Thesis (MComm (Industrial Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between Emotional Intelligence, Stress and Coping Strategies in the occupation of air traffic control. The focus was to determine whether the Emotional Intelligence of an Air Traffic Controller might have an effect on the recognition and management of stressful situations, and influence the way they select coping strategies. Due to a lack of research on air traffic control in South Africa, focus are not only on the stress levels of Air Traffic Controllers, but also how their Emotional Intelligence could assist in the recognition and management of the stress they experience, and ultimately then contribute to select appropriate Coping Strategies. A literature study discussed the role of Air Traffic Controllers, and factors that contribute to them experiencing stress. The constructs of Stress, Emotional Intelligence and Coping were elaborated on in detail. The constructs were defined as follows: Stress, as any demand eliciting a negative emotional state, that exceeds an individual’s resources to cope; Emotional Intelligence, as the process of emotional information processing consisting of the dimensions of Self Awareness, Self Regulation, Motivation, Empathy and Social Skills (Rahim & Minors, 2003); and Coping as the efforts to manage environmental and internal demands and conflicts which tax or exceed a person’s resources (Lazarus & Launier, 1978).

This study investigated the effects of an individually administered versus a group-administered stress management training program on various measures of stress, job satisfaction, and burnout among mental health workers. A total of 36 subjects, who were employed in Texas community mental health facilities, participated in the study. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups: an experimental group (N = 12) which received training on an individual basis, an experimental group (N = 12) which received training in small groups of four to six subjects, and a control group (N = 12) which did not receive training. Both didactic and experimental modes were utilized during the six-week training program. All experimental subjects practiced relaxation daily and were exposed to a broad range of coping skills for stress management.This study investigated the effects of an individually administered versus a group-administered stress management training program on various measures of stress, job satisfaction, and burnout among mental health workers. A total of 36 subjects, who were employed in Texas community mental health facilities, participated in the study. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups: an experimental group (N = 12) which received training on an individual basis, an experimental group (N = 12) which received training in small groups of four to six subjects, and a control group (N = 12) which did not receive training. Both didactic and experimental modes were utilized during the six-week training program. All experimental subjects practiced relaxation daily and were exposed to a broad range of coping skills for stress management.

Bakgrund: Sjuksköterskor är en utsatt grupp som riskerar utbrändhet då deras arbete ofta är krävande, stressigt och emotionellt påfrestande. Den påtagliga stressen leder till att vårdkvalitén och mötet med patienten försämras samt att sjuksköterskor sjukskrivs eller väljer att byta yrke. Mindfulness är ett förhållningssätt och en träning som används för att behandla stress, utbrändhetssymtom och öka medveten närvaro. Syfte: Syftet var att beskriva upplevd effekt av mindfulnessträning på stress, utbrändhet och medveten närvaro bland sjuksköterskor. Metod: För att sammanställa forskning som svarar på syftet har en litteraturöversikt genomförts. Sökning i databaserna Cinahl och PsycInfo resulterade i tio vetenskapliga artiklar med kvantitativ och kvalitativ data. Granskning och analys har gjorts i enlighet med Friberg kvalitetsmall. Resultat: Resultatet presenteras i tre teman; mindfulness inverkan på stress, mindfulness inverkan på utbrändhet och effekter av att vara medvetet närvarande. Mindfulness visade signifikant minskning på stress och ökade deltagares välmående och känsla av medveten närvaro. Mindfulness hade varierande effekt på utbrändhet. Diskussion: Sammanställda artiklars resultat diskuteras utifrån Watsons vårdvetenskapliga teori. Mindfulness reducerar stress och ökar välmåendet bland sjuksköterskor. Variation i deltagande, motivation, tid och prioritering påverkade effekten av träningen. Longitudinella studier behövs för att mäta effekten på utbrändhet. / Background: Nurses are a vulnerable group that is at risk of burnout as their work is often demanding, stressful and emotionally hard. The tangible stress results not only in a deterioration of both the quality of care and the meeting with patients but on nurses having to take long-term sick leave or choosing to change their profession as well. Mindfulness is an approach and exercise that is used to treat stress, burnout symptoms and increase awareness. Aim: The purpose was to describe the perceived effect of mindfulness training on stress, burnout and awareness among nurses. Method: In order to compile research corresponding to the purpose of this study, a literature review has been carried out. Searching in Cinhal and PsycInfo databases produced ten scientific articles with both quantitative and qualitative data. Review and analysis have been carried out in accordance with Friberg’s quality model. Results: The results are presented in three subjects: mindfulness impact on stress, mindfulness impact on burnout and mindfulness impact on awareness. Mindfulness showed significant reduction in stress and increased participants’ wellbeing and sense of awareness. Mindfulness had varying effects on burnout. Discussion: Results of the compiled articles are discussed in accordance with Watson’s theory. Mindfulness reduces stress and increases the wellbeing of nurses. Variation in participation, motivation, time and priority influenced the effect of the training. Longitudinal studies are needed to measure the effects on burnout.

