Overcoming the effects of physical and emotional abuse through personal leadership development
- Authors: Abrahams, Tanya
- Date: 2012-11-18
- Subjects: Abused women - Rehabilitation , Abused women - Counseling of , Resilience (Personality trait) , Women abuse , Interpersonal conflict
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:7401 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8211
- Description: M.Phil. , The aim of this study was to explore how women overcome the effects of physical and emotional abuse through personal leadership. The research has been conceptualised by the researcher‟s knowledge of the Personal, Interpersonal and Professional (PiPL) Leadership framework. The researcher researched how women overcome the effects of physical and emotional abuse from a personal perspective, as well as using individual experiences to explore how women cope with these challenges. The study was motivated by the researcher‟s experience of abuse. A decision was made to subject her own as well as another woman‟s experiences to scholarly study. This process served as a catalyst in dealing with a few unresolved challenges in her life. The study concludes that overcoming the effects of physical and emotional abuse is a burdensome journey that constantly needs work and that one can never claim to have truly mastered. From the core research problem the research question was formulated as follows: How do women overcome the physical and emotional affects of abuse through personal leadership? From the above research question, the following two aims of the study were formulised: To explore, describe and reach an understanding of how two women have coped with the effects of physical and emotional abuse through personal leadership development. To add to existing knowledge by applying the PiPL framework and other theoretical concepts to the two women‟s authentic experiences. The study follows autoethnography as a research approach. Anderson (2006) suggests the term analytic autoethnography involving research in which the vi researcher is: (i) A full member in the research setting; (ii) Visible in such texts; (iii) Committed to develop theoretical understanding of broader social phenomena; (iv) Analytic reflexivity; and (iv) Dialogue with informants beyond the self. Anderson (2006) believes that insights gained from the lived experiences of the researcher must be applied analytically, in other words, it should contribute to some way to existing theory. This study adheres to Anderson‟s commitment to an analytic agenda. Ontologically, the study‟s position is that of constructivism. Furthermore, the epistemological stance in the study can be summarised as follows: knowledge about women overcoming the effects of abuse is generated by revealing the meaning such women attach to their experiences and the researcher‟s interpretation of it is not definitive. This statement makes claim to both interpretivism and constructivism. This study shares the journey towards recovery, connection and choices. It concerns the researcher; a woman, wife and mother, who was negatively impacted by abuse. It is validated by a significant other who shares this experience with the researcher. Lastly, it includes another woman‟s lived experiences of abuse. It is a story towards finding closure, healing and meaning. Keywords: Women abuse, resilience, overcoming the effects of physical and emotional abuse, leadership, analytical autoethnography, Smith‟s (2009) Quality of Leadership, Personal, Interpersonal and Professional Leadership (PiPL), qualitative research.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Abrahams, Tanya
- Date: 2012-11-18
- Subjects: Abused women - Rehabilitation , Abused women - Counseling of , Resilience (Personality trait) , Women abuse , Interpersonal conflict
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:7401 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8211
- Description: M.Phil. , The aim of this study was to explore how women overcome the effects of physical and emotional abuse through personal leadership. The research has been conceptualised by the researcher‟s knowledge of the Personal, Interpersonal and Professional (PiPL) Leadership framework. The researcher researched how women overcome the effects of physical and emotional abuse from a personal perspective, as well as using individual experiences to explore how women cope with these challenges. The study was motivated by the researcher‟s experience of abuse. A decision was made to subject her own as well as another woman‟s experiences to scholarly study. This process served as a catalyst in dealing with a few unresolved challenges in her life. The study concludes that overcoming the effects of physical and emotional abuse is a burdensome journey that constantly needs work and that one can never claim to have truly mastered. From the core research problem the research question was formulated as follows: How do women overcome the physical and emotional affects of abuse through personal leadership? From the above research question, the following two aims of the study were formulised: To explore, describe and reach an understanding of how two women have coped with the effects of physical and emotional abuse through personal leadership development. To add to existing knowledge by applying the PiPL framework and other theoretical concepts to the two women‟s authentic experiences. The study follows autoethnography as a research approach. Anderson (2006) suggests the term analytic autoethnography involving research in which the vi researcher is: (i) A full member in the research setting; (ii) Visible in such texts; (iii) Committed to develop theoretical understanding of broader social phenomena; (iv) Analytic reflexivity; and (iv) Dialogue with informants beyond the self. Anderson (2006) believes that insights gained from the lived experiences of the researcher must be applied analytically, in other words, it should contribute to some way to existing theory. This study adheres to Anderson‟s commitment to an analytic agenda. Ontologically, the study‟s position is that of constructivism. Furthermore, the epistemological stance in the study can be summarised as follows: knowledge about women overcoming the effects of abuse is generated by revealing the meaning such women attach to their experiences and the researcher‟s interpretation of it is not definitive. This statement makes claim to both interpretivism and constructivism. This study shares the journey towards recovery, connection and choices. It concerns the researcher; a woman, wife and mother, who was negatively impacted by abuse. It is validated by a significant other who shares this experience with the researcher. Lastly, it includes another woman‟s lived experiences of abuse. It is a story towards finding closure, healing and meaning. Keywords: Women abuse, resilience, overcoming the effects of physical and emotional abuse, leadership, analytical autoethnography, Smith‟s (2009) Quality of Leadership, Personal, Interpersonal and Professional Leadership (PiPL), qualitative research.
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The impact of the spiritual life dimension on personal resilience
- Authors: Ackermann, Riëtte
- Date: 2013-07-10
- Subjects: Spiritual life , Resilience (Personality trait)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7597 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8463
- Description: M.A. (Industrial Psychology) , The aim of the research is to explore the impact of the spiritual life dimension on individuals’ personal resilience through the analysis of narratives. The complexity of the global world of business requires individuals to be resilient in order to survive and thrive. Through focusing on spirituality, the study highlights possible tools and techniques that may assist individuals in developing personal resilience. A literature review was conducted in order to describe resilience as recognised in the literature and to define the concept ‘spirituality’. The research method was qualitative in order to allow for depth of understanding and more specifically, a narrative approach provided data in the form of meaningful stories. Purposive sampling was used based on certain criteria with the intention of selecting cases that were best suited to achieve the research objectives. The sample of four professional individuals was small to meet the requirements of in-depth interviews and narrative data analysis. The data collection process explored individuals’ subjective understanding of spirituality and their subjective description of the impact of their spirituality on their resilience. The findings show that purpose and meaning and religion are the main themes used to define spirituality. Common spiritual practices include: prayer, reflection, meditation/contemplation, visualisation, attending church, and following a spiritual routine. These practices result in positivity for the participants in this study. Setbacks and change surfaced as the main examples of situations requiring resilience.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ackermann, Riëtte
- Date: 2013-07-10
- Subjects: Spiritual life , Resilience (Personality trait)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7597 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8463
- Description: M.A. (Industrial Psychology) , The aim of the research is to explore the impact of the spiritual life dimension on individuals’ personal resilience through the analysis of narratives. The complexity of the global world of business requires individuals to be resilient in order to survive and thrive. Through focusing on spirituality, the study highlights possible tools and techniques that may assist individuals in developing personal resilience. A literature review was conducted in order to describe resilience as recognised in the literature and to define the concept ‘spirituality’. The research method was qualitative in order to allow for depth of understanding and more specifically, a narrative approach provided data in the form of meaningful stories. Purposive sampling was used based on certain criteria with the intention of selecting cases that were best suited to achieve the research objectives. The sample of four professional individuals was small to meet the requirements of in-depth interviews and narrative data analysis. The data collection process explored individuals’ subjective understanding of spirituality and their subjective description of the impact of their spirituality on their resilience. The findings show that purpose and meaning and religion are the main themes used to define spirituality. Common spiritual practices include: prayer, reflection, meditation/contemplation, visualisation, attending church, and following a spiritual routine. These practices result in positivity for the participants in this study. Setbacks and change surfaced as the main examples of situations requiring resilience.
