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The effect of assessor presence on stress and anxiety experienced during clinical simulation-based assessment

  • Authors: Mathobela, Tebatso Jack
  • Date: 2021
  • Subjects: Clinical medicine - Study and teaching - Simulation methods , Stress (Psychology) , Anxiety
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/496376 , uj:45248
  • Description: Abstract: Background: Emergency medical care (EMC) has been recognised as an important sector within public health care by the World Health Organisation. Emergency medical care refers to the provision of initial resuscitation, stabilisation, and treatment to acutely ill and injured patients and delivering those patients to the best available definitive care (AFEM Consensus Conference, 2013). As part of teaching and learning methods for emergency care education, clinical simulation-based learning has traditionally been used to train and assess EMC students. Clinical simulation has proven to be a valuable tool for EMC students to prepare them for the real pre-hospital work environment. Many EMC programmes use clinical simulations to assist EMC students in learning the roles and responsibilities of the pre-hospital emergency care providers. These teaching tools include the use of a simulated clinical environment in which students practise with manikins or actors as patients, and may include being observed by assessors, cameras, moderators and their peers, especially during simulation-based assessments. Clinical simulation-based assessment is now acknowledged as an effective strategy to improve and support the development of confidence and competence, yet it also presents challenges for EMC students, such as anxiety and stress (Taylor, 2017; Burke & Mancuso, 2012) as with all forms of assessment (Childs & Sepples, 2006; Stecz et al.,2021; Muldoon, Biesty & Smith, 2014). The presence of assessors in the clinical simulation assessment venue has been reported as one of the possible sources of stress and anxiety among students during clinical simulation-based assessment (Mills et al., 2016). Despite some evidence that students are stressed and anxious in the presence of assessors in the simulation venue, which may, in turn, have a negative effect on students’ performance, the experiences of students enrolled in the BHSc EMC (Bachelor of Health Science in Emergency Medical Care) programme in South Africa remains unknown. , M.A. (Emergency Medical Care)
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The relationship between person-environment fit and burnout : a vocational interest perspective

  • Authors: Pillay, Anesh
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Job stress , Stress (Psychology) , Burn out (Psychology)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/452354 , uj:39895
  • Description: Abstract: Orientation - Work-related stress has been the subject of much research due to its negative impact on employees’ mental and physical health. Chronic work-related stress can lead to burnout if not managed effectively. Research purpose - This study set out to investigate the relationship between person-environment fit from a vocational interest perspective (i.e., congruence) and burnout. Motivation for the study - Numerous researchers have investigated the relationship between congruence and organisational outcomes and have shown that congruence has been linked to a variety of positive occupational outcomes. Person–environment fit may be viewed as a health impairment interaction that produces negative outcomes when a mismatch between person and environment takes place. One form of person-environment fit that remains almost completely unexplored in burnout research is the fit of an individual’s vocational interests to the work they do. Evidence that suggests that fit between a persons’ interests and the interests required in the work that they do is related to general work stress. It can therefore be hypothesised that a lack of congruence can lead to strain and ultimately burnout. Investigating the possibility can help better understand potential antecedents of burnout... , M.Com. (Industrial Psychology)
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Prevalence of Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) and determinants of treatment seeking behaviours among University of Johannesburg students

  • Authors: Molaba, Mmakonka Dinpho Christina
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Stress (Psychology) , Post-traumatic stress disorder - Treatment , University of Johannesburg - Students , Mental health counseling
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/420428 , uj:35796
  • Description: Abstract: Studies have recognized that violence in South Africa is on the increase and has led to high levels of exposure to traumatic incidents and increased vulnerability to trauma. The current study assessed the prevalence of Complex Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD), exposure to traumatic events and treatment seeking behavior among 403 psychology undergraduate students at the University of Johannesburg. The sample consisted of females (n =300) and males (n =103). This study was quantitative in nature and a survey method were employed to gather data for the study. Initial Trauma Review (ITR-R) was used to assess most major forms of trauma; Trauma Symptom Checklist (TSC) was used to assess symptoms associated with exposure to traumatic experiences. Lastly, self-constructed health seeking behavior questionnaire was used to determine treatment seeking behaviors of the students. The statistical package for social sciences program (SPSS) and descriptive analysis were used in data analysis. Majority of respondents had witnessed at least some sort of traumatic event(s) in their lifetime. These results are in line with the existing literature on the prevalence of traumatic events. The results on health-seeking behavior of the participants indicated the need for professional health with most participants preferring to speak to either a psychologist or psychiatrist. This study indicated that the prevalence rates are likely high since South African children and youth are exposed to high levels of violence. Further research is required due to the paucity of data in this area of complex trauma in South Africa. , M.A. (Research Psychology)
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Stress in top and intermediate management : a comparative study

