Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The primary objective of the study was to determine the level of self-reported sexual risk behaviour of student men who have sex with men at a South African higher educational institution. The secondary objective was to determine the level of Human Immunodefiency Virus (HIV) knowledge among student men who have sex with men, and lastly to determine the extent to which the theory of planned behaviour is applicable in explaining intentions to use condoms. A sample of fifty student men who have sex with men were recruited to take part in an online baseline and follow-up survey, three months apart. Many of the student men who have sex with men reported sexual behaviour, which may place them at risk of contracting HIV. More than fifty percent (56%) had used alcohol or drugs during sexual intercourse in the past. Six percent (6.1%) reported having been forced to have sexual intercourse against their will. While 8% had experienced abuse and violence on campus, 22% had experienced abuse only and another 6% reported having experienced some form of violence due to their sexual preference. Most participants (70%) reported having used condoms almost always or always when engaging in penetrative sexual behaviours, but 30% had used condoms inconsistently or not at all in the past. The sample of student MSM scored high on a questionnaire of basic HIV knowledge, with a mean score of 14.57 (80.94%). The present study questions the applicability of the theory of planned behaviour in understanding and predicting intention to use condoms among a sample of student men who have sex with men attending a South African higher education institution. Only two of the major theoretical variables, namely attitude and perceived group norms, could significantly predict intention to use condoms. Attitudes regarding condom use were found to have an inverse The primary objective of the study was to determine the level of self-reported sexual risk behaviour of student men who have sex with men at a South African higher educational institution. The secondary objective was to determine the level of Human Immunodefiency Virus (HIV) knowledge among student men who have sex with men, and lastly to determine the extent to which the theory of planned behaviour is applicable in explaining intentions to use condoms. A sample of fifty student men who have sex with men were recruited to take part in an online baseline and follow-up survey, three months apart. Many of the student men who have sex with men reported sexual behaviour, which may place them at risk of contracting HIV. More than fifty percent (56%) had used alcohol or drugs during sexual intercourse in the past. Six percent (6.1%) reported having been forced to have sexual intercourse against their will. While 8% had experienced abuse and violence on campus, 22% had experienced abuse only and another 6% reported having experienced some form of violence due to their sexual preference. Most participants (70%) reported having used condoms almost always or always when engaging in penetrative sexual behaviours, but 30% had used condoms inconsistently or not at all in the past. The sample of student MSM scored high on a questionnaire of basic HIV knowledge, with a mean score of 14.57 (80.94%). The present study questions the applicability of the theory of planned behaviour in understanding and predicting intention to use condoms among a sample of student men who have sex with men attending a South African higher education institution. Only two of the major theoretical variables, namely attitude and perceived group norms, could significantly predict intention to use condoms. Attitudes regarding condom use were found to have an inversrelationship with intention to use condoms. The results from the hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that the linear combination of the theory of planned behaviour variables could significantly account for 68% of the variance in intention to use condoms when the predictors were considered together. Interventions that seek to lessen HIV risk behaviour among student men who have sex with men should endeavour to incorporate elements which should aim to augment perceived subjective norms regarding condom use. The findings advocate for additional research to be undertaken on the applicability of the theory of planned behaviour in informing health communication and sexual health interventions that aim to reduce HIV transmission risk among student men who have sex with men at higher educational institutions. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die primêre doel van die studie was om die vlak van self-gerapporteerde seksuele risiko gedrag van studentemans wat seks beoefen met mans (MSM) by 'n Suid-Afrikaanse hoër onderwysinstelling te bepaal. Die sekondêre doel was om die vlak van kennis oor die Menslike Immuniteitsgebreksvirus (MIV) onder studente MSM te bepaal, en laastens om die mate waarin die teorie van beplande gedrag toepaslik is om die voorneme om kondoom gebruik te verduidelik. ʼn Steekproef van vyftig studente MSM was gewerf om aan ʼn aanlyn basislynopname en opvolgopname deel te neem. Talle van die studente MSM het seksuele gedrag gerapporteer wat die mans blootstel aan die risiko om MIV op te doen. Meer as vyftig persent (56%) het in die verlede alkohol of dwelms gebruik tydens seksuele omgang. Ses persent (6,1%) het gerapporteer dat hulle al gedwing is om seksuele omgang teen hul wil te hê. Terwyl agt persent mishandeling en geweld op kampus ervaar het, het 22% slegs misbruik ervaar en nog 6% het een of ander vorm van geweld ervaar as gevolg van hul seksuele voorkeur. Die meeste deelnemers (70%) het gerapporteer dat hulle tydens penetratiewe seks byna altyd kondome gebruik, maar 30% het óf glad nie, óf ongereeld in die verlede kondome gebruik. Die studente MSM wat aan die steekproef deelgeneem het, het hoë tellings behaal in ‘n vraelys oor basiese MIV-feite, met ' ʼn gemiddelde telling van 14.57 (80.94%). Die huidige studie bevraagteken die toepasbaarheid van die teorie van beplande gedrag om die voorneme om kondome te gebruik onder ’n steekproef van studente MSM aan ’n Suid-Afrikaanse hoër onderwysinstelling te verstaan en te voorspel. Slegs twee van die belangrikste teoretiese veranderlikes, naamlik houding en subjektiewe groepnorme, kon beduidend die voorneme voorspel om kondome te gebruik. Houding oor kondoom gebruik het ʼn omgekeerde verwantskap met die voorneme om kondome te gebruik voorspel. Die resultate van die hiërargiese meervoudige regressie-ontleding het aangedui dat, wanneer die voorspellers saam oorweeg word, die lineêre kombinasie van die teorie van beplande gedrag veranderlikes betekenisvol tot 68% van die variansie in die voorneme om kondome te gebruik kan verklaar. Ingrypings wat daarop gemik is om MIV-risiko gedrag onder studente MSM te verminder, behoort elemente in te sluit wat streef daarna om waarneembare subjektiewe norme rakende kondoomgebruik aan te vul. Die bevindinge wys dat addisionele navorsing oor die gebruik van die teorie van beplande gedrag in gesondheidskommunikasie en seksuelegesondheid intervensies wat daarop gemik is om die risiko van MIV-oordrag tussen studente MSM by inrigtings vir hoër onderwys te verminder nodig is.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Research is limited regarding closeness in parent-adolescent relationships (PAR), particularly in marginalised communities. The research objective was to explore closeness in PAR in one semi-rural, low-income Coloured community in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. This study was exploratory in nature, making use of a cross-sectional survey research design and semi-structured interviews. Fifty families (67 parents and 50 adolescents) were eligible and willing to participate in the quantitative part of this study, while 12 families (19 parents and 12 adolescents) took part in the qualitative part of the study. For the empirical investigation into close PAR, the following questionnaires were administered to parents: Mother and Father Versions of the Inventory of Parent Attachment (IPA), Revised Inventory of Parent Attachment (RIPA), and the Relationship Closeness Inventory (RCI). The questionnaires are currently not standardized for South African populations, therefore they were adapted to suit the specific context and translated into Afrikaans. For statistical analysis of the surveys, summary statistics was performed using measures like means, standard deviations, frequency tables, and histograms. Reliability analysis was conducted using Cronbach’s alpha. For comparison of the different instruments, correlations were calculated. Comparisons between different groupings were done using two-way ANOVA. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data and to explore the participants’ constructions of close PAR. General findings were that most female participants reported close mother-daughter relationships while most male participants reported relatively close father-son relationships. Overall, mothers generally spent more time with their adolescent children. Fathers and daughters generally reported less close relationships with one another. Although fathers were relatively more involved in their children’s lives compared to fathers in prior research studies, mothers and adolescents reported to have a closer bond. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die navorsing is beperk ten opsigte van nabyheid in die ouer-adolessent verhoudings (OAV), veral in gemarginaliseerde gemeenskappe. Die navorsing doelstelling was om nabyheid in OAV in ‘n semi-landelike, lae-inkomste Kleurling-gemeenskap in die Wes-Kaap Provinsie van Suid-Afrika te verken. Hierdie studie is verkennend van aard, en het ‘n dwarsdeursneeopname navorsingsontwerp en semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude gebruik. Vyftig gesinne (67 ouers en 50 adolessente) was bereid om deel te neem in die kwantitatiewe deel van hierdie studie, terwyl 12 gesinne (19 ouers en 12 adolessente) in die kwalitatiewe deel van die studie deelgeneem het. Vir die empiriese ondersoek in noue OAV, is die volgende vraelyste gebruik: Vader en Moeder weergawes van die Inventaris Van Ouer Gehegtheid, Huidige Situasie Met My Kind, en die Verhouding Nabyheid Inventaris. Die vraelyste is tans nie gestandaardiseer vir Suid-Afrikaanse bevolkings nie, daarom was hulle aangepas om die spesifieke konteks te pas en in Afrikaans vertaal. Vir die statistiese analise van die opnames, is opsommingstatistiek uitgevoer met behulp van maatreëls soos gemiddeldes, standaardafwykings, frekwensietabelle, en histogramme. Betroubaarheid analise is uitgevoer met behulp van Cronbach se alfa. Vir ‘n vergelyking van die verskillende instrumente was korrelasies bereken. Vergelykings tussen die verskillende groeperings is gedoen met behulp van tweerigting-ANOVA. Tematiese analise is gebruik om die kwalitatiewe data te analiseer en om die deelnemers se konstruksies van noue OAV te verken. Algemene bevindings is dat die meeste vroulike deelnemers noue moeder-dogter verhoudings gerapporteer het, terwyl die meeste manlike deelnemers relatief noue vader-seun-verhouding gerapporteer het. Die moeders, oor die algemeen, het meer tyd met hulle adolessente kinders deurgebring. Pa’s en dogters het, oor die algemeen, minder noue verhoudings met mekaar gehad. Hoewel die vaders relatief meer betrokke in hul kinders se lewens was, in vergelyking met die vaders in vorige navorsingstudies, moeders en adolessente het nouer bande met mekaar gerapporteer.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 1995. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The primary objectives of the present research were to predict the quality of relationships of gay male couples, as well as those of the members of the couples, on the basis of chosen variables. These chosen variables were taken along an ecological framework, which took into account variables from a personal, psychological, interpersonal and social context. Five variables received wide coverage in the present research: The sexual behavioural status of the relationship, sex role self-concept, sex role behaviour, perceived social support from family and friends, and passing. Partner-homogamy was also an important variable in the present research. This resulted in differences in the chosen variables within couples being used to predict the quality of the relationships of gay male couples. A sample of 30 couples was obtained through advertisements in the local gay press. The sample comprised mostly middle and high-class whites who had been involved in well-functioning, long-lasting (:t 8 years) relationships and who had lived together. Each couple received by mail two identical sets of measuring instruments - one for each member of the couple - to complete independently from the other. The measuring instruments, which were all self-reporting scales, were the Biographical and Personal Questionnaire, the Dyadic Adjustment Scale, the Bern Sex Role Inventory, the Shared Decision Making Scale, the Perceived Social Support Scale, the Being Known to Distant Others Scale, the Being Known to Significant Others Scale, and the Desire to Pass Scale. Results were obtained through statistical analysis with both the couples (N = 30) and the partners (N = 60) as the unit of analysis. When the respective results are viewed together, the most important correlates of the quality of relationships were an increase in the length of the relationship, a female self-concept among both partners, the viewing of shared decision