Magister Psychologiae - MPsych / The South African Choice on Termination of Pregnancy (CTOP) Act (no. 92 of 1996) regulates the process of termination of pregnancy in the country. However, research has shown noncompliance to the stipulation leading to clandestine practices, ostracism and lack of knowledge regarding the Act. The aim of this study was thus to explore perceptions of Psychology Honours students toward termination of pregnancy as well as to investigate their knowledge of the CTOP Act and assess how far the legislature informs their perceptions, if at all. Although CTOP Act legislation stipulates pre and post CTOP counselling, evidence suggests that few women seeking termination of pregnancy (TOP) rarely receive counselling as envisaged. Numerous challenges were indicated as factors affecting the implementation of this stipulation. Considering this evidence, the way that prospective mental health care professionals such as Psychology Honours students’ – perceptions toward TOP were regarded pivotal in engaging with the implementation of the TOP legislature. A qualitative exploratory research design was used to explore and describe the perceptions that Psychology Honours students have toward TOP. Individual interviews with 15 students from a historically disadvantaged university in the Western Cape were conducted and recorded. The collected data was transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s model of Thematic Analysis. The results from the collected data reveal complex perceptions toward TOP. Participants reflected gradual modification of their perspectives due to exposure to different contexts and views in tertiary institutions, different friends and social engagements. Most participants indicated a religious background, however, indicated deviation from religious prescriptions pertaining to TOP.

Magister Psychologiae - MPsych / Literature identified Psychology students to be vulnerable to the stress associated with professional postgraduate studies and the nature of multiple processes. Less research has been conducted on Honours students as a cohort. The present study attempted to examine the associations between personality traits, perceived stress and coping styles in a sample of Honours students and post-Honours interns enrolled at a historically disadvantaged university. The present study was a cross-sectional internet survey including four instruments: the Brief COPE questionnaire (coping styles), the Perceived Stress Scale (subjective stress), the Big 5 Personality Survey (BFI-10) (personality traits) and a demographic questionnaire. All participation was voluntary and general principles of ethics were adhered to. The data was analysed using frequencies, correlation matrices, coefficients of determination and and regression. Findings indicated medium levels of perceived stress in this sample including contextual factors like gender, age and race. The B.Psych students reported reduced ranges on perceived stress compared to Honours students. Personality profiles indicated the four highest ranked traits (agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness and extraversion) closely banded. Neuroticism was ranked substantially lower in this sample. More adaptive coping styles like (planning, religion, active coping, acceptance etc.) were used than maladaptive coping styles. Associative relationships were indicated between demographic variables and coping, personality traits and perceived stress respectively. Race, Gender, relationship status, registration status and Age was found to correlate significantly with the three core constructs (perceived stress, coping and personality traits). Findings indicated predictive relationships between combinations of coping styles which could significantly predict perceived stress. Maladaptive coping significantly predicted perceived stress controlling for adaptive coping (e.g. emotion-focused coping and problem-focused coping).