The present study investigated the role of gender, sense of coherence and total physical activity in positive and negative affect. The participants were 376 (169 female, 206 male, and 1 missing value) volunteered students from different faculties of Middle East Technical University. Three questionnaires, namely, Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC), Physical Activity Assessment Questionnaire (PAAQ), and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) were administered to the students together with the demographic information sheet. Two separate stepwise multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the predictive power of gender (coded as dummy variable), sense of coherence and total physical activity on positive and negative affect scores. Results revealed that, sense of coherence and total physical activity predicted the positive affect whereas sense of coherence predicted the negative affect of university students. Findings are discussed in the light of sense of coherence, physical activity and positive and negative affect literature.

<p>The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between gender and self reported symptoms (physiological and psychological) and sense of coherence (SOC) and Job Demand-Control-Social support (JDCS). The sample consisted of 360 respondents (nfemale= 261, nmale= 99), in the ages between 19-53 (M=25,57, SD=5,77), all students from Växjö University. A quantitative work method was used in the study; data was collected using questionnaires that consisted of self-reported questions, based on three parts: A modified symptom checklist, SOC 13 and a modified JDCS questionnaire. The result of our study showed that both SOC and JDCS had an effect on self-reported symptoms but there were no interaction between SOC and JDCS. No significant gender differences were found regarding the level of SOC. Female students reported symptoms in a significant higher extent than male students. There were no gender differences regarding JDCS. Our results are discussed in relation to previous studies. Our conclusion is that it is important to perform further research on students’ health and work environment.</p>

Inledning: I den här studien lyfts fem ungdomars röst fram kring hur deras upplevelse av kontakten med socialtjänsten sett ut. En utredning inom socialtjänsten innebär att en yttre kontrollinsats kommer in i ens eget och ens familjs liv vilket kan uppfattas som en förlust av kontroll och integritetskränkande. Att ungdomar befinner sig i en än större beroendeställning jämfört med vuxna gentemot myndigheter är ett faktum. Syftet med undersökningen är att utforska ungdomars upplevelser (12-18 år) efter en barnavårdsutredning. Frågeställning: Hur beskriver ungdomar sina upplevelser efter en barnavårdsutredning? Metod: I denna kvalitativa studie har fem ungdomar intervjuats. Data har sedan transkriberats och analyserats i ljuset av det teoretiska perspektiv som KASAM innebär. Resultat: Samtliga ungdomar i studien berättar om en känsla av maktlöshet och osäkerhet kring sina egna rättigheter och möjligheter att vara delaktiga i utredningsprocessen. De beskriver en bristande tilltro till att eventuella beslut som fattas kan påverkas av dom själva om de uttrycker sina tankar kring behov av hjälp. Samtidigt som en tydlig önskan finns hos ungdomarna om att få hjälp och kunna påverka situationen. Diskussion: Intervjuerna med ungdomarna genomsyras av deras önskan om att få göra sin röst hörd, att få vara med och påverka sin egen livssituation. För att den sociala barnavården i Sverige ska kunna fortsätta att utvecklas och förbättras behöver barn och ungdomars ställning stärkas och ytterligare belysas. / Introduction: In this study the voice of five young people are highlighted regarding their experience being in contact with the social services. An investigation by the social services means that an external control comes into the individuals life and the familys life, which may be perceived as a loss of control and intrusive. That young people are in even greater dependence compared to adults with authorities is a fact. The purpose of the study is to explore the experiences of young people (12-18 years) after a child protection investigation. Question: How does young people describe their experiences after a child protection investigation? Method: In this qualitative study, five young people were interviewed. Data is transcribed and analyzed in the light of the theoretical perspective that SOC means. Result: All the young people in the study talks about a feeling of powerlessness and uncertainty about their rights and opportunities to be involved in the investigation process. They describe a lack of confidence that decisions can be influenced by themselves if they express their thoughts about the need for help. They have a clear desire to get help and be able to influence the situation. Discussion: The interviews with the youths are permeated by their desire to make their voice heard, to be involved and influence their own situation. For social services for children in Sweden to be able to continue evolve and improve, children and young peoples position needs to be strengthened and further illuminated.

