Mindsets of change agents for development: a case study of the Sundays River Valley, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Bezuidenhout, Theo Gerhardus
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Social change , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Well-being , Economic development -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/64874 , vital:73937
- Description: Societal development in underdeveloped areas is a process of enhancing and improving the quality of life in communities, with a focus on meeting their social, economic, environmental, and political needs. Despite ideological efforts and growing interest in movements, mobilisations and communities promoting social change, little research has been done on the mindsets of change agents. Margaret Archer’s (1988), Morphogenetic Approach to social development has been used in this case as a theoretical framework emphasising that social change and development occur through interactions between individuals and their social environments. This approach focusses on the importance of feedback loops, where changes in the environment and the reactions of individuals to these changes both influence and are influenced by one another. Through reflective learning, semistructured interviews and document analysis, the dissertation explored research questions concerning different perspectives of change agents in the Sundays River Valley. The theories examined provide options of theoretical frameworks which can be used to assess and evaluate the work and role of change agents to participate in societal development. This is important in the Sundays River Valley context as, up to now, there has been no shortage or lack of development plans and policies for the area. Rather, what has been absent is the theoretical frameworks to provide the context and meaning for change agents to participate in societal development and occupy their role in the various development plans and policies. Collaborative development and participation acknowledge that solving complex social problems requires the efforts of multiple organisations, individuals, and generations. To enable societal development requires social trust and cooperation of multiple stakeholders, including government, community members, businesses, development agencies, non-governmental organisations and educational institutions. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism , 2024
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- Date Issued: 2024-04
Don’t let the little man live in your head for free: an interpretive phenomenological analysis of seafarers with reportedly high levels of well-being
- Authors: Brown, Lauren Natalie
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Seafaring life Psychological aspects , Sailors Mental health , Well-being , Phenomenology , Work environment
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/327653 , vital:61140 , DOI 10.21504/10962/327653
- Description: The mental health of seafarers has become a growing issue of concern and has attracted the attention of researchers in recent times. Seafarers are predominantly men, spend months at sea with little to no contact with loved ones ashore, and usually must reside in confined spaces that often contain substantial levels of noise and heat. The underlying causes of mental illness among seafarers are known. Some of the causes include sleep deprivation, occupational stress, marital/relationship problems, fatigue, the threat of piracy, psychosocial workload, loneliness, social isolation, separation from families, lack of shore leave, cultural issues, and job security. Despite these stressors, there are many men and women seafarers who flourish in the industry and enjoy their careers. Very little research has been conducted into the well-being practices of those seafarers who enjoy high levels of well-being. This study explores the lived experiences of a group of seafarers with reportedly high levels of psychological well-being, as well as their experiences of workplace stressors and mental health interventions offered by the industry. This study is an interpretive phenomenological analysis, which is epistemologically underpinned by phenomenology, hermeneutics and idiography. Results revealed four focus areas: general lived experiences across two worlds and how this relates to identity, what seafarers with reportedly high levels of psychological well-being experience as stressors, well-being practices of these seafarers and how these seafarers experience and make sense of mental health interventions they have come across. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 2022
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- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
Factors affecting the well-being of the science faculty academic employees at a public university in the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Maqungo, Akhona
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Employees -- Psychological aspects , Universities and colleges -- Employee , Well-being
- Language: English
- Type: Master'stheses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51852 , vital:43378
- Description: Academia is faced with several challenges apart from attracting and retaining a high calibre of academics. As the main driving force in universities, academic employees are confronted with challenges such as increased workloads, emotional and physical exhaustion, bullying, job insecurity, violent and disruptive protest actions, uncompetitive salary scales, and poor working conditions. These aspects threaten the attractiveness of the academic profession as well as the well-being of academic employees. The ever-changing academic work environment requires universities to comprehend the impact of workplace aspects on employee’s well-being. Understanding the work aspects that affect the well-being of academics could help universities create a conducive working environment that enables employees to flourish, be resilient, manage everyday life stresses, and subsequently improve the well-being of its most valuable resource. An empirical study consisting of an online survey was conducted to gather and analyse data among 113 science faculty academic employees at the public university. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between work aspects such as employee recognition, job insecurity, working conditions, protest actions, workplace health and safety and well-being. Furthermore, this study determined the well-being needs and challenges experienced by the academic employees. The key findings indicated a significant relationship between the selected workplace aspects and well-being. The need for workplace conflict resolution strategies, financial management skills, improved employment relations, handling abuse of authority and bullying were found to be significant in improving the employees’ well-being. Workplace safety, lack of employee recognition, work overload, lack of management support, sexual misconduct, work-life balance, racial tensions, and a disregard for employee well-being were identified as some of the challenges experienced by the academic employees at the public university. Recommendations were made to enhance the well-being of the academics and pro-actively address the well-being needs and challenges of the science faculty academic employees. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business Administration, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-04
Dance as a tool for emotional well-being
- Authors: Conchar, Lauren
