Adolescents face many challenges in their communities, families and individually during the complex developmental stage of adolescence. It is during this time that their sense of self and an identity apart from their parents become more strongly developed and they become more autonomous. As adolescents separate more and more from their parents they move progressively towards their peer relationships, which is an important part of identity formation. However, during this period they are exposed to many healthy and unhealthy influences in the community, especially when engaging with their peers and other social structures outside of the family. During childhood they were less likely to engage in undesirable or risk behaviour for fear of disapproval and rejection from their parents but during adolescence there is a strong need for approval from their peers, who might engage in and encourage risk behaviour. Effective coping strategies can be an important protective factor aiding them in making the right choices and decisions and resisting peer pressure. Previously, many models of adolescent coping have been taken from coping studies done with adults, which have not accounted for the developmental differences between adults and adolescents. Now as literature on coping with regards to adolescence is growing, the studies often ignore religious coping strategies and their potential impact on functioning. Yet, recent data suggests that religious behaviour and beliefs have a protective influence that moderates the impact of adverse interpersonal life events and social adversity as well as physical and mental health. Thus, this qualitative study applied case study methods to explore and describe the different coping strategies used by a group of church-going adolescents from branches of a non-denominational church in Durban. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the North-West University and informed consent was obtained from the parents and the adolescent minors before they participated in the study. Data was collected using a visual representation technique, two individual interviews and a focus group discussion with twelve participants. The data was analysed using thematic analysis and three main themes and various subthemes emerged. The first theme was understanding of coping as indicated by participants while the second theme identified the sources of their coping strategies and the third theme involved their specific coping strategies, which included religion, leisure activities, physical coping, social support systems, creativity and behaviour. These findings provide a greater understanding of the coping strategies and modalities used by church-going adolescents. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Adolescents face many challenges in their communities, families and individually during the complex developmental stage of adolescence. It is during this time that their sense of self and an identity apart from their parents become more strongly developed and they become more autonomous. As adolescents separate more and more from their parents they move progressively towards their peer relationships, which is an important part of identity formation. However, during this period they are exposed to many healthy and unhealthy influences in the community, especially when engaging with their peers and other social structures outside of the family. During childhood they were less likely to engage in undesirable or risk behaviour for fear of disapproval and rejection from their parents but during adolescence there is a strong need for approval from their peers, who might engage in and encourage risk behaviour. Effective coping strategies can be an important protective factor aiding them in making the right choices and decisions and resisting peer pressure. Previously, many models of adolescent coping have been taken from coping studies done with adults, which have not accounted for the developmental differences between adults and adolescents. Now as literature on coping with regards to adolescence is growing, the studies often ignore religious coping strategies and their potential impact on functioning. Yet, recent data suggests that religious behaviour and beliefs have a protective influence that moderates the impact of adverse interpersonal life events and social adversity as well as physical and mental health. Thus, this qualitative study applied case study methods to explore and describe the different coping strategies used by a group of church-going adolescents from branches of a non-denominational church in Durban. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the North-West University and informed consent was obtained from the parents and the adolescent minors before they participated in the study. Data was collected using a visual representation technique, two individual interviews and a focus group discussion with twelve participants. The data was analysed using thematic analysis and three main themes and various subthemes emerged. The first theme was understanding of coping as indicated by participants while the second theme identified the sources of their coping strategies and the third theme involved their specific coping strategies, which included religion, leisure activities, physical coping, social support systems, creativity and behaviour. These findings provide a greater understanding of the coping strategies and modalities used by church-going adolescents. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Studies of MHWs, (social workers, social auxiliary workers, trauma counsellors, and telephone counsellors), who work with trauma and stress, often focus on pathological symptoms and on the need to develop psycho-education programmes (Figley, 2002; Johnson & Hunter, 1997; Mac Ritchie & Leibowitz, 2010; Mikulincer, 1994; Stiles, 2002). A gap was identified how MHWs, who continuously intervene with traumatised children, cope with the stressors associated with their work. The purpose of this research was to explore the coping strategies of Mental Health Workers (MHWs) exposed to Secondary Trauma (ST)as a result of having to deal day to day with children (younger than 18) who have experienced trauma, including sexual, physical and emotional abuse, as well as the witness of violence. The MHWs’ coping responses were investigated using a qualitative case study approach. The investigation showed how MHWs constructed their realities by examining their coping strategies and the individual meanings they assigned to these. A convenience sample, based on the availability of participants, was selected. Nine women and one man, ranging in age from 26 to 57 years, employed at Childline Gauteng, participated in the research. The Mmogo-Method®, a projective visual