Psychometrists have to be capable of stimulating growth and of assisting employees during psychometric assessments, seeing that the content of the instruments used might bring about psychological trauma. Graduate psychometrists often lack the interpersonal skills and knowledge, as well as the intrapersonal awareness, to sufficiently fulfil a helping role in the workplace. The objectives of this research were to conceptualise helping and the competencies associated with helping from the literature, to investigate what the content and methodology of a helping skills training programme should include, and to evaluate the effects of a helping skills training programme for psychometrists. The participants were Industrial Psychology Honours students from the School of Human Resource Sciences at the North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus. The entire population comprising 22 (N = 22) students were utilised. The stratified random sampling technique was used to divide the participants into the experimental and comparison groups. Three measuring instruments (Carkhuff scales, Personal Growth Initiative Scale and the Scales of Psychological Well-being) were administered before and after the training programme. The training programme in helping skills was administered to the experimental group first, where after their interpersonal skills and intrapersonal awareness were assessed during the post-tests. Descriptive statistics, Cronbach alpha coefficients, correlations and an Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used to analyse the data. The ANCOVA analysis confirmed the statistical and practical significance of three core dimensions of helping, namely empathy, respect and genuineness among the members of the experimental group, as well as the improvement in the helping skills of Responding to content and Personalising meaning. However, the dimension of concreteness did not show significant improvement. There was also no statistical or practical significant differences between the experimental and comparison group for personal growth or psychological well-being. However, one dimension of psychological well-being, namely purpose in life, improved in the experimental group. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Psychometrists have to be capable of stimulating growth and of assisting employees during psychometric assessments, seeing that the content of the instruments used might bring about psychological trauma. Graduate psychometrists often lack the interpersonal skills and knowledge, as well as the intrapersonal awareness, to sufficiently fulfil a helping role in the workplace. The objectives of this research were to conceptualise helping and the competencies associated with helping from the literature, to investigate what the content and methodology of a helping skills training programme should include, and to evaluate the effects of a helping skills training programme for psychometrists. The participants were Industrial Psychology Honours students from the School of Human Resource Sciences at the North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus. The entire population comprising 22 (N = 22) students were utilised. The stratified random sampling technique was used to divide the participants into the experimental and comparison groups. Three measuring instruments (Carkhuff scales, Personal Growth Initiative Scale and the Scales of Psychological Well-being) were administered before and after the training programme. The training programme in helping skills was administered to the experimental group first, where after their interpersonal skills and intrapersonal awareness were assessed during the post-tests. Descriptive statistics, Cronbach alpha coefficients, correlations and an Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used to analyse the data. The ANCOVA analysis confirmed the statistical and practical significance of three core dimensions of helping, namely empathy, respect and genuineness among the members of the experimental group, as well as the improvement in the helping skills of Responding to content and Personalising meaning. However, the dimension of concreteness did not show significant improvement. There was also no statistical or practical significant differences between the experimental and comparison group for personal growth or psychological well-being. However, one dimension of psychological well-being, namely purpose in life, improved in the experimental group. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Studies of MHWs, (social workers, social auxiliary workers, trauma counsellors, and telephone counsellors), who work with trauma and stress, often focus on pathological symptoms and on the need to develop psycho-education programmes (Figley, 2002; Johnson & Hunter, 1997; Mac Ritchie & Leibowitz, 2010; Mikulincer, 1994; Stiles, 2002). A gap was identified how MHWs, who continuously intervene with traumatised children, cope with the stressors associated with their work. The purpose of this research was to explore the coping strategies of Mental Health Workers (MHWs) exposed to Secondary Trauma (ST)as a result of having to deal day to day with children (younger than 18) who have experienced trauma, including sexual, physical and emotional abuse, as well as the witness of violence. The MHWs’ coping responses were investigated using a qualitative case study approach. The investigation showed how MHWs constructed their realities by examining their coping strategies and the individual meanings they assigned to these. A convenience sample, based on the availability of participants, was selected. Nine women and one man, ranging in age from 26 to 57 years, employed at Childline Gauteng, participated in the research. The Mmogo-Method®, a projective visual research technique, explored the MHWs’ coping experiences through qualitative data collection methods. Visual and textual data were gathered and analysed thematically. It was found that the MHWs at Childline Gauteng displayed two main coping styles, namely intrapersonal and relational coping strategies. In the face of their daily stressors, MHWs managed to cope successfully by using strategies that are embedded in their daily activities. Their ability to find alternative ways to cope, despite continuous exposure to children’s trauma, allowed the MHWs to fulfil their work obligations. Their intrapersonal coping strategies reflected an ability to draw on their inner resources. Being aware of their environment and how it affects them, MHWs were able to regulate themselves and their environments by adopting positive attitudes. These attitudes, and the MHWs’ dispositions, positively affected their outlook on life. Moreover, MHWs maintained a healthy distance from their stressful environment by means of meaningful disengagement. Meaningful disengagement was fundamental to creating solitude as a coping strategy. Personal and professional boundaries, self-care and being able to draw on spirituality were further coping resources. MHWs’ discussions about finding meaning in their work revealed that they would not be able to do their work if they did not experience it as spiritually significant. Drawing on external resources, relational coping strategies included supportive relationships with family, friends and colleagues. Reciprocal unconditional acceptance significantly contributed to coping because it was important for MHWs to experience family and friends' attitudes as supportive and non-judgemental. MHWs encountered an organisational culture of care in the form of freedom to interact with colleagues and managers and sharing experiences. This interaction contributed to successful coping because MHWs felt comfort in the knowledge that they were not alone when dealing with children's trauma. This interaction facilitated coping because MHWs were able to interface successfully with their environment, even in difficult circumstances. In conclusion, the MHWs provided nuanced descriptions of the ways in which they experienced coping strategies. They coped with the demands of their profession by using internal and external resources, including intrapersonal and relational coping. / MA (Research Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Studies of MHWs, (social workers, social auxiliary workers, trauma counsellors, and telephone counsellors), who work with trauma and stress, often focus on pathological symptoms and on the need to develop psycho-education programmes (Figley, 2002; Johnson & Hunter, 1997; Mac Ritchie & Leibowitz, 2010; Mikulincer, 1994; Stiles, 2002). A gap was identified how MHWs, who continuously intervene with traumatised children, cope with the stressors associated with their work. The purpose of this research was to explore the coping strategies of Mental Health Workers (MHWs) exposed to Secondary Trauma (ST)as a result of having to deal day to day with children (younger than 18) who have experienced trauma, including sexual, physical and emotional abuse, as well as the witness of violence. The MHWs’ coping responses were investigated using a qualitative case study approach. The investigation showed how MHWs constructed their realities by examining their coping strategies and the individual meanings they assigned to these. A convenience sample, based on the availability of participants, was selected. Nine women and one man, ranging in age from 26 to 57 years, employed at Childline Gauteng, participated in the research. The Mmogo-Method®, a projective visual research technique, explored the MHWs’ coping experiences through qualitative data collection methods. Visual and textual data were gathered and analysed thematically. It was found that the MHWs at Childline Gauteng displayed two main coping styles, namely intrapersonal and relational coping strategies. In the face of their daily stressors, MHWs managed to cope successfully by using strategies that are embedded in their daily activities. Their ability to find alternative ways to cope, despite continuous exposure to children’s trauma, allowed the MHWs to fulfil their work obligations. Their intrapersonal coping strategies reflected an ability to draw on their inner resources. Being aware of their environment and how it affects them, MHWs were able to regulate themselves and their environments