M.A. (Psychology) / The purpose of the· analysis was to translate the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) into Afrikaans and to evaluate the metrical qualities of the translated and adjusted questionnaire, as well as to establish the difference between ministers with high and low burn-out, with regard to specific personality traits, anxiety, selfactualization and demographical and workrelated variables. The research design was of an ex post facto nature. The test sample consisted of 82 ministers of the Dutch Reformed Church of the Ring of Western Transvaal. They were randomly selected. The MBI was used to determine burn-out, the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16-PF) to measure the primary personality traits, the IPAT Anxiety Scale to measure free floating manifested anxiety and the Personal Orientation Inventory (POI) for the measurement of selfactualization. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain information about the demographical, workrelated and other variables of the experimental subjects. To determine the reliability of the inventory, Kuder Richardson coefficients were computed for the various subscales of the adjusted MEl. Determination of validity involved the calculation of Bravais-Pearson correlation coefficients between the various subscales in relation to each other and between other criterion measurements. to determine burn-out vary The U-test of Mann-Whitney was conducted whether persons with low and high with regard to specific personality

Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Sielkundige Opvoedkunde)

Dissertation submitted for partial fulfillment for the degree Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Zululand, 2002. / This study examines the distribution of the behavioural dimensions measured by the Style Analysis Instrument. Research previously conducted in the USA is compared with the South African data collected. The distribution of the dimensions, Dominance, Influence, Steadiness and Compliance (DISC) in the South African genders and the Afrikaans, Black, English and Indian population groups is investigated. Data were collected from three organisations that process the Style Analysis questionnaires, and analysed to ascertain significant differences between the various groups, and correlations between the various behavioural dimensions. Significant differences were found between the USA sample and the SA sample, while lesser differences were found within the SA subgroups. Based on the research of Warburton and Suiter, which established that a disparity between the Adapted Style, i.e. the behavioural style of the individual in the workplace, and the Natural Style, i.e. the inherent behavioural style of the individual, is a predictor of stress in the workplace, an investigation was conducted to discover which South African gender or population group experiences the most stress in the workplace. Overall, the female gender and the Black population group manifest the highest stress indicators within the South African context.

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education in the Department of Educational Planning and Administration at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2002. / The object of this study was to determine teacher stress in primary schools at Ensingweni Circuit. The first aim was to determine through literature the characteristics of stress, its causes and effects. The second aim was to conduct an empirical investigation into stress among educators at Ensingweni Circuit. The last aim was to present finds, and recommendations, which emanate from the study. A questionnaire was developed by the investigators, which measured the extent to which educators experienced stress in their working environment. By using the questionnaire the investigator was interested in determining which teaching stressors educators found most stressful. Some 71% females and 29% males educators of primary schools at Ensingweni Circuit filled out questionnaires. The teaching stressors which this sample of educators found stressful, in order of most to least stressful, were curriculum changes, work load pressures, job insecurity, poor relationship with colleagues, reward and recognition, learners discipline problems, poor rapport with management and role ambiguity. In terms of factors associated with teacher stress, the results showed that a combination of outside and inside were associated with teacher stress. In terms of inside factors, organisational stressors and classroom stressors were associated with teacher stress. In terms of outside stressors minimal general life stressors were also found to be associated with teacher stress. The problems educators viewed as most stressful are consistent with other studies on teacher stress, namely policy changes. time-workload pressures and classroom discipline. These studies were conducted by Bernard (1989) Gold & Roth (1993) and Cole & Walker (1989). The last chapter of this study recommends a variety of strategies that could be employed by educators to alleviate stress in teaching.