Psykisk ohälsa blir allt vanligare bland svenskar och ökar i synnerhet hos yngre vuxna – men hur kommer det sig att majoriteten fortfarande är friska? Syftet med denna studie var att kartlägga nivåerna av upplevd self-efficacy (SE), känsla av sammanhang (KASAM), respektive framtidsoptimism (FO) hos Umeå Universitets psykologprogramstudenter. Studien undersökte även om det fanns några könsrelaterade skillnader i de tre beroendevariablerna, samt jämförde studenternas skattningar med värden från liknande svenska undersökningar. Resultatet visade att studenter i början av programmet skattar lägre nivåer av både SE och KASAM än de som befann sig i mitten, respektive slutet av utbildningen. Det fanns ingen signifikant könsskillnad. Jämförelserna påvisade en signifikant skillnad mellan psykologprogramstudenterna och deltagarna i tidigare studier. Studenterna skattade lägre nivåer på skalorna än åldersblandade urval, vilket troligtvis beror på att skattningarna tenderar att bli högre med stigande ålder och att rollen som student – i synnerhet när den är ny – kan innebära ökad osäkerhet och påfrestningar. / Mental health problems are becoming more common in the Swedish population, particularly among young adults - but how come the majority is still healthy? The purpose of this study was to map out the levels of perceived self-efficacy (SE), sense of coherence (SOC), and future oriented optimism (FO) of the students studying the psychologist program at Umeå University. The study also examined gender differences, and compared the students' estimates with values from similar Swedish studies. The results showed that students in the beginning of the program estimated lower levels of both SE and SOC than those who found themselves in the middle, and the end. There were no significant gender differences. The comparisons showed a significant difference between the psychologist students and participants in the other studies. The students estimated lower levels than did people with mixed ages, which is probably due to phenomenon that the estimates tend to rise with increasing age. Also, the role of being a student - especially when it is new - may involve increased levels of insecurity and stress.

Tyrimo tikslas: Ištirti gydytojų psichikos sveikatą, vidinę darną, suicidiškumo ir nuostata savižudybės atžvilgiu ypatumus. Tyrimo uždaviniai: 1. įvertinti ir palyginti gydytojų psichikos sveikatą ir jos aspektus pagal socialinius demografinius duomenis. 2. ištirti gydytojų psichikos sveikatą ir jos aspektus lyginant pagal specialybę. 3. išnagrinėti gydytojų psichikos sveikatą lyginant pagal vidinės darnos lygį. 4. įvertinti ir išnagrinėti gydytojų suicidiškumą bei nuostatas į savižudybę lyginant pagal socialinius demografinius duomenis. 5. palyginti gydytojų suicidiškumą bei nuostatas į savižudybę pagal specialybę. 6. palyginti gydytojų suicidiškumą bei nuostatas į savižudybę pagal vidinės darnos lygį. 7. įvertinti ir palyginti gydytojų vidinę darną ir jos komponentus pagal socialinius demografinius duomenis. 8. išanalizuoti gydytojų vidinės darnos ir jos komponentų lygį lyginant pagal specialybę. 9. išnagrinėti gydytojų psichikos sveikatos ir suicidiškumo, tarpusavio ryšį. 10. ištirti ryšį tarp psichikos sveikatos ir nuostatų savižudybės atžvilgiu Darbo metodai: Mokslinės literatūros analizė, anketinė apklausa, statistinių duomenų analizė. Tyrime dalyvavo: 78 onkologai, 63 bendrosios praktikos gydytojai ir 63 psichiatrai. Tyrimo rezultatai: Tyrimo rezultatai patvirtino mūsų hipotezę, gydytojai, pasižymintys blogesne psichikos sveikata, žemesne vidine darna, turi teigiamą nuostatą savižudybės atžvilgiu bei turi suicidiškumo požymių (yra linkę pritarti savižudybei)... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Goal of the research: To analyze peculiarities of the doctors’ mental health, sense of coherence and attitude towards suicide. Tasks of the analysis research: 1. To estimate and compare the doctors' mental health and it‘s aspects according to social data and demographics. 2. To investigate the doctors' mental health comparing by the specialties. 3. To examine the doctors' mental health comparing by the level of sense of coherence. 4. To estimate and examine the doctors' suicidity and attitudes towards suicide comparing by social data and demographics. 5. To compare doctors' suicidity and attitudes towards suicide according to specialty. 6. To compare doctors' suicidity and attitudes towards suicide according to the level of sense of coherence. 7. To estimate and compare the doctors' sense of coherence and it‘s components according to social data and demographics. 8. To analyze doctors' sense of coherence and it‘s components according to specialty. 9. To examine correlation between the doctors' mental health and suicidity. 10. To investigate correlation between mental health and attitude towards suicide. Research methods: Analysis of scientific literature, survey with questionnaires, analysis of statistical data. Research participants: 78 oncologists, 78 general practitioners and 78 psychiatrists. Results of the research: Our hypothesis was being confirmed by the results, the doctors of worse mental health and lower sense of coherence have positive... [to full text]