by adopting positive attitudes. These attitudes, and the MHWs’ dispositions, positively affected their outlook on life. Moreover, MHWs maintained a healthy distance from their stressful environment by means of meaningful disengagement. Meaningful disengagement was fundamental to creating solitude as a coping strategy. Personal and professional boundaries, self-care and being able to draw on spirituality were further coping resources. MHWs’ discussions about finding meaning in their work revealed that they would not be able to do their work if they did not experience it as spiritually significant. Drawing on external resources, relational coping strategies included supportive relationships with family, friends and colleagues. Reciprocal unconditional acceptance significantly contributed to coping because it was important for MHWs to experience family and friends' attitudes as supportive and non-judgemental. MHWs encountered an organisational culture of care in the form of freedom to interact with colleagues and managers and sharing experiences. This interaction contributed to successful coping because MHWs felt comfort in the knowledge that they were not alone when dealing with children's trauma. This interaction facilitated coping because MHWs were able to interface successfully with their environment, even in difficult circumstances. In conclusion, the MHWs provided nuanced descriptions of the ways in which they experienced coping strategies. They coped with the demands of their profession by using internal and external resources, including intrapersonal and relational coping. / MA (Research Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the possible facilitation of emotional intelligence with learners who experience verbal learning disabilities. An empirical study of limited extent was conducted from an interpretivist-positivist paradigm. I followed a multi-method approach and employed a case study design, involving two learners as participants, both of whom had been diagnosed with verbal learning disabilities. I utilised qualitative as well as quantitative data collection methods, including observation, informal interviews, analysis of documents, a reflective diary, field notes (qualitative strategies) and the Bar-On EQ-i:YV™ self-report questionnaire (quantitative technique). After having obtained baseline information with regard to the emotional intelligence of the two participating learners at the onset of the study, I identified two skills that could potentially be enhanced, namely intrapersonal and adaptability skills. I then planned and facilitated intervention with the two participants, focussing on these two skills. Upon completion of the intervention, I re-administered the Bar-On EQ-i:YV™ self-report questionnaire to compare the results of the pre- and post-tests. The findings of the study were, firstly, that learners with verbal learning disabilities often experience challenges in terms of the emotional intelligence skills identified by Bar-On and Parker (2000). Secondly, it seems possible to facilitate the improvement of emotional intelligence skills with learners who experience verbal learning disabilities. Besides improvement in terms of their intrapersonal and adaptability skills, the participants displayed enhanced interpersonal and stress management skills. / Dissertation (MEd (Educational Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Educational Psychology / unrestricted

In the South African context adolescents need to cope with societal and family-related stressors seen as everyday stressors, such as parental divorce, violence in communities, bereavement and pressure in schools. Research has shown that these everyday stressors could have negative effects on their well-being. It was further seen that such a high exposure to everyday stress like school-based stressors leads to an increase in unhealthy behaviour, such as smoking and alcohol use in early adolescents. It is for this reason that resilience in adolescence is such an important factor. With all the challenges and everyday stress experienced by early adolescents, the wellness and resiliency perspective adds a positive angle to adolescent functioning. Constructively coping with everyday stress can therefore lead towards well-being. The purpose of this study was to explore how early adolescents cope with everyday stress. A qualitative research method was used with an embedded case study research design. A voluntary sample was drawn, consisting of 15 South African early adolescents from two schools in Gauteng (ages 12 to 15 years; boys and girls). Data on the subjective experience of coping strategies with everyday stress was gathered through individual semi-structured interviews (ten participants) and drawings to aid the verbalisation of their coping strategies. A focus group discussion with a different set of five participants added to the richness of data and to crystallisation, as they discussed themes which emerged from the individual interviews. Data were analysed thematically and visually. The results indicated that early adolescents experienced different types of everyday stress which accordingly needed a variety of coping strategies. Participants coped using intrapersonal resources (existential belief, creative activities, cognitive coping), interpersonal strengths (family, friends, social media) and behaviour-focussed coping (physical activity, fine motor behaviour). These coping strategies linked with the six modalities outlined in Lahad’s BASIC Ph resiliency model, namely beliefs, affect, social interaction, imagery, cognition and physical activity. Of special interest was the clear indication of the role of social media as part of their coping strategies. / MA (Research Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

