M.Sc. / The current study sought to investigate the relationship between stress and illness, while examining the effects of daily stressors, depression, hardiness, social support and coping skills on this relationship. The information gathered was then used to design a time and cost effective questionnaire to predict people prone to stress-related illness. This questionnaire has been called the Stress Fitness Scale. The subjects (n = 44) were split into three groups (healthy, ill, and neither ill nor healthy) according to their scores on Gurin's Psychosomatic Symptom List for non-parametric statistical analysis. Scores on the Hardiness Scale, Perceived Social Support Friends and Family, Beck Depression Inventory, COPE, Hassles and Uplifts Scale and Life Experiences were analysed and significant differences were found between the ill and healthy groups in all five areas using a Mann-Whitney U test. An intercorrelation matrix was performed and significant correlation was found between Stress Fitness and the other scales, although not for all the sub-scales. Many of these correlations corresponded with the differences found between the two groups using the Mann-Whitney U test. Item analysis was performed on the Stress Fitness Scale. Significant inter correlation was found for all the items of the Prone sub-scale, and all but three items of the Protect sub-scale. Although further research is necessary, from this limited study the Stress Fitness Scale appears to provide a time and cost effective way of predicting people prone to stress-related illness.

A comparison of Lower Grade and Higher Grade pupils with regard to intelligence, self-concept and adjustment. 29 Lower and 29 Higher grade pupils in Stds 8 and 9 at a Jewish community day school were compared with regard to their I Q scores, self-concepts and adjustment level. These variables were measured on the following tests: The NSAGT; the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale and the PHSF Relations Questionnaire. The data from the two groups were compared by means of a t-test for small samples and the results demonstrated a significant difference (p≤0,01) for I Q scores and for self-concept but did not reveal a significant difference on most of the 12 sub-scales of the PHSF Relations Questionnaire. As regards the latter, a significant difference (p<0,05) was obtained on the sub-scale Sociability - S for female pupils and a significant difference was obtained on sub-scales Self-Confidence (p≤0,01) and Formal Relations (p≤0,05) for male pupils. The significant difference in I Q scores can be partially understood in terms of the selection criteria for admission to the Lower Grade class. The significant difference in self-concept can be attributed to the difference on the Intellectual and School Status sub-category. The lack of significant differences on the other sub-scales suggest that factors other than academic achievement are important in terms of self-concept formation for example:- class structure; membership of peer groups; extra-mural activities and family relationships. The lack of significant difference between Lower and Higher Grade pupils in the area of ,adjustment can perhaps be explained in terms of the Lower Grade pupils' relatively high scores on other sub-categories of the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale i.e. it was only as regards intellectual status that the Lower Grade perceived themselves as less able.

Research report submitted to the Faculty of Education, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education (Educational Psychology) Johannesburg 1994. / This thesis discusses the need for research paradigms within the human sciences which will address human development needs with in the South African context. it documents a research methodology designed to address the development of human relations in organizations so as to facilitate the construction of nurturing and learning environments. The concept of mental health and its interconnection with the development of human relations in organizations is explored to enhance the understanding of the needs of employees in organizations within the South African context. The research process advocates consultation and negotiation of issues relating to human relations and mental health, It also provides opportunity for the exploration and co-creation a bridge between mental health, development of human relations in organizations and research. The research was conducted within the parameters of the ecosystemic paradigm and influenced by social construction theory. It incorporates both quantitative and qualitative methods. / AC2017

No description available.

M.S.

M.A. / The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between job involvement and job satisfaction between the traffic officers and bus drivers of the Germiston Transitional Local Council. The following research questions were addressed: What are the levels of job involvement and job satisfaction that traffic officers and bus drivers experience? How does job involvement and job satisfaction of traffic officers and bus drivers compare? What is the relationship between job involvement and job satisfaction? Since this is a quantitative quasi-experimental investigation, the following hypotheses have been formulated, namely; Hypothesis 1. There is no statistically significant differences between the mean test scores of traffic officers and bus drivers in respect of job involvement and job satisfaction. Hypothesis 2: There is no statistically significant correlations between job involvement -- --and -job satisfaction, satisfaztion-and-extrinsit -satisfactioa of traffi -c--. officers - - bus drivers. In order to test the above mentioned hypotheses, the two group comparison and the popular Job Involvement Scale and Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire have been utilized as measurement instruments. The results of this study supported hypothesis one because there was no statistically significant difference between the mean test score of traffic officers and bus drivers in respect of job involvement and job satisfaction. With reference to hypothesis two, the results indicated that there is no correlation between job involvement and job satisfaction (including the sub components). The results indicated a correlation between job satisfaction, intrinsic and extrinsic satisfaction. The results of this study have demonstrated that the traffic officers and bus drivers are able to distinguish the extent to which they like their job (satisfaction), the degree to which they are absorbed in or preoccupied with their job, and the degree of attachment of loyalty they feel toward their employing organization. Finally, there is a need to replicate these findings. The use of a single local authority as the research site is a potential limitation in terms of validity and reliability of the results.

M.A. / The present study was undertaken in an attempt to understand and ascertain the relation between personality traits and posttraumatic stress (PTSD) in the South African Police Service (SAPD) leading to chronic illness and work-related dysfunctions. The specific hypothesis for this study will show that by means of the Comrey Personality Scales (CPS) a statistic significant distinction between police officers with PTSD and police officers without PTSD exists. The testing of the hypothesis entailed a group of 120 functional police officers that consists of white, male nonofficers. They worked in the Pretoria area of the SAPD. The PTSD status of the subjects was assessed by means of the PTDS Interview Guide of Watson, Juba, Manifold, Kucala and Anderson (1991). Police officers that met the criteria for PTSD by means of the PTSD Interview Guide were place in one group (PTSD-group, n = 414. Police officers that did not meet the criteria were placed in another group (Non-PTSD-group, n = 79). Personality traits were measured by means of the CPS. There was a significant difference between the personality traits of the PTSDgroup in comparison with the Non-PTSD-group. The PTSD-group appears to be more compulsive and ordered, more introspective, more neurotic, more sensitive and more defensive in comparison with the Non-PTSD-group. It is postulated that these personality traits can possibly cause policemen to be more susceptible for the development of PTSD.

