The impact of family structure on children’s outcomes is a highly debated topic in literature on the family. This research made an attempt to engage in this debate by testing the family process perspective. Theorists who favor this perspective believe that the effects of family structure on children can be mediated by the family processes occurring within families, such as the quality of parent-child relationships. The psychological wellbeing of children from six family structures were compared. After controlling for family processes and background variables the majority of the effects of family structure on children’s psychological well-being disappeared. Only children from stepfamilies had significantly lower levels of psychological well-being than children from intact homes. Stepfamilies, however, are a very complex family form and this research could not account for the possible unique processes occurring within stepfamilies. Finally, children from divorced homes did not have significantly lower levels of psychological well-being even before family processes and background variables were controlled. Overall, this research shows support for the family process perspective. / Master of Science

No description available.

No description available.

Although the debate regarding the nature and structure of psychological well-being is ongoing (see Compton, 2001; Forgeard, Jayawickreme, Kern & Seligman, 2011; Kashdan, Biswas-Diener & King, 2008; Keyes, 2002; Kopperud & Vitterso, 2008; Lent, 2004; Linley, Maltby, Wood, Osborne & Hurling, 2009; Ryan & Deci, 2001; Ryff & Singer, 1998; Wissing & Temane, 2008; Wissing & Van Eeden, 2002), there has been sufficient support for more holistic, complex and inclusive models to explain and measure psychological well-being. The intertwined experience of hedonic and eudaimonic well-being as well as overlapping intrapersonal and interpersonal well-being experience (Keyes, 2002; Wissing & Temane, 2008) is captured by some contemporary models. The General Psychological Well-being (GPW; Wissing & Temane, 2008; Wissing & Van Eeden, 2002) and the Mental Health Continuum (MHC; Keyes, 2002, 2005a, 2005b, 2007; Keyes et al., 2008) models are of particular interest in this study especially as they both represent the essence of holistic psychological well-being. Previous research has seen the proliferation of multiple constructs and sub-constructs in the study of psychological well-being in the field of positive psychology. However, little is known about the manifestation and measurement of holistic psychological well-being particularly in an African context. The present thesis intended to explore the GPW and MHC models and their measures namely, the General Psychological Well-being Scale (GPWS) and the Mental Health Continuum Short Form (MHC-SF; Keyes, 2002, 2005a) in an African Setswana-speaking group. Through this effort, research issues pertaining to theoretical conceptualisation, measurement and socio-demographic interaction were explored. The thesis comprises three sub-studies reported in three manuscripts. All data were collected in cross-sectional surveys. The scale development phase of the first sub-study utilised secondary data analyses, while primary data were collected and analysed by the researcher for the second and third sub-studies. The aim of the first manuscript was to develop and validate a self-report instrument to measure general psychological well-being within an African context. This study took place over three phases and comprised data sets with a cumulative sample of 2760 participants. The phases were 1) scale development (n=2005), 2) pilot study (n=296), and 3) scale validation (n=459). The intention was that the scale should be shorter than the previous batteries of scales used in the initial identification of the General Psychological Well-being factor (GPW) by Wissing and Van Eeden (2002). The results yielded a reliable and valid 20 item scale. A Cronbach alpha of .89 among this sample attests to its reliability. Construct and criterion-related validity were supported by confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses and inter-scale correlations. According to Noar (2003), the development of reliable and valid measures contributes to the advancement of quality research. It is envisaged that the GPWS will be of value in epidemiological and multi-disciplinary studies as well as in evaluation of the impact of interventions to enhance positive health (cf. Seligman, 2008). The aim of the second study was to explore the influence of socio-demographic variables, namely gender, age, marital status, employment status, educational level and environmental setting on holistic psychological well-being in an African sample. Keyes and Waterman (2003) included these factors among the determinants of well-being and mental health. A community sample (n=459) consisting of male (n=141) and female (n=318) Setswana-speaking adults from rural (n=210) and urban (n=249) settings participated in the study. Findings indicate that whether a person lives in an urban or rural area has the most robust influence on their psychological well-being. Furthermore, psychological well-being was found to be positively influenced by being married, having a higher educational status and being employed. Gender and age did not have any differential influence on well-being. The insights gained from these findings could help enhance understanding of the various patterns in the manifestation of psychological well-being in a (South) African context. This will allow for better targeted interventions towards the enhancement of general psychological well-being in African