Major Depressive Disorder is regarded as a major contributor to the global burden of disease. It is considered as the fourth highest cause of disability across the globe and second highest between the ages of 15 and 44. It is a serious mental health condition that affects individuals’ physical and mental health and is often associated with comorbidities, functional impairment and at times fatal consequences. Men with depression are considered as an at-risk group as research has shown that males are less likely to receive intervention or health care compared to women, due to hegemonic masculine norms. Within the qualitative research community, some efforts have been made to give voice to men’s experiences of depression and help-seeking, as well as the coping strategies that they deploy to manage such symptoms. However, comparatively little to no research has focused on the South African population, and specifically on Black men’s experiences. Similarly, only a few studies have concentrated on the positive, helpful and/or adaptive coping strategies used by men to manage their internal distress. Thus, this study contributed to a growing body of knowledge and filled a gap in current literature. This research was qualitative in nature and deployed Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-phase framework for conducting a thematic analysis, in order to analyse the eight individual interviews conducted. The analysis produced various themes and subthemes that elucidated the experiences of masculinity, depression, help-seeking and coping mechanisms among Black men in South Africa. The three overarching themes included: Real men don’t cry; Sadness hurts, but sharing hurts more; and Dark days, take control; all of which were related to several subthemes. The analysis indicated that Black men in South Africa do experience depressed moods and internal distress. However, they may deny such experiences due to their subscription to strength-based masculine ideals. They instead foster a mask of indifference to such pain by denying or supressing their emotions in order to assimilate into masculine norms. This was even more apparent in Black African cultures where hegemonic masculine norms were further entrenched and encouraged. Furthermore, public and self-stigma were commonly cited as a reason why the men in the study felt the need to uphold this image of indifference and keep subscribing to such dogmas. This translated into the men’s experiences and attitudes towards help-seeking, where they would often reject or be reluctant to disclose their emotional distress to professionals or to those closest to them. This was due to the perception that help-seeking is in line with femininity, which diverts/shifts away from the masculine ideals they sought to uphold. Another aspect introduced was how these concepts intertwined with Black African cultures. Namely, it may be more difficult for Black men in South Africa to openly express their experiences of depression or seek help psychologically, as these are Westernised terms and are uncommon in Black communities. However, a more traditionally accepted help-seeking route was to go to a traditional healer or Sangoma. Considering the men’s overall reluctance to seek help, they engaged in coping strategies in order to manage depressed feelings, as this was more in line with the masculinity expectations of autonomy, unemotionality and problem solving. Negative coping mechanisms were seen as a celebrated and normalized way for men to numb or supress their emotional distress, while still enacting masculinity. Lastly, although positive coping strategies were posited as a way for men to directly engage in distressful emotions, this was more difficult to adopt as they were perceived to be aligned with more feminine traits. This research created a framework that can be used to conceptualise Black South African men’s experiences of depression, help-seeking and coping strategies. This research is of utmost importance considering that men are noted to be more likely to experience functional impairments or fatal consequences due to their reticence for help-seeking. As such, men and future public health messaging could capitalise on this research in order to improve help-seeking and self-management behaviour amongst this population. This is particularly relevant considering our current context of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Keywords: Major Depressive Disorder, South African men, help-seeking, coping strategies, and qualitative thematic analysis. / Mini Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2021. / Psychology / MA (Clinical Psychology) / Unrestricted

