Not much research regarding burnout amongst clergy in South Africa has been done.
Recently a shift in the direction of positive psychology or salutogenesis took place and which
highlighted two relatively new constructs, namely sense of coherence and engagement.
Previous research in the "Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk" (NG Church) found a correlation
between sense of coherence and burnout. In the "Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika"
(NH Church) however, no research regarding burnout within a salutogenic paradigm was
ever done.
The general objective of this research was to determine the levels and relationship of sense of
coherence, coping, burnout and engagement amongst ministers of the NH Church. A cross-sectional
research design was used. The Orientation to Life Questionnaire (OLQ), COPE-Questionnaire
(COPE), Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) and
the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) were used as measuring instruments on a
stratified random (proportional) sample (n = 200) of ministers of the NH Church and from
which 87 useable responses were received. Structural equation modelling was applied on the
MBI-HSS to confirm a three-factor model with best fit. Cronbach alpha coefficients, inter-item
correlation coefficients and factor analysis were used to determine the reliability and
validity of the measuring instruments. Descriptive statistics, Pearson-product correlation
coefficients, canonical correlation coefficients, and analysis of variance were used to analyse
the data.
The results showed that high levels of sense of coherence, approach coping and high levels of
engagement are related to low levels of burnout, while venting of emotions are related to high
levels of burnout. It was also found that sense of coherence and coping predicted emotional
exhaustion, depersonalisation and personal accomplishment. Furthermore, it was found that
levels of emotional exhaustion for ministers in the age group 25-29, were consistently lower
than that of any other age group in the sample, while levels for the age group 50-65 were also
lower than that for ministers in the age groups 30-39 and 40-49, but still higher than levels for
age group 25-29.
Limitations of the study and recommendations regarding the organisation and future research
were indicated. / Thesis (MA (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:nwu/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/289 |
| Date | January 2003 |
| Creators | Redelinghuys, Francois Jacobus |
| Publisher | North-West University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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