A cross-cultural exploration of the International Affective Picture System in a sample of South African university students
- Authors: Oettlé, Ryan Andrew
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Emotions -- Cross-cultural studies Emotive (Linguistics)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13087 , vital:27151
- Description: The International Affective Picture System (IAPS) was developed in an attempt to provide a standardised tool to elicit and measure emotions for research purposes. The IAPS is unique, in that it is completely pictorially based. An emotional response is stimulated by the pictures, which are then used to measure the emotional response. This has obvious benefits in South Africa. The overall aim of this study was to conduct a cross-cultural exploration of the IAPS, with a sample of South African university students, in order to come to an initial understanding of the measure’s performance within the South African context. A quantitative methodology was used, in order to reach the research aim and objectives. The overall research approach was exploratory and descriptive in nature and the actual data gathering consisted of a single measurement instance. The procedure for this study was based on that used by the developers of the IAPS to norm the instrument. Convenience sampling was used, resulting in a total sample of 169 participants, 31 male, and 136 female. For analysis purposes, participants were grouped according to a race and language combination, thus operationalising ethnicity. This resulted in four primary ethnic groupings. In summary, it was found that a large number of items seem to travel well in terms of equivalence. The correlations achieved and affective space plot are consistent with that outlined in the IAPS instruction manual, and are similar to international studies using the same procedure. However, when items were examined in greater detail, statistically significant differences raised concerns about the level of equivalence and suggested that not all items travel equally well. Similarly, although many items were statistically similar between the South African ethnic groups, differences were also found on specific items.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Oettlé, Ryan Andrew
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Emotions -- Cross-cultural studies Emotive (Linguistics)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13087 , vital:27151
- Description: The International Affective Picture System (IAPS) was developed in an attempt to provide a standardised tool to elicit and measure emotions for research purposes. The IAPS is unique, in that it is completely pictorially based. An emotional response is stimulated by the pictures, which are then used to measure the emotional response. This has obvious benefits in South Africa. The overall aim of this study was to conduct a cross-cultural exploration of the IAPS, with a sample of South African university students, in order to come to an initial understanding of the measure’s performance within the South African context. A quantitative methodology was used, in order to reach the research aim and objectives. The overall research approach was exploratory and descriptive in nature and the actual data gathering consisted of a single measurement instance. The procedure for this study was based on that used by the developers of the IAPS to norm the instrument. Convenience sampling was used, resulting in a total sample of 169 participants, 31 male, and 136 female. For analysis purposes, participants were grouped according to a race and language combination, thus operationalising ethnicity. This resulted in four primary ethnic groupings. In summary, it was found that a large number of items seem to travel well in terms of equivalence. The correlations achieved and affective space plot are consistent with that outlined in the IAPS instruction manual, and are similar to international studies using the same procedure. However, when items were examined in greater detail, statistically significant differences raised concerns about the level of equivalence and suggested that not all items travel equally well. Similarly, although many items were statistically similar between the South African ethnic groups, differences were also found on specific items.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
A psychobiographical study of Theodore Robert Bundy
- Authors: McGivern, Kelly Berene
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Psychology -- United States -- Biographical methods Serial murderers -- United States -- Biography
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11742 , vital:26964
- Description: This study is a psychobiographical study aiming to explore and describe the life of Theodore Robert Bundy, a serial killer who confessed to approximately 30 homicides committed in various states of America between 1974 and 1978. The study used Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development to examine Bundy’s life and to understand his unique character and personality development. The subject was chosen based on interest value through purposive sampling and the study utilises a qualitative single case study approach. Archival data were collected from primary and secondary sources in order to enhance the trustworthiness and credibility of the study. All materials collected and analysed, were published and publically available. Data were analysed by first organising and reducing the information obtained, and then displaying it for a discussion of Bundy’s life. Themes of discussion centred around Bundy’s lack of resolution of psychosocial crises and the development of malignancies and maladaptations which impacted negatively on his later development and identity formation. The study emphasises the importance of psychobiographical research studies and the value of Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development in understanding personality development. Recommendations for future research in this field were made in the hope of further uncovering and understanding personality and its development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: McGivern, Kelly Berene
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Psychology -- United States -- Biographical methods Serial murderers -- United States -- Biography
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11742 , vital:26964
- Description: This study is a psychobiographical study aiming to explore and describe the life of Theodore Robert Bundy, a serial killer who confessed to approximately 30 homicides committed in various states of America between 1974 and 1978. The study used Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development to examine Bundy’s life and to understand his unique character and personality development. The subject was chosen based on interest value through purposive sampling and the study utilises a qualitative single case study approach. Archival data were collected from primary and secondary sources in order to enhance the trustworthiness and credibility of the study. All materials collected and analysed, were published and publically available. Data were analysed by first organising and reducing the information obtained, and then displaying it for a discussion of Bundy’s life. Themes of discussion centred around Bundy’s lack of resolution of psychosocial crises and the development of malignancies and maladaptations which impacted negatively on his later development and identity formation. The study emphasises the importance of psychobiographical research studies and the value of Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development in understanding personality development. Recommendations for future research in this field were made in the hope of further uncovering and understanding personality and its development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
A rural xhosa woman's experience of marital satisfaction
- Authors: Mavumengwana, Ziyanda
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Love -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Psychological aspects Marriage counseling -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Marital psychotherapy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11509 , vital:26933
- Description: Satisfaction (fulfillment of one’s wishes, expectations and needs or the pleasure derived from this) has been shown by studies to be manifested through various things, including marriage. It has been found that marriage and the satisfaction experienced are positively correlated to higher levels of happiness. Marital satisfaction (also referred to as marital quality and marital happiness) is defined as one's subjective evaluation of favourability towards one’s spouse and the marital relationship and the mental state of perceived gains and losses of the marriage. Research shows that the factors that affect marital satisfaction vary across cultures as well as geographic space within cultures, as well as gender. The present case study explored marital satisfaction as experienced by a Xhosa woman who resides in a rural setting in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. This qualitative exploratory-descriptive study utilised an in-depth case study method and the subject was selected by purposive sampling. Thibaut and Kelley’s (1959) Interdependence Theory, in conjunction the life-cycle stages of marriage as proposed by Markey (2005), were used as a framework to understand dynamics that occur in the course of a marital relationship as well as the variations in satisfaction in the different stages of marriage. Data was obtained through semi-structured interviews and a content analysis approach proposed by Miles and Huberman (1994) was followed as a framework for data analysis. The findings of the present study are presented according to two broad groupings: 1) marital satisfaction arises from one’s state of mind, and 2) the participant provided lessons on dealing with issues that arise in marriage. These in turn permitted the identification of sub-themes connected to each main theme allowing recommendations for future research to be deduced.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Mavumengwana, Ziyanda
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Love -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Psychological aspects Marriage counseling -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Marital psychotherapy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11509 , vital:26933
- Description: Satisfaction (fulfillment of one’s wishes, expectations and needs or the pleasure derived from this) has been shown by studies to be manifested through various things, including marriage. It has been found that marriage and the satisfaction experienced are positively correlated to higher levels of happiness. Marital satisfaction (also referred to as marital quality and marital happiness) is defined as one's subjective evaluation of favourability towards one’s spouse and the marital relationship and the mental state of perceived gains and losses of the marriage. Research shows that the factors that affect marital satisfaction vary across cultures as well as geographic space within cultures, as well as gender. The present case study explored marital satisfaction as experienced by a Xhosa woman who resides in a rural setting in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. This qualitative exploratory-descriptive study utilised an in-depth case study method and the subject was selected by purposive sampling. Thibaut and Kelley’s (1959) Interdependence Theory, in conjunction the life-cycle stages of marriage as proposed by Markey (2005), were used as a framework to understand dynamics that occur in the course of a marital relationship as well as the variations in satisfaction in the different stages of marriage. Data was obtained through semi-structured interviews and a content analysis approach proposed by Miles and Huberman (1994) was followed as a framework for data analysis. The findings of the present study are presented according to two broad groupings: 1) marital satisfaction arises from one’s state of mind, and 2) the participant provided lessons on dealing with issues that arise in marriage. These in turn permitted the identification of sub-themes connected to each main theme allowing recommendations for future research to be deduced.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Assessing the risk factors of Coronary heart disease among rural adults in the Joe Gqabi District: Eastern Cape
- Authors: Tetana, Thando
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Cardiovascular disease Coronary heart disease -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Coronary heart disease--Risk factors
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters/Doctoral , M Sc Public Health
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/1440 , vital:35587
