Thesis (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Pregnancy is a vulnerable time in settings such as sub-Saharan Africa, and is associated with exposure to a multitude of physiological, social and psychological risks. High HIV prevalence, and the fact that many women will test for HIV for the first time during their pregnancy, has raised concern about women‘s psychological health during pregnancy. Depression during the antenatal period is of public health concern as it has been shown to be associated with poorer foetal and delivery outcomes, risky behaviours, and poorer uptake of antenatal care. Antenatal depression is a predictor of postnatal depression, and postnatal depression has been associated with poor maternal sensitivity and attachment in mothers which is known to result in increased behavioural and developmental difficulties in children. The aim of this research was to provide a clear, in depth and culturally sensitive understanding of the manifestation of depression in pregnant women in a rural area with high HIV prevalence in South Africa. The research method included a diagnostic assessment of depression in 109 women in their third trimester of pregnancy, and an in-depth qualitative examination of the contextual framework within which HIV testing and depression are experienced with a sub-sample of 56 women. The quantitative results demonstrated that the prevalence of antenatal depression was high (46.7%), with close to half of the women being diagnosed with depression. Presentations of depression most frequently included disturbances in mood, loss of interest and suicide ideation. Symptoms which overlap with common side effects of pregnancy such as loss of energy and weight change did not result in an overestimation of depression. Likewise, very little evidence of the somatisation of depression, or particular cultural barriers to the diagnosis of depression based on DSM-IV criteria was found. Rates of suicide ideation were high and equally common among HIV positive as HIV negative women. Factors significantly associated with depression included living within a family homestead, access to a regular source of income and practical support from a partner. Both income and partner support had a negative association with depression. Living away from a family or parental home had a positive association with depression. The results showed that the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was effective in identifying depression and that a shorter three item version was as effective as longer versions. A positive score for depressed mood on the EPDS was significantly associated with HIV, suggesting that the EPDS is a good screening tool for elevated psychological risks among HIV positive women post HIV testing. Qualitative results showed that having an unsupportive partner and the occurrence of relationship or familial conflict played an important role in the development of emotional distress during pregnancy and resulted in a high number of unwanted pregnancies. Partner and familial conflict was intertwined with cultural practices which govern the acceptability of childbearing among unmarried women and the social recognition of partnerships and paternal responsibilities. Testing for HIV was considered a stressful life event for all women regardless of their HIV status and was a particularly negative life event for women who tested HIV positive or for women who had concerns over partner infidelity. Disclosure among HIV positive women frequently lead to increased partnership conflict. Qualitative findings suggested that depression and emotional distress after HIV testing did interfere with women‘s ability to engage with prevention messages. Women who were coping well with learning their HIV positive status had high levels of family disclosure and subsequent family support in common. The implication of this research is that it is important that public health programmes screen for depression among childbearing women. These data suggests that a shorter three item version of the EPDS along with screening for partner and family support or conflict would effectively detect most women at high risk for depression. Likewise, public health interventions for women with depression which are implemented in primary health care facilities and in isolation of the partnership and familial context within which depression occurs are not likely to be effective. Further research is needed to establish the precise prevalence of antenatal and postnatal depression in women at high risk for HIV; to validate the effectiveness of a shorter screening tool in resource limited settings; and to establish risk and protective factors, and trimester specific risks which could inform the design of cost effective interventions in poorly resourced settings. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Swangerskap in Afrika, suid van die Sahara, is ʼn kwesbare tydperk met blootstelling aan ʼn menigte fisiologiese, sosiale en sielkundige risiko‘s. Die hoë voorkoms van HIV en die feit dat baie vrouens gedurende swangerskap vir die eerste keer vir HIV wil toets, het ‗n besorgdheid oor vrouens se sielkundige gesondheid gedurende swangerskap laat ontstaan. Depressie gedurende die voorgeboortelike periode is van belang vir publieke gesondheid, want daar is bewyse wat dui op ‗n verband tussen depressie en swakker fetale en geboorte resultate, riskante gedrag en verminderde gebruik van voorgeboortelike sorg . Voorgeboortelike depressie is ʼn indikasie van moontlike nageboortelike depressie en nageboortelike depressie word geassosieer met swak moederlike sensitiwiteit en die gebrekkige vorming van ‗n band tussen moeder en kind; wat reeds bewys is om te lei tot verhoogde gedrags- en ontwikkelingsprobleme in kinders. Die doel van hierdie navorsing was om ʼn duidelike, indiepte en kulturele-sensitiewe begrip van die manifestasie van depressie in swanger vroue in ʼn landelike omgewing met hoë HIV voorkoms in Suid Afrika te verkry. Die navorsingsmetode sluit in ʼn simptomatiese beraming van depressie by 109 vroue in hul derde trimester van swangerskap en ʼn indiepte kwalitatiewe ondersoek na die kontekstuele raamwerk waarbinne HIV toetse en depressie ondervind word met ʼn sub-steekproef van 56 vrouens. Die bevinding was dat die voorkoms van voorgeboortelike depressie hoog was, 46.7 %, met feitlik die helfte van die vrouens wat met depressie gediagnoseer is. In die meeste gevalle het die voorkoms van depressie gepaard gegaan met ʼn verandering in gemoedstoestand, ʼn verlies aan belangstelling en selfmoordgedagtes. Simptome wat ooreenstem met algemene newe-effekte van swangerskap, soos verlies aan energie en verandering in gewig, het nie bygedra tot ʼn oorberekening van depressie nie. Soortgelyk is baie min bewyse gevind dat somatosasie van depressie, of spesifieke kulturele grense, tot die diagnose van depressie gebaseer op DSM-IVkriteria bydra. Die oorweging van selfmoord was hoog en algemeen tussen beide HIV-positiewe en HIV-negatiewe vouens. Faktore wat aansienlik met depressie geassosieer word, sluit in om in ʼn familiegroep te bly, toegang tot ʼn vaste bron van inkomste en die praktiese ondersteuning van ʼn lewensmaat. Beide inkomste en die ondersteuning van ʼn lewensmaat het ʼn negatiewe verbintenis met depressive. Om nie by familie of in ʼn ouerhuis te bly nie het ʼn positiewe assosiasie met depressive. Alhoewel HIV-status verband hou met depressie, was dit nie uitermate die geval nie, alhoewel daar ʼn gebrek aan statistiese kragdoeltreffendheid was om die effek van HIV vas te stel, gegee die beperkte grootte van die steekproef. Die resultate het getoon dat die EPDS graderingsinstrument effektief was om depressie te identifiseer en dat ʼn korter driepunt weergawe daarvan net so effektief was soos die langer weergawe. ʼn Positiewe telling vir ʼn depressiewe gemoedstoestand op die EPDS het ʼn betekenisvolle assosiasie met HIV en dui daarop dat die EPDS ʼn goeie graderingsinstrument is vir verhoogde sielkundige risiko by HIV-positiewe vrouens, selfs al is HIV-positiewe vrouens in dié steekproef statistieksgewys nie meer geneig tot depressie as HIV-negatiewe vrouens nie. Kwalitatiewe resultate toon dat ʼn lewensmaat wat nie ondersteunend is nie en die voorkoms van verhoudings- of familiekonflik ʼn belangrike rol speel in die ontwikkeling van emosionele angs gedurende swangerskap en dit het gelei tot ʼn groot aantal ongewenste swangerskappe. Konflik met ʼn lewensmaat en met familie was verweefd met kulturele gebruike wat die aanvaarbaarheid