The capacity of the practitioner for reflexivity regarding the development of the personal and professional self is both essential and ongoing, a journey that should never end. An exploratory design was used to explore the impact of epistemological shifts and reflecting team practice on the development of the personal and professional self of the family therapy practitioner. Exploratory designs are used when the phenomenon is little known. The study can be seen as applied research, aimed at extending the knowledge of human behaviour relating to intervention in the field of family therapy. In order to achieve insight into the perceptions, opinions and experiences of family therapy practitioners, an interview schedule was used to collect the relevant data which was then analysed and from which conclusions were drawn. From the conclusions it is apparent that family therapy practitioners are not always clear on the difference between the modern and postmodern paradigms, although they are certain of the approach they use in practice. It is evident that the approach used is not necessarily ‘chosen’ and that many respondents are actively engaged in contemplating their own professional development. The experience of reflecting team practice in family therapy is seen as extremely valuable to the respondents in terms of the opportunity for learning on a number of levels, including theoretical awareness, skills development and self-awareness. However, reflecting team involvement seems to evoke anxiety for many of the respondents, relating to issues such as evaluation, team composition, power dynamics, fit with the self, as well as the fit for different client families. The development of the personal and professional self is seen as both essential and ongoing, highlighting the necessity of this crucial task in the complex arena of family therapy practice. / Thesis (PhD (Social Work))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Social Work and Criminology / PhD / unrestricted

This study was aimed at giving a voice to two people, constructed as anxious. The epistemological framework is social constructionism. Two in-depth interviews with individuals who constructed themselves, or accepted the constructions of others of themselves as anxious, were done. The 'case study approach' was chosen as most suitable method to gain access to the information. 'Thematic content analysis' was the method of analysis. The life stories of participants were reconstructed in terms of themes. Recurring themes in these life stories were elucidated and linked with the literature. This study allowed valuable and rich information about the life stories of two anxious people to emerge. Amongst the identified themes, 'sensitivity' and the need for 'authenticity' were identified as particularly important areas for clinical practice and future research. Lay people wishing to gain a better understanding of either their own or their loved one's anxiety could also benefit from this study. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

This study was aimed at giving a voice to two people, constructed as anxious. The epistemological framework is social constructionism. Two in-depth interviews with individuals who constructed themselves, or accepted the constructions of others of themselves as anxious, were done. The 'case study approach' was chosen as most suitable method to gain access to the information. 'Thematic content analysis' was the method of analysis. The life stories of participants were reconstructed in terms of themes. Recurring themes in these life stories were elucidated and linked with the literature. This study allowed valuable and rich information about the life stories of two anxious people to emerge. Amongst the identified themes, 'sensitivity' and the need for 'authenticity' were identified as particularly important areas for clinical practice and future research. Lay people wishing to gain a better understanding of either their own or their loved one's anxiety could also benefit from this study. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)