The study of construct validity is particularly relevant in the twenty-first century, as more and more entities in South Africa are using psychometric instruments – instruments which have to be valid and reliable in accordance with the requirements of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). Even though validity and reliability, together with their accompanying aspects, are the two main considerations of a psychometric instrument, the construct validity of an instrument is one of the most important aspects to consider. This study’s focus is therefore, for the most part, based on the construct validity of the Life-Style Questionnaire. Even though the Life-Style Questionnaire is not a very distinguished questionnaire in the South African context, it is, however, a classified and useable questionnaire to determine into which of the five trait-descriptive lifestyle categories an individual belongs. In recent years, the Professional Board has become increasingly concerned about the misuse of assessment measures in South Africa, while recognising the important role of psychological assessment in the professional practice of psychology, as well as for research purposes (Foxcroft&Roodt, 2005:20). The need therefore existed to determine whether or not the Life-Style Questionnaire actually measures what it is supposed to measure, in other words to determine its construct validity. “The Life-Style Questionnaire was developed as an objective means to measure into which of five trait-descriptive lifestyle categories (aggressive, conforming, defensive, individualistic, or resistive) participants belong” (Driscoll&Eckstein, 2007:1). The purpose of this study was to determine the construct validity of the Life-Style Questionnaire, developed by Driscoll and Eckstein, in the South African -Questionnaire, developed by Driscoll and Eckstein, in the South African context. A quantitative descriptive survey design was used to conduct the research. The Life- Style Questionnaire was administered to a non-probability convenience sample consisting of 301 individuals living in South Africa and the results were subjected to factor analysis (FA), item analysis and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Various iterations of the (FA) indicated the primary factors for each of the components of the Life-Style Questionnaire. The final FA yielded a questionnaire consisting of five factors. This was confirmed through Kaiser’s eigenvalues and Cattell’s scree plot. The item analysis indicated that it should be considered to remove items 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 27, 28, 30 and 32 from the Life-Style Questionnaire. After the factor and item analysis, a CFA was conducted. The purpose of the CFA was to determine whether the postulated theoretical model actually fits the observed data. The most common test used to measure the goodness-of-fit of an instrument is the chi-square test. The chi-square test was conducted by using the EQS programme. The results indicated a poor model fit. However, the reliability of the Life-Style Questionnaire was determined and a Cronbach alpha of 0.853 established the instrument’s high level of reliability. Thus, the Life-Style Questionnaire is a reliable, but invalid instrument. This research study contributed to the understanding and importance of construct validity in psychological instruments. It is important to realise that instruments do not necessarily measure what they are intended to measure and therefore they have to be investigated. Lastly, this study not only emphasises the importance of psychometric properties of psychological instruments, but also the important role that psychometrists and industrial psychologists play with regard to the development and use such instruments. / Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Human Resource Management / unrestricted

In this study I aim to use my body as a tool to derive themes for use in performance making and to underpin this in theory. I focus on aspects of Tadashi Suzuki (1986) actor training (referred to as Suzuki training), free writing and the body. I use black feminism, cognitive neuroscience and body theory to account for my lived body, which I then use in performance. Practice and theory informed each other in a cyclical manner in accordance with Practice as Research as a methodology. Therefore, elements that emerged from my practice determined the theory included in the study, as practice was considered a way of knowing. I work to establish a relationship between race, subjugation and some of the multiple implications thereof on the body in the urban context: I draw on limited notions of culture and the body to interrogate how these can materialise in performance. The study also addresses aspects of the performing body to support why I derive value in Suzuki (1986) training as one psychophysical actor training tool. I theoretically discuss this technique as developing expressive abilities in young performers. The primary purpose of this research is to create work that is rooted in the tradition of devising. My research moves between the physical body and the body in performance in a South African context as I worked to conceptually account for the body in both instances. Although limited, this research includes theories that account for the performing body engaged in somatic foot-based practices where these interact with my practice. I further discuss the devising process I undertook with a cast, as a performance maker, my findings and reflection on this process.

More than a decade of research has indicated that individuals who have experienced traumatic events may report positive psychological changes as a result of their struggle to cope with the impact of the event. This cluster of changes has been labelled posttraumatic growth (PTG). Several measurement instruments have been developed to quantify such growth, one of the most widely used being the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) developed by Tedeschi and Calhoun (1996). The objective of the present study was to conduct a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the PTGI on data yielded by a South African sample, to determine if the hypothesised factor structure showed appropriate fit in this context. Analyses were performed with three hypothesised models: the five factor model, the three factor model and the model of posttraumatic growth as a unitary factor. Whilst the results of the CFA did not provide overt support for the adequate fit of the models tested, it did yield a profile of PTG in the South African sample that is similar to that of samples from other countries of origin. The findings implied that the factorial validity of the PTGI is unclear and the inventory may require modification for use in the South African context. This highlighted the need for further investigation in order to provide a comprehensive exploration of the PTGI and its applicability in this context. This is in line with the current focus on the socio-cultural and contextual elements that may influence the perception of PTG.