- Description: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) such as coronary heart disease (CHD) is a contributing factor to a large percentage of mortalities and morbidities worldwide including in affluent South African setting. In the Eastern Cape of Province, South Africa, there is no extensive data reported on Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) determinants and risk factors. The present study sought to assess the risk factors and determinants of CHD. This case (n=50) control (n=50) study matched for sex and age, was conducted among Xhosa adults from rural and semi urban/ township areas of Joe Gqabi District, Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Non modifiable, environmental, lifestyle, and psychological factors were investigated using univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Depression, alcohol excessive intake, family history of CHD were the CHD univariate risk factors. The independent risk factors of CHD were uncontrolled systolic hypertension (Odds Ratio (OR)=95; 95% Confidence Interval 16.9-128; In front of a multifactorial disease driven by interactions of socio determinants and traditional risk factors, urgent programmes of education, clinical management and health promotion for adequate diet, physical activity, adherence and compliance to medication and are needed to curb epidemic proportions of CVD risk factors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Tetana, Thando
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Cardiovascular disease Coronary heart disease -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Coronary heart disease--Risk factors
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters/Doctoral , M Sc Public Health
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/1440 , vital:35587
- Description: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) such as coronary heart disease (CHD) is a contributing factor to a large percentage of mortalities and morbidities worldwide including in affluent South African setting. In the Eastern Cape of Province, South Africa, there is no extensive data reported on Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) determinants and risk factors. The present study sought to assess the risk factors and determinants of CHD. This case (n=50) control (n=50) study matched for sex and age, was conducted among Xhosa adults from rural and semi urban/ township areas of Joe Gqabi District, Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Non modifiable, environmental, lifestyle, and psychological factors were investigated using univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Depression, alcohol excessive intake, family history of CHD were the CHD univariate risk factors. The independent risk factors of CHD were uncontrolled systolic hypertension (Odds Ratio (OR)=95; 95% Confidence Interval 16.9-128; In front of a multifactorial disease driven by interactions of socio determinants and traditional risk factors, urgent programmes of education, clinical management and health promotion for adequate diet, physical activity, adherence and compliance to medication and are needed to curb epidemic proportions of CVD risk factors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Biological activities of selected South African medicinal plants traditionally used to treat urinary tract infections
- Mathobela, Kegomoditswe Prudence
- Authors: Mathobela, Kegomoditswe Prudence
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa , Urinary tract infections -- Treatment , Anti-infective agents -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8059 , vital:24715
- Description: Plants have been an important part of medicine and since the existence of human beings; they have been used to cure a variety of ailments such as diarrhoea, wounds and sexually transmitted diseases. Far from being out-dated, the use of traditional medicinal plants plays a significant role in drug discovery and remains a source of medicine still used by many South Africans. Diseases of the urinary tract can be treated using traditional medicinal plants. Although most cases of urinary tract infections (UTIs) are acute and uncomplicated, a few cases do become chronic and complicated. Resistance of pathogens causing UTIs to antibiotics normally used for treatment is one of the reasons for infections developing into the chronic and complicated state. In this study, medicinal plants indigenous to South Africa and traditionally used to treat UTIs were investigated in vitro for antimicrobial activities against UTI-causing pathogens. The plants investigated were Bulbine latifolia, Eucomis autumnalis, Hypoxis hemerocallidea and Trichilia dregeana. American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) microbial strains together with clinical strains were tested against distilled water, methanol and acetone extracts of the plants. The microbial strains included Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. The agar well diffusion method was used to screen for antimicrobial activity; the microtiter dilution method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration; and thin layer chromatography fingerprints to separate the mixtures of the extracts and determine the number of active compounds. The study also investigated the scientific rationale for the traditional use of plant combinations to treat diseases. Three plant combinations (1:1) were investigated for potential interactive properties, which were identified through the sum of the fractional inhibitory concentration index (ΣFIC) calculations. The plant combinations studied were Hypoxis hemerocallidea and Bulbine latifolia; Hypoxis hemerocallidea and Eucomis autumnalis; and Hypoxis hemerocallidea and Trichilia dregeana. In the study, more activity was observed in the microtiter dilution method as compared to the agar well diffusion method. This was true in both the studies of the plants independently and the combination studies. The independent plants displayed noteworthy MIC values (≤ 2 mg/ml) against E. coli, Kleb. pneumoniae, P. mirabilis, P. aeruginosa and C. albicans. The plant combinations studied did not show any synergistic interactions (ΣFIC ≤ 0.5). Only non-interactive (ΣFIC >1.0 - ≤4.0) and additive (ΣFIC >0.5-1.0) interactions were observed. The study contributes to the on-going investigation of antimicrobial activities of medicinal plants and highlights the need for further investigations on the synergistic interactions of the medicinal plants used in this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Mathobela, Kegomoditswe Prudence
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa , Urinary tract infections -- Treatment , Anti-infective agents -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8059 , vital:24715
- Description: Plants have been an important part of medicine and since the existence of human beings; they have been used to cure a variety of ailments such as diarrhoea, wounds and sexually transmitted diseases. Far from being out-dated, the use of traditional medicinal plants plays a significant role in drug discovery and remains a source of medicine still used by many South Africans. Diseases of the urinary tract can be treated using traditional medicinal plants. Although most cases of urinary tract infections (UTIs) are acute and uncomplicated, a few cases do become chronic and complicated. Resistance of pathogens causing UTIs to antibiotics normally used for treatment is one of the reasons for infections developing into the chronic and complicated state. In this study, medicinal plants indigenous to South Africa and traditionally used to treat UTIs were investigated in vitro for antimicrobial activities against UTI-causing pathogens. The plants investigated were Bulbine latifolia, Eucomis autumnalis, Hypoxis hemerocallidea and Trichilia dregeana. American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) microbial strains together with clinical strains were tested against distilled water, methanol and acetone extracts of the plants. The microbial strains included Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. The agar well diffusion method was used to screen for antimicrobial activity; the microtiter dilution method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration; and thin layer chromatography fingerprints to separate the mixtures of the extracts and determine the number of active compounds. The study also investigated the scientific rationale for the traditional use of plant combinations to treat diseases. Three plant combinations (1:1) were investigated for potential interactive properties, which were identified through the sum of the fractional inhibitory concentration index (ΣFIC) calculations. The plant combinations studied were Hypoxis hemerocallidea and Bulbine latifolia; Hypoxis hemerocallidea and Eucomis autumnalis; and Hypoxis hemerocallidea and Trichilia dregeana. In the study, more activity was observed in the microtiter dilution method as compared to the agar well diffusion method. This was true in both the studies of the plants independently and the combination studies. The independent plants displayed noteworthy MIC values (≤ 2 mg/ml) against E. coli, Kleb. pneumoniae, P. mirabilis, P. aeruginosa and C. albicans. The plant combinations studied did not show any synergistic interactions (ΣFIC ≤ 0.5). Only non-interactive (ΣFIC >1.0 - ≤4.0) and additive (ΣFIC >0.5-1.0) interactions were observed. The study contributes to the on-going investigation of antimicrobial activities of medicinal plants and highlights the need for further investigations on the synergistic interactions of the medicinal plants used in this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Challenges faced by professional nurses in implementing the six Ministerial priority standards of care in a Health care institution in O R Tambo Region in the Eastern Cape province
- Authors: Kula, Nokuseni
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Health care standards -- Hospital
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Cur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/699 , vital:27770
- Description: The objective of this research study was to describe and explore challenges faced by professional nurses in implementing six ministerial priority standards of care in selected units of an identified institution in O.R. Tambo region. Nurses are trained and employed to provide nursing care to patients according to scope of practice set by their statutory body (South African Nursing Council). Setting of standards forms part of quality improvement in nursing care and standards need to be monitored and evaluated (Muller 2006:206). In South Africa, the Minister of Health has identified six priority areas to fast-track improvement and ensure quality in health services. These priority areas are as follows: attitudes and values of health workers, cleanliness of the facility, waiting times, patient safety and security, infection prevention and control, and availability of medicines (National Health Plan: Strategic plan 2010/2013). Standard of nursing care in OR Tambo region according to available statistics, is lower than the expected ministerial standards, regardless of continued monitoring and evaluation. Staff attitudes is an ongoing problem, long queues, linen shortages, low standards of cleanliness as well as shortage of medication remain a challenge in health care institutions. This study is a qualitative, descriptive, exploratory, and contextual study that explored challenges faced by professional nurses in implementing the six ministerial priority standards of care. A purposive sampling of 10 professional nurses, meeting the selection criteria was utilised. In depth, semi structured interviews were used as a method of data collection. A digital voice recorder was used to record the interviews and consent from participants was obtained. Ethical considerations were adhered to. The interview question was: “What challenges are you facing in implementing expected standards of care with reference to the six ministerial priority standards of care?” Data was analysed using content thematic analysis approach. An independent coder with a Master’s degree and studying towards a doctorate helped with coding the results of the interviews. The Theory for Health Promotion in nursing as propounded by Botes (2006) was used to analyse the findings. The approach used was based on the external environment and its dimensions – social, physical and intellectual. v The findings of the research revealed the following themes: Lack of resources, demotivation of nurses, attitude of nurses, lack of monitoring and evaluation, environment and overcrowding, lack of patient safety, negligence, availability of policy and procedure manuals, and incompetency of health care professionals. The findings of this study revealed that nurses faced many challenges with regard to improving the standard of nursing care. According to Botes (2006), the purpose of nursing research is functional by nature, it provides guidelines for practice. Therefore in this study, a description of guidelines to improve nursing care has been done. Trustworthiness of the findings was ensured by utilising Lincoln and Guba’s model of trustworthiness. Limitations of the research are highlighted and recommendations for further and related studies are made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Kula, Nokuseni