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The role of secure attachment in promoting resilience among orphans
- Authors: Agu, Jennifer Chioma
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Child psychology , Orphans - Psychology , Resilience (Personality trait)
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/401901 , uj:33610
- Description: Abstract : Background: A number of children in South Africa grow up without one or both biological parents. The resilience of these children is threatened since they are exposed to many risks that interfere with their development. In other words, parental mortality limits the resources and capacities of families to create environments that enable children to develop well. Little is known about the processes that enable these orphaned children to cope resiliently. Aims: The major aim of this study was to establish the role which secure attachment plays in promoting resilience among orphan children (n=20; 8 black males and 12 black females). The sampling procedure used was a non-probability sampling called purposive sampling. In this type of sampling only elements that are relevant to the research purpose are included in the sample. Method: Three data collection methods were used. First, individual interviews were used to collect verbal data from the orphaned children. Secondly, focus group interviews were utilised to elicit more data from orphaned children who did not participate in the individual interviews. The individual interviews and focus group interviews were coded and grouped. Finally, the drawandwrite technique was used to collect more data. The participants were asked to make drawings of what enabled them to cope resiliently and to write short narratives explaining their drawings. The drawings were grouped according to major themes. Data Analysis: A content analysis of the drawings and narratives was also conducted. Three major themes emerged from the data, namely, spirituality, religion and faith; connection to others ( caregiver, social worker, peers, family members, pastors and teachers) and individual strengths (having a sense of humour, perseverance, having a sense of independence, having future hopes and dreams. These findings have implications for theory and practice. It is important to incorporate programmes into school curricula to provide these children with strategies and skills to deal with adversity. Also, clear policies at all iv levels of education be part in place in order to guide the teachers in South Africa by providing adequate support to the orphans. , M.Ed. (Educational Psychology)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Agu, Jennifer Chioma
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Child psychology , Orphans - Psychology , Resilience (Personality trait)
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/401901 , uj:33610
- Description: Abstract : Background: A number of children in South Africa grow up without one or both biological parents. The resilience of these children is threatened since they are exposed to many risks that interfere with their development. In other words, parental mortality limits the resources and capacities of families to create environments that enable children to develop well. Little is known about the processes that enable these orphaned children to cope resiliently. Aims: The major aim of this study was to establish the role which secure attachment plays in promoting resilience among orphan children (n=20; 8 black males and 12 black females). The sampling procedure used was a non-probability sampling called purposive sampling. In this type of sampling only elements that are relevant to the research purpose are included in the sample. Method: Three data collection methods were used. First, individual interviews were used to collect verbal data from the orphaned children. Secondly, focus group interviews were utilised to elicit more data from orphaned children who did not participate in the individual interviews. The individual interviews and focus group interviews were coded and grouped. Finally, the drawandwrite technique was used to collect more data. The participants were asked to make drawings of what enabled them to cope resiliently and to write short narratives explaining their drawings. The drawings were grouped according to major themes. Data Analysis: A content analysis of the drawings and narratives was also conducted. Three major themes emerged from the data, namely, spirituality, religion and faith; connection to others ( caregiver, social worker, peers, family members, pastors and teachers) and individual strengths (having a sense of humour, perseverance, having a sense of independence, having future hopes and dreams. These findings have implications for theory and practice. It is important to incorporate programmes into school curricula to provide these children with strategies and skills to deal with adversity. Also, clear policies at all iv levels of education be part in place in order to guide the teachers in South Africa by providing adequate support to the orphans. , M.Ed. (Educational Psychology)
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The resilience-process of young adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Authors: Bestbier, Alicia
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder , Resilience (Personality trait)
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/401914 , uj:33612
- Description: Abstract : After consulting multiple studies on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and resilience, the following identifications were made: the need to conduct research around the process involved in developing the promotive and protective aspects of becoming resilient; the need to conduct research that elicits the underlying processes and contributing resilient factors; as well as the need to conduct studies that focus on the academic successes and quality of life of individuals diagnosed with ADHD. An additional need was identified to describe the outcomes of resilience and the factors that contribute to it. Considering the above, it became clear that there was a need to understand the resilience-process of young adults diagnosed with ADHD. Given the identified aspects highlighted above, this research study focused on investigating and discussing the resilience-process of young adults with ADHD and exploring what drove their success. This study also aimed to provide a holistic view and understanding of the resilience-process, identifying the unique promotive and protective aspects involved and assisting professionals supporting individuals diagnosed with ADHD and facing adversities in life. This research was led by a qualitative approach as the research interest was placed on the process young adults with ADHD went through to become resilient, as well as on exploring the underlying motivation behind their successes, despite having to face adversities in life. In order to understand the subjective experiences of these young adults diagnosed with ADHD, an interpretive paradigm was followed. The research design that was followed was a descriptive phenomenology, as it is described as exploring, analysing and describing a certain phenomenon in a direct way, in order to portray the deepness of these lived experiences. Purposive sampling was utilised, as it is constructed to understand selected participants’ experiences. The sampling size was set on three to five participants, however three was efficient for this study. Data was collected by means of participants completing a basic questionnaire that was utilised to screen whether participants met the research criteria; they also completed the Adult Resilience Measure (ARM-28) which was utilised to guide the in-depth interview process, as well as to triangulate the information obtained from the interview; and thereafter the in-depth face-to-face interview took place. Another way that data was collected, was by means of observations made during the interviewing process. 4 The data analysis process of this research was guided by thematic analysis as this framework is focussed on gathering general themes from all the information obtained through the collection process and to form a discussion around them, in order to answer the research question. From the data analysis process, the following themes were identified: the process of resilience is quite challenging; internal motivation and will power constitute a great part of resilience; support from the micro-system contributes to the construction of resilience; and advice and recommendations to those diagnosed and to professionals working with ADHD. It is recommended that future research should focus on how to strengthen internal and external promotive and protective factors, as well as focus on how therapeutic interventions and support can be adapted in order to accommodate individuals with ADHD much better and to make a positive contribution to their resilience process. , M.Ed. (Educational Psychology)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bestbier, Alicia
