Thesis (B.A.)--Haverford College, Dept. of Psychology, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--Briercrest Biblical Seminary, 1997. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 90-93).

Thesis (M. Soc. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Also available in print.

Thesis (M. Nurs.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006.

This project describes the development, implementation and evaluation of a new psychological intervention for improving psychological adjustment and enhancing adaptive coping following spinal cord injury. The Coping Effectiveness Training programme developed is a group-based seven session long intervention. It is grounded on the cognitive theory of stress and coping developed by Lazarus and Folkman (198-+) and represents an original adaptation of the theory to the needs of this client group. The intervention was successfully implemented as part of the rehabilitation programme of a national spinal injury centre. Proactive strategies were necessary to establish the essential good collaboration with other rehabilitation staff and ensure good patient participation in the groups. A non-randomised controlled trial was used to evaluate the intervention, using nineteen participants from three Coping Effectiveness Training groups and nineteen carefully matched controls selected from the database of a previous study (Kennedy, 1995). Participants who attended the groups showed significantly greater reductions in levels of depression and anxiety compared to matched controls immediately after the intervention and at six weeks follow-up. indicating that the intervention had facilitated a significant improvement in participants' psychological adjustment to spinal cord injury. A trend towards a significant improvement in participants' self-concept was also found over the observation period. However. there was no evidence of significant changes in the coping strategies used by participants who attended the groups compared to matched controls. with the exception of the 'Acceptance' coping strategy. Most participants said the groups had been helpful in making the consequences of the injury more manageable, with the interaction with other group participants being highlighted as the most beneficial aspect of the intervention. It is proposed that the improvements made in psychological adjustment can be understood in terms of changes in participants' beliefs about the implications of spinal cord injury and about the coping skills needed to be able to continue living meaningful and satisfying lives.

The objectives of this research report aimed to produce a model to understand how psychosocial work conditions affect burnout, the significance of the effects, the consequences for burnout, specifically with regard to Health and the Intention to Quit consequences. A further question that needed to be answered was what role biographical factors play in the development of Burnout. A snowball sampling technique was used to administer a quantitative self-report questionnaire (Copenhagen Psychosocial questionnaire, the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory and an Intention to Quit questionnaire). The internet was the delivery mechanism. Five hundred and ninety six emails for responses were sent; of which 353 started and 240 ended the survey. Psychosocial work factors proved to be a significant predictor of burnout and the results were consistent with some findings in previous research. Large correlations between burnout and Health were observed as well as moderate correlations with the Intention to Quit. Results from biographical hypothesis proved to be insignificant which concurs with research that found burnout is essentially a work related condition. Health and the Intention to Quit had no significant relationship, so in essence healthy employees are leaving the workplace (dysfunctional turnover), and ill workers are staying and are unproductive because of ill health sickness absence, lack of motivation and disengagement. The value to reverse or prevent burnout in South Africa will depend on an integrated approach by government, private enterprise and researchers to devise intervention strategies. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Purpose: This study aims to explore the perceptions of employees of the effectiveness of stress management interventions within a specific company. Motivation for the study: Stress has become part of everyday life of most employees. Studies have shown the negative effect that stress has on employee wellbeing. Stress Management Intervention (SMI) is a programme implemented by organisations focusing on the reduction of work-related stressors, as well as assisting employees to cope with and minimise the negative impact of stress. Most stress intervention programmes are reactive and are aimed at alleviating the situation. The purpose of this study is to determine the perceived measure of effectiveness of the SMI in the organization. Research design, approach, and method: A qualitative cross-sectional approach was used on a purposive sample of 12 employees from one organisation in South Africa. The sample consisted of permanent employees, aged between 25 and 64, employed by an organisation utilising a SMI programme. Main Findings: SMI in this company was evaluated as effective by the majority of participants. The participants indicated the effectiveness of the SMI in terms of personal stress management ability improvement, more effective authority management, more effective time management, improved assertiveness behaviour, meaningful personal counselling sessions, and improved personal health. It can thus be concluded that SMI in the company seems to be effective, as perceived by the participants. Practical implications: The findings of this study can inform other organisations of the importance of effective SMIs in order to alleviate stress and to equip employees with efficient skills to manage stress. This will promote a healthy workforce and increase productivity. The opposite can occur if SMIs are not implemented effectively, namely loss in productivity, increased absenteeism, and an unhealthy workforce. Contribution/value-add: This study makes a theoretical knowledge contribution to the field of SMI in the workplace, and contributes to a better understanding of the nature and importance of effective SMI programmes for organizations. Disse / Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2015. / Human Resource Management / Unrestricted

When compared to other units in acute care facilities, the Emergency Department has been identified by many researchers as the most stressful. Staff in the Emergency Department are faced with many stressors that can lead to burnout and staff shortage. Although stress related to Emergency work has often been discuss specific stressors have not always been identified through research, or studies appear in isolation with no synthesized source easily available. The purpose of this study was to identify stressors related to employment in the Emergency Department that have been validated by research. Using the methodology of a synthesized literature review, 29 research studies, primarily published from 1996-2002, were included. Stressors identified include verbal and physical violence, communication (with patients, families and colleagues), the Emergency Department environment, misuse of the Emergency Department, bed shortage, work overload, poor job structure, work schedule, staff shortage, and inexperience, although findings related to latter varied. Lower stress levels were associated with recognition and appreciation, membership in professional organizations and/or certification and being married. No association was found in relation to gender or income. Limitations are identified and recommendations for applying findings of this study to education, practice, and future research studies are offered.