making within the relationship, and overtly maintaining a gay lifestyle, together with partner-homogamy with regard to a female self-concept, perceived social support from friends, and the level of overtness concerning sexual preferences. Furthermore, it was important that psychological masculinity had to be vested in one member of the couple only. The most important predictors of the quality of well adjusted relationships were an increase in the length of the relationship, a female self-concept among both partners, the viewing of shared decision making in the relationship, little perceived social support from friends and family, and maintaining an overt gay lifestyle, together with the homogamy of partners towards perceived social support from friends, being known as gay to significant others, and the view of shared decision making in the relationship respectively. Furthermore, it was important that one of the members had to have previous experience of gay relationships. The greatest limitation of the present research was the small sample which resulted in low statistical power. The research has, however, made a contribution by shedding light on the functioning of gay male couples within the South African context. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die primere doelstellings van die huidige ondersoek was om die verhoudingskwaliteit van manlike gay pare, sowel as die van die paarlede, te voorspel aan die hand van sekere gekose veranderlikes. Die gekose veranderlikes is saamgevat binne 'n ekologiese raamwerk wat veranderlikes vanuit 'n persoonlike, sielkundige, interpersoonlike en sosiale konteks behels het. Veral vyf veranderlikes het wye dekking in die huidige ondersoek geniet, naamlik die seksuele gedragstatus van die. verhouding, geslagsrolselfkonsep, geslagsrolgedrag, waargenome sosiale ondersteuning van gesin en vriende, en verskansing. Ook paarlid-homogamie was 'n belangrike veranderlike in die huidige ondersoek, met die gevolg dat verskille in die gekose veranderlikes binne pare gebruik is as 'n verdere voorspelling van die verhoudingskwaliteit van manlike gay pare. 'n Steekproef van 30 pare is bekom deur middel van advertensies in die plaaslike gay pers. Die steekproef het hoofsaaklik uit middel- en hoeklas blankes bestaan wat in goed-funksionerende, samewonende verhoudings van hoe tydsduur (:f: 8 jaar) betrokke was. Elke paar het per pos twee identiese stelle meetinstrumente ontvang - een vir elke lid om in onafhanklikheid van sy maat te voltooi. Die meetinstrumente, almaI selfbeoordelingskale, was die Biografiese en Persoonlike Vraelys, die "Dyadic Adjustment Scale", die "Bem Sex Role Inventory", die "Shared Decision Making Scale", die "Perceived Social Support Scale", die "Being Known to Distant Others Scale", die "Being Known to Significant Others Scale", en die "Desire to Pass Scale". Resultate is verkry deur statistiese ontledings uit te voer met onderskeidelik die paar (N = 30) en die paarlede (N = 60) as eenheid van analise. Indien die verskillende resultate gesamentlik in oenskou geneem word, was die belangrikste korrelate van verhoudingskwaliteit 'n toename in verhoudingslengte, 'n vroulike selfkonsep by beide paarlede, die beskouing van gedeelde besluitneming binne die verhouding en die handhawing van 'n openlike gay lewenstyl, tesame met paarlid-homogamie ten opsigte van 'n vroulike selfkonsep, waargenome sosiale ondersteuning van vriende en die vlak van openlikheid met betrekking tot seksuele voorkeure. Verder was dit ook van belang dat slegs een van die paarlede oor psigologiese manlikheid moes beskik. Die belangrikste voorspellers van verhoudingskwaliteit was 'n toename in verhoudingslengte, 'n vroulike selfkonsep by beide paarlede, die beskouing van gedeelde besluitneming binne die verhouding, min waargenome sosiale ondersteuning van vriende en die gesin, en die handhawing van 'n openlike gay lewenstyl, tesame met paarlid-homogamie ten opsigte van onderskeidelik waargenome sosiale ondersteuning van vriende, bekendheid as gay aan betekenisvolle ander en die beskouing van gedeelde besluitneming binne die verhouding. Daarby was dit ook belangrik dat een van die paarlede vorige ervaring van gay verhoudings moes gehad het. Die grootste enkele beperking van die huidige ondersoek was die relatief klein steekproef wat lae statistiese kragdoeltreffendheid tot gevolg gehad het. Die ondersoek het egter 'n bydrae gelewer deur lig te werp op die funksionering van manlike gay verhoudings binne die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks.

