Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between age and the following subjective well-being (SWB) variables: global life satisfaction (as measured by the Satisfaction With Life Scale [SWLS; Diener, Emmons, Larson, & Griffin, 1985], the temporal (past, present and future) dimensions of life satisfaction (as measured by the Temporal Satisfaction With Life Scale [TSWLS; Pavot, Diener, & Suh, 1998]), gratitude (as measured by the Gratitude Questionnaire-Six Item Form [GQ-6; McCullough, Emmons, & Tsang, 2002]) and health satisfaction (as measured by the Health Satisfaction Question [HSQ; Chatters, 1988; Coyle, Lesnick-Emas, & Kinney, 1994; Gwozdoz & Sousa-Poza, 2009]). The interrelationships between these variables were explored, as well as the relationship between certain sociodemographic variables and global life satisfaction in late adulthood. Two groups of male and female South African participants were used, namely, individuals aged between 24-34 years (early adulthood) and 60-75 years (late adulthood). Differences between the two groups with regard to the SWB variables were investigated by using one-way ANOVAs and t-tests, and the interrelationships between the SWB variables were calculated by means of Pearson correlations, for each group seperately, as well as for the two groups combined. Differences in global life satisfaction between different sociodemographic subgroups within the late adulthood group were analysed using one-way ANOVAs and Bonferroni posthoc comparisons. Results indicated that individuals in late adulthood reported significantly higher levels of life satisfaction than individuals in early adulthood. Similarly, individuals in late adulthood reported significantly higher levels of health satisfaction when compared to their younger counterparts. Regarding the trajectories of life satisfaction based on the subscales of the TSWLS, t-tests revealed that the early adulthood group considered their present and future (expected) life satisfaction to be significantly higher than their past life satisfaction. On the other hand, individuals in late adulthood considered only their present to be significantly higher than their past life satisfaction. Pearson correlations indicated significant relationships between global life satisfaction, the temporal dimensions of life satisfaction, and gratitude for both the early and late adulthood groups, as well as for both groups combined. Additionally, gratitude correlated significantly with health satisfaction and future life satisfaction for the early adulthood, but not for the late adulthood group. Neither gender, length of retirement or length of widowhood were significantly related to global life satisfaction, although married individuals reported significantly higher global life satisfaction than those who were not married. The results of the study suggest that there are significant differences between South African early and late adults with regard to some SWB variables and their interrelationships. The implications of these findings were discussed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om die verband tussen ouderdom en die volgende subjektiewe welsyn (SWS) veranderlikes te ondersoek: globale lewensbevrediging (soos gemeet met die Satisfaction With Life Scale [SWLS; Diener, Emmons, Larson, & Griffin, 1985], die temporale (verlede, hede en toekoms) dimensies van lewensbevredigings (soos gemeet met die Temporal Satisfaction With Life Scale [TSWLS; Pavot, Diener, & Suh, 1998]), dankbaarheid (soos gemeet met die Gratitude Questionnaire-Six Item Form [GQ-6; McCullough, Emmons, & Tsang, 2002]) en gesondheidsbevrediging (soos gemeet met die Health Satisfaction Question [HSQ; Chatters, 1988; Coyle, Lesnick-Emas, & Kinney, 1994; Gwozdoz & Sousa-Poza, 2009]). The interverbande tussen hierdie verandelikes is ondersoek, sowel as die verband tussen sekere sosiodemografiese veranderlikes en globale lewensbevrediging in laat-volwassenheid. Twee groepe manlike en vroulike Suid-Afrikaanse deelnemers is gebruik, naamlik individue tussen die ouderdomme van 24-34 jaar (vroeë volwassenheid) en 60-75 years (laat volwassenheid). Verskille tussen die twee groepe wat betref die SWS veranderlikes is ondersoek met eenkantige variansie-analises en t-toetse, en die interverbande tussen die SWS veranderlikes is bereken met behulp van Pearson-korrelasies, vir elke groep afsonderlik, sowel as vir die twee groepe gekombineer. Verskille in globale lewensbevrediging tussen sosiodemografies-verskillende subgroepe binne die laat-volwassenheidgroep is ondersoek met behulp van eenkantige variansie-analises en Bonferroni opvolg-vergelykings. Resultate het aangetoon dat individue in laat-volwassenheid beduidend hoër vlakke van lewensbevrediging gerapporteer het as individue in vroeë volwassenheid. Individue in laat-volwassenheid het ook beduidend hoër vlakke van gesondheidsbevrediging in vergelyking met die jonger groep getoon. Wat betref die trajektorieë van lewensbevrediging gebaseer op die subskale van die TSWLS, het t-toetse aangetoon dat die vroeë volwassenheidgroep hul huidige