Text in Afrikaans / Die uitsluitlike doel van die studie was om die navorsingsprobleem, naamlik om vas te stel op watter wyse die leierskapstyl van opleidingsbestuurders die werksbevrediging van opleidingskonsultante beïnvloed wat volwassene-onderwys binne ʼn bepaalde bankgroep in Suid-Afrika verskaf, aan te spreek. Die navorser het bepaalde leierskapstyle (naamlik die demokratiese-, outokratiese- en laissez-faire leierskapstyle) en werksbevredigingskomponente geselekteer (naamlik ondersteuning, verhoudings en bemagtiging) ten einde dié ondersoek te doen. ʼn Vraelys is ontwerp wat as kwantitatiewe navorsingsinstrument gebruik is om navorsingsdata elektronies te versamel oor respondente se biografiese besonderhede, hulle bestuurder se leierskapstyl en respondente se persepsies van hul eie werksbevrediging. Een-en-negentig (91) uit eenhonderd sewe-en-dertig (137) respondente het die vraelys per e-pos voltooi, wat ʼn responskoers van 66.42% verteenwoordig. Uit die navorsingsresultate en -analise het dit geblyk dat leierskapstyl wél die persepsies van respondente oor elk van die werksbevredigingskomponente statisties beduidend beïnvloed het. / The sole aim of this study was to address the research problem, namely to determine the way in which the leadership style of training managers influences the work satisfaction of training consultants that provide adult education within a specific bank group in South Africa. The researcher selected specific leadership styles for the purpose of thís study (namely the democratic, outocratic and laissez-faire leadership styles) and work satisfaction components (namely support, relationships and empowerment) to carry out thís investigation. A questionnaire was designed which was used as quantitive research instrument to gather research data electronically about respondents’ biographical details, their manager’s leadership style and the perceptions of respondents regarding their own work satisfaction. Ninety-one (91) out of one-hundred-and-thirty-seven (137) respondents completed the questionnaire by email, which represents a response rate of 66.42%. Out of the research and analysis results it became evident that leadership style indeed influenced the perceptions of respondents over each of the work satisfaction components in a statistically significant way. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Volwassene-onderwys)

The South African context, in particular, is characterized by a definite need for the facilitation of the development of the youth in a more positive trajectory. Family structures are not always robust enough to support the positive development of the youth, owing to the demands made on single–parent families, amongst other reasons. Community structures may also be less supportive of the development of the youth, because of the impact of the changes associated with the transitional phase of the country during the past sixteen years (Meehan, Peirson & Fridjhon, 2007). Furthermore, young people under the age of 15 years comprise almost a third of the total South African population (Statistics South Africa, 2009), and in the future, they will have to be prepared for an adulthood faced with previously unknown challenges (United Nations Population Fund). The importance of the development of the youth, in order to enable them to contribute to their country in future, is acknowledged by the South African Governement (National Youth Commission website). This study was conducted within the parameters of the newly developing positive youth development (PYD) paradigm. The empirical level of this paradigm is well represented in the literature, indicating that the content areas, or the “what” of PYD, have been well elucidated. However, there is a lack of theory, especially with regard to models describing developmental change (Larson et al., 2004), and evaluation of interventions aiming at the facilitation of PYD. In order to contribute to the answering of the questions regarding the “how” of development, this study had the following main aims: a) the compilation of a theoretical model, describing developmental change in the youth; b) the operationalization of this model for intervention purposes; and c) the evaluation of a programme and the model on which it is based. The study is reported on in an article format, and comprises a total of three articles. The first article focuses on the process of the compilation of a theoretical model by means of: a) the construction of a comprehensive meta–theoretical matrix, b) the integration of theory that features in the PYD literature, and c) the expansion of the latter with theory from other compatible sub–disciplines in psychology. The resultant Positive Youth Development Intervention (PYDI) model provides a process–related description of developmental change ? and is one of the first models to do so. The second article describes the operationalization of the PYDI model, by means of an indication of the relevant constructs, phenomena and processes to be facilitated. Although recent research points to a relation between PYD and self–regulation, there has been no model, describing the role of self–regulation in the facilitation of the positive development of the youth. This study adapted a model from an educational context (Heckhausen & Gollwitzer, 