The purpose of this study was to examine whether or not self-monitoring of stressors and physiological response to stressors enhances the effectiveness of a stress management technique, specifically relaxation training. The primary hypothesis which stated that the RSMS group would experience a greater reduction in depression (on the Beck Depression Inventory), and enhancement in self-efficacy (on the General Self-efficacy Scale) than all other groups, was not supported.

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background: There is a high prevalence of musculoskeletal problems, including neck and shoulder pain (NSP) among nurses worldwide. Tygerberg hospital (TBH) is the second largest hospital in South Africa with a large complement of nurses. The prevalence of NSP and risks associated therewith have not previously been determined at TBH. It is unknown how the nurses at TBH experience NSP in their workplace. Objective: This study questioned whether the 12 month prevalence of neck pain, shoulder pain and combined NSP is similar to worldwide reports, and questioned the degree of association of NSP with lower back pain and demographic risk factors in the nursing population at TBH. Thereafter the qualitative experiences of nurses with NSP at TBH were elucidated. Methodology: A self-designed Neck and Shoulder Pain Questionnaire for nurses (NSPn) was distributed among seven wards of TBH from March to May 2009. The NSPn was compiled using the pain definition from the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and elements of the Dutch Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. The NSPn gathered information regarding the presence of neck and shoulder pain as well as demographic and workplace risk factors. Thereafter semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight nurses working at TBH. Results: The 12 month prevalence of neck pain, shoulder pain and combined NSP was 29%, 34% and 43% respectively among a sample of 143 nurses. A high correlation of neck pain with lower back pain and of neck pain with shoulder pain was observed. No significant associations were found between age, ward module, tenure of work, and the nurses' perception of their general health and fitness with the presence of NSP. The qualitative results describe the conflict between the nurses' beliefs and their symptoms. The nurses named work-related stress as the most prevalent cause or aggravator of NSP. The main underlying cause of their stress was a shortage of nursing staff. Discussion and Conclusions: The prevalence of neck pain (29%) and shoulder pain (34%) among the surveyed TBH nurses was lower than the worldwide prevalence summary statistic of 50% and 52% respectively. However, the NSP prevalence (43%) was within the range of three international studies, suggesting that NSP is a significant concern for TBH nurses. The nurses' desire to hide pain and continue working perpetuates the problem of NSP. The underlying causes of NSP are multifactorial, with physical factors interacting with psychosocial factors. Preventative drives need to consider staffing levels and nurses' methods of coping with stress along with improvements in manual handling practices. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Agtergrond: Daar is 'n hoё voorkoms van muskulosketale probleme, insluitend nek en skouer pyn (NSP), by verpleegkundiges wêreldwyd. Tygerberg Hospitaal (TBH) is die tweede grootste hospitaal in Suid-Afrika met 'n groot aantal verpleegkundiges. Die voorkoms van NSP en risiko's verbonde daaraan, is nog nie voorheen by TBH vasgestel nie. Dit is nie bekend hoe die verpleegkundiges by TBH NSP in hulle werksomgewing ervaar nie. Objektief: Hierdie studie ondersoek of die 12 maand teenwoordigheid van nekpyn, skouerpyn en gekombineerde NSP ooreenstem met wêreldwye aanmelding, en ondersoek die assosiasie van NSP met lae rugpyn en demografiese risiko faktore in die verpleegkunde populasie by TBH. Daarna is die kwalitatiewe ondervindings van die verpleegkundiges met NSP by TBH toegelig. Metodologie: Die self-ontwerpde "Nek en Skouer pyn in verpleegsters‟(NSPn) vraelys, is onder sewe sale vanaf Maart tot Mei 2009 versprei. Die NSPn het die die Nordiese muskuloskeletale pyn definisie en elemente vanaf die "Hollandse Bewegingsapparaat Vraelys‟ ingesluit. The NSPn het inligting oor die voorkoms van nek en skouer pyn, sowel as demografiese en werkplek faktore ingesamel. Daarna is semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude gevoer met agt verpleegkundiges wat by TBH werksaam is. Resultate: Die 12 maand voorkoms van nekpyn, skouerpyn en gekombineerde NSP was 29%, 34% en 43% onderskeidelik in die steekproef van 143 verpleegkundiges. 'n Beduidende korrelasie van nekpyn met lae rugpyn en nekpyn met skouerpyn is waargeneem. Geen betekenisvolle ooreenkomste is gevind tussen ouderdom, saal module, termyn van werk en die verpleegkundiges se persepsie van hulle algemene gesondheid en fiksheid, met die teenwoordigheid van NSP nie. Die kwalitatiewe resultate beskryf die konflik tussen die verpleegkundiges se oortuigings en hulle simptome. Die verpleegkundiges noem stres as die mees algemene oorsaak of verergeraar van NSP. Die grootste onderliggende oorsaak van stres was die tekort aan verpleegpersoneel by TBH. Bespreking en Gevolgtrekkings: Die voorkoms van nekpyn (29%) en skouerpyn (34%) was laer as die wereldwye voorkoms opsommings statistiek van 50% en 52% onderskeidelik. Maar die voorkoms van NSP(43%) was binne die grense van drie internasionale studies wat dui daarop dat NSP 'n merkbare kommer vir TBH verpleegkundiges is. Die verpleegkundiges se behoefte om die pyn weg te steek en aan te hou werk, vererger die problem van NSP. Die onderliggende oorsake van NSP is veelvoudig, met fisiese faktore en psigologiese faktore wisselwerkend op mekaar. Voorkomende veldtogte moet verpleegkundiges se stres en personeeltekorte saam met verbetering in manuele hanteringstegnieke in ag neem.