The primary objective was to determine whether there is a relationship between emotional intelligence, locus of control and sense of coherence in a market research organisation. A secondary objective was to determine whether individuals from various biographical groups differed significantly in terms of emotional intelligence, locus of control and sense of coherence. A sample of 179 participants completed the Bar-On EQ-i, Locus of Control Inventory and Sense of Coherence Scale. There was a statistically significant relationship between emotional intelligence, locus of control and sense of coherence. No significant gender differences were found. Furthermore, the findings showed differences between occupational levels in terms of both internal locus of control and sense of coherence, but not for emotional intelligence. No significant differences were evident between education, work experience or age in terms of the three constructs. An emotional intelligence intervention programme was recommended, as well as the use of an emotional intelligence assessment instrument. Recommendations for future research included broadening the relevance of the results. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

No description available.

The aim of this flexible, multi-method case-study (after Yin 1994, 2003), was to elicit the 'student perspective' on issues relating to mental well-being within the Higher Education Institution setting. It has been guided by the ideology of the health promotion model, the concept of salutogenesis and the Health Promoting University initiative. Phase One consisted of eleven focus group discussions involving fifty one self-selecting participant undergraduates and a semi-structured interview conducted with the lead medical practitioner of the Medical Centre on site. In Phase Two, a quota sample of 806 undergraduates completed a questionnaire. The three datasets were analysed according to a facilitative and complementary approach (Brannen 2004) and in keeping with assumptions of the paradigms from which they originated. The qualitative data were analysed within the framework provided by Miles and Huberman (1994) and the survey was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings demonstrated that this multi-site university may have specific difficulties with regard to the provision of equal access to the support services. Reduced pastoral care could pose risks to the mental well-being of some students whereas the allocation of students to a personal tutor might increase levels of social capital and reduce symptoms of 'anomie'. Conclusions of the study suggest that HEIs need an understanding of the concerns of the students and their help-seeking behaviour in order to define 'health assets' and minimise 'health deficits'. Overall, the development of co-ordinated institutional support service provision - that is responsive to the needs of a diverse student body - facilitates and supports the creation of a salutogenic environment that both promotes and sustains mental well-being. Health education programmes need to address the persistence of stigma and discrimination. Attention should be focused on health protection measures so that all groups of students are treated equally and fairly in order to counter-balance a possible residual biomedical approach to health promotion from within the medical sector provision. As a case-study of one university, the findings may be theoretically generalisable to other similar multi-site HEIs in their mental health promotion provision.

Student Number : 8609483Y - MA Dissertation - School of Human and Community Development - Faculty of Humanties / This study undertook to investigate the validity of the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC Scale) for use in South Africa. The scale was developed by Antonovsky (1987) and is widely used in stress and health research. It measures three components: meaningfulness, comprehensibility, and manageability, which Antonovsky posited as being central to a person’s sense of coherence (SOC), which in turn facilitates coping and personal resilience. The current research utilised two samples, namely a group of disabled individuals and a group of undergraduate psychology students. It found that while the SOC Scale is indeed a useful psychometric instrument within a South African context, it would be advisable to develop a modified version of the scale for local use. Factor analysis suggested that a three-factor solution is more appropriate than a one-factor solution, a finding which is congruent with Antonovsky’s theory. Suggestions are made for modifications to some of the original 29 items, as well as the subscales, of the SOC Scale.