1987 (as cited in Boekaerts & Niemivirta, 2005)), in order to describe the regular self–regulatory processes constituting the bi–directional interactions between the youth and their primary life contexts, as proposed by developmental systems theory (Lerner, 1998), the meta–theory to PYD (King et al., 2005). A further specifc contribution is that the presentation aspects of the programme material, aimed at facilitating the integration thereof, are addressed on a theoretical level. The third article describes the evaluation of the PYDI model and programme, with young adolescents in a school in a rural area as participants. A mixed–methods study, which has been shown to render much richer information than a quantitative study alone, was applied. Although the quantitative data did not prove the success of the programme, the qualitative data suggested that some aspects of self–regulation had indeed been facilitated successfully. A second follow–up assessment, conducted seventeen months later, indicated that certain skills had only become internalized by that time, suggesting that the implementation and evaluation of such a programme should be expanded over an extended time–frame. This study has contributed to the level of theory of PYD, by indicating, a) the lacunae, and b) that theory in compatible sub–disciplinary paradigms could be used in order to devise workable models for PYD. Furthermore, the process–related nature of the PYDI model and programme, owing to its adaptability to different needs, may be adapted and extended to be applicable to the needs of the diverse South African population. Recommendations regarding future application and research, especially within the South African context, have also been put forward in the study. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Low achievement in Mathematics is a problem that faces schools, colleges and universities, not only in South Africa, but worldwide. Many efforts have been made to explore different ways in which teaching and learning can be more effective. ICT provides endless possibili–ties to enhance the teaching and learning of Mathematics. The purpose of this study is to determine teacher–students’ attitude towards ICTs in order to plan for effective, efficient and appropriate methods of Mathematics education. It further aims to determine to what extent these students will be willing to use ICTs in their own studies as well as in the teaching pro–cess in their classrooms, and aims to compare the students’ attitudes across three countries i.e. South Africa, Tanzania and Finland. The population consisted of Mathematics education teacher–students enrolled at the following institutions: School for Continuing Teacher Educa–tion (SCTE) at the North–West University in South Africa (317 students), the Iringa University College, University of Tumaini in Tanzania (111 students), and the University of Joensuu in Finland (56 students). This study followed a quantitative cross–sectional survey design com–prising a single mode research questionnaire to three groups of students in three countries. The instrument that was used was based on the Loyd and Gressard Computer Attitude Sur–vey (1984) (CAS), with a few additional questions to add to the relevance of this study. Questionnaires were completed by each group of students. The questionnaires were posted to each Mathematics teacher–student at the SCTE with a return envelope included. The re–searcher visited Tanzania and administered the questionnaire to the students at their univer–sity and some students in Finland completed the survey online while others completed a pa–per–based copy, which was returned to the researcher. Descriptive statistical techniques, reliability and validity of the instrument scale, inferential statistics (ANOVA), and cross–tabulations were used, and where appropriate, effect sizes were calculated. Findings indi–cated that the teacher–students have a positive attitude to computers and that they are willing to use ICTs in their own studies and in their teaching at school. The comparison of their atti–tudes revealed that the South African and Tanzanian teacher–students have a more positive attitude towards ICTs than the Finnish students. The teacher–students in the two African countries were also more willing to use ICTs than the students in Finland, despite their in–creased exposure and access to technology. To create an environment of effective Mathe–matics education, a number of factors play an important role. Mathematics education sup–ported by good pedagogical content knowledge can be transformed into effective Mathemat–ics education with the aid of a positive computer attitude and willingness to use technology. Together these aspects are supported by the technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPCK) framework. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The South African context, in particular, is characterized by a definite need for the facilitation of the development of the youth in a more positive trajectory. Family structures are not always robust enough to support the positive development of the youth, owing to the demands made on single–parent families, amongst other reasons. Community structures may also be less supportive of the development of the youth, because of the impact of the changes associated with the transitional phase of the country during the past sixteen years (Meehan, Peirson & Fridjhon, 2007). Furthermore, young people under the age of 15 years comprise almost a third of the total South African population (Statistics South Africa, 2009), and in the future, they will have to be prepared for an adulthood faced with previously unknown challenges (United Nations Population Fund). The importance of the development of the youth, in order to enable them to contribute to their country in future, is acknowledged by the South African Governement (National Youth Commission website). This study was conducted within the parameters of the newly developing positive youth development (PYD) paradigm. The empirical level of this paradigm is well represented in the literature, indicating that the content areas, or the “what” of PYD, have been well elucidated. However, there is a lack of theory, especially with regard to models describing developmental change (Larson et al., 2004), and evaluation of interventions aiming at the facilitation of PYD. In order to contribute to the answering of the questions regarding the “how” of development, this study had the following main aims: a) the compilation of a theoretical model, describing developmental change in the youth; b) the operationalization of this model for intervention purposes; and c) the evaluation of a programme and the model on which it is based. The study is reported on in an article format, and comprises a total of three articles. The first article focuses on the process of the compilation of a theoretical model by means of: a) the construction of a comprehensive meta–theoretical matrix, b) the integration of theory that features in the PYD literature, and c) the expansion of the latter with theory from other compatible sub–disciplines in psychology. The resultant Positive Youth Development Intervention (PYDI) model provides a process–related description of developmental change ? and is one of the first models to do so. The second article describes the operationalization of the PYDI model, by means of an indication of the relevant constructs, phenomena and processes to be facilitated. Although recent research points to a relation between PYD and self–regulation, there has been no model, describing the role of self–regulation in the facilitation of the positive development of the youth. This study adapted a model from an educational context (Heckhausen & Gollwitzer, 1987 (as cited in Boekaerts & Niemivirta, 2005)), in order to describe the regular self–regulatory processes constituting the bi–directional interactions between the youth and their primary life contexts, as proposed by developmental systems theory (Lerner, 1998), the meta–theory to PYD (King et al., 2005). A further specifc contribution is that the presentation aspects of the programme material, aimed at facilitating the integration thereof, are addressed on a theoretical level. The third article describes the evaluation of the PYDI model and programme, with young adolescents in a school in a rural area as participants. A mixed–methods study, which has been shown to render much richer information than a quantitative study alone, was applied. Although the quantitative data did not prove the success of the programme, the qualitative data suggested that some aspects of self–regulation had indeed been facilitated successfully. A second follow–up assessment, conducted seventeen months later, indicated that certain skills had only become internalized by that time, suggesting that the implementation and evaluation of such a programme should be expanded over an extended time–frame. This study has contributed to the level of theory of PYD, by indicating, a) the lacunae, and b) that theory in compatible sub–disciplinary paradigms could be used in order to devise workable models for PYD. Furthermore, the process–related nature of the PYDI model and programme, owing to its adaptability to different needs, may be adapted and extended to be applicable to the needs of the diverse South African population. Recommendations regarding future application and research, especially within the South African context, have also been put forward in the study. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Low achievement in Mathematics is a problem that faces schools, colleges and universities, not only in South Africa, but worldwide. Many efforts have been made to explore different ways in which teaching and learning can be more effective. ICT provides endless possibili–ties to enhance the teaching and learning of Mathematics. The purpose of this study is to determine teacher–students’ attitude towards ICTs in order to plan for effective, efficient and appropriate methods of Mathematics education. It further aims to determine to what extent these students will be willing to use ICTs in their own studies as well as in the teaching pro–cess in their classrooms, and aims to compare the students’ attitudes across three countries i.e. South Africa, Tanzania and Finland. The population consisted of Mathematics education teacher–students enrolled at the following institutions: School for Continuing Teacher Educa–tion (SCTE) at the North–West University in South Africa (317 students), the Iringa