research technique, explored the MHWs’ coping experiences through qualitative data collection methods. Visual and textual data were gathered and analysed thematically. It was found that the MHWs at Childline Gauteng displayed two main coping styles, namely intrapersonal and relational coping strategies. In the face of their daily stressors, MHWs managed to cope successfully by using strategies that are embedded in their daily activities. Their ability to find alternative ways to cope, despite continuous exposure to children’s trauma, allowed the MHWs to fulfil their work obligations. Their intrapersonal coping strategies reflected an ability to draw on their inner resources. Being aware of their environment and how it affects them, MHWs were able to regulate themselves and their environments by adopting positive attitudes. These attitudes, and the MHWs’ dispositions, positively affected their outlook on life. Moreover, MHWs maintained a healthy distance from their stressful environment by means of meaningful disengagement. Meaningful disengagement was fundamental to creating solitude as a coping strategy. Personal and professional boundaries, self-care and being able to draw on spirituality were further coping resources. MHWs’ discussions about finding meaning in their work revealed that they would not be able to do their work if they did not experience it as spiritually significant. Drawing on external resources, relational coping strategies included supportive relationships with family, friends and colleagues. Reciprocal unconditional acceptance significantly contributed to coping because it was important for MHWs to experience family and friends' attitudes as supportive and non-judgemental. MHWs encountered an organisational culture of care in the form of freedom to interact with colleagues and managers and sharing experiences. This interaction contributed to successful coping because MHWs felt comfort in the knowledge that they were not alone when dealing with children's trauma. This interaction facilitated coping because MHWs were able to interface successfully with their environment, even in difficult circumstances. In conclusion, the MHWs provided nuanced descriptions of the ways in which they experienced coping strategies. They coped with the demands of their profession by using internal and external resources, including intrapersonal and relational coping. / MA (Research Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Studies of MHWs, (social workers, social auxiliary workers, trauma counsellors, and telephone counsellors), who work with trauma and stress, often focus on pathological symptoms and on the need to develop psycho-education programmes (Figley, 2002; Johnson & Hunter, 1997; Mac Ritchie & Leibowitz, 2010; Mikulincer, 1994; Stiles, 2002). A gap was identified how MHWs, who continuously intervene with traumatised children, cope with the stressors associated with their work. The purpose of this research was to explore the coping strategies of Mental Health Workers (MHWs) exposed to Secondary Trauma (ST)as a result of having to deal day to day with children (younger than 18) who have experienced trauma, including sexual, physical and emotional abuse, as well as the witness of violence. The MHWs’ coping responses were investigated using a qualitative case study approach. The investigation showed how MHWs constructed their realities by examining their coping strategies and the individual meanings they assigned to these. A convenience sample, based on the availability of participants, was selected. Nine women and one man, ranging in age from 26 to 57 years, employed at Childline Gauteng, participated in the research. The Mmogo-Method®, a projective visual research technique, explored the MHWs’ coping experiences through qualitative data collection methods. Visual and textual data were gathered and analysed thematically. It was found that the MHWs at Childline Gauteng displayed two main coping styles, namely intrapersonal and relational coping strategies. In the face of their daily stressors, MHWs managed to cope successfully by using strategies that are embedded in their daily activities. Their ability to find alternative ways to cope, despite continuous exposure to children’s trauma, allowed the MHWs to fulfil their work obligations. Their intrapersonal coping strategies reflected an ability to draw on their inner resources. Being aware of their environment and how it affects them, MHWs were able to regulate themselves and their environments by adopting positive attitudes. These attitudes, and the MHWs’ dispositions, positively affected their outlook on life. Moreover, MHWs maintained a healthy distance from their stressful environment by means of meaningful disengagement. Meaningful disengagement was fundamental to creating solitude as a coping strategy. Personal and professional boundaries, self-care and being able to draw on spirituality were further coping resources. MHWs’ discussions about finding meaning in their work revealed that they would not be able to do their work if they did not experience it as spiritually significant. Drawing on external resources, relational coping strategies included supportive relationships with family, friends and colleagues. Reciprocal unconditional acceptance significantly contributed to coping because it was important for MHWs to experience family and friends' attitudes as supportive and non-judgemental. MHWs encountered an organisational culture of care in the form of freedom to interact with colleagues and managers and sharing experiences. This interaction contributed to successful coping because MHWs felt comfort in the knowledge that they were not alone when dealing with children's trauma. This interaction facilitated coping because MHWs were able to interface successfully with their environment, even in difficult circumstances. In conclusion, the MHWs provided nuanced descriptions of the ways in which they experienced coping strategies. They coped with the demands of their profession by using internal and external resources, including intrapersonal and relational coping. / MA (Research Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Ministers have a very unique occupation with designated job demands and incongruous resources at their disposal. Over the past few years numerous studies have been undertaken different occupations’ regarding job demands and job resources. In contrast, limited studies were done among ministers of religion, particularly in the context of the three Reformed sister churches in South Africa. This is the case even though these ministers play such a key role in the current social and religious sphere. Results from previous studies have shown that job demands and the lack of resources have a major impact