The aim of this study was to adapt the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) for Argentinean population. We conducted a linguistic adaptation of the instrument and an analysis of its psychometric properties. To assess the reliability of the scale, analysis of internal consis- tency was made through Cronbach’s alpha and temporal stability of the items was examined in two different subsamples. In addition, the scale’s validity was assessed, taking into account convergent validity, criterion validity by contrasting groups and factorial composition of the K10. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis was carried out to assess sensitivity, specificity and the area under the curve (AUC). The results of the present study indicate that the K10 is an adequate instrument presenting strong psychometric properties for screeningpsychological distress in our environment. / El objetivo del presente trabajo fue realizar la adaptación argentina de la Escala de Malestar Psicológico de Kessler (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale-K10). Para esto, se llevó a cabo una adaptación lingüística del instrumento y un análisis de sus propiedades psicométricas. Para evaluar la confiabilidad de la escala, se efectuó un análisis de la consistencia interna y se examinó la estabilidad temporal de los ítems. La validez del instrumento fue evaluada teniendoen consideración diferentes indicadores de la misma. Se calcularon, a través de las curvas ROC, los niveles de sensibilidad, especificidad y el área bajo la curva (ABC) de la prueba. Los resultados indican que se puede contar con la K10 como un instrumento de despistaje de malestar psicológico que reúne los requisitos psicométricos necesarios para ser utilizado en población argentina.

This article describes the psychometric properties of the WHOQOL-OLD (an add-on module to the World Health Organization's Quality of Life measure for older people) in a South African sample. International literature cites three short versions of the WHOQOL-OLD instrument. The psychometric properties associated with these three short versions of the WHOQOL-OLD are also described. The unique challenges posed by ageing populations are evident in both developed and developing countries. In South Africa the elderly population is also increasing dramatically. There is a disproportionate distribution of older persons per ethnic group, with white older people representing the largest group of older South Africans (21%, proportional to ethnic group). Regardless of integration policies in post-apartheid South Africa, especially in terms of housing arrangements, the majority of long-term care facilities in South Africa remain to be occupied predominantly by white older people. For this reason the participants of this study were mostly older white South Africans. It is, however, projected that this picture will change in future times due to more aggressive transformation-driven policies. A national audit of residential care facilities by the Department of Social Development in 2010 indicated a need for psychosocial interventions since the QoL of residents was found to be undetermined. QoL research in South Africa has largely been conducted from socio-economic and health-care perspectives and has tended to focus on specific societies in which older people are usually not explicitly included. Evidence exists of various qualitative studies among older people living in long-term care facilities, from a psychological perspective. However, the short supply of quantitative studies in this setting is significant. The lack of measurements developed for an older population also resulted in an increasing need for the development of gerontological QoL measurements with sound psychometric properties. Internationally, various measures of QoL utilised in older age groups have become increasingly popular. This study took particular interest in the WHOQOL-OLD instrument. Under the auspices of the World Health Organization Quality of Life group, a collaborative effort among numerous researchers from various countries has led to the development of a measure focussing on the QoL in older population cohorts. The initial development of the generic WHOQOL measures of quality of life occurred in 15 different centres worldwide, excluding South Africa. In the development of an add-on module, 22 centres around the world were involved (again excluding South Africa). It cannot be assumed that measuring instruments developed in a Western context are applicable in an African context. South Africa is a very diverse nation - the majority of ethnic groups lead a collectivistic existence. As a result the determination of the psychometric properties of such instruments, for use within South Africa, was needed. It is of importance to note that the participants of this study were more individualistically inclined, which is comparable to Western societies. This study was the first step in exploring the instrument’s reliable use within South Africa. Surveys were completed by 176 older people who were fluent in both Afrikaans and English. Participants of the study resided in long-term care facilities in Potchefstroom in the North-West province of South Africa. Their ages varied between 61 and 95 and the mean age of participants was 77 years. Of the respondents, 50 were male and 126 were female. All reported average to good health and cognitive ability. The current study found encouraging results related to the original factor structure of the WHOQOL-OLD as well as the three shorter versions of this instrument. Results from the data of the current sample seem to fit the original structure model well. The reliabilities associated with the various sub-dimensions point to a reliable instrument. The