Ph.D. (Education) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Bakgrund: Stressrelaterad ohälsa ses idag som ett folkhälsoproblem. Många patienter söker sig i första hand till distriktssköterskor i primärvården för dessa hälsoproblem. Syfte: Att belysa de faktorer av betydelse i det hälsofrämjande arbetet för patienter i primärvården som besväras av stressrelaterad ohälsa. Metod: En integrativ litteraturstudie med granskning och analys av kvantitativa och kvalitativa vetenskapliga artiklar samt artiklar som utgjorts av mixad metod. Analysen har följt en stegvis analys som utmynnat i att textenheter med liknande innebörd bildat kategorier och underkategorier. Resultat: Studien baseras på 16 vetenskapliga artiklar och resulterade i två kategorier: betydelsen av fysiska faktorer och betydelsen av psykologiska faktorer som berör olika hälsofrämjande metoder och insatser. Sammanfattningsvis kan patienter i primärvården som besväras av stressrelaterad ohälsa bemötas av distriktssköterska som ger vägledning och rådgivning. Patienter kan sedan implementera dessa råd och stöd i sin vardag för att minska sin upplevda stress. För att kunna arbeta hälsofrämjande och förebyggande mot stressrelaterad ohälsa behöver distriktssköterskan nationella riktlinjer och ökad utbildning inom området. Denna litteraturstudie skulle kunna ligga till grund för vidare forskning inom området. / Background: Stress-related ill health is seen as a public health problem today. Many patients seek primary health care nurses in the primary health care sector for these health problems. Purpose: To highlight the factors of importance in the health promotion of primary health care patients who are bothered by stress-related ill health. Method: An integrative literature study with the examination and analysis of quantitative and qualitative scientific articles as well as articles made by mixed method. The analysis has followed a step-by-step analysis that resulted in the fact that text units with similar meanings form themes. Result: The study is based on 16 scientific articles and resulted in two categories: the importance of physical factors and the importance of psychological factors that affect different health promotion methods and interventions. In summary, patients in primary care who are bothered by stress-related ill health can be treated by district nurses who provide guidance and counseling. Patients can then implement these advice and support in their daily lives to reduce their perceived stress. In order to be able to promote health promotion and prevention of stress-related ill health, the district nurse needs national guidelines and increased education in the area. This literature study could form the basis for further research in the field.

The thesis named "The Application of self-management methods to prevent burn- out syndrome of the kindergarten headpersons" follows the objective to identify self- management methods and time and stress managements for kindergarten headpersons. In the theoretical section the work is based on findings about the kindergarten headpersons, their motivation, competence, self-management, self-reflection and regards also self- development. The work futher deals with burn-out syndrome, its symptoms and prevention methods, time and stress managements, tools and methods assisting time managements and refers also so called time thieves. Equally the work mentions the stress which is accompanying the headpearsons and describes the stress symptoms, its positive and negative efects on individual and describes also the prevention which should be helpful to control the stress situations. The theoretical section of the work is based on expert literature and explains terms and views of authors dealing with self, time and stress- managements. The research inquiry was aimed at identification of methods from the sphere of self,time and stress-managements applied by kindergarten headpersons within the frame of their self-management which are helpfull to prevent stress and consequent burn-out syndrome. The research iquiry...