on the experience of work-nonwork interference among individuals (Koekemoer & Mostert, 2006; Mostert, 2009, Mostert & Oosthuizen, 2006; Tshabalala, 2007; Van Aarde & Mostert, 2008).This trend, however, has not been researched amongst ministers before – particularly how ministers cope with this interference. The overall objective of the present study was to investigate job demands and job resources as significant predictors of work-nonwork interference for ministers of the three sister churches. The focus also was on coping strategies that are significant in dealing with work-nonwork interference. The possible moderation brought about by these coping strategies was also investigated. Various hypotheses related to the overall objective were tested in the empirical study. The design used for this study was a cross-sectional survey design undertaken among ministers of the three sister churches mentioned. Various job demands, job resources, worknonwork interference and coping strategies were measured. This was done by employing the instruments of Peeters, Montgomery, Bakker and Schaufeli, (2005); Buys and Rothmann (2009); Koekemoer, Mostert and Rothman, 2010; Geurts et al. (2005) and Carver, Scheier and Weintraub (1989). Construct validity of all the instruments were proven with the CFA (Confirmatory Factor Analysis) in the SPSS program. Descriptive statistics, cronbach alpha coefficients, Pearson and Spearman product-moment correlations and multiple regression analyses were used to analyse the data. Moderation regression analyses were also done to test for possible moderation of specific coping strategies. Results indicated that cognitive demands were related to the dimension of work-parent interference. Emotional demands and pace and amount of work had a relation with all the various dimensions of the work-nonwork interference. Congregational support related work-home interference as well as work-religion/spirituality interference. Financial support, lack of autonomy, as well as social support, related to all three dimensions of work-nonwork interference. Job significance related work-religion/spirituality interference, whereas job accomplishment predicted work-home interference and work-religion/spirituality interference. The results of the predictors on work-parent interference included the following: cognitive demands, pace and amount of work, financial support and turning-to-religion. Work-home interference was predicted by the variables pace and amount of work and financial support. Work-religion/spirituality interference were predicted by pace and amount of work, job significance and turning to religion. The various coping strategies (turning-to-religion, seeking-emotional-support, active coping, acceptance coping, planning and avoidance coping) functioned as moderators between certain specific job demands, job resources and dimensions of work-nonwork interference. Limitations of the study were discussed and recommendations were put forward for future studies on this topic. / MCom (Industrial Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Ministers have a very unique occupation with designated job demands and incongruous resources at their disposal. Over the past few years numerous studies have been undertaken different occupations’ regarding job demands and job resources. In contrast, limited studies were done among ministers of religion, particularly in the context of the three Reformed sister churches in South Africa. This is the case even though these ministers play such a key role in the current social and religious sphere. Results from previous studies have shown that job demands and the lack of resources have a major impact on the experience of work-nonwork interference among individuals (Koekemoer & Mostert, 2006; Mostert, 2009, Mostert & Oosthuizen, 2006; Tshabalala, 2007; Van Aarde & Mostert, 2008).This trend, however, has not been researched amongst ministers before – particularly how ministers cope with this interference. The overall objective of the present study was to investigate job demands and job resources as significant predictors of work-nonwork interference for ministers of the three sister churches. The focus also was on coping strategies that are significant in dealing with work-nonwork interference. The possible moderation brought about by these coping strategies was also investigated. Various hypotheses related to the overall objective were tested in the empirical study. The design used for this study was a cross-sectional survey design undertaken among ministers of the three sister churches mentioned. Various job demands, job resources, worknonwork interference and coping strategies were measured. This was done by employing the instruments of Peeters, Montgomery, Bakker and Schaufeli, (2005); Buys and Rothmann (2009); Koekemoer, Mostert and Rothman, 2010; Geurts et al. (2005) and Carver, Scheier and Weintraub (1989). Construct validity of all the instruments were proven with the CFA (Confirmatory Factor Analysis) in the SPSS program. Descriptive statistics, cronbach alpha coefficients, Pearson and Spearman product-moment correlations and multiple regression analyses were used to analyse the data. Moderation regression analyses were also done to test for possible moderation of specific coping strategies. Results indicated that cognitive demands were related to the dimension of work-parent interference. Emotional demands and pace and amount of work had a relation with all the various dimensions of the work-nonwork interference. Congregational support related work-home interference as well as work-religion/spirituality interference. Financial support, lack of autonomy, as well as social support, related to all three dimensions of work-nonwork interference. Job significance related work-religion/spirituality interference, whereas job accomplishment predicted work-home interference and work-religion/spirituality interference. The results of the predictors on work-parent interference included the following: cognitive demands, pace and amount of work, financial support and turning-to-religion. Work-home interference was predicted by the variables pace and amount of work and financial support. Work-religion/spirituality interference were predicted by pace and amount of work, job significance and turning to religion. The various coping strategies (turning-to-religion, seeking-emotional-support, active coping, acceptance coping, planning and avoidance coping) functioned as moderators between certain specific job demands, job resources and dimensions of work-nonwork interference. Limitations of the study were discussed and recommendations were put forward for future studies on this topic. / MCom (Industrial Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014