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Health care standards -- Hospital
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Cur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/699 , vital:27770
- Description: The objective of this research study was to describe and explore challenges faced by professional nurses in implementing six ministerial priority standards of care in selected units of an identified institution in O.R. Tambo region. Nurses are trained and employed to provide nursing care to patients according to scope of practice set by their statutory body (South African Nursing Council). Setting of standards forms part of quality improvement in nursing care and standards need to be monitored and evaluated (Muller 2006:206). In South Africa, the Minister of Health has identified six priority areas to fast-track improvement and ensure quality in health services. These priority areas are as follows: attitudes and values of health workers, cleanliness of the facility, waiting times, patient safety and security, infection prevention and control, and availability of medicines (National Health Plan: Strategic plan 2010/2013). Standard of nursing care in OR Tambo region according to available statistics, is lower than the expected ministerial standards, regardless of continued monitoring and evaluation. Staff attitudes is an ongoing problem, long queues, linen shortages, low standards of cleanliness as well as shortage of medication remain a challenge in health care institutions. This study is a qualitative, descriptive, exploratory, and contextual study that explored challenges faced by professional nurses in implementing the six ministerial priority standards of care. A purposive sampling of 10 professional nurses, meeting the selection criteria was utilised. In depth, semi structured interviews were used as a method of data collection. A digital voice recorder was used to record the interviews and consent from participants was obtained. Ethical considerations were adhered to. The interview question was: “What challenges are you facing in implementing expected standards of care with reference to the six ministerial priority standards of care?” Data was analysed using content thematic analysis approach. An independent coder with a Master’s degree and studying towards a doctorate helped with coding the results of the interviews. The Theory for Health Promotion in nursing as propounded by Botes (2006) was used to analyse the findings. The approach used was based on the external environment and its dimensions – social, physical and intellectual. v The findings of the research revealed the following themes: Lack of resources, demotivation of nurses, attitude of nurses, lack of monitoring and evaluation, environment and overcrowding, lack of patient safety, negligence, availability of policy and procedure manuals, and incompetency of health care professionals. The findings of this study revealed that nurses faced many challenges with regard to improving the standard of nursing care. According to Botes (2006), the purpose of nursing research is functional by nature, it provides guidelines for practice. Therefore in this study, a description of guidelines to improve nursing care has been done. Trustworthiness of the findings was ensured by utilising Lincoln and Guba’s model of trustworthiness. Limitations of the research are highlighted and recommendations for further and related studies are made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Comparing the perfomance of 3 to 6 year old children on the performance and practical reasoning subscales of the Griffiths mental development scales: extended revised with the foundations of learning subscale of the Griffiths III
- Authors: Kolver, Christél
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Child psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13293 , vital:27172
- Description: The developmental assessment of children is very important so that adequate resources and intervention programmes can be initiated. Updating psychometric assessments is mandatory for different reasons, which include to update norms and to add new psychometric information. It is important for psychometric assessments that measure child development to ensure that they continue to accurately reflect stages of development in a modern context. The Association for Research in Infant and Child Development (ARICD) is currently in the process of revising the Griffiths Scales. One of the many unique changes includes the newly formed Foundations of Learning Subscale. This Subscale was constructed from definition, sub-constructs and items, which encompassed the critical sub-constructs from the previous Performance and Practical Reasoning Subscales, while providing greater depth to the overarching construct. This study therefore, forms part of a larger study of developing the Griffiths III and aims to compare the performance of three to six-year-old children on these three Subscales. The study employed a mixed method approach, which included 259 children matched on the Griffiths Mental Development Scales – Extended Revised and the Griffith III. The quantitative aspect of the research included descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests as well as pearson correlations. Differences and similarities were found from the results. The relationships varied from high correlation, strong relationships to low correlation, definite but small relationships. This was further explored through a qualitative analysis between the constructs assessed on each of the Subscales, as well as a qualitative analysis on the items of Subscale A, brought from Subscale E and F and the new items.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Kolver, Christél
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Child psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13293 , vital:27172
- Description: The developmental assessment of children is very important so that adequate resources and intervention programmes can be initiated. Updating psychometric assessments is mandatory for different reasons, which include to update norms and to add new psychometric information. It is important for psychometric assessments that measure child development to ensure that they continue to accurately reflect stages of development in a modern context. The Association for Research in Infant and Child Development (ARICD) is currently in the process of revising the Griffiths Scales. One of the many unique changes includes the newly formed Foundations of Learning Subscale. This Subscale was constructed from definition, sub-constructs and items, which encompassed the critical sub-constructs from the previous Performance and Practical Reasoning Subscales, while providing greater depth to the overarching construct. This study therefore, forms part of a larger study of developing the Griffiths III and aims to compare the performance of three to six-year-old children on these three Subscales. The study employed a mixed method approach, which included 259 children matched on the Griffiths Mental Development Scales – Extended Revised and the Griffith III. The quantitative aspect of the research included descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests as well as pearson correlations. Differences and similarities were found from the results. The relationships varied from high correlation, strong relationships to low correlation, definite but small relationships. This was further explored through a qualitative analysis between the constructs assessed on each of the Subscales, as well as a qualitative analysis on the items of Subscale A, brought from Subscale E and F and the new items.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Dating in the dark: a phenomenological study of the lived experience of online relationships
- Authors: Froneman, Carmen Michelle
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Online dating , Online dating -- Case studies , Internet -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5462 , vital:20847
- Description: Online relationships are becoming increasingly popular due to the availability, accessibility, and affordability of online social networking and dating sites. Individuals are progressively moving from meeting romantic partners face to face to meeting and engaging with individuals online. There is ample evidence to support the view that individuals do initiate romantic relationships online and often these relationships progress offline. The primary focus of online research had been conducted by communication and linguistic scholars while very little research has been conducted into the psychological conceptualisation of online relationships. In addition, there is a lack of available research pertaining to the development of romantic relationships online and more so in South Africa. The current study utilised Sternberg’s Triangular model of love and the Johari window as a framework for understanding the concepts involved in online romantic relationships. The study specifically aimed to explore and describe the lived experiences of individuals who engage in online dating. The parameters of the study included the elements that comprise the online relationship, the subjective meaning attached to the relationships, and the processes these relationships encompass. The study moreover aimed to explore the progression of the online relationship. The study used a qualitative, phenomenological approach using snowball sampling and semi structured interviews to collect data. Tesch’s model of content analysis was used during data analysis while incorporating the four major processes in phenomenological research, namely (1) epoche, (2) phenomenological reduction, (3) imaginative variation and, (4) synthesis. The findings of the study generated a greater understanding of the complexities of online dating. Themes including online relationship development, the dynamics of online relationships, how love, according to the triangular model of love, is perceived online and, self-disclosure online were identified through the participants narratives. These findings ultimately can be used for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Froneman, Carmen Michelle
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Online dating , Online dating -- Case studies , Internet -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5462 , vital:20847
- Description: Online relationships are becoming increasingly popular due to the availability, accessibility, and affordability of online social networking and dating sites. Individuals are progressively moving from meeting romantic partners face to face to meeting and engaging with individuals online. There is ample evidence to support the view that individuals do initiate romantic relationships online and often these relationships progress offline. The primary focus of online research had been conducted by communication and linguistic scholars while very little research has been conducted into the psychological conceptualisation of online relationships. In addition, there is a lack of available research pertaining to the development of romantic relationships online and more so in South Africa. The current study utilised Sternberg’s Triangular model of love and the Johari window as a framework for understanding the concepts involved in online romantic relationships. The study specifically aimed to explore and describe the lived experiences of individuals who engage in online dating. The parameters of the study included the elements that comprise the online relationship, the subjective meaning attached to the relationships, and the processes these relationships encompass. The study moreover aimed to explore the progression of the online relationship. The study used a qualitative, phenomenological approach using snowball sampling and semi structured interviews to collect data. Tesch’s model of content analysis was used during data analysis while incorporating the four major processes in phenomenological research, namely (1) epoche, (2) phenomenological reduction, (3) imaginative variation and, (4) synthesis. The findings of the study generated a greater understanding of the complexities of online dating. Themes including online relationship development, the dynamics of online relationships, how love, according to the triangular model of love, is perceived online and, self-disclosure online were identified through the participants narratives. These findings ultimately can be used for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Enhancing clinical preparedness of basic midwifery students: perceptions of midwifery educators
- Authors: Vuso, Virginia Zanyiwe
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Midwifery -- Study and teaching Childbirth -- Study and teaching -- South Africa Nursing -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13204 , vital:27161