en toekomstige (verwagte) lewensbevrediging as beduidend hoër as hul verlede-lewensbevrediging beoordeel het. Hierteenoor het individue in laat-volwassenheid slegs hul huidige lewensbevrediging as beduidend hoër as hul verlede-lewensbevrediging beoordeel. Pearson-korrelasies het beduidende verbande aangetoon tussen globale lewensbevrediging, die temporale dimensies van lewensbevrediging, en dankbaarheid vir beide die vroeë - en laat volwassenheid-groepe, sowel as vir beide groepe gekombineer. Verder het dankbaarheid beduidend gekorreleer met gesondheidsbevrediging en toekomstige lewensbevrediging vir die vroeë volwassenheidgroep, maar nie vir die laat- volwassenheidgroep nie. Nie geslag, tydperk van aftrede of tydperk van weduweeskap/ wewenaarskap het beduidende verbande met globale lewensbevrediging getoon nie, alhoewel getroude individue beduidend hoër globale lewensbevrediging as dié wat nie getroud was nie, gerapporteer het. Die resultate van die studie suggereer dat daar beduidende verskille tussen Suid-Afrikaanse vroeë en laat volwassenes bestaan wat betref sekere SWS veranderlikes en hul interverbande. Die implikasies van hierdie bevindings is bespreek.

Magister Artium (Social Work) - MA(SW) / Since the inception of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, millions of individuals of all ages have been affected. To date, more than 15 million people have died from HIV/AIDS, resulting in a substantial increase in the number of orphans worldwide. AIDS orphans are not spared from the catastrophic outcomes of the virus but rather are critically affected by the presence of familial HIV/AIDS. They have come to be seen as a vulnerable population of the youth who are neglected and ineffectively educated and cared for. Numerous risk factors and outcomes have been identified for AIDS orphans, such as parental bereavement, poverty, financial strain, the loss of educational opportunities, and stigmatisation. Although these risk factors and outcomes may be present among all orphaned youth, AIDS orphans display higher levels of psychological difficulties and distress than youth orphaned by other causes. Scholars have begun to investigate the association of AIDS orphans with a highly stigmatised disease in the hope of uncovering possible explanations. This research has become a challenging task as there is insufficient filtered information examining the effects of HIV-related stigma on the psychological well-being of AIDS orphans. With limited knowledge, it is impossible to accurately illustrate or address the risk that HIV-related stigma poses to the psychological well-being of AIDS orphans. The present study aimed to examine and report on the effects of HIV-related stigma on the psychological well-being of AIDS orphans who have lost one or both of their parents to HIV/AIDS. The study employed a systematic review methodology which identified and critically evaluated relevant literature for inclusion and provided a descriptive meta-synthesis of findings. The review considered studies reporting on the effects of HIV-related stigma on the psychological well-being of AIDS orphans that were published during the period 2004–2015. The review was conducted in four systematic steps. Firstly, potential titles were identified using predetermined sets of keywords in databases available at the University of the Western Cape. Secondly, the abstracts of potential titles were screened for relevance to the study and were promoted to the next level of review. Thirdly, the full text of the studies of all eligible abstracts were retrieved and evaluated for methodological quality using a critical appraisal tool. Eligibility for inclusion was determined by a predetermined threshold score of 80%. Lastly, studies included in the present study were subjected to a process of data extraction. Subsequently, the title search yielded 5473 prospective titles of which 96 titles were identified for possible inclusion. Abstract screening excluded 59 titles, and the differences of 37 studies were included. Critical appraisal of potential studies excluded 28 studies, and the remaining 9 studies were deemed eligible for the purpose of the present study, achieving the threshold score of 80% and above and have been included in the review. The theory explication meta-synthesis and line of argument forming the discussion of findings revealed that AIDS orphans are critically affected by various measures of HIV-related stigma. The central feature extracted from the included studies was the increase of psychological distress and poor psychological functioning of AIDS orphans resulting from HIV- related stigma. Stigma acted to perpetuate poverty, the loss of educational opportunities and the process of bereavement, while leading to an increase in depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, conduct disorder, adjustment disorder and delinquency among AIDS orphans. In conclusion, AIDS orphans experienced all measures of HIV-related stigma resulting in an increase of psychological distress accompanied by lower levels of poor-psychological functioning.