communities. In this case, it is apparent that rural communities are in particular need of positive development intervention. According to Farid and Lazarus (2008) intervention efforts towards the improvement of lives need to be encouraged from the level of policy development. Government and business should take interest in people’s levels of well-being in guiding policy decisions (Diener, Kesebir & Lucas, 2008). The aim of the third study was to undertake a psychometric comparison of the General Psychological Well-being Scale (GPWS) and Mental Health Continuum Short-Form (MHC-SF) in an African context. The study comprised 459 Setswana-speaking participants. The study employed three main statistical approaches, namely, classical test theory (CTT) (cf. Clark & Watson, 1995; John & Benet-Martínez, 2000; Panounen & Ashton, 1998) structural equation modelling (SEM) (Byrne, 2001; Kline, 2011), and the Rasch model (De Bruin, 2004; Linacre, 2002, 2003; Rasch, 1960) of item response theory (IRT) in comparing the two scales. Firstly the theoretical basis of the scales and their development routes were explored. Secondly results from CTT (descriptive statistics, reliability, construct and criterion-related validity), SEM (measurement model fit indices) and IRT (item fit statistics, difficulty parameters, and response scale thresholds) analyses are reported. The main finding is that the GPWS and the MHC-SF are comparable measures of holistic psychological well-being in an African context. Although the MHC-SF appeared to be marginally superior, no model and measure emerged as clearly better than the other. The findings of the three sub-studies in this thesis contribute to the study of well-being and the field of positive psychology in at least three ways. Firstly, a new self-report instrument to measure general psychological well-being was developed and validated for use in an African context. Secondly, the study highlighted the significant influence of socio-demographic variables on individuals’ psychological well-being. Thirdly, in psychometrically comparing two scales, the study not only employed CTT and SEM methods as has been previously done, but has also reported IRT’s Rasch model’s results. The thesis is a comprehensive quantitative evaluation of the two holistic psychological well-being models and their measures in an African context. Qualitative studies towards the further clarification and contextualisation of the understanding of well-being in an African context are suggested. This may serve to triangulate, contradict or pose further hypotheses regarding the findings of the present study. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011

Although the debate regarding the nature and structure of psychological well-being is ongoing (see Compton, 2001; Forgeard, Jayawickreme, Kern & Seligman, 2011; Kashdan, Biswas-Diener & King, 2008; Keyes, 2002; Kopperud & Vitterso, 2008; Lent, 2004; Linley, Maltby, Wood, Osborne & Hurling, 2009; Ryan & Deci, 2001; Ryff & Singer, 1998; Wissing & Temane, 2008; Wissing & Van Eeden, 2002), there has been sufficient support for more holistic, complex and inclusive models to explain and measure psychological well-being. The intertwined experience of hedonic and eudaimonic well-being as well as overlapping intrapersonal and interpersonal well-being experience (Keyes, 2002; Wissing & Temane, 2008) is captured by some contemporary models. The General Psychological Well-being (GPW; Wissing & Temane, 2008; Wissing & Van Eeden, 2002) and the Mental Health Continuum (MHC; Keyes, 2002, 2005a, 2005b, 2007; Keyes et al., 2008) models are of particular interest in this study especially as they both represent the essence of holistic psychological well-being. Previous research has seen the proliferation of multiple constructs and sub-constructs in the study of psychological well-being in the field of positive psychology. However, little is known about the manifestation and measurement of holistic psychological well-being particularly in an African context. The present thesis intended to explore the GPW and MHC models and their measures namely, the General Psychological Well-being Scale (GPWS) and the Mental Health Continuum Short Form (MHC-SF; Keyes, 2002, 2005a) in an African Setswana-speaking group. Through this effort, research issues pertaining to theoretical conceptualisation, measurement and socio-demographic interaction were explored. The thesis comprises three sub-studies reported in three manuscripts. All data were collected in cross-sectional surveys. The scale development phase of the first sub-study utilised secondary data analyses, while primary data were collected and analysed by the researcher for the second and third sub-studies. The aim of the first manuscript was to develop and validate a self-report instrument to measure general psychological well-being within an African context. This study took place over three phases and comprised data sets with a cumulative sample of 2760 participants. The phases were 1) scale development (n=2005), 2) pilot study (n=296), and 3) scale validation (n=459). The intention was that the scale should be shorter than the previous batteries of scales used in the initial identification of the General Psychological Well-being factor (GPW) by Wissing and Van Eeden (2002). The results yielded a reliable and valid 20 item scale. A Cronbach alpha of .89 among this sample attests to its reliability. Construct and criterion-related validity were supported by confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses and inter-scale correlations. According to Noar (2003), the development of reliable and valid measures contributes