- Description: Since the inception of the student supernumerary status, both globally and in South Africa, nursing and midwifery educators have been concerned about the clinical competencies of their students. Student clinical competency levels in South Africa are critical to midwifery practice, especially as most litigation against the Department of Health in South Africa concerns negligence in midwifery practice. In addition, the litigations mostly involve newly qualified midwives, thus suggesting a link with practice competency levels. Several challenges exist in the academic and practice environments regarding student learning, practice and clinical preparedness. Lack of support during clinical placement and a lack of facilities for use during clinical practice modules are among these challenges. Some students, due to the challenges they face with clinical learning and practice, fail to meet the practical competencies for examination entry requirements. Consequently, some of these students have to repeat the year or exit the programme. The current study sought to identify how to assist midwifery educators in their activities to prepare students for clinical placement readiness. The first objective of the study was to explore and describe the perceptions of midwifery educators regarding the need for additional measures to enhance the clinical preparedness of basic midwifery students before they are allocated to the clinical areas. The second objective sought to make recommendations that would further assist the midwifery educators to clinically prepare midwifery students before being allocated and placed in different clinical areas. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was used for the study and the study was conducted at a nursing college in the Eastern Cape Province from August 2014 to January 2016. The research population consisted of midwifery educators at a nursing college and a purposive sampling technique was used guided by set criteria. Data were collected using focus group interviews. Four focus groups were used making a total of 17 participants. The principles applied for data analysis were those of Tesch’s method of data analysis, which were used to develop the themes and sub-themes. An independent coder assisted with the coding of the data for the purposes of trustworthiness. In addition, Lincoln and Guba’s model of trustworthiness consisting of the criteria of credibility, transferability, dependability and conformability was used to confirm the validity of the study while the ethical principles adopted were informed consent, justice, non-maleficence, privacy and confidentiality. The study found that the participants perceived numerous challenges that hindered the clinical preparedness of their students. These related to increased workload, lack of support from management and a lack of commitment on the part of students towards their studies. The participants also identified inconsistencies in clinical practice between the clinical midwives and the educators, and even among the educators themselves. This lack of consistency in turn causes confusion among the students and thus impacts negatively on their clinical practice preparedness. Based on these findings recommendations for clinical nursing practice, nursing education and research were made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Vuso, Virginia Zanyiwe
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Midwifery -- Study and teaching Childbirth -- Study and teaching -- South Africa Nursing -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13204 , vital:27161
- Description: Since the inception of the student supernumerary status, both globally and in South Africa, nursing and midwifery educators have been concerned about the clinical competencies of their students. Student clinical competency levels in South Africa are critical to midwifery practice, especially as most litigation against the Department of Health in South Africa concerns negligence in midwifery practice. In addition, the litigations mostly involve newly qualified midwives, thus suggesting a link with practice competency levels. Several challenges exist in the academic and practice environments regarding student learning, practice and clinical preparedness. Lack of support during clinical placement and a lack of facilities for use during clinical practice modules are among these challenges. Some students, due to the challenges they face with clinical learning and practice, fail to meet the practical competencies for examination entry requirements. Consequently, some of these students have to repeat the year or exit the programme. The current study sought to identify how to assist midwifery educators in their activities to prepare students for clinical placement readiness. The first objective of the study was to explore and describe the perceptions of midwifery educators regarding the need for additional measures to enhance the clinical preparedness of basic midwifery students before they are allocated to the clinical areas. The second objective sought to make recommendations that would further assist the midwifery educators to clinically prepare midwifery students before being allocated and placed in different clinical areas. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was used for the study and the study was conducted at a nursing college in the Eastern Cape Province from August 2014 to January 2016. The research population consisted of midwifery educators at a nursing college and a purposive sampling technique was used guided by set criteria. Data were collected using focus group interviews. Four focus groups were used making a total of 17 participants. The principles applied for data analysis were those of Tesch’s method of data analysis, which were used to develop the themes and sub-themes. An independent coder assisted with the coding of the data for the purposes of trustworthiness. In addition, Lincoln and Guba’s model of trustworthiness consisting of the criteria of credibility, transferability, dependability and conformability was used to confirm the validity of the study while the ethical principles adopted were informed consent, justice, non-maleficence, privacy and confidentiality. The study found that the participants perceived numerous challenges that hindered the clinical preparedness of their students. These related to increased workload, lack of support from management and a lack of commitment on the part of students towards their studies. The participants also identified inconsistencies in clinical practice between the clinical midwives and the educators, and even among the educators themselves. This lack of consistency in turn causes confusion among the students and thus impacts negatively on their clinical practice preparedness. Based on these findings recommendations for clinical nursing practice, nursing education and research were made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Experiences of medical practitioners regarding the accessing of information at the point-of-care via mobile technology for clinical decision making at public hospitals
- Van Rooyen, Annesty Elaine, Jordan, Portia
- Authors: Van Rooyen, Annesty Elaine , Jordan, Portia
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Clinical medicine -- Decision making , Point-of-care testing , Mobile computing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5554 , vital:20904
- Description: Medical practitioners are often unable to access medical and health information at the point-of-care, thus preventing them from providing quality healthcare. Family Health International 360 (FHI) provided medical practitioners with a locally relevant, reliable, and accurate comprehensive library of medical information on mobile computing devices (MCDs), at the point-of-care, as part of a project in collaboration with the Department of Health in the Eastern Cape Province. As part of the latter project, Ricks (2012:7) conducted an investigation into the impact that accessing health information at the point-of-care, via MCDs, had on the clinical decision-making practice of medical practitioners and professional nurses in public hospitals and primary healthcare settings in the Eastern Cape Province. The researcher identified a gap in the aforementioned study and was thus motivated to conduct this study to explore and describe the experiences of medical practitioners at public hospitals in further detail by conducting a qualitative study, as the previous study was quantitative. The purpose of this study was therefore to explore and describe the experiences of medical practitioners regarding the accessing of information at the point-of-care, via mobile technology, for clinical decision making at public hospitals. To achieve the purpose of the study, a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was used. The research population comprised medical practitioners who were using MCDs to access information at the point-of-care for clinical decision making. Purposive sampling was used to select the research sample. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect the necessary research data. Tesch’s steps were used to analyse the data. The principles for ensuring trustworthiness and ethical considerations were adhered to throughout the study. Two main themes and six sub-themes emerged in relation to the experiences of medical practitioners regarding the accessing of information at the point-of-care, for clinical decision making, via mobile technology. The main findings of the research highlighted the benefits and challenges that were experienced by the medical practitioners when using the MCDs for accessing information at the point-of-care for clinical decision making. The study concludes with recommendations pertaining to the areas of practise, education and research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Van Rooyen, Annesty Elaine , Jordan, Portia
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Clinical medicine -- Decision making , Point-of-care testing , Mobile computing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5554 , vital:20904
- Description: Medical practitioners are often unable to access medical and health information at the point-of-care, thus preventing them from providing quality healthcare. Family Health International 360 (FHI) provided medical practitioners with a locally relevant, reliable, and accurate comprehensive library of medical information on mobile computing devices (MCDs), at the point-of-care, as part of a project in collaboration with the Department of Health in the Eastern Cape Province. As part of the latter project, Ricks (2012:7) conducted an investigation into the impact that accessing health information at the point-of-care, via MCDs, had on the clinical decision-making practice of medical practitioners and professional nurses in public hospitals and primary healthcare settings in the Eastern Cape Province. The researcher identified a gap in the aforementioned study and was thus motivated to conduct this study to explore and describe the experiences of medical practitioners at public hospitals in further detail by conducting a qualitative study, as the previous study was quantitative. The purpose of this study was therefore to explore and describe the experiences of medical practitioners regarding the accessing of information at the point-of-care, via mobile technology, for clinical decision making at public hospitals. To achieve the purpose of the study, a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was used. The research population comprised medical practitioners who were using MCDs to access information at the point-of-care for clinical decision making. Purposive sampling was used to select the research sample. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect the necessary research data. Tesch’s steps were used to analyse the data. The principles for ensuring trustworthiness and ethical considerations were adhered to throughout the study. Two main themes and six sub-themes emerged in relation to the experiences of medical practitioners regarding the accessing of information at the point-of-care, for clinical decision making, via mobile technology. The main findings of the research highlighted the benefits and challenges that were experienced by the medical practitioners when using the MCDs for accessing information at the point-of-care for clinical decision making. The study concludes with recommendations pertaining to the areas of practise, education and research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Experiences of midwives caring for mothers who have lost their babies at birth
- Authors: Dasi, Peggy
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Obstetrics , Midwives , Perinatal death -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/9000 , vital:26454
