The present research introduces a framework for multiplex developmental partnerships. First, using a qualitative case study methodology, I found that developmental partnerships are dyadic multiplex relationships involving flexible and permeable intra-relational role boundaries, comprised of interdependent dyad partners. I integrated role theory and social interdependence theory to help understand the affective, behavioral, and cognitive interdependence dimensions present in developmental partnerships. Analysis of interviews revealed that each dimension of interdependence is associated with a specific intra-relational role: companion, collaborator, and balanced developer. Second, I created a measure, the Developmental Partnerships Inventory. Results indicate the new measure demonstrates adequately reliability and validity (e.g., construct, convergent, and discriminant validity. This research proposed a theoretical process model of potential antecedents and outcomes of developmental partnerships. I proposed that partners’ trustworthiness, propensity to trust others, and individual authenticity shape the approach dyad members will take towards the relationship. The model also examined the potential for developmental partnerships to influence performance through positive psychological capital and thriving. Finally, I offer a discussion of the contributions of the process model presented in moving research on developmental relationships forward, and potential directions for future research. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

M.A. / School leavers are faced with the need to study further in an attempt to increase their chances of finding employment. However, school leavers are rarely equipped with all of the necessary skills, information and self-knowledge necessary to make the "right" career decision and study-path choice. The cost of tertiary education is high, and a school leaver who makes an unsuitable study-path selection could be trapped in an unsuitable career for life or drop out of the tertiary education sector due to boredom or failure. This further decreases their chance of finding employment. It is against this background that this study was conducted. In an attempt to assist potential students applying to the largest private education provider in South Africa with their choice of study-path, a career-counselling workshop was offered which included psychometric testing. Essentially this study had two main objectives. The first was to validate the suitability of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the Self-Directed Search as careercounselling tools in a South African tertiary environment. The second objective was to quantitatively assess the suitability of the career guidance workshop designed to assist school leavers to make the most suitable choice of a field of study, subjects and a career. The results of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the Self-Directed Search were compared using straightforward Pearson's product-moment correlations and an interbattery correlation. The results indicated the need to continue to use both of the instruments simultaneously, as they appeared to be measuring different underlying constructs. In addition, each instruments was able to supplement the information provided by the other, which allowed the career counsellor to give the students additional information to assist them with their studies and their lives. The research around the career-counselling workshop involved the use of the developmental research design methodology. which stipulated the appropriate methodological procedures to follow. The workshop was developed utilising an understanding of career-counselling theories and practices, as well as an understanding of the various Myers-Briggs types and Holland types (as determined understanding of the various Myers-Briggs types and Holland types (as determined by the Self-Directed Search) that would attend the workshops. The workshop was, therefore, designed to appeal to a wide audience, and to give as many different "types" of students the experience which they required to make an informed and realistic course, subject and career choice. The success of the workshop was evaluated by means of a questionnaire completed by the students, a comparison of the failure rates of students who attended the workshop and those who did not attend it, and an analysis of the pass/fail statistics between those who attended the workshop and those who did not. The findings of this study indicated that the workshop was well received by the students and that it had sufficient internal and face validity for use with this group of school leavers. The research group was a convenience sample that consisted of 73 students who had applied to the largest South African private education provider. These students were from four major campuses in South Africa, they had very different academic and cultural backgrounds and they were interested in different academic fields of study. The one similarity was that all of the courses offered by this private education provider are business-orientated, and only students who were interested in business studies would apply. This study established the validity of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the Self- Directed Search in a career-counselling context. The validity of the careercounselling workshop was also established. As this research group cannot be said to be representative of the general population, it is not possible to generalise these findings beyond this group. However, as the results do match those found in other similar international studies, it could be deduced that if this study were repeated with a representative sample the results would be replicated.

D.Litt. et Phil. / This research project involved the design, development and evaluation of a model to enhance career self-efficacy. The model is based on social cognitive theory and is intended for use amongst school-leavers in disadvantaged South African communities. The project attempted to move away from theories used in the past, which catered mainly for the white population, towards a theory that (a) is applicable to various ethnic/socio-economic groups, (b) has practical as well as theoretical value, and (c) highlights important aspects, such as that of contextual, personal and experiential factors. In order to assist the researcher in developing practical solutions for the identified problem, namely, the inadequate career guidance services in the disadvantaged sector, the intervention research model was utilized. Intervention research is characterized by its ability to provide researchers with systematic and purposeful guidance for real-world problems. Programme development involved working through the requisite phases, namely, problem analysis, design, development and impact evaluation. In each phase requirements are stipulated and methodologies prescribed. During phase one, the problem analysis phase, the researcher identified disadvantaged school-leavers as being a population that is at risk, due to the historical lack of career guidance afforded them in the past. Contact was made with the Auxiliary Services of the Department of Education in the Westrand, which is tasked with the provision of guidance services to the disadvantaged schools in the area. Information was gathered and synthesized in order to assess the current state of career development and guidance, and to identify elements that would contribute to the design of a suitable and effective intervention. Based on the aforementioned, the researcher decided that there was a need for the development of a programme, as no existing programme appeared to cater adequately for the problems identified.

