M.A. / Violence being a prominent and invasive factor in South Africa has left many people feeling powerless, hopeless and incapable of dealing and coping with the effects that exposure to trauma has produced. This idea appears even more disturbing if one considers that military personnel will inevitably be exposed to some form of trauma in their employment history. As a result of this traumatic exposure, many people develop post traumatic stress disorder or symptoms thereof. The literature ind icates that certain variables may increase vulnerability for the development of this disorder. The purpose of this research was to evaluate whether or not there is a relationship between Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) symptoms and axis II personality traits using Millon’s Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI - III) as a measure. The results of which will have major implications for our understanding of PTS, as well as aid in the deployment of military personnel. The sample comprised 5853 military personnel who completed the MCMI III as part of a yearly project to determine their mental health status. Inferential and descriptive statistical analyses were used on the data. It was found, in accordance with previous literature findings, that narcissistic, antisocial and borderline personality styles are the best predictors of PTS. In addition, the study found that there is a significant relationship between PTS and various personality styles, namely depressive, schizotypal, borderline, passive -aggressive, compulsive, antisocial and narcissistic personality styles. It is recommended that if the MCMI-III is used to scan military personnel prior to combat, those with high scores on borderline, narcissistic and antisocial personality scales, should be subjected to a more in-depth evaluation.

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Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Since the 1970s, economic recession, industrial restructuring, technological changes, and intensified global competition has changed the nature of work. Consequently, employees have changed, many organisations are changing and jobs are minimized to keep up with global demands. However, military organisations and jobs seem to be lagging behind. Although the military is recruiting young generations, many of its jobs are still traditional military jobs that pose heavy demands and dangerous circumstances on the soldiers, hence, the purpose of this particular study. The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between subjective career success (SCS), work circumstances (WC) and personality factors (PF) of soldiers in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). The existence of the relationship between the variables was explored through a non-experimental controlled inquiry. The variables under study were defined as follows: subjective career success is characterised by increase in the level of skills, increase in self-esteem, increased autonomy and responsibility in the position the person holds, and working with interesting colleagues; WC is defined as working conditions in which physical, mental, and emotional activities are directed towards accomplishing a specific task. Work circumstances encompass job demands, job characteristics, salary, and job security of soldiers; and PF includes locus of control in the workplace, self-efficacy and assertive behaviour in the workplace. A sample of 57 participants was selected from officers (Second Lieutenant – Captain and equivalent rank) studying at the South African Military Academy (here referred to as SAMA), Faculty of Military Sciences, Stellenbosch University. Another sample of 113 Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) (Leading-Seamen – Chief Petty Officers) was selected from SAS SALDANHA (South African Naval Gymnasium). In total, a sample of 170 was drawn for this research. Correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between independent variables and dependent variable; and multiple regression analysis was used to determine factors that explain SCS of soldiers in the SANDF. The results showed a significant partial relationship between job characteristics and SCS. Furthermore, a significant correlation emerged between salary satisfaction and satisfaction with job security. Insignificant relationship emerged between job demands and SCS. Insignificant results also emerged in the relationship between locus of control, self-efficacy and assertive behaviour (PF) and SCS respectively. As a result, it was concluded that WC have a partial relationship with SCS; and PF does not have any relationship with SCS. However, the results of the multiple regressions analysis provided that only job security satisfaction, salary satisfaction, locus of control and self-efficacy explain SCS, concluding that WC and PF in this research partially explain SCS of soldiers. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: geen opsomming