- Description: Midwives working in labour wards usually have the pleasure of delivering a live baby and rejoicing with the mother. However, the delivery could become tragic for the mothers and midwives when the baby dies at birth due to pregnancy related complications. The result is that midwives have to render care and support to mothers who have lost their babies at birth. The objectives of this study were to explore and describe the experiences of midwives caring for mothers who have lost their babies at birth. A qualitative explorative, descriptive and contextual design was used to conduct this research study to gain an understanding of how the midwives experienced caring for mothers who have lost their babies at birth. A purposive criterion based non-probability sampling method was used. Ten semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect data. Ethical considerations were observed throughout the research study. Measures of trustworthiness were ensured by using credibility, transferability, dependability and conformability. Data analysis was done using Tesch’s method to make sense out of text and data. Four themes were identified, namely, Midwives shared their diverse experiences relating to caring for mothers who have lost their babies at birth; Midwives expressed how their personal values and beliefs influenced the ways they dealt with babies dying at birth; Midwives described the organizational values and beliefs related to death and dying and how this influences their own experiences and lastly Midwives provided suggestions regarding how they can be assisted in caring for mothers who have lost their babies at birth. Two main guidelines were developed based on the research findings and literature. The study concludes with recommendations made with regard to areas of nursing practice, education and research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Dasi, Peggy
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Obstetrics , Midwives , Perinatal death -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/9000 , vital:26454
- Description: Midwives working in labour wards usually have the pleasure of delivering a live baby and rejoicing with the mother. However, the delivery could become tragic for the mothers and midwives when the baby dies at birth due to pregnancy related complications. The result is that midwives have to render care and support to mothers who have lost their babies at birth. The objectives of this study were to explore and describe the experiences of midwives caring for mothers who have lost their babies at birth. A qualitative explorative, descriptive and contextual design was used to conduct this research study to gain an understanding of how the midwives experienced caring for mothers who have lost their babies at birth. A purposive criterion based non-probability sampling method was used. Ten semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect data. Ethical considerations were observed throughout the research study. Measures of trustworthiness were ensured by using credibility, transferability, dependability and conformability. Data analysis was done using Tesch’s method to make sense out of text and data. Four themes were identified, namely, Midwives shared their diverse experiences relating to caring for mothers who have lost their babies at birth; Midwives expressed how their personal values and beliefs influenced the ways they dealt with babies dying at birth; Midwives described the organizational values and beliefs related to death and dying and how this influences their own experiences and lastly Midwives provided suggestions regarding how they can be assisted in caring for mothers who have lost their babies at birth. Two main guidelines were developed based on the research findings and literature. The study concludes with recommendations made with regard to areas of nursing practice, education and research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Experiences of newly qualified south african psychologists dealing with suicidal behaviour
- Authors: Cramer, Ryan
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Suicidal behavior , Suicide Psychotherapy Suicide -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5677 , vital:20962
- Description: Suicidal behaviour is a phenomenon encountered the world over. Recognising and adequately dealing with such behaviours, in a professional setting, is a role expected of a psychologist. Working with suicidal behaviour is influenced by a variety of factors on the part of the psychologist. These may include, inter alia, experiences they may have had with suicidal behaviour, the training they have received in order to deal with such behaviours and their subjective experience of self-efficacy in dealing with such behaviours. The current qualitative study sought to explore and describe the experiences of recently qualified South African psychologists in dealing with suicidal behaviour through semi-structured interviews. The focus was on newly qualified clinical psychologists who received their masters training at a university in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study aimed to understand how confident, equipped, and ready newly qualified psychologists perceived themselves in dealing with suicidal behaviour. Three major themes emerged from the data. The first describes the strategies psychologists used in order to recognise potential suicidal behaviour, the second was how newly qualified psychologists managed suicidal behaviour, and the final theme described how psychologists could be prepared for their role to deal effectively with these behaviours. Investigating their experiences enabled the participants to contribute towards creating knowledge in this crucial area of psychological practice and allowed for the discovery of invaluable insights which could benefit the future training of psychologists.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Cramer, Ryan
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Suicidal behavior , Suicide Psychotherapy Suicide -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5677 , vital:20962
- Description: Suicidal behaviour is a phenomenon encountered the world over. Recognising and adequately dealing with such behaviours, in a professional setting, is a role expected of a psychologist. Working with suicidal behaviour is influenced by a variety of factors on the part of the psychologist. These may include, inter alia, experiences they may have had with suicidal behaviour, the training they have received in order to deal with such behaviours and their subjective experience of self-efficacy in dealing with such behaviours. The current qualitative study sought to explore and describe the experiences of recently qualified South African psychologists in dealing with suicidal behaviour through semi-structured interviews. The focus was on newly qualified clinical psychologists who received their masters training at a university in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study aimed to understand how confident, equipped, and ready newly qualified psychologists perceived themselves in dealing with suicidal behaviour. Three major themes emerged from the data. The first describes the strategies psychologists used in order to recognise potential suicidal behaviour, the second was how newly qualified psychologists managed suicidal behaviour, and the final theme described how psychologists could be prepared for their role to deal effectively with these behaviours. Investigating their experiences enabled the participants to contribute towards creating knowledge in this crucial area of psychological practice and allowed for the discovery of invaluable insights which could benefit the future training of psychologists.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Experiences of professional nurses working in rural primary health care clinics regarding the nursing management of mentally ill clients in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Tuswa, Bulelwa Martha
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Psychiatric nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Community health nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mentally ill -- Patients -- Care
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18507 , vital:28652
- Description: In South Africa, mental health care is being integrated into primary health care services. The integration of services was aimed at increasing the accessibility and availability of all health care services at primary health care level. The integration was well intentioned, and it was hoped that mentally ill clients would benefit from having a service near their homes. However, the process of integration is fraught with challenges, for instance, staff shortages, which lead to ineffective nursing management of mentally ill clients at the primary health care clinics. As a result, one professional nurse is often allocated to manage the clinic services on a daily basis with the assistance of an enrolled nurse or auxiliary nurse. The professional nurses therefore experience high levels of stress due to gross staff shortages and lack of time to conduct proper nursing assessments. This led to the research question: “What are the experiences of professional nurses with regards to the nursing management of mentally ill clients in rural primary health care clinics in the O.R. Tambo District in the Eastern Cape?’’ The proposed objectives of the study were to explore and describe the experiences of professional nurses working in rural primary health care clinics with regard to the nursing management of mentally ill clients. The researcher thereafter made recommendations to the district managers regarding effective nursing management of mentally ill clients in rural primary health care clinics. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design was used. The research population comprised of professional nurses working in rural primary health care clinics in the O.R. Tambo District in the Eastern Cape. Purposive sampling was used to identify participants and the sample number was determined by data saturation. Unstructured interviews and observation notes were used to collect data. The eight steps of data analysis suggested by Tesch were utilized to analyze the data. The researcher conducted an in-depth literature review in order to identify research gaps pertaining to the study. To ensure that a high level of validity and reliability was exercised throughout the study, the researcher conformed to Lincoln and Guba’s model of trustworthiness. The study was conducted in an ethical manner and ethical principles were adhered to. Findings: Three themes with subthemes emerged. The study showed that professional nurses experienced challenges related to the nursing management of mentally ill clients. These challenges included shortage of staff, a heavy workload, and lack of resources, lack of in-service training and workshops related to mental health issues coupled with lack of support from the supervisors. Due to the challenges, the mentally ill clients were not getting quality nursing care leading to complications and relapse. Conclusion: It emerged from the study that matters pertaining to mental illness and mental discomfort were still a serious problem in rural areas. The problems were related to the challenges which prevented professional nurses from providing quality nursing care to mentally ill clients with subsequent complications and relapse. Recommendations: Recommendations were made as an effort to ensure that the nursing management of mentally ill clients in rural primary health care clinics is improved. These recommendations were categorized as related to nursing practice, nursing education and nursing research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Tuswa, Bulelwa Martha
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Psychiatric nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Community health nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mentally ill -- Patients -- Care
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18507 , vital:28652