original WHOQOL-OLD questionnaire with its 24 items or any of the three short versions of this instrument can therefore be utilised in a South African context. / MA (Clinical Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Boredom at work is a concern, as both employees and organisations are affected by the negative effects that this phenomenon holds. Workplace boredom is becoming an increasingly common occurrence within organisations and most employees are susceptible to it. To date, no reliable and valid scale for workplace boredom is available in South Africa. This study aimed to validate the Dutch Boredom Scale (DUBS) within the South African context in an attempt to provide a scale suitable for South African employees. The general objective of the study was to determine the reliability and validity of the workplace boredom scale (DUBS) within the South African context by means of investigating the reliability, factorial validity, convergent validity, predictive validity and discriminant validity. A cross-sectional research approach was utilised by means of a random convenience sample (N = 490) from organisations within the manufacturing and logistics sectors. The reliability of the workplace boredom scale was established by investigating the alpha and omega values. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to determine the factor structure of the DUBS and to ascertain factorial validity. In order to prove convergent and discriminant validity, the relationship between workplace boredom and similar theoretical constructs (work engagement, workload, job satisfaction and organisational commitment) as well as constructs assumed to differ from work place boredom (i.e. gender) was investigated. Finally, regression with regard to one-directional relationships was examined between workplace boredom and appropriate outcomes (work engagement, organisational commitment and job satisfaction) in order to establish predictive validity. The results indicate that the DUBS consists of a one-factor structure, and that this factor has acceptable reliability. Relationships between workplace boredom and work engagement, workload, job satisfaction, organisational commitment and turnover intention were negatively and practically significantly correlated. No significant relationship existed between workplace boredom and gender. Workplace boredom had significant negative regressions to work engagement, job satisfaction and organisational commitment. Recommendations are made for use in practice and additionally for future research. / MCom (Industrial Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

This article describes the psychometric properties of the WHOQOL-OLD (an add-on module to the World Health Organization's Quality of Life measure for older people) in a South African sample. International literature cites three short versions of the WHOQOL-OLD instrument. The psychometric properties associated with these three short versions of the WHOQOL-OLD are also described. The unique challenges posed by ageing populations are evident in both developed and developing countries. In South Africa the elderly population is also increasing dramatically. There is a disproportionate distribution of older persons per ethnic group, with white older people representing the largest group of older South Africans (21%, proportional to ethnic group). Regardless of integration policies in post-apartheid South Africa, especially in terms of housing arrangements, the majority of long-term care facilities in South Africa remain to be occupied predominantly by white older people. For this reason the participants of this study were mostly older white South Africans. It is, however, projected that this picture will change in future times due to more aggressive transformation-driven policies. A national audit of residential care facilities by the Department of Social Development in 2010 indicated a need for psychosocial interventions since the QoL of residents was found to be undetermined. QoL research in South Africa has largely been conducted from socio-economic and health-care perspectives and has tended to focus on specific societies in which older people are usually not explicitly included. Evidence exists of various qualitative studies among older people living in long-term care facilities, from a psychological perspective. However, the short supply of quantitative studies in this setting is significant. The lack of measurements developed for an older population also resulted in an increasing need for the development of gerontological QoL measurements with sound psychometric properties. Internationally, various measures of QoL utilised in older age groups have become increasingly popular. This study took particular interest in the WHOQOL-OLD instrument. Under the auspices of the World Health Organization Quality of Life group, a collaborative effort among numerous researchers from various countries has led to the development of a measure focussing on the QoL in older population cohorts. The initial development of the generic WHOQOL measures of quality of life occurred in 15 different centres worldwide, excluding South Africa. In the development of an add-on module, 22 centres around the world were involved (again excluding South Africa). It cannot be assumed that measuring instruments developed in a Western context are applicable in an African context. South Africa is a very diverse nation - the majority of ethnic groups lead a collectivistic existence. As a result the determination of the psychometric properties of such instruments, for use within South Africa, was needed. It is of importance to note that the participants of this study were more individualistically inclined, which is comparable to