As South Africa is one of the countries with the highest HIVJAids prevalence in the world, many South Africans are affected by the pandemic. One of the structures being endangered by the HIVJAids pandemic is the education system. Educators are especially affected by the impact of the pandemic due to the fact that they not only have to cope with infected colleagues who are often absent, but are also burdened with numerous orphans and vulnerable children at their schools because of the pandemic. Sometimes these affected educators even have to care for their own loved ones who suffer from or die of the disease. The impact of the pandemic is personal stress, such as depression and suicidal ideation, plus professional impairment such as through increased workload and staff negativity. Affected educators are vulnerable, struggle to cope and are desperately in need of support, due to the pressure they experience regarding the pandemic. Current literature reports little support for educators affected by HIVJAids with regard to the personal and professional impact of the pandemic. This study focuses on determining the efficacy of REds (Resilient Educators), a support programme compiled to empower educators who are affected by HIVJAids, the implementation of which was also piloted by this study. A qualitative research design which included experimental and action research which focused on the latter (action research) was used. A purposive convenience sample consisting of eight volunteers from local primary schools participated. The researcher made use of a mixed-methods design for the pre and post-tests which included both qualitative and quantitative measuring instruments. REds was implemented over a period of nine consecutive weeks in a group setting and was continuously evaluated by the participants who proposed changes in order to improve the programme. In spite of being realistic about the obstacles they will face with regard to the HIVIAids pandemic, participants reported to be relieved, empowered and motivated to fight the effects of the pandemic. The quantitative results show some improvement in participants' experience of secondary trauma resulting from the impact of the pandemic. The results suggest that REds was efficacious, but that educators need continued support. Some modification of REds is also suggested action research affected impact. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2007.

This study was undertaken in an attempt to establish the cognitive development of student teachers and to determine the impact of Feuerstein's Instrumental Enrichment programme on the development and/or improvement of the cognitive skills of student teachers. A literature study was undertaken to highlight the importance and nature of thinking abilities necessary for learning, as well as the role of Feuerstein's Instrumental Enrichment programme in this regard. Explanatory mixed method research by means of testing, as well as a narrative analysis was employed. An empirical study with a pre-experimental research design in which intervention research was incorporated was conducted over a period of twelve weeks with twenty four second-year student teachers majoring in Mathematics. The students were randomly assigned to two groups. A pretest with the DAT-L test was administered to both groups to determine the extent of their thinking skills development. After the pre-test group 1 was exposed to intervention with the Feuerstein Instrumental Enrichment programme for a period of six weeks in an attempt to develop and/or improve thinking skills. After the intervention program group 1 was tested again with the DAT-L test in order to determine if the intervention programme had developed and/or improved thinking skills or not. After this, group 2 was exposed to intervention with the Feuerstein Instrumental Enrichment programme for a period of six weeks. After the six week period both groups were tested again with the DAT-L test to determine the impact of the intervention programme on the thinking skills of group 2 and to establish what happened to the thinking skills of group 1 during the period in which they were not exposed to the intervention. In support of the data gained through the test results, participants were requested to write up their perceptions of and experiences related to the Feuerstein Instrumental Enrichment programme in a narrative. The narratives were analysed and the results were utilized to support the data obtained with the quantitative study. Results indicated that room exists for improving the thinking skills of student teachers and that Feuerstein's Instrumental Enrichment programme possesses the latent potential to improve and develop thinking skills. The study is concluded with recommendations on how to develop and improve thinking skills. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2009.

Divorce is an ever-present phenomenon in society. This is also true for white Afrikaans-speaking adolescents. Some of these adolescents seem to cope resiliently with the risk inherent in divorce while others struggle to cope. I wanted to determine what protective factors and processes are present in the lives of white Afrikaans-speaking adolescents who do function resiliently. The aims of the study were to explain what adolescent resilience means, document the impact of divorce on adolescents, conduct an empirical study to determine what protective factors and processes contribute to resilience, and to develop resilience promoting guidelines in the form of a concept program for Life Orientation educators and other service providers who might encourage resilience among white Afrikaans-speaking adolescents from divorced families. The study followed the prescriptions of the International Youth Resilience Study (IYRS), which includes a triangulated mixed method design. An advisory panel drawn from the communities of the participants helped to develop site specific questions and to identify resilient and non-resilient white Afrikaans-speaking adolescents from divorced families from different schools in three provinces. In total, 64 participants completed the Child and Youth Resilience measure (CYRM) and ten resilient adolescents were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. The resulting findings suggested that protective factors and processes inherent to the individual, relationships, the community and culture helped the resilient adolescents to cope adaptively with their parents' divorce. In line with more recent thinking, the findings confirmed that protective resources that encourage resilience are group-specific. Using the protective factors and processes identified by the participants, I compiled a concept programme to encourage adolescents from white Afrikaans-speaking divorced families to function more resiliently. The concept programme includes a ten-session, group intervention programme for adolescents and complementary workshops for their parents, educators, friends and community leaders. The concept programme was not implemented and so a future intervention study is recommended to test the concept programme. Future studies could also look at the relevance of the programme for adolescents from divorced families in other cultures. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2009.

