Family and school are the two major socialization agents for young people with important implications for their social, psychological and cognitive development. This thesis aimed to investigate the extent to which family conditions in terms of parental attachment and support (PAS) and school conditions in terms of participation and teacher support were associated with adolescents’ psychosomatic health. The thesis also explored whether school participation and support (SPS) could compensate for the potentially negative health implications of experiencing poor relational support at home. Association patterns according to gender and grade were also investigated. Data were derived from a classroom survey of all ninth and eleventh-grade students carried out in Stockholm 2006 (n=9,560). Results from linear regression analyses showed that both PAS and SPS were negatively associated with psychosomatic complaints. Gender and grade differences were also noted in respect to PAS and SPS as well as in the interaction between them. The study failed to find a compensatory function of school characteristics for less advantaged students, but modifying effects were nevertheless found. Students with a combination of high PAS and low SPS had worse health than expected, thus indicating that poor condition in school modifies the positive health effect of PAS in a negative way.

Introduction: While the influence of parental behavior and economic status on children’s weight status is well-known, little is known about the impact of specific family-related aspects such as parental and grandparental social support. This study investigates the importance of parental and grandparental social support and economic capital for children’s weight status in a clinical sample of preschoolers with obesity. Methods: Baseline data from an obesity intervention study for preschoolers, 4-6 years of age (n = 39, 56 % girls) was used. Among parents, 73% were overweight/obese, 60% had a 3-year high school education and 50% were of non-Swedish origin. Linear regression analyses, simple and multiple, were performed separately for mothers and fathers on indicators of economic capital and social support with child BMI SDS as the dependent variable. Additionally, combined analyses were conducted in which parental income was stratified by emotional support. Results: Low levels of income for both parents and low emotional support from grandparents for fathers were significantly associated with a higher child BMI. Moreover, the association between parental income and the child’s BMI SDS was stronger among those parents who had low emotional support versus those who had high emotional support. Conclusion: The study indicate that both economic capital and social support of parents may influence the level of obesity in their children and that emotional support of grandparents is especially important when parental income is low.

WAIS-III (Wechsler intelekto matavimo skalės suaugusiems trečioji versija) – vienas plačiausiai pasaulyje naudojamų intelekto matavimo instrumentų. Vienas iš testo šališkumo šaltinių yra užduočių atlikimo skirtumai atskirose grupėse, lyginant asmenis, turinčius tokius pačius gebėjimus – skirtingas užduočių funkcionavimas. Tyrimo tikslas buvo įvertinti Lietuvoje adaptuojamos WAIS–III verbalinės testo dalies užduočių šališkumą. Užduočių funkcionavimas buvo tikrinamas lyginant tiriamųjų grupes pagal lytį (172 moterys ir 128 vyrai) ir išsilavinimą (209 tiriamiejis su viduriniu ir žemesniu išsilavinimu ir 89 tiriamieji su aukštesniuoju ir aukštuoju išsilavinimu). Užduočių atlikimas buvo analizuojamas iš viso šešiuose WAIS–III subtestuose (Paveikslėlių užbaigimo, Žodyno, Panašumų, Aritmetikos, Informacijos ir Supratingumo). Rasta, kad iš 148 analizuotų užduočių 20 skirtingai funkcionavo vyrų ir moterų grupėse bei 19 grupėse pagal išsilavinimą (daugiausia skirtumų rasta Žodyno ir Informacijos subtestuose). Daugiausia buvo užduoties sunkumo skirtumų, kurių skaičius buvo labai panašus ir lyginant vyrų ir moterų užduočių atlikimą, ir tiriamuosius pagal išsilavinimą. Rezultatai parodė, kad iš užduočių, kurios skyrėsi skiriamąja geba, yra žymiai daugiau, pagal gebėjimus geriau diferencijuojančių moteris nei vyrus ir asmenis su viduriniu ir žemesniu išsilavinimu. / WAIS–III (Wechsler Adult‘s Intelligence Scale - Third edition) – is one of the most widely used intelligence measuring scale in the world, which has also been adapted in Lithuania. A significant part of researches is related to scale‘s bias – one of it‘s sources is Differential item functioning in separate groups, when participants have the same abilities. The aim of this work was to assess the bias of verbal subtests items in Lithuanian WAIS-III version. Differential item functioning was tested comparing groups by sex (128 males and 172 females) and education (209 participants had a secondary and lower education, 89 had further and university education), in six WAIS-III subtests (Picture Completion, Vocabulary, Similarities, Arithmetic, Information and Comprehension). Data analysis showed that 20 items from 148 were functioning differently for males and females, and 19 items functioned differently in groups by education (the differences were mostly in Vocabulary and Information subtests). The biggest part of differences were of uniform DIF – the number was very similar in males and females groups, also in education groups. The bigger part of nonuniform DIF were more discriminating for females than males and participants with secondary and lower education.