Humour as a moderator of the relationship between academic expectancy stress and academic self-concept

  • Authors: Chirwa, Lucy
  • Date: 2015-05-06
  • Subjects: Stress (Psychology) , College students - Psychology , Wit and humor - Psychological aspects
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:13592 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13735
  • Description: M.A. (Counselling Psychology) , A correlation between academic achievement and academic self-concept has been well established during past studies. Academic self-concept may be influenced by the experience of academic stress, especially academic expectancy stress which is stress derived from the expectations of the self and significant others. With debilitating effects that academic expectancy stress may have on students, interventions need to be put in place to assist students in coping with the workload and also to protect their academic self-concept. The use of humour in an educational setting has been shown to be successful in assisting students in performing well academically. Different humour styles may, however, play a role in the relationship between academic expectancy stress and academic self-concept. This study focused on humour styles (self-enhancing, affiliative, self-defeating and aggressive humour styles) as moderators in the relationship between academic expectancy stress and academic self-concept. The sample of this study consisted of 976 undergraduate students from the University of Johannesburg. The Humour Styles Questionnaire, Academic Expectations Stress Inventory and the Academic Self-concept Scale were used to gather data. A correlational analysis was initially done to determine the relationships between the variables and to check for multicollinearity. Next, a moderated multiple regression analysis was done to determine if the four humour styles moderate the relationship between academic expectancy stress and academic self-concept ...
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Aangeleerde hulpeloosheid, lokus van beheer en sellulêre immuunresponse by die mens

Dealing with tensions during curriculum change implementation in a school community

  • Authors: De Coning, Andre
  • Date: 2012-11-02
  • Subjects: Curriculum change , Curriculum planning , Stress (Psychology) , Competency-based education , Educational change , Teachers - Training of
  • Type: Mini-Dissertation
  • Identifier: uj:7301 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8040
  • Description: M.Ed. , This study explores the tensions that exist in a school community during proposed curriculum change from a traditional collection-type curriculum to a totally integrated curriculum. The research study was conducted using a qualitative approach in which a case study research design and focus group interviews were used to generate data. Engeström’s (1997) Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) was used as the conceptual framework in this study. A constant comparative method of analysis was used to identify categories and themes within the data. The results of this research showed that a multiple of tensions are present within this school community during curriculum change. Tensions exist between the teachers and the School Management Team (SMT), the community and the SMT as well as tension between the parents and the status quo. Recommendations include the suggestions for the implementation of an integrated curriculum as well as recommendations for further study.
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Coronary heart disease prevention in healthy coronary-prone individuals