The aim of the research was to design and assess the effectiveness of a hope enhancement programme for a group of adults and the resulting influence on their general psychological well-being. The purpose of the programme was to increase hope, as conceptualised by Snyder et al. (1991), by enhancing participants' abilities to set feasible goals, planning ways to reach those goals (pathways) and increasing determination and motivation (agency) towards goal achievement. The workshop-format programme, presented by the researcher, consisted of six two-hour sessions spread over five days. The programme was developed through incorporating suggestions from existing Hope literature together with health psychological and positive psychology principles. In order to determine the impact of the programme, four measurement instruments were used, namely the Hope Scale, the Hunter Opinions and Personal Expectations Scale (HOPES), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and the Sense of Coherence scale (SOC-29). A pre and post-test design included an experimental group (n = 8), control group (n = 8) and 'chat' group (n = 8). Prior to group compilation, screening interviews were conducted with interested participants to exclude those who had recently experienced trauma or displayed overt signs of psychological pathology. The control group received no intervention, while the 'chat' group, of which the researcher was also a member, was allowed to discuss topics of their choosing. The study groups comprised both men and women of different ages and socio-economic status. All participants were White and Afrikaans speaking. Descriptive statistics, psychometric analysis of the measuring instruments and significant differences between groups were calculated with the assistance of the STATISTICA (version 6) computer programme (Statsoft Inc., 2003). Reliability indices compared well with those recorded in the literature for the various scales. For the experimental group, the findings indicated an increase in the hope levels as reflected by significant improvement on the Hope Scale and the Hopefulness subscale of the HOPES. Subjective feedback from the group confirmed these findings. Psychological well-being improved, as shown by a significant increase in Sense of Coherence (SOC-29) along with a positive change in Satisfaction with Life (SWLS). Neither the control nor experimental groups revealed any significant changes. It was established that the hope enhancement programme is effective in increasing the levels of hope and general psychological well-being of a group of adults relatively free of psychological pathology. Considering the findings, it is recommended that future wellness intervention should not focus solely on individuals with established psychological pathology, but also consider a preventative approach within the average population. / Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

The impact of change on organisations and the transforming role of the protection services member means that protection services members perform under more stress than members of almost any other profession. They are human and experience the same or sometimes more severe forms of depression, anxiety and other symptoms than other people. The objectives of this study were to determine the construct validity and internal consistency of the MBI-GS, UWES, OTLQ and Health subscales of the ASSET for protection services members. The relationship between work wellness, sense of coherence and health and the development of a model of work wellness for protection services members was determined. The research method consists of a literature review and an empirical study using a cross-sectional survey design to collect data. An availability sample (N = 341) from protection services members was taken. The Maslach Burnout Inventory - General Survey (MI-GS), Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), Orientation to Life Questionnaire (OTLQ), Health subscales of the ASSET and a Biographical questionnaire were administered. The statistical analysis was carried out with the help of the SPSS-programme and AMOS. The statistical methods utilised in the article consisted of descriptive statistics, Cronbach alpha coefficients, exploratory factor analysis, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients and structural equation modelling methods. Exploratory factor analysis confirmed a two-factor model of work engagement, consisting of vigour/dedication and absorption. In previous research of protection services members, two factors in the MBI-GS could also be extracted, namely, burnout and professional efficacy. The MBI-GS and UWES both showed acceptable internal consistencies. Construct equivalence for different language groups was confirmed for the MBI-GS and UWES. vii Product-moment correlation coefficients showed significant negative correlations between Burnout and Vigour/Dedication, Burnout and Sense of Coherence, Sense of Coherence and Physical Health, Sense of Coherence and Psychological Health. There were significant positive correlations between Physical Health and Psychological Health, Professional Efficacy and Vigour/Dedication, Professional Efficacy and Absorption, Vigour/Dedication and Absorption and lastly Physical Health and Psychological Health. A causal model of work wellness was developed. The first two hypothesis were accepted: Work Wellness consists of Burnout and Work Engagement and high levels of burnout may result in either physical of psychological health problems. The third hypothesis was only partially accepted: the path coefficient from Sense of Coherence to Work Wellness and I11 Health is significant. Sense of Coherence partially mediated the impact of Burnout as part of Work Wellness on Ill Health. The path coefficient from Sense of Coherence to Ill Health was also found to be significant, indicating that higher levels of Sense of Coherence can result in fewer health problems. Recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

A growing economy demands a skilled workforce, and the reality of the situation in South Africa is that, due to former apartheid policies and job reservation, there are large numbers of unemployed people with little hope of employment in the formal sector because they lack skills and experience. The National Skills Development and the Skills Development Levy Act gave rise to the development of the National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS). The NSDS is now entering its second five-year cycle with the scoreboard reflecting both gains and challenges for Sector Education Training Authorities (SETAs) as the primary delivery institutions of the NSDS. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between job demands and job resources and the work wellness of employees in SETAs, using a cross-sectional survey design. The survey consisted of 159 SETA employees in South Africa. The Maslach Burnout Inventory - General Survey, the Utrecht Work engagement Scale, the ASSET (An Organizational Stress Screening Evaluation Tool) and the Orientation to Life Questionnaire, were administered. Descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analyses, Pearson correlations and structural equation modelling were used to analyse the data. The results of this study confirmed the construct validity and reliability of the scales which were employed to measure work-related well-being. Furthermore, the results showed that overload predict exhaustion. Cynicism was best predicted by a lack of resources (specifically growth opportunities and lack of organisational support) and a weak sense of coherence. Vigour and dedication were predicted by growth opportunities, organisational support and a strong sense of coherence Exhaustion predicted physical ill-health, while both exhaustion and cynicism contributed to psychological ill-health. Affective organisational commitment was predicted by vigour and dedication, while behavioural organisational commitment was predicted by high vigour and low exhaustion. Recommendations for SETAs and future research were made / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Aim The aim of this study has been to examine how health enhancement teachers in Montana, USA, view the value of physical activity from a lifelong perspective. In what way does the health enhancement teacher think the importance of physical activity from a lifelong perspective could be presented? What resources are available for teachers to present the value of physical activity from a lifelong perspective? Method The issue has been answered through qualitative interviews consisting of six health enhancement teachers, four women and two men, in Montana, USA. One of the teachers worked at an elementary school (for 30 years), three teachers worked at middle schools (20, 10 and 8 years of work experience) and two of the teachers interviewed worked at a high school (30 and 3 years).   