Internal control plays a pivotal role in enhancing security operations and quality control in an organization. The process of evaluating internal auditors is a powerful tool for the management team. It does not only prevent frauds, but also boosts profitability. From the perspective of management, internal auditors work for ensuring effective operations and improving performance for all the management systems within the organization. They bear great responsibility and play a key role. Therefore, the study attempts to explore the personal attributes and work characteristics, to analyze job satisfactions among internal auditors and finally to finds a list of key factors effecting job satisfaction. This study is conducted in three parts. First, a preliminary conceptual framework is established via literature review. This conceptual framework goes through constant modifications before being introduced into the empirical research architecture of this study. Questionnaires are thus designed based on this architecture. In the process of questionnaire design, opinions from eight senior auditor executives serve as expert validity. Expert opinions are modified and incorporated into questionnaires to quantify the correlation of personal attributes, work characteristics and job satisfactions among internal auditors. This research selected samples of the internal auditors from domestic companies, i.e. members of the Institute of Internal Auditors, in Taipei, Hsinchu, Taichung, and Kaohsiung. A total of 567 questionnaires are issued and 376 questionnaires are collected with responding rate of 66%. After deleting 104 invalid questionnaires, the number of valid questionnaires is 272. Statistical analysis, such as variance, correlation and regression, is conducted with SPSS software. Empirical findings are as follows: 1. Significant difference exists between the demographic variables, such as job titles, the years of work experience, disciplined personal traits of internal auditors, certain dimensions of work properties and internal and external satisfactions in terms of job satisfaction. 2. There is significance difference between the ages and the competition dimension factors of achievement motivation. 3. General auditors are found to be significantly more satisfied with work than senior auditors or entry-level auditors. It is also apparent that the more senior the positions, the more job satisfactions. 4. The demographic variables, work characteristics, achievement motivations, and job satisfactions are partially correlated. At a closer look, we find that the friendliness as a personal attribute is significantly positive correlated with job satisfaction. Neuroticism as a personal attribute is significantly negative correlated with job satisfaction. 5. Personal attributes of internal auditors impose significant impacts to achievement motivations and job satisfactions. 6. Personal attributes are affected by achievement motivations and, in turn, they affect job satisfactions. Achievement motivations have intervening effects though the effects are mild.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-03T16:34:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TabataCardoso.pdf: 1242743 bytes, checksum: 571f6ca3269d72e1b49ca628550ab708 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-04-02 / Resiliência é um termo relativamente novo no campo da psicologia e nos debates acadêmicos e que tem suscitado muito interesse por parte dos pesquisadores, em especial os do campo da Psicologia da Saúde, pois se trata de um conceito que carrega grande potencial em termos de prevenção de doenças e promoção da saúde, seja focado no plano social, comunitário ou individual. Em resumo, resiliência consiste na capacidade dos seres humanos de superarem as adversidades da vida e, além disso, saírem fortalecidos após uma situação problema. Estudos têm mostrado que pessoas consideradas resilientes possuem atributos pessoais que as ajudam a obter êxito diante das adversidades. No entanto, as medidas do construto não representam essa abrangência. Por isso, o objetivo deste estudo foi construir e validar uma escala que avalie as características pessoais mais referenciadas na literatura. No total, foram identificados 15 atributos pessoais da resiliência mencionados por mais de cinco autores. Com base neles foi construída a Escala dos Pilares da Resiliência (EPR) com 150 itens. Participaram da coleta de dados 833 estudantes e trabalhadores do Estado de São Paulo e Santa Catarina, com idade média de 30,70 (DP= 10,58), sendo a maioria do gênero feminino (70,5%) e solteiros(as) (59,8%) com escolaridade de ensino fundamental até pós-graduação. Por meio de um questionário coletaram-se dados sociodemográficos dos participantes. Foram calculadas estatísticas descritivas, análise fatorial, correlação item-total e alfa de Cronbach. Os resultados revelaram um modelo de 11 fatores que reuniram 90 itens com boas cargas fatoriais. As correlações item-total tiveram valores considerados satisfatórios e os fatores apresentaram bons índices de precisão. A EPR reuniu o maior número de atributos pessoais da resiliência dentre os instrumentos encontrados na revisão deste trabalho. A escala pode ser utilizada em novos estudos e será normatizada em futuro próximo.

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HIV-related stigma and discrimination is a complex concept that affects HIV reduction interventions. HIV-related stigma occurs among healthcare providers resulting in reduction of quality of care of people living with HIV. Social psychological research into stigma reduction has led to the development of many stigma reduction interventions, but has not resolved the underlying problem. This study was designed to identify predictors of stigmatizing behavior among healthcare workers in Ghana using the social cognitive theory (SCT) for use in developing an evidence-based intervention. The study used a cross-sectional research design incorporating a preexisting survey, Measuring HIV Stigma and Discrimination Among Health Staff: Comprehensive Questionnaire. Survey data were analyzed using descriptive, multiple regression analysis and Pearson's coefficient to estimate the relationship between the dependent variable, HIV related stigmatizing behavior, and independent variables, personal attributes and environmental factors. The key findings from the analysis were that the personal attributes of healthcare workers predicted their stigmatizing behavior (R2= 0.674, p < 0.05). There was, however, no significant relationship between environmental factors and stigmatizing behavior and between personal attributes and environmental factors. The social change implications may be to reduce stigma among healthcare workers toward people living with HIV and in turn increase the willingness of healthcare workers to engage with people living with HIV and provide quality service to them.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-06T17:07:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Fernando.pdf: 1830978 bytes, checksum: efbad2d5ae300e74ebbb330c5a3195e6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-28 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This study aimed to investigate the validity and reliability of the Scale of Personal Attributes in Social Context - the EAPC, trying to create the first instrument that meets the propositions of the theory of Bronfenbrenner Bioecological. This instrument meets the need to address the lack of means to measure the personal attributes and resources here divided into measures, which are two of the three personal attributes of the school. We conducted the assessment of understanding and comprehension according to linguistic experts from the field and after a pilot project conducted with students from another public school that represented the same target audience research. Subsequently verified the validity of content along with a committee of experts. Instrument items were removed from the character and confirmatory items that did not meet fully the theoretical assumption. For the application of scale in school, we used 37 items (14 items to 23 items to resources and provisions). After collecting data from the 294 young Brazilian children from public schools (137 men and 157 women) between 10 and 17 years, took place the KMO for resources, which showed the value of 0.82, and the provisions found the value of 0.84. Indicating a high consistency for using factor analysis. We used factor analysis with varimax rotation and are 3 components to resources (perceptual-cognitive, physical, kinesthetic and social-emotional) and two components for the personal disposition (socio-emotional and perceptual-cognitive). After performing factor analysis it was decided to remove some remaining items of the scales as a final instrument of 22 items scale (11itens resources and provisions for 11 items). Calculating then to verify the internal consistency (&#945; Cronbach) perceptual-cognitive (0.72), physical-kinesthetic (0.73) and socio-emotional (0.72), and the resources presented (0, 74) and for provisions (0.77), where components had socio-emotional (0.75) and perceptual-cognitive (0.75). It is believed that the range of personal attributes in Social Context - EAPC, was found to be valid and adequate precision to assess the resources and provisions for children and adolescents in the social context / O presente estudo visou investigar a validade e fidedignidade da Escala de Atributos Pessoais no Contexto Social o EAPC, buscando assim a criação do primeiro instrumento que atendesse as proposições da teoria Bioecológica de Bronfenbrenner. Este instrumento atende a necessidade de suprir a carência de meios para mensurar os atributos pessoais aqui divididos em recursos e disposições, que são dois dos três atributos pessoais dos escolares. Realizou-se a avaliação do entendimento e da compreensão de acordo com especialistas da área lingüística e após um projeto piloto realizado junto a alunos de outra escola pública que representava o mesmo público-alvo da pesquisa. Posteriormente verificamos a validade de conteúdo junto a uma comissão de especialistas. Foram retirados do instrumento itens de caráter confirmatório e itens que não atendiam totalmente ao pressuposto teórico. Para a aplicação da escala no na escola, utilizamos 37 itens (14 itens para recursos e 23 itens para disposições). Após coleta de dados junto a 294 jovens escolares brasileiros do ensino público (137 homens e 157 mulheres), entre 10 e 17 anos, realizou-se o KMO para os recursos, que apresentou o valor de 0,82, e para as disposições encontrou-se o valor de 0,84. Indicando a alta consistência para se utilizar a análise fatorial. Utilizou-se a análise fatorial com rotação varimax, encontrando-se 3 componentes para recursos (percepto-cognitivo, físico-cinestésico e sócio-emocional) e 2 componentes para as disposições pessoais (sócio-emocional e percepto-cognitivo). Após a realização da análise fatorial optou-se pela retirada de alguns itens das escalas permanecendo como instrumento final uma escala de 22 itens (11itens para recursos e 11 itens para disposições). Calculou-se então para verificar a consistência interna (&#945; de Cronbach): percepto-cognitivo (0,72), físico-cinestésico (0,73) e sócio-emocional (0,72); sendo que os recursos apresentaram (0,74) e para as disposições (0,77); onde seus componentes apresentaram sócio-emocional (0,75) e percepto-cognitivo (0,75). Acredita-se que a escala de Atributos Pessoais no Contexto Social - EAPC mostrou ser uma medida válida e com precisão adequada para avaliar os recursos e disposições de crianças e adolescentes no contexto social

In today's high pace of globalization and constant development of organizations, it is highly crucial that companies are able to adapt and figure out how to do things differently, such as to resolve how to streamline their work with the resources they have in the best possible way. One way of doing this is through the concept of Self-leadership which is a phenomenon providing the employees with more freedom and working independently more frequently without constant external executive control. Therefore, the authors of this paper have studied how the employees can use self-leadership with the purpose to examine if self-leadership can be used as a universal concept as well as in which situations it can be utilized. Thus, this master's thesis aims to contribute to the theoretical and empirical findings regarding this concept. This, by presenting various theories about the aspects of self-leadership in order to get a better understanding of how trust, communication and reliance may facilitate the entire process and how the leader of an organization could affect the practice and outcome of self-leadership. In order to provide a more in-depth aspect regarding the individuals practicing it on a daily basis, the authors have also studied the psychological aspects that may affect the practice, bearing in mind the cultural aspects that one possesses to see how these two factors may be intertwined to the concept of self-leadership. Additionally, the authors have studied the pros and cons with self-leadership as well as to find out whether or not self-leadership can be used as a universal concept that can be applicable in all working situations, independent of what role one has or in what sector one operates in, which is also one of the focal points of this study. Further, it has been examined to what extent self-leadership affects the performance of the person practicing it. Based on the theoretical findings and empirical data collected from practitioners working with self-leadership, operating in the international banking and IT sector, 4 semi-structured interviews were conducted which resulted in conclusions such as that self-leadership can be used by anyone, at any place or any time, no matter role or organization, rather the question lays within to what extent it may be practiced as some specific situations might require it more or less. Finally, the authors of this paper believe that self-leadership is applicable in all situations and that anyone would be able to practice it if there are enough balance between trust and communication from the the individuals in the organization and if it is clear enough by the superiors to what extent it may be practiced in different situations.

This study focuses on the concept of resilience, and seeks to determine the nature, and role, of personal attributes in adolescents' ability to bounce back from life's blows, and continue determinedly along the path of self-actualisation. The personal attributes impacting on the ability to surmount life's challenges are delineated by an empirical study focussing on twenty learning-disabled adolescents, half of whom demonstrate resilience, and half of whom appear to have turned their backs on self-actualisation. The study aims to provide educational psychologists with an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon of resilience, so that vulnerable youngsters might ultimately be therapeutically assisted to choose a more resilient attitude and behaviour. The results of the study delineate nine definite personal attributes which anchor resilience and promote self-actualisation, despite obstacle-ridden circumstances. Furthermore, results suggest that personal choice underlies resilience, implying that intervention targeted at inculcating resilience may well be a worthwhile exercise. / Psychology of Education / M.Ed.(Guidance and Counselling)

Many studies have been completed on factors affecting judicial decisions. Studies have focused on civil rights cases, economic cases, criminal cases, sexual discrimination and obscenity cases, but no work has specifically looked at religious liberty cases. This work examines the factors affecting United States Courts of Appeals judges' decision-making in religious liberty cases. I hypothesize that gender, race, religious background, prior judicial experience, circuit, region and litigant status will all influence the way judges vote in religious liberty cases. The explanatory power of this study is relatively low, but the results indicate that judges follow the law when making decisions in religious liberty cases.

This study focuses on the concept of resilience, and seeks to determine the nature, and role, of personal attributes in adolescents' ability to bounce back from life's blows, and continue determinedly along the path of self-actualisation. The personal attributes impacting on the ability to surmount life's challenges are delineated by an empirical study focussing on twenty learning-disabled adolescents, half of whom demonstrate resilience, and half of whom appear to have turned their backs on self-actualisation. The study aims to provide educational psychologists with an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon of resilience, so that vulnerable youngsters might ultimately be therapeutically assisted to choose a more resilient attitude and behaviour. The results of the study delineate nine definite personal attributes which anchor resilience and promote self-actualisation, despite obstacle-ridden circumstances. Furthermore, results suggest that personal choice underlies resilience, implying that intervention targeted at inculcating resilience may well be a worthwhile exercise. / Psychology of Education / M.Ed.(Guidance and Counselling)

Factors that confer predisposition and vulnerability for alcoholism and other substance abuse disorders may be described usefully within the gene-environment interplay framework. Thus, it is postulated that heritability provides a major contribution not only to alcohol but also to other substances of abuse. Studies of evoked potential amplitude reduction have provided a highly suitable and testable method for the assessment of both environmentally-determined and heritable characteristics pertaining to substance use and dependence. The different personal attributes that may co-exist with parental influence or exist in a shared, monozygotic relationship contribute to the final expression of addiction. In this connection, it appears that personality disorders are highly prevalent co-morbid conditions among addicted individuals, and, this co-morbidity is likely to be accounted for by multiple complex eti-ological relationships, not least in adolescent individuals. Co-morbidity associated with deficient executive functioning may be observed too in alcohol-related aggressiveness and crimes of violence. The successful intervention into alcohol dependence and craving brought about by baclofen in both human and animal studies elucidates glutamatergic mechanisms in alcoholism whereas the role of the dopamine transporter, in conjunction with both the noradrenergic and serotonergic transporters, are implicated in cocaine dependence and craving. The role of the cannabinoids in ontogeny through an influence upon the expression of key genes for the development of neurotransmitter systems must be considered. Finally, the particular form of behaviour/ characteristic outcome due to childhood circumstance may lie with biological, gene-based determinants, for example individual characteristics of monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity levels, thereby rendering simple predictive measures both redundant and misguiding.