University College, University of Tumaini in Tanzania (111 students), and the University of Joensuu in Finland (56 students). This study followed a quantitative cross–sectional survey design com–prising a single mode research questionnaire to three groups of students in three countries. The instrument that was used was based on the Loyd and Gressard Computer Attitude Sur–vey (1984) (CAS), with a few additional questions to add to the relevance of this study. Questionnaires were completed by each group of students. The questionnaires were posted to each Mathematics teacher–student at the SCTE with a return envelope included. The re–searcher visited Tanzania and administered the questionnaire to the students at their univer–sity and some students in Finland completed the survey online while others completed a pa–per–based copy, which was returned to the researcher. Descriptive statistical techniques, reliability and validity of the instrument scale, inferential statistics (ANOVA), and cross–tabulations were used, and where appropriate, effect sizes were calculated. Findings indi–cated that the teacher–students have a positive attitude to computers and that they are willing to use ICTs in their own studies and in their teaching at school. The comparison of their atti–tudes revealed that the South African and Tanzanian teacher–students have a more positive attitude towards ICTs than the Finnish students. The teacher–students in the two African countries were also more willing to use ICTs than the students in Finland, despite their in–creased exposure and access to technology. To create an environment of effective Mathe–matics education, a number of factors play an important role. Mathematics education sup–ported by good pedagogical content knowledge can be transformed into effective Mathemat–ics education with the aid of a positive computer attitude and willingness to use technology. Together these aspects are supported by the technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPCK) framework. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Text in Afrikaans / Die uitsluitlike doel van die studie was om die navorsingsprobleem, naamlik om vas te stel op watter wyse die leierskapstyl van opleidingsbestuurders die werksbevrediging van opleidingskonsultante beïnvloed wat volwassene-onderwys binne ʼn bepaalde bankgroep in Suid-Afrika verskaf, aan te spreek. Die navorser het bepaalde leierskapstyle (naamlik die demokratiese-, outokratiese- en laissez-faire leierskapstyle) en werksbevredigingskomponente geselekteer (naamlik ondersteuning, verhoudings en bemagtiging) ten einde dié ondersoek te doen. ʼn Vraelys is ontwerp wat as kwantitatiewe navorsingsinstrument gebruik is om navorsingsdata elektronies te versamel oor respondente se biografiese besonderhede, hulle bestuurder se leierskapstyl en respondente se persepsies van hul eie werksbevrediging. Een-en-negentig (91) uit eenhonderd sewe-en-dertig (137) respondente het die vraelys per e-pos voltooi, wat ʼn responskoers van 66.42% verteenwoordig. Uit die navorsingsresultate en -analise het dit geblyk dat leierskapstyl wél die persepsies van respondente oor elk van die werksbevredigingskomponente statisties beduidend beïnvloed het. / The sole aim of this study was to address the research problem, namely to determine the way in which the leadership style of training managers influences the work satisfaction of training consultants that provide adult education within a specific bank group in South Africa. The researcher selected specific leadership styles for the purpose of thís study (namely the democratic, outocratic and laissez-faire leadership styles) and work satisfaction components (namely support, relationships and empowerment) to carry out thís investigation. A questionnaire was designed which was used as quantitive research instrument to gather research data electronically about respondents’ biographical details, their manager’s leadership style and the perceptions of respondents regarding their own work satisfaction. Ninety-one (91) out of one-hundred-and-thirty-seven (137) respondents completed the questionnaire by email, which represents a response rate of 66.42%. Out of the research and analysis results it became evident that leadership style indeed influenced the perceptions of respondents over each of the work satisfaction components in a statistically significant way. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Volwassene-onderwys)

AFRIKAANS: In hierdie navorsing is die huwelik met voorskoolse kinders in Suid-Afrika aan die begin van die een-en-twintigste eeu ondersoek. Hierdie huweliksfase, met sy vele uitdagings en huwelikstake, word beskou as die fase met die laagste huweliksaanpassing en die hoogste voorkoms van egskeiding. Die sin en betekenis van hierdie uitdagings (spirituele intelligensie of SQ), sowel as die emosionele belewenis, verstaan en hantering hiervan (emosionele intelligensie of EQ), asook die rol wat dit in huweliksaanpassing speel, is ondersoek. Eerstens is ’n vraelys ontwikkel wat SQ-eienskappe kan meet (MMV-SQ-vraelys), naamlik: (i) die vind van sin en betekenis in ’n gegewe situasie, (ii) motiveringsbronne van gedrag, en (iii) die waardes wat uitgeleef word. Data van 198 respondente het gedui op betroubaarheid van subskale wat wissel