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder , Resilience (Personality trait)
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/401914 , uj:33612
- Description: Abstract : After consulting multiple studies on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and resilience, the following identifications were made: the need to conduct research around the process involved in developing the promotive and protective aspects of becoming resilient; the need to conduct research that elicits the underlying processes and contributing resilient factors; as well as the need to conduct studies that focus on the academic successes and quality of life of individuals diagnosed with ADHD. An additional need was identified to describe the outcomes of resilience and the factors that contribute to it. Considering the above, it became clear that there was a need to understand the resilience-process of young adults diagnosed with ADHD. Given the identified aspects highlighted above, this research study focused on investigating and discussing the resilience-process of young adults with ADHD and exploring what drove their success. This study also aimed to provide a holistic view and understanding of the resilience-process, identifying the unique promotive and protective aspects involved and assisting professionals supporting individuals diagnosed with ADHD and facing adversities in life. This research was led by a qualitative approach as the research interest was placed on the process young adults with ADHD went through to become resilient, as well as on exploring the underlying motivation behind their successes, despite having to face adversities in life. In order to understand the subjective experiences of these young adults diagnosed with ADHD, an interpretive paradigm was followed. The research design that was followed was a descriptive phenomenology, as it is described as exploring, analysing and describing a certain phenomenon in a direct way, in order to portray the deepness of these lived experiences. Purposive sampling was utilised, as it is constructed to understand selected participants’ experiences. The sampling size was set on three to five participants, however three was efficient for this study. Data was collected by means of participants completing a basic questionnaire that was utilised to screen whether participants met the research criteria; they also completed the Adult Resilience Measure (ARM-28) which was utilised to guide the in-depth interview process, as well as to triangulate the information obtained from the interview; and thereafter the in-depth face-to-face interview took place. Another way that data was collected, was by means of observations made during the interviewing process. 4 The data analysis process of this research was guided by thematic analysis as this framework is focussed on gathering general themes from all the information obtained through the collection process and to form a discussion around them, in order to answer the research question. From the data analysis process, the following themes were identified: the process of resilience is quite challenging; internal motivation and will power constitute a great part of resilience; support from the micro-system contributes to the construction of resilience; and advice and recommendations to those diagnosed and to professionals working with ADHD. It is recommended that future research should focus on how to strengthen internal and external promotive and protective factors, as well as focus on how therapeutic interventions and support can be adapted in order to accommodate individuals with ADHD much better and to make a positive contribution to their resilience process. , M.Ed. (Educational Psychology)
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Fostering resilience in primary educators: resilient women and their ability to endure, recover and grow through trauma
- Authors: Clarke, Norah
- Date: 2011-06-22T10:35:10Z
- Subjects: Traumatic neuroses , Women psychology , Drama in education , Resilience (Personality trait) , Counseling of post-traumatic stress disorder patients
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7100 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3695
- Description: D. Ed. , Trauma can be described as the emotional shock response to a physical or emotional injury that is overwhelming and has a lasting effect on a person. Based on this definition, trauma can be considered an integral part of life in South Africa. The consequences and effects of trauma are severe, both on individual and society levels. Nobody escapes the effects of trauma, but women and children are particularly vulnerable. Unfortunately the vast majority of South Africans have little or no access to mental health services. Some people, however, seem to be resilient in response to trauma and hardship. Although various definitions of resilience can be found in the literature, resilience is defined in this thesis as the ability and characteristics that enable a person to endure, recover from, and be strengthened to grow personally, regardless of exposure to traumatic life events. Women are generally the primary educators of children in the South African society, whether it be their own children, grandchildren or others. If South African women were equipped with skills that could enable them to deal more effectively with trauma, they would – as primary educators – naturally transfer their skills and knowledge to the children in their care. There exists a need for preventative interventions that may equip women to cope effectively with trauma. Certain educational interventions may provide avenues through which this may be achieved. Educational drama is one such avenue through which women of diverse educational, socio-economical, and cultural backgrounds may be reached in a comprehensible, accessible and non-discriminatory way. In this study a number of issues pertaining to the prevalence of resilience in South African women have been explored and described. The purpose of this study was to create an interactive educational play aimed at facilitating mental health in women exposed to traumatic life events.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Clarke, Norah
- Date: 2011-06-22T10:35:10Z
- Subjects: Traumatic neuroses , Women psychology , Drama in education , Resilience (Personality trait) , Counseling of post-traumatic stress disorder patients
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7100 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3695
- Description: D. Ed. , Trauma can be described as the emotional shock response to a physical or emotional injury that is overwhelming and has a lasting effect on a person. Based on this definition, trauma can be considered an integral part of life in South Africa. The consequences and effects of trauma are severe, both on individual and society levels. Nobody escapes the effects of trauma, but women and children are particularly vulnerable. Unfortunately the vast majority of South Africans have little or no access to mental health services. Some people, however, seem to be resilient in response to trauma and hardship. Although various definitions of resilience can be found in the literature, resilience is defined in this thesis as the ability and characteristics that enable a person to endure, recover from, and be strengthened to grow personally, regardless of exposure to traumatic life events. Women are generally the primary educators of children in the South African society, whether it be their own children, grandchildren or others. If South African women were equipped with skills that could enable them to deal more effectively with trauma, they would – as primary educators – naturally transfer their skills and knowledge to the children in their care. There exists a need for preventative interventions that may equip women to cope effectively with trauma. Certain educational interventions may provide avenues through which this may be achieved. Educational drama is one such avenue through which women of diverse educational, socio-economical, and cultural backgrounds may be reached in a comprehensible, accessible and non-discriminatory way. In this study a number of issues pertaining to the prevalence of resilience in South African women have been explored and described. The purpose of this study was to create an interactive educational play aimed at facilitating mental health in women exposed to traumatic life events.
