Depression is one of the most debilitating, widespread and costly health problems worldwide and has a high prevalence in almost every society. Research suggests that depression affects an individual‟s work engagement levels, burnout levels and the occurrence of stress-related ill health symptoms. However, it is unclear whether these findings would differ among individuals who reported that they suffer from depression and receive medical treatment for it, individuals who reported that they are unsure whether they suffer from depression, and individuals who reported that they do not suffer from depression. This study is quantitative in nature and a cross-sectional design was used. The study population consisted of 15 664 participants from several sectors in South Africa. The participants also differed in terms of gender, age, race, marital status, educational level, language and the province where they reside. The sample population was thus representative of the diverse population of South Africa. The SAEHWS, a self-report instrument based on the dual-process model of work-related well-being, was used to measure all constructs. The participants were divided into three groups, i.e. individuals who reported that they suffer from depression and are currently receiving medical treatment for depression, individuals who reported that they are uncertain whether they suffer from depression, and individuals who reported that they do not suffer from depression. Frequencies were used to determine the prevalence of depression in the three different groups and MANOVA (multivariate analysis of variance) was used to determine the significance of differences between the levels of work engagement, burnout and stress-related ill health symptoms of the three different groups (individuals who reported that they suffer from depression, individuals who reported that they are uncertain whether they suffer from depression, and those who reported that they do not suffer from depression). The results showed that 18,3% of the population reported that they suffer from depression and receive medical treatment for depression, 16,7% of the population reported that they are unsure whether they suffer from depression and 65% reported that they do not suffer from depression. Furthermore, it was found that depression significantly influences work engagement levels negatively and that it significantly influences burnout levels and the occurrence of stress-related ill health symptoms positively. This study will make organisations aware of the effect of depression on an individual‟s well-being and of the fact that depression is a factor to be reckoned with. Employers should consider ways to assist employees who suffer from depression and should learn how to act preventatively to decrease any further occurrence. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011

Mathematics achievement has received much attention in recent years and results have been presented after examining results from different counties. This contribution deals with the implementation of new Mathematic promotion requirements in Namibia. The research was conducted in Shambyu circuit, Kavango region, within a selected combined public school situated fifteen kilometres from Rundu in the North-Eastern part of Kavango. Teachers and learners in Namibia have not performed well in the Southern and Eastern Africa Consortium for Monitoring Educational Quality (SACMEQ) projects, especially in Mathematics. The implementation of new promotion requirements was inevitable for improving achievement levels. The main aim of this study is to document the attitudes of teachers and learners towards the introduction of the new 2010 Mathematics promotion requirements. The complexity and the nature of attitudes are illustrated and some of the characteristics related to teaching and learning of Mathematics in the academic reform are presented. The researcher developed a conceptual framework to compare and contrast the theoretical positions on the topic. Attitude is defined from diverse perspectives, and relationships of attitudes pertaining to achievement to perform in Mathematics are argued. A qualitative case study was the preferred method of choice. The participants were sampled according to a non-probability purposive sampling strategy. Five teachers, six grade 7 and six grade 9 learners participated in the study. The participants were interviewed to gain insight into how they formulated their attitudes towards the implementation of the academic reform. Focus group interviews were captured though audio recordings. Patterns, themes and categories emerged from the data analysis, suggesting that teachers and learners demonstrate positive and negative attitudes which affect their stance towards the new promotion requirements. Research findings were compared with the relevant literature to identify strengths and weaknesses as extracted from the attitudes of the participating teachers and learners which confirm that attitudes of teachers and learners interrelate and affect teaching and learning of Mathematics. Strengths and weaknesses extracted from the attitudes of the teachers relate to teaching strategies, pedagogical content knowledge and practical application of the subject. A weakness