By adopting a positive psychology framework, the aim of this study was to explore and describe the level of curiosity and exploration amongst psychologists-in-training, and how they dealt with uncertainty in the context of their professional development. A mixed-method exploratory-descriptive research design was employed to collect the quantitative data by means of the Curiosity and Exploratory Inventory. The qualitative data were collected using semistructured interviews to explore how psychologists-in-training have dealt with uncertainty. Purposive-availability sampling was used to select the participants at three South African universities. A total number of 50 participants completed the CEI and six participants were interviewed. The data were analysed using mixed-method data analysis. It was found that participants had moderate-to-high levels of curiosity and exploration, with higher levels of exploration than absorption. The majority of participants reported that they actively sought as much information as they could and frequently looked for new opportunities to grow as persons. The strategies used by the selected group of participants to deal with uncertainty included: reliance on clinical supervision; consultation with peers; self-enhancement; reliance on theory; learning from practical experience; using certain cognitive appraisals; and self-care. Certain conclusions and recommendations were made based on the findings of the study.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Masters of Arts in Demography and Population Studies, 2017 / Background: Risky behaviours among adolescents are notably the most important factors contributing to negative health outcomes of this population group. Adolescents in South Africa are at risk of the HIV infection, unintended pregnancies, unintentional injuries (motor vehicle accidents) and substance and drug abuse. South Africa is regarded as one of the countries with nearly half adolescents living with HIV, as a result of unprotected sex. It is also regarded as one of the countries with motor accidents cases and as a result of reckless driving and substance use. To understand this, there is substantial research on the demographic and socio-demographic determinants of risky behaviour amongst adolescents but little research on the household and community factors. The main aim of this study is to determine the contextual determinants of adolescent risky behaviours in South Africa. Method: This study used data from the South African Youth Life Style Survey of 2008. The study sample size is 3336 adolescents aged 12 to 19 across all nine provinces in South Africa. Risky behaviours are organized using an ecological framework into individual, household, and community levels. Binary- multilevel logistic regression was employed to analyze the data. Results: The results indicated that age, sex, education, race, living arrangements, number of income earners, were significant, however, the relationship between risky behaviours and community level variables were negatively significant. . 3336 adolescents participated in the study, 934 (28.0%) had sexual intercourse and 158 (4.74%) had two or more sexual partners, and 234 (7.01) did not use a condom during their last sex. In terms of substance use, 34.24 % ever used alcohol and about 24.45% ever been a passenger with a driver under the influence. Adolescents who were living with their grandparents (OR=1.07), living in a household with seven or more members (OR=1.06), while residing in had a higher likelihood of engaging in risky behaviours. Findings demonstrated that community level factors were not associated with reports of risky behaviour among adolescents but were influential in shaping the risky behaviour of adolescents. Conclusion: Firstly, results from this research will provide a better understanding of the contextual factors that relate to risky behaviours. Secondly, results from this research will help inform polices such as the National Youth Policy in reducing risky behaviours. Lastly, interventions aimed at reducing risky behaviours among adolescents in South Africa should not only focus on individual level but also on the household and community engagement. / XL2018

A growing body of research has explored the relationship between attachment styles and sexual behaviour, although these two systems, along with care-giving, are theorized to constitute romantic love (Fraley & Shaver, 2000; Hazan & Shaver, 1987). The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between attachment styles and risky sexual behaviour in young adults. A secondary aim was to explore the relationship between particularly risky sexual behaviours and participants’ membership to an attachment dimension. In addition to this, the role of self-esteem as a moderating effect on risky sexual behaviour and attachment dimension was examined. A questionnaire survey was administered to a convenience sample of 211 undergraduate university students with ages ranging from 17 to 24 years. The gender make up of this sample constituted 80 males (37.9%) and 131 Females (62.1%). The Past and Present Sexual History Questionnaire was used to measure risky sexual behaviour. Attachment dimensions were calculated by means of the Adult Attachment Scale (AAS) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE) was used to determined participants self-esteem. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.

Research on risk and resilience related to behaviour and poor health outcomes among young people consistently indicates the need to take greater cognisance of social and environmental factors. This is particularly true of research in developing countries. In South Africa, there is a paucity of research on these issues. This study attempts to examine risk and protective factors, as well as coping style of young South Africans at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg. Environmental risk and protective factors measured were related to family, peers, and financial support. Categories of risk behaviour and poor health outcomes measured were substance use, sexual behaviour, general risk behaviour and depression. Broad-based questionnaires were sent to 2000 randomly selected students aged between 18 and 24 years old, and completed by 678 students. Results indicated that there was a trend towards gender equalisation in levels of risk and poor health outcomes- that there were significant relationships between many risk behaviours and poor health outcomes- that coping styles were correlated with risk behaviour and poor health outcomes in the expected direction (avoidance coping correlated positively and approach coping correlated negatively with risk behaviour, poor health outcomes and environmental risk factors)- and that environmental risk factors (low family, peer, and financial support) were associated with high levels of risk behaviour and poor health outcomes including sexual risks and depression. A contextual model was employed to explain the importance of environmental factors and coping styles in the promotion of health and wellbeing. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.