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A study of resilience : a personal and professional leadership perspective
- Authors: De Beer, Anneke
- Date: 2012-09-06
- Subjects: Resilience (Personality trait)
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:9682 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7096
- Description: M.Phil. , On a daily basis, everyone is confronted with challenges and setbacks that force them to take a stand. People experience these challenges and setbacks differently. While some flourish in the midst of setbacks, others fall flat and become victims of their circumstances. Resilience determines how well people bounce back from setbacks and difficulties. In the light of this problem, the general objective of this study is to determine what enables people to bounce back from setbacks and difficulties in their personal and professional lives. In order to realise this objective, the following specific questions are set for the study: What is resilience? What are the different contexts in which resilience can be perceived? How do people perceive setbacks and difficulties and what are their perceptions and selfinsight regarding their own reactions to these experiences? Which human qualities and other factors allow people to bounce back in times of setbacks and difficulties? What are the implications for and the potential contribution of Personal and Professional Leadership (PPL) regarding resilience? This study has been conducted through a PPL perspective which is based on the assumption that human beings have an ongoing commitment to growth and development, through selfknowledge and self-awareness, finding a purpose, realising one's full potential, adding value to other people's lives and professional competence in terms of organisational efficiency and effectiveness. Within the context of this study, the aim of PPL is to sensitise and empower individuals to exercise their freedom of choice. In endeavouring to address the research problem, the researcher subsequently decided to make use of a qualitative research design involving a hermeneutic phenomenological research strategy supported by a descriptive research approach. The researcher conducted a word and concept analysis, an extensive literature study as well as individual interviews (focused on adult individuals) in order to meet the research objective. The main findings realising the research objective can be described as follows: From a PPL perspective, the concept resilience implies the ability to bounce back from life's difficulties and continue along the path of growth, self-actualisation and self-transcendence. It has also been established that resilience can be perceived in different contexts, including: challenging experiences, developmental transition, individual adversity, collective adversity, organisational change and socio-political change. It was also found that although the respondents worked through different phases in the change process, their final reaction was to choose to become victors, not victims and to thrive despite their circumstances. Their insight and self-knowledge gained through setbacks and difficulties helped them to become more resilient. Reflecting on the human qualities and other factors of resilience as identified in the literature study and the empirical findings, it seems evident that a central theme of these factors is the notion of choice. PPL contributes to resilience by means of facilitation and counselling solutions in areassuch as adaptability, assertiveness, attitude towards life, internal locus of control, positive social orientation, purpose in life, realisation of potential and the development of a strong inner self. The main conclusions that can be deduced from the above findings can subsequently be summarised as follows: A personal choice to self-actualise regardless of circumstances underlies the interacting web of human qualities and other factors in resilient individuals. The human qualities of the resilient individual thus play a role in contributing to the ability to keep the individual on the path of growth, self-actualisation and self-transcendence, regardless of the circumstances. The PPL Practitioner can assist individuals to develop skills on an ongoing basis in order to cope in times of setbacks and difficulties.
- Full Text:
- Authors: De Beer, Anneke
- Date: 2012-09-06
- Subjects: Resilience (Personality trait)
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:9682 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7096
- Description: M.Phil. , On a daily basis, everyone is confronted with challenges and setbacks that force them to take a stand. People experience these challenges and setbacks differently. While some flourish in the midst of setbacks, others fall flat and become victims of their circumstances. Resilience determines how well people bounce back from setbacks and difficulties. In the light of this problem, the general objective of this study is to determine what enables people to bounce back from setbacks and difficulties in their personal and professional lives. In order to realise this objective, the following specific questions are set for the study: What is resilience? What are the different contexts in which resilience can be perceived? How do people perceive setbacks and difficulties and what are their perceptions and selfinsight regarding their own reactions to these experiences? Which human qualities and other factors allow people to bounce back in times of setbacks and difficulties? What are the implications for and the potential contribution of Personal and Professional Leadership (PPL) regarding resilience? This study has been conducted through a PPL perspective which is based on the assumption that human beings have an ongoing commitment to growth and development, through selfknowledge and self-awareness, finding a purpose, realising one's full potential, adding value to other people's lives and professional competence in terms of organisational efficiency and effectiveness. Within the context of this study, the aim of PPL is to sensitise and empower individuals to exercise their freedom of choice. In endeavouring to address the research problem, the researcher subsequently decided to make use of a qualitative research design involving a hermeneutic phenomenological research strategy supported by a descriptive research approach. The researcher conducted a word and concept analysis, an extensive literature study as well as individual interviews (focused on adult individuals) in order to meet the research objective. The main findings realising the research objective can be described as follows: From a PPL perspective, the concept resilience implies the ability to bounce back from life's difficulties and continue along the path of growth, self-actualisation and self-transcendence. It has also been established that resilience can be perceived in different contexts, including: challenging experiences, developmental transition, individual adversity, collective adversity, organisational change and socio-political change. It was also found that although the respondents worked through different phases in the change process, their final reaction was to choose to become victors, not victims and to thrive despite their circumstances. Their insight and self-knowledge gained through setbacks and difficulties helped them to become more resilient. Reflecting on the human qualities and other factors of resilience as identified in the literature study and the empirical findings, it seems evident that a central theme of these factors is the notion of choice. PPL contributes to resilience by means of facilitation and counselling solutions in areassuch as adaptability, assertiveness, attitude towards life, internal locus of control, positive social orientation, purpose in life, realisation of potential and the development of a strong inner self. The main conclusions that can be deduced from the above findings can subsequently be summarised as follows: A personal choice to self-actualise regardless of circumstances underlies the interacting web of human qualities and other factors in resilient individuals. The human qualities of the resilient individual thus play a role in contributing to the ability to keep the individual on the path of growth, self-actualisation and self-transcendence, regardless of the circumstances. The PPL Practitioner can assist individuals to develop skills on an ongoing basis in order to cope in times of setbacks and difficulties.
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Manifestation of interactional resilience among adults who experienced traumatic spinal cord injury
- Authors: Holman, Drew
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Spinal cord - Wounds and injuries , Resilience (Personality trait)
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/484777 , uj:44042
- Description: Abstract: This research aimed at understanding the interactional processes people with a traumatic spinal cord injury utilise to sustain a better-than-expected outcome. The research was conducted with five participants, all of whom had experienced rehabilitation and had sustained a level of functional independence. The research explored the common resilience enablers the participants utilised in the personal, relational, environmental, and spiritual realm on their journey towards adaptation. The researcher focused on identifying the interactional processes that allowed the participants to leverage a better-than-expected outcome. The findings indicate that the interactional processes utilised were, investing in connection, steering my support ship, being open and empowering myself. Investing in connection refers to the participants’ ability to nurture important relationships around them. It was through these connections that the participants were able to seek reliable and consistent sources of support. Steering my support ship was a process that the participants utilised to ensure that they could guide their own support system, to render the support that was beneficial, and the knowledge of who to go to when one sought specific kinds of support. Being open was an interactional processes that the participants utilised when taking opportunities and empowering myself was the mental, emotional journey the participants reached. The findings showed that this final process allowed them to leverage the other interactional processes more successfully. The research has enhanced the understanding of these interactional processes and will inform social work intervention early in the rehabilitation process. This study followed a qualitative research design, informed by grounded theory procedures. The population for the research was obtained by using purposive, non-probability sampling techniques. Data was gathered by conducting two semi-structured interviews with each participant. The data was analysed thematically, and pseudonyms were utilised to enhance confidentiality. , M.A. (Clinical Social Work)
