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The well-being of first-year students in higher education institutions needs particular attention as their level form the foundation for future graduates, and subsequent employees. It is an important focus area for research and intervention. First-year higher education institutions’ student drop-out rate in South Africa is said to be alarmingly high and therefore a cause for concern. An overload of tasks and related time pressure associated with studies is often a reality for first-year students. The problem is compounded when such students are academically and socially unprepared to participate in higher education. The attraction to higher education institutions is that graduates enjoy a higher status in our society as they are seen to play a particularly important role in managing the knowledge-driven economy. The significance of this status relates to the extent of the application of knowledge to the economy, a status which provides competitiveness among nations. Students need to be physically healthy, psychologically well, engaged and satisfied with their lives for their well-being, and subsequently achieve their academic goals. If appropriate and timely, support and resources provided by higher education institutions can play a positive role in the first-year student transition into higher education and thereby minimise the possibilities of student burnout and ill health, whilst increasing the experience of engagement and satisfaction with life. The study aimed to assess the relationship between demands, resources, burnout, engagement, health and satisfaction with life for first-year students at higher education institutions in South Africa and to test a model of well-being for these students. A cross-sectional survey design was used to gather data regarding the burnout, engagement, ill health, and life satisfaction experienced by students. A convenience sample (N = 936) of first-year students at three campuses of two higher education institutions participated in the study. The measuring instruments used were the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, a biographical questionnaire (including questions about available resources), Study Demands-Resources Questionnaire, Health Questionnaire, and Satisfaction with Life Scale. The results of study 1 showed that the students obtained somewhat higher mean scores on engagement compared to burnout. Significant effects on burnout and engagement were made by influences that included whom the student lived with, the distance between home and university campus during studies, frequency of visits to home, employment status of parents, frequency of library use, and gender. No relationship was established for place of residence with burnout and engagement. Study 2 showed that a measure of study demands and resources for students was sufficiently reliable and valid to be used for assessment. Results showed a statistically significant relationship between each observed variable and its respective construct. A positive relationship between study resources and satisfaction with life, as well as a negative relationship between study demands and satisfaction with life were found, which provides additional evidence for the construct validity of a measure of study demands and resources. Age was significantly related to study resources and satisfaction with life. The results of study 3 showed that study demands and a lack of study resources (including the intrinsic nature of study tasks, relationships with lecturers and social support of peers) were positively associated with burnout. The availability of study resources was positively associated with psychological well-being and engagement. Burnout predicted psychological unwell-being symptoms, while engagement predicted satisfaction with life. Burnout partially mediated the relationship between a lack of study resources and psychological unwell-being, while engagement partially mediated the relationship between the availability of study resources and satisfaction with life. / PhD (Industrial Psychology)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2015

The well-being of first-year students in higher education institutions needs particular attention as their level form the foundation for future graduates, and subsequent employees. It is an important focus area for research and intervention. First-year higher education institutions’ student drop-out rate in South Africa is said to be alarmingly high and therefore a cause for concern. An overload of tasks and related time pressure associated with studies is often a reality for first-year students. The problem is compounded when such students are academically and socially unprepared to participate in higher education. The attraction to higher education institutions is that graduates enjoy a higher status in our society as they are seen to play a particularly important role in managing the knowledge-driven economy. The significance of this status relates to the extent of the application of knowledge to the economy, a status which provides competitiveness among nations. Students need to be physically healthy, psychologically well, engaged and satisfied with their lives for their well-being, and subsequently achieve their academic goals. If appropriate and timely, support and resources provided by higher education institutions can play a positive role in the first-year student transition into higher education and thereby minimise the possibilities of student burnout and ill health, whilst increasing the experience of engagement and satisfaction with life. The study aimed to assess the relationship between demands, resources, burnout, engagement, health and satisfaction with life for first-year students at higher education institutions in South Africa and to test a model of well-being for these students. A cross-sectional survey design was used to gather data regarding the burnout, engagement, ill health, and life satisfaction experienced by students. A convenience sample (N = 936) of first-year students at three campuses of two higher education institutions participated in the study. The measuring instruments used were the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, a biographical questionnaire (including questions about available resources), Study Demands-Resources Questionnaire, Health Questionnaire, and Satisfaction with Life Scale. The results of study 1 showed that the students obtained somewhat higher mean scores on engagement compared to burnout. Significant effects on burnout and engagement were made by influences that included whom the student lived with, the distance between home and university campus during studies, frequency of visits to home, employment status of parents, frequency of library use, and gender. No relationship was established for place of residence with burnout and engagement. Study 2 showed that a measure of study demands and resources for students was sufficiently reliable and valid to be used for assessment. Results showed a statistically significant relationship between each observed variable and its respective construct. A positive relationship between study resources and satisfaction with life, as well as a negative relationship between study demands and satisfaction with life were found, which provides additional evidence for the construct validity of a measure of study demands and resources. Age was significantly related to study resources and satisfaction with life. The results of study 3 showed that study demands and a lack of study resources (including the intrinsic nature of study tasks, relationships with lecturers and social support of peers) were positively associated with burnout. The availability of study resources was positively associated with psychological well-being and engagement. Burnout predicted psychological unwell-being symptoms, while engagement predicted satisfaction with life. Burnout partially mediated the relationship between a lack of study resources and psychological unwell-being, while engagement partially mediated the relationship between the availability of study resources and satisfaction with life. / PhD (Industrial Psychology)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2015

In the United States, there is a growing trend towards livable cities that facilitate physical, psychological, and social well-being. According to Congress of the New Urbanism, the great American suburb served by the automobile, does not fulfill all these functions. Urban sociologist Ray Oldenburg points out three realms of satisfactory life as work, home and the ‘great good place’ as the third. The third place is one that facilitates barrier free social interaction, for example the American main-street, the English pub, French coffee house etc. Despite the ever existing need for such places, greater travel distances and the ever expanding needs of the automobile era have stripped our urban fabric of these. The Charter of the New Urbanism points out that in the American suburbs, neighborhood parks have the potential to serve as ‘third places.’ The twofold purpose of this research was to examine Steeplechase dog-park using Oldenburg’s Third Place construct as a starting point; and then to operationalize third place by establishing relationships between social characteristics and physical environment. Participant observation, casual conversations and ethnographic interviews were methods used to examine how residents use Steeplechase Park. The observation phase was used to understand on-site behavior, user interests and then establish contacts with participants for recruitment. In-depth interviews were then conducted to examine user history, relationships and attitudes toward the place. Data was coded and analyzed in NVivo 10 utilizing Oldenburg’s framework as a reference, the components of which were then examined for correlations to the physical elements. The findings of suggest that Steeplechase Park functions as a somewhat unique third place in terms of user motivation, companion animal/social lubricant, neutrality and inclusiveness of the place. Findings also establish useful links between the physical design of the space and the social activity; prospect-refuge supported by vegetation and layout, topography, shade, edges and access being the most important aspects. Additionally, lack of maintenance was established as a major concern to sustained use.

The objectives of this study were to validate the Maslach Burnout Inventory - General Survey (MBI-GS) and the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI), to determine the construct equivalence and item bias of these instruments for employees in an earthmoving equipment industry in South &ca of different language groups, to determine the correlation between the MBI-GS and the OLBI, and to investigate the relationship between burnout and various demographic characteristics. A random sample of 326 employees in an earthmoving equipment industry of eight provinces in South Africa was taken. The MBI-GS, the OLBI and a biographical questionnaire were used as measuring instruments. Cronbach alpha coefficients, inter-item correlation coefficients, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients and exploratory factor analysis were used to analyse the data The results showed that three factors of the MBI-GS and two factors of the OLBI exist for different language groups. Exploratory factor analysis with target rotations confirmed the construct equivalence of the three factors of the MBI-GS and the two factors for the OLBI for different language groups. No evidence was found for uniform or non-uniform bias of the items of the MBI-GS or the OLBI for different language groups. Results indicated that no differences with respect to levels of burnout exist between various demographic characteristics. Recommendations were made for further research. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

The objectives of this study were to validate the Maslach Burnout Inventory - General Survey (MBI-GS) and the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI), to determine the construct equivalence and item bias of these instruments for employees in an earthmoving equipment industry in South &ca of different language groups, to determine the correlation between the MBI-GS and the OLBI, and to investigate the relationship between burnout and various demographic characteristics. A random sample of 326 employees in an earthmoving equipment industry of eight provinces in South Africa was taken. The MBI-GS, the OLBI and a biographical questionnaire were used as measuring instruments. Cronbach alpha coefficients, inter-item correlation coefficients, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients and exploratory factor analysis were used to analyse the data The results showed that three factors of the MBI-GS and two factors of the OLBI exist for different language groups. Exploratory factor analysis with target rotations confirmed the construct equivalence of the three factors of the MBI-GS and the two factors for the OLBI for different language groups. No evidence was found for uniform or non-uniform bias of the items of the MBI-GS or the OLBI for different language groups. Results indicated that no differences with respect to levels of burnout exist between various demographic characteristics. Recommendations were made for further research. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Die Arbeit untersucht die anthropologische Bedeutung des Löwenbildes anhand zweier Gefallenendenkmäler. Das ältere datiert in das ausgehende vierte Jahrhundert vor Christus und steht in Böotien, nahe des griechischen Dorfes Chéronia. Die Stadtgemeinde von Theben errichtete es anlässlich der unheilvollen Schlacht von Chaironeia im Jahr 338 vor Christus. Das zweite Werk, geschaffen 1858 von Anton Dominik Fernkorn, gilt der gewaltigen Schlacht von Aspern im Jahr 1809 bei Wien. Es befindet sich vor der Dorfkirche, die zwischen Habsburgern und Napoleon verlustreich umkämpft war. Entsteht die Spannung dieses Vergleichs aus der gegensätzlichen Haltung der Löwen – während der eine lagert und stirbt, sitzt und droht der andere –, zeigt sich, bei aller chronologischen und geographischen Distanz, ihre große ideologische Nähe. Jeweils gestiftet aus einer Krise der Nachkriegsgeneration führen sie die tapfere und beherrschte Haltung vor, mit der allein dem Schrecken der Welt zu begegnen ist: der eine im Vertrauen auf Gott, der andere dem Grauen selbst drohend. Die Deutung dieser Bilder plädiert in der Debatte um das Kriegerdenkmal für dessen Erhalt. / The dissertation examines the anthropological significance of the lion image using two monuments to the fallen. The older one dates to the late fourth century BC and is locaed in Boeotia, near the Greek village of Cheronia. It was built by the municipality of Thebes to commemorate the fatal Battle of Chaeronea in 338 BC. The second study object, created by Anton Dominik Fernkorn in 1858, is dedicated to the vast Battle of Aspern in 1809 near Vienna. It is located in front of the village church, which was heavily contested between the Habsburgs and Napoleon. If the tension of the comparison arises from the contrasting pose of the lions – while the one lies down and dies, the other sits and menaces – in result, despite all the chronological and geographical distance, their great ideological proximity reveales. Founded in each case by a crisis of the post-war generation, they show the brave and controlled attitude with which alone the horror of the world can be countered; while the one trusting in god, the other threatening the horror itself. The interpretation of these images sharpens the term ‘war memorial’ for the debate about its preservation.

The main focus of this diploma thesis is Jiří Kotalík, his relationship with the United States of America and projects in which he participated as the director of the National Gallery in Prague. To understand projects, it was necessary to clarify the broader circumstances, especially the relationship of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic to the United States of America and the cultural policy of both states. Therefore, the time frame was extended, both in the historical introduction and the first exhibition of American art in Czechoslovakia in 1947. It was also necessary to put into context the purpose for which large traveling exhibitions and other US cultural projects were organized and what reception they caused in the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. The six largest exhibitions of American art, which took place in the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic in the years 1967-1990, were selected as a sample. In the end, other forms of cooperation of the National Gallery, respectively Jiří Kotalík with American institutions were indicated but also other forms of promotion of Czechoslovak art in the United States of America were indicated. Key words: Jiří Kotalík, National Gallery in Prague, Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, USA, Thomas Messer, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, propaganda, cultural policy,...

The Circle of architects of Albrecht of Wallenstein in early Baroque period. The first rare indications of early Baroque productions/ creations are appearing already in second decade of 17th century, mainly in the work of imperial architect Giovanni Mario Filippi. We can consider his work as a first stage of the architectonical production which was implemented for the one of the most important personality of the Thirty Year War - the duke Albrecht of Walenstein. The circle of Walenstein architects was created by three distinctive representatives, those proved successfully individually but also as a team working above the joint projects. They were able to fulfill the Wallenstein magnificent intentions. These architects were Andrea Spezza, Giovanni Pieroni and Nicola Sebregondi. These three Italians architects and builders were leading figures of the mentioned circle of which part were also Vincenzo Bocacci, Baccio Bianco and Giovanni Marini. Their activities is possible to trace on our territory in the period 1621-1634 except Giovanni Pieroni, who was focused after the duke death to the projects of fortification systems, mainly in Bohemia. Studies showed that the origin of architects, including the places where they have been raised and received the first training, was always important and influenced their...