Due to the fact that many of the secondary school pupils who experience difficulty in choosing a career, also appear to have problems with their time perspective, an investigation into the possible link between these concepts was undertaken. A literature study was done where the major dimensions of time perspective were identified continuity/directionality and locus of control; optimism/pessimism; structure. Analyses were done on the principal factors influencing time perspective and career choice. A reliable measuring instrument was developed in order to measure the secondary school pupil's time perspective. The results of the empirical investigation indicated that time perspective does play a significant role in the career choice of secondary school pupils. Gender and intellectual potential do not appear to have a significant bearing on time perspective. The educational implications of the findings are discussed, and guidelines regarding methods of improving a child's time perspective are given to both teachers and parents. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (with specialisation in Guidance and Counselling (Psychology of Education))

Afrikaans text / In hierdie navorsing is die waarde van salutogenese as paradigma in gesondheid­ sielkunde krities beskou en salutogenese as konstruk ondersoek. Antonvosky (1979) se aanspraak dat salutogenese 'n nuwe paradigma verteenwoordig, is krities teen die agtergrond van Kuhn se wetenskapsbeskouing en die metaforiese gebruik van die paradigmabegrip in die geesteswetenskappe geevalueer. Met die navorsing is bevind dat salutogenese wei as paradigma in gesondheidsielkunde funksioneer. Die verskille tussen salutogenese en patogenese in terme van aannames. metodologie, teoretiese onderbou en gedeelde waardes is om voldoende tot die slotsom te kom dat salutogenese in die vorm van 'n mini-revolusie akkumulatief tot navorsingsprestasie bydra. Daar word aanbeveel dat die paradigma eksplisiet gestel word ten einde navorsing volgens die salutogeniese beginsels te rig. Ten einde die konstruk 'salutogenese' te belig en bepalende persoonlikheidskenmerke in die salutogeniese paradigma te identifiseer, is 'n steekproef van 1983 voorgraadse studente aan UNISA geselekteer, in twee groepe verdeel, naamlik Blankes en Ander, en vraelyste wat koherensiebelewing, persoonlikheidsgehardheid, potensie, aangeleerde vindingrykheid, lokus van kontrole en selfdoeltreffendheid meet, is afgeneem. Die onderliggende dimensies van die konstrukte is deur faktorontleding blootgele. Produkmomentkorrelasies is bereken en tweede- ordefaktorontledings en bevestigende faktoranalises is uitgevoer. Die empiriese resultate dui daarop dat vir die Blankes aldie persoonlikheidskenmerke tot die konstruk bygedra het, terwyl aangeleerde vindingrykheid nie by die Ander tot salutogenese bygedra het nie. In terme van bepalende persoonlikheidskenmerke is by die Blankes bevind dat salutogenese uit twee tot drie dimensies bestaan. 'n Optimistiese lewensuitkyk, aktiewe betrokkenheid by die omgewing, spesifieke gedragsvaardighede wat streshantering vergemaklik en 'n persepsie van hulpbron­ beskikbaarheid is die ge'ldentifiseerde bepalende salutogeniese kenmerke. Vir die Ander het resultate aangetoon dat salutogenese 'n eendimensionele konstruk is wat verteenwoordigend is van 'n individu wat oor 'n optimistiese lewensuitkyk beskik, stimuli as verstaanbaar en betekenisvol waarneem en op grond daarvan aktief by die leefwereld betrokke is. Salutogenese manifesteer dus verskillend by die onderskeie kultuurgroepe en die onderliggende meganismes en dinamika wat tot salutogenese lei, toon oak kulturele verskille. Bevestigende faktorontledingsresultate toon aan dat al die dimensies van salutogenese nog nie gei"dentifiseer is nie en daar word aanbeveel dat salutogenese verder binne 'n oorkoepelende persoonlikheidsteorie ondersoek meet word. In bedryfsielkundige praktyk kan salutogenese gebruik word om stres­ weerbaarheid te verhoog. / In this research salutogenesis as new paradigm in health psychology was critically evaluated and salutogenesis as construct was clarified. Antonovsky's claim that salutogenesis is a new paradigm was evaluated against the background of Kuhn's view of science and the metaphorical use of the term 'paradigm' in the social sciences. This research concludes that salutogenesis is indeed a new paradigm in health psychology. Salutogenesis and pathogenesis differ sufficiently in terms of assumptions, methodology, specific theories and shared values that salutogenesis, as a mini revolution, contributes to accumulative scientific performance. The paradigm should however be stated explicitly in order to govern research according to salutogenic values. In order to clarify salutogenesis as construct and to identify determining personality characteristics in the salutogenic paradigm, a sample of 1983 undergraduate students from Unisa was selected, divided into two groups, namely Whites and Other, and questionnaires measuring sense of coherence, hardiness, potency, learned resourcefulness, locus of control and self-efficacy were administered. Factor analysis clarified the constructs' underlying dimensions. Product moment correlations were calculated, second-order and confirmatory factor analysis performed in order to clarify the structure of salutogenesis. The results identified that for the Whites all the personality characteristics contributed while learned resourcefulness did not contribute to salutogenesis for the other group. In terms of determining personality characteristics it was found for the White group that salutogenesis is a two or three dimensional construct consisting of an optimistic outlook and active participation in life's demands, specific behavioral skills that aid stress management and a perception of resource availability. For the other group, results indicated that salutogenesis is a unidimensional construct which is respresentative of an individual that has an optimistic outlook on life, evaluates stimuli as comprehensible and is actively involved in his/her own life. Salutogenesis thus manifest differently in different cultures and the underlying mechanisms and dynamics, leading to a salutogenic orientation, show cultural differences. Confirmatory factor analysis indicate that all dimensions of salutogenesis have not been identified and it is recommended that salutogenesis be studied within a broad personality theory. Salutogenesis can be used in industrial psychology to enhance individual stress resistance. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Bedryfsielkunde)