of the policy change is that the Ministry of Education does not sustain involvement. Teachers need support through workshops to increase their pedagogical content knowledge and gain more information about the implementation of the new policy. Furthermore teachers expect educational support from the Ministry of Education through the provision of textbooks and teaching aids. Collaboration between teachers is crucial, as is the significance thereof for developing pedagogical content knowledge for the implementation of the new Mathematical policy. Strengths and weaknesses extracted from attitudes as viewed by learners in grade 9 are more related to their opinions about the teachers, their motivation and academic achievements. Learners’ natural Mathematics skills should be developed to instill feelings of accomplishment. Grade 9 learners experience fear and insecurity in Mathematics because learners experience teachers as too strict, owing to the absence of pedagogical content knowledge. The grade 9 learners distinguish the importance of ICT use in Mathematics as part of a process to prepare them towards greater goals and practical application as a strength. Both advantages and disadvantages of beliefs regarding Mathematics amongst the teachers and the learners guide grade 7 learner towards achievement. Further expectations drive the grade 7 learners towards achievement in order to increase career opportunities and level of schooling. In conclusion the in-depth qualitative exploration is summarized in order to investigate the phenomenon of attitudes towards Mathematics and academic reform. / Thesis (MEd (Mathematics Education))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

This research project examines the acculturation process in order to predict the perceived work success and health (psychological and physical) of mineworkers in a mine in the North–West Province.1 Work success can also be described as that which is achieved when an employee enjoys his career for reasons of psychological experience of success and personal growth and development within both his/her current occupation and working environment. Health is defined as a condition of complete physical, mental and social well–being and not merely the absence of disease or frailty. Health is therefore about completeness, contentment and well–being at a physical, cultural, psychosocial, economic and spiritual level. Employees’ success and health is evaluated from an acculturation perspective, and therefore considered a result of the acculturation process. This proposition was explored by investigating the relationship between the acculturation context and individual intervening factors, mapped into variables, and acculturation outcomes (work success and health). A convenient sample of participants from the mine examined was taken (n = 288). English questionnaires using a cross–sectional survey design were used to gather the data. Modified measuring instruments and others developed for the project, which follow a five–point Likert format (‘strongly agree’ to ‘strongly disagree’) were used to investigate the mainstream domain (perceived mainstream segregation demands, perceived pressure to conform to management ideologies and practices, perceived racism at work, perceived discrimination at work, and relationships with mainstream members at work), an individual intervening factor (individual separation acculturation strategy practices), the ethnocultural domain (perceived pressure to conform to own culture, ethnic separation demands at work, and relationships with co–ethnics at work), psychological acculturation outcomes (health), and sociocultural acculturation outcomes (work success). The data was captured in a spreadsheet, controlled for errors, and statistically analysed using regression in SPSS. Descriptive statistics, Cronbach alpha coefficients, and Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients were inspected, and effect sizes were used to determine the findings’ practical significance. The results did indicate practical and statistically significant relationships exist between acculturation context, individual and acculturation outcomes variables. Perceived pressure to conform to management ideologies and practices, perceived racism at work, perceived discrimination at work, and relationships with co–ethnics at work proved to be statistically significant predictors of meeting deadlines at work. Perceived pressure to conform to management ideologies and practices, perceived racism at work, perceived discrimination at work, and relationships with co–ethnics at work was statistically significant predictors of reputation and respect at work. Perceived mainstream segregation demands, perceived pressure to conform to management ideologies and practices, perceived racism at work, and relationships with mainstream members at work were statistically significant predictors of training and development opportunities at work. Individual separation acculturation strategy practices and ethnic separation demands at work were statistically significant predictors of psychological health. Perceived racism at work and ethnic separation demands at work proved to be statistically significant predictors of physical health. These findings demonstrate that success and health can be viewed from an acculturation perspective, and that the acculturation context and individual intervening factors, can be used to predict psychological and sociocultural acculturation outcomes. / Thesis (M.A. (Human Resource Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