Results The majority of teachers feel that a wide variety of activities, adapted to an individual level, and the understanding of a healthy lifestyle are important in order for the teacher to present the value of physical activity from a lifelong perspective. The teachers felt they had sufficient material in order to present the value of physical activity, where the school budget provided the teachers with materials every year. In addition to the budget, all the teachers had 12 hours of professional development every year where they could attend conferences or their own choice of professional development. Conclusion With the help in forms of professional development offered by the school, conferences, meeting with other teachers, and their own choice of development, the teachers instruction techniques could increase which could help the teachers to find the pupils’ interest for different kinds of physical activities. Keywords Physical education and health, physical activity, SOC, sense of coherence. / Syfte och frågeställningar Syftet med studien har varit att undersöka hur lärare, i ämnet idrott och hälsa på skolor i Montana, USA, ser på värdet av fysisk aktivitet i ett livslångt perspektiv. På vilket sätt anser läraren i idrott och hälsa att vikten av fysisk aktivitet i ett livslångt perspektiv kan förmedlas till eleverna?  Vilka hjälpmedel finns till förfogande för läraren att förmedla värdet av fysisk aktivitet i ett livslångt perspektiv? Metod Frågeställningen har besvarats genom kvalitativa intervjuer gjorda på sex lärare, i ämnet idrott och hälsa, i Montana, USA. Lärarna som medverkade bestod av fyra kvinnor och två män. En lärare arbetade på låg- och mellanstadiet (30 år som lärare), tre lärare på högstadiet (20, 10 respektive 8 år som lärare) samt två lärare på gymnasienivå (30 respektive 3 år inom yrket). Resultat Majoriteten av lärarna ansåg att en bred variation av aktiviteter, anpassning till individnivå samt kunskaper om en hälsosam livsstil är viktiga medel för att kunna förmedla vikten av fysisk aktivitet i ett livslångt perspektiv. Lärarna ansåg sig ha tillräckligt med hjälpmedel, i form av utrustning, för att förmedla värdet av fysisk aktivitet, där skolans budget erbjuder lärarna att inhandla material varje år. Utöver budgeten hade samtliga lärare 12 timmar av professionell utveckling varje år i form av konferencer eller annan egen vald professionell utveckling. Slutsats Med hjälp av de hjälpmedel som skolan erbjuder i form av konferenser, samtal med andra lärare samt egna valda alternativ för utveckling, kan lärarens undervisning förbättras och på sätt fånga fler elevers intressen. Nyckelord Idrott och hälsa, fysisk aktivitet, KASAM, känsla av sammanhang.

The purpose of this is work to analyse self-awareness, self-esteem, sense of coherence, understanding of sequence of a vital way, and also a choice of attractive and unattractive images of this sequence at 7-8 years children’s from not full families in comparison with children from full families. Self-esteem was measured by the semantic differential type scale developed by Beresneviciene D. (1995) and Pileckaite-Markoviene (2001). Sense of coherence scale for children was measured by Margalit (1995) and Pileckaite-Markoviene (2001). Identify own age, understanding of sequence of a vital way, and also a choice of attractive and unattractive images, was investigated using a technique of children's self-awareness by Belopolskaja N.L. (1998). 241 primary school children (163 from full families and 78 not full families) were evaluated using these tools. The results showed that children from not full families estimate themselves below on parameter "happy" (t(239) =3,281, p=0,001) than children from full families. Results have shown that children from full families have a higher level of sense of coherence, than children from not full families. Statistically important difference is visible on components “trust to an environment " (t(239)=2,627, p=0,009) and "acceptance of requirements of an environment” (t(239)=2,464, p=0,014). Results of empirical investigations showed that primary school children with high level of sense of coherence had higher level of self-esteem (r=0,378... [to full text]