van geboortes onder ongetroude vrouens beheer en die sosiale erkenning van verhoudings en die vader se verantwoordelikhede. ʼn HIV-toets is as ʼn stresvolle lewensgebeurtenis beskou deur alle vroue, ongeag van hulle HIV-status en was ʼn besondere negatiewe lewensgebeurtenis vir vroue wat HIV-positief getoets het of vir vroue wat bekommerd was oor hulle lewensmaats se getrouheid. Onthulling van die HIV-status van positiewe vrouens het gereeld tot verhoogde konflik in verhoudings gelei. Kwalitatiewe bevindings dui daarop dat depressie en emosionele angs na ʼn HIV-toets inmeng met ʼn vrou se vermoë om ag te slaan op voorkomingsboodskappe. Vroue wat die kennis van hulle HIV-positiewe status goed hanteer het, het hoë vlakke van bekendmaking van hulle status en die ondersteuning van hulle familie in gemeen. Die implikasie van die navorsing is dat dit belangrik is vir publieke gesondheidsorgprogramme om te toets vir depressie onder swanger vroue. Die resultate dui daarop dat ʼn korter driepunt weergawe van die EPDS, saam met ʼn ondersoek na die ondersteuning van of konflik met ʼn lewensmaat en familie, effektief kan wees om vroue met ʼn hoë risiko vir depressie te identifiseer. Soortgelyk, publieke gesondheidsingryping in primêre gesondheidsorg fasiliteite vir vroue met depressie wat in isolasie van die lewensmaat en familie konteks, waar depressie voorkom geadministreer word, is onwaarskynlik om te slaag. Bevindings onderskryf die belangrikheid van ondersteuning vir die familie om effektief te kan reageer en herstel van stresvolle faktore soos onbeplande swangerskappe en HIV-diagnose, in ʼn konteks wat swaar deur HIV geaffekteer word, aangesien dit ʼn voorkomende effek op depressie kan hê. Verdere navorsing is nodig om die presiese voorkoms van voorgeboortelike en nageboortelike depressie in vrouens met ʼn hoë blootstelling aan HIV vas te stel; om die sukses van ʼn korter graderingsinstrument in arm omgewings te staaf; en om die risiko en beskermende faktore vas te stel en trimester spesifieke risiko‘s wat die ontwerp van ʼn koste-effektiewe ingryping in gebiede met ontoereikende hulpbronne kan beïnvloed.

Thesis (MA (Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / This study aimed to determine whether there is a dominant discourse on motherhood in one semi-rural, low-income, Coloured community. It investigated the personal and individual meanings that this group of mothers attach to motherhood, and what they regard to be “good” or “bad” mothering practices. In exploring discourses the study also aimed at describing the prevailing values, assumptions, ideas, rules, fantasies and dreams concerning motherhood that prevail in the Kylemore community. The present study used data from a research project entitled the “Maternal Mental Health Project” (MMHP). The MMHP focuses on the psychological distress and resilience of low-income mothers residing in the community of Kylemore. The main focus of this larger study was extensive open-ended interviews with the women concerning their pregnancies, birth and motherhood experiences. All women reporting at the Kylemore clinic for prenatal and antenatal visits were recruited. These women were interviewed at four different points in time by the same interviewer, focusing on women’s experience of pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, birth and early motherhood. Approximately 90 women were interviewed (360 one-hour interviews) over a period of four years. Based on feminist social constructionist ideas, the current study utilised qualitative methodologies. The interviews were transcribed and then analysed according to social constructionist grounded theory. The main categories that emerged during coding revolved around what participants considered to be “good” or “bad” mothering practices. The findings clearly indicated that mothers in this community are able to both recognise and define desirable and undesirable practices of motherhood. The themes pertaining to “good” mothering focused around two central concepts: the contextual factors which determine good motherhood; and the qualities evident in a good mother. A “bad” mother was seen to be someone who was unconcerned about taking responsibility for her child, leaving this responsibility for others to