The aim of this current research was two-fold; one aim was to develop a deeper understanding of job insecurity and its association with safety voicing. The perception of job insecurity was specifically examined in relation to job insecurity and its association with safety voice. The second aim was to examine safety voice with possible antecedents based on past research. This involved investigating the proposition that safety voice falls within a safety severity concern continuum. This continuum suggests that the severity of the safety concern may play a role in an employee’s willingness to voice these concerns. A questionnaire was devised to investigate perceptions of 47 employees from a single organisation. This organisation is undergoing a planned future job redundancy process (within a few years as of 2014). Correlational and univariate analyses were used to investigate any associations and differences in means between the different measures. Results from this research found partial support for the hypothesis that perceived organisational support, safety climate, and perceived co-worker support were positively associated with safety voice. The hypothesis that higher job insecurity would be associated with lower safety voice concerns was tested, and was not found not to be statistically significant to support the idea. This dissertation offers a preliminary indication that safety voice varies according to severity, and that job insecurity may affect employees’ likelihood to voice safety concerns. Practical implications and directions for further research are discussed.

Several factors have contributed to employment relations gradually becoming more uncertain in the last decades. In South Africa, as well as in other industrialised economies all over the world, organisations had to adjust to the pressures imposed by an intensified global competition. The transformation of working life has brought the topic of insecure working conditions to the forefront. Job insecurity are of vital importance in modern working life. A growing number of employees face the risk of losing their jobs as a consequence of organisational restructuring and layoffs. Job insecurity affects the well-being of individuals. In this sense, job insecurity is a significant stressor with consequences for the individual. However, the consequences are not limited to just the individual. The situation is often such that individuals experiencing job insecurity also tend to react to the dissatisfying circumstances in ways that affect the organisation as well. Several studies have found a negative association between job insecurity and job satisfaction. Job insecurity s also associated with lower levels of organisational commitment. The empirical objectives of this thesis were firstly to validate the Job Insecurity Questionnaire (JIQ) and Minnesota Job Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) for employees in selected organisations in South Africa; secondly to determine its construct equivalence for different cultural groups; thirdly, to determine differences between the job insecurity and job satisfaction levels of various demographic groups, fourthly to assess the relationship between job insecurity, job satisfaction and organisational commitment, and lastly to determine whether job insecurity can predict job satisfaction and organisational commitment. A cross-sectional survey design with a random sample (N = 834) of employees in selected organisations in South Africa was used. The Job Insecurity Questionnaire, the Minnesota Job Satisfaction Questionnaire, the Organisational Commitment Questionnaire, and a biographical questionnaire were administered. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the measuring instruments in terms of mean, standard deviation, skewness and kurtosis. Cronbach alpha coefficients were used to describe the reliability of the measuring instruments. Construct (structural) equivalence was computed to compare the factor structure for the different culture groups included in this study. Exploratory factor analysis with a Procrustean target rotation was used to determine the construct equivalence of the JIQ and MSQ for the different culture groups. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to determine the relationship between the measuring instruments. Regression analyses were used to determine whether organisational commitment can be predicted by the independent variables namely, affective job insecurity; cognitive job insecurity; extrinsic job satisfaction; intrinsic job satisfaction; age; gender, and qualification. The results confirmed a two-factor model of job insecurity, consisting of affective and cognitive job insecurity. The scales showed acceptable internal consistencies. Exploratory factor analysis with target rotations confirmed the construct equivalence of scales for white and black participants. Practically significant differences were found between the levels of job insecurity of employees in terms of age groups and qualification levels. Furthermore, the results confirmed a two-factor model of job satisfaction, consisting of extrinsic job satisfaction and intrinsic job satisfaction. Exploratory factor analysis with target rotations confirmed the construct equivalence of scales for the black and white groups. The results obtained from comparing job satisfaction levels of various demographic groups showed that practically significant differences existed between the job satisfaction of different age and race groups. Results revealed significant relationships between job insecurity and job satisfaction. The multiple regression analysis indicated that 24% of the variance in organisational commitment was explained by affective job insecurity, cognitive job insecurity; extrinsic job satisfaction; intrinsic job satisfaction; age; gender and qualification. Limitations of the research are discussed, followed by recommendations for the selected organisations and for future research / Thesis (Ph.D. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Tremendous pressure is being placed on organisations to improve their work performance and to become increasingly competitive. In order to survive in a highly competitive economy, organisations in both the public and the private sector are undergoing major re-structuring and can no longer guarantee employees with life time employment, thus leading to job insecurity. A relatively large amount of research can be found in the literature regarding the relationship between job insecurity and various outcomes, for example, reduced job satisfaction and organisational commitment, and reduced well-being. Limited research has, however, been conducted on possible mediators of the job insecurity - outcomes relationship. Such research may be useful for the development of programmes to reduce the negative impacts of job insecurity. The primary objectives of this research were to investigate the relationship between job insecurity and general health of employees (N = 337) in both the public and the private sector, as well as to determine whether situational sense of coherence mediates the relationship between job insecurity and general health. A further objective was to compare the job insecurity levels of public and private sector employees. A cross-sectional survey design was used. Constructs were measured by means of the Job Insecurity Questionnaire (JIQ), the Orientation to Life Questionnaire (Form S), the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and a biographical questionnaire. Results indicated that a practically-significant relationship exists between job insecurity and general health, implying that high levels of job insecurity are associated with ill health (as displayed in somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, and social dysfunction). Regression analyses confirmed the partially mediating effect of situational sense of coherence on the relationship between job insecurity and general health. It was also found that public sector employees displayed higher levels of affective job insecurity than their private sector counterparts. Conclusions and recommendations were made / Thesis (Ph.D.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2006.