O Senso de Coerência (SOC) reflete a forma como o indivíduo percebe a sua saúde e enfrenta os agentes estressores. O SOC está associado à qualidade de vida, sendo considerado um importante preditor de saúde. Este estudo têm o objetivo de investigar a associação entre o senso de coerência e os diferentes domínios da qualidade de vida (físico, psicológico, relações sociais e meio ambiente) em indivíduos de 50 a 74 anos residentes em Porto Alegre, Brasil. Trata-se de um estudo transversal com uma amostra de 720 sujeitos, selecionados por processo de amostragem aleatória proporcional em múltiplos-estágios. Foram utilizados dois instrumentos: Sense of Coherence Scala (SOC 13) e o World Health Organization Abbreviated Instrument for Quality Of Life Assessment (qa21’WHOQOL-BREF). As análises univariada e multivariada foram realizadas por meio de regressão linear, observando-se associação significativa do escore senso de coerência com a qualidade de vida, mesmo quando ajustado para as variáveis sóciodemográficas (p<0,001). Para um aumento de 10 pontos no escore do senso de coerência, há um aumento médio de 6,8 pontos nos escores de qualidade de vida no domínio psicológico (b=6,80; IC 95%: 5,94 a 7,67); 6,45 pontos no domínio físico (b=6,45; IC95%: 5,38 a 7,53); 5,51 pontos no domínio de relações sociais (b=5,51; IC 95%: 4,53 a 6,49); e de 4,73 pontos nos escores do domínio meio ambiente (b=4,73; IC 95%: 3,84 a 5,61). O escore global de qualidade de vida aumenta, em média, 6,84 pontos a cada 10 pontos do escore do senso de coerência (b=6,84; IC 95%: 5,70 a 7,98). Os resultados deste estudo demostram que o constructo SOC associa-se positivamente a qualidade de vida; quanto mais elevado o senso de coerência, melhor será a qualidade de vida. / The Sense of Coherence (SOC) reflects how the individual perceives their health and face stressors. The SOC is associated with quality of life and is considered an important predictor of health. This study aims to investigate the association between the sense of coherence and the different domains of quality of life (physical, psychological, social relationships and environment) in subjects 50-74 years of age living in Porto Alegre, Brazil. It is a cross-sectional study with a sample of 720 individuals selected by proportional random sampling process in multiple-stage. Two instruments were used: Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC 13) and the World Health Organization Abbreviated Instrument for Quality Of Life Assessment (WHOQOL-BREF). The univariate and multivariate analyzes were performed by linear regression observing significant association between the sense of coherence score with quality of life, even when adjusted for sociodemographic variables (p <0.001). For a 10-point increase in the score of sense of coherence, there is an average increase of 6.8 points in scores for quality of life in the psychological domain (b = 6.80, 95% CI: 5.94 to 7.67); 6.45 points in the physical domain (b = 6.45, 95% CI: 5.38 to 7.53); 5.51 points in the field of social relations (b = 5.51, 95% CI: 4.53 to 6.49); and 4.73 points in the environment domain scores (b = 4.73, 95% CI: 3.84 to 5.61). The overall score for quality of life increases, on average, 6.84 points for each 10-point score of sense of coherence (b = 6.84, 95% CI: 5.70 to 7.98). The results of this study indicate that the SOC construct positively associates with quality of life, the higher the sense of coherence better the quality of life.

The aim of this thesis was to explore salutogenic resources in the everyday lives of teachers, and toinvestigate how an intervention of collegial reflection influences their work-related learning and their being.The thesis includes two parts, a needs assessment and an intervention, performed between 2009 and2016. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches have been used in the process of the thesis. Methods used for data generation have been multistage focus groups interviews, individual interviews, questionnaire, open mail questions, and digital recordings of the reflection meetings. Four different methods have been used For the analyses: content analysis, hermeneutic analysis, multiple linear regression, and thematic analysis. The findings indicate that the caring relationships with pupils, but also colleagues, were important for the teachers’ finding meaning in their work. The caring relationships and the sense of meaningfulness were important resources for the teachers well-being. Collegial reflection was a health promoting resource in that it contributed with social support from colleagues, a sense of belonging, a consensus regarding shool issues, and recovery. This recovery occurred while the teachers were having their collegial reflection, indicating that they still felt recovered even though they were reflecting on work-related issues. The thesis also indicates that teachers’ experiences of time pressure at work was the variable with the strongest associaton to their experience of work-life balance. The integration of work and private lives is an important part of being a teacher. Certain aspects of work was considered as positive and salutogenic when integrated with their private lives, such as the creative aspect of teaching. However, other aspects, such as ruminating over abused pupils, were affecting their well-being in a detrimental way when integrated in their private lives. In a time when much focus is put on teachers’ increasing workload, documentation and psychosocial risks, it is important to pay more attention to the salutogenic and the enhancing aspects of  teacher's work. By doing that, teachers’ well-being may be enhanced, as well as supporting teacher retention.

