Submitted by Filipe dos Santos (fsantos@pucsp.br) on 2017-09-28T12:42:05Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Sideli Biazzi.pdf: 3707349 bytes, checksum: 1e01ba062f78669d61f2fb21d52c1496 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-09-28T12:42:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Sideli Biazzi.pdf: 3707349 bytes, checksum: 1e01ba062f78669d61f2fb21d52c1496 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-09-15 / This study aimed to verify the effectiveness of a stress reduction training, based on the promotion of strategies focused on problem solving. To achieve such objective, the research was divided into two stages, the first as a diagnostic selection procedure (with the participation of 278 teachers). From this total, 148 (53.23%) presented stress, most of them in the resistance phase (42.1%) with prevalence of psychological stress (68.92%). Women, a predominant portion of the studied population (84.9%), presented a higher level of stress when compared to men (p <0.0001). In the second phase, among the 148 teachers who presented stress, a draw was held with the purpose of forming three groups (30 teachers each group): Experimental Group (EG), Control Group (CG) and Placebo Group (GP), with evaluations pre- and post-intervention. The EG followed a stress reduction program by means of a problem-focused training; the PG received a pedagogical training offered by the Institution's Education Department (the pedagogical training and the stress reduction program were carried out for five days at the Training Center of Cotia, SP, as a 36-hour immersion course); the CG did not receive any intervention, maintaining their regular work activities. Participants were tested at three different moments: T0 (before intervention), T1 (30 days after EG treatment), and T2 (90 days after EG treatment), through the Lipp Adult Stress Symptom Inventory (ISSL), the Cope Breve Scale (for EG only), and the Visual Analogue Scale - VAS (for EG only, used at the beginning and at the end of each intervention day). The intervention results demonstrated that the EG teachers presented a statistically significant reduction in stress symptoms. In addition, it was found that the training was also effective in promoting the use of strategies focused on problem solving and in significantly reducing the use of strategies focused on emotion. Such changes remained after 90 days of training. The PG also achieved statistically significant results as to the presence or absence of stress – the T1 evaluation showed a reduction in stress level; however, after 90 days the EG teachers’ stress level was significantly lower than the PG’s. For the CG, no significant difference was detected when evaluating the proportion of individuals in the respective phases of stress, either as to the stress symptomatology or the presence or absence of stress over the 30 and 90 days. It can be noticed that the EG improvement was superior to those attained by PG and CG. The positive results achieved by EG indicate that, although teachers coexist with high levels of stress throughout their lives, if well oriented they can find effective ways of managing their stressors / Este trabalho teve por objetivo verificar a eficácia de um treinamento de redução do stress, baseado na promoção de estratégias focadas na solução de problemas. Para a consecução desse objetivo, a pesquisa foi dividida em duas etapas, a primeira como um procedimento de seleção diagnóstica (com a participação de 278 professores). Deste total, 148 (53,23%) apresentaram stress, a maioria na fase de resistência (42,1%) com prevalência de stress psicológico (68,92%). As mulheres, parcela predominante da população estudada (84,9%), apresentaram maior stress que os homens (p<0,0001). Na segunda etapa, entre os 148 professores que apresentaram stress, houve um sorteio visando a formação de três grupos (com 30 professores cada grupo): Grupo Experimental (GE), Grupo Controle (GC) e Grupo Placebo (GP), com avaliações pré- e pós-intervenção. O GE seguiu um programa de redução do stress por meio de um treinamento focado na solução de problemas; o GP recebeu uma capacitação pedagógica oferecida pelo Departamento de Educação da Instituição (a capacitação pedagógica e o programa de redução do stress foram realizados durante cinco dias no Centro de Treinamento de Cotia, SP, em caráter de imersão, com carga horária de 36 horas); e o GC não recebeu intervenção alguma, permanecendo em suas atividades laborais. Os participantes foram testados em três momentos: T0 (antes da intervenção), T1 (30 dias após o tratamento do GE) e T2 (90 dias após o tratamento de GE), por meio do Inventário de Sintomas de Stress para Adultos de Lipp (ISSL), da Escala Cope Breve (somente para GE), e da Escala Visual Analógica – EVA (somente para GE, utilizada no início e no final de cada dia de intervenção). Os resultados da intervenção demonstraram que os professores do GE apresentaram redução estatisticamente significativa nos sintomas do stress. Além disso, verificou-se que o treinamento também foi eficaz em promover o uso de estratégias focadas na solução de problemas e em diminuir significativamente o uso de estratégias focadas na emoção. Tais mudanças permaneceram após 90 dias de treinamento. O GP também atingiu resultados estatisticamente significativos quanto à presença ou ausência de stress – na avaliação em T1 houve redução no nível de stress; no entanto, após 90 dias o nível de stress dos professores do GE mostrouse significativamente menor que o do GP. Já para o GC não foi encontrada diferença significativa na avaliação da proporção de indivíduos nas respectivas fases do stress, seja quanto à sintomatologia do stress seja quanto à presença ou ausência do stress ao longo dos 30 e 90 dias. Nota-se que a melhora no GE foi superior às do GP e do GC. Os resultados positivos alcançados com o GE apontam que, embora professores convivam com altos níveis de stress ao longo da vida, se bem orientados eles podem encontrar meios eficazes de gerenciamento dos seus estressores