- Description: In South Africa, mental health care is being integrated into primary health care services. The integration of services was aimed at increasing the accessibility and availability of all health care services at primary health care level. The integration was well intentioned, and it was hoped that mentally ill clients would benefit from having a service near their homes. However, the process of integration is fraught with challenges, for instance, staff shortages, which lead to ineffective nursing management of mentally ill clients at the primary health care clinics. As a result, one professional nurse is often allocated to manage the clinic services on a daily basis with the assistance of an enrolled nurse or auxiliary nurse. The professional nurses therefore experience high levels of stress due to gross staff shortages and lack of time to conduct proper nursing assessments. This led to the research question: “What are the experiences of professional nurses with regards to the nursing management of mentally ill clients in rural primary health care clinics in the O.R. Tambo District in the Eastern Cape?’’ The proposed objectives of the study were to explore and describe the experiences of professional nurses working in rural primary health care clinics with regard to the nursing management of mentally ill clients. The researcher thereafter made recommendations to the district managers regarding effective nursing management of mentally ill clients in rural primary health care clinics. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design was used. The research population comprised of professional nurses working in rural primary health care clinics in the O.R. Tambo District in the Eastern Cape. Purposive sampling was used to identify participants and the sample number was determined by data saturation. Unstructured interviews and observation notes were used to collect data. The eight steps of data analysis suggested by Tesch were utilized to analyze the data. The researcher conducted an in-depth literature review in order to identify research gaps pertaining to the study. To ensure that a high level of validity and reliability was exercised throughout the study, the researcher conformed to Lincoln and Guba’s model of trustworthiness. The study was conducted in an ethical manner and ethical principles were adhered to. Findings: Three themes with subthemes emerged. The study showed that professional nurses experienced challenges related to the nursing management of mentally ill clients. These challenges included shortage of staff, a heavy workload, and lack of resources, lack of in-service training and workshops related to mental health issues coupled with lack of support from the supervisors. Due to the challenges, the mentally ill clients were not getting quality nursing care leading to complications and relapse. Conclusion: It emerged from the study that matters pertaining to mental illness and mental discomfort were still a serious problem in rural areas. The problems were related to the challenges which prevented professional nurses from providing quality nursing care to mentally ill clients with subsequent complications and relapse. Recommendations: Recommendations were made as an effort to ensure that the nursing management of mentally ill clients in rural primary health care clinics is improved. These recommendations were categorized as related to nursing practice, nursing education and nursing research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Experiences of R425 newly qualified professional Nurses during their first year of practice in 3 selected hospitals in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Qwaqwa, Nomathamsanqa P
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Student nurses practice -- Hospitals
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Cur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/677 , vital:27767
- Description: Transition of the newly qualified nurses from an educational focus to professional practitioner has long been identified as a conflicted time of critical personal and professional adjustment and staggering reality shock. This study explored the experiences of newly qualified R425 professional nurses during their first year of practice in the Eastern Cape Province at three selected hospitals. The study followed a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive design using a phenomenological approach. The sample included newly qualified professional nurses in their first year of employment. Convenience sampling was used to select the participants. Data collection was conducted by means of semi-structured interviews from ten (n=10) participants. Each interview took about 45 minutes. Ethical codes of research were followed. Data was coded manually and analyzed using content analysis Four themes and seven subthemes emerged from the data collected The findings revealed positive experiences such as sense of belonging and feelings of independence; negative experiences such as feelings of rejection, as well as management challenges The study identified challenges which impacted on the performance of new nurses, namely shortage of human and material resources and inadequate support in the working environment Recommendation: Introducing mandatory education by service institutions on transition as well as extended, sequential and structured orientation and mentoring programs for newly qualified professional nurses as this will assist them in their career development Managers to use different strategies in enhancing quality environments in order to reduce frustration for these newly qualified nurses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Qwaqwa, Nomathamsanqa P
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Student nurses practice -- Hospitals
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Cur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/677 , vital:27767
- Description: Transition of the newly qualified nurses from an educational focus to professional practitioner has long been identified as a conflicted time of critical personal and professional adjustment and staggering reality shock. This study explored the experiences of newly qualified R425 professional nurses during their first year of practice in the Eastern Cape Province at three selected hospitals. The study followed a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive design using a phenomenological approach. The sample included newly qualified professional nurses in their first year of employment. Convenience sampling was used to select the participants. Data collection was conducted by means of semi-structured interviews from ten (n=10) participants. Each interview took about 45 minutes. Ethical codes of research were followed. Data was coded manually and analyzed using content analysis Four themes and seven subthemes emerged from the data collected The findings revealed positive experiences such as sense of belonging and feelings of independence; negative experiences such as feelings of rejection, as well as management challenges The study identified challenges which impacted on the performance of new nurses, namely shortage of human and material resources and inadequate support in the working environment Recommendation: Introducing mandatory education by service institutions on transition as well as extended, sequential and structured orientation and mentoring programs for newly qualified professional nurses as this will assist them in their career development Managers to use different strategies in enhancing quality environments in order to reduce frustration for these newly qualified nurses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Experiences of university students with symptoms of depression and anxiety in a mindfulness-based intervention
- Authors: Buhrmann, Mimmie Petronella
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy , Stress (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3705 , vital:20456
- Description: This study explored and described the experiences of students with self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression who participated in a mindfulness-based intervention. The study was conducted in collaboration with the Student Counselling Career and Development Centre (SCCDC) at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU). The study utilised a qualitative research approach and nine participants were selected through purposive, non-probability sampling. The data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews and participants‟ brief written reflections of their individual experiences. Content analysis produced ten themes categorised according to the components of the biopsychosocial/spiritual (BPSS) model. The most prevalent theme identified, describing participants‟ experience of the mindfulness-based intervention, was an enhanced perception of emotional regulation. This finding confirmed the outcomes of previous studies that also found an increase in emotional regulation related to mindfulness-based interventions. Results also shed new light on the perceived personal changes participants experienced in relation to body awareness, increased attentional regulation, social interactions, and spiritual experiences. In addition, participants verbalised present moment awareness and an accepting non-judgmental attitude as central to the biopsychosocial/spiritual changes and benefits they experienced. Recommendations for further research include investigating the impact of mindfulness-based interventions on attentional control and social interactions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Buhrmann, Mimmie Petronella
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy , Stress (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3705 , vital:20456
- Description: This study explored and described the experiences of students with self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression who participated in a mindfulness-based intervention. The study was conducted in collaboration with the Student Counselling Career and Development Centre (SCCDC) at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU). The study utilised a qualitative research approach and nine participants were selected through purposive, non-probability sampling. The data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews and participants‟ brief written reflections of their individual experiences. Content analysis produced ten themes categorised according to the components of the biopsychosocial/spiritual (BPSS) model. The most prevalent theme identified, describing participants‟ experience of the mindfulness-based intervention, was an enhanced perception of emotional regulation. This finding confirmed the outcomes of previous studies that also found an increase in emotional regulation related to mindfulness-based interventions. Results also shed new light on the perceived personal changes participants experienced in relation to body awareness, increased attentional regulation, social interactions, and spiritual experiences. In addition, participants verbalised present moment awareness and an accepting non-judgmental attitude as central to the biopsychosocial/spiritual changes and benefits they experienced. Recommendations for further research include investigating the impact of mindfulness-based interventions on attentional control and social interactions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Experiences of women who gave birth before arrival at a midwife obstetric unit
- Authors: Fouché, Moira Sandy
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Midwifery -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Pregnant women -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Maternity nursing -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7176 , vital:21290
- Description: Pregnant women expect to give birth in a safe environment conducive to a safe delivery such as the hospital. In some cases the birth does not always work out as planned as labour is unpredictable and circumstances may lead to the woman giving birth before arriving at the hospital. For some women the outcome of the experience could have a positive effect while most of the time it is a negative effect such as embarrassment and disappointment. The researcher, an experienced midwife, observed in the unit where she works of the steady increase in women who were admitted as experiencing birth before arrival. The women will at times be reluctant to respond to questions on admission regarding their labour process and also tend not to focus on the needs of the baby. When the mother is discharged, one is left wondering what will happen to the infant at home. Hence, this study had the following objectives: to explore and describe the women’s experiences of giving birth before arrival at a midwife obstetric unit in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal area and secondly, to use the findings of the study to make recommendations to assist midwives to support women who have experienced birth before arrival at a midwife obstetric unit. This study was a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research study. The research population included all the women who had birth-before-arrival deliveries at the midwife obstetric unit in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal area. The criteria for inclusion were women who had experienced birth before arrival between October 2014 and December 2014; women who had been admitted to an midwife obstetric unit and not referred to a tertiary level of care, but discharged home; women whose babies were still alive; women who had spent at least eight hours and not more than twelve hours in the midwife obstetric unit and women older than 18 years of age. Purposive sampling was used. The researcher conducted semi-structured one-on-one interviews which were captured by means of an audio-tape recorder to collect data. Taking field notes was part of the interview session. Analysis of data was done according to Tesch’s method of data analysis. The supervisor and an independent coder assisted with the analysis to confirm the data and help develop themes. To ensure rigour in the study, the Lincoln and Guba model of trustworthiness was used, which encompasses truth value, applicability, consistency and neutrality. The research was done in an ethical manner whereby autonomy and respect, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice were maintained by the researcher. The researcher maintained privacy and confidentiality by numbering the interviews and not revealing the participant’s identity. The collected data was kept under lock and key and was only discussed with the research supervisor and the independent coder. The interviews were conducted in a private and safe place without any interruptions. Two main themes emerged from the data analysis. Theme one – A birth before arrival at the midwifery facility is an emotional experience for the mother. Theme two - Mothers described diverse experiences related to emergency childbirth care. Based on the findings of the study, the relevant recommendations were made to improve the overall management of women who experience birth before arrival. The recommendations will be utilised by the midwives in maternity units and primary health-care practitioners in the clinics attending to pregnant women.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Fouché, Moira Sandy