Western societies. This study was the first step in exploring the instrument’s reliable use within South Africa. Surveys were completed by 176 older people who were fluent in both Afrikaans and English. Participants of the study resided in long-term care facilities in Potchefstroom in the North-West province of South Africa. Their ages varied between 61 and 95 and the mean age of participants was 77 years. Of the respondents, 50 were male and 126 were female. All reported average to good health and cognitive ability. The current study found encouraging results related to the original factor structure of the WHOQOL-OLD as well as the three shorter versions of this instrument. Results from the data of the current sample seem to fit the original structure model well. The reliabilities associated with the various sub-dimensions point to a reliable instrument. The original WHOQOL-OLD questionnaire with its 24 items or any of the three short versions of this instrument can therefore be utilised in a South African context. / MA (Clinical Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Boredom at work is a concern, as both employees and organisations are affected by the negative effects that this phenomenon holds. Workplace boredom is becoming an increasingly common occurrence within organisations and most employees are susceptible to it. To date, no reliable and valid scale for workplace boredom is available in South Africa. This study aimed to validate the Dutch Boredom Scale (DUBS) within the South African context in an attempt to provide a scale suitable for South African employees. The general objective of the study was to determine the reliability and validity of the workplace boredom scale (DUBS) within the South African context by means of investigating the reliability, factorial validity, convergent validity, predictive validity and discriminant validity. A cross-sectional research approach was utilised by means of a random convenience sample (N = 490) from organisations within the manufacturing and logistics sectors. The reliability of the workplace boredom scale was established by investigating the alpha and omega values. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to determine the factor structure of the DUBS and to ascertain factorial validity. In order to prove convergent and discriminant validity, the relationship between workplace boredom and similar theoretical constructs (work engagement, workload, job satisfaction and organisational commitment) as well as constructs assumed to differ from work place boredom (i.e. gender) was investigated. Finally, regression with regard to one-directional relationships was examined between workplace boredom and appropriate outcomes (work engagement, organisational commitment and job satisfaction) in order to establish predictive validity. The results indicate that the DUBS consists of a one-factor structure, and that this factor has acceptable reliability. Relationships between workplace boredom and work engagement, workload, job satisfaction, organisational commitment and turnover intention were negatively and practically significantly correlated. No significant relationship existed between workplace boredom and gender. Workplace boredom had significant negative regressions to work engagement, job satisfaction and organisational commitment. Recommendations are made for use in practice and additionally for future research. / MCom (Industrial Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The median prevalence of smoking among women of childbearing age in the United States is 22.4%. Of women who identify themselves as smokers in the three months prior to conception, 55% quit during pregnancy; however, 40% of those who quit relapse and return to smoking within six months after delivery. Smoking has been identified as an important means of stress management among smokers in general, and though limited to the perinatal period, pregnancy-specific stress adds to a woman’s typical day-to-day stress burden. Little data exists as to the effect of SHS exposure on smoking status during pregnancy and the impact of SHS exposure on the maternal perception of stress is unknown. Due to limited evidence, a critical need exists to examine the relationships of perceived maternal stress, SHS exposure, and perinatal smoking status in order to better understand perinatal smoking behaviors. The purposes of this dissertation were to: 1) evaluate the literature examining the relationship between the variables of maternal stress, SHS exposure, and perinatal smoking status; 2) determine the reliability and validity of the Everyday Stressors Index (ESI) use in pregnant women; and 3) to investigate the impacts of maternal perception of everyday stress, and SHS exposure on perinatal smoking status. Evidence obtained from the critical review of the literature supported an association between psychosocial stress and smoking during pregnancy or postpartum. Little information regarding the role of SHS exposure on perinatal smoking status was discovered. Psychometric testing of the ESI demonstrated strong internal consistency reliability, and factor analysis yielded three factors capturing three important domains of everyday stress. SHS exposure emerged as the most significant predictor of smoking status. Persistent smokers/relapsers had the highest ESI scores, followed by quitters, and then nonsmokers. While ESI means decreased in all smoking status groups from the first to the third trimester, the magnitude of decrease was not predictive. A significant interaction effect of SHS exposure in the home and decrease in ESI score occurred in the quit group only with quitters 1.14 times more likely to experience a decrease in ESI score compared to smokers/relapsers.