The purpose of this study was to determine the status of health promotion activities provided by Indiana public school corporations for their employees and the impact of corporation leadership on the provision of these activities. The subjects of this study were Indiana public school superintendents. All 291 superintendents were mailed the survey instrument created by the researcher for this study and there were 227 (78%) responses.The results showed that 54% of the responding Indiana school corporations provided some type of health promotion activity for employees on a corporation-wide basis. The primary reason school corporations provided health promotion activities for employees was to keep employees healthy. The major impediment in providing health promotion activities for employees was a lack of resources. School corporations in rural settings were less likely to provide health promotion activities for employees. School corporations were more likely to provide health promotion activities for employees as the number of full-time employees increased. This study also found a relationship between the importance a superintendent placed on providing health promotion activities for employees and the provision of those activities in a school corporation. As worksites, Indiana public school corporations have not met the national goals and objectives for worksites found in Healthy People 2010. / Department of Educational Leadership

Thesis (M.M.S.)--University of Waikato, 2007. / Title from PDF cover (viewed February 27, 2008) Includes bibliographical references (p. 181-192)

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: HIV/AIDS has been seen as a thorn in the Corporate World's flesh. It is destroying the workforce like a swarm of locust on a wheat field. The Government Departmental Sectors are no exceptions. This paper has been written after a through project that was undertaken at the Department of Transport and Public Works in Cape Town. It was found that there is a great need for HIV/AIDS Education and Life skills Training amongst all Government Departments. The objectives of the researcher were also based on the ILO's document and our South African Labour Law. The employees at 7 (Seven) District Offices were educated and workshoped on HIV/AIDS Education. It was impossible to have all three Employee Assistant Programmes conducted within 7 (Seven) months of the project. The programmes for HIV/AIDS Education and Training entailed Pre-Awareness, Awareness and Post-Awareness. Only the Pre- Awareness programme was completed with a bit of Awareness was covered. In the workplace situation, time means money and it seems as if less time is allocated to the health part of the employees. Common and better methods in facilitating for HIV/AIDS Education and Trainings were by "Cascade Model, On-Job-Training (OJT) or Front Line Training (FLT) and Workshop Sessions" seem to be more appropriate, yielding better communication skills between the employees and employers. A simple questionnaire was constructed on the basis that the sample group was workshopped. The response was great and constructive comments were received from the employees, for example a question was "Do you find it good to celebrate the 09th - 15th February: Condom Week; 16th May: International AIDS Candle Memorial Day and 01st December: World AIDS Day"? Answer: YES - It creates awareness and unites people for the same course. It became interesting to the researcher in noticing how HIV/AIDS Education and Life Skills Training(HAELST) is very much needed in both Corporate/Private Sectors and Government Departments. In conclusion, recommendations are suggested to all Government Departmental and Private Sectors in HIV/AIDS Education and Training. The ball remains in the Corporate World to apply them as a tool to avoid loosing well qualified and skilful employees because of HIV/AIDS. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie navorsing was om die noodsaaklikheid van opleiding aan regeringsinstansies in MIV/Vigs en lewensvaardighede te beklemtoon. Die studie het op die Departement van Vervoer en Openbare Sake gefokus. Werknemers van 7 distrikskantore het werkswinkels in die verband bygewoon. Die werkswinkels het hoofsaaklik op voor-bewustheid, bewustheid en na-bewustheid van MIV/Vigs gefokus. Die data is deur middel van ‘n vraelys ingesamel wat die proefpersone na afloop van die werkswinkel voltooi het. Dit is bevind dat daar ‘n geweldige behoefte vir MIV/Vigs en lewensvaardigheid opleiding by privaat- sowel as regeringsinstansies is. Die aanbeveling is dat die instansies hul werknemers in die verband moet oplei op te verhoed dat hul gekwalifiseerde en vaardige werknemers as gevolg van MIV/Vigs verloor.