fulfil. It is suggested that for many of these women, their aspirations of ideal motherhood are unrealistic and unattainable due to the social and economic circumstances in which they live. Women are thus effectively set up for failure, due to a discourse of “perfect” motherhood that seems impossible to achieve in these circumstances. This is exacerbated by the fact that “good” mothering and “bad” mothering are considered to be discrete and dichotomous categories, with no possible overlap between the two categories. It is suggested that psychologists working with low-income mothers should be involved in discussions about more realistic and less rigid discourses of motherhood, discourses that take contextual factors into account.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The primary goal of this cross-cultural study was to determine how low-income female farm workers in the Western Cape of South Africa, describe their own coping mechanisms. Eight participants were asked to respond to an open-ended question on how they cope with life's difficulties. The current study formed part of a larger project entitled: "Forgotten women on farms". The psychological distress and resilience of female farm workers of colour in the Western Cape: exploring the possibilities for mental health support (Kruger, 1998). The coping interviews were analyzed by means of grounded theory. Analysis revealed that 28 coping mechanisms were identified by the participants themselves. A distinction was made between problem-focused coping mechanisms and emotion-focused coping mechanisms. Out of the 28 identified mechanisms, 8 were categorized as problem-focused coping mechanisms, while 20 were categorized as emotion-focused coping mechanisms, suggesting that the participants predominantly employ emotion-focused coping mechanisms. It was also found that the emotion-focused coping mechanisms employed by the participants often involved an avoidance of emotion. The findings were discussed by: (i) Critically discussing the way in which emotion-focused coping is traditionally defined within the coping literature. (ii) Comparing this to the conceptualization of the role of emotion by authors of trauma literature. Possible reasons for the prevalent use of emotion-focused coping mechanisms in this particular population were provided. The implications of these findings for assessment of coping strategies and for mental health care in this population were discussed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Ole hoofdoeisteiling van hierdie kruis-kulturele studie was om vas te stel hoe laeinkomste vroueplaaswerkers in die Wes-Kaap van Suid-Afrika hulle eie streshanteringsmeganismes beskryf. Agt deelnemers is gevra om op "n oop vraag oor hoe hulle lewensmoeilikhede hanteer, te reageer. Hierdie studie vorm deel van "n groter projek getiteld "Forgotten women on farms". The psychological distress and resilience of female farm workers of colour in the Western Cape: exploring the possibilities for mental health support (Kruger, 1998). Hierdie onderhoude oor streshantering is ontleed m.b.v. "grounded theory". Analise het getoon dat 28 hanteringsmeganismes deur die deelnemers self ge"ldentifiseer is. Onderskeid is gemaak tussen probleem-gerigte hanteringsmeganismes en emosioneel-gerigte hanteringsmeganismes. Uit die 28 gerdentifiseerde meganismes, is 8 gekategoriseer as probleem-gerigte hanteringsmeganismes, terwyl 20 gekategoriseer is as emosioneel-gerigte hanteringsmeganismes, duidend daarop dat deelnemers grootliks van emosioneel-gerigte hanteringsmeganismes gebruik maak. Daar is ook gevind dat die emosioneel-gerigte hanteringmeganismes dikwels "n vermyding van emosie behels het. Hierdie bevindinge is bespreek deur: (i) Die manier waarop emosioneel-gerigte hanteringsmeganismes tradisioneel in die literatuur gedefinieer word krities te bespreek. (ii) "n Vergelyking te tref met die wyse waarop die rol van emosie deur die outeurs van trauma literatuur gekonseptualiseer word. Moontlike redes vir die groter gebruik van emosioneel-gerigte hanteringsmeganismes in hierdie spesifieke populasie is voorsien. Die implikasies van hierdie bevindinge vir die meting van hanteringsmeganismes en vir geestesgesondheidsdienste binne hierdie populasie is bespreek.