One of the great challenges for positive psychology is that academics, researchers and authors are yet to reach agreement on the terminology, constructs and methodology of the various positive psychological concepts and interventions. One such concept that has been ambiguously and often inconsistently conceptualised is happiness. Interventions that are structured around these conceptualisations have produced mixed results, which are attributable to various aspects such as the unidimensional conceptualisation of the concept, inconsistent measurement, psychometric measuring instruments that have not been validated for the population in question, and fragmented intervention methodologies. Research was, therefore, needed regarding happiness and the development of interventions aimed at increasing happiness. Therefore, this thesis aimed to investigate the concept, manifestation, measurement and development of happiness and positive psychological interventions (PPIs) within a tertiary educational environment. A mixed method research approach was followed to reach the research objectives. The first study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of positive psychological assessment measures, and to determine the relationship between flourishing and academic performance within a tertiary educational institution. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was used to address this objective. The Mental Health Continuum Long Form, Positive and Negative Affect Scale and Satisfaction with Life Scale were administered and indicated acceptable levels of internal consistency. The MHC-LF would need to be adapted for future studies within the tertiary educational environment. No significant correlations could be established between academic performance and flourishing. However, cross-tabulation indicated some evidence of the impact that flourishing/languishing had on academic performance. Individuals with moderate levels of flourishing typically performed in the „above average‟ to „excelling academically‟ range. Languishing individuals performed at the lower levels of the academic performance spectrum. The results indicated that a large number of individuals within this tertiary educational environment were languishing. Flourishing students experienced higher levels of positive affect and satisfaction with life, as well as lower levels of negative affect than their languishing and moderately flourishing counterparts. The second study aimed to investigate the main streams of research on happiness, the approaches/models flowing from these philosophies and the methodology of happiness interventions. A quantitative meta-analysis of the literature was used to address the aforementioned research objective. Seeing that the literature presents with such incongruent findings regarding the effectiveness of PPIs, research was needed to establish how happiness should be conceptualised, which moderating factors should be addressed in this conceptualisation, and what the content of PPIs should be. A qualitative meta-analysis of the literature indicated that happiness is approached from either a hedonic, eudaimonic or integrated approach. These philosophies gave birth to a stream of scientific literature regarding happiness and its various conceptualisations, namely (a) Subjective well-being; (b) Hedonic well-being; (c) Eudaimonic well-being; (d) Psychological well-being; (e) Flourishing, and (f) Authentic happiness. Furthermore, the results highlighted three causes for failing interventions: (a) unidimensional models/approaches towards happiness, (b) targeting the concept of happiness instead of the mediating factors; and (c) fragmented methodological interventions. The study suggested a multidimensional model for happiness and happiness interventions. Furthermore, the study proposed a multifaceted methodology for happiness interventions, comprising self-administered intentional activities, group-administered interventions and individual coaching. The third study aimed to evaluate a PPI aimed at increasing happiness of students in a tertiary educational institution. A longitudinal pre-experimental research design was used to address the aforementioned research objective. Qualitative data were used to explore the findings further. The results indicated that the overall happiness of a student may be increased through developing individuals on both an emotional and psychological level. The results showed some scientific merit to a multifaceted approach towards PPIs. The PPI affected all the aspects conceptualised in this study except for two components of authenticity, namely authentic behaviour and relational orientations. / PhD, Industrial Psychology, North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2012