Gender roles and the nature of heterosex have been clearly outlined in the literature as having a significant impact on both individuals and societies. Some debate has existed in the field of psychology as to the nature and origin of gender and gender roles. Furthermore, it is believed that the current South African context offers a rich source of material for debate and discussion around which social factors are impacting on gender role development and how. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the perceived origins of such gender roles the study explores qualitative accounts of the various social elements of both South African and international origin which individuals perceive as impacting on gender role ideology. Individual interviews were conducted with 8 participants (4 males and 4 females) between the ages of 20 and 30, who were either living with their partner at the time of the study or had co-habited before. While all social constructs identified in the study can be understood as impacting internalised notions of gender roles some factors appear to play a more significant role than others in creating knowledge around egalitarian roles rather than perpetuating less contemporary views or gender inequality. In particular culture, religion and the family were found to be sights of perpetuation of more traditional roles, while globalisation, education, media, work and urbanisation appeared to be significant constructs in creating more egalitarian gender role ideologies. Recommendations for future research include a closer examination of these relationships within broader realms of class, religion and age.

While it is recognised that the burden on the caregiver of a person who has suffered a neurological event is great, research into the experience of caregiving and the effects of cognitive-communicative difficulties on intergenerational families is lacking. Studies examining these experiences within a multicultural and multilingual setting such as South Africa are few. The effects of neurogenic communication disorders in family systems also require further investigation. This study explores parent caregivers’ experiences of caring for their once-independent adult child, who are now faced with the reality of parenting for the second time. A qualitative research design was employed. Eighteen parents of adult children who have suffered TBIs, strokes or brain tumours were interviewed. The data obtained were analysed by means of thematic analysis. Themes associated with caring for an adult child, specifically in the South African context, are identified and discussed. These themes related to the parent caregiver’s experience of loss – loss of their child due to physical and cognitivecommunicative difficulties as well as the loss of their own dreams and plans for the future. Multiple roles within intergenerational family systems, support and information are identified as significant factors in either minimising or exacerbating their experience of loss. These themes are explained within a Family Systems Theory framework and assist in identifying both positive and negative factors that impact on experiences of caring for an adult child. It stresses the importance of the implementation of sustainable programmes and support services specifically catering for parents of adult children with neurological communication disorders.

Along with various contextual factors, the method of literacy instruction is recognised as one of the main reasons for low levels of literacy learning both locally and internationally. Harcombe’s CATLI process is offered as an alternative literacy methodology, firstly since its constructivist, ecosystemic underpinnings endeavour to address as many contextual issues as is possible, and secondly, because the CATLI process attempts to address some of the gaps in other literacy instructional programmes. The current study aimed to evaluate the CATLI process as a viable alternative to traditional methods of literacy instruction. In addition, the study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of using the constructivist approach to train university students in the CATLI process. The sample comprised trainee learning support specialists and one parent per learner receiving the CATLI intervention at the community centre at a Johannesburg university in 2007. Quantitative and qualitative data obtained by means of questionnaires and extant records provided evidence that all learners showed improvement in literacy skills as well as general development, ascribing the effectiveness of the process to being underpinned soundly by social constructivism and associated theories. For the same reason, trainees considered their training sufficient.