This study links ethical leadership theory to the implementation of improved leadership practices and examines whether ethical leadership characteristics actually exist, particularly in highly operational environments. The study analyses how ethical leadership can be embedded by process, by applied leadership (role modelling), and by changing culture and climate. The conclusion reveals that all three approaches are needed for an implementation and depend on middle managers, otherwise no organisational transformation is possible. The research design of this qualitative study analyses data from 100 in-depth interviews using inductive categorisation, aiming to retrieve deep, rich and unprompted data from a highly developed and advanced production facility. The ethical leadership characteristics, and evidence specific influences on leadership behaviour, revealing 14 perceived leadership issues resulting in a leadership climate which negatively influences motivation, performance, and corporate culture. These issues were found to be responsible for deteriorating work climate, motivation, morale, and team spirit. Particularly favouritism, inequalities, shouting, blaming, internal competition and unclear strategies ruin motivation, employee health, and co-operation. Concerning the implementation of a better suited leadership culture, a research framework model is developed, integrating transformational change and leadership. Findings document that the influence of middle managers acting as role models seems to be greater than research suggests. Key findings also show that individual leadership development without changing the corporate realities is not sufficient to implement ethical strategies. Neglecting to actively control the leadership climate can have devastating effects even for very successful operations. Considering the pressure of goal attainment in highly operational areas, an absence of unethical behaviour can already be seen as a success for leaders. Finally, a change process sequence for shaping leadership climate was identified. These research results are highly relevant for organisations and leaders wishing to be engaged in improving their leadership quality.

The White paper on Transforming Public Service Delivery no 1459 of 1997 stipulates that the wellbeing of employees needs to be accounted for. A directive to have employee health and wellness programmes established in all government departments was given by the director-general of the Department Public Service Administration in 2008. The Employee health and wellness programme is aimed at promoting and improving employee wellbeing, which is also linked to organizational wellness. The primary aim of the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is to make a positive contribution towards maximum employee productivity and effectiveness in the workplace. Employee health assessment conducted by the Department of Social Development in 2006 and 2009 confirmed that South African organizations, including the Department of Social Development, experience high levels of employee poor health. Studies suggest that both employees and the employers need to pay attention to the improvement of employee health and wellness. In 2012, an integrated employee health and wellness policy was developed to improve the Department of Social Development employee wellness. The interest to conduct the study emanates from the researcher‟s own supposition that the policy has not been fully implemented, this deduction is based on the fact that, although the policy has four critical focus areas, some of these areas, such as counselling, are not rendered. Literature reviewed includes the process of policy implementation and description of employee health and wellness, benefits of employee health and wellness programme for both employees and employer. A mixed method study was conducted to explore the implementation of the employee health and wellness policy as a strategy to improve both employee and organizational wellness within the Department of Social Development, Eastern Cape - Amathole District. The population of the study included both DSD management and non-managerial employees from Amathole District; the study also includes the Eastern Cape Department of Transport, Amathole District Municipality and South African Police Service (Mdantsane). Themes that were identified from qualitative data through semi- structured interviews by means of audio-recorder were triangulated through questionnaires and document analysis. Since the policy came into effect in 2012, results show that the implementation has been confronted with a number of challenges which include lack of support from the top management. Lack of buy in by DSD management has serious implications on the policy objectives; these include the inadequate distribution of capital, human and physical resources necessary to implement the policy. In order for the DSD to improve the implementation of employee health and wellness policy, the management needs to ensure that there is adequate provision of human and capital resources. Employees should be well-informed on policy guidelines and procedures and benefits to stimulate maximum utilisation. A decentralisation of implementation to Area offices is necessary to promote accessibility of services and prevent unnecessary delays in service delivery.