Business leaders are increasingly coming to recognise that there is more to business success than technical and cognitive competence. Personnel leadership is proving to be critical for business bottom-line achievements considering that most business outcomes are achieved through human capital. Emotional intelligence can be used to the advantage of organisations by developing an emotional intelligence audit. The objective of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS) developed by Schutte, Malouff, Hall, Haggerty, Cooper, and Golden (1998) for employees in the mining industry in South Africa. The psychometric soundness of the EIS was tested. The general objective of the research was to standardise a psychometric instrument of emotional intelligence and determine the validity of the Schutte Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (EIS) (Schutte, et al., 1998). A valid and reliable measure of emotional intelligence could be valuable in the organisation to identify specific EI needs that could be developed through the implementation of EI development programmes. In this context a standardised psychometric instrument of EI could be of use in organisations during the training and development of employees. A cross-sectional survey research method with an availability sample (N = 324) from employees in the mining industry was used. Exploratory factor analysis was used to confirm the construct equivalence of the EIS in different racial pups. The results supported a one-factor model of emotional intelligence. ANOVA analysis was conducted to determine the levels of emotional intelligence in terms of various demographic aspects such as gender, racial groups, language groups, and age groups. The results indicated that there are no significant differences between different demographics aspects and the level of emotional intelligence. Recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

The purpose of this research was to develop and test an instrument to measure or quantify the construct of inner strength. Inner strength was synthesized into a theory based on twelve years of qualitative data from direct participant quotes, defined by Roux et al. (2002) as a central human resource that promotes well-being and healing. The inner strength questionnaire (ISQ) has undergone extensive psychometric evaluation which resulted in several versions. The third version had 37-items and was believed to have four subscales that mirrored the theoretical themes that emerged through the qualitative data. The sample was composed of 281 women with a variety of chronic health conditions including breast cancer, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and heart disease. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were employed to assess the structure of the ISQ. Internal consistency was used to assess the reliability of each hypothesized subscale and the entire ISQ. Convergent and discriminant validity, were analyzed using the multitrait-multimethod by Campbell and Fiske (1959). For convergent validity, the entire instrument and each of the subscales was correlated with similar theoretical subscales of the Mastery of Stress Instrument (Younger, 1993). For discriminant validity, the Center for Epidemiological Studies in Depression (CESD) was correlated with the entire ISQ. Both the EFA and CFA revealed a four factor model. The four factors were labeled 1) mental, 2) connectedness, 3) knowing and searching, 4) physical. The reliability for all items on the ISQ was 0.91. The reliabilities for each of the subscales were 0.85 for mental, 0.96 for connectedness, 0.85 for knowing and searching, and 0.83 for physical. The multitrait-multimethod matrix revealed correlation coefficients for the relationship between the ISQ and MSI to be 0.55 and a correlation coefficient of -0.19 between the ISQ and the CESD.A four factor model is supported by the statistical data. Through face-to-face interviewing and input from content expert reviewers, ten items were eliminated from the 37-item (version 3) instrument to form a new version of the instrument. The new instrument supports the metasynthesis generated by Roux (2002) except for the fifth theme, entitled "new normal", which was found to be a consequence of having inner strength, not a component of inner strength.

The psychometric properties of two measures of diabetes disease care, the Diabetes Behavior Rating Scale (DBRS) and the 24-hr Diabetes Interview (24-hr) were evaluated. The 24-hr is a widely used, structured interview while the DBRS is a self-administered, fixed-choice questionnaire. Both measures were administered to 250 youth with Type 1 Diabetes (aged 11–14 years) and their parents. Overall, both measures demonstrate adequate psychometric properties. The DBRS and the 24-hr demonstrated good incremental validity and low convergent validity with each adding significant additive value. Both measures demonstrated good concurrent validity with HbA1c. As expected, scores on the 24-hr demonstrated less than adequate test-retest reliability and both measures demonstrated low parent/youth agreement. Interestingly, external validity analyses demonstrated DBRS scores were moderately related to HbA1c in non-pump but not pump regimens, while the 24-hr displayed acceptable external validity. Only three subscales significantly contributed to HbA1c suggesting a more parsimonious assessment measure. This novel, brief combination could prove efficacious for clinical practice.