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Dance therapy , Well-being , Happiness , Adolescent psychology , Dance -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Cape Flats , Dance -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Cape Flats , Dance -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Cape Flats -- Case studies , Community development, Urban -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Cape Flats -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5129 , vital:20779
- Description: Dance has numerous benefits for emotional well-being. For young people specifically it can serve as a prosocial activity where they can engage in a purposeful activity, in a safe space with consistent boundaries and discipline, while surrounded by peers, teachers and positive role models. Recreational spaces that allow young people to feel safe and express themselves is especially important in low socioeconomic areas where there are limited resources and exposure to heightened levels of crime as young people may be less likely to engage in negative behaviours when they have access to alternative, positive activities. This research aimed to explore the lived experiences of a group of young people who participate in dance classes at a community dance project in the Western Cape. The sample group consisted of four young people between the ages of 16 and 20. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants and the interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Three major themes emerged from the data, namely 1) My exposure to dance - The impact of context, 2) What motivates me to continue attending classes - The fulfilment of the three basic psychological needs, and 3) How does dance make me feel - The experience of emotional well-being through dance. The discussion of the findings yielded many similarities between the experiences of the participants and the relevant literature. Further, it appears that all four participants experience the satisfaction of the three basic psychological needs (competence, autonomy and relatedness) at the centre. This may serve as a motivator to continue attending classes as well as contribute to sustained eudaimonic wellbeing. Recommendations include further studies being conducted with groups of young people engaging in dance projects in different socioeconomic contexts and in different parts of South Africa. This could give us a more rounded understanding of how people young people experience dance class and how it contributes to emotional well-being. Further research could also be conducted with recreational projects that offer other activities in under-resourced areas in order to better inform the development of such recreational activities.
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- Date Issued: 2017
The influence of employees's perceptions of organisational ethics and perceived relative self-ethicality on their levels of organisational identification and overall well-being
- Authors: Breytenbach, Nadia
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Corporate culture , Well-being , Work ethic , Self-realization
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9411 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020072
- Description: This study investigated whether an employees’ perception of the ethical culture in the organisation and their perception of their own ethicality influenced their level of organisational identification and additionally, whether this relationship between perceived ethical culture and organisational identification had an influence on workplace wellbeing. The aim of this research study was to measure employees’ perceptions of organisational ethics, their relative self-ethicality, organisational identification, and wellbeing, in order to develop a model pertaining to the relationship between these three constructs. Research showed that employees’ perceptions of the ethical culture in their organisation can influence how they identify with that particular organisation. Research also indicated that the differences between perceived organisational ethicality and relative self-ethicality exist. Additionally, research showed the influence of perceived ethical culture and relative self-ethicality has indicated a relationship between organisational identification and wellbeing respectively. However, to date and to the researcher’s knowledge there has been no investigation of the relationship between these four constructs. This research study was quantitative in nature in which a questionnaire was utilised as a research method. A sample of 111 respondent from three organisations in the automation industry in the Eastern Cape, Port Elizabeth was utilised for this research study. The main findings indicated that an alternative model resulted to be a good fit through structural equation modelling. The results illustrated that organisational ethicality has an influence on how employees identify with their organisations and how this relationship influences wellbeing. Therefore, it is worthwhile to invest in an ethical organisational culture for the sustainability of the organisation and its employees’ livelihoods. This study contributes to the literature based on perceived ethical culture, organisational identification, and workplace wellbeing. Additionally, the study provides readers with a model on how these concepts influence each other.
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- Date Issued: 2014
The influence of the human-companionate dog bond on psychological well-being
- Authors: Holm, Robyn Janet
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Well-being , Fellowship , Human-animal relationships
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9971 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020978
- Description: Many individuals across the world own dogs for a variety of reasons. For some individuals, dogs can be viewed as providing the most important relationship in their lives. Others may own dogs for protection, companionship, and even health benefits. Some families across the world view their dogs as family members and a vital aspect of the family unit. This study explored the perceived bond between a human and a dog and how this bond influenced the human‟s psychological well-being. Although studies have been conducted on the human-companionate dog bond, empirical research on the perceptions of the bond between a dog and a human and the influence it has on an individual‟s psychological well-being, falls short. Studies on the human-companionate bond have been on the rise internationally, yet studies in this field in the South African context are scarce. This study contributes to psychology‟s broad body of knowledge regarding the human-companionate dog bond and identifies the important influences the bond has on human psychological well-being. The researcher utilized a qualitative research approach. A non-probability purposive sample was employed and semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven participants. Two participants were male and five were female. All participants had developed a bond with their dog and were able to speak English fluently. Interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached. Results demonstrate that having a human-companionate dog bond can enhance an individual's psychological well-being. Themes identified demonstrate that a human-companionate dog bond can enhance physical health, relational well-being, and mental health. This bond also fulfils specific individual needs which enhance psychological well-being. Limitations of the study and recommendations for further research are identified.