to the advancement of quality research. It is envisaged that the GPWS will be of value in epidemiological and multi-disciplinary studies as well as in evaluation of the impact of interventions to enhance positive health (cf. Seligman, 2008). The aim of the second study was to explore the influence of socio-demographic variables, namely gender, age, marital status, employment status, educational level and environmental setting on holistic psychological well-being in an African sample. Keyes and Waterman (2003) included these factors among the determinants of well-being and mental health. A community sample (n=459) consisting of male (n=141) and female (n=318) Setswana-speaking adults from rural (n=210) and urban (n=249) settings participated in the study. Findings indicate that whether a person lives in an urban or rural area has the most robust influence on their psychological well-being. Furthermore, psychological well-being was found to be positively influenced by being married, having a higher educational status and being employed. Gender and age did not have any differential influence on well-being. The insights gained from these findings could help enhance understanding of the various patterns in the manifestation of psychological well-being in a (South) African context. This will allow for better targeted interventions towards the enhancement of general psychological well-being in African communities. In this case, it is apparent that rural communities are in particular need of positive development intervention. According to Farid and Lazarus (2008) intervention efforts towards the improvement of lives need to be encouraged from the level of policy development. Government and business should take interest in people’s levels of well-being in guiding policy decisions (Diener, Kesebir & Lucas, 2008). The aim of the third study was to undertake a psychometric comparison of the General Psychological Well-being Scale (GPWS) and Mental Health Continuum Short-Form (MHC-SF) in an African context. The study comprised 459 Setswana-speaking participants. The study employed three main statistical approaches, namely, classical test theory (CTT) (cf. Clark & Watson, 1995; John & Benet-Martínez, 2000; Panounen & Ashton, 1998) structural equation modelling (SEM) (Byrne, 2001; Kline, 2011), and the Rasch model (De Bruin, 2004; Linacre, 2002, 2003; Rasch, 1960) of item response theory (IRT) in comparing the two scales. Firstly the theoretical basis of the scales and their development routes were explored. Secondly results from CTT (descriptive statistics, reliability, construct and criterion-related validity), SEM (measurement model fit indices) and IRT (item fit statistics, difficulty parameters, and response scale thresholds) analyses are reported. The main finding is that the GPWS and the MHC-SF are comparable measures of holistic psychological well-being in an African context. Although the MHC-SF appeared to be marginally superior, no model and measure emerged as clearly better than the other. The findings of the three sub-studies in this thesis contribute to the study of well-being and the field of positive psychology in at least three ways. Firstly, a new self-report instrument to measure general psychological well-being was developed and validated for use in an African context. Secondly, the study highlighted the significant influence of socio-demographic variables on individuals’ psychological well-being. Thirdly, in psychometrically comparing two scales, the study not only employed CTT and SEM methods as has been previously done, but has also reported IRT’s Rasch model’s results. The thesis is a comprehensive quantitative evaluation of the two holistic psychological well-being models and their measures in an African context. Qualitative studies towards the further clarification and contextualisation of the understanding of well-being in an African context are suggested. This may serve to triangulate, contradict or pose further hypotheses regarding the findings of the present study. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011

This research study investigates the impact of being obese on all the facets of psychological well-being of the adolescent learner. Definitions for adolescence, obesity and psychological well-being are provided. For the purpose of this study an adolescent is considered to be a scholar between 12 and 18 years. The various methods of measuring obesity are presented and briefly discussed. Body Mass Index is internationally the most commonly used indicator of obesity and was therefore applied by the researcher. The possible causes of obesity are also discussed in this study. Presently there is no accepted standardised definition of psychological well-being, which it was found involves different aspects for different people. This phenomenon varies within various circumstances, is multifaceted in character and is not static. The researcher made use of projection media, expression media, interviews and standardised media to obtain relevant information. The main conclusion is that body image and physical appearance as experienced by an obese adolescent do have a negative impact on the individual's psychological well-being. / Educational Studies / M.Ed.(Specialisation in Guidance and Counselling)