The aim of this dissertation is to establish the factor structure of six salutogenic constructs. The six constructs are conceptualised form the salutogenic paradigm - namely sense of coherence, hardiness, self-efficacy, learned resourcefulness, locus of control and potency. A personality profile of the salutogenic functioning person as well as relevant international and South African research are presented. Measurements for the six constructs and biographical data are administered to a representative sample of 100 administrative officers. The instruments were found to be reliable in this study. Pearson product moment correlations indicated that salutogenesis does not differentiate between gender, race or qualification, and that coping ability increases with age. Factor analysis indicated a distinct three factor structure consisting of sense of coherence, hardiness and a combination of self-efficacy and potency (self-control). Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a good fit confirming the literature on and personality profile of the salutogenic functioning individual. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Admin. (Industrial Psychology)

The main aim of this study was to determine whether the locus of control construct could be used to predict academic success. The study differentiated between short-term academic success (successful completion of the first year of study) and long-term academic success (successful completion of pre-graduate degree). Both generalised and domain specific locus of control measurements were used to determine which of these correlate with academic success. A further aim was to investigate the role of self esteem and level of defensiveness in the relationship between locus of control and academic achievement. Four measurement instruments were administered to an effective sample of 53 first year students at the University of Pretoria. The measurement instruments were the Internal, Powerful other and Chance Scales (Levenson, 1981), the Multi-dimensional, Multi-attributional Causality Scale (Lefcourt, 1981), the Social Desirability Scale (Crowne&Marlowe, 1960) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965). The statistical analyses consisted of descriptive statistics and correlational analyses. Analysis of the data showed no significant correlation between locus of control and academic achievement for the group as a whole but did show a significant positive correlation between long-term academic success and generalised internality among black students. The data further showed a significant negative correlation between self esteem and long-term academic success. Self esteem correlated positively with an external orientation in both black and white students. The only significant predictor of academic success among white students was social desirability. / Dissertation (MA (Research Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Psychology / unrestricted

This study analyzed the effects of acculturation, locus of control, and incidence of inhalant use on Mexican Americans. Information was collected from 275 subjects at three middle schools and one treatment center. The instrument consisted of Levenson's Locus of Control Scale, the Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans, and an incidence of use and family relationship questionnaire developed for this study. Statistical analysis indicated a relationship between acculturation and inhalant use. Further examination revealed relationships between a family members' use and subjects' inhalant use; subjects' alcohol use and inhalant use; and subjects' marijuana use and inhalant use. Information implied that prevention and intervention programs should focus on children of substance users and further research is needed surrounding the role of acculturation.

More sustainable private consumption is necessary to achieve the common goal of sustainable development. This dissertation deals with the underlying socio-psychological determinants of sustainable consumer behavior in different domains, based on which promotion measures are recommended to companies and policymakers. Among others, I discuss consumers’ perceptions of their responsibilities for sustainability in contrast to their expectations on governments’ and companies’ contributions. Furthermore, I shed light on a main barrier of sustainable consumption that most consumers support sustainability but their behaviors are, to a decisive extent, driven by other motives such as customer-oriented services or offered incentives, which primarily benefit consumers themselves instead of the sustainability agenda. To tackle this barrier, I develop several promotion measures based on activating psychological concepts such as empowerment and self-determination in a single or multi-country setting. Results of this dissertation serve to more effectively understand consumers’ concerns with sustainable consumption and to add new perspectives to improve tactics to promote sustainable behaviors.

Syftet med studien var att kvantitativt undersöka om det fanns skillnader på upplevd stress och coping mellan olika arbetsplatser och yrkesgrupper inom vård och omsorg. Genom självskattning har tre validerade enkäter som handlar om stress, coping och work locus of control (WLoC) sammanställts till en enkät som bland annat delats i sociala media. Enkäten besvarades i sin helhet av 113 personer. Genom att använda statistikprogrammet Jamovi har sju hypoteser prövats och resultaten har sammanställts. Resultatet påvisar att det inte finns skillnad i stressnivåer WLoC och copingstrategier mellan de olika studerade arbetsplatserna. Det har dock framkommit att det finns skillnader i stress, WLoC och copingstategier mellan de olika yrkesgrupperna som studerats. / The purpose of the study was to quantitatively investigate whether there were differences in perceived stress and coping between different workplaces and occupational groups in healthcare. Through self-assessment, three surveys dealing with stress, coping and work locus of control (WLoC) have been compiled into a survey that has been shared on social media, among other places. The survey was answered by 113 people. Using the statistics program Jamovi, seven hypotheses have been tested and the results have been compiled. The results have shown, among other things, that there are no differences between stress levels, WLoC and coping strategies between the different workplaces studied. However, it has emerged that there are differences in stress, WLoC and coping strategies between the different professional groups studied.

No description available.

