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The South African context, in particular, is characterized by a definite need for the facilitation of the development of the youth in a more positive trajectory. Family structures are not always robust enough to support the positive development of the youth, owing to the demands made on single–parent families, amongst other reasons. Community structures may also be less supportive of the development of the youth, because of the impact of the changes associated with the transitional phase of the country during the past sixteen years (Meehan, Peirson & Fridjhon, 2007). Furthermore, young people under the age of 15 years comprise almost a third of the total South African population (Statistics South Africa, 2009), and in the future, they will have to be prepared for an adulthood faced with previously unknown challenges (United Nations Population Fund). The importance of the development of the youth, in order to enable them to contribute to their country in future, is acknowledged by the South African Governement (National Youth Commission website). This study was conducted within the parameters of the newly developing positive youth development (PYD) paradigm. The empirical level of this paradigm is well represented in the literature, indicating that the content areas, or the “what” of PYD, have been well elucidated. However, there is a lack of theory, especially with regard to models describing developmental change (Larson et al., 2004), and evaluation of interventions aiming at the facilitation of PYD. In order to contribute to the answering of the questions regarding the “how” of development, this study had the following main aims: a) the compilation of a theoretical model, describing developmental change in the youth; b) the operationalization of this model for intervention purposes; and c) the evaluation of a programme and the model on which it is based. The study is reported on in an article format, and comprises a total of three articles. The first article focuses on the process of the compilation of a theoretical model by means of: a) the construction of a comprehensive meta–theoretical matrix, b) the integration of theory that features in the PYD literature, and c) the expansion of the latter with theory from other compatible sub–disciplines in psychology. The resultant Positive Youth Development Intervention (PYDI) model provides a process–related description of developmental change ? and is one of the first models to do so. The second article describes the operationalization of the PYDI model, by means of an indication of the relevant constructs, phenomena and processes to be facilitated. Although recent research points to a relation between PYD and self–regulation, there has been no model, describing the role of self–regulation in the facilitation of the positive development of the youth. This study adapted a model from an educational context (Heckhausen & Gollwitzer, 1987 (as cited in Boekaerts & Niemivirta, 2005)), in order to describe the regular self–regulatory processes constituting the bi–directional interactions between the youth and their primary life contexts, as proposed by developmental systems theory (Lerner, 1998), the meta–theory to PYD (King et al., 2005). A further specifc contribution is that the presentation aspects of the programme material, aimed at facilitating the integration thereof, are addressed on a theoretical level. The third article describes the evaluation of the PYDI model and programme, with young adolescents in a school in a rural area as participants. A mixed–methods study, which has been shown to render much richer information than a quantitative study alone, was applied. Although the quantitative data did not prove the success of the programme, the qualitative data suggested that some aspects of self–regulation had indeed been facilitated successfully. A second follow–up assessment, conducted seventeen months later, indicated that certain skills had only become internalized by that time, suggesting that the implementation and evaluation of such a programme should be expanded over an extended time–frame. This study has contributed to the level of theory of PYD, by indicating, a) the lacunae, and b) that theory in compatible sub–disciplinary paradigms could be used in order to devise workable models for PYD. Furthermore, the process–related nature of the PYDI model and programme, owing to its adaptability to different needs, may be adapted and extended to be applicable to the needs of the diverse South African population. Recommendations regarding future application and research, especially within the South African context, have also been put forward in the study. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The South African context, in particular, is characterized by a definite need for the facilitation of the development of the youth in a more positive trajectory. Family structures are not always robust enough to support the positive development of the youth, owing to the demands made on single–parent families, amongst other reasons. Community structures may also be less supportive of the development of the youth, because of the impact of the changes associated with the transitional phase of the country during the past sixteen years (Meehan, Peirson & Fridjhon, 2007). Furthermore, young people under the age of 15 years comprise almost a third of the total South African population (Statistics South Africa, 2009), and in the future, they will have to be prepared for an adulthood faced with previously unknown challenges (United Nations Population Fund). The importance of the development of the youth, in order to enable them to contribute to their country in future, is acknowledged by the South African Governement (National Youth Commission website). This study was conducted within the parameters of the newly developing positive youth development (PYD) paradigm. The empirical level of this paradigm is well represented in the literature, indicating that the content areas, or the “what” of PYD, have been well elucidated. However, there is a lack of theory, especially with regard to models describing developmental change (Larson et