This research study investigates the impact of being obese on all the facets of psychological well-being of the adolescent learner. Definitions for adolescence, obesity and psychological well-being are provided. For the purpose of this study an adolescent is considered to be a scholar between 12 and 18 years. The various methods of measuring obesity are presented and briefly discussed. Body Mass Index is internationally the most commonly used indicator of obesity and was therefore applied by the researcher. The possible causes of obesity are also discussed in this study. Presently there is no accepted standardised definition of psychological well-being, which it was found involves different aspects for different people. This phenomenon varies within various circumstances, is multifaceted in character and is not static. The researcher made use of projection media, expression media, interviews and standardised media to obtain relevant information. The main conclusion is that body image and physical appearance as experienced by an obese adolescent do have a negative impact on the individual's psychological well-being. / Educational Studies / M.Ed.(Specialisation in Guidance and Counselling)

Объектом исследования является структура мотивации достижения. Предметом исследования является структура мотивации достижения руководителей в связи с их психологическим благополучием. Магистерская диссертация состоит из введения, трёх глав, заключения, списка литературы (65 источников), включающего в себя бланки применявшихся методик. Объем магистерской диссертации 94 страницы, на которых размещены 4 рисунка и 14 таблиц. Во введении раскрывается актуальность проблемы исследования, разработанность проблематики, ставятся цель и задачи исследования, определяются объект и предмет исследования, формулируются основная и дополнительные гипотезы, указываются методы и эмпирическая база, а также этапы проведения исследования, научная новизна, теоретическая и практическая значимость работы. Первая глава включает в себя обзор иностранной и отечественной литературы по теме мотивация достижения в целом и мотивация достижения руководителей. Представлены разделы, посвященные исследованию структурных составляющих мотивации достижения, основных подходов. Выводы по первой главе представляют собой итоги по изучению теоретического материала. Вторая глава включает в себя обзор иностранной и отечественной литературы по теме психологического благополучия в целом. Представлены разделы, посвященные исследованию показателей структурных составляющих психологического благополучия. Выводы по первой и второй главе представляют собой итоги по изучению теоретического материала. Третья глава посвящена эмпирической части исследования. В ней представлено описание организации и методов проведенного исследования и результатов, полученных по всем использованным методикам: «Опросник мотивации достижения Х. Шулера (AMI, 2004) в адаптации О.С. Виндекер, «Тест смысложизненных ориентации (СЖО)», Д.А. Леонтьев, «Тест экзистенциальных мотиваций», А. Лэнгле, «Шкала психологического благополучия К. Рифф» в адаптации Л.В. Жуковской, Е.Г. Трошихиной. Также в главе представлен сравнительный и корреляционный анализ результатов исследования. Выводы по главе три включают в себя основные результаты эмпирического исследования. В заключении в обобщенном виде изложены результаты теоретической и эмпирической частей работы, а также выводы по выдвинутым гипотезам, обоснована практическая значимость исследования и описаны возможные перспективы дальнейшей разработки данной проблематики. / The object of the study is the structure of achievement motivation. The subject of the research is the structure of executive achievement motivation in connection with their psychological well-being. The master's thesis consists of an introduction, three chapters, a conclusion, a list of references (65 sources), which includes forms of the methods used. The volume of the master's thesis is 94 pages, which contain 4 figures and 14 tables. The introduction reveals the relevance of the research problem, the development of the problem, sets the goal and objectives of the study, defines the object and subject of the study, formulates the main and additional hypotheses, indicates the methods and empirical base, as well as the stages of the study, scientific novelty, theoretical and practical significance of the work. The first chapter includes a review of foreign and domestic literature on the topic of achievement motivation in general and the achievement motivation of managers. The sections devoted to the study of the structural components of achievement motivation, the main approaches are presented. The conclusions on the first chapter are the results of the study of theoretical material. The second chapter includes a review of foreign and domestic literature on the topic of psychological well-being in general. Sections devoted to the study of indicators of the structural components of psychological well-being are presented. The conclusions on the first and second chapters are the results of the study of theoretical material. The third chapter is devoted to the empirical part of the study. It presents a description of the organization and methods of the study and the results obtained by all the methods used: “H. Schuler’s Achievement Motivation Questionnaire (AMI, 2004) adapted by O.S. Windeker, “The Test of Meaningful Life Orientations (LSS)”, D.A. Leontiev, "Test of Existential Motivations", A. Langle, "K. Riff's Scale of Psychological Well-Being" adapted by L.V. Zhukovskaya, E.G. Troshikhina. The chapter also presents a comparative and correlation analysis of the results of the study. The conclusions in chapter three include the main findings of the empirical study. In conclusion, the results of the theoretical and empirical parts of the work, as well as conclusions on the hypotheses put forward, are summarized, the practical significance of the study is substantiated, and possible prospects for further development of this issue are described.