This research project examines the acculturation process in order to predict the perceived work success and health (psychological and physical) of mineworkers in a mine in the North–West Province.1 Work success can also be described as that which is achieved when an employee enjoys his career for reasons of psychological experience of success and personal growth and development within both his/her current occupation and working environment. Health is defined as a condition of complete physical, mental and social well–being and not merely the absence of disease or frailty. Health is therefore about completeness, contentment and well–being at a physical, cultural, psychosocial, economic and spiritual level. Employees’ success and health is evaluated from an acculturation perspective, and therefore considered a result of the acculturation process. This proposition was explored by investigating the relationship between the acculturation context and individual intervening factors, mapped into variables, and acculturation outcomes (work success and health). A convenient sample of participants from the mine examined was taken (n = 288). English questionnaires using a cross–sectional survey design were used to gather the data. Modified measuring instruments and others developed for the project, which follow a five–point Likert format (‘strongly agree’ to ‘strongly disagree’) were used to investigate the mainstream domain (perceived mainstream segregation demands, perceived pressure to conform to management ideologies and practices, perceived racism at work, perceived discrimination at work, and relationships with mainstream members at work), an individual intervening factor (individual separation acculturation strategy practices), the ethnocultural domain (perceived pressure to conform to own culture, ethnic separation demands at work, and relationships with co–ethnics at work), psychological acculturation outcomes (health), and sociocultural acculturation outcomes (work success). The data was captured in a spreadsheet, controlled for errors, and statistically analysed using regression in SPSS. Descriptive statistics, Cronbach alpha coefficients, and Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients were inspected, and effect sizes were used to determine the findings’ practical significance. The results did indicate practical and statistically significant relationships exist between acculturation context, individual and acculturation outcomes variables. Perceived pressure to conform to management ideologies and practices, perceived racism at work, perceived discrimination at work, and relationships with co–ethnics at work proved to be statistically significant predictors of meeting deadlines at work. Perceived pressure to conform to management ideologies and practices, perceived racism at work, perceived discrimination at work, and relationships with co–ethnics at work was statistically significant predictors of reputation and respect at work. Perceived mainstream segregation demands, perceived pressure to conform to management ideologies and practices, perceived racism at work, and relationships with mainstream members at work were statistically significant predictors of training and development opportunities at work. Individual separation acculturation strategy practices and ethnic separation demands at work were statistically significant predictors of psychological health. Perceived racism at work and ethnic separation demands at work proved to be statistically significant predictors of physical health. These findings demonstrate that success and health can be viewed from an acculturation perspective, and that the acculturation context and individual intervening factors, can be used to predict psychological and sociocultural acculturation outcomes. / Thesis (M.A. (Human Resource Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Al hoe meer organisasies in Suid-Afrika gaan tans deur 'n herstruktureringsfase wat meebring dat die totale werksmilieu verander. Die werknemer verkeer onder druk om aan die nuwe eise in die wereld van werk te voldoen. Druk om te presteer en werksuitset te !ewer mag disfunksionele stres en antler psigiese probleme meebring. Organisasies speel 'n belangrike rol in die dinamiese groeiproses van die individuele werknemer en raak toenemend bewus van die werknemer se fisiese en psigiese gesondheid. Talle organisasies het reeds korporatiewe gimnasiums opgerig en sommige bied subsidiering van lidmaatskap aan gesondheidsklubs aan hul werknemers. Sekere mediese skemas begin self gesondheidsplanne ontwerp met behulp van gesondheidsklubs om die gesondheid van die werknemer te bevorder. / M.A. (Bedryfsielkunde)

