Magister Commercii (Industrial Psychology) - MCom(IPS) / A critical feature of globalisation is to attract and retain intellectual capital to ensure that a cadre of highly skilled, independent, internationally marketable and mobile employees is achieved (Sutherland & Jordaan, 2004). Bagraim and Sader (2007) concur by stating that South African organisations in an increasingly dynamic globalised economy, strive to increase the organisation's competitiveness by ensuring they need to retain and motivate skilled employees. The plethora of literature available on organisational commitment and job satisfaction is testament to achieving the above (Aamodt, 1999; Mowday, Porter & Steers, 1982; Robbins; 2001; Robbins & Judge; 2007). Withdrawal behaviours such as tardiness, absenteeism and turnover have been found to be inversely related to both job satisfaction and organisational commitment (Bergh, 2011; Mowday et al., 1982; Robbins, 2001). It is therefore believed that satisfied and committed employees are more likely to remain with an organisation and to perform at higher levels. The relationship between job satisfaction and organisational commitment has particularly important implications for service organisations. In a recent study, conducted in a service environment, it was demonstrated that highly committed employees exerted more effort towards satisfying the needs of customers. The effort was found, in turn, to raise the level of customer satisfaction (Malherbe & Pearse, 2003). Moreover, the latter study lent strong support to the notion that increased job satisfaction is likely to stimulate greater commitment. Since 1994 South Africa has undergone numerous changes not only in the country but also in the Higher Education sector, to rectify and redress the social injustices caused by apartheid in a move towards a democratic society (Cross, Mungadi & Rouhini cited in Rothman, 2005). In a hyper turbulent environment characterised by constant change, it has become important for Higher Education to change as well to ensure that tertiary institutions become internationally competitive. The importance of the current study therefore comes to the fore in terms of determining why individuals are leaving the institution. This is important because to remain competitive the institution needs highly competent, committed and experienced employees. The present study aspires to identify the variables which influence turnover intentions. The mediating effects of job satisfaction and organisational commitment were investigated in this particular study to explore the concept of turnover intentions amongst a sample of 118 non-academic (administrative) staff members at a tertiary institution in the Western Cape. A biographical questionnaire, the Job Descriptive Index (JDI), the Organisational Commitment Questionnaire (OCQ) and the Turnover Intentions Questionnaire were administered to elicit responses from respondents to determine the impact of the variables job satisfaction and organisational commitment on turnover intentions. Both descriptive and inferential statistical methods (the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Co-efficient and Multiple Regression Analysis) were utilised during the statistical analysis phase. Results indicate that a statistically significant inverse relationship exists between the independent variables job satisfaction and organisational commitment, respectively, and turnover intention. These findings are consistent with previous research findings (Appollis, 2010; Ben-Bakr, Al-Shammari, Jefri & Prasad, 1994; Pienaar, Sieberhagen & Mostert, 2007). Further to this a statistically significant relationship also exists between job satisfaction and organisational commitment which corroborates previous findings (Lok & Crawford, 1999; Mathieu & Zajac; 1999; McNeese-Smith, 2001; Price & Mueller, 1981; Williams & Hazer, 1986). The study concludes with recommendations and implications for future research endeavours in the area of job satisfaction, organisational commitment and turnover intentions amongst non-academic employees from institutions of Higher Education.

Magister Curationis - MCur / Intimate partner violence (IPV), a form of gender-based violence (GBV), has become one of the emerging serious public health issues. It affects all racial, ethnic, socioeconomic and religious groups. Internationally, IPV has also become an increasingly common phenomenon among students at tertiary institutions. In South Africa, there is a paucity of literature that investigates this phenomenon especially among undergraduate student nurses who are supposed to render care to survivors of IPV. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of IPV and factors associated with IPV among undergraduate student nurses at a tertiary institution in the Western Cape.A quantitative, descriptive study was conducted. An adapted version of the WHO’s instrument designed to measure partner violence was used to collect the data. This questionnaire was administered to the eligible respondents after lecture time. The total population consisted of 984 undergraduate student nurses. The printed class lists of the 1st-, 2nd-, 3rd- and 4th-year undergraduate student nurses were used as the sample frame. Stratified random sampling method was used to obtain a sample of 243 respondents to ensure that the sample size was representative of the population. The completed questionnaires were analysed quantitatively by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The results are presented in the form of tables, pie chart and graphs. Spearman’s correlations were used to calculate the strength of the relationship between the dependent variables. Multivariate analysis was done using the Mann-Whitney U test and the Kruskal-Wallis test to determine the associations between the different variables.The results from the study showed that 42% of undergraduate student nurses experienced IPV during their lifetime. The socio-demographic factors associated with IPV were age (p=0.009*), study year level (p=0.001*) and marital status (p=0.021*). The study also found that family history factors like the respondent’s mother’s educational status (p=0.005*), financial support during need (p=0.031*) and witnessing of abuse as a child (p=0.008*) were factors related to IPV. In this study, certain substance use factors such as dagga (p=0.004) and cigarette smoking (p=0.000*), alcohol use in their lifetime (p=0.000*), time elapsed since joining university(p=0.000*) and having male or female friends who drink (p=0.000*) were significantly associated with IPV. The study highlighted the need to raise awareness on IPV among undergraduate student nurses.