Thesis (M.A. (Diversity Studies))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Humanities, School of Social Sciences, 2016 / IPV directed against male partners is a contentious and notorious topic within the study of domestic violence (Barkhuizen, 2010). Together with this it can be established from the research that even though there is a willingness amongst professionals to acknowledge males as victims of IPV there remains a lack of awareness both amongst professionals and society in general. Therefore, the issue of female-to-male IPV within the South African context is in need of extensive research. Accordingly, this research aims to fill the gap in the literature concerning male victimisation. Six key professionals- who work with domestic violence and have knowledge pertaining to the laws surrounding domestic violence- provided expert, educated opinions on the topic which were drawn from interviews that were transcribed and analysed with the use of thematic content analysis and critical discourse analysis. Key findings revealed the complexities of female-to-male IPV in South Africa. The research revealed that yes, South African law does make provision for male victims but the law is poorly implemented due to many intricacies. The most interesting results related to police perceptions of IPV (both female and male perpetrated). As such this study will bring about greater awareness of the issue and thus provide victims of female-to-male IPV the opportunity to report such incidents without fear of disbelief, reprisal or humiliation. In addition, this research will assist in addressing many of the academic debates and legal issues that surround this controversial aspect of abuse. KEY WORDS: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), Domestic Violence, Male Victimisation, Female-to-male IPV, Professionals, Police, South Africa / GR2017

“A research project submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MA by Coursework and Research in the field of Industrial/Organisational Psychology in the Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 15 March 2016.” / Student well-being has become an increasing concern for universities both locally and internationally, with an increased interest in the prevention of academic burnout and the promotion of academic engagement due to their respective negative and positive influence on students. Accordingly, the Job Demands-Resource (JD-R) model was developed as a theoretical framework, incorporating environmental characteristics that predict symptoms of engagement and burnout in individuals. A major criticism of the JD-R model is its lack of consideration for the impact of personal resources on individual well-being. Emanating from this concern, the current study used the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory to empirically investigate whether the personal resource of Psychological Capital (PsyCap) interacted within the health impairment and motivation processes of the JD-R model. More specifically, it examined whether PsyCap mediated the relationship between demands/resources and burnout/engagement within a South African university environment. Few studies have attempted to integrate personal resources into the JD-R model, and no known studies have applied this integration within a student-university context. This provides a unique and novel context for application, warranting further research. Research participants either accessed an online questionnaire via a web link made available to them on the university’s student portal, or a hard copy version of the questionnaire was distributed during lecture time. The questionnaire included a self-developed demographic questionnaire, an adapted version of the Student Stress Scale (Da Coste Leite & Israel, 2011), an adapted version of the Factors of Academic Facilitators Scale (Salanova, Schaufeli, Martinez, & Breso, 2010), the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Scale (Schaufeli, Salanova, Gonzalez-Roma, & Bakker, 2002), the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-Student (Schaufeli, Salanova, et al., 2002), and the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (Luthans Avolio, Avey, & Norman, 2007; Luthans, Youssef, & Avolio, 2007). The final sample (N=331) consisted of both full-time and part-time undergraduate students in their first, second or third year of study at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.” “Results of the current study demonstrated that PsyCap mediated the relationship between academic obstacles and academic engagement, as well as, the relationship between academic facilitators and academic engagement. It also demonstrated, however, that PsyCap was not significantly related to academic burnout, and therefore was not a mediator in the relationship between academic obstacles/facilitators and academic burnout. Furthermore, results indicated that direct, positive relationships between academic obstacles and academic burnout; academic facilitators and PsyCap; and PsyCap and academic engagement existed, while a direct, negative relationship between academic obstacles and PsyCap existed. These findings were supported with previous research and literature. In addition, the current study also produced some non-hypothesised, but not unexpected, findings. Firstly, academic burnout and engagement was found to be moderately and negatively related, and secondly, engagement appeared to mediate the relationship between PsyCap and academic burnout. Additionally, an indirect, positive and weak relationship was found to exist between academic obstacles and burnout, while an indirect, negative and weak relationship was found between academic facilitators and academic burnout”. In conclusion, the current findings provide support for JD-R and COR theoretical assumptions, as well as the significant role personal resources play in the JD-R model in predicting student well-being. / MT2017

