The present research study attempted to determine if special needs educators, who reported being engaged in their work, were more likely to appraise perceived stressful work situations as a welcomed challenge as opposed to an unwelcomed threat. This study was undertaken in order to build on the minimal body of existing empirical research in three areas: (a) the occupational stressors experienced by special needs educators, (b) work engagement among special needs educators, and (c) the relationship between work engagement and the appraisal of perceived occupational stress. It achieves these ends by determining: (a) which occupational stressors reported by special needs educators were perceived as being the most stressful, (b) if special needs educators were engaged in their work and the extent thereof, and (c) the impact of work engagement on the perception of occupational stress by special needs educators. A quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional, ex post facto research design was employed for the collection and analysis of data. Data was gathered from seven special schools in the Umlazi District of KwaZulu-Natal. These special schools provide high levels of support to learners with severe intellectual (learning) disabilities. A sample of N = 86 voluntary participants was obtained, comprising N = 12 males and N = 74 females. Data was generated via self-report survey-type questionnaires, which were divided into three parts: (1) a section requesting biographical information, (2) the Occupational Stress scale – a survey instrument intended to generate data relating to the demands and resources perceived by participants, and (3) the Work Engagement scale – a survey instrument intended to generate data relating to the participants perceived levels of engagement at work. All data were analysed using SPSS version 15.0 for Windows (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA). The results revealed that inadequate pay and benefits was a major source of perceived occupational stress, and that special needs educators were highly engaged in their work. Support for the hypothesis of an inverse relationship between work engagement and perceived occupational stress was attained. In addition, analyses of biographical variables in relation to perceived occupational stress provided support for the Transaction Model of Stress. Stress management interventions for special needs educators of severe intellectually (learning) disabled learners were recommended, the strengths and limitations of the present study noted and avenues for future research suggested. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

The burden of caregiving is alarmingly high in South Africa, where one in every three people admitted in hospitals, is HIV positive. A great number of AIDS patients end up being cared for at home by their families, but mostly by volunteer caregivers. The conditions in which caregivers work under, leave much to be desired, hence work related conditions are a probable cause for high stress levels among volunteer caregivers of people living with HIV/AIDS. This study sought to investigate stress factors of volunteer caregivers of people living with HIV/AIDS and the influence of social capital on high stress levels. Within a South African caregiving setting, social capital influence has not been explored. In a culture where silence and stigmatisation of people living with HIV/AIDS and caregivers is high, this study tries to locate participation of close friends and family, local organizations and government in dealing with caregiving work and support. The study was conducted in 13 semi rural communities in Durban KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A survey was used to collect data, and analysis was conducted using quantitative methods. The sample comprised of 127 women from an organization called Community Outreach Centre. The greater (92.2%) of the total sample reported above 50% of stress levels. The findings indicated that caregiving work require urgent support from organizations and government. It was also evident that organizations within communities do not work together nor support each other in dealing with caregiving problems. Contrary to the existing literature, the results also showed that the more social capital elements such as social cohesion and social action at a bridging level increased, the more stressed volunteer caregivers became. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sci.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

South African nurses are emigrating for greater prospects abroad – a weakening of the healthcare system. Nurses play a critical role in health care globally as well as in South Africa. Work engagement or lack thereof may be the reason why so many nurses decide to emigrate. This study aimed to get a better understanding of whether nurses working more specifically with mentally and physically challenged ‘children’ experience work engagement. The focus will be on the resources and demands that nurse’s face in their work environment and whether these contribute to feelings of work engagement. A qualitative research design was used to collect data in this study. The study took the form of a cross sectional survey design with a sample of 8 nurses from a home for physically and mentally challenged individual’s in the Durban, KwaZulu-Natal region. The data was collected with the use of a biographical questionnaire and an interview schedule. The resulting data was analysed using thematic content analysis with the aid of NVIVO 9. The study found that the nurse’s do experience work engagement despite the circumstances they are exposed to. The study also found the resources the nurses were presented with aided in them experiencing work engagement. A love for their job contributed to feelings of work engagement. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