Introdução: O Senso de Coerência (SOC) é um recurso individual para o enfrentamento de estressores que torna os sujeitos mais competentes para manter e melhorar sua saúde. O SOC está relacionado à qualidade de vida, sendo considerado um importante preditor da saúde. Existe relação entre forte SOC e adoção de comportamentos saudáveis, percepção positiva da qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal, menor ocorrência de cárie dentária, perda dentária e melhor condição periodontal. Objetivo: Investigar a relação entre SOC, impacto da saúde bucal na qualidade de vida (OIDP) e condição bucal clínica, em indivíduos de 50 a 74 anos, em Porto Alegre/RS. Materiais e Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal com uma amostra de 720 sujeitos, selecionados por processo de amostragem aleatória proporcional em múltiplos-estágios. Os instrumentos utilizados foram a escala SOC (SOC-13), o questionário OIDP, uma ficha de exame clínico e um questionário de avaliação socioeconômica e uso dos serviços odontológicos, adaptados do Projeto SB- Brasil 2003. As análises bivariada e multivariada foram realizadas por meio de Regressão de Poisson, com ajuste para variância robusta, utilizando o software Stata 9.0 Resultados: Na análise ajustada, SOC mais alto associou-se à ausência de impacto da saúde bucal na qualidade de vida (RP=1,31; IC95%=1,09-1,56; p=0,003), baixo escore de OIDP (RP=1,42; IC95%=1,18-1,71; p=0,000) e ausência de impacto no desempenho sorrir (RP=1,29; IC95%=1,05-1,59; p=0,014). SOC mais alto também se associou aos desfechos clínicos estudados: ausência de necessidade de prótese (RP=1,34; IC95%=1,04-1,68; p=0,015) e maior número de dentes presentes (RP=1,05; IC95%=1,01-1,11; p=0,033), após ajuste para co-fatores. Conclusão: Os achados deste estudo demonstraram que o constructo SOC associa-se positivamente à qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal, suportando a hipótese de que os indivíduos com SOC mais elevado apresentam menor impacto da saúde bucal no desempenho de atividades diárias do que aqueles com SOC mais baixo. Os resultados também sugerem que indivíduos com SOC mais alto apresentam melhor condição bucal do que aqueles com SOC mais baixo, tendo maior número de dentes presentes e menor necessidade de prótese. / Introduction: Sense of Coherence (SOC) is a resource for coping with stressors that can make individuals more able to maintain and improve their health condition. It is related to quality of life and considered a predictor of health. There is a strong relationship between SOC and adopting healthy behaviors, positive perceptions of quality of life related to oral health, lower incidence of dental caries, tooth loss and improved periodontal condition. Objective: To investigate the relationship between SOC, Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (OIDP) and oral health clinical condition in individuals aged between 50 to 74 years in Porto Alegre/RS. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional population based study with a sample of 720 subjects, who were selected through stratified random sampling process in multiplestages. Data were collected through the SOC scale (SOC -13), the questionnaire OIDP, socioeconomic and use of dental services questionnaire, adapted from the Brazilian Oral Health Survey SB-Brazil 2003, and clinical examinations. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed by Poisson regression with robust variance adjustment using Stata 9.0 software. Results: In adjusted analysis, strong SOC was associated with absence of oral impact (PR=1.31; CI95%=1.09-1.56; p=0.003), low score of OIDP (PR=1.42; CI95%=1.18-1.71; p=0.000) and no impact on the performance smile (PR=1.29; CI95%=1.08-1.59; p= 0.014). Strong SOC was also associated with clinical outcomes, no need for prosthesis (PR=1.34; CI95%=1.04- 1.68; p=0.015) and greater number of teeth (PR=1.05; CI95%=1.01-1.11; p=0.033) after adjustment for co-factors. Conclusion: Our findings showed that the SOC construct was positively associated with quality of life related to oral health, supporting the hypothesis that individuals with strong SOC have a lower impact of oral health in the development of daily activities than those with weak SOC. The results also suggest that individuals with strong SOC have better oral health than those with a weak SOC, with higher number of teeth and less need for prosthesis.