  • Authors: Webster, Sharon
  • Date: 2012-08-23
  • Subjects: Coronary heart disease -- Patients -- Psychology , Type A behavior , Coronary heart disease -- Prevention , Cardiovascular system -- Diseases , Heart -- Diseases , Behavior therapy , Cognitive therapy , Angina pectoris , Myocardial infarction , Heart failure , Lifestyles , Stress (Psychology)
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:3128 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6548
  • Description: D.Litt. et Phil. , This research investigated the effectiveness of the treatment programme used by the South African Recurrent Coronary Prevention Project (SARCPP) in reducing the risk of not only recurrent heart disease, but also of original occurrence of heart disease. Heart disease can often be attributed to lifestyle factors such as obesity, high fat content diets and smoking (Friedman & Ulmer, 1995 and Richards & Baker, 1988). Another lifestyle risk factor of heart disease is Type A behaviour, as first discovered by Rosenman and Friedman (1959). Type A behaviour is made up of various components, such as hostility, time urgency and insecurity. The SARCPP has effectively reduced Type A behaviour in past studies (Venter, 1993; Viljoen, 1993; MacLennan, 1994 and Webster, 1994) and it has been found that reducing Type A behaviour through this programme increases high density lipoproteins and decreases total triglycerides, thus decreasing physiological risk factors of heart disease (Wolff, Thoresen, Viljoen, & Venter, 1994). The SARCPP thus far had only been used with Type A persons who had already suffered a form of heart disease, such as myocardial infarction and angina pectoris (here called "unhealthy" Type As). Other interventions have been used to decrease Type A behaviour in subjects who had not yet suffered heart disease (or "healthy" Type As). A leading researcher in this field is Ethel Roskies (1979-1990). Due to ineffective measurement and ineffective treatment programmes, her attempts were not successful, though. This research study applied the treatment used in the SARCPP to both "healthy" and "unhealthy" Type As and it was found that it was as successful in reducing Type A behaviour in both the "healthy" subjects as in the "unhealthy" subjects. Not only was global Type A behaviour as measured by the Videotaped Structured Interview decreased in the treatment groups, but so were the components of Hostility, Time Urgency and Insecurity (although Insecurity was not decreased in the "unhealthy" subjects). The tendency by the subjects to repress angry feelings was reduced in both "unhealthy" and "healthy" subjects, as was cynical hostility in the "healthy" subjects. It was found that the "unhealthy" subjects had significantly more State and Trait anxiety before the treatment took place than the "healthy" subjects and that the treatment reduced that anxiety in the "unhealthy" subjects significantly. Depression was decreased in both "healthy" and "unhealthy" subjects. Thus, the treatment programme of the SARCPP was effective in reducing coronary-prone behavioural factors and can be used as both prevention in recurrence and prevention in original occurrence of heart disease.
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A psychophysiological study of anxiety as experienced by high school rugby players

  • Authors: Jooste, Marli
  • Date: 2012-06-04
  • Subjects: Rugby football players - Psychology , High school rugby players - Psychology , Anxiety in children , Sports - Psychological aspects , Stress (Psychology) , Psychophysiology
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:2316 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4774
  • Description: M.A. , South Africans are known for their love of sports and rugby is one of the most popular sports in the country. Due to this nationwide love of rugby children are often exposed to the game from a very young age. However, children’s participation in competitive rugby is a complex matter. It is unclear whether children participate in rugby for the simple love of the game or because of the competitive culture that is dominant within South Africa. Numerous studies have expressed concerns about children’s participation in rugby due to the physical risks, the psychological stress that accompanies competitive sports, the emphasis on winning (pressure to perform) and the resultant disappointment of losing. Research has also demonstrated that elevated anxiety levels are an integral part of competitive sport participation and impact physiological and psychological behavioural responses. However, previous research has not focused on anxiety in relation to competitive sport participation in the South African context or on the impact that participation in competitive rugby has on children in South Africa. This study thus aimed to investigate the anxiety experienced by high school rugby players and determine the extent to which their involvement in competitive rugby contributes to this anxiety. A within-and-between, quasi-experimental design study was conducted to address this primary aim. Twenty (20) children participated in the study; 10 of the participants played high school rugby, while the remaining 10 participants were not involved in any sport.
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The most common stressors experienced by home-educators

