Pautada no modelo médico, a Psicologia tem direcionado seus esforços científicos muito mais para o estudo dos aspectos disfuncionais do indivíduo do que para suas potencialidades. Isso gerou um desequilíbrio no campo de estudos dessa ciência que, ao focalizar sua atenção quase que exclusivamente nos problemas humanos, acabou por deixar que temas, como a Felicidade, fossem apropriados pela chamada literatura de auto-ajuda. A partir do referencial teórico da Psicologia Positiva, este estudo busca compreender a felicidade humana a partir de uma abordagem científica, o que julgamos fundamental para a construção de um corpo teórico consistente sobre o tema e capaz de auxiliar no desenvolvimento de programas de saúde mental de caráter preventivo. Sendo assim, investigamos a relação entre felicidade e lócus de controle numa amostra de 106 sujeitos universitários utilizando-nos, para tanto da Correlação de Spearman e do Teste de Kruskal-Wallis. Os resultados indicaram que quanto maior o lócus de controle interno dos sujeitos pesquisados, maior também seus níveis de felicidade. / Developed around the medical model, Psychology has directed its scientific efforts principally toward the study of the dysfunctional aspects of human behavior rather than toward the potential of the individual. This has created a disequilibrium in the field of study of this science which by focusing its attention almost exclusively on human problems has relegated themes such as Happiness to the so-called self-help literature. Based on the theoretical reference of Positive Psychology, this study seeks to understand Human Happiness from a scientific point of view. We judge this approach fundamental to the construction of a body of theory consistent with the theme and capable of helping in the development of preventive mental health programs. Therefore, we research the relationship between happiness and control "locus" in a sample of 106 university students, using the Spearman Correlation and the Kruskal-Wallis test. The results indicate that the greater the internal control locus of the individuals studied, the greater their level of personal happiness.

A survey of stress and crisis literature indicated traumatic events tend to initially overwhelm individual coping resources. The adjustment process following such events appears to be characterized by phases in which gradual perceptual and cognitive reorganization occurs. Emotional shock, denial processes, and intrusive ideation accompany initial phases. A survey of stress and crisis literature indicated traumatic events tend to initially overwhelm individual coping resources. The adjustment process following such events appears to be characterized by phases in which gradual perceptual and cognitive reorganization occurs. Emotional shock, denial processes, and intrusive ideation accompany initial phases.

The evidence base for Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is growing, but there is a lack of experimental validation among populations with acquired brain injuries (ABI). The purpose of this study was to investigate the acceptability and effectiveness of MBCT in fostering psychological recovery among adults with ABI. More specifically, this study was conducted to:(a) extend Finucane and Mercer’s (2006) study by applying MBCT to another population (i.e., adults with ABI); (b) corroborate the Bedard et al. (2008) finding of MBCT’s effectiveness in reducing depression in adults with TBI; (c) establish if empirical findings of the effectiveness of MBCT on depression and anxiety in the general population and in primary care patients with active symptoms of depression and anxiety extended to adults with ABI; and (d) explore the effect of MBCT treatment on measures of locus of control, satisfaction with life, self-awareness, and coping in adults with ABI. A mixed methods design was used and participants were recruited from two community-based brain injury programs. The final sample comprised 12 adults with mild, moderate, and severe injuries. Interview and self-report measures were administered pre- and post-treatment. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured focus groups following MBCT treatment. Depression, denial, and self-awareness among participants showed statistically significant improvements and participants’ demonstrated statistically significant increases in positive reframing and active coping. Focus group data confirmed MBCT as an acceptable and effective approach for adults with ABI, and also speak to implications for the use of MBCT in ABI populations specifically. The need for a larger replication study with a control group is discussed. / Graduate

This study examined the roles of type of voice and locus of control on satisfaction with type of voice and on feelings of procedural justice. Two forms of voice were assessed, instrumental and non-instrumental, as well as two forms of locus of control, external and internal. Participants read a scenario that randomly placed them into type of voice. Participants responded to surveys to determine the persons' locus of control, satisfaction with voice and feelings of procedural justice. A form of participation that brings employees satisfaction is voice. Allowing employees to express their opinions is seen as fair and has benefits to employees, as well as the organization. Some individuals prefer to have an impact and be more involved in the workplace, while others do not.