In the South African context adolescents need to cope with societal and family-related stressors seen as everyday stressors, such as parental divorce, violence in communities, bereavement and pressure in schools. Research has shown that these everyday stressors could have negative effects on their well-being. It was further seen that such a high exposure to everyday stress like school-based stressors leads to an increase in unhealthy behaviour, such as smoking and alcohol use in early adolescents. It is for this reason that resilience in adolescence is such an important factor. With all the challenges and everyday stress experienced by early adolescents, the wellness and resiliency perspective adds a positive angle to adolescent functioning. Constructively coping with everyday stress can therefore lead towards well-being. The purpose of this study was to explore how early adolescents cope with everyday stress. A qualitative research method was used with an embedded case study research design. A voluntary sample was drawn, consisting of 15 South African early adolescents from two schools in Gauteng (ages 12 to 15 years; boys and girls). Data on the subjective experience of coping strategies with everyday stress was gathered through individual semi-structured interviews (ten participants) and drawings to aid the verbalisation of their coping strategies. A focus group discussion with a different set of five participants added to the richness of data and to crystallisation, as they discussed themes which emerged from the individual interviews. Data were analysed thematically and visually. The results indicated that early adolescents experienced different types of everyday stress which accordingly needed a variety of coping strategies. Participants coped using intrapersonal resources (existential belief, creative activities, cognitive coping), interpersonal strengths (family, friends, social media) and behaviour-focussed coping (physical activity, fine motor behaviour). These coping strategies linked with the six modalities outlined in Lahad’s BASIC Ph resiliency model, namely beliefs, affect, social interaction, imagery, cognition and physical activity. Of special interest was the clear indication of the role of social media as part of their coping strategies. / MA (Research Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

South Africa has gone through immense changes in the past two decades. The period around 1994 has been characterised by a comprehensive set of political, social and economic changes, which greatly influenced not only the lives of individuals in this county but also many businesses, organisations and companies. Further to this, South Africa has become increasingly intercultural in orientation as companies persevered in establishing intricate networks with partners in a diverse set of cultures. This has put enormous strain on organisations to remain competitive in the market. It is critical that organisations develop a more resilient workforce with greater psychological capacities to succeed in the on-going war for talent. Attracting and retaining talented employees can give organisations a sustained competitive advantage. In view of the growing intricacies in the business world, ambiguity in markets, and employees’ attitudes, it is crucial that organisations invest in psychological assessments. However, investing in valid and reliable psychological assessments has become more difficult due to vast cultural diversity South Africa comprises off. The general objective of this study was to explore social desirability in the white Afrikaans group. A qualitative design was used and a quota non-probability sampling method was implemented among white Afrikaans-speaking people of South Africa (N=60), who differed from one another with regard to age, gender and socio-economic status. The measuring instrument was a semi-structured interview, which was based on the phenomenological approach. The results of the interviews were transcribed and captured in Excel. Content analysis was used to interpret the responses in socially desirable themes. Independent psychologists and language and cultural experts were employed in order to validate the initial interpretations. The descriptive terms were reduced through the use of cluster analysis. The analysis included the grouping of synonyms and antonyms, together with the use of dictionaries, literature and knowledge about content. In the representation of social desirability and impression management strategies