Al hoe meer organisasies in Suid-Afrika gaan tans deur 'n herstruktureringsfase wat meebring dat die totale werksmilieu verander. Die werknemer verkeer onder druk om aan die nuwe eise in die wereld van werk te voldoen. Druk om te presteer en werksuitset te !ewer mag disfunksionele stres en antler psigiese probleme meebring. Organisasies speel 'n belangrike rol in die dinamiese groeiproses van die individuele werknemer en raak toenemend bewus van die werknemer se fisiese en psigiese gesondheid. Talle organisasies het reeds korporatiewe gimnasiums opgerig en sommige bied subsidiering van lidmaatskap aan gesondheidsklubs aan hul werknemers. Sekere mediese skemas begin self gesondheidsplanne ontwerp met behulp van gesondheidsklubs om die gesondheid van die werknemer te bevorder. / M.A. (Bedryfsielkunde)

This study, which explores the challenges of everyday English language words in learning physical sciences in Gauteng-East townships secondary schools highlights the difficulties that learners encounter in learning and developing scientific concepts and vocabulary. The study was conducted in four township secondary schools. A questionnaire consisting of 25 multiple choice items, as well as a semi-structured interview were used to collect data for this study. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse quantitative data while qualitative protocol was used to analyse qualitative data. The overall percentage mean scores of correct responses in the questionnaire for schools W, X, Y and Z were 47.2%, 56.9%, 55.2% and 57.2% respectively, which indicated that participants in the study have limited knowledge of everyday English words, when used in a science context. There was no significant gender discrepancy in terms of performance. In-depth analysis of the results revealed that the underlying difficulties were as a result of participants’ relative levels of proficiency in the English language, lack of precision in the use of this language, misreading, and confusion in terms of the use of words. Furthermore, the results were consistent with earlier findings from other countries as reported by various authors. The findings will contribute to knowledge about effective classroom instruction and teacher education from the perspective of language in science. / Kulolu cwaningo, kuhlolwa izinselelo zokusebenzisa amagama asetshenziswa nsuku zonke welimi lwesiNgisi ekufundeni iSayensi ezikoleni zezinga lesibili, emalokishini wabantu abaNsundu empumalanga neGauteng. Kuvezwa ubunzima obuhlangabezana nezingane zesikole ekufundeni nokuthuthukisa umqondo weSayensi nesilulumagama. Uphenyo lwenziwe ezikoleni ezine zasemalokishini. Imibuzo yayiquketwe izinhla ezingamashumi amabili nanhlanu lapho obuzwayo ezikhethela impendulo ekuyiyo, kanye nesinga nhlolokhono yasetshenziwa ukuthola ulwazi oluningi mayelana nalolu phenyo. Izibalo ezichazayo zisetshenziswe ukuhlola ubuningi, kanye nobuqotho kulandelwa umgudu wocwaningo wolwazi olutholakele. Kuvelile emva kophenyo ukuthi izimpendulo ezishaye emhlolweni ngokwamaphesenti kuzikole W,X.Y kanye no Z ngu 47%, 56,9%, 55.2%, kanye 57.2% ngokulandelana kwazo. Lokhu kubonisa ukuthi, abantwana banolwazi oluncane kakhulu ekusebenziseni amagama wesiNgisi asentsheziswa nsukuzonke ukufunda iSayensi. Kubuye kwatholakala futhi nokuthi awukho umehluko ohlukanisa ngobulili babafundi ophawulekayo ngokusebenza kwamagama esiNgisi. Kuphinde kuvele futhi ngokuhlaziya okunzulu, ukuthi kukhona ukwentuleka kwekhono elimini lesiNgisi, nokuthi abafundi abakwazi ukusebenzisa amagama ngendlela eqondile, babuye bafunde ekungeyikho, kanye nokudideka uma besebenzisa amagama. Okunye futhi okuvelayo, yikuthi lemiphumela ihambisana ncamashi neminye imiphumela evela kwamanye amazwe njengoba kubikwe abalobi abahlukene. Lokhu okuvelayo kuzosiza ukulungisa ukufunda kanye nokuqeqesha othisha, mayelana nukufundisa iSayensi ngolwimi lwesiNgisi. / Hierdie studie, wat die uitdagings van alledaagse Engelstalige woorde in die leer van Fisiese Wetenskappe in sekondêre skole in informele woonbuurte in Gauteng-Oos verken, beklemtoon die uitdagings wat leerders teëkom in die leer en ontwikkeling van wetenskaplike begrippe en taalgebruik. Die studie is uitgevoer in vier sekondêre skole in informele woonbuurte. ‘n Vraelys bestaande uit 25 veelvuldige-keuse items, tesame met ‘n gedeeltelike-gestruktueerde onderhoudskedule, is gebruik om data in te versamel vir hierdie studie. Beskrywende statistiek is gebruik om kwantitatiewe data te ontleed, terwyl kwalitatiewe protokol aangewend is om kwalitatiewe data te ontleed. Die algehele persentasie gemiddeldes van korrekte response op die vraelys vir skole W, X, Y en Z was 47.2%, 56.9%, 55.2% en 57.2% onderskeidelik, wat aangedui het dat die deelnemers aan die studie beperkte kennis gehad het van alledaagse Engelstalige woorde om in ‘n wetenskaplike konteks te gebruik. Geen noemenswaardige geslagsongelykheid in terme van prestasie is bevind nie. Indiepte ontleding van die bevindinge toon dat die onderliggende uitdagings die resultaat van deelnemers se relatiewe vlakke van taalvaardigheid in Engels, ‘n gebrek aan presiesie in die gebruik van die taal, gebrekkige leesvaardigheid en verwarring rondom die gebruik van woorde weerspiëel. Die resultate was verder in lyn met vroeëre bevindinge van ander lande, soos deur verskeie outeurs gerapporteer. Die bevindinge sal bydra tot kennis rondom effektiewe klasonderrig en onderwysersopleiding uit die oogpunt van wetenskaplike taalgebruik. / Science and Technology Education / M. Ed. (Natural Science Education)