The world of work has become extremely volatile, with the scarcity of skills and the management of human capital at the top of the agenda. Human capital is the most valuable asset in any organisation. It is evident that leadership is vital in organisations in ensuring their success; thus making leadership empowerment behaviour crucial. It is essential that our leaders become people developers who focus on growing and up skilling subordinates as a way of attracting and retaining talent. It is important that leaders create an enabling environment for their subordinates; one of independence, innovation and, more importantly, growth and development. The purpose of this study was to explore the psychometric properties of the leadership empowerment questionnaire by investigating internal consistency; furthermore investigating the differences between genders regarding male and female perceptions of leadership empowerment behaviour. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was used. The measuring battery comprised the Leadership Empowerment Behaviour Questionnaire (LEBQ), which is originally a six-factor structure. The analysis was carried out using the IBM-SPSS and Mplus statistical modelling programs. Reliability was explored by utilising the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) index (rho). Construct validity was assessed by examining the factor structure, utilising the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and the CFA. Satisfactory reliability indices were attained. A three-factor model of the LEBQ was confirmed. The three-factor model consists of autonomy, development and accountability. Measurement invariance was tested by the use of configural, scalar and metric invariance. The configural model concluded that the three-factor structure obtained for the total sample also holds for the two groups (Males & Females) of respondents separately. The metric model indicates that the latent variables are measured in the same way with the same metric in the two target groups. The Scalar model indicates that on these three items, males and females differ regarding their starting points in their response to these questions. Although there were differences in the starting points of certain items, there were no real differences evident in the overall model regarding males and females. Recommendations for further research were made. / MA (Industrial Psychology)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2015

In psychology and other related fields, the study of meaning in life has shown a re-emergence of scientific interest (e.g. Hicks & King, 2009; Ho, Cheung & Cheung, 2010; Steger, Oishi & Kashdan, 2009; Wong, 2011). The recent increase in interest may be attributed to the links made to positive psychological and health outcomes, such as: psychological strengths, subjective well-being and hope amongst others (Diener, 2000; Diener & Ryan, 2009; Fredrickson, 2000; Snyder, 2002; Ungar, 2008, 2011). Research has also shown that a lack of meaning in life has been linked to negative psychological outcomes (Steger et al., 2006; Zika & Chaimberlain, 1992). Whilst authors agree that meaning in life is important the conceptualisation of meaningfulness has been conflicted (Auhagen, 2000). More recently Steger and his colleagues (2006) have conceptualised that meaning in life consists of two inter-dependent constructs; namely the presence of meaning in life and the search for meaning in life. The presence of meaning in life is defined as “the extent to which people comprehend, make sense of and see significance in their lives, accompanied by the degree to which they perceive themselves to have a purpose, mission or overarching aim in life”; and the search for meaning in life refers to the “degree to which people are trying to establish and/or augment their comprehension of meaning in life, significance and purpose” (Steger et al., 2006). Based on this conceptualisation Steger et al. (2006) have developed the MLQ (Meaning in Life Questionnaire) with two separate but interrelated constructs; the Presence of Meaning in life (5-items) and the Search for Meaning in life (5-items). The items of the measure are measured on a 7-point Likert-scale where participants are required to state their agreement with statements ranging from 1 (Absolutely untrue) to 7 (Absolutely true). The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (Steger et al., 2006) as a measure of the Search for and Presence of Meaning in life so as to validate the scale in an African context. In an endeavour to validate this scale a multicultural group of students from the North-West University in South Africa (n=326) recruited by their lecturers, completed a set of questionnaires. Most of the participants were female (n=243, 74.5%), while male participants made up 24.5% of the sample. The results of this study are in support of the scale’s reliability and validity in an African context. Confirmatory factor analysis confirms the goodness of fit of the scale. The two factor structure was favoured. In conclusion, future research should also investigate the measurement equivalence of the MLQ on the basis of language (see Hambleton & Zenisky, 2011; Van de Vijver & Leung, 2011). Measurement equivalence and item response theory studies may provide evidence on whether there are cross-cultural and language differences in how participants interpret and respond to the MLQ items. One might also assess relationships between meaning in life and positive functioning indicators in this sample. / MSc (Clinical Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