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- Date Issued: 2014
Work/family conflict across various life and career stages
- Authors: Bostock, Natalie Jean
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Work and family , Work environment , Well-being
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9413 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020157
- Description: This study examines Work Family Conflict including Work Interferes with Family (WIF) conflict, Family Interferes with Work (FIW) conflict, role overload, role interference and the impact of children across various life and career stages. Much of the research in this area focuses on the differences in the way the genders experience Work Family Conflict. Research has shown that various life and career stages can have a marked impact on this type of conflict and this study aims to determine how individuals in the various life and career stages experience this conflict. A correlational research design was used for this study. Using a five point likert scale, participants were asked to score their responses to seventeen items. The instrument was based on Duxbury and Mills Measure of Work Family Conflict (1990) (in Handbook of Quality-of-Life Research: An Ethical Perspective by Sirgy, 2001) with the inclusion of two additional items due to their high face validity. The questionnaire was distributed to human resources managers in organisations, friends, family members and colleagues and friends, family members and colleagues of theirs. Most of the responses were scored using a pencil and paper technique and the remainder was distributed using a Surveymonkey application on social media platforms like Facebook and Linkedin. The overall sample size of respondents was 175. The raw data was entered on an excel spreadsheet and analysed using Statistica version 12 and Microsoft Excel applications with VBA macros developed by a consultant for the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Unit for Statistical Consultation. . Statistics such as means, Cronbach alpha’s, relationships between factors, descriptive statistics, MANOVA and Chi-squared tests were used to analyse the data. The results of this study demonstrate the need for organisations to take heed of the various challenges that individuals face in both the workplace and home environment and the different ways in which these are experienced across various life and career stages. This will enable them to design specific interventions to mitigate the effects of Work Family Conflict and improve employee’s level of performance.
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- Date Issued: 2014
Exploring the influence of spirituality on students' well-being
- Authors: Magula, Nokuzola Princess
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Sprituality , Well-being , Students , Christians , Rhodes University , College students -- Religious life -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Christian college students -- Religious life -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Universities and colleges -- Religion -- Research , Well-being -- Religious aspects , Spirituality -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2918 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002083
- Description: This study was aimed at exploring the impact of spirituality on the well-being of students at Rhodes University in South Africa. The study was conducted within a qualitative research paradigm deploying an interpretive phenomenological analysis strategy for data analysis. The study involved a sample of four female Honours students who were all active Christians. The selected students were interviewed to elicit their experiences of spirituality and how this related to their everyday lives. The study used semi-structured interviews in order to get as much information as possible from the small sample of research participants. Data generated in this study was processed, presented and interpreted inductively and hermeneutically in order to identify emerging superordinate themes. This study found that spirituality was experienced as having a positive impact on well-being by all the four students. The study revealed that belief and faith in God amongst the students resulted in enhanced and positive experiences of hope, optimism and compassion which provided the students with a deeper sense of meaning of life and a source of direction in difficult times. The study further showed that participants experienced spirituality as a regulatory mechanism shaping their lifestyles and behaviours. Participants viewed their spirituality and religiosity as a source of social support helping them to cope with distressful situations. The findings of this study are consistent with the findings of previous studies done in the field of psychology and spirituality. The fact that this study has shown that spirituality and religion has a positive impact on student’s well-being may mean that University administrators and psychologists may find the study interesting and valuable
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- Date Issued: 2013
The redemptive life story of Glenda Watson-Kahlenberg: a psychobiography
- Authors: Connelly, Ruth Ellen
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Watson-Kahlenberg, Glenda -- Psychology , Redemption , Meaning (Psychology) , Well-being , Forgiveness
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9956 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019690