Thesis (MA (Psychology))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / In recent years, the issue of fathers’ involvement with their families has increasingly gained support and currently more research focuses on fathers’ involvement and what fathers must do to become more involved with their families. The aim of this study was to gain insight into boys’ perception of fathers’ involvement in the lives of boys. The participants were boys in Grade 7 and 8 whose parents are married and who both live in the same house with them. The data of this explorative, qualitative study were gathered by means of focus group discussions. The 18 participants who complied with the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into three focus groups of six participants each. The groups were asked an open question and the discussion was audio-recorded. The group discussions were transcribed, after which the data were loaded onto the Atlas.ti program for analysis. In this analysis technique, related aspects (termed ‘codes’, which are formed by related quotations by participants) are grouped to form families (of codes). Based on the description by Lamb, Pleck, Charnov and Levine (1987) of fathers’ involvement and the qualitative data analysis, content could be given to the families responsibility, accessibility and engagement. The family responsibility, which includes any activities of the father regarding the child’s direct care or arrangements regarding the care of the child, is the largest family in terms of number of codes and quotations. The most prominent code in this family in terms of number of quotations compared to the other codes, is to provide. This is followed by the codes discipline, set right and protect. Accessibility is the second largest family and entails the father being present as well as his availability to his son. The most important codes in this family are talking, to be there for the child and to pay attention to the child. The third family, engagement, includes the experience of caring, direct contact and interaction between the father and his son. The most important codes that emerged in this family are to demonstrate love and to hug. The specific content given to the three components of fathers’ involvement can be applied with success in the development and presentation of parent guidance programmes.

Thesis (MA (Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / The importance of delivering psychological services, particularly in disadvantaged communities is acknowledged by policy makers. Yet, little information exists about how communities view psychologists and psychological services. This study explores how key informants and primary health care service users in a peri-urban community in the Western Cape perceive psychologists and their profession. Focus groups were conducted with primary health care service users and in-depth interviews were conducted with key informants. Results were content analysed. These results indicate that this community’s conceptualisation of psychology incorporates both Western and indigenous notions and concepts which are utilised simultaneously. Psychology is viewed positively as a profession that can aid individuals and groups in dealing with and resolving intra- and interpersonal problems and conflicts. Those with mental health problems are still subject to a great deal of stigmatisation. The fear of being labelled makes the utilisation of the services of a psychologist or other mental health professional highly unlikely in several instances. This problem is exacerbated by issues related to the availability of and access to such services, as well as the quality of available care. Nonetheless, these participants state that psychologists themselves can make a positive contribution to addressing these issues, starting with active involvement in communities and providing information regarding the nature and value of the work they do. This information is critical if we are to design and implement comprehensive intervention strategies that allow for meaningful and informed participation within communities.

Thesis (MA (Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / Within the medical models, postpartum depression is constructed as a mental illness, that women are predisposed to during the postpartum period because of the biological and physiological changes that occur before, during and after childbirth. The present study aimed to determine whether childbirth increases the risk of developing depressive symptomatology in the first six months after delivery. The objective of the study was to examine the concept of postpartum depression by analyzing the difference in depressive symptom rates between 41 postpartum women and 254 male and female (who had not given birth in the previous six months) community members residing in a semi-rural area of South Africa. This objective was reached by using a cross-sectional survey research design. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to elicit the quantitative data. Several independent t-tests were conducted to determine the following (i) whether low-income women three months postpartum had higher BDI scores in comparison to a combined gendered community sample, and (ii) whether low-income women six months postpartum had higher BDI scores in comparison to a combined gendered community sample. The results indicated that the postpartum women did not experience elevated rates of depressive symptoms at three months or at six months in comparison to the community sample. Men in the 2003 community sample displayed significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms than the sixmonth postpartum women. These findings do not support the assumption that childbirth predisposes women to psychological vulnerability during the postpartum period.