A report on a study project presented to the Department of Social Work School of Human and Community Development Faculty of Humanities in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Masters of Art in Occupational Social Work, October 2017 / Correctional officers face many stressors in their workplace settings such as guarding violent prisoners and ensuring the safety of everyone in the prison setting. The stressors they face may lead to occupational stress for some. The study aimed to understand the coping strategies used by correctional officers when dealing with occupational stress. To investigate the research aim, a qualitative approach and case study design were utilised. Convenience sampling was used to select 25 correctional officers employed at Leeuwkop prison, Medium B and Maximum facility. Semistructured interviews schedules were used where one-on-one interviews were conducted to collect data. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data gathered. The study revealed that correctional officers face many stressors in their work environment such as leadership style, prison violence, uneven ratio between inmates and correctional officers as well as shift work. These stressors have different impact on their professional and personal lives such as; aggression towards their family, psychological effects, society high expectations which prevent them from living their own lives and also some felt that their work isolates them from their families. To cope with occupational stress, the study revealed that correctional officers engage in sporting activities within the prison such as soccer, others make use of employee assistance programmes and some resort to less conventional ways of coping such as absenteeism and alcohol use. Recommendations were provided to curb the challenges experienced by correctional officers which included; the need for more advertisement of employee assistance programmes, hiring more correctional officers to even out the ratio between correctional officers and inmate, the need for more occupational social workers services within the prison and lastly the need for more South African research on correctional officers coping strategies. / XL2018

(MBA) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2005

M.Ed. (Psychology of Education) / This research study originated from the belief that teachers in general, and secondary school teachers in particular, are under an inordinate amount of stress brought about largely as a result of their work as teachers and educators. Moving from that basic premise the research unfolded towards exploring at both theoretical and empirical level, the major causes and management of stress in education within a South African educational context. The study starts with a carefully structured Statement of the Problem, which provides valid reasons why this research is needed (i.e. the motivation for this study), it lists the key areas of concern under 'specific statement of problem', the details regarding the purpose and plan are made clear and finally the method of research is stated. The point is made in this chapter that the basic motive of this research study is to help teachers understand and manage stress in a far more efficient we. The second chapter introduces the challenges of Defining Stress and attempts to appraise several current definitions and approaches to this problem. After a consideration of the now classical General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), some pertinent reactions to stress are listed, the experience of stress is discussed and the three current approaches, or definitions of stress, namely: response-based, stimulus-based and interaction, are defined and debated.

Thesis (MTech (Human Resources Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2006 / Many people work shifts because of socio-economic considerations and for them stopping shift work is not a realistic option. Shift work can have a negative impact on the health and well being of workers. The reason for this is that in every individual's body there are many rhythms/cycles, which are designed for daytime work. When these rhythms are disrupted as in nightime work, they need time to adjust so that they may all function as one. These rhythms do not adjust instantaneously; therefore the impact on the body is negative. This in turn, leads to a reduction in performance attentiveness, as well as an increase in the risk of accidents and injuries. Most shift workers do not know how to adjust their lifestyle to minimise the negative effects of working around the clock as companies do not provide the required programmes for their well being, thus increasing the chance of suffering from stress. If this is so, then, not only will the well being of the individual or employee be disrupted, but so too will productivity, as well as the profits of the business. This therefore means that shift work could in the end diminish the economic gain it was designed to create. "A tailor-made shift system should be a compromise between the employer's goals, the wishes of employees, and ergonomic recommendations for the design of shift systems" (Knauth, 1997:21). According to Ahasan (2002:09): "Currently there is little information available in the literature that supports the effective design of shift schedules, which offer effective productivity levels, while maintaining the health and safety of shift workers", It therefore has to be realised that there is no ideal shift system, which is going to fully meet an organisations needs, as well as the well being, social and family needs of each and every single employee within the organisation. Employers and employees can work together in order to learn how to identify and control shift work hazards. Also, employees need to learn how to cope better with the demands of their work schedule. Due to the many disruptions encountered in their personal life, social life and physical well being, the existence of stressrelated illnesses is increased in shift workers. Employers may pick up signs of stress when the following factors are monitored on a regular basis, as well as investigated if and when variances occur:

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the Department of Psychology University of Zululand, 2004. / This report presents the findings of a study conducted in 2003-2004, involving eight members of emergency services in Stanger, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The emergency personnel included five firefighters and three paramedics. The aim of the study was to develop and evaluate a mutual aid group programme in order to prevent symptoms of trauma, with special reference to anxiety and depression, and promote psychological well-being in emergency personnel. Emergency personnel are exposed to traumatic events during the line of duty. The study investigated stressors, which were identified as organizational, management style, ineffective communication, stressors relating to patient care (personal loss, traumatic stimuli, high expectations) and low job and high workloads. The study also investigated psychological, physical and social effects of emergency work. Psychological effects that were identified were mental illnesses such as depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. Symptoms included irritability, anger, frustration, hopelessness, helplessness, fear and anxiety. Physical effects included fatigue, difficulty breathing, startle response, nausea, trembling and racing heart. Social problems such as conflicts with family, friends and colleagues were also identified. The study provided group members with the ability to identify symptoms of trauma and accept vulnerability, which served as important preventative measures for mental illness. The group created a safe atmosphere where members were able to share their feelings without the fear of being judged. It also provided members with new coping strategies for dealing with their feelings. Regarding further support systems the group members identified an ongoing need for help via psychologists, psychological debriefing and support from management, family as well as the community. / National Research Foundation