al., 2004), and evaluation of interventions aiming at the facilitation of PYD. In order to contribute to the answering of the questions regarding the “how” of development, this study had the following main aims: a) the compilation of a theoretical model, describing developmental change in the youth; b) the operationalization of this model for intervention purposes; and c) the evaluation of a programme and the model on which it is based. The study is reported on in an article format, and comprises a total of three articles. The first article focuses on the process of the compilation of a theoretical model by means of: a) the construction of a comprehensive meta–theoretical matrix, b) the integration of theory that features in the PYD literature, and c) the expansion of the latter with theory from other compatible sub–disciplines in psychology. The resultant Positive Youth Development Intervention (PYDI) model provides a process–related description of developmental change ? and is one of the first models to do so. The second article describes the operationalization of the PYDI model, by means of an indication of the relevant constructs, phenomena and processes to be facilitated. Although recent research points to a relation between PYD and self–regulation, there has been no model, describing the role of self–regulation in the facilitation of the positive development of the youth. This study adapted a model from an educational context (Heckhausen & Gollwitzer, 1987 (as cited in Boekaerts & Niemivirta, 2005)), in order to describe the regular self–regulatory processes constituting the bi–directional interactions between the youth and their primary life contexts, as proposed by developmental systems theory (Lerner, 1998), the meta–theory to PYD (King et al., 2005). A further specifc contribution is that the presentation aspects of the programme material, aimed at facilitating the integration thereof, are addressed on a theoretical level. The third article describes the evaluation of the PYDI model and programme, with young adolescents in a school in a rural area as participants. A mixed–methods study, which has been shown to render much richer information than a quantitative study alone, was applied. Although the quantitative data did not prove the success of the programme, the qualitative data suggested that some aspects of self–regulation had indeed been facilitated successfully. A second follow–up assessment, conducted seventeen months later, indicated that certain skills had only become internalized by that time, suggesting that the implementation and evaluation of such a programme should be expanded over an extended time–frame. This study has contributed to the level of theory of PYD, by indicating, a) the lacunae, and b) that theory in compatible sub–disciplinary paradigms could be used in order to devise workable models for PYD. Furthermore, the process–related nature of the PYDI model and programme, owing to its adaptability to different needs, may be adapted and extended to be applicable to the needs of the diverse South African population. Recommendations regarding future application and research, especially within the South African context, have also been put forward in the study. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

La documentation scientifique s’intéresse généralement aux formes de leadership destructif et constructif et à leurs conséquences de façon isolée. Ainsi, peu d’attention a été portée au positionnement des comportements destructifs par rapport aux comportements constructifs. Or, l’étude de leur amalgame s’avère importante dans le contexte où un gestionnaire étant perçu à la fois comme une source de stress et de soutien pourrait être plus délétère pour ses employés qu’un gestionnaire étant plus clairement perçu comme une source de stress. Ce phénomène nommé exacerbation intra-source soutient qu’un un profil de leadership caractérisé par l’utilisation conjointe de comportements destructifs et constructifs serait plus délétère pour le bien-être et la performance des employés, qu’un profil plus clairement destructif. Ce phénomène serait théoriquement expliqué par la perception d’incertitude des comportements du gestionnaire. Cette thèse propose à travers deux articles d’examiner les amalgames de comportements de leadership destructif et constructif présentés par les gestionnaires et leurs liens avec l’épanouissement au travail et l’habilitation comportementale des employés, des indicateurs de bien-être et de performance. Elle propose aussi de vérifier si ces amalgames sont liés à la perception d’incertitude des comportements du gestionnaire. Le premier article vérifie les combinaisons de leadership tyrannique et transformationnel perçues par 2104 employés d’une organisation policière. Les résultats montrent que les gestionnaires de cette organisation amalgament ces comportements et qu’un profil caractérisé par des niveaux légèrement sous la moyenne à la fois de de leadership tyrannique et de leadership transformationnel serait plus néfaste pour l’épanouissement et iv l’habilitation comportementale des employés, qu’un profil de leadership plus clairement destructif ou un profil plus constructif. Le second article élargit le champ de recherche en s’intéressant à un ensemble plus large de comportements représentatifs du spectre du leadership destructif-constructif. Les combinaisons de leadership et leur lien avec l’épanouissement, l’habilitation comportementale et l’incertitude des comportements du gestionnaire sont investigués par l’entremise des perceptions de 305 employés d’une organisation du secteur des ressources naturelles. Les résultats obtenus dans cette organisation soutiennent également que les gestionnaires amalgament des comportements destructifs et constructifs. Certains gestionnaires présentent un profil généralement constructif, mais caractérisé par plus de comportements destructifs, comparativement à d’autres ayant un profil plus clairement constructif. Un dernier profil de gestionnaires plus destructifs est observé et serait lié aux niveaux les plus faibles d’épanouissement et d’habilitation comportementale, ainsi que le plus élevé d’incertitude, ne soutenant pas la présence