The purpose of this study was to examine Lazarus and Folkman's (1984) stress and coping theory in the context of workplace stress and coping with a focus on the influence of personal and cultural resources on cognitive appraisal, coping strategies, and the well-being of Chinese who are currently employed in professional occupations overseas. The data were collected from a volunteer sample of 228 overseas Chinese professionals (128 men, 100 women, M age = 32.6). Participants completed three sets of questionnaires over a six-week period (2 weeks apart). Specific variables of interest included cultural, social, and personal resources (Chinese collective values, perceived social support and work support, and general self-efficacy), situational appraisals (perceived situational control and self-efficacy), ways of coping (Engagement, Disengagement, and Collective strategies), and changes in short-term outcomes (job satisfaction, somatic symptoms, and depression symptoms). Items that assessed collective ways of coping were developed for this study. Significant differences were found between men and women in this sample. As such, path analysis (LISREL VIII) was used to test the hypothesized relationships in the model separately for men and women. Based on a zero-order correlation matrix, the results for the initial hypothesized path models indicated a moderate fitting model for men and an inadequate fitting model for women. However, modified models revealed a good model fit for both men and women, X 2 (29, N=128)=32.72, p=.29, Q=1.13, RMSR=.05, GFI=.96, and CFI=. 98, and X 2 (29, N=100)=44.10, p=.04, Q=1.52, GFI=.93, RMSR-.07, and CFI=.92, respectively. The pattern of relationships (path coefficients) provide partial supports for the hypothesized model and Lazarus and Folkman's (1984) theoretical assumptions. The results of this study were consistent with those obtained by other researchers who found that coping resources are associated with coping strategies and short-term outcomes (e.g., Long, Kahn, & Schutz, 1992; Terry, Tonge, & Callan, 1995). For the men, personal resources of General Self-efficacy were positively related to control appraisal, Work Support predicted Collective coping, and Social Support was associated with a decrease in depressive symptoms. As expected, Disengagement coping was found to have a significant effect on depressive symptoms for the men. For the women, General Self-efficacy and Social Support were associated with perceived self-efficacy, and predicted an increase in job satisfaction and a decrease in depressive symptoms. Self-efficacy appraisal had negative effects on Disengagement coping. As hypothesized, Engagement coping was negatively associated with changes in somatic symptoms, and Disengagement coping predicted changes in both somatic and depressive symptoms. The results Of factor analysis supported the development of a Collective coping subscale. Implications of these results and suggestions for future research are discussed.

A healthy, productive and motivated police service is an important contributor to the stability and resulting economic growth and development of countries. Burnout is a recognised health risk in law enforcement agencies but notwithstanding the stressful nature of police work, relatively few studies focused on burnout of police officials. For this reason it seems necessary to investigate burnout in the South African Police Service (SAPS) in order to understand and predict this risk factor more effectively. The objective of this study was to establish to what extent burnout, job stress and personalay traits were related. We also wanted to find out which components of job stress and personality traits best predicted the components of bumout. A cross-sectional survey research design was used. The study population (N = 2153) includes samples of police officials across South Africa. The Maslach Burnout Inventory -General Survey (MBI-GS), Police Stress Indicator (PSI) and Personality Characteristics Inventory (PCI) were administered. Descriptive statistics, product- moment correlation coefficients and stepwise multiple regression analysis were used to analyse the data. The results indicated that burnout was significantly correlated to job stress and personality traits. Job stress and personality traits were also significantly correlated to one another. Multiple regression analysis showed that exhaustion is best predicted by stress due to job demands and lack of resources, introversion, low conscientiousness and low emotional stability. Cynicism was best predicted by stress because of job demands, lack of resources, police demands, low emotional stability and low conscientiousness. Professional efficacy was best predicted by low job stress, emotional stability, agreeableness as well as conscientiousness. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

To effectively consult with the community, police managers should have a good understanding of what the public thinks that the police currently do and what they would prefer the police to do. Citizen satisfaction is jointly used with job satisfaction, job stress, the possibility of burnout and work engagement within the police as a performance measure of police-citizen encounters. The objectives of this study were to determine the expectations and satisfaction of the community and the police as well as the congruence between the community's expectations and the police's perceptions regarding policing in the Klerksdorp area of the North West Province. A further objective was to determine if there were any differences between Afrikaans-, English- and Tswana- speaking members of the community. The relationship between job satisfaction, stress, burnout and engagement of police members was also investigated. A cross-sectional survey design was used. The study population (N = 597) includes samples of uniformed police personnel in the Klerksdorp area (n = 109), as well as a sample of the community (n = 488). Two different measuring batteries were compiled, the one for community members consisted mainly of the Public Attitude survey (PAS), and the one for police members of the Public Attitude Survey (PAS), Job Satisfaction Survey (MSQ), Police Stress Survey (PSS), Maslach Burnout Inventory - General Survey (MBI-GS) and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The results indicate that both the SAPS and the community perceive the present and preferred priorities of the police to be the investigation of crime, with the exception that the public expect the police to make the giving of advice a higher priority. Correlations were found between police members' intrinsic job satisfaction, and extrinsic job satisfaction and professional efficacy; police stressors and exhaustion; and between the dimensions of engagement. It appears that the community experienced the SAPS as neat and respectful but not really trustworthy. Accordingly, the police do not truly trust the community to co-operate with them. Recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