within the white Afrikaner group, six main themes with sixty sub-themes in total were identified. The six themes are facilitating, gender-based, intellect-openness, interpersonal relatedness, intrapersonal relatedness and value-based. Firstly, to facilitate others by giving advice and guidance will be seen as desirable and make a favourable impression. Secondly, to display characteristics that are typically associated with males and females, such as masculinity and femininity, will be seen as desirable and can make a positive impression. Thirdly, having a unique natural ability or skill and being receptive to new and different ideas will be seen as desirable and make a good impression on others. Fourthly, remaining constructive in one’s relationships, and fifthly, remaining constructive in one’s inner thoughts and possessing inner confidence and having respect will make a favourable impression and can be seen as socially desirable. Lastly, exhibiting moral consciousness and being trustworthy, loyal and reliable will make a positive impression and will be perceived as desirable by the white Afrikaner group. Recommendations for future research and for practice were made. / MCom (Industrial Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

South Africa has gone through immense changes in the past two decades. The period around 1994 has been characterised by a comprehensive set of political, social and economic changes, which greatly influenced not only the lives of individuals in this county but also many businesses, organisations and companies. Further to this, South Africa has become increasingly intercultural in orientation as companies persevered in establishing intricate networks with partners in a diverse set of cultures. This has put enormous strain on organisations to remain competitive in the market. It is critical that organisations develop a more resilient workforce with greater psychological capacities to succeed in the on-going war for talent. Attracting and retaining talented employees can give organisations a sustained competitive advantage. In view of the growing intricacies in the business world, ambiguity in markets, and employees’ attitudes, it is crucial that organisations invest in psychological assessments. However, investing in valid and reliable psychological assessments has become more difficult due to vast cultural diversity South Africa comprises off. The general objective of this study was to explore social desirability in the white Afrikaans group. A qualitative design was used and a quota non-probability sampling method was implemented among white Afrikaans-speaking people of South Africa (N=60), who differed from one another with regard to age, gender and socio-economic status. The measuring instrument was a semi-structured interview, which was based on the phenomenological approach. The results of the interviews were transcribed and captured in Excel. Content analysis was used to interpret the responses in socially desirable themes. Independent psychologists and language and cultural experts were employed in order to validate the initial interpretations. The descriptive terms were reduced through the use of cluster analysis. The analysis included the grouping of synonyms and antonyms, together with the use of dictionaries, literature and knowledge about content. In the representation of social desirability and impression management strategies within the white Afrikaner group, six main themes with sixty sub-themes in total were identified. The six themes are facilitating, gender-based, intellect-openness, interpersonal relatedness, intrapersonal relatedness and value-based. Firstly, to facilitate others by giving advice and guidance will be seen as desirable and make a favourable impression. Secondly, to display characteristics that are typically associated with males and females, such as masculinity and femininity, will be seen as desirable and can make a positive impression. Thirdly, having a unique natural ability or skill and being receptive to new and different ideas will be seen as desirable and make a good impression on others. Fourthly, remaining constructive in one’s relationships, and fifthly, remaining constructive in one’s inner thoughts and possessing inner confidence and having respect will make a favourable impression and can be seen as socially desirable. Lastly, exhibiting moral consciousness and being trustworthy, loyal and reliable will make a positive impression and will be perceived as desirable by the white Afrikaner group. Recommendations for future research and for practice were made. / MCom (Industrial Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Hierdie proefskrif handel oor 'n selfaktualiseringsbenadering tot bestuursukses binne 'n finansiele instelling. Die stand punt word gehuldig dat bestuurders wat reeds hoer vlakke van selfaktualisering bereik het oor die persoonlikheidskenmerke (intrapersoonlike, interpersoonlike en werkskenmerke) beskik wat tot bestuursukses lei. Hierdie standpunt, wat gegrond is op die uitgangspunte van die humanistiese benadering, is nog nie in finansiele instellings nagevors nie. Die volgende literatuurdoelstellings is in hierdie navorsing bereik: 'n Ge"integreerde beskouing van die vernaamste humanistiese persoonlikheidsteoriee, wat dien as metateoretiese raamwerk vir hierdie navorsing, is daargestel. - Die konsep selfaktualisering is omskryf en die persoonlikheidskenmerke van die selfaktualiserende persoon is ge"identifiseer. - Die konsep bestuursukses is omskryf en die persoonlikheidskenmerke van die suksesvolle bestuurder is ge"identifiseer. - Meetbare bestuursukseskriteria asook meetinstrumente vir die meet daarvan is ge"identifiseer. 'n Psigometriese toetsbattery is saamgestel uit die Algemene Gesondheidsvraelys, Verstandelike-helderheidstoets, Sestien-persoonlikheidsfaktorvraelys, Persoonlikeorienteringsvraelys, Rottervraelys, RGN Gevallestudietegniek-enbesluitnemingsvraelys en die Biografiese vraelys. Hierdie meetinstrumente is as klassifikasieveranderlikes gebruik om die meetbare komponente van die konstruk selfaktualisering by bestuurders van 'n finansiele instelling te meet. Besuursukses, as kriteriumveranderlike, is met die prestasiebestuurevaluering- en werknemer -effektiwiteitsvraelys gemeet. Uit die statistiese analise (meervoudigeregressie-analise) blyk dit dat 15 klassifikasieveranderlikes met bestuursukses verband hou. Die meervoudige korrelasie R (aangepas vir getal gevalle en getal klassifikasieveranderlikes) is gelyk aan 0,54. Daar is dus in hierdie navorsing 'n verband gevind tussen die konsepte selfaktualisering en bestuursukses soos gemeet by bestuurders van 'n finansiele instelling. Verskeie klassifikasieveranderlikes toon 'n paraboliese verband met bestuursukses. Dit dui daarop dat 'n relatiewe aanwesigheid of sterkte van spesifieke persoonlikheidskenmerke noodsaaklik is vir bestuursukses. lndien 'n sekere optimale punt egter oorskry word, het dit 'n nadelige effek op bestuursukses. Die gevolgtrekking word gemaak dat die evalueringstegnieke en psigometriese instrumente wat in hierdie navorsing gebruik is en wat 'n verband (reglynig of parabolies) met bestuursukses getoon het, binne die finansiele instelling gebruik kan word om bestuurders met bestuurspotensiaal te identifiseer. Aanbevelings is ten opsigte van die gebruikswaarde van die konsep selfaktualisering vir die praktyk en vir verdere navorsing geformuleer. / This thesis examines the self-actualisation approach to management success within a financial institution. The premise is that managers who have already reached high levels of self-actualisation possess the personality traits (intrapersonal, interpersonal and work traits) that lead to management success. This premise, which is based on the points of view of the humanistic approach, has not yet been researched in a financial institution. The following literature objectives were achieved in this research: - An integrated view of the major humanistic personality theories, which serve as metatheoretic framework for this research, has been compiled. - The concept of self-actualisation has been defined and the personality traits of the self-actualising person identified. - The concept of management success has been defined and the personality traits of the successful manager identified. - Measurable management success criteria as well as measuring instruments for measuring these criteria have been identified. A psychometric test battery has been compiled from the General Health Questionnaire, Mental Alertness Test, Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire, Personal Orientation Questionnaire, Rotter Questionnaire, HSRC Case Study Technique and Decision-making Questionnaire and the Biographical Questionnaire. These measuring instruments were used as classification variables to measure the measurable components of the selj-actualisation construct among managers of a financial institution. Management success, as a criterion variable, was measured using the performance management evaluation and employee effectiveness questionnaires. From the statistical analysis (multiple-regression analysis) it is evident that 15 classification variables relate to management success. The multiple correlation R (adjusted for number of cases and number of classification variables) equals 0,54. A relation has therefore been found in this research between the concepts of selfactualisation and management success as measured in managers of a financial institution. Several classification variables show a parabolic relation to management success. This indicates that a relative presence or strength of specific personality traits is essential for management success. However, when a certain optimal point is exceeded, this has a detrimental effect on management success. The conclusion is reached that the evaluation techniques and psychometric instruments used in this research, which showed a relation (whether rectilineal or parabolic) with management success, may be employed at a financial institution to identify managers with management potential. Recommendations in respect of the usefulness of the self-actualisation concept for the practical environment and for future research were formulated. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / DCom (Bedryfsielkunde)