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- Authors: Holman, Drew
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Spinal cord - Wounds and injuries , Resilience (Personality trait)
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/484777 , uj:44042
- Description: Abstract: This research aimed at understanding the interactional processes people with a traumatic spinal cord injury utilise to sustain a better-than-expected outcome. The research was conducted with five participants, all of whom had experienced rehabilitation and had sustained a level of functional independence. The research explored the common resilience enablers the participants utilised in the personal, relational, environmental, and spiritual realm on their journey towards adaptation. The researcher focused on identifying the interactional processes that allowed the participants to leverage a better-than-expected outcome. The findings indicate that the interactional processes utilised were, investing in connection, steering my support ship, being open and empowering myself. Investing in connection refers to the participants’ ability to nurture important relationships around them. It was through these connections that the participants were able to seek reliable and consistent sources of support. Steering my support ship was a process that the participants utilised to ensure that they could guide their own support system, to render the support that was beneficial, and the knowledge of who to go to when one sought specific kinds of support. Being open was an interactional processes that the participants utilised when taking opportunities and empowering myself was the mental, emotional journey the participants reached. The findings showed that this final process allowed them to leverage the other interactional processes more successfully. The research has enhanced the understanding of these interactional processes and will inform social work intervention early in the rehabilitation process. This study followed a qualitative research design, informed by grounded theory procedures. The population for the research was obtained by using purposive, non-probability sampling techniques. Data was gathered by conducting two semi-structured interviews with each participant. The data was analysed thematically, and pseudonyms were utilised to enhance confidentiality. , M.A. (Clinical Social Work)
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Biological contributors to well-being : the relationships between temperament, character strengths and resilience
- Authors: Hutchinson, Ann-Marie
- Date: 2011-11-08
- Subjects: Temperament , Character tests , Resilience (Personality trait)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7262 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3936
- Description: D. Litt. et Phil. , In the past, psychology has typically focused on identifying and treating mental illness, psychological deficits and disabilities, and research was often concerned with the respective roles of nature and nurture in behavioural problems. A number of psychologists and researchers have initiated a paradigm shift to one of positive psychology which emphasises enhancing personal strengths, developing and maintaining well-being, and encouraging positive emotions. Little research however has thus far been done to investigate the role of nature and nurture in psychological wellness. The current study addressed this dearth in the scientific literature by investigating the possible relationships between temperament and psychological well-being, specifically character strengths and resilience. The study was based on the assumption that positive emotionality and psychological well-being may have biological roots, just as psychopathology has been found to have biological underpinnings. The biologically-based construct of temperament refers to the innate and stable aspect of an individual that impacts thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Psychological wellbeing, for the purposes of the current study, incorporated two elements, namely character strengths and resilience. Character strengths may be defined as positive characteristics within individuals. Resilience refers to coping with, and perhaps even thriving, when faced with challenging life situations.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Hutchinson, Ann-Marie
- Date: 2011-11-08
- Subjects: Temperament , Character tests , Resilience (Personality trait)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7262 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3936
- Description: D. Litt. et Phil. , In the past, psychology has typically focused on identifying and treating mental illness, psychological deficits and disabilities, and research was often concerned with the respective roles of nature and nurture in behavioural problems. A number of psychologists and researchers have initiated a paradigm shift to one of positive psychology which emphasises enhancing personal strengths, developing and maintaining well-being, and encouraging positive emotions. Little research however has thus far been done to investigate the role of nature and nurture in psychological wellness. The current study addressed this dearth in the scientific literature by investigating the possible relationships between temperament and psychological well-being, specifically character strengths and resilience. The study was based on the assumption that positive emotionality and psychological well-being may have biological roots, just as psychopathology has been found to have biological underpinnings. The biologically-based construct of temperament refers to the innate and stable aspect of an individual that impacts thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Psychological wellbeing, for the purposes of the current study, incorporated two elements, namely character strengths and resilience. Character strengths may be defined as positive characteristics within individuals. Resilience refers to coping with, and perhaps even thriving, when faced with challenging life situations.
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Bouncing back and holding on : narratives of hidden resilience from young men in Zola, Soweto
- Authors: Korth, Marcel Tsholofelo
- Date: 2011-09-13T08:51:27Z
- Subjects: Young men in Soweto , Resilience (Personality trait) , Crime
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7195 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3830
- Description: M.A. , Using the concept of resilience, this study investigates mechanisms and strategies used by young men in Zola, Soweto to cope in adverse circumstances. The study breaks with the preoccupation of social science research with 'youth as trouble' issues and resonates with the United Nations' objective to drive forward notions of human development which aim at sustaining support and collaboration in assisting people to develop their full potential. In specific, the study asks the question “What are the mechanisms and strategies that young men in Soweto use to cope in adverse circumstances?” The study, contrary to most resilience studies worldwide, employed a qualitative methodology and relies strongly on data collected in 2007 through in-depth interviews and participant observation among young men of 18-24 years of age in Zola, Soweto, just outside of Johannesburg. The findings highlight how notions of masculinity contribute to the legitimisation of crime and the high uptake of criminal responses to adversity in a context of poverty and inequality – a process I discuss in light of Michael Ungar's notion of 'hidden resilience'. The project's contributions to research are threefold: Firstly, the study contributes to the international body of resilience literature by providing a context-specific account of risk and adaptation among young men in an urban township environment in South Africa. Secondly, it adds to recent discussions on the appropriateness of different methods in studying resilience by reflecting on some of the most common approaches to researching resilience among children and youths. Lastly, the project takes a glance at potential fields of interest for policy and programme development that emanate from the study's innovative perspective on 'youth at risk' in Zola.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Korth, Marcel Tsholofelo
- Date: 2011-09-13T08:51:27Z
- Subjects: Young men in Soweto , Resilience (Personality trait) , Crime
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7195 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3830
- Description: M.A. , Using the concept of resilience, this study investigates mechanisms and strategies used by young men in Zola, Soweto to cope in adverse circumstances. The study breaks with the preoccupation of social science research with 'youth as trouble' issues and resonates with the United Nations' objective to drive forward notions of human development which aim at sustaining support and collaboration in assisting people to develop their full potential. In specific, the study asks the question “What are the mechanisms and strategies that young men in Soweto use to cope in adverse circumstances?” The study, contrary to most resilience studies worldwide, employed a qualitative methodology and relies strongly on data collected in 2007 through in-depth interviews and participant observation among young men of 18-24 years of age in Zola, Soweto, just outside of Johannesburg. The findings highlight how notions of masculinity contribute to the legitimisation of crime and the high uptake of criminal responses to adversity in a context of poverty and inequality – a process I discuss in light of Michael Ungar's notion of 'hidden resilience'. The project's contributions to research are threefold: Firstly, the study contributes to the international body of resilience literature by providing a context-specific account of risk and adaptation among young men in an urban township environment in South Africa. Secondly, it adds to recent discussions on the appropriateness of different methods in studying resilience by reflecting on some of the most common approaches to researching resilience among children and youths. Lastly, the project takes a glance at potential fields of interest for policy and programme development that emanate from the study's innovative perspective on 'youth at risk' in Zola.