The aim of this study was to do research to see whether the father is absent in the South African context and design a practical theory for possible use by a Biblical counsellor to help fathers that can't fulfil their role properly in the family. The role of the father can again be restored through Biblical counselling. This study is done on the basis of the following : a basic theory is set out on which Scriptural perspectives on the subject have been researched; a meta theoretical evaluation is obtained from the three disciplines - Sociology, Psychology and Social Work; empirical research by means of interviews and questionnaires. The empirical research indicated that sampling among women proved that they experience and live through the absent role of the father. According to the questionnaires and interviews it was remarkable that all eight women longed for Biblical counselling. The study further indicates that Scriptural perspectives show how the role of the father must be according to the original Fatherhood of God. Scripture use and prayer are the basis to set practical theoretical perspectives, specific as well as in general, in connection with the absent father figure. The Biblical counsellor, leader, minister and pastor can possibly use the guidelines to explain and set out the role of the father. The greatest responsibility the father carries in his family is the portrayal and modelling of Jesus Christ's attributes and example. The conclusion of this study is that the Fatherhood of God makes it possible for the father to fulfil his role and function within the family and live it out in the community. The father cannot be separated from the family, because the relationship wherein the father, mother and child stand, is indissoluble. / The aim of this study was to do research to see whether the father is absent in the South African context and design a practical theory for possible use by a Biblical counsellor to help fathers that can't fulfil their role properly in the family. The role of the father can again be restored through Biblical counselling. This study is done on the basis of the following : a basic theory is set out on which Scriptural perspectives on the subject have been researched; a meta theoretical evaluation is obtained from the three disciplines - Sociology, Psychology and Social Work; empirical research by means of interviews and questionnaires. The empirical research indicated that sampling among women proved that they experience and live through the absent role of the father. According to the questionnaires and interviews it was remarkable that all eight women longed for Biblical counselling. The study further indicates that Scriptural perspectives show how the role of the father must be according to the original Fatherhood of God. Scripture use and prayer are the basis to set practical theoretical perspectives, specific as well as in general, in connection with the absent father figure. The Biblical counsellor, leader, minister and pastor can possibly use the guidelines to explain and set out the role of the father. The greatest responsibility the father carries in his family is the portrayal and modelling of Jesus Christ's attributes and example. The conclusion of this study is that the Fatherhood of God makes it possible for the father to fulfil his role and function within the family and live it out in the community. The father cannot be separated from the family, because the relationship wherein the father, mother and child stand, is indissoluble. / Thesis (M.A. (Practical Theology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

The aim of this study was to do research to see whether the father is absent in the South African context and design a practical theory for possible use by a Biblical counsellor to help fathers that can't fulfil their role properly in the family. The role of the father can again be restored through Biblical counselling. This study is done on the basis of the following : a basic theory is set out on which Scriptural perspectives on the subject have been researched; a meta theoretical evaluation is obtained from the three disciplines - Sociology, Psychology and Social Work; empirical research by means of interviews and questionnaires. The empirical research indicated that sampling among women proved that they experience and live through the absent role of the father. According to the questionnaires and interviews it was remarkable that all eight women longed for Biblical counselling. The study further indicates that Scriptural perspectives show how the role of the father must be according to the original Fatherhood of God. Scripture use and prayer are the basis to set practical theoretical perspectives, specific as well as in general, in connection with the absent father figure. The Biblical counsellor, leader, minister and pastor can possibly use the guidelines to explain and set out the role of the father. The greatest responsibility the father carries in his family is the portrayal and modelling of Jesus Christ's attributes and example. The conclusion of this study is that the Fatherhood of God makes it possible for the father to fulfil his role and function within the family and live it out in the community. The father cannot be separated from the family, because the relationship wherein the father, mother and child stand, is indissoluble. / The aim of this study was to do research to see whether the father is absent in the South African context and design a practical theory for possible use by a Biblical counsellor to help fathers that can't fulfil their role properly in the family. The role of the father can again be restored through Biblical counselling. This study is done on the basis of the following : a basic theory is set out on which Scriptural perspectives on the subject have been researched; a meta theoretical evaluation is obtained from the three disciplines - Sociology, Psychology and Social Work; empirical research by means of interviews and questionnaires. The empirical research indicated that sampling among women proved that they experience and live through the absent role of the father. According to the questionnaires and interviews it was remarkable that all eight women longed for Biblical counselling. The study further indicates that Scriptural perspectives show how the role of the father must be according to the original Fatherhood of God. Scripture use and prayer are the basis to set practical theoretical perspectives, specific as well as in general, in connection with the absent father figure. The Biblical counsellor, leader, minister and pastor can possibly use the guidelines to explain and set out the role of the father. The greatest responsibility the father carries in his family is the portrayal and modelling of Jesus Christ's attributes and example. The conclusion of this study is that the Fatherhood of God makes it possible for the father to fulfil his role and function within the family and live it out in the community. The father cannot be separated from the family, because the relationship wherein the father, mother and child stand, is indissoluble. / Thesis (M.A. (Practical Theology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