In recent years, the concept of burnout has been expanded and is currently a concern in all professions and occupational groups. Nowadays it is widely acknowledged that people in almost any occupation could develop burnout. To-date, only two studies have examined students' experiences of burnout. Therefore, research regarding this phenomenon in students seems warranted. The objective of this study was to firstly investigate the psychometric properties of adapted versions of the Maslach Burnout Inventory and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale in a sample of students from a tertiary institution, and secondly to consider the role of biographical variables in relation to burnout and engagement levels. A cross-sectional survey design was used to attain the research objectives. For the purposes of this study, an availability sample of students (N=353) majoring in Organisational Behaviour was drawn at one point in time. The adapted Maslach Burnout Inventory - Student Survey (MBI-SS) and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale - Student Survey (UWES-S) as well as a biographical questionnaire were administered. Structural equation modelling confirmed two-factor models of Burnout (consisting of Exhaustion and Cynicism) and Engagement (consisting of Vigour and Dedication). Biographical variables which appear to be predictive of differences in levels of student burnout are home language, overall health status and consideration given to quitting their studies, while engagement is related to home language, academic year of study and consideration given to quitting studies. Recommendations for future research were also made / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Tertiary institutions in South Africa have experienced radical changes in the past decades, especially due to the change from technikons to universities of technology. These changes created new mental and emotional demands for academic staff and placed them under additional pressure. Problems experienced by tertiary institutions include constantly changing systems, students from underprivileged backgrounds and decreased subsidies from the state. These factors could lead to role overload and role conflict. The objective of this research was to examine the relationships between individual indicators of work climate (job challenge demand, role overload and role conflict, job satisfaction and pay satisfaction and social support) and turnover intention. Further objectives included empirically determining if these indicators of work climate can be used to predict turnover intention and to determine if social support plays a moderating role in the translation of work climate in turnover intention. A cross-sectional survey design was used. A convenience sample was taken from a South African university of technology. Measuring instruments for all the variables of interest were administered. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. Finally, a structural equation model was developed to explain the relations between the variables. The results obtained for the scales proved that four of the seven specific measuring instruments are reliable in terms of their specific use for employees in a South African tertiary institution. Job challenge demand, quantitative role overload and role conflict were less reliable. Results showed that when an employee feels that he/she has too much to do in too little time, or if the task is too difficult to complete, he/she will experience lower levels of job satisfaction which in turn may lead to higher levels of turnover intention. Social support from the supervisor and colleagues increase job satisfaction. A moderating effect for social support between work climate (role characteristics and satisfaction) and turnover intention was demonstrated. By way of conclusion, recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

Tertiary institutions in South Africa have experienced radical changes in the past decades, especially due to the change from technikons to universities of technology. These changes created new mental and emotional demands for academic staff and placed them under additional pressure. Problems experienced by tertiary institutions include constantly changing systems, students from underprivileged backgrounds and decreased subsidies from the state. These factors could lead to role overload and role conflict. The objective of this research was to examine the relationships between individual indicators of work climate (job challenge demand, role overload and role conflict, job satisfaction and pay satisfaction and social support) and turnover intention. Further objectives included empirically determining if these indicators of work climate can be used to predict turnover intention and to determine if social support plays a moderating role in the translation of work climate in turnover intention. A cross-sectional survey design was used. A convenience sample was taken from a South African university of technology. Measuring instruments for all the variables of interest were administered. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. Finally, a structural equation model was developed to explain the relations between the variables. The results obtained for the scales proved that four of the seven specific measuring instruments are reliable in terms of their specific use for employees in a South African tertiary institution. Job challenge demand, quantitative role overload and role conflict were less reliable. Results showed that when an employee feels that he/she has too much to do in too little time, or if the task is too difficult to complete, he/she will experience lower levels of job satisfaction which in turn may lead to higher levels of turnover intention. Social support from the supervisor and colleagues increase job satisfaction. A moderating effect for social support between work climate (role characteristics and satisfaction) and turnover intention was demonstrated. By way of conclusion, recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