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The resilience of adolescents from adolescent-headed families within the school context
- Authors: Lethale, Praline Sharlotte
- Date: 2010-05-13T09:27:23Z
- Subjects: Resilience (Personality trait) , Black students , Black students' conduct of life , Black teenagers , Black parents
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:6801 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3236
- Description: M.Ed. , The influence of the HIV/AIDS pandemic as well as the significant impact it has left on children and adolescent who are left without parental guidance and support has huge implications for communities. As the epidemic spreads, adolescent-headed families are becoming more and more frequent in society, posing great challenges to extended families that have to care for additional children, causing a collapse on parental functions. This leads to the emergence of a new family structure where great strain is placed on children who are often left to fend for themselves. The absence of parental care and support often not only affect their social emotional development, but also their scholastic performance. This inquiry attempted to understand how these adolescents cope with difficulties related to living without caregivers, and as to how some can overcome the odds and still successfully progress with expectations placed by the school context. The inquiry utilized a phenomenological research design that is exploratory in nature. The data collection methods included semi-structured interviews with four participants, two boys and two girls. Each of the four participants also wrote narratives of their life stories. Two focus group interviews were also conducted, one with the four participant's educators and the other with another group of adolescents from adolescent-headed families. Data obtained was analysed using content analysis to determine the common themes and subthemes that emerged.
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- Authors: Lethale, Praline Sharlotte
- Date: 2010-05-13T09:27:23Z
- Subjects: Resilience (Personality trait) , Black students , Black students' conduct of life , Black teenagers , Black parents
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:6801 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3236
- Description: M.Ed. , The influence of the HIV/AIDS pandemic as well as the significant impact it has left on children and adolescent who are left without parental guidance and support has huge implications for communities. As the epidemic spreads, adolescent-headed families are becoming more and more frequent in society, posing great challenges to extended families that have to care for additional children, causing a collapse on parental functions. This leads to the emergence of a new family structure where great strain is placed on children who are often left to fend for themselves. The absence of parental care and support often not only affect their social emotional development, but also their scholastic performance. This inquiry attempted to understand how these adolescents cope with difficulties related to living without caregivers, and as to how some can overcome the odds and still successfully progress with expectations placed by the school context. The inquiry utilized a phenomenological research design that is exploratory in nature. The data collection methods included semi-structured interviews with four participants, two boys and two girls. Each of the four participants also wrote narratives of their life stories. Two focus group interviews were also conducted, one with the four participant's educators and the other with another group of adolescents from adolescent-headed families. Data obtained was analysed using content analysis to determine the common themes and subthemes that emerged.
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Exploring the resilience of adolescents in adolescent-headed households using creative expressive arts
- Moteane, Thembekile Phumzile
- Authors: Moteane, Thembekile Phumzile
- Date: 2014-10-01
- Subjects: Child caregivers - South Africa - Psychology , Orphans - Psychology , Resilience (Personality trait) , Performing arts and youth
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:12457 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12243
- Description: M.Ed. (Educational Psychology) , Adolescent-headed households are a rapidly growing form of family both nationally and internationally, due to increased death rates caused by HIV/AIDS, migration of labourers from rural to urban areas, and the weakened state of traditional family safety nets in taking up care. This raises responsibilities of orphaned children, with extended families no longer able to cope due to strained socio-economic circumstances. As a result, older siblings become caregivers to the younger siblings, and have to assume the role of parenting their siblings, ensuring that they are well taken care of financially, emotionally and otherwise. Resilience is needed to rise above adversity and to stand firm despite all the obstacles. This study was conducted to explore how creative expressive arts can explore the resilience of adolescents in adolescent-headed households. Creative expressive arts are a source of healing for people who may experience amongst other things emotional barriers as well as an inability to express feelings. Arts in therapy are also of exceptional value when used with people with learning difficulties. This study was based on a socio-cultural framework by Lev Vygotsky as a framework for the research with critical discussion of relevant literature on resilience, adolescent-headed households and their development, mild to moderate intellectual impairment as well as creative expressive arts. A qualitative research approach was chosen to understand the research topic from the perspective of the participants. For the purpose of the study, the interpretivist paradigm was chosen, which focused on how people create meaning out of their lives and experiences. A phenomenological design was employed and research participants included five adolescents from a school that catered for learners with mild intellectual impairments. The participants were purposefully selected. Data collection methods included semi-structured focus group interviews, artefacts and participant observation. As a method of data analysis, the Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to identify themes that emerged, namely: “externalising their contextual stories”, “voicing” and “connecting with belief systems”. The study concludes with possible contributions, limitations and recommendations for future research.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Moteane, Thembekile Phumzile
- Date: 2014-10-01
- Subjects: Child caregivers - South Africa - Psychology , Orphans - Psychology , Resilience (Personality trait) , Performing arts and youth
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:12457 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12243
- Description: M.Ed. (Educational Psychology) , Adolescent-headed households are a rapidly growing form of family both nationally and internationally, due to increased death rates caused by HIV/AIDS, migration of labourers from rural to urban areas, and the weakened state of traditional family safety nets in taking up care. This raises responsibilities of orphaned children, with extended families no longer able to cope due to strained socio-economic circumstances. As a result, older siblings become caregivers to the younger siblings, and have to assume the role of parenting their siblings, ensuring that they are well taken care of financially, emotionally and otherwise. Resilience is needed to rise above adversity and to stand firm despite all the obstacles. This study was conducted to explore how creative expressive arts can explore the resilience of adolescents in adolescent-headed households. Creative expressive arts are a source of healing for people who may experience amongst other things emotional barriers as well as an inability to express feelings. Arts in therapy are also of exceptional value when used with people with learning difficulties. This study was based on a socio-cultural framework by Lev Vygotsky as a framework for the research with critical discussion of relevant literature on resilience, adolescent-headed households and their development, mild to moderate intellectual impairment as well as creative expressive arts. A qualitative research approach was chosen to understand the research topic from the perspective of the participants. For the purpose of the study, the interpretivist paradigm was chosen, which focused on how people create meaning out of their lives and experiences. A phenomenological design was employed and research participants included five adolescents from a school that catered for learners with mild intellectual impairments. The participants were purposefully selected. Data collection methods included semi-structured focus group interviews, artefacts and participant observation. As a method of data analysis, the Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to identify themes that emerged, namely: “externalising their contextual stories”, “voicing” and “connecting with belief systems”. The study concludes with possible contributions, limitations and recommendations for future research.
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An exploration of resilience amongst working mothers
- Neethling, Lieneke Murray, Working mothers
- Authors: Neethling, Lieneke Murray , Working mothers
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Motherhood , Resilience (Personality trait) , Work-life balance
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/237777 , uj:24368
- Description: M.Phil. , Abstract: In this postmodernist study, resilient working mothers are studied by means of an autoethnographical strategy. I accordingly examined a small group of South African working mothers’ experiences, including my own, by blending an evocative and artful presentation with theory and analysis. In assimilating subjective personal experience and the broader sociocultural reality, I offer insights into the social world of resilient working mothers, the challenges they experience, and how they manage to thrive despite adversity. As a mother who worked as a minister, I was uniquely situated as a researcher to share first-hand experiences and to provide in-depth knowledge on working mothers’ resilience. Also, deep reflection on myself and my experiences provided me with an opportunity to understand my research participants better. Finally, being both mother and researcher offered the prospect of clarifying, describing and illuminating the experiences of working mothers, their adversities and their resilience from an insider perspective. In addition to my own, I included six other working mothers’ experiences and perceptions to unravel, describe and obtain an understanding of the cultural and social context of resilient working mothers. Using the data gathered from interviews, participant observation and unsolicited documents, including diary entries and photographs, I constructed a number of narratives. Field notes, interview transcriptions and a research journal were also used to capture the data and autoethnographic analytical methods were employed to uncover themes in the data. Finally, to provide a deeper and richer understanding of resilient working mothers, I integrated my own concrete experiences and those of the other women with abstract scholarly concepts. As I believe evocative writing offers a powerful and meaningful description of phenomena, I employed various literary genres and art forms to bring the lived experiences of the working mothers in the study to life. More specifically, I crafted memoirs, short stories, poetry and dialogue and included non-textual displays like photographs, illustrations and music to engage the reader...