The relationships that people have with their work, and the difficulties that can arise when those relationships turn sour, have been long recognised as a significant phenomenon of the modem age. The use of the term burnout for this phenomenon began to appear with some regularity in the 1970s in the United States, especially among people working in the human services. Burnout can be expected amongst engineers, technicians and electricians, due to the integration of their work activities and the quality of support received from their supervisors or managers as well as from other departments. Front line staff can be expected to experience higher levels of burnout, because of their direct contact with difficult customers (cut-offs due to non-payments, for instance), certain job demands (restoration of power interruptions), staff shortages, training of new staff, and so on. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between burnout, job stress, sense of coherence and coping of engineers, technicians and electricians in a South African electricity distribution organisation. A cross-sectional survey design was used. The study population consisted of 38 engineers, 86 technicians and 91 electricians. Four questionnaires were used, namely the Maslach Burnout Inventory - General Survey, a Job Stress Questionnaire, the Orientation to Life Questionnaire and COPE. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the results. The results showed that stress because of job demands, lack of support, supervision and transformation, as well as a weak sense of coherence predicted exhaustion. Exhaustion and avoidance predicted cynicism. A causal sequence was found between sense of coherence, job stress and exhaustion. Active coping moderated the effect of sense of coherence on professional efficacy. Employees with a lower job grade show higher levels of cynicism and lower levels of professional efficacy compared with those with a higher job grade. An explanation might be that the lower job grades lack the necessary coping skills. Therefore, it seems that employees who have a weak sense of coherence are inclined to suffer from job stress, which will lead to exhaustion. Sense of coherence and the use of active coping strategies seem to contribute to the professional efficacy of employees, which may lead to health-enhancing behaviours and better social adjustments. Job stress impacts on exhaustion and sense of coherence, and a strong sense of coherence moderates the effects of job stress on exhaustion. Sense of coherence also protects employees from developing low professional efficacy. Active coping strategies moderate the effects of sense of coherence on professional efficacy. Avoidance as a coping strategy mediated the relationship between sense of coherence and cynicism. Recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

This study has investigated the problems experienced by female educators in relation with their job satisfaction by focussing on: The nature of job satisfaction; The problems and factors which cause job satisfaction/job dissatisfaction among female educators; To achieve these goals a literature study and an empirical study has been conducted. The literature study was undertaken by consulting primary and secondary sources. After the nature of job satisfaction and the problems causing satisfaction or dissatisfaction were established and discussed, a questionnaire was drafted. From a review of the literature, it appeared that the problems experienced by the female educators were intrinsic problems, within the classroom, outside the classroom, and within the community. A study population was used in which female educators who worked in secondary schools in the Potchefstroom District were involved. The empirical investigation indicated that the major problems experienced by the female educators were mostly outside the classroom. A minor problem for female educators appears to be that the learners are not under the obligation to tell if they are HIV/Aids infected. Also safety does not seem to be of influence on the job satisfaction of female educators in secondary schools / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

This research is about the factors that influence job satisfaction amongst female teachers in primary schools. Three goals have been set: 1. To determine the nature of job satisfaction from the literature. 2. To determine the factors that influence female teachers' job satisfaction from the literature. 3. To determine through empirical research to what extent female teachers experience job satisfaction and which factors influence her job satisfaction. After the nature of job satisfaction was determined from the literature as well as the factors that influence job satisfaction, a questionnaire has been developed. From the literature overview it appears that the factors that influence job satisfaction can be divided in four categories: factors within the person, factors within the classroom, factors within the work situation and factors within the community. The population consists of female teachers, working at primary schools in the Potchefstroom District. All women, working at post level 1, at schools with 500 or more learners have been asked to contribute to this research. The empirical part of the research showed that the factors within the work situation influence job satisfaction most, the factors outside of the classroom. The low payment is one of the factors that contribute to teachers' job dissatisfaction. The relationship to learners, parents and principals also influences the job satisfaction of the female teachers. Less important for female teachers at primary schools is the fact that the family would be a barrier for their promotion. Intimidation by learners in the school is not an influential factor either. Female teachers working at schools attended by predominantly black learners experience less job satisfaction than their colleagues working at schools attended by predominantly white learners / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Literature generally acknowledges that ministers have a demanding job with unique requirements and unclear boundaries between their personal and professional lives. Since 1980, studies have been describing an alarming spread of burnout in the ministry, with three out of four ministers reporting severe stress, causing anguish, worry, bewilderment, anger, depression, fear and alienation. South African literature indicates ministry as a high-risk occupation with regard to burnout. As providers of help, ministers are exposed to demanding work situations, with unique job and client-related stressors that show high correlation with burnout. Burnout, according to Levert (et al, 2000) is a syndrome consisting of three dimensions: these are Exhaustion, Cynicism and lack of Professional Efficacy. Exhaustion refers to the depletion and draining of emotional resources and feelings of being overextended. Cynicism reflects a negative, cynical and callous attitude towards recipients of service, andlor extreme detached responses to aspects pertaining to the job. A lack of professional efficacy refers to the tendency to evaluate aspects negatively with regard to personal accomplishments and competence at work. Burnout in the human service industry is a growing phenomenon. The objectives of this study were to determine the reliability and validity of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) in the context of ministry, The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), and the Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced questionnaire (COPE), and to develop a measuring instrument to describe occupational stress of Pentecostal pastors in the North West Region of South Africa. A cross-sectional survey design was used. Availability samples (n = 100) were taken of qualified and ordained Pentecostal Pastors in the ministry. The Ministry Demands Survey was developed as measuring instrument, indicating internal demands/emotional input and relationship demands/demands with regard to calling, as reliable factors. Coping was described as being either Problem or Emotion-focused. Health of Pentecostal pastors was predicted by Internal Demands/Emotional Input, Exhaustion and Problem and Emotion-focused Coping. Recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.