Individuals employed within the South African workforce are finding themselves operating in an increasingly uneven playing field. The global marketplace is continually amplifying the already stiff competition, forcing employers to reduce the security they are able to offer their workers, in an effort to off-set their profit margins. Examining and consequently addressing these private sector employees' functioning in those spheres that may influence their health and consequent work performance, which in turn affects the performance of the industry - and therefore the economy – is thus essential. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between job insecurity, resilience and general health of personnel (N= 207) employed within the motor-trade industry and to examine differences among the job insecurity, resilience and general health levels of different demographic groups. A cross-sectional survey design was implemented. The constructs were measured by means of the Job Insecurity Scale (JIS), the Resilience Scale (RS) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). The research method for the article consists of a concise literature review, followed by an empirical study. Cronbach alpha coefficients inter-item correlation coefficients and confirmatory factor analyses were used to determine the validity and reliability if the measuring instruments. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data and Pearson product moment correlation coefficients, as well as regression analyses were used to examine the relationships between the constructs employed in this research. No significant differences were found to exist based on biographical characteristics regarding job insecurity, resilience and general health. Job insecurity and the somatic symptoms, social dysfunction and severe depression subscales of the general health measure were found to be statistically significantly negatively correlated. Statistically significant correlations were displayed between resilience and general health, as well as all of its subscales. Resilience was shown to play a moderating role in the relationship between job insecurity and social dysfunction (and not in any of the other general health dimensions), as results indicated that the social functioning of individuals measuring high on resilience was less affected by job insecurity than those individuals measuring low on resilience. Conclusions are made, limitations of the current research are discussed and recommendations for future research are put forward. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2007.

During the past few years, organisations throughout the public sphere have undergone dramatic changes due to extensive restructuring and mergers. These changes are caused international by an accelerating pace of business, increasing economic activity, science and technology, public partnerships involving government and population, changing demographics, and education and training. Changes such as these usually result in job insecurity which in turn may lead to job dissatisfaction. The objective of this study was to examine the possible relationship between job insecurity, job satisfaction and situational sense of coherence among civil servants in the Johannesburg-West District Education Department and, more particularly, to determine whether situational sense of coherence mediates the relationship between job insecurity and job satisfaction. A survey design was used to realise the research objectives. The study population consisted of 120 civil servants in the Johannesburg-West District of Education Department. The Job Insecurity Questionnaire (JIQ), the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) and Orientation to Life Questionnaire - Form S (OLQ - S) were used as measuring instruments. The findings showed that a negative correlation of medium effect was found between cognitive job insecurity and situational sense of coherence. Total job satisfaction displayed negative statistically significant correlations with all the job insecurity dimensions, although these correlations fell below the practically significant cutoff point. Analyses indicated that situational sense of coherence does not hold a statistically significant amount of predictive value with regard to job satisfaction, nor does job insecurity hold a statistically significant amount of variance with regard to job satisfaction, implying that situational sense of coherence does not mediate the relationship between job insecurity and job satisfaction. Job insecurity was however found to hold some predictive value with regard to situational sense of coherence. Limitations were identified and recommendations with regard to future research as well as for the organisation were made. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2007.