Self-efficacy as mediating factor in the stress response

  • Authors: Caldeira, Fatima
  • Date: 2012-02-06
  • Subjects: Self-efficacy , Stress (Psychology) , Locus of control , Type A behavior , Adjustment (Psychology)
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:2015 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4368
  • Description: M.A. , Over the years it has become clear that self-efficacy beliefs play a significant role in various domains of human functioning. According to Bandura (1986) individuals possess a self-system that enables them to exercise a measure of control over their thoughts, feelings and actions. This implies that the construct of self-efficacy has a pervasive influence on human functioning as it is seen to influence the way in which people feel, think and act. The literature has also shown that the physiological dimension of the self also stands to be affected by efficacy beliefs. One of the goal's of this research was to investigate the role of self-effiCacy as a mediating factor in the stress response, and how the various facets of self are affected by and affect an individual's perception of and response to a stressful situation. The stressful condition refers to the semester tests and how the students predicted their academic perfonnance under these conditions of stress. The design of the study was quantitative, and the sample comprised of 49 undergraduate psychology students. They completed a series of questionnaires a week before the first condition of stress, and their blood pressure was also measured at this time. Their blood pressure was also measured pretest and posttest at both conditions of stress. By means of a cluster analysis the group was divided into two homogeneous groups (high self-efficacy group, N=27) and (a low self-efficacy group, N=22) and this was followed by a detailed statistical analysis. The results revealed that the high self-efficacy group showed a bigger decline in diastolic and systolic blood pressure than the low self-efficacy group once the stressful condition had passed. Therefore the high self-efficacy group made a quicker physical recovery than the low self-efficacy group. It thus appears that the stress response of the more efficacious group may have been mediated by their beliefs of coping efficacy. Furthennore, the high self-efficacy group was more accurate in predicting their academic perfonnance than the low self-efficacy group. Even though the more efficacious group did not perfonn as well as the less efficacious group, they showed more optimism, and their prediction suggests that they are able to realistically appraise what they are capable of, since the test result was similar to what they had predicted. This ability to predict perfonnance is vital, as a major function of thought is to predict events and to exercise control over these events. This sense of control can be regarded as a self-confident view of an individual's capability to deal with certain life stressors (Schwarzer, 1997). Even though this study has highlighted some interesting trends relating to selfefficacy and the stress response, further research is needed to gain a more comprehensive understanding of this dynamic relationship.
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The relationship between individualism/collectivism, locus of control and sense of coherence

  • Authors: Bayne, Gregory
  • Date: 2011-02-28T06:19:16Z
  • Subjects: Social change , Stress (Psychology) , Personality and culture , Locus of control , Adjustment (Psychology) , Individualism , Coherence (Psychology)
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:7036 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3558
  • Description: M.A. , The primary objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between Locus of Control, Individualism/Collectivism and Sense of Coherence between two groups of participants by using three measures. The study will also investigate the significance of the relationship between Locus of Control and the Individualism/Collectivism, and between Sense of Coherence and Locus of Control. The motivation for the study stems from a question regarding how cultural perceptual style interacts with personality traits to influence a person's Sense of Coherence. A further question faced by all South Africans, regards how one adapts to the cultural changes being experienced in the country, while at the same time maintaining a sense of self·identity. While there are many possible questions, this study will focus on investigating the interaction between the three constructs of Sense of Coherence. Locus of Control, and Individualism/Collectivism. The three core constructs of Sense of Coherence. Locus of Control, and Individualism/Collectivism are defined as follows: • Antonovsky (1987) defines Sense of Coherence as a global orientation that expresses the extent to which one has a pervasive. enduring though dynamic feeling of confidence as a function of one's sense of comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness. • Locus of Control refers to a generalised disposition. acquired from past experience, to believe that rewards either are, or are not, controllable by a person's own efforts. Such that those who are externally oriented hold the view that their success is due to factors outside their control such as chance and luck while internally oriented persons attribute success to their personal effort and ability. • Individualism and Collectivism are cultural perceptual styles which indicate whether individuals acts largely for their self interests, or in regard for collective group harmony.
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The effect of a sudden, life-threatening illness on family systems

  • Authors: Bartlett, Justine
  • Date: 2010-11-22T08:04:11Z
  • Subjects: Families , Effect of stress on families , Family relationships , Terminally ill , Stress (Psychology) , Adjustment (Psychology) , Life skills
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:7014 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3521
  • Description: M.A. , The process of sudden hospitalization is often experienced as a negative and traumatic event in people's lives. Traditionally, these traumatic events are dealt with by the medical professionals in the hospital setting. Due to time constraints and the urgent nature ofthe medical crisis, the patient is often left in very capable hands but the family is often left out ofthis process. This type of crisis throws a family into a tumult of disorganization. Parsonnet and Weinstein (1987), state that when patients are critically ill, their families suffer extreme emotional distress, often without the support of medical staffwho must I focus on the needs ofthe patient first. This study focuses on the family from a systemic perspective and looks at the effects on the whole system when one member becomes critically ill. This type of traumatic event can therefore lead to the family experiencing feelings such as fear, helplessness, shock, distress and a total lack ofcontrol. Many ofthese feelings are common to most traumatic events. Three case studies are examined in which families describe their experience ofICU and sudden hospitalization and a qualitative analysis is then conducted to identify common themes among the three families. This research examines how the fields ofsupportive psychotherapy and emergency medicine can be combined in order to create an environment in which not only the patient's needs are attended to, but where the family system's needs can be supported and guided through an otherwise very traumatic experience. The concepts oftrauma and crisis will be discussed, as vyell as how this relates to family systems theory. The experiences offamilies will be discussed in detail and the possible methods that can be employed in order to support a family through this medical crisis. This study is limited in the fact that only one interview was conducted but this is an exploratory study and is therefore only the beginning of an interesting area ofresearch.
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The influence of a vehicle hijacking prevention intervention on stress experience and personal competence