van 0.47 tot 0.80. Bevredigende konstrukgeldigheid is verkry deur die verhouding tussen die subskale van die SQ-vraelys en waardeskaal te ondersoek (r het gevarieer van 0.15; p ≤ 0.05 tot 0.54; p ≤ 0.01). Sowel kwantitatiewe as kwalitatiewe navorsing is vervolgens gebruik. In die kwantitatiewe navorsing is die MMV-SQ-vraelys, die huweliks-aanpassingsvraelys van Spanier (Dyadic Adjustment Scale), asook die SSRI (Schutte Self-Report Inventory) op 84 deelnemers toegepas. Die deelnemers het 84 getroude persone, waaronder 34 egpare ingesluit. Die verband tussen huweliksaanpassing en EQ is ondersoek deur korrelasies te bereken tussen die subskale van die DAS en SSRI. Dit het geblyk dat ʼn optimistiese gemoedstemming ʼn verband toon met al die subskale van huweliksaanpassing. Die herkenning van die eie en die huweliksmaat se gevoelens, sosiale vaardighede, en die toepassing van emosies blyk verband te hou met hoër huwelikstevredenheid asook huwelikskonsensus. Sosiale vaardighede het ook ʼn verband getoon met affeksionele uitdrukking. EQ het egter nie ’n sterk verband met huwelikskohesie getoon nie. Die verband tussen die subskale van die DAS is vervolgens vergelyk met dié van die MMV-SQ-vraelys. Betekenisvolle korrelasies tussen enkele skale van huweliksaanpassing en SQ het voorgekom, veral wat die motiveringskaal betref: egpaarlede wie se gedrag deur die motiveringsbron bemeestering gemotiveer word, blyk ʼn hoër mate van huweliksaanpassing te hê, terwyl die negatiewe motiveringsbronne, waaronder selfgesentreerdheid, drange en vrees, ’n negatiewe verband met huweliksaanpassing toon. Min verbande is egter gevind tussen huweliksaanpassing, en sin en betekenis (wel tussen meditatiewe bewustheid en huwelikskonsensus, asook tussen empatiese aanvaarding en openheid, en affeksionele ekspressie). Geen verbande is ten opsigte van waardes gevind nie. Verskille tussen mans en vroue se EQ en SQ is ook ondersoek, maar geen groot verskille is verkry nie. Deur ’n meervoudige regressie is enkele verdere biografiese veranderlikes geïdentifiseer wat ʼn verband met huweliksaanpassing toon. In die kwalitatiewe navorsing is verskeie aspekte ondersoek en bespreek: die rolverdeling ten opsigte van kinderopvoeding en huistake, die balans tussen beroep en gesin, persoonlike tevredenheid (SQ) in die huwelik, asook die begrip en hantering van gevoelens (EQ). Die waarde van hierdie navorsing lê veral in die grondleggingswerk van die SQ-vraelys, asook bruikbare inligting ten opsigte van die huwelik met voorskoolse kinders in Suid-Afrika. Leiding aan egpare in die hantering van gevoelens (EQ), asook insig in hulle motiveringsbronne (SQ) behoort dus hulle huweliksaanpassing te verhoog. ENGLISH: In this research, the South-African marriage with preschool children was investigated. This phase of marriage, full of challenges and marital tasks, is regarded showing the lowest degree of marital adjustment and the highest incidence of divorce. The meaning, (spiritual intelligence or SQ), emotional experience, understanding and dealing with these challenges (emotional intelligence or EQ), as well as the relation to marital adjustment, were investigated. Firstly, a questionnaire was developed that could measure the characteristics of SQ, namely: (i) finding purpose and meaning in a given situation, (ii) motivations of behaviour, and (iii) values. Data from 198 respondents indicated the reliability of the subscales, which vary from 0.47 to 0.80. Satisfactory construct validity was obtained by researching the relation between the subscales of the SQ questionnaire and the value scale (r varied from 0.15; p ≤ 0.05 to 0.54; p ≤ 0.01). Next, both qualitative and quantitative research were utilised. In the quantitative research, the MMV SQ questionnaire, the marital adjustment questionnaire of Spanier (Dyadic Adjustment Scale), as well as the SSRI (Schutte Self-Report Inventory) were completed by the respondents. The respondents were 84 married individuals, including 34 couples. The relationship between marital adjustment and EQ was investigated by calculating correlations between the subscales of the DAS and SSRI. It transpired that an optimistic frame of mind showed a correlation with all the subscales of marital adjustment. It also appeared that the recognition of the own and the spouse’s feelings, social skills, and the application of emotions were related to increased marital satisfaction as well as marital consensus. Social skills also displayed a correlation with affectional expression. EQ, however, did not show a strong correlation with marital cohesion. Next, the relation between the subscales of the DAS was compared to that of the MMV-SQ questionnaire. Meaningful correlations between some scales of marital adjustment and SQ occurred, in particular with regard to the motivational scale: couples whose behaviour are motivated by mastering, appear to display a higher degree of marital adjustment, while the negative sources of motivation like self-centredness, craving and fears, display a negative correlation with marital adjustment. Few correlations were found between marital adjustment and purpose and meaning (between meditative awareness and marital consensus; between empathetic acceptance and openness, and affectional expression). No correlation was found with regard to