In psychology and other related fields, the study of meaning in life has shown a re-emergence of scientific interest (e.g. Hicks & King, 2009; Ho, Cheung & Cheung, 2010; Steger, Oishi & Kashdan, 2009; Wong, 2011). The recent increase in interest may be attributed to the links made to positive psychological and health outcomes, such as: psychological strengths, subjective well-being and hope amongst others (Diener, 2000; Diener & Ryan, 2009; Fredrickson, 2000; Snyder, 2002; Ungar, 2008, 2011). Research has also shown that a lack of meaning in life has been linked to negative psychological outcomes (Steger et al., 2006; Zika & Chaimberlain, 1992). Whilst authors agree that meaning in life is important the conceptualisation of meaningfulness has been conflicted (Auhagen, 2000). More recently Steger and his colleagues (2006) have conceptualised that meaning in life consists of two inter-dependent constructs; namely the presence of meaning in life and the search for meaning in life. The presence of meaning in life is defined as “the extent to which people comprehend, make sense of and see significance in their lives, accompanied by the degree to which they perceive themselves to have a purpose, mission or overarching aim in life”; and the search for meaning in life refers to the “degree to which people are trying to establish and/or augment their comprehension of meaning in life, significance and purpose” (Steger et al., 2006). Based on this conceptualisation Steger et al. (2006) have developed the MLQ (Meaning in Life Questionnaire) with two separate but interrelated constructs; the Presence of Meaning in life (5-items) and the Search for Meaning in life (5-items). The items of the measure are measured on a 7-point Likert-scale where participants are required to state their agreement with statements ranging from 1 (Absolutely untrue) to 7 (Absolutely true). The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (Steger et al., 2006) as a measure of the Search for and Presence of Meaning in life so as to validate the scale in an African context. In an endeavour to validate this scale a multicultural group of students from the North-West University in South Africa (n=326) recruited by their lecturers, completed a set of questionnaires. Most of the participants were female (n=243, 74.5%), while male participants made up 24.5% of the sample. The results of this study are in support of the scale’s reliability and validity in an African context. Confirmatory factor analysis confirms the goodness of fit of the scale. The two factor structure was favoured. In conclusion, future research should also investigate the measurement equivalence of the MLQ on the basis of language (see Hambleton & Zenisky, 2011; Van de Vijver & Leung, 2011). Measurement equivalence and item response theory studies may provide evidence on whether there are cross-cultural and language differences in how participants interpret and respond to the MLQ items. One might also assess relationships between meaning in life and positive functioning indicators in this sample. / MSc (Clinical Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The world of work has become extremely volatile, with the scarcity of skills and the management of human capital at the top of the agenda. Human capital is the most valuable asset in any organisation. It is evident that leadership is vital in organisations in ensuring their success; thus making leadership empowerment behaviour crucial. It is essential that our leaders become people developers who focus on growing and up skilling subordinates as a way of attracting and retaining talent. It is important that leaders create an enabling environment for their subordinates; one of independence, innovation and, more importantly, growth and development. The purpose of this study was to explore the psychometric properties of the leadership empowerment questionnaire by investigating internal consistency; furthermore investigating the differences between genders regarding male and female perceptions of leadership empowerment behaviour. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was used. The measuring battery comprised the Leadership Empowerment Behaviour Questionnaire (LEBQ), which is originally a six-factor structure. The analysis was carried out using the IBM-SPSS and Mplus statistical modelling programs. Reliability was explored by utilising the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) index (rho). Construct validity was assessed by examining the factor structure, utilising the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and the CFA. Satisfactory reliability indices were attained. A three-factor model of the LEBQ was confirmed. The three-factor model consists of autonomy, development and accountability. Measurement invariance was tested by the use of configural, scalar and metric invariance. The configural model concluded that the three-factor structure obtained for the total sample also holds for the two groups (Males & Females) of respondents separately. The metric model indicates that the latent variables are measured in the same way with the same metric in the two target groups. The Scalar model indicates that on these three items, males and females differ regarding their starting points in their response to these questions. Although there were differences in the starting points of certain items, there were no real differences evident in the overall model regarding males and females. Recommendations for further research were made. / MA (Industrial Psychology)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2015