Bakgrund: Basal Kroppskännedom (BK) är en rörelsebaserad behandlingsmetod som praktiseras av specialiserade sjukgymnaster/fysioterapeuter. Metoden har visat sig vara verksam på ett flertal patientgrupper, men metoden har till största delen använts och forskats på inom psykiatrin. Det har däremot inte studerats hur erfarenheten ser ut för fysioterapeuter i olika verksamheter och som arbetar med olika patientgrupper gällande hur BK kan påverka patienterna i deras vardagliga liv. Syfte: Att undersöka fysioterapeuters erfarenheter av hur behandling med Basal Kroppskännedom kan påverka patienterna i deras vardagliga liv. Metod: Studien är en kvalitativ explorativstudie. Sex informanter intervjuades utifrån en semistrukturerad intervjuguide. Dataanalysen gjordes med induktiv ansats och manifest fokus. Resultat: Dataanalysen resulterade i 7 kategorier och 22 underkategorier. De 7 kategorierna benämndes: ökad självkännedom, självkänsla, kommunikation, makt över sitt liv, hälsorelaterade beteendeförändringar, kroppsligt och bättre förutsättningar i livet. Slutsats: Studien visar att de intervjuade fysioterapeuternas erfarenhet är att behandling med Basal Kroppskännedom, oavsett patientgrupp eller verksamhet, på många sätt har en positiv inverkan på patienterna i deras vardagliga liv. Informanternas erfarenhet var att patienterna ändrade såväl inre som yttre beteenden. Till dessa räknas tankar, känslor och fysiologiska reaktioner respektive aktivitet, levnadsvanor, rörelsemönster och social interaktion. Sju kategorier och tjugotvå underkategorier identifierades vilka täcker in ovan nämnda beteenden. Författarnas uppfattning är att det verkar finnas en bred tillämpbarhet av BK inom fysioterapin. / Background: Basic Body Awareness Therapy (BBAT) is a movement-based treatment method practised by specialized physiotherapists. The method has proven to be efficient on multiple patient groups, but the method has mostly been used and researched on within the psychiatric area. However, the experiences of physiotherapists in different areas and who work with different patient groups regarding how BBAT may affect patients in their everyday life, have not been studied. Aim: To examine physiotherapists’ experiences of how treatment with basic body awareness therapy can impact patients in their everyday life. Method: The study is a qualitative explorative study. Six informants were interviewed based on a semistructured interview guide. Analysis of data was made with inductive approach and manifest focus. Result: The analysis of data resulted in 7 categories and 22 subcategories. The 7 categories were named: increased self-awareness, self-esteem, communication, power over one’s life, health related behavioral changes, bodily and better conditions in life. Conclusion: This study shows that the experiences of the physiotherapists who were interviewed are that treatment with Basic Body Awareness Therapy, regardless of patient group or area of treatment, in many ways has a positive impact on the patients in their everyday life. The experiences of the informants were that the patients changed covert as well as overt behaviors. These include thoughts, emotions, and physiological reactions respectively activities, living habits, patterns of movement and social interaction. Seven categories and twenty-two subcategories were identified which covers the mentioned behaviors. The authors view is that BBAT within physiotherapy seems to be broadly applicable.

This study was conducted to examine the sequelae of cardiovascular conditioning on locus of control, short-term mood, and psychological well-being. A pre-post test design, with control group, was used to measure the effects of a one month program of aerobic conditioning on adult volunteers. This study also sought to examine ways in which fitness changes covaried with psychological changes, and to describe patterns of change taking place during aerobic conditioning.