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The primary aim of this study was to determine the relationship between stress (as manifested in anxiety and depression), coping strategies and burnout in South African clinical and counselling psychologists. The degrees of anxiety and depression, as well as the levels of burnout and types of coping strategies that psychologists used, were examined firstly. This was followed by an investigation into the coping strategies that correlated with anxiety and depression respectively. Stepwise multiple regression analyses were performed to complete this task. The relationship between anxiety and burnout, as well as between depression and burnout, were examined, using linear regression analyses. An investigation into the coping strategies that correlated with burnout was also performed, using stepwise multiple regression analyses. Finally, the influence of various biographical variables on burnout was determined, making use of linear regression analyses, t-tests, one-way analyses of variance and Tukey tests. The study was conducted with the aid of the internet, which involved the mailing of an explanatory letter to a stratified, randomly selected sample of a thousand psychologists, requesting the recipients to visit a web page and complete five questionnaires electronically. The test battery consisted of the following: A biographical questionnaire; the Beck Depression Inventory (BOl), which was used to determine the presence of depression; the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), to examine the levels of burnout; the S-scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAl), which was used to measure anxiety; and the Brief Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced (Brief COPE), for the measurement of fourteen different coping strategies. A total of 238 registered psychologists (representing a response rate of 23.8%) participated in the study. Results indicated that 134 (56.3%) psychologists experienced above-average levels of anxiety, while 129 (54.2%) were at least mildly depressed. Regarding the three components of burnout, 72 (30.25%) and 64 (26.89%) experienced high and moderate levels of emotional exhaustion respectively, 49 (20.59%) and 65 (27.31%) experienced high and moderate levels of depersonalization respectively, while 68 (28.57%) and 84 (35.29%) reported strong and moderate feelings of reduced personal accomplishment respectively. Participants made use of all 14 coping strategies, as measured by the Brief COPE, but the coping strategy of active coping was used mostly, while behavioural disengagement was used the least. A combination of the coping strategies of self-blame, behavioural disengagement, denial, a lack of humour, self-distraction, a lack of acceptance of the reality of the stressful situation, venting and substance use, was a significant predictor of high levels of anxiety. A combination of substance use, self-blame, self-distraction, denial, and a lack of seeking instrumental support, contributed significantly to the prediction of depression. The participants' levels of anxiety and depression, respectively, were both significant predictors of burnout, as measured on all three MBI subscales. Emotional exhaustion was significantly predicted by the combination of behavioural disengagement, venting, a lack of humour, and active coping, while a combination of behavioural disengagement, a lack of positive reframing, venting, a lack of religious involvement, selfdistraction, the absence of emotional support seeking, and the absence of denial, significantly predicted depersonalization. The combination of a lack of the use of positive reinterpretation, selfdistraction, a lack of humour, self-blame, a lack of planning, seeking instrumental support, and behavioural disengagement, significantly predicted feelings of reduced personal accomplishment. Regarding biographical variables, the following results were obtained: Age was a significant predictor of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, but not of feelings of reduced personal accomplishment. Male psychologists experienced significantly more emotional exhaustion and depersonalization than their female counterparts, but no significant difference between the sexes was found for reduced personal accomplishment. The number of hours per week spent in conducting psychotherapy with patients/clients was a significant positive predictor of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and feelings of personal accomplishment. The number of years in practice only contributed significantly to the prediction of emotional exhaustion, but not to the prediction of depersonalization or feelings of reduced personal accomplishment. Participants who followed a psychodynamic therapeutic approach experienced significantly more emotional exhaustion than those who used a combination of cognitive behavioural therapy and personcentered therapy. When comparing the systemic and narrative approaches, the former contributed more significantly to feelings of reduced personal accomplishment in psychologists. No significant differences regarding scores on any of the three MBI subscales were found between participants who were married, divorced, or had never been married. Experiencing difficulties with the settlement of accounts by medical aid schemes was a significant predictor of burnout, with respect to all three MBI subscales. Having difficulties with bad debts, however, contributed significantly to the prediction of a decrease in depersonalization, but not to the prediction of emotional exhaustion or reduced personal accomplishment. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die primêre doelstelling van hierdie studie was om ondersoek in te stel na die verband tussen stres (soos gemanifesteer in angs en depressie), streshanteringstrategieë en uitbranding by Suid- Afrikaanse kliniese en voorligtingsielkundiges. Die mate van angs en depressie, asook die vlakke van uitbranding en tipes streshanteringstrategieë wat sielkundiges gebruik het, is eerstens vasgestel. Vervolgens is die streshanteringstrategieë wat verband hou met angs en depressie onderskeidelik, met behulp van stapsgewyse meervoudige regressie-analises bepaal. Die verband tussen angs en uitbranding, asook tussen depressie en uitbranding, is met behulp van lineêre regressie-analises ondersoek. Verder is die streshanteringstrategieë wat verband hou met uitbranding deur middel van stapsgewyse meervoudige regressie-analises bepaal. Laastens is die invloed van, verskeie biografiese veranderlikes op uitbranding deur middel van lineêre regressieanalises, t-toetse, eenrigting-variansie-analises en Tukey-toetse ondersoek. Die studie is met behulp van die internet uitgevoer, wat behels het dat elke lid van 'n gestratifiseerde, ewekansig-geselekteerde steekproef van 'n duisend geregistreerde kliniese en voorligtingsielkundiges 'n brief per pos ontvang het, met die versoek om 'n webbladsy te besoek en vyf vraelyste daarop te voltooi. Die toetsbattery het bestaan uit die volgende: 'n biografiese vraelys; die Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), wat gebruik is om die teenwoordigheid van depressie by die deelnemers vas te stel; die Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), om die vlakke van uitbranding te ondersoek; die S-skaal van die State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAl), vir die meting van angs; asook die Brief Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced (Brief COPE), wat gebruik is om te bepaal in watter mate deelnemers 14 streshanteringstrategieë gebruik het. 'n Totaal van 238 geregistreerde sielkundiges (wat 'n responskoers van 23.8% verteenwoordig) het aan die studie deelgeneem. Die resultate het aangedui dat 134 (56.3%) sielkundiges bogemiddelde angsvlakke ervaar het, terwyl 129 (54.2%) minstens tot 'n ligte mate depressief was. Wat die drie komponente van uitbranding betref, het 72 (30.25%) hoë en 64 (26.89%) matige vlakke van emosionele uitputting ervaar, 49 (20.59%) en 65 (27.31%) het onderskeidelik hoë en matige vlakke van depersonalisasie ervaar, terwyl 68 (28.57%) en 84 (35.29%) onderskeidelik sterk en matige gevoelens van verminderde persoonlike bekwaamheid gerapporteer het. Die deelnemers het van al 14 Brief COPE-streshanteringstrategieë gebruik gemaak, terwyl die meeste van aktiewe streshantering en die minste van losmakingsgedrag gebruik gemaak het. 'n Kombinasie van die streshanteringstrategieë van selfblamering, losmakingsgedrag, ontkenning, 'n gebrek aan humor, self-afleiding, 'n gebrek aan aanvaarding van die realiteit van die stresvolle situasie, emosionele ontlading en substansgebruik, was 'n beduidende voorspeller van hoë angsvlakke. Die gesamentlike gebruik van substansgebruik, selfblamering, self-afleiding, ontkenning en die afwesigheid van instrumentele ondersteuningsoeke, was 'n beduidende voorspeller van depressiewe simptomatologie. Die deelnemers se angs- en depressievlakke onderskeidelik, was albei beduidende voorspellers van uitbranding ten opsigte van al drie die subskale van die MBI. Die streshanteringstrategieë wat emosionele uitputting beduidend voorspel het, was 'n kombinasie van losmakingsgedrag, emosionele ontlading, 'n gebrek aan humor en die gebruik van aktiewe streshanteringsmetodes. Depersonalisasie is beduidend voorspel deur die gesamentlike voorkoms van losmakingsgedrag, 'n gebrek aan positiewe herformulering, emosionele ontlading, 'n gebrek aan geloofsbeoefening, self-afleiding, die afwesigheid van emosionele ondersteuningsoeke en die afwesigheid van ontkenning. Die gesamentlike voorkoms van 'n gebrek aan positiewe herformulering, self-afleiding, 'n gebrek aan humor, selfblamering, 'n gebrek aan beplanning, instrumentele ondersteuningsoeke en losmakingsgedrag, was beduidende voorspellers van verminderde persoonlike bekwaamheid. Wat die biografiese veranderlikes betref, is die volgende resultate vir die totale steekproef verkry: Ouderdom was 'n beduidende voorspeller van emosionele uitputting en depersonalisasie, maar nie van verminderde persoonlike bekwaamheid nie. Manlike sielkundiges het beduidend meer emosionele uitputting en depersonalisasie ervaar as hulle vroulike kollegas, maar geen beduidende verskil tussen die geslagte is ten opsigte van verminderde persoonlike bekwaamheid bevind nie. Die aantal ure wat per week aan psigoterapeutiese werk met pasiënte/kliënte bestee is, was 'n beduidende positiewe voorspeller van emosionele uitputting, depersonalisasie en gevoelens van persoonlike bekwaamheid. Die aantal jare wat sielkundiges reeds gepraktiseer het, was slegs 'n beduidende voorspeller van emosionele uitputting, maar nie van depersonalisasie en gevoelens van verminderde persoonlike bekwaamheid nie. Sielkundiges wat 'n psigodinamiese terapeutiese benadering toegepas het, het beduidend meer emosionele uitputting ervaar as diegene wat 'n kombinasie van kognitiewe gedragsterapie en persoonsgesentreerde terapie gebruik het. In vergelyking met 'n narratiewe benadering, het die toepassing van 'n sisteembenadering tot beduidend minder gevoelens van persoonlike bekwaamheid by sielkundiges gelei. Geen beduidende verskille ten opsigte van sielkundiges wat getroud, geskei of nooit getroud was, is ten opsigte van enige van die drie MBI-subskaaltellings gevind nie. Die ervaring van probleme met die vereffening van rekeninge deur mediese fondse was 'n beduidende voorspeller van uitbranding ten opsigte van al drie die MBI-subskale. Die ervaring van probleme met oninbare skulde was egter 'n beduidende voorspeller van 'n afname in depersonalisasie, maar nie van emosionele uitputting of verminderde persoonlike bekwaamheid nie.