Thesis (MA (Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / Divorce is a stressful experience for ndividuals, especially children, who are still in the school age or adolescent development phase. It is often associated with loss, such as the loss of a parent in the home, and in some cases loss of financial stability. The primary aim of this study was to determine what support systems and coping strategies South African children of divorce make use of. The secondary aims were to investigate whether there are any age or gender differences with regard to coping strategies as well as support systems, and to investigate which support systems are perceived to be helpful and why certain support systems are not utilized. The study made use of a cross-sectional design and a sample of 41 South African children. Support systems were measured with a semi-structured questionnaire (Support Systems Questionnaire) that was developed based on a previous study conducted by Braude and Francisco-La Grange (1993). Children’s use of coping strategies was measured with the Children’s Coping Strategies Checklist – 3rd Revision (CCSC-R3). Results indicate that children make use of avoidance coping strategies most often, followed by active coping strategies and support coping strategies. The majority of the children named the mother as the most helpful source of support after the divorce. Findings show certain age and gender differences in the support systems used by the children. Older children (13- to-17-year-old) were more likely to speak to adults other than their parents about the divorce than younger children (8- to- 12-year-old). Girls were more likely than boys to confide in their friends, psychologists and adults other than their parents about the divorce. There were no age or gender differences regarding the three main coping strategies used by the children (active coping, avoidant coping and support coping). There were, however, differences regarding the more specific coping strategies. Younger children were more likely than older children to use wishful thinking as a coping strategy. They also made more use of parents for support for problem solving and support for feelings than did adolescents. All of the children in the sample made some effort to cope with their problems and had some form of support system.

Thesis (MA (Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / This study had two main objectives: Firstly, to investigate the relationship between existential meaning-in-life and racial prejudice amongst students at Stellenbosch University; secondly to investigate how quantifiable aspects of existential meaning-inlife relate to each other to determine existential meaning-in-life in a clear, quantifiable way. The study was conducted on an ad hoc-sample of 149 students from Stellenbosch University. Relevant existential theories were reviewed in order to extract quantifiable aspects of existential meaning-in-life. The following Scales were used to measure these aspects: The Self-Transcendence Scale of the Temperament and Character Inventory; the Conformity Scale; the Self-Reflectivity subscale of the Self-Consciousness Scale; the Interpersonal Reactivity Index; the Allport-Vernon-Lindzey Study of Values; and the Purpose in Life Test. A principal components analysis revealed that conformity did not relate adequately to the other variables. The following underlying dimensions of existential meaning-in-life emerged: Self-Absolution, Life Appreciation and Existential Self-Transcendence. These dimensions were entered into multiple regression analyses to predict the respective subscales of the Color-Blind Racial Attitudes Scale (COBRAS), which was used to measure racial prejudice. Regression analyses showed Self-Absolution to predict scores on Subscale A of the COBRAS, Life Appreciation predicted scores on Subscale B, and all the dimensions predicted scores on Subscale C. Gender differences in the relationship between predictor variables and outcome variables emerged. It was found that this relationship was considerably weaker in women, if not absent: Only Self-Absolution was found to predict scores on Subscale C, while none of the underlying dimensions could predict scores on any of the other subscales. Gender differences on other variables also emerged, suggesting that the underlying dimensions of existential meaning-in-life may differ between genders. The results of this study, as well as its limitations are discussed, as are recommendations for further study.

