Thesis (PhD (Industrial Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Persistence is not a well researched phenomenon. In addition, no previous research
has suggested a process depicting a combination of variables that are related to
persistence. The current study explores the process of persistence from a fortigenic
paradigm, which emphasises psychological strengths. The aim of the current study is
to determine the relationship between various fortigenic variables and persistence.
The fortigenic paradigm also suggests that psychological strengths can be developed.
In order to understand the process of persistence, the current study includes both
cognitive (locus of control, optimism, hope, self-efficacy) and emotional
psychological strengths (self-esteem, performance self-esteem, resilience) that are
related to persistence. Based on literature, the current study suggests a model
depicting a sequential process of interrelationship amongst the fortigenic variables
and their relationship with persistence. To test the validity of the proposed model, the
current study uses a sample of individuals that must be persistent in order to achieve
their career goals. A group of 295 aspiring Chartered Accountants who wrote Part 1 of
the Qualifying Exam during 2005 participated in the study. From this group, 156
(53%) did not pass the Qualifying Exam during 2005. The study employs both survey
and statistical modeling methodologies to guide the investigation. Standardised
questionnaires are used for the eight different fortigenic variables. To determine the
applicability of the factor structures of these instruments on the current sample,
exploratory factor analysis is conducted. The suggested factor structures are
confirmed through confirmatory factor analysis with acceptable levels of fit. The
revalidated instruments provide better levels of fit than the original instruments. The
current study first tested the model of persistence on the total group. The theoretical
model depicting the process of persistence provides acceptable levels of fit with all
the suggested paths in the model being statistically significant. The same model was
tested on the group of individuals that failed previous attempts of the Qualifying
Exam, but passed it during 2005. Better levels of fit are obtained with all the paths
being statistically significant except between self-esteem and resilience. Again the
model was tested using the group of individuals that failed previous attempts at the
Qualifying Exam, which failed it during 2005, but still persisted in writing.
Acceptable levels of fit are obtained with all the paths being statistically significant
except between self-efficacy and resilience. However, the group that failed the Qualifying Exam during 2005 has significantly lower levels of both hope and
performance self-esteem. In addition, discriminant analysis shows that hope,
optimism, and resilience are factors that can classify individuals into either passing or
failing. Of importance is the fact that as individuals write the Qualifying Exam on
different attempts, there seems to be a lowering in the number of statistically
significant relationships between the fortigenic variables and persistence. The current
study ascribes this phenomenon to resource depletion. The latter makes it difficult for
individuals to persist in using the same psychological strength if it is not replenished
before usage. The study suggests an intervention programme that may enhance the
levels of psychological strengths and persistence and counteracting the impact of
resource depletion in aspiring chartered accountants.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/1352 |
| Date | 03 1900 |
| Creators | Nel, Petrus |
| Contributors | Boshoff, A. B., University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Dept. of Industrial Psychology. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 1748856 bytes, application/pdf |
| Rights | University of Stellenbosch |
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