  • Authors: Wienand, Liezl
  • Date: 2010-07-19T10:22:32Z
  • Subjects: Carjacking , Post-traumatic stress disorder , Stress (Psychology)
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:6894 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3350
  • Description: M.A. , One of the most perturbing factors of South Africa's communal existence is the high rates of violent crime and the high incidence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder JPTSD) amongst all communities. Crime-related PTSD is a problem of epidemic proportions. Therapeutic and mental health services for trauma related counselling are limited and in some communities non-existent. It is therefor essential to develop preventative programmes aimed at equipping individuals with the skills to avoid possible trauma-inducing situations such as vehicle hijacking. It was decided to utilise a vehicle hijacking management and -prevention programme developed especially for the purposes of a "short course" intervention approach. The experimental intervention was performed to provide skill and increase levels of personal competence in handling, or, ideally, avoiding a hijacking. A sample group of 35 was selected out of a white upper middle-class, middle aged population. The subjects were exposed to the intervention. The results indicated that the intervention produced significant positive change in self-efficacy beliefs in the experimental groups. Possible limitations of the study were sample sizes and the inherent nature of the groups. It was not possible to examine the relationship between sex and efficacy beliefs. No non-whites subjects were utilised and thus the relationship between race and efficacy beliefs was also not examined. It is recommended that the intervention programme be refined further and validated scientifically in order to be utilised in future research.
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Towards a substantive workplace model: exploring workplace stress and family stress dynamics

  • Authors: Le Roux, Christoffel Anthony
  • Date: 2010-02-24T10:02:16Z
  • Subjects: Job stress , Work and family , Stress (Psychology)
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:6646 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3046
  • Description: D.Comm. , The aim of my study was to attain new insights into the dynamic interactions between the family and the workplace. Furthermore, the aim of this research project is to contribute methodologically, theoretically, practically and scientifically to the theme of workplace and family stress. For the purpose of my study I believe that a qualitative as opposed to a quantitative methodology is more appropriate. Literature reviewed on these methodologies, led me to the opinion that I would be in a position to express myself fully, with my own worldview, which I would probably not have been able to do with quantitative research. A contemporary qualitative research method was used to ultimately develop my substantive model. My unit of analysis was people from an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions provider. I made use of semistandardised interviews to gather my data and paid attention to the considerations for effective qualitative interviewing and preparation as pointed out by Mason (1996). I ended up interviewing six individuals after reaching a point of saturation. This is the point where I ascertained that the interviews could not contribute meaningfully to the information that I had already gathered with regard to the categories. I followed the law as laid down by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). The interviews were transcribed and I commenced with the Grounded Theory process. Furthermore, I adhered to the guidelines for assessing the quality of my study as indicated by Lincoln and Guba (1985) and Marshall and Rossman (1999). The results of this Grounded Theory process enabled me in the design of my substantive model. Three core dimensions emerged from the design process, namely, the job, the family and the personality, which I termed the internal environment. These dimensions formed the central part of the substantive model. The substantive model depicted the unidirectional interactions of the core dimensions mentioned. The model also depicts the external environment and the universe as influencing forces on the core dimensions. Even though the external environment and the universe were not part of the scope of the study I felt that it was necessary to include them in the model. In essence the model described my definion of the family setting, namely: “The family setting is a complex, meaningful system of unidirectional interactions between the family, the job, the personalities, the external environment and the universe of all the individuals concerned” (as defined by the author). In closure, I believe that the theoretical, methodological and practical, contributions derived from this study will add significant value to further exploration of this topic.
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The effects of violence on the psychological development of black adolescents