Thesis (MA (Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie verkennende studie is onderneem om die rol van fisiese welstand rakende algehele geestesgesondheid te ondersoek. Die hoofdoelstelling is om vas te stel of daar verskille is tussen die selfkonsep en veerkragtigheid van ‘n groep individue wat kompeterend aan muurbal deelneem (vir ten minste die afgelope 12 maande) en ‘n ander groep wat geensins aan enige fisiese oefening deelneem nie (ook vir die afgelope 12 maande). Beide die groepe behoort tot die ouderdomsgroep van 50- tot 60 jariges. Hierdie navorsing is aangepak binne die positiewe paradigma van sielkunde as die wetenskaplike bestudering van die oorspronge, die prosesse en meganismes rakende optimale vlakke van menslike funksionering. Binne die kwantitatiewe benadering is ‘n vergelykende navorsingstipe gebruik. Sestig deelnemers is vir die doel van die studie gebruik. Die deelnemende groep (n=30) neem op ʼn gereelde basis aktief deel aan georganiseerde muurbal in die Meestersliga van die Westelike Provinsie se Muurbalunie. Die nie-deelnemende groep (n=30) het bestaan uit dertig individue wat glad nie aan enige fisiese oefening deelneem nie. Drie meetinstrumente is deur al die respondente voltooi, naamlik die Demografiese Vraelys, die Rosenberg Selfkonsepvraelys en die Veerkragtigheidsvraelys. Statisties beduidende verskille is gevind tussen die selfkonsep en veerkragtigheid van die deelnemende groep en nie-deelnemende groep. Die deelnemende groep het ʼn hoër selfkonseptelling en veerkragtigheidstelling as die nie-deelnemende groep getoon. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This explorative study was undertaken to investigate the role of physical well-being regarding mental wellness. The main objective was to establish whether there is a difference in the self-concept and resilience of a group of individuals who participate in squash on a competitive level (for at least the past 12 months) and an age equivalent that does not take part in any physical exercise (for also at least the past 12 months). Both these group’s members belong to the age group of 50 to 60 year olds. This research was located in the paradigm of positive psychology as the scientific study of the origins, processes and mechanisms regarding the levels of optimal human functioning. In this quantitative approach a comparative research method was used. Sixty persons were included in the sample of the study. Members of the participating group (n=30) take part in organised squash actively in the Masters League of the Western Province Squash Union on a regular basis. The non-participating group (n=30) consisted of individuals that do not take part in any physical exercise. Three measuring instruments were completed by all the respondents, namely the Demographic Questionnaire, the Rosenberg Self-Concept Questionnaire and the Resilience Questionnaire. Significant statistical differences were found in measures of the self-concept and resilience between the participating group and the non-participating group. The participating group showed a higher self-concept score and resilience score than the non-participating group.

Thesis (MA (Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / Body image and dating relationships are two of the most important topics in the lives of the female adolescents. Yet, not much South African research has been done on either of these themes with adolescent populations and no research could be found to investigate a possible relationship between these two important aspects, both internationally and locally. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to investigate the potential relationship between female adolescents’ body image and their romantic relationships. Specifically, the aim was to determine if a relationship existed between participants’ self-rated attractiveness and body dissatisfaction, and their relationship status and romantic relationship satisfaction. There were two secondary aims. The first was to investigate how aspects like participants’ culture, age and body size were related to their body image and the second was to determine if aspects like participants’ culture, age and body size were related to their relationship status and satisfaction with their romantic relationships. Questionnaires were distributed to Afrikaans- and English- speaking White girls, Afrikaansspeaking Coloured girls and isiXhosaspeaking girls at four urban, coeducational, secondary schools and 511 questionnaires were completed. Participants selfreported their height and weight, self-rated their facial and bodily attractiveness on a 7- point scale, and completed two measures of body dissatisfaction: the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) Body Dissatisfaction subscale (Garner, Olmstead, & Polivy, 1983) and the Body Cathexis Scale (BCS) (Secord & Jourard, 1953). Participants also indicated their current relationship status using five categories: has never dated anyone, not dating anyone currently, casually dating one or more people, dating one person exclusively, and engaged or planning to marry, and completed the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS) (Hendrick, 1988), a measure of relationship satisfaction. With regard to the primary aim of the study, results show that there were significant relationships between some of the measures of body image and relationship status for the total sample. In general, it was found that the girls who were involved in exclusive relationships at the time of the study had better body image than the girls who were not. Yet, results for this relationship were different for the different cultural and body mass index groups. With regard to the relationship between body image and relationship satisfaction, the Body Cathexis Scale scores significantly predicted participants’ satisfaction with their romantic relationships. Yet both weight and culture were also found to play a role in the relationship between body image and relationship satisfaction. With regard to the secondary aims of the study, culture was found to be related to body image, body mass index, relationship status and relationship satisfaction, while age played a role in participants’ body mass index and relationship status, and body mass index was related to body image, but not to relationship status and relationship satisfaction. Therefore, participants’ culture and body mass index were significant with regard to body image and romantic relationships, but was also found to play a significant role in the relationship between these two.