A research project submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts (Psychology) in the Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, March 2017. / Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a pervasive problem affecting many women in South Africa and worldwide. Due to the many consequences that victims of IPV experience, it is increasingly seen as a public health concern. Despite interventions targeted at reducing the rates of IPV, it still remains prevalent in South African communities. Research has mainly explored IPV from the victims’ perspective and only in recent years has there been a marked interest in perpetrators of IPV. This study explores an identified gap in literature which examines the experiences and actions of male perpetrators of IPV. In-depth interviews were conducted with five men who were a part of a perpetrator reintegration programme at a Non-Governmental Organisation in Johannesburg. The data was analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis in an attempt to better understand their reported individual experiences. The study found that there was little consensus amongst perpetrators of IPV regarding the nature and causes of violence. IPV is normalised by many perpetrators. It is embedded in a context of patriarchy which emphasizes male dominance over the household, the finances and the women and children. Men and women are socialized into the context of patriarchy. Through the research, it was found that perpetrators view their actions as a response to something their partner did wrong or did not do, thus the act is seen as justified, the use of blame and minimization of the act were common responses when asked about experiences of IPV. Traditional customs such as Lobola allowed men to believe that they owned their wives, and through this had dominance and control over the relationship. This was viewed by participants as a right to discipline and punish one’s partner. / XL2018

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Financial independence is what most people strive for; however, world trends indicate that it eludes the majority of the population. In South Africa, financial independence figures, especially at retirement, range disconcertingly between 6% and 10%. Numerous factors contribute to and influence financial independence, such as the current economic climate, personality characteristics and attitudes and behaviour. In an attempt to understand the complexity of the interplay between finance and psychology, this research explores a commercial product, the Moneymax Profile (MMP), and endeavours to relate it to scientific literature that will contribute to the understanding of how personality characteristics and attitudes and behaviours toward money will influence financial independence. An ex post facto correlational research design was employed in this exploratory quantitative study (n = 67). The Financial Independence Scale (FIScale) was constructed for the purposes of the study. The concept of optimal financial attitudes and behaviour (OFAB) was developed and defined as measurable attitudes and behaviour that maximise the likelihood that individuals will experience financial security or independence. OFAB was measured by subscales of personality (locus of control, Type A/B personality, time orientation) and financial attitudes and behaviour (for example budgeting, social referents, financial discipline, control of investments). Results indicated that locus of control, time orientation, budgeting, social referents and control of investment were reliable measures of OFAB. The Moneymax traits with a moderate correlation that contributed significantly to OFAB were pride, emotionality, confidence, contentment, spending and trust. The traits of involvement, power and risk taking were significant, but the relationship with OFAB was weak. The remaining traits of altruism, work ethic, self-determination and reflectivity held little statistical value. The principle contributors to an individual’s financial habits and current status were noted to be education level, unexpected circumstances and trusting others. The lack of available psychometric properties for the MMP and the small sample were major limitations of this study. The disciplines of economics and psychology would do well to continue working together in an effort to comprehend money and money personality. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Finansiële onafhanklikheid is ‘n stand van sake waarna meeste individue streef. Wêreldwyd word hierdie nie vir die oorgrote mederheid behaal nie. In Suid-Afrika blyk die getal vir finansiële onafhanklikheid slegs 6% tot 10% te wees. Faktore soos die huidige ekonomiese klimaat, persoonlike eienskappe, gesindheid en gedrag word as bydraende faktore beskou. ‘n Poging word aangewend om die komplekse interaksie tussen finansies en sielkunde te ondersoek en dit deur middel van ‘n kommersiele produk, Moneymax Profile (MMP), en onderneem om wetenskaplike literatuur te gebruik om vas te stel wat se komponente van persoonlikheid, gesindheid en gedrag nodig is vir ‘n individu om finansiëel onafhanklik te kan wees. ‘n Ex post facto korrelasie navorsingsontwerp word in die kwantitatiewe navorsingstudie (n = 67) gebruik. Die Financial Independence Scale (FIScale) was vir die navorsing ontwikkel. Die konsep van optimale gesindheid en gedrag (OFAB) word voorgelê en word as volg gedefinieer: meetbare gesindheid en gedrag wat ‘n individu se waarskynlikheid vergroot om finansiele sekuriteit en onafhanklikheid te beleef. OFAB was gemeet deur subskale van persoonlikheidseienskappe (lokus van kontrole, Tipe A/B persoonlikheid, tydorienteering) en finansiële gedrag en gesindheid (byvoorbeeld begrotings, sosialegroepsdruk, finansiële disipline, beleggingsbestuur). Resultate wys dat lokus van kontrole, tydorienteering, begrotings optrek, sosialegroepsdruk, en beleggingsbestuur geldige metings van OFAB was. Die Moneymax trekke wat beduidend en matige verwantskappe het met OFAB was trots, emosienaliteit, sekerheid, tevredenheid, besteeding en vertroue. Die trekke van betrokkenheid, mag en risiko was beduidend maar die korrelasie was swak. Die oorblywende trekke van altruïsme, werksetiek, selfbeskikking en oordenking hou weinig statistiese waarde. Faktore wat bydra tot ‘n individu se finansiëlegedrag en huidige finansiëlestatus is opvoedkundevlak, onbeplande omstandighede en om andere te vertrou. Die gebrek aan psigometriese eienskappe van die MMP het die studie gekniehalter. Die dissiplines van die ekonomie en sielkunde word aangemoedig om geld en geldpersoonlikheid verder te verken.

Organizations in South Africa have been going through a great deal of change in recent years. However, little is known about the effects on employees. This study aimed to ascertain the psychological impact of change on the employees of a large public service organization, the South African Police Service. The findings were contrary to what was expected with the only significant difference between the samples being for anxiety in black managers. Circumstances outside the work situation were the strongest predictors for stress, anxiety and depression. However, factors in the work situation played a more significant role in predicting the variance in stress and anxiety in the second sample. The within group differences were the opposite of what was expected with black managers having higher stress and depression levels than their white counterparts in both samples and higher anxiety levels than both their white and coloured counterparts in the second sample. / Psychology / M.A. (Research Psychology)

M.Ed. (Educational Guidance) / Truancy is a grave problem because truants are wasting their opportunities and are in danger of not becoming productive members of society. Teachers, parents, peers, psychologists, psychiatrists and other important people (see Chapter 5) can play a decisive role in preventing truancy. The literature study states that peer group pressure is one of the main causes of truancy (see Chapter 2) . An empirical research study has been done at Mamelodi high schools. Certain criteria were followed in order to identify truants (see Appendix B). Chapter 4 shows clearly the results of the research project. The significant findings are as follows : more truants are among std 9 than std 8 more truants than non-truants have failed three times or more more truants than non-truants expect to obtain lower marks in the coming examination ; more friends of truants than those of non- truants expect them to obtain lower marks in the coming examination ; truants have less friends than non-truants who are at school ; truants have less friends than those of non-truants who think they are good in their school work.

M.Ed. (Psychology of Education) / Truancy is such a problem that there is a need to investigate it. The act of truancy has both psychological and social consequences. It affects not only the individual truant adversely but also the people in his social environment. The ultimate purpose of the research is essentially practical: to help teachers, parents and others to address issues of non-attendance. The present research focuses on the possible role of parents in the incidence of truancy, since the family is basically a community of love. The present research displays a two-pronged approach. Firstly, a literature study is carried out on truancy as a phenomenon and on the role of parents in children's development. This serves as the substructure for the second component, namely the empirical investigation. Secondly, an empirical investigation is done. The empirical investigation in Mamelodi high schools, is part of a group project that utilizes a criterion-group-comparative-group research design with a nomothetic strategy, comparing truants' data with those of non-truants.