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Midwifery -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Pregnant women -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Maternity nursing -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7176 , vital:21290
- Description: Pregnant women expect to give birth in a safe environment conducive to a safe delivery such as the hospital. In some cases the birth does not always work out as planned as labour is unpredictable and circumstances may lead to the woman giving birth before arriving at the hospital. For some women the outcome of the experience could have a positive effect while most of the time it is a negative effect such as embarrassment and disappointment. The researcher, an experienced midwife, observed in the unit where she works of the steady increase in women who were admitted as experiencing birth before arrival. The women will at times be reluctant to respond to questions on admission regarding their labour process and also tend not to focus on the needs of the baby. When the mother is discharged, one is left wondering what will happen to the infant at home. Hence, this study had the following objectives: to explore and describe the women’s experiences of giving birth before arrival at a midwife obstetric unit in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal area and secondly, to use the findings of the study to make recommendations to assist midwives to support women who have experienced birth before arrival at a midwife obstetric unit. This study was a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research study. The research population included all the women who had birth-before-arrival deliveries at the midwife obstetric unit in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal area. The criteria for inclusion were women who had experienced birth before arrival between October 2014 and December 2014; women who had been admitted to an midwife obstetric unit and not referred to a tertiary level of care, but discharged home; women whose babies were still alive; women who had spent at least eight hours and not more than twelve hours in the midwife obstetric unit and women older than 18 years of age. Purposive sampling was used. The researcher conducted semi-structured one-on-one interviews which were captured by means of an audio-tape recorder to collect data. Taking field notes was part of the interview session. Analysis of data was done according to Tesch’s method of data analysis. The supervisor and an independent coder assisted with the analysis to confirm the data and help develop themes. To ensure rigour in the study, the Lincoln and Guba model of trustworthiness was used, which encompasses truth value, applicability, consistency and neutrality. The research was done in an ethical manner whereby autonomy and respect, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice were maintained by the researcher. The researcher maintained privacy and confidentiality by numbering the interviews and not revealing the participant’s identity. The collected data was kept under lock and key and was only discussed with the research supervisor and the independent coder. The interviews were conducted in a private and safe place without any interruptions. Two main themes emerged from the data analysis. Theme one – A birth before arrival at the midwifery facility is an emotional experience for the mother. Theme two - Mothers described diverse experiences related to emergency childbirth care. Based on the findings of the study, the relevant recommendations were made to improve the overall management of women who experience birth before arrival. The recommendations will be utilised by the midwives in maternity units and primary health-care practitioners in the clinics attending to pregnant women.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Facilitated empowerment of midwives to enhance utilization of antenatal care services by pregnant women in the Mnquma sub-district in the Eastern Cape province
- Ngwanya, Thandi Rose-mary, Williams, Marie
- Authors: Ngwanya, Thandi Rose-mary , Williams, Marie
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Prenatal care -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Prenatal education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Midwifery -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12517 , vital:27080
- Description: Background: Antenatal care is essential care that assists in maintaining a state of good health for the woman and her unborn baby. Globally the use of antenatal care services remains a challenge and this tendency is closely associated with maternal and neonatal mortalities and morbidities. South Africa has adopted a free service policy for pregnant women, their infants and for children up to the age of six. Despite this policy, the problem of limited utilisation of antenatal care services by pregnant women is still observed in this country and is associated with increased maternal and neonatal mortalities and morbidities.The purpose of the current proposed study was to explore and describe the reasons for limited utilisation of antenatal care services in the Mnquma sub-district, and to develop guidelines to assist the midwives to encourage the use of antenatal care services. Objectives:To explore and describe the reasons for the limited utilisation of antenatal care services by pregnant women at Mnquma sub-district.To explore and describe the knowledge of antenatal care services by the pregnant women.To develop guidelines to facilitate empowerment of midwives to enhance utilisation of antenatal care services by pregnant women in the Mnquma sub-district in Eastern Cape Province. The study was conducted in Mnquma sub-district during the months of July to January in 2016 using a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design. The research population were post-delivery women and the purposive sampling was used to identify women who met the stated criteria. One-on-one audio-taped semi-structured interviews were conducted and field notes were kept to justify some of the themes identified. Thirteen interviews were conducted and transcribed verbatim. Collected data was analysed using Tesch’s data analysis method. Trustworthiness was maintained through the standards of truth value, credibility, transferability, dependability and conformability. The ethical considerations of beneficence, justice, autonomy, non-maleficence and veracity were maintained. From the findings it emerged that the participants raised various concerns with regard to barriers influencing limited utilization of antenatal care services. The participants had limited knowledge of antenatal care services. Furthermore, participants recommended some solutions to enhance utilization of antenatal care services. Recommendations were made with regard to clinical practice, nursing education and nursing research. Guidelines were formulated to assist midwives to enhance the utilization of antenatal care services by pregnant women in the Mnquma sub-district in the Eastern Cape.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Ngwanya, Thandi Rose-mary , Williams, Marie
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Prenatal care -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Prenatal education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Midwifery -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12517 , vital:27080
- Description: Background: Antenatal care is essential care that assists in maintaining a state of good health for the woman and her unborn baby. Globally the use of antenatal care services remains a challenge and this tendency is closely associated with maternal and neonatal mortalities and morbidities. South Africa has adopted a free service policy for pregnant women, their infants and for children up to the age of six. Despite this policy, the problem of limited utilisation of antenatal care services by pregnant women is still observed in this country and is associated with increased maternal and neonatal mortalities and morbidities.The purpose of the current proposed study was to explore and describe the reasons for limited utilisation of antenatal care services in the Mnquma sub-district, and to develop guidelines to assist the midwives to encourage the use of antenatal care services. Objectives:To explore and describe the reasons for the limited utilisation of antenatal care services by pregnant women at Mnquma sub-district.To explore and describe the knowledge of antenatal care services by the pregnant women.To develop guidelines to facilitate empowerment of midwives to enhance utilisation of antenatal care services by pregnant women in the Mnquma sub-district in Eastern Cape Province. The study was conducted in Mnquma sub-district during the months of July to January in 2016 using a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design. The research population were post-delivery women and the purposive sampling was used to identify women who met the stated criteria. One-on-one audio-taped semi-structured interviews were conducted and field notes were kept to justify some of the themes identified. Thirteen interviews were conducted and transcribed verbatim. Collected data was analysed using Tesch’s data analysis method. Trustworthiness was maintained through the standards of truth value, credibility, transferability, dependability and conformability. The ethical considerations of beneficence, justice, autonomy, non-maleficence and veracity were maintained. From the findings it emerged that the participants raised various concerns with regard to barriers influencing limited utilization of antenatal care services. The participants had limited knowledge of antenatal care services. Furthermore, participants recommended some solutions to enhance utilization of antenatal care services. Recommendations were made with regard to clinical practice, nursing education and nursing research. Guidelines were formulated to assist midwives to enhance the utilization of antenatal care services by pregnant women in the Mnquma sub-district in the Eastern Cape.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Factors contributing to paediatric HIV diclosure by caregivers
- Authors: Van der Meulen, Christine
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: HIV-positive children -- Care -- South Africa Caregivers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Highly active antiretroviral therapy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45514 , vital:38623
- Description: Due to the increasing availability of ART (antiretroviral therapy), HIV is starting to be seen as a chronic disease. This has several effects on families, one of which is the need to disclose their HIV status to children who were born with the illness. Potential barriers and available support structures with regards to paediatric HIV disclosure need to be considered before specific guidelines can be given to caretakers and health care providers. This study aimed to explore and describe the patterns of paediatric HIV disclosure or non-disclosure using a sample of caretakers or parents of Children/adolescents who were born with HIV. The Disclosure Decision Making Model (DDMM) was used as a framework to understand the decision-making process that leads to either disclosure or non-disclosure. Qualitative data was gathered by means of in-depth, semi-structured interviews, conducted in English. Ten participants were recruited from a community health care centre that offers HIV counselling and testing in the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District. Data gathered was transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Lincoln and Guba’s model were used to determine the trustworthiness of the data. The two themes that emerged from the study were (1) caretakers wish to disclose HIV status to the child but identified barriers to doing this and, (2) caretakers identified factors that helped them to disclose the child’s status. This study provides a more in-depth understanding of the factors that influence disclosure in a resource-limited setting in the Eastern Cape.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Van der Meulen, Christine