  • Authors: Skosana, George Mkuzelwa
  • Date: 2008-11-12T08:48:34Z
  • Subjects: Black teenagers , Political violence , Adolescent psychology , Stress (Psychology) , Stress in adolescence , Psychic trauma in adolescence , Resilience (Personality trait) in adolescence
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/373233 , uj:14668 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1640
  • Description: M.A. , All transitional stages have their moments of crises, but there is no stage so complicated and confusing as the adolescence. Not surprisingly, many researchers refer to this stage as a period of storm and stress. Many studies conducted on young people and violence have concentrated on their psychological, emotional, and physical development. Hence, the psychosocial development did not receive much attention from the psychological fraternity. Therefore, the aim of this study is three fold: (1) to investigate how political violence affects the psychosocial development of adolescents.(2) to investigate how political violence affects their outlook on life, and (3) how do they view the youth=s role in political struggle. The qualitative research method was used in this study. The process of inquiry involves interviews. Individual face-to-face interviews were conducted with 30 research participants. The process of analysis involved thematic content analysis. Generally, the results of the study indicate that exposure to political violence has negative effects on the psychosocial development of the adolescents. Many of them experience psychosocial problems in some areas of their development, while very few show signs of psychosocial resilience in other areas and function well despite exposure to political adversity. In conclusion, these adolescents are neither shattered by exposure to political violence to be considered Apsychosocially dysfunctional@, nor they are resilient enough to be considered Auntouched@ by these experiences. Furthermore, the results of the study indicate that the effects of political violence are relative rather than absolute and are bound to change with circumstances.
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Irritable bowel syndrome and vocational stress: individual psychotherapy

  • Authors: Nel, Patricia Kathleen
  • Date: 2008-11-11T06:49:41Z
  • Subjects: Irritable colon , Irritable colon treatment , Stress (Psychology) , Stress (Physiology) , Psychotherapy
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:14643 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1596
  • Description: M.A. , The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of an individualized holistic psychotherapy and synergistic stress management programme for the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and stress, both of which are common disorders in this present day and age. IBS is a functional bowel disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that leads to change in bowel habits with the additional features of abdominal pain and distension (Drossman, 1994b). This functional disorder has been associated with stress since time immemorial and it is only recently that research has begun to examine how and by what mechanisms IBS and stress are related. A review of the literature suggests a resurgent interest in IBS and stress. Tantalizing questions like ‘IBS – irritable bowel, irritable body, irritable brain or irritable mind?’ gives one an idea of the genesis from which the disorder has come, the complications in which it has been mired and the directions in which it is aspiring to go (Farthing, 1995). Using both the historical context and the present level of understanding in the research literature, one becomes aware of the shifting paradigm from the dualistic Cartesian-Newtonian biomedical perspective, to the biopsychosocial and integrative mind-body approaches which reflect the move to a holistic and non-linear quantum scientific worldview. The ecosystemic paradigm on which the present study is based, represents this shift whereby systemic changes in cyclical rhythmic patterns within the psychophysiology of clients reflect new ways of conceptualizing psychosomatic (mind-body) ill-health (Weiner, 1992). Within the behavioural and medical health fields, both psychologists and physicians as well as a number of other disciplines are moving towards more integrative solutions which include the mind-body-spirit dimensions of the individual. Drossman, Whitehead and Camilleri (1997) have begun to consider the individualized expression of the illness in the patient and to situate him among his wider systems, as well as incorporating a referral team approach to the treatment of IBS. Salt (1997) extends the use of the biopsychosocial model to include the spiritual dimension in his treatment of IBS patients. Broom (1997) weaves the various internal systems of the person into the story of the client’s illness that integrates the mind and body. The psychologically based holistic intervention of this study was developed in response to the calls for more integrative approaches to treatment which incorporate whole-person care. The specific aim of this study is to compare a group of IBS participants who receive the holistic individualized psychotherapy and synergistic stress management intervention with a group of IBS participants who do not receive the treatment. The sample consisted of two groups, an experimental (N = 20) group and a control (N = 20) group. The IBS Client Questionnaire also known as the Functional Bowel Disorder Severity Index (FBDSI) (Drossman, Zhiming, Toner, Diamant, Creed, Thompson, Read, Babbs, Barreiro, Bank, Whitehead, Schuster & Guthrie 1995) was used to verify a diagnosis of IBS as well as a measure of the severity of symptoms. This index is based on the current international diagnostic criteria for IBS. The Occupational Stress Inventory was used as a measure of vocational stress and was developed to provide an integrated theoretical model linking sources of stress in the work environment, psychological strains experienced by individuals as a result of work stressors and the coping resources available to counterbalance the effect of stressors and alleviate strain. It consists of three scales, namely Occupational Roles, Personal Strain and Personal Resources scales respectively. Wilks’ Lambda was used for the between-groups comparisons between the intervention and non-intervention groups and Paired Samples t-test was used for the within-groups analysis. The comparisons were made in terms of improvement in symptoms, determined by the Functional Bowel Disorder Severity Index (FBDSI) and lowering of occupational stress, determined by two of the scales of the Occupational Stress Inventory, namely the Occupational Roles and Personal Strain scales and an increase in coping responses determined by the Personal Resources scale. Both of these were administered as pre- and post-test measures before and three months after the intervention was completed. The results of the study indicate that the experimental group of IBS participants who received the intervention improved in symptom severity, their occupational stress was lowered and they began utilizing more coping resources than the group of IBS participants who did not receive the intervention. Thus it is concluded that an individualized holistic approach for the treatment of IBS is indicated and that individuals with refractory IBS can be helped to manage their illness and their lives. In particular, this psychologically based study confirms a very definite and specific place for psychologists in the treatment of clients with IBS and stress. An invitation was extended to the control group to use the facilities for therapeutic intervention offered by the RAU Psychogastroenterology project once the post-tests had been completed, thus addressing any ethical questions that could have arisen. This was an initial investigation using an ecologically based meta-theoretical framework as well as specific stress techniques for the holistic treatment of clients. A number of recommendations arose from this particular intervention and are included for future studies.
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Occupational stress in men and women: a comparative study of coping resources

