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This article reports on a study investigating the effectiveness of positive psychology interventions (PPIs) in an Intensive English Program (IEP) for non-matriculated university students. Interventions based on the PERMA model for wellbeing (positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment) were implemented through weekly 65-minute lessons and short daily activities. Each lesson introduced an aspect of the PERMA model such as positive emotion or achievement. Along with this focused instruction, students concurrently engaged in language learning activities. Teachers also provided short daily activities for reinforcement throughout the week. Six classes received these interventions, while three classes served as a control group and did not receive any treatment. Students' wellbeing, anxiety, and depression were measured pre-, mid-, and post-semester. Language proficiency was also measured pre- and post-semester and compared with the control group. Qualitative data, which were collected through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, were analyzed following an iterative (constant comparative) method where open coding occurred first, followed by axial coding and selective coding (Glaser and Strauss 2017). This facilitated an understanding of patterns indicative of how the PPIs might have affected student engagement and enjoyment. The quantitative analysis did not reveal any significant gains in well-being or any reductions in anxiety or depression. Despite spending 25% of instruction time on PPIs, there were no statistically significant differences in language proficiency gains compared to the control group meaning that the time taken from teaching language did not in any way reduce linguistic gains. However, the qualitative data do suggest a positive impact from the PPIs. Thus, the results of this study confirmed the findings of Seligman et al. (2009) and Gush and Greeff (2018) that PPIs can be implemented without detracting from language instruction and although gains were not statistically significant, qualitative data showed that the participants felt more positive as a result of the interventions.

Employees in the workplace face many challenges that cause stress. Despite these stresses many cope and remain positive. This study investigated positive psychological functioning among civil servants and explored how they functioned despite stressors in the work environment. The constructs of locus of control, sense of coherence, engagement and their relationship to the burnout construct (viewed as the opposite end of the wellness continuum) were used to examine this behaviour. Results showed that high sense of coherence, locus of control and engagement scores resulted in low burnout scores. Internal control and meaningfulness were found to be significant predictors of engagement. Employees will therefore be engaged in their work only if and when they display and/or are allowed to exhibit emotional meaningfulness in their work and their relationships, and when they behave and make decisions from an internal motivation. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / MA (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

The objectives of this study were to: (1) determine the relationship between locus of control (measured by the Locus of Control Inventory), work engagement (measured by the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale) and sense of coherence (measured by the Orientation to Life Questionnaire); (2) determine whether coping and non-coping individuals (measured by a coping scale) differ significantly regarding these variables, and (3) the strategies they employ to deal with change in their lives (determined by means of structured interviews). A survey design, and correlational and inferential statistical procedures were used to achieve the quantitative research objectives. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse and interpret the research data obtained from the open-ended questions on coping strategies. A convenience sample (n = 69) of individuals employed in the manufacturing sector participated in the study. The quantitative results revealed a significant relationship between the three variables and that copers and non-copers differ significantly regarding their coping. The qualitative data analysis indicated that copers and non-copers differ in terms of the coping strategies they employ to deal with change. The study represents original research which contributes new knowledge and insights for organisational employee wellness practices aimed at helping employees cope more positively with organisational change in the South African organisational context. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Employees in the workplace face many challenges that cause stress. Despite these stresses many cope and remain positive. This study investigated positive psychological functioning among civil servants and explored how they functioned despite stressors in the work environment. The constructs of locus of control, sense of coherence, engagement and their relationship to the burnout construct (viewed as the opposite end of the wellness continuum) were used to examine this behaviour. Results showed that high sense of coherence, locus of control and engagement scores resulted in low burnout scores. Internal control and meaningfulness were found to be significant predictors of engagement. Employees will therefore be engaged in their work only if and when they display and/or are allowed to exhibit emotional meaningfulness in their work and their relationships, and when they behave and make decisions from an internal motivation. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / MA (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

The objectives of this study were to: (1) determine the relationship between locus of control (measured by the Locus of Control Inventory), work engagement (measured by the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale) and sense of coherence (measured by the Orientation to Life Questionnaire); (2) determine whether coping and non-coping individuals (measured by a coping scale) differ significantly regarding these variables, and (3) the strategies they employ to deal with change in their lives (determined by means of structured interviews). A survey design, and correlational and inferential statistical procedures were used to achieve the quantitative research objectives. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse and interpret the research data obtained from the open-ended questions on coping strategies. A convenience sample (n = 69) of individuals employed in the manufacturing sector participated in the study. The quantitative results revealed a significant relationship between the three variables and that copers and non-copers differ significantly regarding their coping. The qualitative data analysis indicated that copers and non-copers differ in terms of the coping strategies they employ to deal with change. The study represents original research which contributes new knowledge and insights for organisational employee wellness practices aimed at helping employees cope more positively with organisational change in the South African organisational context. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Positive psychology has become influential in research and practice. However, some have criticized positive psychologists who focus solely on the virtues of being positive. A tyrannical pressure to be positive may potentially exist in positive psychology, as well as mainstream United States culture. The following study explored perceptions of this theory using focus groups of individuals who differed in coping style, social desirability, and depression. Results suggest that individuals are affected by social pressures to be positive, and the expression of both positive and negative emotions is determined by social pressures, rules, context, and consequences. Although emotional expression, especially negativity, is contraindicated in several social contexts, there are also social, psychological, and physical benefits to all types of emotional expression.

Under de senaste decennierna har vi kunnat se en global ökning av ungdomar med antisocialt beteende. Dessa unga visar ofta tecken på låg psykisk hälsa och låg Subjektivt välbefinnande (SWB), vilket kan öka utvecklingen av negativa psykosociala beteenden i framtiden. Positiv psykologi (PP) är det forskningsfält som fokuserar på att öka individuellt välbefinnande och mänsklig tillväxt. Tillämpad positiv psykologi (TPP) har en positiv påverkan på SWB, särskilt hos ungdomar med låg SWB. Syftet med denna systematiska översikt är att undersöka effekten av TPP på SWB såväl som beteendet hos ungdomar med antisocialt beteende. Fyra studier ligger till grund för denna systematiska litteraturöversikt, som genomfördes enligt riktlinjerna för Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA). Resultaten pekar på att TPP har en positiv behandlingseffekt på välbefinnandet samt beteendet hos ungdomar med antisocialt beteende. Dock kunde inga samband mellan TPP och daglig lycka samt daglig beteende fastställas. TPP skulle kunna användas som en effektiv behandling för att öka ungdomars välmående och livskvalitet, samt minska eventuellt antisocialt beteende på relativt kort tid. Detta är viktigt för en god utveckling, både för individen och samhället. TPP kan fungera som en optimal behandling att användas globalt. På grund av ett få antal studier i detta forskningsområde, så finns det begränsad data tillgänglig. Mer forskning kring detta område behövs för att säkerställa resultaten. / In recent decades we have seen a global increase in young people with antisocial behavior. These youth often show signs of low mental health and Subjective Well-Being (SWB), which may increase the development of negative psychosocial behaviors. Positive Psychology (PP) is the field of research that focuses on increasing individual well-being and human growth. Applied Positive Psychology (TPP) positively affects SWB, especially in youth with low SWB. This systematic review aims to examine the effect of TPP on SWB and behavior in adolescents with antisocial behavior. Four studies form the basis of this systematic literature review, which was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The results indicate that TPP positively affects SWB in adolescents with antisocial behavior and has a positive treatment effect on the sample's behavior. Furthermore, no correlations between TPP and daily happiness and behavior could be seen. TTP could be used as an effective treatment to increase young people's well-being and quality of life and reduce possible antisocial behavior in a relatively short time. This is important for good development, both for the individual and society. TPP may serve as an optimal treatment to be used globally. However, more data is needed due to the small number of studies in this research area. More research in this area is required to confirm the results.

This study aimed at investigating the relationship between Salutogenic constructs (Sense of Coherence, Locus of Control and Self-Efficacy) and Interpersonal Styles. In addition it sets out to examine whether there are any differences between both aforementioned variables and selected individual and organisational variables, specifically, gender, race, age and tenure. A significant positive relationship was found to exist between Salutogenic constructs and Interpersonal Styles classified as Friendly, while significant negative relationships were found between Salutogenic constructs and Interpersonal Styles classified as Hostile and Hostile-Submissive. Salutogenic constructs were found to have no significant relationships with the remaining five Interpersonal Styles namely Dominant, Dominant-Friendly, FriendlySubmissive, Submissive and Hostile-Dominant. Salutogenic constructs showed no significant differences with regards gender and race, but significant differences with regards age and tenure. Interpersonal Style showed significant differences with regard to race, age and tenure, but not with gender with the exception of the Hostile-Submissive, Hostile and Friendly styles / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenology study was to explore and describe the meaning employees attribute to the lived experiences of returning to work after cancer treatment. Semi-structured interviews were held with eight participants and a thematic data analysis method was used. The results indicate that cancer survivors experience various challenges that make it difficult to function as they did before the diagnosis when they return to work. A critical hermeneutical reflection against the literature followed the structural analysis and resulted in a contextual framework that incorporated the individual and organisational perspective on the various influences involved in supporting cancer survivors to maintain their wellbeing when they return to work. Four phases, repression, comprehension, activation and reintegration, were identified when they tried to cope/adjust on their return to work. The corresponding forms of organisational support they expected through these phases were labelled motivation, information, navigation and stabilisation. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com.