d’exacerbation intra-source. L’exacerbation intra-source est toutefois observée en présence de dyades spécifiques de comportements de leadership. Cette thèse contribue à améliorer notre compréhension des combinaisons comportementales de leadership typiquement présentées par les gestionnaires. Elle contribue aussi à l’identification des conditions précises dans lesquelles l’exacerbation intra-source est élicitée dans le contexte du leadership. Ce phénomène serait uniquement observé sur l’épanouissement et l’habilitation comportementale en présence de dyades spécifiques de comportements destructifs et constructifs reposant sur le même mécanisme d’influence. Dans cette optique, seule une de ces dyades serait liée à la perception d’incertitude, ouvrant ainsi à la possibilité à l’existence de plus d’un mécanisme explicatif de l’exacerbation intra-source. / The scientific literature generally focuses on forms of destructive and constructive leadership and their consequences in isolation. Little attention has been paid to the positioning of destructive behaviors in relation to constructive behaviors. However, the examination of their combinations is an important matter considering that a leader who is perceived as a source of stress and support could be more deleterious for his employees than a leader who is more clearly perceived as a source of stress. This phenomenon, called within-domain exacerbation, suggests that a leadership profile characterized by both destructive and constructive behaviors would be more deleterious for employees’ well-being and performance than one more clearly characterized by destructive behaviors. This phenomenon is theoretically explained by perception of the leader’s behaviors uncertainty. This thesis proposes through two articles to examine how leaders combine destructive and constructive behaviors and how these combinations are related with thriving at work and behavioral empowerment, respectively indicators of well-being and performance. It also proposes to verify if these combinations are related to perceptions of the leader’s behaviors uncertainty. The first article examines combinations of petty tyranny and transformational leadership perceived by 2104 employees of a police organization. Results show that leaders of this organization do combine these behaviors and that a profile characterized by slightly below average levels of petty tyranny and transformational leadership appears to be more deleterious for employees thriving and behavioral empowerment, compared to a more clearly destructive profile and a more constructive profile. The second article considers a broader set of behaviors representative of the destructive-constructive leadership spectrum. Combinations of leadership behaviors and their vii relations with thriving, behavioral empowerment, and the leader’s behaviors uncertainty were investigated through the perception of 305 employees of an organization working in the natural resource industry. Results also show leaders of this organization do combine destructive and constructive behaviors. Some leaders present a generally constructive profile, but characterized by higher levels of destructive behaviors, compared to others who present a more clearly constructive profile. A destructive leadership profile was also observed and is related to the lowest levels of thriving and behaviors empowerment, and the highest level of uncertainty, not supporting the presence of within-domain exacerbation. However, within-domain exacerbation is observed in the presence of specific dyadic combination of leadership behaviors. This thesis contributes to improve our understanding of the leadership profiles typically presented by leaders. It also contributes to the identification of the precise conditions under which within-domain exacerbation is elicited when leadership behaviors are considered. This phenomenon is only observed on thriving at work and behavioral empowerment when leaders present a specific dyadic combination of destructive and constructive behaviors which rely on the same influence mechanism. Moreover, only one of these specific combinations is related to perception of uncertainty, suggesting more than one mechanism could underpin within-domain exacerbation.

Title: An active chain process of self-leadership: Dynamically practising self-leading strategies for sustainability. Keywords: Active and dynamic, Chain process of self-leadership, Self-leadership strategies Background: Sustainability is important and of current interest, requiring all organisations to be well-functioning, committed to sustainability and create strategic decisions for their long-term sustainability. Organisations thence benefit from training the employees into self-leaders, as it results in beneficial outcomes that lead to greatness within organisations, and hence society at large. Research question: Why do individuals succeed in maintaining and practising an active chain process of self-leadership? Purpose: This study aims to understand why individuals sustain maintaining an active chain process of self-leadership by dynamically practising self-leadership strategies, where they continue to be self-aware, manage and lead themselves, practice self-leadership strategies, attain self-efficacy and achieve beneficial outputs that in extension contribute to a more efficient and long-term sustainable society. To better understand what activates the chain process of self-leadership and creates the dynamic, the authors have developed a summarising model (see model 5.1 in chapter 5). Method: The study is of qualitative character with an abductive research approach, where the empirical data have been collected through semi-structured interviews and a collective case study design with ten informants who practise self-leadership, and then analysed by the Gioia method. Findings: The chain process of self-leadership is holistic and what maintains it active are feelings of well-being, competence, and efficacy, as well as succeeding, contributing to a greater good and seeing things in a greater context. Of significance is to be reminded and followed up regularly. Paper type: Master thesis

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