- Full Text:
- Authors: Neethling, Lieneke Murray , Working mothers
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Motherhood , Resilience (Personality trait) , Work-life balance
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/237777 , uj:24368
- Description: M.Phil. , Abstract: In this postmodernist study, resilient working mothers are studied by means of an autoethnographical strategy. I accordingly examined a small group of South African working mothers’ experiences, including my own, by blending an evocative and artful presentation with theory and analysis. In assimilating subjective personal experience and the broader sociocultural reality, I offer insights into the social world of resilient working mothers, the challenges they experience, and how they manage to thrive despite adversity. As a mother who worked as a minister, I was uniquely situated as a researcher to share first-hand experiences and to provide in-depth knowledge on working mothers’ resilience. Also, deep reflection on myself and my experiences provided me with an opportunity to understand my research participants better. Finally, being both mother and researcher offered the prospect of clarifying, describing and illuminating the experiences of working mothers, their adversities and their resilience from an insider perspective. In addition to my own, I included six other working mothers’ experiences and perceptions to unravel, describe and obtain an understanding of the cultural and social context of resilient working mothers. Using the data gathered from interviews, participant observation and unsolicited documents, including diary entries and photographs, I constructed a number of narratives. Field notes, interview transcriptions and a research journal were also used to capture the data and autoethnographic analytical methods were employed to uncover themes in the data. Finally, to provide a deeper and richer understanding of resilient working mothers, I integrated my own concrete experiences and those of the other women with abstract scholarly concepts. As I believe evocative writing offers a powerful and meaningful description of phenomena, I employed various literary genres and art forms to bring the lived experiences of the working mothers in the study to life. More specifically, I crafted memoirs, short stories, poetry and dialogue and included non-textual displays like photographs, illustrations and music to engage the reader...
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Resiliency as experienced by teachers in a special secondary school in Gauteng
- Authors: Schouwink, Frederik
- Date: 2012-06-07
- Subjects: Special education teachers- South Africa - Gauteng , Resilience (Personality trait) , Burn out (Psychology) , Teachers - Job stress - South Africa - Gauteng
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:8712 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5064
- Description: M. Ed. , This study is aimed at exploring resiliency as experienced by teachers in a special secondary school in Gauteng. Many studies have investigated the impact of stress and burnout on teachers and how it impacts on the delivery of educational services. Studies have found that excessive stress may lead to poor teaching, poor-decision making, lowered self-esteem, low job satisfaction and lack of commitment to remain in the profession (Schulze & Steyn, 2007). These are especially prevalent among special education teachers who are subsequently at the highest risk of leaving the profession (Wisniewski & Gargiulo, 1997). While much is therefore known about teacher stress and burnout in education, it is less clear what the experiences might be of teachers who do manage to deal positively with the various demands in special schools despite the numerous professional challenges they face. In other words, the study aimed at gaining a better understanding of the experiences that have enabled some special education teachers in a Gauteng secondary school to sustain their motivation, commitment and, consequently, their effectiveness in the profession. By doing so, proactive strategies could be taken to address the problem of teacher stress and burnout which could result in the betterment of retention of special education teachers. In this study, the researcher made use of extreme case sampling, in others words locating individuals that have been cited for achievement and particular distinguished characteristics, i.e. resilient teachers. The school management team and fellow teachers identified nine colleagues who demonstrated the ability to adapt to stressors in the school context, despite various challenges. Criteria that informed the identification of resilient teachers related to those teachers who demonstrated high energy levels, enthusiasm, creativity, optimism and positive relationships with others. In this research, an interpretivist research paradigm framed the research with a qualitative approach and a phenomenological design. The data for this study was collected by means of semi-structured interviews, a focus interview, photos as well as a verification questionnaire. Moreover, data was also collected by the keeping of a personal researcher‘s journal. Data was analysed using content analysis. Themes that emerged during the data analysis pointed out that certain factors contributed to teachers experiencing resilience, whereas others depleted teachers‘ ability to be resilient in the face of hardship within their professional roles. Those factors that played a part towards the experience of resilience were encouragement from a significant other in their life history, spirituality, lifelong learning, utilizing their emotional intelligence and wanting to be a role model to others. In contrast, those factors that obstruct resilience related to the difficulty of the individual to establish healthy boundaries, wanting and being unable to take other people‘s problems away, and having unrealistic expectations regarding the support of fellow colleagues. Following the discussion of the themes, recommendations were provided to assist relevant role-players in promoting the experience of resilience among special secondary school teachers. The study concludes
- Full Text:
- Authors: Schouwink, Frederik
- Date: 2012-06-07
- Subjects: Special education teachers- South Africa - Gauteng , Resilience (Personality trait) , Burn out (Psychology) , Teachers - Job stress - South Africa - Gauteng
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:8712 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5064
- Description: M. Ed. , This study is aimed at exploring resiliency as experienced by teachers in a special secondary school in Gauteng. Many studies have investigated the impact of stress and burnout on teachers and how it impacts on the delivery of educational services. Studies have found that excessive stress may lead to poor teaching, poor-decision making, lowered self-esteem, low job satisfaction and lack of commitment to remain in the profession (Schulze & Steyn, 2007). These are especially prevalent among special education teachers who are subsequently at the highest risk of leaving the profession (Wisniewski & Gargiulo, 1997). While much is therefore known about teacher stress and burnout in education, it is less clear what the experiences might be of teachers who do manage to deal positively with the various demands in special schools despite the numerous professional challenges they face. In other words, the study aimed at gaining a better understanding of the experiences that have enabled some special education teachers in a Gauteng secondary school to sustain their motivation, commitment and, consequently, their effectiveness in the profession. By doing so, proactive strategies could be taken to address the problem of teacher stress and burnout which could result in the betterment of retention of special education teachers. In this study, the researcher made use of extreme case sampling, in others words locating individuals that have been cited for achievement and particular distinguished characteristics, i.e. resilient teachers. The school management team and fellow teachers identified nine colleagues who demonstrated the ability to adapt to stressors in the school context, despite various challenges. Criteria that informed the identification of resilient teachers related to those teachers who demonstrated high energy levels, enthusiasm, creativity, optimism and positive relationships with others. In this research, an interpretivist research paradigm framed the research with a qualitative approach and a phenomenological design. The data for this study was collected by means of semi-structured interviews, a focus interview, photos as well as a verification questionnaire. Moreover, data was also collected by the keeping of a personal researcher‘s journal. Data was analysed using content analysis. Themes that emerged during the data analysis pointed out that certain factors contributed to teachers experiencing resilience, whereas others depleted teachers‘ ability to be resilient in the face of hardship within their professional roles. Those factors that played a part towards the experience of resilience were encouragement from a significant other in their life history, spirituality, lifelong learning, utilizing their emotional intelligence and wanting to be a role model to others. In contrast, those factors that obstruct resilience related to the difficulty of the individual to establish healthy boundaries, wanting and being unable to take other people‘s problems away, and having unrealistic expectations regarding the support of fellow colleagues. Following the discussion of the themes, recommendations were provided to assist relevant role-players in promoting the experience of resilience among special secondary school teachers. The study concludes
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Resilience and whistleblowers : coping with the consequences
- Authors: Uys, Tina , Smit, Ria
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Whistleblowing , Resilience (Personality trait)
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/218743 , uj:21814 , Citation: Uys, T. & Smit, R. 2016. Resilience and whistleblowers : coping with the consequences.