The aims of this research were to investigate, by means of both literature review and empirical research, the incidence and manifestation of conduct disorders among adolescents growing up in the Vaal Triangle townships, with a view to suggesting a psycho-social intervention programme to help them learn life-skills which will decrease their susceptibility to depression and anxiety. According to the literature findings, depression and anxiety co-occur with conduct disorders during adolescence. An intervention progamme can therefore help these learner adolescents develop effective coping skills to help them deal with environmental factors that cause stress, depression and anxiety. The findings from the literature review revealed that adolescence is the highest risk period for the onset of conduct disorders such as, inter alia, substance use disorders, aggressiveness, destruction of property, defiance of authority, frightening and disturbing of adults, fighting, bullying, lying, destructiveness and defiance. The conduct problems also include the more or less troublesome and involuntary behaviours commonly associated with adolescence such as tempertantrums, bouts of screaming and crying, surliness and episodes of commanding or pestering behaviour. The co-occurrence of depression, anxiety and conduct disorders in adolescents was, according to various researchers, also associated with more severe alcohol and drug-related problems, more prolonged depressive and anxiety episodes and increased frequency of behavioural problems, more severe impairment in interpersonal and academic competencies, increased utilization of mental health services, as well as elevated risk of suicide. The literature also revealed that the period of adolescence is also marked by conflicting feelings about security and independence, rapid physical changes, developing sexuality, peer pressure and self-consciousness. This becomes a time of rapid physiological and psychological changes, of intensive re -adjustment to the family, school, work and social life and of preparation for adult roles. These changes are noticeable for their conduct disorders and behavioural accompaniments, and problems arising at this time may attract attention because the adolescent"s conduct and behaviour become obtrusive in the school and the home or elsewhere and evoke a sense of urgency for response. Effective support programmes such as individual educational support and group educational support were regarded by the literature as having the efficacy to prevent the development of conduct disorders. The empirical research findings revealed that adolescent participants who formed the population sample of this research were aggressive; characterized by risky behaviour such as staying with friends until very late at night and coming to school carrying a knife and bullying other children in class; deceitfulness or theft which manifested in the form of stealing from other children's schoolbags, stealing food and pens, and lying; serious violation of rules such as being disruptive in class, bunking school, and not coming to school regularly, conflict with parents, educators and others which manifests in the form of always being in trouble for beating up other learners in class, especially those that are younger, and being rebellious at home, mood disruptions such as bursting in anger, aggressive, being happy one moment and then angry and sad the next, and poor performance at school resulting in failing grades. Recommendations for educational practice and further research were made. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2006.

Today's organisations are faced with changes such as increased competition and technological changes, not to mention the impact of globalisation on South African organisations. In a sense, the 21" century brought forth a more positive outlook and is described by some as the century of fortegenic living and wellness. Organisations today are searching for programmes that support strengths and wellness, as opposed to the historic employee assistance programmes. Spiritual wellness seems to be the antibiotic for these negative impacts. The objective of this study was to conceptualise spiritual work wellness and develop basic, generic guidelines for the implementation of spiritual work wellness programmes within .the diverse organisational context of South Africa. A qualitative method was applied as the approach that guided the research. The participants were recruited by making use of a combined purposive and network sampling. The sample size (N = 10) was determined by data saturation. Data gathering was done by means of a semi-structured interview with each of the participants. Where the need arose, the participants were afforded the opportunity for in-depth discussions and clarification. Data-analysis was done by means of cognitive mapping, followed by the transcription of data and the combined technique of content analysis. Data-analysis was also done by an independent co-coder. From the discussion of the research results and literature control, conclusions were made regarding spiritual wellness with specific reference to the workplace and to how spiritual wellness is conceptualised from the literature and also to the contribution of that conceptualisation towards answering certain essential questions. More conclusions concerning spiritual work wellness were made through the experts’ perceptions of how spiritual work wellness relates to the South African work force. Through further discussion of the results, guidelines were formulated for effective spiritual work wellness programme implementation within the diverse workforce of South Africa and were reflected in the recommendations of the research. / Mini-dissertation (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a Go Make a Difference (Go MAD) training programme on the self-regulation of a group of students at a higher education institution in South Africa. An availability sample of 20 university students took part in a simple pre-test, post-test