Il existe plusieurs questionnaires destinés à soutenir les gestionnaires au niveau du développement de leurs compétences. Toutefois, la plupart ne font pas référence à des situations d'apprentissage concrètes liées au travail. Or, il semble que les compétences de gestion s'acquièrent principalement sur le terrain. Afin de pallier à cette lacune, la présente recherche propose un outil, le Questionnaire sur les défis de gestion et les stratégies de développement.Il s'appuie sur le postulat théorique que le gestionnaire développe ses compétences dans l'action à travers diverses situations et plus particulièrement lorsqu'elles lui posent un défi.Il est actif dans son processus d'apprentissage et se développe en activant des stratégies de développement. Une version préliminaire de l'outil a d'abord été construite et présentée à trois gestionnaires. Leurs commentaires ont permis d'élaborer une version expérimentale web. Au total, l'outil a été administré à 71 gestionnaires comportant des caractéristiques différentes et provenant d'organisations diverses. À l'aide du questionnaire, les participants ont d'abord identifié trois défis rencontrés dans l'exercice de leurs fonctions, parmi une liste de 44. En référant à chacun d'eux, ils ont ensuite évalué l'utilité de 41 stratégies de développement sur une échelle de type Likert. Les résultats de la recherche démontrent que les propriétés métriques de l'outil sont satisfaisantes pour être utilisé auprès des gestionnaires qui souhaitent développer les compétences liées à leur rôle. Les résultats apportent aussi un éclairage concernant l'apprentissage des compétences de gestion. Ainsi, il semble que peu importe le défi rencontré, travailler sur ses perceptions, se fixer un objectif précis et rechercher du feed-back et des opinions constituent des stratégies utiles pour faire face aux défis. Les résultats indiquent aussi que le contexte particulier dans lequel s'inscrit le défi fait quelque peu varié l'utilité perçue des stratégies de développement. Ce qui démontre aussi l'importance d'une approche individualisée en matière de développement des compétences.

BACKGROUND:Researchers are finding limitations of currently available disease-focused questionnaire tools for outcome studies in complementary and alternative medicine/integrative medicine (CAM/IM).METHODS:Three substudies investigated the new one-item visual analogue Arizona Integrative Outcomes Scale (AIOS), which assesses self-rated global sense of spiritual, social, mental, emotional, and physical well-being over the past 24 hours and the past month. The first study tested the scale's ability to discriminate unhealthy individuals (n = 50) from healthy individuals (n = 50) in a rehabilitation outpatient clinic sample. The second study examined the concurrent validity of the AIOS by comparing ratings of global well-being to degree of psychological distress as measured by the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) in undergraduate college students (N = 458). The third study evaluated the relationships between the AIOS and positively- and negatively-valenced tools (Positive and Negative Affect Scale and the Positive States of Mind Scale) in a different sample of undergraduate students (N = 62).RESULTS:Substudy (i) Rehabilitation patients scored significantly lower than the healthy controls on both forms of the AIOS and a current global health rating. The AIOS 24-hours correlated moderately and significantly with global health (patients r = 0.50 / controls r = 0.45). AIOS 1-month correlations with global health were stronger within the controls (patients r = 0.36 / controls r = 0.50). Controls (r = 0.64) had a higher correlation between the AIOS 24-hour and 1-month forms than did the patients (r = 0.33), which is consistent with the presumptive improvement in the patients' condition over the previous 30 days in rehabilitation. Substudy (ii) In undergraduate students, AIOS scores were inversely related to distress ratings, as measured by the global severity index on the BSI (rAIOS24h = -0.42, rAIOS1month = -0.40). Substudy (iii) AIOS scores were significantly correlated with positive affect (rAIOS24h = 0.56, rAIOS1month = 0.57) and positive states of mind (rAIOS24h = 0.42, rAIOS1month = 0.45), and inversely correlated with negative affect (rAIOS24h = -0.41, rAIOS1month = -0.59).CONCLUSIONS:The AIOS is able to distinguish relatively sicker from relatively healthier individuals / and correlates in expected directions with a measure of distress and indicators of positive and negative affect and positive states of mind. The AIOS offers a tool for CAM/IM research that extends beyond a disease emphasis.

The older lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) population is often underrepresented in the current body of research and the needs of this population are not well understood. Most research with this population has focused on wealthy, gay men, creating a deficit in regard to our understanding of the lesbian and bisexual individuals in the population. The present study was designed to add to the body of research on same-sex attracted older adults, by assessing well-being and acceptance of sexual orientation within the population. This study filled gaps in our current understanding of this population and provided new data for the Gay Identity Questionnaire (GIQ) as well as normative data for this population on several measures of well-being. Additionally, it created an image of how older same-sex attracted adults view themselves and the needs that they perceive within their population. Same-sex attracted adults, age 50 and older, were recruited through an anonymous online survey (N = 327; Age M: 59 years old, SD = 6.96). Sexual identity development was assessed with the GIQ (Brady & Busse, 1994; Halpin & Allen, 2004), and psychological well-being was assessed via the Depression-Happiness Scale (Joseph & Lewis, 1993), Satisfaction with Life Scale (Pavot & Diener, 1993), UCLA Loneliness Scale (Russell, 1996), Rosenberg's Self Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1989), Interpersonal Support Evaluation List. Regression analysis showed that age was overall a significant predictor of all of the outcome measures, with higher age predicting better well-being scores. The GIQ was not a significant predictor in the final model. The implications of these results in regard to the usefulness of the GIQ as a research and clinical assessment tool are discussed, as well as suggestions for future research with this population. A descriptive analysis of results and participants comments is also provided, with an emphasis on different areas of need within the older LGB population.