The current study aimed to explore the positive aspects of Psychological Capital (PsyCap) and attempted to explain how the psychological resources inherent in PsyCap can aid against the negative effects of Burnout in educators in the Umlazi Region of Kwa-Zulu Natal. The general objective of this research study was to explore the relationship between PsyCap, Subjective Wellbeing, Burnout and Job Satisfaction. The study used a quantitative research design and was conducted using the Positive Psychology framework. This study made use of the Conservation of Resources Theory as its theoretical framework. Convenience samples (n=103) were taken of educators across four educational institutions in the Umlazi Region. The Psychological Capital Questionnaire; Satisfaction with Life Scale; Oldenburg Burnout Inventory; and Minnesota Job Satisfaction Questionnaire (short form) were administered to the participants. The results confirmed that there were statistically and practically significant relationships between PsyCap, Subjective Wellbeing, Burnout and Job Satisfaction. The results revealed that Subjective Wellbeing was a statistically significant predictor of PsyCap. It also indicated that PsyCap and Subjective Wellbeing were both statistically significant predictors of Burnout. The results confirmed that the relationship between Subjective Wellbeing and Burnout was mediated by Psychological Capital (PsyCap). / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

Text in English / The aim of the current study is to provide detailed information regarding individuals’ turning-point experiences, in order to understand the psychological and spiritual aspects involved in moving beyond a significant low point towards a significant high point in one’s life. It seems that inadequate information regarding formal studies about this phenomenon exists in literature, which this study endeavours to address. Thereby, a qualitative phenomenological study was conducted amongst nineteen South African citizens, who were purposefully and conveniently selected from the diverse population of South Africa. Individual participants confirmed that they had experienced significant low points from which they had been able to move to reach a significant high point. Through interviews, River-of-life (RoL) drawings and a short background information questionnaire (SBIQ), participants were able to provide information on their experiences. The participants’ stories, obtained during the interviews, were transcribed, and then triangulated with information obtained from the RoL drawings, completed SBIQ’s, researcher notes and other additional sources, during the analysis phase. Thematic analysis was performed on individuals’ stories to obtain the research participants’ themes, which provided the aspects involved in their turning-point experiences. In-depth analysis of all participants’ stories produced a theme-model consisting of main and unique themes. Unique themes identified by the study supported the main themes. Themes highlighted through the study included minding oneself, support from and to, doing something, religion/faith in God, positive attitude and meaning. The positive psychology theoretical framework was applied in interpreting the findings. This study suggests that a combination of themes is relevant in one’s ability to move beyond a low point experience towards a high point experience. The application of the theme-model could assist others in similar situations to create change or a turning-point experience in order to move away from or transcend a low point. The study was linked to the subjective measuring of Quality of Life (QOL). It is recommended that more subjective indicators of QOL, including spirituality indicators, be investigated. While this study focussed on the internal influences affecting change in a person’s life towards fulfilment, further studies may investigate the external influences. / Psychology / Ph. D. (Psychology)