M.A. / The prospective and observed changes in South-Africa, with respect to the mobilisation of human skills, bring unique challenges to the fore where the career development of the individual is concerned. Scheepers (1996) and Quinn (1994) state that psycho-educational programmes can be implemented to foster the successful transfer of career development skills. A number of career development programmes were therefore designed and developed. However, the necessity of further development and extension of such programmes are crucial and in accordance with the experienced rapid changes of the target group's needs. In the light of the above mentioned statements, a study was conducted to evaluate the impact of an existing career development programme, by using standard programme development requirements. A further objective of the study was to make an existing programme more goal orientated and user friendly, by ensuring a more effective transfer of the skills contained in the programme. The method used was the developmental research model as introduced by Rothman and Thomas (1994). The choice of this model presents various advantages to the researcher, through the generation of both qualitative and quantitative results. The quantitative measure instruments that were used in this study are the Career Development Questionnaire of Langley and the Career information Questionnaire of Heidema. The qualitative evaluation made by direct observation and also the feedback of the tests. It was endeavoured to establish a theoretical foundation for the identified problem by using the theories of important career development researchers. The structural-interactive model of Holland was mainly focused upon in this regard. A career workbook, namely the SNUG was presented at various intervals to a group RAUCALL students during this research. Three groups were chosen at random and this ensured the progressive development of the programme. The first group was introduced to the original SNUG and owing to observation certain useful amendments were made to the presentation. This tentative improvements were presented to the second group whereafter further amendments were brought forth. The third and last group were exposed to the resultant improved SNUG. The focus of the improvements that were implemented fell on the visual changes and was not based on the contents. Statistical significant differences between the three groups in terms of the five sub tests of the Career Development Questionnaire were reported and no significant differences with reference to the results of the Career Information Questionnaire were noted. However the scores still refer to inefficient career development skills when a realistic career decision is to be made. A correlation between the third sub test of the Career Development Questionnaire namely Career Information and the Career Information Questionnaire of Heidema was noted.

M.A. / Professional identity development of counselling psychologists in South-Africa occurs through seven (and possibly eight) phases of professional development. Phases of professional development are necessary when one attempts to establish optimal levels of professional identity development for counselling psychologists in terms of their experience and training. Using these phases, counselling psychologists may be compared in each development phase to ascertain his/her development or the lack thereof. The phases also serve as guidelines for both the training personnel and the counselling psychologist, enabling them to affect certain changes or modifications in order to optimise professional development for the counselling psychologist. The benefits of optimised development should not be underestimated. The objective of this comparative research study was to ascertain the extent of similarities found in the professional development phases, as postulated by Skovholt and Ronnestad (1995) and the results of the current research study. The eight phases are the conventional phase, transition to professional training phase, imitation of experts phase, conditional autonomy phase, exploration phase, integration phase, individuation phase and the integrity phase. The research strategy consists of a qualitative analysis of responses obtained from a structured interview. Analysis is made possible by way of a replication strategy together with the use of a matrix. The matrix consists of eight categories used by Skovholt and Ronnestad (1995) to describe the relevant developmental phase and to regulate the responses. After describing and allocating the responses according to the categories of the matrix, a storyline is derived by use of an iteration process. Themes become apparent which outline the developmental path across the eight proposed professional developmental phases. Both the categories and the themes are compared to those proposed by Skovholt and Ronnestad (1995). Great similarity was found. The differences and themes derived from this study can also be used as hypotheses for further research.

D.Phil. / The focus of the social work profession's efforts are the enhancing or restoring of the interaction of people with the systems that comprise their environment, i.e. their social functioning. A person's career or employment is naturally a vital system in their environment. Not only does a person earn a living from their work, but meet many psychological and emotional needs through work. Social work has been increasingly made aware of the integral part that a person's occupation plays in their intra- and interpersonal functioning. Assisting a client then, to recognize and utilize resources to make career related decisions and manage career related decisions is therefore a challenge to the profession. The purpose of this study was therefore to propose a life-counselling model, based on the life model of Germain and Gitterman that addresses a client's systemic functioning holistically, but then move son in the second phase to address career choices and management. Firstly the study presented an integrated methodological process for developing a practice model together with the necessary assessment instruments for social work research. This was essential since no methodology could be found in the literature that guided practitioners in the development of a practice model together with it's accompanying assessment instruments. Next a synthesis of current career counselling theory from the fields of psychology, education and industrial psychology, with the ecological model was presented. This formed the theoretical basis for the life-counselling model. The final stage was when four assessment instruments, namely the Sense of Agency Index, the Family of Origins Index, the Work Values Inventory and the Interest Inventory were designed, and a validation study conducted. Recommendations were made with regard to the final construction of the life counselling practice model.