The purpose of this thesis was to determine the feasibility of implementing an intervention tailored to overcome barriers to adherence to recommendations of critical care nutrition guidelines in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The thesis is comprised of four manuscripts. The first manuscript described the development of a 26 item questionnaire rating the importance of potential barriers as impediments to the provision of enteral nutrition (EN) in the ICU. Preliminary evaluation demonstrated acceptable face and content validity and internal reliability, but the test retest reliability and within group reliability were poor for some items. The second manuscript provided evidence to support the construct validity of the developed questionnaire by reporting the results of a multilevel multivariate regression analysis of cross-sectional data from 55 ICUs that demonstrated that a 10 point increase in the overall barrier score was associated with a statistically significant 3.5% (Standard Error (SE) 1.3) decrease in prescribed calories received from EN. The third manuscript provided data to inform whether the intervention should be tailored to site specific barriers by describing the barriers to enterally feeding critically ill patients identified by 138 nurses, and evaluating whether these barriers differed across the 5 participating sites. Statistically significant differences were found among ICUs for 4 out of the 22 potential barriers. The fourth manuscript described the results of a pretest posttest study involving 5 ICUs in North America and determined that all participating sites successfully developed the tailored intervention. A statistically significant 10% (Site range -4.3 to -26.0%) decrease in overall barriers score, and a non-significant 6% (Site range -1.5 to17.9%) change in prescribed calories received was observed following the intervention. However, there was variability in the degree of implementation achieved by each site. Taken together, the results of this thesis demonstrated that adopting a tailored approach to improving nutrition practice is feasible. However, the findings also resulted in revisions to the barriers questionnaire and modifications to the design of the tailored intervention. Thus, the next step is to formally test the hypothesis that a tailored intervention designed to address barriers to feeding critically ill patients will improve nutrition performance. / Thesis (Ph.D, Community Health & Epidemiology) -- Queen's University, 2013-04-28 21:37:54.695

This thesis aimed to provide a second validation phase of a recently developed measure: the Parental Understanding of Neurodisability Questionnaire (PUN-Q) (Moran et al., submitted). The PUN-Q is a thirteen item self-report questionnaire measuring parents' understanding of their child's neurodisability. This thesis prospectively validated the PUN-Q over three time points, prior to and following a child's attendance at a Tier-Four paediatric diagnostic assessment, for queries regarding social communication. Four main aims were investigated: 1) to establish prospective Construct Validity by comparing the PUN-Q to two other parent-report measures (perceived self-efficacy and parenting stress); 2) to examine test-retest reliability of the PUN-Q by comparing two pre-assessment time points; 3) to examine whether the PUN-Q is sensitive measuring potential pre-and-post assessment changes to parental understanding; 4) to explore the relationship between the PUN-Q and child emotional, behavioural and social communication difficulties. These objectives were addressed using data collected from 37 parents, due to time constraints the study was underpowered at Times two and three (n=26, n=11, respectively); bootstrapping confidence intervals were therefore estimated for non-parametric data. Evidence was provided for Construct Validity at Time 1, but not at Time 3. Test-retest reliability was suggested for the PUN-Q between two non-intervention time points. Results suggested that the PUN-Q is responsive to changes over time, and that the clinic's diagnostic assessment is effective in enhancing parental understanding. The PUN-Q was not shown to be related to child-related outcomes. These preliminary results suggest that the PUN-Q is an important measure that can reliably and conveniently measure parental understanding of their child's neurodisability symptoms. This study suggests a role for parental understanding within a wider model of parenting stress and coping with disability. Further validation is needed to allow dissemination to the wider neurodisability service, and to less complex symptom presentations.

Objective: To assess the reliability of the Kids' Activity and Nutrition Questionnaire (KAN-Q) as part of a tiered process for developing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education tools. Methods: The KAN-Q was administered at 2 time points to assess internal consistency using standardized values of Cronbach alpha and test-retest reliability using the intraclass correlation coefficient for continuous variables, Cohen's kappa (k) statistic for categorical variables, and the weighted k statistic for ordinal data. Results: Data were collected from 119 fourth graders. Cronbach a was adequate for behavior (.71) and knowledge (.72) scales and nutrition behavior (.78) and nutrition knowledge (.75) subscales. Test-retest reliability was generally acceptable, with intraclass correlation coefficients from 0.40 to 0.75 and k coefficients showing fair to substantial agreement (0.30 to 0.72). Conclusions and Implications: The KAN-Q is a practical and reliable questionnaire for school-based administration that aligns directly with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education evaluation priorities.