  • Authors: Long, Susanne Ingeborg
  • Date: 2008-11-06T07:30:23Z
  • Subjects: Job stress for men , Job stress for women , Stress (Psychology) , Adjustment (Psychology)
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/381674 , uj:14623 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1541
  • Description: M.A. , The ramifications of stress-related illnesses and disorders impact on the individual, the organization that the individual works for and the nation’s economic status as a whole. Coping with occupational stress has thus become the focus of occupational health specialists, organizations and industrial psychologists. South African managers and executives work under constant stress and pressure (Strumpfer, 1983). With the emergence of women into previously male dominated occupations, a greater number of women now hold managerial jobs, resulting in a larger percentage of women being exposed to stress-related illnesses and diseases. Past research regarding occupational stress and coping has largely focused on male managers, with many of these findings frequently being incorrectly generalized to women. Neglecting to include gender as a variable in most stress-related research has resulted in contradictions and perceived biases in the study of stress and coping (Barnett, Biener & Baruch, 1987). A review of the literature indicated that some studies report gender similarities in stress and coping, whilst others report that men and woman differ in this regard. The findings of these studies have been critically evaluated in the literature with some authors indicating that the measurement instruments and research designs of the studies were not adequate. The many contradictions found in the literature pertaining to how men and women cope with stress thus provided an important motivation for the present study. The overall aim of the research was to determine whether male and female managers differed in work-related stressors and whether they differed in the coping strategies adopted to deal with the stressors. A more general aim of the study was to amplify any existing research regarding occupational stress and its impact on men and women managers. A comparative ex post facto research design was applied. In this type of design, the researcher selects two or more groups of subjects that already differ according to one variable. The total sample (N= 70) consisted of 35 male managers and 35 female managers. The subjects worked in administrative support functions and were selected from two large financial organizations. The measurement instruments had to be culturally fair and have universal meaningfulness. Only instruments with sound psychometric properties were selected. The battery of five questionnaires consisted of: two tests taken from the Occupational Stress Inventory-Revised, namely the Occupational Roles Questionnaire (ORQ) and the Personal Strain Questionnaire (PSQ). The other three questionnaires consisted of the Sense of Coherence Questionnaire (SOC), the Locus of Control Inventory (LCI) and the Personal Views Survey (PVS). The research question for the present study was whether there are any significant differences between men and women regarding occupational stress and coping resources. The composite null hypothesis was formulated as follows: There are no statistically significant differences between men and women regarding their scores on a battery of five instruments measuring the sources of occupational stress specifically with reference to role strain in the workplace, psychological strain as a result of work stress, sense of coherence, internal or external locus of control and hardiness. In order to ascertain the difference between the two groups, the statistical techniques included the use of the Hotelling’s T-Square Test and Student’s t-test. The overall results, with the exception of the Personal Strain Questionnaire’s sub-scale reported no significant gender differences regarding the perception of occupational stessors, and no overall significant gender differences in coping resources. Thus, regarding the scores of the five questionnaires the following results were reported: The scores taken from the Occupational Role Questionnaire (ORQ) reported a Hotelling’s Trace Value of 0,039 with an associated F value of 0,410. This variance is statistically not significant (P>0,05). The scores taken from the Personal Strain Questionnaire (PSQ) reported a Hotelling’s Trace Value of 0,181 with an associated F value of 2,944. This variance is statistically significant (P<0,05). The difference manifested only in one sub-scale, namely the Vocational Strain sub-scale (P=0,075) which is significant at the 0,10 level of significance. In speculating the reason for this, it was suggested that the male subjects may have experienced greater levels of boredom or lack of interest in their work than the female group. Interestingly, the male group also reported a significant difference regarding the Meaningfulness sub-scale of the Sense of Coherence Questionnaire. The Meaningfulness sub-scale (P=0,060) being significant at the 0,10 level of significance. The Meaningfulness sub-scale includes a motivational element similar to the Vocational Strain sub-scale, further reinforcing the male group’s less positive perception of their work. The scores taken from the Sense of Coherence Questionnaire (SOC) reported a Hotelling’s Trace Value of 0,069 with an associated F value of 1,517. This variance is statistically not significant (P>0,05). The scores taken from the Locus of Control Inventory (LCI) reported a Hotelling’s Trace Value of 0,084 with an associated F value of 1,851. This variance is statistically not significant (P>0,05). The scores taken from the Personal Views Survey (PVS) reported a Hotelling’s Trace Value of 0,048 with an associated F value of 1,051. This variance is statistically not significant (P>0,05). The final conclusion of the study’s findings was that with the exception of one scale, there were no overall significant differences in the way that men and women a) perceive occupational stressors and b) utilize coping resources. The findings of the present study have challenged the widely held belief that men and women should be different in the way they think, feel and respond to stress-related events. It is hoped that the present study has not only amplified any existing research regarding occupational stress and coping, but has provided further ideas and recommendations for the design and implementation of South African occupational stress management programmes.
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Meaning in life and sense of coherence as predictors of coping among young adults