values. Differences between the EQ and SQ of men and women were also investigated, but no major differences were observed. By means of multiple regressions it was indicated that some biographic variables did show a correlation with marital adjustment. Valuable information was obtained in the qualitative research regarding the couple’s roles in child-raising and domestic chores, the balance between career and family, personal satisfaction (SQ) in the marriage, as well as the understanding and handling of feelings (EQ). The value of this research lies in the foundational work of the SQ questionnaire in particular, as well as useful information with regard to South African marriages with preschool children. Guiding couples in their dealing with feelings (EQ), as well as providing an insight into the sources of motivation (SQ), should therefore enhance their marital adjustment. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Psychology / unrestricted

Job insecurity in the workplace has become an increasingly important trend in organisational research. The appraisal of job insecurity by individuals plays a significant part in how reactions manifest in the experiences of workplace stressors, job satisfaction, positive and negative work attributes and social support. However, there is a lack of research regarding specific workplace stressors at work leading to certain outcomes like safety behaviour, turnover intention and mental health, especially within a South African working context. Job insecurity has also been classified as a workplace stressor. The existence of other stressors tends to increase the ultimate effect of insecurity for the individual. The attempts from organisational management to manage this phenomenon are therefore crucial in decreasing the negative effects of job insecurity and increasing the productivity of the organisation. In order to measure the job insecurity levels of employees, it is important to make use of valid and reliable job insecurity measures. An absence of empirical research on validity and reliability studies in terms of job insecurity in South African is evident. The main objectives of this research were: 1) to establish the psychometric properties of a measure of job insecurity in a selected gold mining company in South Africa; 2) to determine the influence of job insecurity and work stress (i.e. role conflict, clarity and overload) on worker safety performance and if coping could moderate this; 3) to investigate the theoretical and empirical relationships between job stressors (task completion ambiguity and task quality ambiguity), competency demands, employability perceptions, job satisfaction and turnover intention over time, and 4) to investigate if social support has a mediating effect between positive interpersonal attributes, negative interpersonal attributes, job insecurity and subsequent health. To achieve the first objective, a cross-sectional design was used (N = 566), including various business units of a South African-based gold mining company. The assessment of the psychometric properties of a measure of quantitative and qualitative job insecurity for employees was determined through construct (structural) equivalence, exploratory factor analysis and multivariate analysis of variance to calculate the comparison of the factor structure for the different cultural groups. For qualitative job insecurity, the scale shows low equivalence for the African languages group. Statistically significant differences were found between the levels of job insecurity of employees in terms of gender. The second objective, concerning the investigation into the relationship of work stress and job insecurity with unsafe behaviour at work, was achieved with across-sectional survey design (N = 771). The hypothesised model included the influence of role conflict, role ambiguity, role overload, and job insecurity on unsafe work behaviour. Coping was introduced as a moderator in this relationship. The results indicated that when employees experience work stress and job insecurity, their safety compliance is low. This relationship was also moderated by a coping strategy of Avoidance. To achieve the third objective, a longitudinal study was conducted and data was gathered by means of an electronic survey, with 771 employees participating at Time 1, and 345 participating at Time 2. Results for predicting employees’ turnover intentions, experience of task completion and quality ambiguity, external employability and job satisfaction made a direct contribution in predicting their turnover intention. No mediating role of job satisfaction between job stressors, competency demands and employability perceptions on the one hand and turnover intentions on the other hand, were found. Addressing the fourth objective in investigating the moderating role of social support between the relationship of experiencing positive interpersonal (communication with the manager and feedback), negative interpersonal experiences (powerlessness and interpersonal conflict), job insecurity (quantitative and qualitative) and health, was met with a longitudinal random sample of employees in different business units in one selected multi-national mining company based in South Africa (N = 771). Results for these employees indicated that all