One key focus in the 21st century is adjusting work and personal life in order for individuals to find a rhythm to help them combine work with other responsibilities and aspirations in their personal lives. Over the past few decades it has become evident that work and personal life are interrelated domains and that employed individuals experience interaction between these domains. Although the amount and extent of work-family research studies in South Africa have progressed considerably over the past decade, it is not clear how the experiences of the interference between work and nonwork roles compare to the experiences of employees in other countries. There is also no South Africa instrument that measures the interference between work and different nonwork roles in both directions (work-to-nonwork and nonwork-to-work). This could pose potential problems for organisations and future workfamily studies in South Africa. The objectives of this research were 1) to gain insight into the interaction between work and personal life in the South African context and how South African employees experience this interaction; 2) to develop a new work-nonwork interference instrument that is suitable for the South African context and that addresses measurement and theoretical issues relating to previous work-family instruments; and 3) to test the psychometric properties of the newly developed work-nonwork interference instrument. The empirical study consisted of three phases. During the first phase, exploratory interviews (i.e. 92 interviews) were conducted in order to gather information regarding the interaction that individuals experience between their work and their personal lives. Thereafter, a new instrument that measures work-nonwork interference was developed and tested with a pilot study (n = 245) in order to overcome some of the measurement limitations relating to previous work-family instruments. During the final phase, the psychometric properties of the newly developed work-nonwork interference instrument were tested (Le. construct validity, discriminant validity, convergent validity and external validity; n = 366). Results from the exploratory phase indicated that South African employees experience various forms of interaction between their work and other dimensions in their personal life (e.g. domestic, leisure, exercise, studies, community, extended family and religion/spirituality). In addition, South African employees experience various stressors in their work environment that contribute to this interaction (i.e. general stressors such as pressure, overload, workload, stressful working arrangements, and strenuous relationships at work, and more occupation-specific stressors such as stressful nature of the job and not being valued in an unsupportive work environment). Additional supportive aspects present in their work environment included supportive work arrangements, supportive relationships at work and occupation satisfaction. Results also indicated consequences specifically related to all the forms of interaction (e.g. time-based consequences, build-up and spillover of emotions, and energy depletion) and consequences that are more related to a specific form of interaction (e.g. mental preoccupation, strain on relationships, managing responsibilities, limiting of work opportunities, energy generation, learned skills). From the exploratory study, very similar findings were obtained and some unique contributions were made to existing workfamily literature. The antecedents mentioned are in line with international literature (physical workload, time pressures, physical stressors, shift work and recipient contact) and the consequences are very similar to categorised consequences reported in international research (i.e. physical, psychological, behavioural, attitudinal, organisational consequences or work, nonwork and health-related consequences). During the second phase a new work-nonwork interference (W-NWI) instrument was developed which differentiates among interference between work and various specific roles in an individuals' personal life (i.e. work-parent interference, parent-work interference, workspouse interference, spouse-work interference, work-religion/spirituality interference, religion/spirituality-work interference, work-domestic interference, domestic-work interference). During the evaluation study various problematic items were eliminated using the Rasch measurement model. The fmal phase included the validation study where the psychometric properties of the new instrument were investigated. The results provided evidence for constrUct, discriminant and convergent validity, reliability and significant relations with external variables. Tills study provides evidence for the psychometric properties of the new instrument, which researchers and managers can use to investigate the specmc interference between work and different nonwork roles in employees' private lives. Recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Industrial Psychology)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.