This study aimed to investigate the effects that a specifically tailored goal-setting program would have on two motocross racers in terms of their self-efficacy and motivation, as well as the process of designing this intervention. This case-study approach involved a mixed methods approach, consisting of pre-intervention and post-intervention assessments, interviews, and performance profiles. The tools used include Vealey’s (1986) Competitive Orientation Inventory (COI), Gill and Deeter’s (1988) Sport Orientation Questionnaire (SOQ), performance profiles, and semi-structured interviews. The goal-setting intervention lasted a total of five weeks. The results from the preintervention and post-intervention assessments were compared to determine whether any changes in motivation or self-efficacy occurred during the intervention. For the first participant, significant changes in both motivation and self-efficacy were present in addition to significant changes in competitive orientation. For the second participant, there were no significant changes in either motivation or self-efficacy. However, for the second participant there was also no change in competitive orientation. Findings suggest that the focus and competitive orientation of an athlete have a significant influence on the types of goals set, and consequently on positive changes in motivation, confidence, and self-efficacy. The influence of the competitive orientation in athletes also highlighted the importance of attaining a balance between performance and outcome goal-related activities. It was also discovered through qualitative assessment that this program is suitable for particular groups of athletes such as those who are injured, display an external locus of causality or are otherwise not performing at their prime.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Treatment outcome research strives towards objective estimates of disorder-specific treatment efficacy and has been applied to most psychiatric disorders. However, due to shortcomings in outcome research designs, problems still remain regarding the interpretation and generalisability of treatment outcomes. This is despite the development of research methodology criteria such as the Gold Standards, currently viewed as essential criteria for well-controlled cognitive-behavioural outcome research. The objectives of this assignment are (a) to assess the Gold Standards as criteria for treatment outcome research by means of a qualitative overview and evaluation of exposure treatment studies for PTSD, and (b) to make recommendations for the expansion and/or modification of these criteria. An assessment of five selected treatment outcome trials, based on the Gold Standards, showed significant limitations in the scope of the Gold Standards regarding (a) the inclusion of target symptoms in the research hypotheses, (b) estimates of treatment adherence, (c) guidelines for statistical analyses of attrition points, (d) the ethical implementation of exposure treatment, and (e) estimates of significant clinical change. It is concluded that the Gold Standards are not sufficient to ensure valid and reliable treatment outcomes. Recommendations are made for the expansion of four of the existing Gold Standards parameters and three additional criteria are proposed. Key words: treatment outcome research, Gold Standards, post-traumatic stress disorder, exposure therapy. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Navorsing oor behandelingsuitkoms streef na objektiewe resultate oor die uitkoms van behandeling vir spesifieke psigiatriese versteurings. Nogtans, weens tekortkominge in die ontwerp van uitkomsstudies, word talle probleme steeds ervaar met die interpretasie en veralgemeenbaarheid van die resultate van die studies. Dit is die geval ten spyte van die ontwikkeling van navorsingskriteria soos die "Gold Standards" wat huidig as die belangrikste kriteria vir uitkomsstudies op die gebied van die kognitiewe gedragsterapie aanvaar word. Hierdie projek het ten doelom (a) die Gold Standards as kriteria vir uitkomsnavorsing te assesseer deur middel van 'n kwalitatiewe oorsig en evaluering van vyf geselekteerde uitkomsstudies van blootstellingsterapie vir post-traumatiese stresversteuring, en (b) om aanbevelings te maak ter aanvulling enJofwysiging van die Gold Standards. Evaluasie van die studies het betekenisvolle beperkings in die Gold Standards se omvattenheid uitgelig in terme van (a) die insluiting van teikensimptome in die navorsingshipoteses, (b) die skatting van behandelingvoitrekking ("treatment adherence"), (c) riglyne vir die statistiese analise van data oor attrisie, (d) die etiese implementering van blootstellingsterapie, en (e) skattings van betekenisvolle kliniese verandering. Dit blyk dat die Gold Standards nie voldoende is om geldige en betroubare resultate oor behandelingsuitkomste te verseker nie. Aanbevelings word gemaak vir die hersiening van vier van die Gold Standards kriteria en drie addisionele kriteria word voorgestel. Sleutelwoorde: behandelingsuitkomsnavorsing. Gold Standards, post-traumatiese stresversteuring, blootstellingsterapie.

Dementia is a progressive disease characterised by a widespread impairment of mental functioning including cognitive skills. Research has suggested that arts and health interventions can have positive effects in terms of physical and mental health in people with a dementia. The current study evaluated the impact of two, eight week, art-gallery based interventions, including art-viewing and art-making, for 13 people with dementia and their carers. Audio recordings of these sessions were transcribed and analysed using content analysis. The study sought to identify the impact of the intervention on cognition, in particular, on verbal fluency and memory. The findings suggested that on the whole, the intervention promoted increases in verbal fluency and in memory stimulation, which is consistent with previous research. Despite the methodological limitations inherent in this pilot study, the findings provide rationale for further controlled research and implications for clinical practice in encouraging clinicians to seek out links with community art gallery resources in order to facilitate the development of further interventions of this kind.