Tremendous pressure is being placed on organisations to improve their work performance and to become increasingly competitive. In order to survive in a highly competitive economy, organisations in both the public and the private sector are undergoing major re-structuring and can no longer guarantee employees with life time employment, thus leading to job insecurity. A relatively large amount of research can be found in the literature regarding the relationship between job insecurity and various outcomes, for example, reduced job satisfaction and organisational commitment, and reduced well-being. Limited research has, however, been conducted on possible mediators of the job insecurity - outcomes relationship. Such research may be useful for the development of programmes to reduce the negative impacts of job insecurity. The primary objectives of this research were to investigate the relationship between job insecurity and general health of employees (N = 337) in both the public and the private sector, as well as to determine whether situational sense of coherence mediates the relationship between job insecurity and general health. A further objective was to compare the job insecurity levels of public and private sector employees. A cross-sectional survey design was used. Constructs were measured by means of the Job Insecurity Questionnaire (JIQ), the Orientation to Life Questionnaire (Form S), the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and a biographical questionnaire. Results indicated that a practically-significant relationship exists between job insecurity and general health, implying that high levels of job insecurity are associated with ill health (as displayed in somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, and social dysfunction). Regression analyses confirmed the partially mediating effect of situational sense of coherence on the relationship between job insecurity and general health. It was also found that public sector employees displayed higher levels of affective job insecurity than their private sector counterparts. Conclusions and recommendations were made / Thesis (Ph.D.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2006.

Individuals employed within the South African workforce are finding themselves operating in an increasingly uneven playing field. The global marketplace is continually amplifying the already stiff competition, forcing employers to reduce the security they are able to offer their workers, in an effort to off-set their profit margins. Examining and consequently addressing these private sector employees' functioning in those spheres that may influence their health and consequent work performance, which in turn affects the performance of the industry - and therefore the economy – is thus essential. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between job insecurity, resilience and general health of personnel (N= 207) employed within the motor-trade industry and to examine differences among the job insecurity, resilience and general health levels of different demographic groups. A cross-sectional survey design was implemented. The constructs were measured by means of the Job Insecurity Scale (JIS), the Resilience Scale (RS) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). The research method for the article consists of a concise literature review, followed by an empirical study. Cronbach alpha coefficients inter-item correlation coefficients and confirmatory factor analyses were used to determine the validity and reliability if the measuring instruments. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data and Pearson product moment correlation coefficients, as well as regression analyses were used to examine the relationships between the constructs employed in this research. No significant differences were found to exist based on biographical characteristics regarding job insecurity, resilience and general health. Job insecurity and the somatic symptoms, social dysfunction and severe depression subscales of the general health measure were found to be statistically significantly negatively correlated. Statistically significant correlations were displayed between resilience and general health, as well as all of its subscales. Resilience was shown to play a moderating role in the relationship between job insecurity and social dysfunction (and not in any of the other general health dimensions), as results indicated that the social functioning of individuals measuring high on resilience was less affected by job insecurity than those individuals measuring low on resilience. Conclusions are made, limitations of the current research are discussed and recommendations for future research are put forward. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2007.