Bakgrund: Klimatförändringarnas effekter globalt som på lokal nivå, kan redan noteras. För skyfallsöversvämningar har det ökat och kommer öka än mer framöver. Olika sektorer i ett samhälle påverkas när en stad översvämmas, varav en stor grupp består av samhällets medborgare. Individer upplever skyfall som oförutsägbara och slumpmässiga. Konsekvenserna efter en skyfallsöversvämning har effekt på både de sociotekniska och socioekonomiska dimensionerna för en individ på kort och lång sikt. Med detta perspektiv anses det intressant att undersöka hur individer resonerar kring framtida skyfallsöversvämningar på lokal nivå. Studien avgränsas till privata fastighetsägare, då tidigare forskning pekar på att de som äger sin egen bostad är mer benägna att anta skyddande anpassningar på sina enskilda fastigheter, vilket antas bidra till den totala samhällssäkerheten. Syftet: Syftet med studien var att öka förståelsen för privata fastighetsägares syn på skyfall som leder till översvämning och hur det motiverar dem att vilja skydda sin privata fastighet innan en översvämning sker. Metod: Studiens kvalitativa forskningsinriktning utgick från en hermeneutisk vetenskapsteori med inriktning åt samhälls- och beteendevetenskap. Datainsamlingen genomfördes som semi-strukturerade intervjuer som analyserades utifrån en kvalitativ konventionell innehållsanalysmetod med induktiv ansats. Totalt genomfördes sex kvalitativa intervjuer. Områdesurvalet utgick från ett strategiskt icke-sannolikhetsbaserat urval medan respondenturvalet var ett icke-slumpmässigt bekvämlighetsurval. En testintervju genomfördes innan själva studien påbörjades, för att säkerställa att frågorna var relevanta. Som teoretiskt ramverk valdes Protection motivation theory för att fånga upp likheter och skillnader i individers resonemang kopplat till skyfallsöversvämningar. Resultat: Det induktiva analysförfarandet resulterade i tre huvudkategorier och nio underkategorier. Förmågor, riskhantering och samhällspåverkan belyser olika perspektiv hur privata fastighetsägare resonerar kring sin kapacitet innan en skyfallsöversvämning sker. Kunskapsbrist och individnivån; intra- och interpersonlighet inverkar på individernas förmågor och beslut. Medan valet av anpassningar av fastigheten vägdes mellan kostnaden i relation till tid och nyttovärdet. Vidare pekade resultatet på att samhällspåverkan var bidragande till en känsla av utsatthet, detta främst inom ansvarsfördelning och information hos respondenterna då de upplevde ett beroendesamband till kommunen och försäkringsbolagen. Utmärkande för studien: Respondenterna upplever skyfallsöversvämningar som ett abstrakt fenomen, vilket påvisas av en uttalad kunskapsbrist kopplat till området. Vidare har tidsfaktorn tillsammans med ansvarskostnaden inverkan på hur nyttovärdet av en anpassning upplevs. Mest framträdande är hur den sociala omgivningen tillsammans med individens självförmåga kan påverka riskbedömning och hanteringsförmåga i relation till skyfallsöversvämningar. Slutligen upplever den undersökta populationen privata fastighetsägare samhällspåverkan i form av beroendesamband och utsatthet till både kommun och försäkringsbolag, vilket pekar på att individperspektivet med inriktning på hantering av skyfallsrisker bör inkluderas i framtida forskning. / Background: The effects of climate change globally as well as at the local level can already be noted. Pluvial flood events have increased and will increase even more in the future. Different sectors of a society are affected when a city is flooded, of which a large group consists of the citizens of the society. Individuals experience extreme rains as unpredictable and random. The consequences after pluvial floods have an effect on both the socio-technical and socio-economic dimensions of an individual in the short and long term. With this perspective it is considered interesting to do research, to capture how individuals reason about future pluvial floods, at the local level. The study is limited to private property owners, as previous research indicates that those who own their home are more aware and prone to adopt protective adaptations to protect their property, which is assumed to contribute to overall social security. Purpose: The aim of the study was to increase the understanding of private property owners´ views on pluvial floods that lead to flooding and how it motivates them to want to protect their private property before a flood occurs. Method: The qualitative research was based on a hermeneutic theory of science with a focus on social and behavioural sciences. The data collection was conducted as semi-structured interviews. The collected data material was analyzed by applying a qualitative conventional content analysis method with an inductive approach. A total of six qualitative interviews were conducted. The area of the sample was based on a strategic non-probability sample, while the respondent sample was a non-random convenience sample. A test interview was conducted before the actual study began, to ensure that the questions were relevant. The Protection Motivation Theory, was chosen as the theoretical framework to capture similarities and differences in the individuals´ reasoning, linked to pluvial floods. Results: The inductive analysis procedure resulted in three main categories and nine sub-categories. Abilities, risk management and societal impact shed light on perspectives on how private property owners’ reason about their abilities before a pluvial flood occurs. Lack of knowledge and the level of the individual; intra- and interpersonal levels affect individuals´ inner abilities and decisions. While the choice of adaptations of the property was weighed between the cost in relation to time and utility value. Furthermore, the results indicated that social impact was contributing to a feeling of vulnerability, mainly within the division of responsibilities and information among the respondents when they experienced a dependency relationship with the municipality and the insurance companies. Characteristic of the study: The respondents experience pluvial floods as an abstract phenomenon, which is expressed as a lack of knowledge linked to the area of research. Furthermore, the time factor together with the cost of liability has an impact on how the utility value of the adaptation measure is perceived. Most prominent is how the social environment together with the individual´s self-efficacy can affect risk assessment and coping ability in relation to pluvial floods. Finally, the surveyed population of private property owners’ experiences societal impact in the form of dependency and vulnerability to both municipality and insurance companies, which indicates that the individual perspective with a focus on managing pluvial flood risks, should be included in future research.

Exclusive breastfeeding and holistic maternity care are strategic to improving maternal and infant health outcomes in Nigeria. This thesis aimed at informing policies and interventions to promote breastfeeding and to improve Nigerian mother’s experiences in antenatal and intrapartum care. The study in this research focused upon psychological dynamics underlying societal culture around maternity and breastfeeding. Using quantitative method, attitudes toward breastfeeding and health orientation were surveyed in 400 Nigerian men and women using the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS) and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLoC). There were more positive attitudes toward breastfeeding in males, participants in the 20-29-year-old age category, and in those who identified as single. Higher internal HLoC was associated with more positive attitudes to breastfeeding and higher EHLoC scores were associated with more negative attitudes to formula feeding. The second study explored the experience of pregnancy and childbirth in Nigerian women. Qualitative interviews with 12 women implied that Nigerian women perceive pregnancy and childbirth as a multidimensional experience comprising physiological and psychological elements and also as risky. Control mechanisms that reflected internal HLoC included choosing multiple antenatal care sources to obtain holistic care, adopting new technology in bridging perceived communication gaps with health care providers and adopting physical and mental strategies in controlling the somatic and sensory changes that accompany pregnancy. Pregnancy and childbirth were viewed through an external HLoC lens as spiritual, and reflected in an entrenched belief in the intervention of deity to mitigate pain and risk associated with childbirth. These results have implications for practice, intervention and policy to promote breastfeeding at the societal level and improve maternity services for the current and next child-bearing generation.