The failure rate in mathematics at school is high, not only in South Africa, but also internationally. Furthermore, learners with an apparently high general ability or aptitude for mathematics sometimes underachieve in the subject, while some learners with an apparently low general intellectual ability or aptitude for mathematics sometimes achieve well in the subject. Little attention is nonetheless given to learners' study orientation in mathematics, in spite of the fact that research has indicated that school mathematics is one of the best predictors of success in tertiary studies. An investigation into some epistemological approaches to the learning process in mathematics confirms that learners' achievement in mathematics is significantly affected by their study orientation in mathematics. The primary aim of this thesis was the development and evaluation of a study orientation questionnaire (SOM) in mathematics. Data processing procedures especially referred to the following two primary aims with the study: (a) Standardisation of the questionnaire. Steps carried out to evaluate the questionnaire psychometrically, include factor and item analysis. In the case of Grade 8 and 9, three fields (Study habits in mathematics, Mathematics anxiety and Study attitudes in mathematics) were identified. A fourth field, Locus of control regarding mathematics, was identified only in the case of learners in Grade 1 0 and ll. It was established that the SOM apparently has criterion related validity, as well as content and construct validity for the three language groups as a whole. Reliability coefficients for the SOM can in most cases be regarded as satisfactory. (b) Comparative studies to determine the applicability of the SOM. Analysis of variance techniques were used to determine where significant differences between groups (including grade-, mother tongue and sex groups) lay. Where MANOV AS showed significant differences, further investigation was carried out to determine in respect of which individual fields (single variables) groups differed significantly. By means of LSM it was determined which groups differed significantly in regard of the separate fields. Some of the findings include: * It seems that African language speakers in both grade groups are really trying to achieve in mathematics, but that their best efforts are not successful. * It would appear that girfs' level of Mathematics anxiety drops in Grade l 0 and ll. * Learners in Grade l 0 and ll show lower levels of Mathematics anxiety and more sufficient Study habits in mathematics than their counterparts in Grade 8 and9. * Perhaps the most significant finding is the phenomenon that African language learners in Grade l 0 and l l achieved much worse in regard of Locus of control than Afrikaans and English-speaking learners. A number of factors probably contribute towards this state of affairs, including language problems, teachers who are underqualified, African language learners' less than optimal socioeconomic status (SES) in general, a lack of facilities and text books and disruption which is still being experienced in rnnny traditionally black schools. It is recommended that these matters ·are attended to in an effort to create circumstances for more sufficient achievement in mathematics by learners from all language groups. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 1997. / Human Sciences Research Council (South Africa) / Psychology / PhD / Unrestricted

Although an extensive body of literature exists on the consequences of work-family conflict (WFC), comparatively little research has examined the construct's antecedents. Research on two sets of antecedent variables, personality and coping style, is particularly scarce. Thus, the present study expands the literature by examining four personality variables (conscientiousness, extraversion, neuroticism, and locus of control) and five coping styles (problem solving, support seeking, positive cognitive restructuring, rumination, and escape) in relation to work-interference-with-family (WIF) and family-interference-with-work (FIW) conflict. Additionally, coping style, which was assessed separately for managing work stressors and for managing family stressors, was examined as a potential mediator between personality and both directions of WFC. Two hundred and four participants, recruited from a snowball approach, completed surveys. Additionally, significant others provided ratings of conscientiousness, extraversion, and neuroticism. Of the four personality variables, only neuroticism related to WIF and FIW. Furthermore, among the hypothesized relationships between coping and WFC, only rumination and escape for work stressors related to WIF, though several cross-domain relationships were observed. Overall, the present study found little support for coping as a mediator between personality and WFC, though there was some evidence that rumination mediated the relationship between neuroticism and WIF. As a supplementary analysis, coping was examined as a moderator between personality and WFC. Theoretical and practical implications, as well as future directions, are discussed.

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