During the past few years, organisations throughout the public sphere have undergone dramatic changes due to extensive restructuring and mergers. These changes are caused international by an accelerating pace of business, increasing economic activity, science and technology, public partnerships involving government and population, changing demographics, and education and training. Changes such as these usually result in job insecurity which in turn may lead to job dissatisfaction. The objective of this study was to examine the possible relationship between job insecurity, job satisfaction and situational sense of coherence among civil servants in the Johannesburg-West District Education Department and, more particularly, to determine whether situational sense of coherence mediates the relationship between job insecurity and job satisfaction. A survey design was used to realise the research objectives. The study population consisted of 120 civil servants in the Johannesburg-West District of Education Department. The Job Insecurity Questionnaire (JIQ), the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) and Orientation to Life Questionnaire - Form S (OLQ - S) were used as measuring instruments. The findings showed that a negative correlation of medium effect was found between cognitive job insecurity and situational sense of coherence. Total job satisfaction displayed negative statistically significant correlations with all the job insecurity dimensions, although these correlations fell below the practically significant cutoff point. Analyses indicated that situational sense of coherence does not hold a statistically significant amount of predictive value with regard to job satisfaction, nor does job insecurity hold a statistically significant amount of variance with regard to job satisfaction, implying that situational sense of coherence does not mediate the relationship between job insecurity and job satisfaction. Job insecurity was however found to hold some predictive value with regard to situational sense of coherence. Limitations were identified and recommendations with regard to future research as well as for the organisation were made. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2007.

Food insecurity exists when access to safe, nutritionally adequate foods is limited or uncertain, or when acquisition of these foods occurs in socially unacceptable ways (Anderson, 1990). Considerable research has focused on identifying the risk factors for and potential consequences of household food insecurity; however, few studies have investigated whether and how place of residence might influence household food insecurity. To address this gap in the literature, a mixed methods approach was used to explore the connections between risk factors, household food insecurity, and health in urban and rural settings. This dissertation comprised three studies. In the first study, secondary data were used to identify the household factors that increased the risk for household food insecurity and to examine whether place of residence moderated these relationships. Significant associations were found between household sociodemographics and household food insecurity. In addition, rural households were more likely to report household food insecurity. Although most moderation models were non-significant, a moderation effect was found for educational attainment: secondary school graduation increased the risk for household food insecurity in urban households, yet it was protective in rural households. In the second study, secondary data were used to examine the relationship between household food insecurity and poor general, physical, and mental health, and to test for a moderation effect of place of residence. In the main effects models, household food insecurity was associated with an increased likelihood of poor health on all measures. There was no evidence of urban-rural differences in these relationships. In the third study, qualitative data were used to explore household food insecurity from the perspective of urban and rural residents in Eastern Ontario. Findings revealed that urban and rural residents described similar conditions, processes, and consequences of household food insecurity; however, the unique features of the urban and rural settings influenced how people managed these experiences. In particular, certain aspects of the rural settings added to the complexity of managing household food insecurity. Overall, the results of this dissertation suggest that the urban-rural context, although important, is secondary to the primary contribution of low economic and social resources in household food insecurity.

Abstract Background: Individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) face many challenges in self-management of their current disease state. Nutrition education has been identified as a key component in managing metabolic control in individuals diagnosed with T2D. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of a 4-week nutrition intervention on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and nutrition knowledge by food security status in individuals with T2D who attend the Family Health Centers of Georgia (FHCGA) located in West Atlanta. Methods: Subjects enrolled in the study (n=6) completed a nutrition knowledge survey at the beginning of the intervention and had their HbA1c values extracted from the FHCGA medical record. Subjects then entered a 4-week group nutrition intervention program. The program consisted of four lessons that focused on the basic diet for diabetes, food label reading, grocery store shopping and eating out with diabetes. Subjects took a nutrition knowledge survey after the intervention and were asked to return to have a follow-up blood draw for HbA1c levels. Results: Two out of six subjects completed the entire protocol. The HbA1c for this subject was higher after the nutrition intervention. An additional two subjects completed all of the lessons and the post survey, but did not have a follow-up HbA1c drawn. The mean nutrition knowledge score pre-intervention (72.33 + 5.13) was lower than the mean post-intervention score (78.67 + 4.04) but was not significantly different. When subdivided by food security status, subjects with a higher food security status had a lower baseline HbA1c. Conclusion: Nutrition knowledge scores increased after nutrition education but not significantly. The effect of nutrition education on HbA1c by food security status could not be determined due to low participation. Future studies with a larger sample size and incentives for compliance are needed to investigate how group nutrition education influences metabolic control in food insecure and secure people with T2D.