- Description: Abstract: Understanding the whistleblower’s ability to cope with the repercussions of showing ‘ethical resistance’ in the workplace is a neglected area of research. Drawing on qualitative data from narrative interviews with whistleblowers in South Africa, this article analyses the ways in which whistleblowers deal with the hostile responses from employers that tend to follow their disclosures. Most of the participants employed successful coping mechanisms showing that they remained hopeful that justice would prevail, even amidst emotions of distress and fear due to organizational reprisal. This study shows that the resilience perspective is an important frame for understanding whistleblowers’ responses to the challenging consequences of their actions. Practitioners should consider ways to enhance individual resilience to ensure a positive outcome of disclosures of organizational wrongdoing.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Uys, Tina , Smit, Ria
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Whistleblowing , Resilience (Personality trait)
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/218743 , uj:21814 , Citation: Uys, T. & Smit, R. 2016. Resilience and whistleblowers : coping with the consequences.
- Description: Abstract: Understanding the whistleblower’s ability to cope with the repercussions of showing ‘ethical resistance’ in the workplace is a neglected area of research. Drawing on qualitative data from narrative interviews with whistleblowers in South Africa, this article analyses the ways in which whistleblowers deal with the hostile responses from employers that tend to follow their disclosures. Most of the participants employed successful coping mechanisms showing that they remained hopeful that justice would prevail, even amidst emotions of distress and fear due to organizational reprisal. This study shows that the resilience perspective is an important frame for understanding whistleblowers’ responses to the challenging consequences of their actions. Practitioners should consider ways to enhance individual resilience to ensure a positive outcome of disclosures of organizational wrongdoing.
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Die verwantskap tussen koherensiesin en emosionele intelligensie
- Authors: Venter, Marina
- Date: 2008-11-14T14:16:56Z
- Subjects: Emotional intelligence , Life change events , Resilience (Personality trait) , Adjustment (Psychology) , Social medicine , Mental health
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14681 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1675
- Description: M.A. , The present study has been undertaken to investigate the relationship between sense of coherence and emotional intelligence. 92 respondents, who work in organisations and who were willing to complete the questionnaires, participated in the study. Sense of coherence has been measured by means of a sense of coherence questionnaire (Antonovsky, 1987). Emotional intelligence has been measured by means of an emotional intelligence questionnaire (Schutte, Malouff, Hall, Haggerty, Cooper, Golden & Dornheim, 1997). Various statistical techniques have been employed to test the research hypothesis. The first step in the data-analysis process has been the evaluation of the psychometric properties of the measuring instruments. The second step has been the calculation of the intercorrelation of the sense of coherence and emotional intelligence scales and subscales. The intercorrelations between the subscales were subsequently subjected to a principal factor analysis with iterated communalities and Direct Oblimin rotation. The number of factors were determined by means of a Scree test, theoretical expectations and the interpretability of the factor structure. During the third step the total score of the emotional intelligence questionnaire of the dependent variable and the subscales of the sense of coherence questionnaire as independent variables were used in a multiple-regression analysis. The same procedure was followed during step four, but this time the total score of the sense of coherence questionnaire was specified as a dependent variable and the subscales of the emotional intelligence questionnaire were specified as independent variables. The results show a moderate positive relationship between emotional intelligence and sense of coherence. This relationship can be attributed mainly to the effect of the two subscales, namely optimism (emotional intelligence) and meaningfulness (sense of coherence). Individuals who are optimistic appear to have a high level of sense of coherence. Similarly, it appears that individuals who perceive their lives as meaningful are emotionally intelligent. However, no statement regarding the causal relationship between the variables can be made. This research can be applied in further research with a view to determine the role of emotional intelligence in stress management. In addition, the role that emotions play in the sense of coherence of individuals and resilience can also be investigated.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Venter, Marina
- Date: 2008-11-14T14:16:56Z
- Subjects: Emotional intelligence , Life change events , Resilience (Personality trait) , Adjustment (Psychology) , Social medicine , Mental health
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14681 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1675
- Description: M.A. , The present study has been undertaken to investigate the relationship between sense of coherence and emotional intelligence. 92 respondents, who work in organisations and who were willing to complete the questionnaires, participated in the study. Sense of coherence has been measured by means of a sense of coherence questionnaire (Antonovsky, 1987). Emotional intelligence has been measured by means of an emotional intelligence questionnaire (Schutte, Malouff, Hall, Haggerty, Cooper, Golden & Dornheim, 1997). Various statistical techniques have been employed to test the research hypothesis. The first step in the data-analysis process has been the evaluation of the psychometric properties of the measuring instruments. The second step has been the calculation of the intercorrelation of the sense of coherence and emotional intelligence scales and subscales. The intercorrelations between the subscales were subsequently subjected to a principal factor analysis with iterated communalities and Direct Oblimin rotation. The number of factors were determined by means of a Scree test, theoretical expectations and the interpretability of the factor structure. During the third step the total score of the emotional intelligence questionnaire of the dependent variable and the subscales of the sense of coherence questionnaire as independent variables were used in a multiple-regression analysis. The same procedure was followed during step four, but this time the total score of the sense of coherence questionnaire was specified as a dependent variable and the subscales of the emotional intelligence questionnaire were specified as independent variables. The results show a moderate positive relationship between emotional intelligence and sense of coherence. This relationship can be attributed mainly to the effect of the two subscales, namely optimism (emotional intelligence) and meaningfulness (sense of coherence). Individuals who are optimistic appear to have a high level of sense of coherence. Similarly, it appears that individuals who perceive their lives as meaningful are emotionally intelligent. However, no statement regarding the causal relationship between the variables can be made. This research can be applied in further research with a view to determine the role of emotional intelligence in stress management. In addition, the role that emotions play in the sense of coherence of individuals and resilience can also be investigated.
- Full Text:
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