- Description: This psychobiography is focused on the life of Glenda Watson-Kahlenberg, whose life history epitomises the redemptive theme of triumph over tragedy. A phenomenological approach to the study allowed the researcher to observe the participant‟s lived experience through the theoretical lens of Frankl‟s conceptualization of a meaningful and full existence. A holistic perspective of factors contributing to redemption was accommodated by the Biopsychosocial-spiritual Model. The aim of this longitudinal revelatory study was to illuminate the process of redemption in a life, which leads to restoration and wholeness. This study breaks with traditional psychobiography – in that a life in progress has been selected; and personality development is not the key focus. This psychobiographical undertaking was anchored in qualitative research in the form of a single case study. Four types of triangulation were utilized, namely: data, investigators, theory and methodological triangulation. In addition, Alexander‟s identifiers of saliency, Miles and Huberman‟s data-management guidelines, Schultz‟s prototypical scenes, and Guba‟s criteria for trustworthiness, guided the methodology to ensure reliable data extraction and interpretation. The present researcher was in search of a deeper understanding of the enabling factors facilitating a restorative process in a life that was challenged by setbacks. Given the increasing pressures facing individuals in this modern era, the redemptive theme holds particular relevance, and was graphically demonstrated in the life of the participant who experienced trauma, widowhood, divorce, single parenthood, and a spate of medical and psychological setbacks. The findings suggest that the mental health clinician‟s utilisation of Frankl‟s conceptualisation of meaning in the most challenging circumstances, proffers itself as an all-purpose life-tool which enables individuals to overcome their challenges. The study demonstrated that gaining meaning in life is inextricably tied to an implicit legacy-oriented worldview. Of significance, is the role of forgiveness which emerged as the central redemptive catalyst. In this study, the resolution of past hurts through forgiveness, and the search for meaning, merge, forming an arterial theme in the life story of the participant. The dual impact of these factors not only reversed contaminated life-scripts, it also birthed a new calling in life which set the participant on a generative life course. The findings related to a redemptive life not only confirms existing theory, but also adds perspectives not previously considered. In addition, the findings related to the role of forgiveness has positive implications for the individual‟s physical and psychological wellbeing. Greater intentionality on the part of therapists to thread forgiveness into their practice, remains invitational in the light of the eugraphic impact demonstrated in this study.
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- Date Issued: 2013
The relationship between work place well-being, psychological capital and work place trust
- Authors: Schoeman, Johannes Dames
- Subjects: Well-being , Trust , Work -- Psychological aspects , Job satisfaction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9406 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013044
- Description: A study of the available literature on Workplace Well-being, Positive Organisational Capital and Workplace Trust revealed that enormous potential existed for further research. This is a relatively new field with limited literature and research evidence available. It became very clear from the beginning that the relationships between these constructs could successfully be researched. It was therefore decided to embark on an academic research journey in order to contribute to the existing knowledge available on these constructs within the South African business scenario. This quantitative research was used to obtain more clarity about the relationships between the three constructs and to gather the responses from the research population. This research group consisted of 228 managers from the manufacturing operation of a motor vehicle production company and 224 managers from their National Dealership network. The research sample consisted of 452 managers. Three questionnaires were integrated to develop the composite Workplace Wellbeing Questionnaire and consisted of i) Workplace Well-being questionnaire developed by Parker and Hyett (2011), ii) PSYCAP Questionnaire developed by Luthans, Youssef and Avolio (2007), and iii) Workplace Trust Survey developed by Ferres (2001). The managers (n = 452) responded to a 91–item electronic questionnaire. Seven research questions were formulated and covered areas such as: The content, validity and portability of the measuring instruments; The configuration of the various constructs; Relationships between some of the variables; The effect of demographical data on the research variables and; The building of a research model. The content and the structure of the measuring instruments were assessed by means of Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Exploratory Factor Analyses (EFA). These assessments showed that the original measuring instruments are not portable to a culture which is different to the one where they were originally developed. The relationships between the variables were determined by: Pearson product moment correlation; Multiple Regression co-efficient; ANOVA and Cohen’s d Test. The relationship between aspects of Workplace Well-being (Job satisfaction) and trust is a significant finding; so are some aspects of PSYCAP (sense of achievement and optimism) and Trust and Well-being. Trust has shown a definite relationship with Work- place well-being. A structural equation model was built to test the relationships between the elements of Workplace Well-being, PSYCAP and Workplace Trust. No satisfactory fit of the model on the data was obtained, although strong correlations between some of the variables existed. The significance of the findings of this study and the contribution that it makes to the existing theory is seen in the importance of the portability of measuring instruments. Recommendations in this regard have been made in Chapter 5. Various findings have also highlighted the relationships between Workplace Well-being, PSYCAP and Work-place Trust. The importance of future research topics has been recommended and a proposal has been made to consider a longitudinal well-being research study.
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