Type I Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is a major health problem and a burden for affected young individuals, as well as for society. It is among the most prevalent paediatric disorders, affecting an estimated 1.7 per 100 children and adolescents. Given the complexity of diabetes treatment regimens, it is not surprising that children, adolescents, and their families often have difficulty adhering to these regimens. Studies have found that the overall adherence rate among children and adolescents with diabetes is about 50%. It has also been found that adherence to T1DM often tends to decrease when the adolescent begins to assume most of the responsibility for managing the disease and the parents‟ role starts to decline. However, literature indicates that adolescent patients‟ adherence is poor and an important strategy to improving their metabolic control is to increase self-care. The most common age of onset for T1DM is between 10-14 years. The adolescent population is highly neglected in current research on diabetes, because the focus tends to favour children and not adolescents. It is widely recognised that glycaemic control in adolescents is complex, challenging and dependent on interconnected relationships between numerous inputs at individual, family, community and health service levels. Optimal care of adolescents with diabetes has not been subjected to rigorous scientific studies, and research results related to optimal glycaemic control are conflicting. Development and continuous evaluation of best practices pertaining to diabetes mellitus remains one of the major objectives of diabetes care, possibly allowing a delay in and/or prevention of later complications. Research indicates that adolescence is the one age group where there has been no discernible improvement in health over the last 20 years. A great number of research studies on the subject of diabetes are done globally, but less literature, especially in the South African context, can be found that focuses on and explain the experiences of adolescents with T1DM with regard to their treatment adherence. This qualitative study explored the experiences of adolescents with T1DM. A purposive sample (n=7) of young adolescents between the ages of 13 and 15 willingly participated in the research study to explore and describe their experiences with managing their treatment regimen. In-depth interviews were conducted to collect rich descriptive data, followed by participants‟ verbal reflections once a week for the duration of a month. After the in-depth interviews and weekly reflections, the researcher held a focus group interview with all the participants. Transcribed data were analysed by means of thematic analysis from which themes and subthemes were derived. The participants expressed both positive and negative emotions associated with their diabetes; they experienced a lack of understanding by significant others because of a lack of knowledge, interest or support regarding their diabetes; they mentioned that they continually need age-appropriate support and parental involvement, even though they manage diabetes through their own processes; and lastly, participants struggled with a fear of friends‟ and peers‟ perceptions. From the findings it is clear that in order to cope, the adolescents need not only medical treatment and education about diabetes (T1DM), but emotional support, supervision and repeated reinforcement to achieve effective self-management. The basic suggestion is that diabetes care for children and young people should include routine assessment of the psychological and social pressures on the adolescent and the family so that strategies can be put in place to give support and education as needed and as appropriate. The researcher also recommends that school personnel must be educated about diabetes so that they can understand the changing medical and psychosocial needs of the adolescent and can help him/her to participate fully in all the available work, sport, and leisure activities. Models of legislation and training programmes for school staff specifically addressing the needs of children with diabetes in school have been developed in a number of countries such as Greece, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden, the UK and the USA. These programmes should be considered as an example to other countries. These best practices can serve as a foundation for national improvement. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Pregnancy can be a very difficult time of transition for some women as they have to adapt, change and prepare for the role and responsibility that awaits them after their baby is born. This is especially challenging for first-time mothers as they experience higher levels of anxiety and uncertainty than more experienced mothers. From a fortogenic perspective, pregnancy can be viewed as a developmental opportunity for maturation and growth. With high levels of psychological well-being the new mother will be able achieve optimal functioning by being a sensitive and responsive and confident in her abilities to care for her new-born baby. There is substantial evidence to show that spirituality is strongly associated with psychological well-being, but the lived experiences of first-time mothers have not yet been explored. Therefore this study aims to explore a group of first-time mothers‟ experiences of meaningfulness during their third trimester of pregnancy by focusing on their spirituality. Qualitative research and a phenomenological design were used to gain in-depth understanding of the experiences of first-time mothers. The Mmogo-Method® and reflective journals were used as data-gathering techniques and visual and textual data were captured. The data were analysed by using thematic analysis (textual) and comparing the symbolic values (visual) with the research question. This group of first-time mothers expressed a very personal and intimate relationship with a Divine reality that they rely on and from it they derive a sense of meaningfulness. This sense of meaning stems from their belief that the Divine reality is the giver of life; they were given a responsibility to carry new life. Unconditional trust in the Divine reality makes them willing to surrender control of their lives and accept the responsibility they were given. They find meaning, which potentially has implications for higher levels of psychological well-being. The findings of this research provide the basis for developing interventions for mothers-to-be to make sense of their pregnancy by relying on their pre-existing spiritual frameworks. / MA (Research Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014