The objective of this study was (i) to determine the relationship between sense of coherence, work engagement and burnout; and (ii) to determine whether, in terms of the various socio-demographic groups, namely, gender, age, race, marital status, number of years in current position and number of years in public service, the sample differed significantly in terms of their levels of sense of coherence, work engagement and burnout. A quantitative study, using primary data, was conducted using a convenience sample (N = 172) of middle managers in a public service organisation. The psychometric properties of the Orientation to Life Questionnaire, the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale and the Maslach Burnout Inventory Scale were investigated before the hypothesis was tested. The statistical analysis of the data included descriptive statistics as well as inferential statistics. The Kaiser-Meyer Olkin and Bartlett’s test of sphericity techniques were used to determine the exploratory factor analysis of all three measuring scales. A correlation analysis between the one-factor sense of coherence, one-factor work engagement and the three burnout sub-dimensions (exhaustion, cynicism and professional efficacy) was conducted. The Pearson product-moment correlation was used to determine the strength of the relationships between the variables. The level of significance was set at a 95% confidence interval level (p 􀀂􀀁0,05). Standard multiple regression analysis was used to establish whether there is a significant relationship between sense of coherence, work engagement and burnout. The Wilk’s lambda technique was used to test the results for significance, while Levene's test of equality of error variances technique was used to test the results for significance on the sense of coherence and work engagement scales with regard to the demographic groups. The results showed that there was a significant relationship between the participants’ sense of coherence, work engagement and burnout levels. Significant differences were also found between respondents in the marital status group and the burnout dimension, depersonalisation or cynicism. The results also reflected the wellbeing status of middle managers and indicated that the respondents were flourishing (feeling good as they scored a high sense of coherence and functioning well as indicated by a high score for work engagement). It is anticipated that the findings of the study will contribute valuable knowledge to employee wellbeing programmes in public service. The study concludes by making recommendations for future research practice. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

The general aim of this study was to research the relationship between psychosocial functioning and emotional intelligence in a sample of 69 employees in different organisational settings in South Africa. Each respondent completed the Personal Multi-Screening Inventory (PMSI) and the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT). The research findings indicated that there are significant relationships between subscales of the PMSI and subscales of the MSCEIT, in that the ability to manage emotions is associated with low levels of Helplessness, Stress and Frustration, and high levels of Expectation, Satisfaction and Achievement, whereas the ability to perceive emotions is associated with low levels of Satisfaction and Achievement. A relatively high level of the ability to perceive emotions is also associated with Helplessness. It is recommended that employee wellness interventions in the workplace be enhanced through emotional intelligence mediation of negative psychosocial functioning. The study is concluded with recommendations for further research. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. A. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

The general aim of this study was to investigate whether a relationship exists between employee wellness (specifically sense of coherence, burnout, sources of job stress and work engagement) and career anchors, and to determine whether gender, race, employment and age groups differed in terms of the employee wellness and career anchors variables. The study was conducted among a random sample of 90 employees in a typical South African work context. The data was collected by means of the Orientation to Life Questionnaire (OLQ), Maslach’s Burnout Inventory (MBI), Sources of Job Stress, the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) and the Career Orientations Inventory (COI). Supporting evidence indicates significant associations between employee wellness and the career anchors variables. The results also showed significant differences between the career anchors of males, females, blacks, whites, permanent staff, contract staff and age groups. The findings contribute valuable new knowledge to the wellness and career literature and organisational practices related to employee wellness and career decision making. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenology study was to explore and describe the meaning employees attribute to the lived experiences of returning to work after cancer treatment. Semi-structured interviews were held with eight participants and a thematic data analysis method was used. The results indicate that cancer survivors experience various challenges that make it difficult to function as they did before the diagnosis when they return to work. A critical hermeneutical reflection against the literature followed the structural analysis and resulted in a contextual framework that incorporated the individual and organisational perspective on the various influences involved in supporting cancer survivors to maintain their wellbeing when they return to work. Four phases, repression, comprehension, activation and reintegration, were identified when they tried to cope/adjust on their return to work. The corresponding forms of organisational support they expected through these phases were labelled motivation, information, navigation and stabilisation. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)