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: HIV-positive children -- Care -- South Africa Caregivers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Highly active antiretroviral therapy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45514 , vital:38623
- Description: Due to the increasing availability of ART (antiretroviral therapy), HIV is starting to be seen as a chronic disease. This has several effects on families, one of which is the need to disclose their HIV status to children who were born with the illness. Potential barriers and available support structures with regards to paediatric HIV disclosure need to be considered before specific guidelines can be given to caretakers and health care providers. This study aimed to explore and describe the patterns of paediatric HIV disclosure or non-disclosure using a sample of caretakers or parents of Children/adolescents who were born with HIV. The Disclosure Decision Making Model (DDMM) was used as a framework to understand the decision-making process that leads to either disclosure or non-disclosure. Qualitative data was gathered by means of in-depth, semi-structured interviews, conducted in English. Ten participants were recruited from a community health care centre that offers HIV counselling and testing in the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District. Data gathered was transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Lincoln and Guba’s model were used to determine the trustworthiness of the data. The two themes that emerged from the study were (1) caretakers wish to disclose HIV status to the child but identified barriers to doing this and, (2) caretakers identified factors that helped them to disclose the child’s status. This study provides a more in-depth understanding of the factors that influence disclosure in a resource-limited setting in the Eastern Cape.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Impact of a holistic lifestyle management education programme on health and education outcomes of socioeconomically disadvantaged university students
- Authors: Morris-Paxton, Angela Ann
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: College students -- Mental health College students -- Health and hygiene Health promotion
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11909 , vital:27003
- Description: Disorders of lifestyle are increasing globally; countries in transition are suffering the double burden of both contagious and chronic disorders. The utilization of health education to address these issues has had variable results, but the most successful have incorporated human contact. The aim of this study was to measure the quantitative and qualitative impact of a wellness promotion programme on university students. The objective was to provide a structured facilitated holistic wellness education programme to a sample of socioeconomically disadvantaged students in Higher Education in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Using a pragmatic mixed methodological approach to this critical evaluation, the impact on both wellness and academic progress was measured. Initial demographic data was gathered via a biographical questionnaire, pre- and post-intervention measurement of wellness, using the Wellness Questionnaire for Higher Education, as well as a semi-structured qualitative questionnaire and transcripts of academic results. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS analysis software and qualitative data using the NVivo analysis package. The findings were that all students improved throughout the year in their overall wellness scores, in particular in areas such as avoiding excessive sun exposure and increasing the amount of physical exercise. This corresponded with an increase in the value that the participants attached to information on these aspects of wellness, which was attributed to the programme. Results revealed that there was a weak correlation between student wellness measured at the year-end and academic success overall, but a strong correlation between student wellness and academic success for the students that gained the highest marks. Analysis of the dimensions of wellness that correlated best with student success revealed that there was a particularly strong correlation between year-end career wellness and year-end academic success. In conclusion it was found that a positive and holistic salutogenic wellness education programme increased levels of student wellness overall, which translated into student academic success. The link between wellness and success was particularly strong in students that gained higher marks. Recommendations include that first-year higher education students receive a positive wellness education programme built into the curriculum of their first year of study and that the overall impact be monitored across a broader spectrum of students over the duration of their diploma or degree programme.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Morris-Paxton, Angela Ann
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: College students -- Mental health College students -- Health and hygiene Health promotion
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11909 , vital:27003
- Description: Disorders of lifestyle are increasing globally; countries in transition are suffering the double burden of both contagious and chronic disorders. The utilization of health education to address these issues has had variable results, but the most successful have incorporated human contact. The aim of this study was to measure the quantitative and qualitative impact of a wellness promotion programme on university students. The objective was to provide a structured facilitated holistic wellness education programme to a sample of socioeconomically disadvantaged students in Higher Education in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Using a pragmatic mixed methodological approach to this critical evaluation, the impact on both wellness and academic progress was measured. Initial demographic data was gathered via a biographical questionnaire, pre- and post-intervention measurement of wellness, using the Wellness Questionnaire for Higher Education, as well as a semi-structured qualitative questionnaire and transcripts of academic results. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS analysis software and qualitative data using the NVivo analysis package. The findings were that all students improved throughout the year in their overall wellness scores, in particular in areas such as avoiding excessive sun exposure and increasing the amount of physical exercise. This corresponded with an increase in the value that the participants attached to information on these aspects of wellness, which was attributed to the programme. Results revealed that there was a weak correlation between student wellness measured at the year-end and academic success overall, but a strong correlation between student wellness and academic success for the students that gained the highest marks. Analysis of the dimensions of wellness that correlated best with student success revealed that there was a particularly strong correlation between year-end career wellness and year-end academic success. In conclusion it was found that a positive and holistic salutogenic wellness education programme increased levels of student wellness overall, which translated into student academic success. The link between wellness and success was particularly strong in students that gained higher marks. Recommendations include that first-year higher education students receive a positive wellness education programme built into the curriculum of their first year of study and that the overall impact be monitored across a broader spectrum of students over the duration of their diploma or degree programme.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Impact of a visual skills training program on visual performance of cricket fielders
- Authors: Bonnesse, Matthew Gregory
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Cricket -- Training , Cricket players Cricket. Vision
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7733 , vital:23440
- Description: The primary aim of this study was to determine whether a cricket specific visual skills training program has an impact on the visual performance of cricket fielders. The specific visual skills included accommodation, visual memory, speed of recognition, peripheral awareness, hand-eye coordination and saccadic eye movement. The study was exploratory and true-experimental in nature and utilized a quantitative approach. The pretest-posttest randomized group design was used. A total number of 20 participants that met the inclusion criteria were included in the study by means of purposive sampling. The 20 participants were randomly assigned to control (n=10) and experimental (n=10) groups. The experimental group underwent six-weeks of visual skills training. The tests used consisted of the Accumulator, Evasion, Corner Stretch and Flash tests on the Batak Pro, Hand-eye-coordination test, Hart Near Far Rock Chart and a Saccadic eye movement chart. Differences between the pre- and post-test scores were all positive and statistically (p<0.05) and practically (d>0.2) significant for the experimental group for the following visual skills tests: Hart Chart (M=7.90±3.73), Saccadic Chart (M=17.50±9.58), Accumulator (M=19.60±5.13), Corner Stretch (M=10.50±9.56) and Flash (M=5.40±3.75). The Evasion test (M=17.50±25.67) also showed a positive but insignificant improvement from pre- to post-test for the experimental group. The control group did not show any statistically significant improvements from pre- to post-test except in the case of Hart Chart (M=3.00±2.16) and Accumulator (M=2.40±2.55). Overall the experimental group produced significantly larger (p<0.05, d>0.20) pre- to post-test mean differences than the control group for six of the seven tests implemented. The Ball Toss test which was one of three hand-eye coordination tests did not show any significant differences between experimental and control groups even though the experimental group produced larger improvements. The other two tests that assessed hand-eye coordination (Accumulator and Corner Stretch) did, however reflect significant improvements for the experimental group. The findings of this study therefore revealed that improvements in visual skill performance of cricket players can be achieved through specific training.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Bonnesse, Matthew Gregory
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Cricket -- Training , Cricket players Cricket. Vision
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7733 , vital:23440
- Description: The primary aim of this study was to determine whether a cricket specific visual skills training program has an impact on the visual performance of cricket fielders. The specific visual skills included accommodation, visual memory, speed of recognition, peripheral awareness, hand-eye coordination and saccadic eye movement. The study was exploratory and true-experimental in nature and utilized a quantitative approach. The pretest-posttest randomized group design was used. A total number of 20 participants that met the inclusion criteria were included in the study by means of purposive sampling. The 20 participants were randomly assigned to control (n=10) and experimental (n=10) groups. The experimental group underwent six-weeks of visual skills training. The tests used consisted of the Accumulator, Evasion, Corner Stretch and Flash tests on the Batak Pro, Hand-eye-coordination test, Hart Near Far Rock Chart and a Saccadic eye movement chart. Differences between the pre- and post-test scores were all positive and statistically (p<0.05) and practically (d>0.2) significant for the experimental group for the following visual skills tests: Hart Chart (M=7.90±3.73), Saccadic Chart (M=17.50±9.58), Accumulator (M=19.60±5.13), Corner Stretch (M=10.50±9.56) and Flash (M=5.40±3.75). The Evasion test (M=17.50±25.67) also showed a positive but insignificant improvement from pre- to post-test for the experimental group. The control group did not show any statistically significant improvements from pre- to post-test except in the case of Hart Chart (M=3.00±2.16) and Accumulator (M=2.40±2.55). Overall the experimental group produced significantly larger (p<0.05, d>0.20) pre- to post-test mean differences than the control group for six of the seven tests implemented. The Ball Toss test which was one of three hand-eye coordination tests did not show any significant differences between experimental and control groups even though the experimental group produced larger improvements. The other two tests that assessed hand-eye coordination (Accumulator and Corner Stretch) did, however reflect significant improvements for the experimental group. The findings of this study therefore revealed that improvements in visual skill performance of cricket players can be achieved through specific training.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016