Målet med denna studie var att beskriva mammors upplevelser av babyrytmik och teoretiskt förankra denna beskrivning i ett samhällsinriktat musikterapeutiskt perspektiv. Fem (5) halvstrukturerade djupintervjuer med en medellängd på 45 minuter utfördes under vintern 2012 och analyserades enligt en hermeneutisk förståelseprocess. Mammorna var i medeltal 32 år och högt utbildade.Den gemensamma glädjen i att få sjunga, leka och finnas i musik tillsammans med sitt barn och ha en gemensam hobby värdesätts högt av mammorna som alla prioriterar hobbies med musik. För en stund är det någon annan som tar över ansvaret, en ledare som skapar klara strukturer med musik. Mammorna får slappna av och njuta tillsammans med sina barn. De berättar att babyrytmiken stimulerar till att börja sjunga, sjunga oftare och sjunga längre tid med barnen samt ger dem tillåtelse och inspiration till att privat improvisera och småsjunga hemma tillsammans med sina barn. Att få se sina barn utvecklas socialt, kunna jämföra sitt eget barns utveckling med andra barns och att få vara med som en trygg boj i barnens nyfikna första möten med ett omgivande samhälle är viktiga orsaker till att mammorna deltar och fortsätter delta i babyrytmik.Resultaten tolkades utgående ifrån ett salutogent perspektiv med både anknytningsteoretiska resonemang och ett samhällsinriktat musikterapeutiskt fokus. Babyrytmik som en av barnets första trygga, glädjefyllda kontakt med en omgivande musikalisk tradition tolkades teoretiskt med hjälp av en samhällsinriktad musikterapeutisk modell som beskriver utvecklingen från musik i dyaden, i denna studie mamman och barnet, mot ett musikaliskt samhälle.Konklusionerna av denna studie blir att den teoretiska förståelsen av hur musik kan användas i arbete inom familjer och med föräldrar och barn har all potential att utvecklas. / The aim of this study was to describe mothers ́ experiences of mother-child music groups in the theoretical frameworks of community music therapy. Five (5) semi- structured interviews with a mean duration length of 45 minutes were obtained during winter 2012 and hermeneutically processed. The mothers were highly educated women with a mean age of 32 years.The mothers in the study all prioritise hobbies that include music and they highly appreciate the common joy in singing and playing with their children. The clear structure in both music and created by the leader allows the mothers to fully relax and enjoy the music with their children. The results indicate that the music group activities support the private musical improvisations in the homes. Musical group activities give the mothers opportunities to support their children in one of their first encounters with a musical society and watch the child socially develop.The results were interpreted in a salutogenetic framework, focusing on both attachment theory in a music context and community music therapy. Mother-child music groups were theoretically grasped in this study by a community music therapy model, offering a theoretical explanation to the development from a dyadic relation (mother-child) towards a musical community.The conclusions of this study indicate that the theoretical framework for understanding how music can be used among families and with parents have clear potential to develop.

Stress is part of everyday life and in the working conditions of the social services in Sweden. Thus each and every person has resources and strategies to cope with those stressors that construct the assumption of stress. The aim of this study was to understand how persons in leading positions of the LSS of Social Services in Kalmar experience and cope with stressors in their leadership and organization and to investigate what factors during working and non-working hours promote health. Influenced by the theoretical approach of Aaron Antonovsky´s Sense of Coherence seven qualitative interviews were conducted with persons in leading positions. They were asked about stressors, coping strategies, resources and health promoting factors that help to cope with stressors. The interviewees stated that stressors like unclear role description and heavy workload are among others a major part of the role as leader. They also stated that the role as a leader was more desirable than being a chief. Coping strategies were found to help control the daily stressors. Factors during working and non-working hours which promote health were found to be important as a factor to gain energy, relaxation and meaningfulness.

Syftet med denna kvalitativa intervjustudie var att med hjälp av sociologiska teorier undersöka orsakerna till att maskrosbarn trots en destruktiv uppväxtmiljö kan utvecklas till socialt fungerande människor. Maskrosbarnen i denna studie har vuxit upp med missbruk och/eller psykisk sjukdom hos föräldrar i barndomen. Data samlades in via semistrukturerade intervjuer med fyra olika teman: det sociala arvet, skola och arbete, socialt nätverk samt hälsa och välmående. Vilket vi sedan analyserade med hjälp av de teoretiska tolkningsramarna, Antonovskys teori KASAM och Bourdieus teori om Klassreproduktion. Resultaten visade att förekomsten av trygghetspersoner i barndomen samt möjligheten att uppleva en annan familjedynamik och miljö än deras egen hemmiljö har påverkat dem positivt. Även deras avhållsamma inställning till alkohol och droger samt deras starka ansvarskänsla har påverkat deras totala sociala kapital positivt. / The purpose of this qualitative interview study was to research with the help of sociological theories the reasons why resilient children despite a destructive childhood can evolve to social functioning humans. Resilient children in this study have grown up with addiction and/or mental illness among parents in childhood. Data was collected by semi structured interviews with four different themes: the social heritage, education and work, social network and health and well-being. Which we analyzed with the help of the theoreticalframeworks, Antonovskys theory Salutogenesis and Bourdieus Reproduction theory. The results showed that the presence of safety figures in childhood as well as the opportunity to experience a different family dynamic and another environment than their own home environment has affected them positively. Even their abstinence approach to alcohol and drugs, and that they have a strong sense of responsibility has affected their overall social capital positively.