the proposed variables, except feedback from the manager, were statistically significantly related to health. No moderating effect for social support could be found over time, but it was shown that interpersonal conflict at work is a longitudinal predictor of employee health. By way of conclusion, the implications of the research were discussed and recommendations for managers and for future research were made. / Thesis (PhD (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Job insecurity in the workplace has become an increasingly important trend in organisational research. The appraisal of job insecurity by individuals plays a significant part in how reactions manifest in the experiences of workplace stressors, job satisfaction, positive and negative work attributes and social support. However, there is a lack of research regarding specific workplace stressors at work leading to certain outcomes like safety behaviour, turnover intention and mental health, especially within a South African working context. Job insecurity has also been classified as a workplace stressor. The existence of other stressors tends to increase the ultimate effect of insecurity for the individual. The attempts from organisational management to manage this phenomenon are therefore crucial in decreasing the negative effects of job insecurity and increasing the productivity of the organisation. In order to measure the job insecurity levels of employees, it is important to make use of valid and reliable job insecurity measures. An absence of empirical research on validity and reliability studies in terms of job insecurity in South African is evident. The main objectives of this research were: 1) to establish the psychometric properties of a measure of job insecurity in a selected gold mining company in South Africa; 2) to determine the influence of job insecurity and work stress (i.e. role conflict, clarity and overload) on worker safety performance and if coping could moderate this; 3) to investigate the theoretical and empirical relationships between job stressors (task completion ambiguity and task quality ambiguity), competency demands, employability perceptions, job satisfaction and turnover intention over time, and 4) to investigate if social support has a mediating effect between positive interpersonal attributes, negative interpersonal attributes, job insecurity and subsequent health. To achieve the first objective, a cross-sectional design was used (N = 566), including various business units of a South African-based gold mining company. The assessment of the psychometric properties of a measure of quantitative and qualitative job insecurity for employees was determined through construct (structural) equivalence, exploratory factor analysis and multivariate analysis of variance to calculate the comparison of the factor structure for the different cultural groups. For qualitative job insecurity, the scale shows low equivalence for the African languages group. Statistically significant differences were found between the levels of job insecurity of employees in terms of gender. The second objective, concerning the investigation into the relationship of work stress and job insecurity with unsafe behaviour at work, was achieved with across-sectional survey design (N = 771). The hypothesised model included the influence of role conflict, role ambiguity, role overload, and job insecurity on unsafe work behaviour. Coping was introduced as a moderator in this relationship. The results indicated that when employees experience work stress and job insecurity, their safety compliance is low. This relationship was also moderated by a coping strategy of Avoidance. To achieve the third objective, a longitudinal study was conducted and data was gathered by means of an electronic survey, with 771 employees participating at Time 1, and 345 participating at Time 2. Results for predicting employees’ turnover intentions, experience of task completion and quality ambiguity, external employability and job satisfaction made a direct contribution in predicting their turnover intention. No mediating role of job satisfaction between job stressors, competency demands and employability perceptions on the one hand and turnover intentions on the other hand, were found. Addressing the fourth objective in investigating the moderating role of social support between the relationship of experiencing positive interpersonal (communication with the manager and feedback), negative interpersonal experiences (powerlessness and interpersonal conflict), job insecurity (quantitative and qualitative) and health, was met with a longitudinal random sample of employees in different business units in one selected multi-national mining company based in South Africa (N = 771). Results for these employees indicated that all the proposed variables, except feedback from the manager, were statistically significantly related to health. No moderating effect for social support could be found over time, but it was shown that interpersonal conflict at work is a longitudinal predictor of employee health. By way of conclusion, the implications of the research were discussed and recommendations for managers and for future research were made. / Thesis (PhD (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.