The South African health industry can be divided into public and private health institutions. The public health institutions are subsidised by the South African government, whereas the private institutions generate income from medical aids and out-of-pocket payments. Three major groups currently control the private health sector and include Medi-Clinic, Life Healthcare and Netcare. Due to the competitiveness of the private health sector with limited role players, institutions need to differentiate themselves on the service quality provided by these institutions. The purpose of the study was to measure service quality in a private hospital. This was done by setting the following objectives: Determining the importance of service quality, determining the current standard of service quality, determining the gap between the importance and satisfaction of service quality dimensions as well as the influence of gender on the perception of service quality. The literature consisted of two topics, which included the private healthcare sector and the standards of service quality. The private health care sector lightens the load on the current overburdened public sector, but in doing so utilises the majority of qualified personnel as well as half of the financial resources available. Medical schemes are the main contributor the private institutions and are only available to the individuals privileged enough to afford these schemes. Service quality pertains to the ability of the service provider to meet or exceed the expectations of the customer. Thus, the importance of such ability lies in the fact that institutions can use this to differentiate them from other role players in this highly competitive market. Several models exist to evaluate service quality, but the SERVQUAL model has been utilised in various health institutions. Furthermore, gender could also have an effect on the manner in which customers perceive service quality. The study made use of the SERVQUAL model, with a 38-item survey questionnaire forming the basis of the data collecting technique. The 38 items were divided into seven sections, which included premises/employees, doctors‟ medical services, diagnostics, nursing medical services, admissions, meals and wards. A response rate of 71% was obtained. The demographic profile of the study resembled the current demographic of the town and 35.85% of the respondents were male with 64.15% being female. The validity and the reliability of the study were confirmed by means of an exploratory factor analysis and Chronbach alpha coefficients. The analysis of the difference in means of the various factors indicated that tangibles 2 and responsiveness 1 required attention from management to improve customer satisfaction. The analysis of data pertaining to gender indicated that no difference in satisfaction levels was evident. In conclusion, management needs to focus on the factors highlighted during the study, with proper maintenance and improvement of the appearance of the facility and providing training to staff to promote patient relationships. Furthermore, the recommendations include that the model is used in all institutions to evaluate service quality levels to highlight possible shortfalls, thus providing management with ability to address these shortfalls, in an effort to improve the level of service quality across the whole health sector. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The South African health industry can be divided into public and private health institutions. The public health institutions are subsidised by the South African government, whereas the private institutions generate income from medical aids and out-of-pocket payments. Three major groups currently control the private health sector and include Medi-Clinic, Life Healthcare and Netcare. Due to the competitiveness of the private health sector with limited role players, institutions need to differentiate themselves on the service quality provided by these institutions. The purpose of the study was to measure service quality in a private hospital. This was done by setting the following objectives: Determining the importance of service quality, determining the current standard of service quality, determining the gap between the importance and satisfaction of service quality dimensions as well as the influence of gender on the perception of service quality. The literature consisted of two topics, which included the private healthcare sector and the standards of service quality. The private health care sector lightens the load on the current overburdened public sector, but in doing so utilises the majority of qualified personnel as well as half of the financial resources available. Medical schemes are the main contributor the private institutions and are only available to the individuals privileged enough to afford these schemes. Service quality pertains to the ability of the service provider to meet or exceed the expectations of the customer. Thus, the importance of such ability lies in the fact that institutions can use this to differentiate them from other role players in this highly competitive market. Several models exist to evaluate service quality, but the SERVQUAL model has been utilised in various health institutions. Furthermore, gender could also have an effect on the manner in which customers perceive service quality. The study made use of the SERVQUAL model, with a 38-item survey questionnaire forming the basis of the data collecting technique. The 38 items were divided into seven sections, which included premises/employees, doctors‟ medical services, diagnostics, nursing medical services, admissions, meals and wards. A response rate of 71% was obtained. The demographic profile of the study resembled the current demographic of the town and 35.85% of the respondents were male with 64.15% being female. The validity and the reliability of the study were confirmed by means of an exploratory factor analysis and Chronbach alpha coefficients. The analysis of the difference in means of the various factors indicated that tangibles 2 and responsiveness 1 required attention from management to improve customer satisfaction. The analysis of data pertaining to gender indicated that no difference in satisfaction levels was evident. In conclusion, management needs to focus on the factors highlighted during the study, with proper maintenance and improvement of the appearance of the facility and providing training to staff to promote patient relationships. Furthermore, the recommendations include that the model is used in all institutions to evaluate service quality levels to highlight possible shortfalls, thus providing management with ability to address these shortfalls, in an effort to improve the level of service quality across the whole health sector. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The current study sought to test the existence of a phenomenon known as sensory-specific satiety, in which attentional bias for food cues is specifically diminished for a consumed food, and the role of gender in such biases. In order to do so, the experiment used a version of the Flanker Task in which participants were shown image groups containing a target image and congruent or incongruent distracting flanker images. Participants (17 males, 22 females) were randomly assigned to consume one of two foods depicted in the flanker task (Ritz Bitz sandwiches or miniature Golden Oreos). Results did not support the idea of sensory-specific satiety, as we found a general reduction in reaction time rather than interactions in target/flanker congruency, suggesting that task performance was not driven by attentional bias to the food cues. However, there was an interesting interaction effect for session, consumption, and gender, such that women were faster than men for the consumed food post-satiety. Results may be explained by differences in motivation potentially caused by dissimilarities in dopamine levels. Additionally, results of the current experiment in combination with previous research could provide insight on gender differences in obesity.