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology / Stephen L. Benton / This study explored the relationship between a variety of health behaviors and life satisfaction in college students. University students (N=794) enrolled in a midwestern university during the Fall, 2006 and Spring, 2007 semester, completed an online Health Behavior Assessment designed to measure body mass index (BMI), frequency of physical activity behavior, fruit and vegetable consumption, sleep behavior, alcohol use, frequency of use of stress-management skills, stage of change for physical activity, stage of change for fruit and vegetable consumption, stage of change for frequency of stress-management skills, and life satisfaction. As predicted, significant correlations were found between life satisfaction and BMI, frequency of physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, and frequency of use of stress- management skills. Students who regularly received 6-8 hours of sleep showed higher levels of life satisfaction. Students in the maintenance stage of change for physical activity behavior and stress-management skill use were found to have higher levels of life satisfaction compared to individuals in earlier stages of change. Results indicated that increased life satisfaction is related to a variety of health behaviors in college students.

M.A. (Psychology) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.Cur. (Psychiatric Nursing Science) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Abstract A profile on alcohol consumption among South African dentists – A dentist’s perspective: JH Olivier Background This study investigated alcohol use linked to the stress of a selected sample of South African dentists. The only other related topic in South Africa, that the researcher could find, was done in 1996 at the University of Stellenbosch. The literature suggests that prevalence studies of substance use and abuse rarely include dentists. Methods A dominant quantitative approach with a less dominant qualitative approach was utilized. The quantitative-descriptive design (survey with a questionnaire) was used to obtain data with regard to biographical/background information, stress and coping, quantity and frequency of alcohol use, and dysfunction as a result of alcohol use among a randomly selected sample of 110 South African dentists with a response rate of 70%. The respondents’ perspective on alcohol use linked to the stress of the dental profession with recommendations were also obtained. For the qualitative data collection, the researcher utilized the collective case study. He planned semi-structured interviews with an interview schedule with five dentists that have already had treatment for alcohol abuse or were self-characterized as problem drinkers. Unfortunately, two of the respondents who characterized themselves as heavy alcohol users died before they could be interviewed. Because of ethical reasons and the sensitivity of the topic they could not be replaced. Findings The quantitative study indicated that: (1) the respondents experienced significant amounts of occupational stress (2) the majority of the respondents do physical exercise to reduce their stress (3) a great number of respondents socialize with friends to reduce their stress (4) some respondents actually use alcohol to reduce their stress (5) stress levels of the respondents in private practice and stress levels of the respondents in other sectors are the same (6) alcohol consumption of male and female dentists is the same (7) respondents who reported less areas of stress consumed more alcohol than those who reported more areas of stress (8) a great number of the respondents experience high stress levels but do not use alcohol, or they only use alcohol to socialize (9) less than 3% of the respondents reported that alcohol use has affected their work as a dentist (10) the majority of the respondents believe that some dentists consume alcohol as a coping mechanism concerning social anxiety, occupational stress and personal factors. The qualitative study indicated that: (1) the habit of alcohol use that may lead to alcohol dependency starts at university (2) the respondents, who had treatment for alcohol dependency, experienced high levels of occupational stress (3) the respondents link their dependency directly to the stress and strain of their profession. Conclusions There are more intense and less intense stressors among South African dentists and there are some dentists that consume alcohol to relieve the stress and strain of their profession. However, the majority only use alcohol as a way of socializing. Less than 3% of the respondents reported that alcohol use has affected their work as a dentist. Recommendations Modules on coping mechanisms linked to the stress and strain of the dental profession should be included in the curricula at dental schools. The compulsory CPD programme of the HPCSA should include stress management and healthy coping mechanism courses. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted