The first aim of this study was to develop a research based, integrated, secondary prevention programme, called the Weight Over-concern and Well-being (WOW) programme, for the reduction of Subclinical Eating Disorder (SED) symptoms, associated traits and negative mood states, and the promotion of psychological well-being (PWB) in female students. Consequently the second aim was to determine the effectiveness of the WOW-programme on its own, in comparison with a combined Tomatis Method of sound stimulation (Tomatis, 1990) and WOW-programme, regarding the reduction of SED-symptoms, associated traits and negative mood states; the promotion of PWB; and outcome maintenance. The last aim was to obtain a deeper understanding and "insiders' perspective" of the lived experience of SED, through an interpretative phenomenological inquiry (Smith & Osborn, 2003). The motivation for the current study is a need for research based, integrated, risk-protective, secondary prevention programmes from a social-developmental perspective for female university students (Garner, 2004; Phelps, Sapia, Nathanson & Nelson, 2000; Polivy & Herman, 2002), given their risk status (Edwards & Moldan, 2004; Senekal, Steyn, Mashego & Nel, 2001; Wassenaar, Le Grange, Winship & Lachenicht, 2000). Concurrently in-depth descriptions from an "insiders' perspective" on the lived experience of SED are non-existent and require interpretative phenomenological study (Brocki & Wearden, 2006). Consequently this thesis consists of three articles, namely: (i) Development of a secondary prevention programme for female university students with Subclinical Eating Disorder, (ii) A secondary prevention programme for female students with Subclinical Eating Disorder: a comparative evaluation; and (iii) Lived experiences of Subclinical Eating Disorder: female students' perceptions. The research context comprised Subclinical Eating Disorder, secondary prevention and Positive Psychology. The first article, Development of a secondary prevention programme for female university students with Subclinical Eating Disorder (Kirsten, Du Plessis & Du Toit, 2007a), is qualitative in nature, and narrates a process of participatory action research followed to develop the WOW-programme. This social process of knowledge construction, embedded in Social Constructivist theory (Koch, Selim & Kralik, 2002), gradually revealed best clinical practice, and in retrospect, evolved over four phases. Phase One comprised experiential learning based on personal experiences with SED as undergraduate student and interaction with "participant researchers" as scientist practitioner (Strieker, 2002), resulting in a provisional risk model of intervention. Phase Two, a formal pilot study (Du Plessis, Vermeulen & Kirsten, 2004), afforded an evaluation of ideas generated in Phase One through a three-group pre-post-test design. Outcomes of Phase Two informed Phase Three, an integration of prior learning with Positive Psychology theory and clinical practice, resulting in a risk-protective model of prevention. Theoretical assumptions previously constructed were integrated and operationalised during Phase Four, into the final 9-session WOW-programme. In conclusion the process of knowledge construction was rigorous, despite the small overall sample size (n=28), since data saturation occurred within that sample. Although the multitude of aims involved in each session of the WOW-programme could be seen as unrealistic, in some direct or indirect way, they were addressed by means of relevant interventions due to the integrative approach. Thus future refinement is essential. Finally, despite aforementioned concerns, the WOW-programme proved to be robust on its own in reducing SED-symptoms and associated traits and enhancing PWB, as described in the second article of this thesis. The second article, A secondary prevention programme for female students with Subclinical Eating Disorder: a comparative evaluation (Kirsten, Du Plessis & Du Toit, 2007b), describes the outcomes of the WOW-programme on its own, evaluated comparatively with a combined Tomatis sound stimulation and WOW-programme. In this article the research aims were to determine: (i) whether participation in the combined sound stimulation and WOW-programme (Group 1); and (ii) participation in a WOW-programme only (Group 2), would lead to statistically significant reductions in SED-symptoms, psychological traits associated with eating disorders and negative mood states, and enhancement of PWB; (iii) whether results of Groups 1 and 2 would exceed results of a non-intervention control group (Group 3) practically significantly; and (iv) whether programme outcomes for Groups 1 and 2 would be retained at four-month follow-up evaluation. A mixed method design (Creswell, 2003; Morse, 2003) was used, including a three-group pre-post-test (n=45) and multiple case study (n=30) design. Various questionnaires measuring SED-symptoms, associated traits, negative mood states and PWB were completed. Qualitative data were obtained by means of metaphor drawings, letters to and from the "SED-problem", focus group interviews, the researchers' reflective field notes and individual semi-structured feedback questionnaires (Morse, 2003). Participation in Groups 1 and 2 proved effective, since decreases in SED-symptoms, associated traits, most negative mood states, and increases in PWB differed practically significantly from the results of Group 3. Outcomes for Groups 1 and 2 were maintained at four-month follow-up evaluation. Qualitative findings provided depth, support and trustworthiness to quantitative findings in light of the small sample size, and highlighted the value of using a mixed method design in prevention programming. It was concluded that the WOW-programme on its own, was an effective secondary prevention programme, since it led to reduced SED-symptoms, associated psychological traits and enhanced PWB, with retention of gains at four-months follow-up evaluation. The combined programme involving Tomatis stimulation and WOW-intervention proved to be even more effective, thus the complimentary role of Tomatis stimulation was demonstrated. However, the cost-effectiveness and comparative brevity of the WOW-programme rendered it the programme of choice regarding individuals with SED. Findings showed that conceptually, pathogenic and salutogenic perspectives can be successfully combined into a risk-protective model of secondary prevention. Lastly, the WOW-programme may even prove useful as an enrichment programme for female students in general. The third article, Lived experiences of Subclinical Eating Disorder: female students' perceptions (Kirsten, Du Plessis & Du Toit, 2007c), provides a qualitative, in-depth perspective on the lived experience of SED of 30 white, undergraduate females, purposively sampled. In this interpretative phenomenological, multiple case study (Brocki & Wearden, 2006), Groups 1 and 2 of the aforementioned primary study in the second article were used, since they fitted the criteria of "good informants" and were able to answer the research question (Morse, 2003). Further sampling was deemed unnecessary since data saturation occurred within their written and verbal responses and no negative cases were found. Rich individual qualitative data, further clarified through focus groups, emerged from graphic colour representations of lived SED, explanatory written records and "correspondence" with and from their "SED problem" (Gilligan, 2000; Loock, Myburgh, & Poggenpoel, 2003; White & Epston, 1990). Four main categories, characterised by serious intra-, interpersonal, existential and body image concerns were subdivided into seven subcategories, namely: Personal Brokenness, Personal Shame, Perceived Personal Inadequacy and Enslavement, Existential Vacuum, Perceived Social Pressure, Perceived Social Isolation and Body-image Dysfunction. Results were indicative of underestimation of SED-severity, its comprehensive detrimental impact on participants' PWB and high risk for escalation into full-blown eating disorders. It was concluded that the lived experiences of SED depicted the severity of SED-symptoms; descriptions resonated well with most of their pre-programme mean scores; and their risk status and need for contextually and developmentally relevant secondary prevention programmes were highlighted by the findings. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

This research brings together two concepts that are often depicted as polar opposites. Sutton-Smith (2001) however suggests that the opposite of play is not work, but depression, and moreover echoes other scholars in reclaiming play as an essential human expression, even for adults. This study, therefore, argues that, given the precarious wellness territory our workplaces are in, something about work is not working. It is furthermore proposed that, given all the evidence of the therapeutic potential inherent to play, there is indeed something nutritious at play in play. Despite these well-supported arguments, play remains hidden away in the academic shadows of more serious industrial psychological preoccupations. Surprisingly, the same conspicuous absence is even mirrored in Positive Psychology, a bustling field that claims to celebrate glee, fun, and happiness (Seligman, 2002a). Entitled “An autoethnographic exploration of play at work,” this dissertation leans on the metaphor of “exploration”, or more specifically, exploratory play. This results in two distinct yet interwoven dimensions to the research study. Firstly, the research approaches the phenomenon of play and play-based methods in workshop contexts through the lived experience of the researcher. Secondly, the research project in itself is conceptualised as work, and the methodology of autoethnography is conceptualised as a playful approach to this work of conducting research. Aside from widening the research scope, this also appropriately matches research methodology to the research domain. Aside from being about play at work, this research also is play at work. Autoethnography, as a recent development in qualitative research, remains unconventional and somewhat controversial in the South African social sciences. Autoethnography, as an offspring of ethnography, offers a method to reflexively incorporate the researcher’s own lived experience in the study of culture as a primary source of rich phenomenological data. Instead of minimising the emotive and subjective, this research amplifies and celebrates it. Given a fair degree of unfamiliarity in terms of autoethnography as well the accusation of being overly self-centred, the experience of the researcher is then complemented by the views of a number of co-creators to the culture being studied. This is done through external data-gathering in the forms of a focus group as well as number of semistructured, dyadic interviews. While therefore leaning more toward postmodern themes, this research also incorporates what has been termed analytical autoethnography (Anderson, 2006), wherein the researcher is a full-member of the setting being studied, is portrayed as such and is committed to theoretical analysis. This study can therefore be summarised as an autoethnographic case study that balances evocative and analytical styles (Vryan, 2006) while emanating from the philosophical assumptions of interpretivism and subjectivism. Internal realities and meaning-creation are thus emphasised rather than the received views of positivism. The central research question being explored is how play and play-based methods promote work-related well-being. To answer this question, firstly, play and play-based methods are explored, both from a theoretical and practical point of view. From within workshop (pedagogical) contexts, the play-based methods considered throughout this study include metaphor and story, creative-arts-based play, physical-body play and also the uncelebrated yet essential methods of icebreakers and games. A preliminary taxonomy is proposed for play-based methods to offer description and to facilitate reflection and learning. Descriptive elements in this taxonomy include interactive vs. solitary, competitive vs. cooperative, motor-sensory vs. cognitive-mind, participative vs. vicarious and rule-bound vs. improvisational. Building on this exploration of play-based methods, the second aspect explored in more detail has to do with the more internal and subjective experiences of participants, or players, if you like. These experiences are then related to prominent concepts encountered in Positive Psychology to, by proxy, understand how they relate to work-related well-being. Significant themes that emerge from this include play as fun, play as mind-body integration, play as authenticity, play as community, and play as stress-relief and resilience. This is then woven into a creative non-fiction, in accord with a trend in qualitative research called creative analytical practices (CAP) (Richardson, 2000). This creative non-fiction, detailed in Chapter 4, forms a key autoethnographic output that animates all these themes in a way that is accessible, evocative and playful. Chapter 5 complements this chapter with an in-depth exploration of the research journey as a confessional tale. While adopting the metaphor of hiking in mountains (exploring nature), this confessional tale clarifies the research process and incorporates an in-depth analysis of the themes, both in terms of research data as well as literature. This is supported by a number of separate appendixes, including interview transcripts, depictions of the interview analysis as well as a number of photos from the field. In terms of its uniqueness and unconventionality, this research joins in the choir of related work to incorporate more contemporary research genres into the social sciences in South Africa. By doing so, it opens up doors to phenomena that simply resist being studied with the ontological and epistemological assumptions of conventional modern science. Furthermore, the effect and impact of this research is that it provides accessible and practical ideas as to how a synthesis of play and work can help us renew and rejuvenate our work and workplaces. That is, how we can come alive in the work contexts that risk becoming sterile, clinical and inhuman in the wake of Taylorist reductionism and efficiency. Given that state of work and workplace, and the productive and therapeutic potential in play, indeed, we are too busy not to play. / Thesis (MCom (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

I detta arbete undersöks kompetens och kompetenskartläggning inom dagens organisationer. Kompetens är ett begrepp som har studerats länge utifrån olika perspektiv och discipliner, vilket har gett upphov till ett flertal teorier och förklaringsmodeller som innefattar olika tillvägagångssätt för hur kompetens kan förstås och kartläggas. Trots detta existerar det i dagsläget inte en universell definition av begreppet kompetens, utan kompetens betraktas ofta som ett komplicerat begrepp. Detta medför ett problem för dagens organisationer då många organisationer efterfrågar kartläggning av medarbetares kompetenser för att utveckla och förbättra verksamheter. I detta arbete presenteras en alternativ syn på kompetens och kompetenskartläggning som integrerar två forskningsområden. Dessa är företagsekonomi och positiv psykologi. Syftet med arbetet är att undersöka kompetens och kompetenskartläggning ur ett integrerat perspektiv och bidra med uppdaterad, aktuell och tillförlitlig forskning kring hur kompetenskartläggning kan genomföras inom organisationer. Genom att kombinera forskning inom företagsekonomi och positiv psykologi kan olika aspekter av kompetens lyftas för att bidra till en integrerad, övergripande och mer konkret syn på kompetens och kompetenskartläggning. Denna syn innefattar personlig och inlärd kompetens med tillhörande kartläggningsstrategier som refererar till kvaliteter som vi kan lära oss och egenskaper som finns inom oss. Vidare framhålls personlig och inlärd kompetens som ett nytt koncept som författarna till detta arbete argumenterar kan skapa värde för dagens organisationer. Först problematiseras forskning kring kompetens inom respektive forskningsområde, sedan presenteras forskningsläget där forskning kring kompetens och kompetenskartläggning sammanställs. Detta följs av en presentation av genomförd enkätundersökning vars resultat analyseras och diskuteras. Avslutningsvis landar arbetet i en generell diskussion av begreppet kompetens och kompetenskartläggning samt inkluderar ett alternativt tillvägagångssätt för att kartlägga kompetens inom dagens organisationer. / This essay examines competence and competence mapping in today's organizations. Competence as a concept that has been studied for long within several academic disciplines. This has given rise to a number of theories and explanatory models that involve different approaches to how competence can be understood and mapped. Despite this, there is currently no universally accepted definition of the concept. This brings a problem though, as many organizations ask for competence mapping to develop and improve their activities. This essay presents an alternative view of competence and competence mapping that integrates two research areas. These are business organization and positive psychology. By combining research in the two fields, various aspects of competence are highlighted and integrated into a new view of competence and competence mapping. This integrated view includes personal and learned skills with associated mapping strategies. Learned competence refers to qualities that we can learn, while personal competence refers to personal qualities and characteristics that exists within us, that is developed over our life span. Furthermore, this integrated view is presented as a new and alternative concept that we argue might be of great value for today's organizations. First, research on competence in each research area is problematized and presented. An overview of research on competence and competence mapping is then compiled and integrated. This is followed by a presentation of a completed survey whose results are further analyzed and discussed. In conclusion, a general discussion of the concept of competence is presented including an alternative approach to map competence in today's organizations.

Há evidências de que o programa nomeado de Mindfulness, que busca uma consciência plena, tem sido usado para melhorar a qualidade de vida de pessoas com ansiedade, depressão, estresse e dor crônica. A terapia tem elementos comportamentais, cognitivos e técnicas de relaxamento que não envolvem componentes religiosos ou espirituaiss. O objetivo deste estudo foi explorar, conhecer e analisar os efeitos de 4 sessões de Mindfulness (versão adaptada) em 3 grupos cujas estratégias de aplicação do programa foram diferentes. Um dos grupos recebeu intervenção clássica, enquanto para os outros houve inclusão de práticas da psicologia positiva com relação ao construto da felicidade. Para avaliar os possíveis efeitos usaram-se os seguintes instrumentos: SF-36 para avaliação da qualidade de vida; escala de ansiedade, depressão e estresse (EADS); escala de felicidade subjetiva; entrevista semiestruturada; registros semanais. As avaliações foram feitas no início e no final da intervenção. Usou-se um desenho de pesquisa complementar, que combinou métodos quantitativos e qualitativos, que permitiram evidenciar efeitos positivos na saúde mental e na qualidade de vida dos participantes. De modo geral, observou-se uma diminuição nos índices de estresse, ansiedade e depressão e uma melhora no componente mental da qualidade de vida dos participantes do grupo em que houve inclusão de práticas da psicologia positiva. Conclui-se, portanto, que a associação de estratégias da psicologia positiva às de Mindfulness potencializa os benefícios que resultam em melhora do estresse, da ansiedade da depressão e da qualidade de vida / There is evidence that the Mindfulness program, which seeks full consciousness, has been used to improve the quality of life on persons with anxiety, depression, stress, and chronic pain. The therapy has behavioral, cognitive, and relaxation elements and does not involve a religious or spirituals components. The objective of this study was to explore, to know and to analyze the effects of 4 sessions of Mindfulness (adapted version) in 3 groups whose application\'s strategies of the program were different. One of the groups received classic intervention, while for the others there was inclusion of practices related to the positive psychology in relation to the happiness construct. To evaluate the possible effects, the following instruments were used: SF-36 to evaluate the quality of life; anxiety, depression and stress (EADS); subjective happiness scale; semi structured interview; weekly records. Evaluations were made at the beginning and at the end of the intervention. A complementary research design was used, combining quantitative and qualitative methods, which allowed to show positive effects on the mental health and quality of life of the participants. Overall, there was a decrease in stress, anxiety and depression indexes and an improvement in the mental component of the participants\' quality of life. In conclusion, however, the association of positive psychology strategies to the Mindfulness potentializes the benefits which result in improve of stress, anxiety, depression and quality of life

While globalisation is a multidimensional phenomenon, present educational foci tend to lie not on preparing students for a complex, globalised 21stcentury, but on preparing students for a 21st-century economic globalisation. In order to advocate a change of consciousness, this present study examines the concept of human flourishing and the skills – referred to as cosmopolitan soft skills – fostering the phenomenon. Taking a critical realist approach, a theoretical and an empirical investigation was carried out. The theoretical analysis undertaken by the study identified flourishing to be a three-dimensional concept and established that flourishing cannot be fully realised unless an individual is flourishing both from a positive-psychological, a moral-political, and a moral-ethical perspective. The empirical, comparative analysis of school policy documents and interviews with school principals, on the other hand, eventuated a comprehensive list of skills and competences that contemporary educational institutions aim at equipping their students with for the sake of flourishing. By an interplay between theory and empirical data, the study resulted in a possible conceptualisation of cosmopolitan soft skills, consisting of the four core skills of attention, acceptance, respect, and responsibility, and 78 other skills organised into four main categories. Provided the critical realist stance taken, the results are believed to be of a flexible and ever-changing but universal nature that facilitate future research into the educability of the cosmopolitan soft skills concept and the empirical realisation of human flourishing.

São muitos os desafios do Empreendedorismo, e em seu ambiente disruptivo e inovador, não faltam novas abordagens para temas já conhecidos e de grande interesse geral. A Felicidade e o Bem-estar, por exemplo, estão presentes em diversos estudos no âmbito científico e, principalmente, no dia a dia das pessoas, sendo universalmente a busca constante da nossa existência. Estamos sempre procurando alternativas para uma vida equilibrada, mais saudável, com mais momentos positivos e, nessa busca incessante, o estudo da Psicologia Positiva tem se tornado cada vez mais conhecido em diversas áreas nas últimas duas décadas. A Psicologia Positiva busca trazer nosso foco para nossas forças e virtudes e promover emoções positivas, por meio de ferramentas simples e propostas de exercícios que devem ser incluídos na nossa rotina. Seus resultados satisfatoriamente positivos, comprovados nas diversas experiências e artigos publicados, embasam uma aplicação multidisciplinar e somam adeptos desta nova modalidade. Neste contexto, facilmente podemos visualizar as ações de Psicologia Positiva adaptadas ao cenário de pequenas ou grandes, novas ou antigas Organizações, intrínsecas às ações e à Gestão da Qualidade de Vida no Trabalho. No âmbito de um intraempreendedorismo inovador, o objetivo deste estudo é avaliar e mensurar o impacto de ações de Psicologia Positiva dentro do Programa de Qualidade de Vida de uma grande multinacional, apoiando-se nos conceitos da própria Psicologia Positiva, alinhados aos estudos de Bem-Estar, Qualidade de Vida no Trabalho e Bem-estar no Trabalho. Pela metodologia de Pesquisa-Ação participante, onde o pesquisador está inserido no grupo de estudo, foram aplicados questionários qualitativos e quantitativos em mais de 140 participantes, onde foi possível mensurar o real impacto dessas ações, demonstrando que o grupo participante apresenta diferenças significativas (médias 31% mais elevadas) nos níveis de afetos positivos e satisfação com a vida. Também foram feitas correlações destes resultados com a literatura estudada e a reavaliação e sugestões de melhorias ao Programa, constatando que, de uma maneira geral, todas as ações positivas geram valor agregado aos funcionários impactados, e consequentemente sensação de Bem-estar. / There are many challenges for Entrepreneurship, and in its innovative environment there are many new approaches to topics of general great interest and already known. Happiness and well-being, for example, are present in several studies in the scientific sphere and especially in people\'s daily lives, being considered universally the constant search of our existence. We are always looking for alternatives to a balanced and healthier life with more positive moments, and within this incessant search, the study of Positive Psychology has become popular and becoming increasingly known in several areas in the last two decades. Positive Psychology seeks to bring our focus to our strengths and virtues and to promote positive emotions through simple tools and proposed exercises that should be included in our routine. Its satisfactorily positive results, proven through diverse experiences and published articles, are based on a multidisciplinary application and keeps adding followers of this new modality worldwide. In this context, we can easily visualize the actions of Positive Psychology adapted to the Organizational scenario, intrinsic to the actions and to the Management of Quality of Life at Work. In the context of an innovative intrapreneurship, the objective of this study was to evaluate and measure the impact of Positive Psychology actions within the Quality of Life Program of a large multinational, based on the concepts of Positive Psychology itself, aligned with the well-being, quality of life at work and productivity. Through the Participatory Research-Action methodology, where the researcher is inserted in the study group, qualitative and quantitative questionnaires were applied to more than 140 participants, where it was possible to measure the real impacts of these actions, demonstrating that the participant group presents significant differences (averages 31% higher) in the levels of positive affects and satisfaction with life. Correlations of these results were also made with the studied literature and the re-evaluation and suggestions for improvements to the Program, noting that, in a general way, all positive actions generate added value to the impacted employees, and consequently, a sense of well-being

O presente trabalho visa compreender o que são as experiências de flow, investigando e verificando a qualidade da experiência subjetiva durante a prática de uma determinada atividade intrinsecamente motivadora (a dança-de-salão). Flow é um conceito desenvolvido por Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, co-fundador do movimento conhecido como Psicologia Positiva, que foi idealizado em 1998 por Martin Seligman. Um dos principais campos temáticos das pesquisas em Psicologia Positiva consiste nos estudos sobre felicidade, sendo que este trabalho pretende contribuir para as pesquisas sobre felicidade e bem-estar subjetivo no Brasil. Para apreender as qualidades da experiência de flow, optou-se pelo método qualitativo e preferiu-se partir da narrativa dos próprios sujeitos, empregando a técnica da entrevista-narrativa norteada por roteiro semi-estruturado. As entrevistas foram realizadas em 6 escolas de dança-de-salão na cidade de São Paulo, sendo selecionados vinte participantes do gênero masculino e feminino, entre 20 e 40 anos de idade, dentre eles 10 alunos que praticavam a dança-de-salão como atividade de lazer e 10 profissionais, professores de dança. Para analisar os depoimentos, foi utilizado o método de derivação empírica das categorias (Csikszentmihalyi & Robinson, 1990), sendo estas apresentadas por meio de citações e quantidades. As citações são trechos de depoimentos que ilustram uma determinada categoria, enquanto as quantidades sinalizam a importância de cada tópico dentro do conjunto das narrativas. As dimensões, categorias, sub-categorias e variáveis levantadas a partir das narrativas dos sujeitos foram comparadas com as características do flow e condições para sua ocorrência conforme descritas por Csikszentmihalyi em sua teoria, para verificar a existência de possíveis concordâncias e discordâncias. Foram identificadas 4 dimensões da experiência subjetiva durante a atividade de flow: motivacional, emocional, cognitiva e perceptiva, além de uma dimensão relacionada às conseqüências da prática desta atividade. Os resultados indicaram que, durante a experiência de flow, há presença de alta motivação intrínseca, emoções e sentimentos positivos, alta concentração, atenção focada na atividade e no momento presente, percepção de controle corporal e mental, distorção da experiência temporal e um feedback positivo sobre o desempenho, o que eleva a qualidade da experiência subjetiva a níveis ótimos. Os resultados apontaram que a vivência de experiências de flow ou de outros estados subjetivos, como ansiedade, tédio ou relaxamento, dependem principalmente do nível e do equilíbrio entre, de um lado, os desafios e dificuldades demandadas pela atividade, e de outro, pelas capacidades e habilidades do indivíduo. Houve concordâncias em sete das oito dimensões do flow, conforme descritas por Csikszentmihalyi e colaboradores. Houve discordância em relação a uma dimensão: perda da autoconsciência reflexiva e transcendência das fronteiras do self. Como conseqüências da prática da atividade de flow, verificamos aumento da auto-estima após a dança e crescimento pessoal em diversos aspectos, principalmente sociais, de personalidade e emocionais / The current work aims at understanding what the experiences of flow are, investigating and verifying the quality of subjective experience during the practice of an activity intrinsically motivating (ballroom dance). Flow is a concept developed by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, cofounder of the movement known as Positive Psychology, which was designed in 1998 by Martin Seligman. One of the main thematic areas of research in Positive Psychology is the study of happiness, and this work aims at contributing to research on happiness and subjective well-being in Brazil. To understand the qualities of the experience of flow, the qualitative method was chosen and it was preferred to start from the subjects own narrative, employing the technique of interview-narratives conducted by a semi-structured guideline. The interviews were conducted in 6 schools of ballroom dance in the city of São Paulo, twenty participants were selected male and female, between 20 and 40 years of age, among them 10 students who practiced the ballroom dance as a leisure activity, and 10 professional dance teachers. To analyze the testimonials, we used the method of derivation of empirical categories (Csikszentmihalyi & Robinson, 1990),, which are presented through quotations and quantities. The quotations are excerpts from testimonials that illustrate a particular category, while quantities indicate the importance of each topic within the set of narratives. The dimensions, categories, sub-categories and variables raised through the narratives of the subjects were compared with the characteristics of flow and conditions for its occurrence as described by Csikszentmihalyi in his theory, to check for possible consistencies and inconsistencies. We identified four dimensions of subjective experience during the flow activity: motivational, emotional, cognitive and perceptive, and a dimension related to consequences of the activity practice. The results indicated that during the experience of flow, there is presence of high intrinsic motivation, positive emotions and feelings, high concentration, focused attention on activity at the present moment, perception of body and mental control, distortion of temporal experience and positive feedback on performance, which raises the quality of subjective experience to optimal levels. The results showed that the living experience of flow or other subjective states such as anxiety, boredom or relaxation, depends mainly on the level and balance between, on one hand, the challenges and difficulties demanded by the activity, and on the other, by the capabilities and abilities of the individual. There was agreement in seven of eight dimensions of flow, as described by Csikszentmihalyi and colleagues. There was disagreement in one dimension: loss of reflective selfconsciousness and transcendence of boundaries of self. As consequences of the practice of the flow activity, we found an increasing in self-esteem after the dance and personal growth in various aspects, mainly social, personality and emotional

This dissertation presents an analytical framework based on the processes of social identification and self-categorization as mechanisms through which team-focused leadership and group affective tone separately and jointly contribute to team outcomes at both the team and team member levels A review of relevant literature supported the development of the research hypotheses The hypotheses were tested using multilevel structural equation modeling and single level path analysis to tease out significant effects of team leadership and affective processes in teams The results of single level path analyses demonstrated that leaders and team members contribute to the affective tone of a team through the sharing of emotions and processes of emotional contagion and norms of emotional expression via identification and self-categorization processes Both individual leaders (vertical team-focused leadership) and team members sharing in leadership processes (shared team-focused leadership) were found to distinctly contribute to group affective tone and the important team outcomes of team performance, creativity, trust, team member engagement, team member identification, and team member citizenship behaviors The results further demonstrated that the affective tone of a team (group affective tone) has direct effects on team member outcomes, and mediates direct effects on outcomes of team-focused leadership Group affective tone was found to mediate the effects of both vertical and shared team-focused leadership on team member engagement, identification, citizenship behaviors, and team trust The results are relevant to both researchers interested in studying leadership and affective processes in teams and to management practitioners interested in understanding contributions to team effectiveness The consideration of both team-focused leadership and the affective tone of a team matter in team effectiveness The emotional climate of a team appears to be important to team member outcomes more so than team-level outcomes Therefore, what managers consider to be important indicators of team effectiveness (either team-level or team member-level) determine the actions of a manager to monitor and strengthen the positive affective tone of a team Limitations are discussed and future research directions are provided to extend the observations of this study / Includes bibliography / Dissertation (PhD)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016 / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-27T14:20:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Eduardo Antonio Calandro.pdf: 1129048 bytes, checksum: c1bed6757557eaa536827a92f3093f35 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-12-16 / A experiência de fé é algo impactante na vida de uma pessoa, como atitude de quem se entrega com total confiança a Deus, vendo nele a razão última da própria existência, e faz desta entrega o eixo central de sua vida, que orienta todo o seu agir, potencializando assim a resiliência frente às adversidades do cotidiano. Pretende-se compreender os aspectos psicológicos da experiência de fé e analisar a sua importância como promotora de resiliência dos adultos que estão no itinerário da catequese. Estudos mostram que pessoas que se consideram mais religiosas, tais como participantes nas atividades religiosas, como frequência a cultos e orações apresentam maior bem estar psicológico. A resiliência é entendida como capacidade para superar situações adversas e a experiência de fé alavancando, como algo a mais que uma pessoa possui para ser resiliente. É uma pesquisa qualitativa, de caráter exploratório, com orientação analíticodescritiva, mediante a técnica do Grupo Focal com questões em aberto. Os sujeitos são os adultos que participam da catequese na paróquia Nossa Senhora da Guia em Santa Fé de Goiás. A interpretação dos dados coletados seguiu a técnica de análise de Bardin. Seguindo os relatos dos participantes, a experiência de fé lhe dá a capacidade para desenvolver-se bem, para continuar projetando-se no futuro apesar dos acontecimentos desestabilizadores, de condições de vida difíceis. A partir da experiência de fé a pessoa se torna capaz de superar, aprender ou mesmo ser transformada com a adversidade que é inevitável a vida.

O Brasil está rapidamente deixando de ser um país jovem. E com o novo desenho da pirâmide etária no nosso país, o tema do envelhecimento tem ocupado cada vez mais espaço nas discussões governamentais e da sociedade civil organizada. As representações sociais do idoso ainda o apresentam como alguém que pouco tem a contribuir com a sociedade. Uma parte dos idosos se apropria deste estigma; outra parte, no entanto, entende que o envelhecimento pode ser satisfatório e encarado de forma positiva. O objetivo do trabalho foi investigar as características de idosos que relatam o envelhecimento como satisfatório. A teoria de desenvolvimento psicossocial de Erik Erikson e suas descobertas sobre o envelhecimento foi a base para as discussões teóricas. A pesquisa foi entabulada sob a perspectiva da Psicologia Positiva. A amostra foi constituída de 186 idosos, com 70 anos ou mais. Foram utilizados os seguintes instrumentos: a) Questionário de Qualificação Sociodemográfica; b) Escalas de Qualidade de Vida (WHOQOL-OLD e BREF), c) Escala de Satisfação de Vida; e, d) Escala de Religiosidade da Universidade DUKE DUREL. A partir da resposta de duas questões abertas constantes do Questionário de Qualificação Sociodemográfica, os participantes foram segmentados em IBV - Idosos de Bem com a Velhice e ICV Idosos em Conflito com a Velhice. Para a segmentação da amostra foram utilizados quatro juízes que opinaram sobre as respostas apresentadas pelos participantes e contribuíram na classificação dos participantes do grupo do IBV e do ICV. Foi utilizado o Coeficiente Kappa para se determinar a confiabilidade entre os avaliadores. Segmentada a amostra, as médias dos dois grupos foram comparadas aplicando-se o teste t-student. Os IBV apresentaram médias estatisticamente significantes ao nível de 5% nas médias de Satisfação de Vida, Qualidade de Vida (escores totais), na faceta Morte e Morrer do WHOQOL-OLD e no Domínio Relações Sociais do WHOQOL-BREF. Das dez áreas investigadas pelo WHOQOL (seis facetas do WHOQOL-OLD e quatro Domínios do WHOQOL-BREF), em apenas uma os ICV apresentaram média superior aos IBV, mas sem significância estatística. Quanto à Religiosidade, os IBV apresentaram média superior apenas na Religiosidade Organizacional. Os IBV praticam mais atividades físicas e de lazer, estão mais envolvidos com trabalho remunerado. Não se constatou diferença quanto à escolaridade, a renda e a classificação econômica entre os IBV e os ICV. Por fim, o IBV foi descrito como aquele que é satisfeito com a vida, apresenta maiores médias de Qualidade de Vida, maneja bem questões ligadas às atividades passadas, presentes e futuras (demonstrando o que Erikson denominava de Integridade), participa ativamente da sociedade, mantém bom nível de relações sociais significativas e apresenta-se preservado no que diz respeito aos aspectos físicos e psicológicos / Brazil is rapidly ceasing to be considered a young country. With the new layout of the age pyramid in our country, the subject on aging has gradually occupied space in governmental discussions and in the organized civil society. The social representations of the elderly still present this individual as someone who has little to contribute to society. Some of the elderly seize this stigma; others, however, believe that aging can be satisfactory and faced in a positive manner. This study aims to investigate the characteristics of the elderly people who report aging as satisfactory. Erik Erikson\'s theory of psychosocial development and his findings on aging was the basis for theoretical discussions. The research was based on the perspective of Positive Psychology. The sample consisted of 186 elderly individuals, aged 70 or older. The following tools were used: a) Sociodemographic Qualification Questionnaire; a) Quality of Life Scales (WHOQOL-OLD and BREF), c) Life Satisfaction Scale; and, d) The Duke University Religion Index (DUREL). Based on the responses to two open questions included in the Sociodemographic Qualification Questionnaire, the participants were segmented into IBV - Elderly Coping Well with Old Age and ICV Elderly in Conflict with Old Age. For the segmentation of the sample, four judges were used and they commented on the responses presented by the participants and contributed to the classification of the respondents into groups IBV or ICV. In order to determine the reliability among the evaluators, the Kappa coefficient was used. After the sample was segmented, the rate of the two groups was compared by applying the t-student test. The IBV group presented statistically significant averages at 5% level in Life Satisfaction, Quality of Life averages (total scores), in the \"Death and Dying\" facet of the WHOQOL-OLD and in the \"Social Relations\" Domain of the WHOQOL-BREF. Of the ten areas investigated by the WHOQOL (six facets of the WHOQOL-OLD and four domains of the WHOQOL-BREF), in only one the ICV group presented a higher average than the IBV group, but there was no statistical significance. Regarding Religiousness, the IBVs presented a higher average only in Organizational Religiosity. IBVs practice more physical and leisure activities and are more involved with paid work. There was no difference in schooling, income or economic classification between the IBVs and the ICVs. Finally, the IBV group was described as being satisfied with life, presenting higher Quality of Life averages, handling well issues related to past, present and future activities (demonstrating what Erikson called Integrity), participating actively in society, maintaining a good level of meaningful social relations and being preserved with respect to the physical and psychological aspects