During old age there are many challenges that the elderly have to meet. These challenges can include adapting to diminished bodily abilities, decreased intellectual vitality, the death of a spouse and the loss of friends, adapting to new roles and activities, a change in income, a change of housing conditions and retirement. Due to advanced technology and to more sophisticated medical services, life expectancy has changed significantly, which implies that generally speaking people could grow older and that they have to deal with life transitions and daily demands. Friendships enable people to cope better with life transitions and challenges. Very little research, however, is available on the friendship patterns of the elderly. A quantitative, single cross-sectional survey study was conducted where 200 elderly people in South Africa were interviewed by means of a semi-structured questionnaire. The purpose of the research was to investigate friendship patterns among the elderly, and to confirm whether or not people have fewer friendships as they grow older. Data has been statistically analysed by means of frequencies. Results indicate that as people age, they indeed have fewer friendships due to the death of friends, transport problems, illness and the fact that friends moved away. It was also found that although the number of friends becomes fewer, friendship is still regarded as an important aspect. Suggestions are made regarding the value of having different kinds of friendships, which will promote resilience and create more social resources to deal with challenging life transitions. / Thesis (M.A. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

This study is a subdivision of an inter-university research project to investigate the psychological resilience of children in the late middle childhood years. The title of the umbrella project is Psychological resilience in children in the South African context. The aim of this study was to determine whether a relationship exists between social support and self-concept, as well as to establish whether gender differences occur with regard to the experience of social support and the evaluation of self-concept. Schools in different regions were identified in order to make the sample as large and the study as representative as possible of the different provinces, racial and language groups in South Africa. The children in the samples were randomly selected from class lists. The complete test battery was subsequently administered to these children. For the purpose of this study only the Piers-Harris Children's Self-concept Scale, the Social Support Appraisal Scale and the Biographical Questionnaire were used. Due to practical problems, the final figures of the samples varied between 549 and 918 participants. The processing of the data was done by the Statistical Consultation Service of the North West University Potchefstroom Campus. The Pearson Correlation Coefficient was used as an effect size to determine the relationship between social support and self-concept. T-tests and Cohen's effect sizes were used to determine whether gender differences occur with regard to social support and self-concept. The statistical processing of the results revealed that a positive correlation exists between social support and self-concept. These results are corresponding with the literature (Collins, 2000; Kirkcaldy, Shephard & Stiefen, 2002; Malecki 8 Demaray, 2002; Marjoribanks & Mboya, 2001; Van Tassel-Baska & Olszewski-Kubilius, 1994). Further, the results showed that no gender differences that were both statistically significant and practically meaningful occurred with regards to social support and self-concept. These results were repeatedly inconsistent with the literature (Bee, 1992; Dubow & Ullman, 1989; Harris, Rosenthal & Snodgrass, 1986; Hirsch & Rapkin, 1987; Piers, 1984; Werner & Smith, 1982). Finally, the last section of this investigation provides recommendations for further studies in this area, as well as practical suggestions for the implementation of the findings. / Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005

Grade 7-learners are continuously exposed to challenges that influence their developmental tasks and general social adaptation. Mastering these challenges sculpt the learners and will influence the ways in which learners develop to adults. Through developing and improving the emotional intelligence skills of learners, learners can be enabled to maintain a successful subsistence. Learners with adequate emotional intelligence will demonstrate effective functioning in many areas of life. The aim of this investigation was to determine what emotional intelligence is and how it relates to wellbeing in the early development of adolescents, the state of a certain Grade 7-learner group's emotional intelligence and the relation in terms of race and gender. In the study, 50 learners from the Grade 7-classes of four schools were selected randomly based on availability. The schools involved were Swartruggens Combined School, Swartruggens Primary, Koster Combined School and Koster Primary. The BarOn EQ-i:YV was conducted on the learners. The quantitative data was processed by the Northwest University's Statistical Consultation Services. Results indicate that, amongst other things, the girls in the study posses more adequate emotional intelligence and skills than the boys in the study. Black boys show the least adequate emotional intelligence and skills. Thus, race and gender play an important role in the development of emotional intelligence of the group of learners. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

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