In recent years, the concept of burnout has been expanded and is currently a concern in all professions and occupational groups. Nowadays it is widely acknowledged that people in almost any occupation could develop burnout. To-date, only two studies have examined students' experiences of burnout. Therefore, research regarding this phenomenon in students seems warranted. The objective of this study was to firstly investigate the psychometric properties of adapted versions of the Maslach Burnout Inventory and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale in a sample of students from a tertiary institution, and secondly to consider the role of biographical variables in relation to burnout and engagement levels. A cross-sectional survey design was used to attain the research objectives. For the purposes of this study, an availability sample of students (N=353) majoring in Organisational Behaviour was drawn at one point in time. The adapted Maslach Burnout Inventory - Student Survey (MBI-SS) and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale - Student Survey (UWES-S) as well as a biographical questionnaire were administered. Structural equation modelling confirmed two-factor models of Burnout (consisting of Exhaustion and Cynicism) and Engagement (consisting of Vigour and Dedication). Biographical variables which appear to be predictive of differences in levels of student burnout are home language, overall health status and consideration given to quitting their studies, while engagement is related to home language, academic year of study and consideration given to quitting studies. Recommendations for future research were also made / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

The study focuses on the experiences of female cyclists who participate in the cycling club at a tertiary institution in South Africa. By qualitatively exploring these experiences an attempt was made to understand how female cyclists narrate themselves within a specific context. In embarking on this research I have worked from a narrative position that focuses on experiences that people live on a daily basis. The way people tell about these experiences allows them to make sense of their lives. People’s experiences are shaped by history and culture which allows them to tell their narratives differently as context and time differs. The methodology employed is that of narrative analysis which entails attending, telling, transcribing, analysing and reading the text presented by the participants. Themes introduced by the participants were analysed and commented upon by the researcher in the final chapters. / Dissertation (MA (Counselling Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Psychology / unrestricted

Female academics in higher education institutions face numerous challenges in the continuously ch~nging landscape of South African Higher Education. Numerous mergers between different institutions, increasing job demands, ever increasing class sizes and the unique demands of role conflict, inherent to the female role, contribute to the manifestation of stress and burnout (80) in this population group. The research is conducted from a salutogenic paradigm, seeking to find ways of avoiding the negative consequences of 80 and contributing towards the positive experience of Work Engagement (WE) for the female academic. The research also explores the effect of the individual academics' Sense of Cohrence (SOC) on the experience of BO and WE. The research is quantitative in nature. A psychometric instrument was sent to all the permanently employed female academics employed by Unisa and TUT, measuring their levels of 80, WE and SOC. The completed questionnaires were statisticaily analysed. The findings included average levels of 80, with definite signs that the experience of 80 is on the increase. The Cy sub-dimension of BO showed increased levels. The WE scores of the female academics were just above average. The SOC scores of the female academics were low. The main recommendations were that University management need to take cognisance of the symptoms of BO that are present in this population. Strategies need to be put in place to address these issues and the experience of WE need to be treasured and grown through definite actions from Management. Female academics also need to take personal responsibility for their own wellness and act on the initial signs of 80, rather than dismissing it as mere tiredness or lack of energy. There are also a number of recommendations on actions to be taken to experience WE in the academic work that the population undertake on a daily basis / Industrial & Organizational Psychology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Industrial & Organizational psychology)

Female academics in higher education institutions face numerous challenges in the continuously ch~nging landscape of South African Higher Education. Numerous mergers between different institutions, increasing job demands, ever increasing class sizes and the unique demands of role conflict, inherent to the female role, contribute to the manifestation of stress and burnout (80) in this population group. The research is conducted from a salutogenic paradigm, seeking to find ways of avoiding the negative consequences of 80 and contributing towards the positive experience of Work Engagement (WE) for the female academic. The research also explores the effect of the individual academics' Sense of Cohrence (SOC) on the experience of BO and WE. The research is quantitative in nature. A psychometric instrument was sent to all the permanently employed female academics employed by Unisa and TUT, measuring their levels of 80, WE and SOC. The completed questionnaires were statisticaily analysed. The findings included average levels of 80, with definite signs that the experience of 80 is on the increase. The Cy sub-dimension of BO showed increased levels. The WE scores of the female academics were just above average. The SOC scores of the female academics were low. The main recommendations were that University management need to take cognisance of the symptoms of BO that are present in this population. Strategies need to be put in place to address these issues and the experience of WE need to be treasured and grown through definite actions from Management. Female academics also need to take personal responsibility for their own wellness and act on the initial signs of 80, rather than dismissing it as mere tiredness or lack of energy. There are also a number of recommendations on actions to be taken to experience WE in the academic work that the population undertake on a daily basis / Industrial and Organizational Psychology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Industrial & Organizational psychology)