experimental and control group design. Data were gathered with the Generalised Expectancy for Success Scale (GESS), the Personal Growth Initiative Scale (PGIS), the Problem Solving Inventory (PSI), and a self-compiled open-ended questionnaire to explore participants' subjective experience of the programme. It was found that Go MAD® shows potential as a valid tool to foster self-regulation in students and to help them ultimately to achieve their goals. However, students who chose unrealistic, non-feasible goals and who had to deal with unresolved emotional issues found it difficult to attain their goals. Findings support other impact studies regarding Go MAD. Further research on larger, random samples with presentation of Go MAD over a longer period of time, as well as longer-term follow-up assessments to determine the extent to which improved goal achievement is sustainable, is recommended. / Thesis (M.A. (Psigologie)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

It is of utmost importance for learners to master language in order to learn effectively at school. Problems in language development can cause learning problems that have negative results for the learner. Language consists mainly of the spoken language (listening and speaking), reading and writing. These three aspects of language form an integrated unit so that a problem with one will influence the others. Learners are initially taught in school to read and write. Learners should later be able to use acquired reading skills to learn, and acquired writing skills must be applied to reproduce that which has been learnt. If learners do not master the foregoing skills, their progress at school will be seriously handicapped. A further aggravating factor within the milieu of the South African education system is the complicated socio-political history of the country that created a large number of disadvantaged schools. A Report by the Ministerial Committee on Education in Disadvantaged Areas (2005:10, 43) emphasizes the needs and skills of learners; training, dedication and competencies of teachers; as well as the importance of instructional media in disadvantaged areas. In spite of the implementation of the National Curriculum Statement Grade R-9 (Schools) and Grade 10-12 (Schools), illiteracy is still a serious problem in South Africa. Because the basis of all reading and writing skills are laid in the Foundation Phase, it is necessary for drastic steps to be taken to ensure that learners will be able to read with comprehension in their first years at school. This research is aimed at proving the significant relationship between high frequency words and reading skills (measured by word recognition and reading comprehension) and also improving the reading skills of learners by the acquisition of high frequency words. An effort has also been made to meet the requirements of the core elements for good teaching/instruction. To achieve this objective, the focus of this study is binary. In the first phase the researcher determines if there is a significant relationship between the visual recognition of the high frequency words and reading skills (measured by visual word recognition and reading comprehension) of learners in the Foundation Phase (Grade 2). After completion of Phase 1 it was determined that there is a correlation between the visual recognition of high frequency words and the reading skills (measured by visual word recognition and reading comprehension) of learners in the Foundation Phase (Grade 2). After the successful completion of Phase 1 the focus shifts to the study of Phase 2. In Phase 2 the researcher makes a contribution to the instruction/teaching milieu and meets the requirements of the stated criteria to ensure good instruction/teaching as determined by the Report of the Ministerial Committee on Education in Disadvantaged Areas (2005:10, 43). This contribution is made through the designing of a reading instruction programme that is aimed at the improvement of reading skills (measured by visual word recognition and reading comprehension) of learners in the Foundation Phase. The focus of this Reading Instruction Programme is the acquisition of the first 100 high frequency words as they appear in Aucamp's list (1932: 79 - 80). The gathering/collection of data in both phases is characterised by the use of standardised tests. In Phase 1 use was made of descriptive statistics; Pearson's product moment correlations and Cohen's r-values; t-tests and Cohen's d-values; as well as one sample t-tests to analyse and interpret data. In Phase 2 pre- and post-tests were used. Statistical techniques used during the analysis reporting and interpretation of data in Phase 2 are descriptive statistics; Wilcoxon rank sum tests; one-way covariance analysis; Wilcoxon symmetry-tests, and Cohen's d-values. This study contributes to the education milieu when it proves that the instruction of high frequency words by means of this Reading Instruction Programme leads to the improvement of the reading skills (measured byword recognition and reading omprehension) of learners in Grade 3. The Reading Instruction Programme is based on a balanced reading approach in which the main components of reading integrated with high frequency words are instructed. This instruction is characterised among others by direct, explicit instruction; multi-sensory methods; the use of high quality instructional media; and the automatisation of high frequency words. The Reading Instruction Programme is based on the behaviouristic and cognitive learning theories as well as the transactional reading theory. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Psychometrists have to be capable of stimulating growth and of assisting employees during psychometric assessments, seeing that the content of the instruments used might bring about psychological trauma. Graduate psychometrists often lack the interpersonal skills and knowledge, as well as the intrapersonal awareness, to sufficiently fulfil a helping role in the workplace. The objectives of this research were to conceptualise helping and the competencies associated with helping from the literature, to investigate what the content and methodology of a helping skills training programme should include, and to evaluate the effects of a helping skills training programme for psychometrists. The participants were Industrial Psychology Honours students from the School of Human Resource Sciences at the North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus. The entire population comprising 22 (N = 22) students were utilised. The stratified random sampling technique was used to divide the participants into the experimental and comparison groups. Three measuring instruments (Carkhuff scales, Personal Growth Initiative Scale and the Scales of Psychological Well-being) were administered before and after the training programme. The training programme in helping skills was administered to the experimental group first, where after their interpersonal skills and intrapersonal awareness were assessed during the post-tests. Descriptive statistics, Cronbach alpha coefficients, correlations and an Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used to analyse the data. The ANCOVA analysis confirmed the statistical and practical significance of three core dimensions of helping, namely empathy, respect and genuineness among the members of the experimental group, as well as the improvement in the helping skills of Responding to content and Personalising meaning. However, the dimension of concreteness did not show significant improvement. There was also no statistical or practical significant differences between the experimental and comparison group for personal growth or psychological well-being. However, one dimension of psychological well-being, namely purpose in life, improved in the experimental group. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The overarching objective of this study was to develop and empirically evaluate an HIV and AIDS group work programme empowering adolescents to deal with the possible death of their parents/caregivers. This thesis comprised five sections: Section A contains the problem statement, research objectives and the procedures that were followed. Furthermore the limitations of this study were discussed, the definitions of key words were given and an exposition was given of the composition of the research report. The problem statement can be condensed as follows: The large and growing number of adolescents affected by HIV and AIDS makes knowledge concerning their needs essential so as to provide effective interventions. A better understanding of the emotional, social and health needs of adolescents of HIV-infected parents is essential. Responses to adolescents affected by HIV and AIDS should address their needs. Programme development must be done in response to adolescents' needs via their active participation in the entire process. The problem statement led to five research aims. The concurrent embedded strategy was used in this study and was implemented with a mixed method design model. Interviews and questionnaires were used to collect qualitative and quantitative data simultaneously. Literature studies were conducted on the themes HIV and AIDS, adolescence, the needs of adolescents and group work. Section B consists of four articles that together formed the report on the research outcomes. Each article was a report on a particular sub-project of the research and had, as a self-contained unit, an own research aim, research method and report. Each article was linked to the central aim, the objectives and the content of the umbrella research project. The four articles were: > ARTICLE 1: A profile of adolescents' households infected with or affected by HIV and AIDS: A comprehensive profile of adolescents' households infected with or affected by HIV and AIDS was drafted, based on the results gained from interviews with and the completion of questionnaires by 169 households. Data collected and discussed included various demographic data regarding the households, their health and well-being, school attendance as well as information on child-headed households. > ARTICLE 2: The needs of adolescents in households infected with or affected by HIV and AIDS: The needs of adolescents whose caregivers are infected with or affected by HIV and AIDS were discussed. Various basic and developmental needs of adolescents were discussed as well as specific needs they may experience when their caregivers become infected with or affected by HIV and AIDS. > ARTICLE 3: An HIV and AIDS group work programme empowering adolescents to deal with the possible death of their parents/caregivers: An HIV and AIDS group work programme was developed, preparing adolescents for the death of their parents/caretakers and empowering them with skills to be able to deal with it. A needs assessment was done on a large number of adolescents from households infected with or affected by HIV and AIDS. The selection of members for this programme, as well as guidelines for group work with adolescents, were discussed. This article focused mainly on the themes and contents of the designed group work programme. > ARTICLE 4: The evaluation of an HIV and AIDS group work programme empowering adolescents for the possible death of their parents/caregivers: The programme was implemented with 8 adolescents in an experimental group and 8 adolescents in the control group. The Child Functioning Inventory High School (CFI-HIGH) and the Generalized Contentment Scale (GCS) were used as quantitative measuring instruments at two occasions with both groups. The experimental group was also qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated by means of a self-developed questionnaire. Section C provided a summary of the findings and conclusions of the research report in total and some recommendations are provided. Section D consisted of various addenda, such as questionnaires and measuring instruments that were used. Section E contained an integrated bibliography. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.