  • Authors: Hutchinson, Ann-Marie Kerr
  • Date: 2008-11-06T07:30:15Z
  • Subjects: Young adults mental health , Stress in youth , Stress (Psychology) , Adjustment (Psychology)
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:14622 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1540
  • Description: M.A. , Late adolescence/young adulthood is characterised by turbulence and major life transitions, and individuals in this life stage are confronted with stressors on a daily basis (Santrock, 2003). This situation necessitates adequate coping so that these young people can negotiate the transition between childhood and adulthood successfully. Health practitioners and educators need to establish ways to enhance adequate coping in young people in order to minimise their stress and ward off negative and unwanted consequences of stressors; consequences such as addictions, suicide, depression and other pathologies (Frydenberg & Lewis, 2004; Puskar, Hoover & Miewald, 1992). Research shows that more and more young people are reporting that their lives seem hopeless and meaningless (Santrock, 2003). Clearly it is beneficial to investigate the relationship between meaning, well-being and coping with stress in young adults. Past research has investigated meaning in life and sense of coherence and other wellbeing measures on adults who have already established themselves, and very specific samples, such as elderly people, the terminally ill and employees in the workplace (for example Marais & Stuart, 2005; Shek, 2003; Strümpfer & Mlonzi, 2001; Yiu-Kee & Tang, 2005). However, researchers have debated the extent to which any real progress has been made in the field of stress and coping (see Coyne & Racioppo, 2000; Lazarus, 2000; Lewis & Frydenberg, 2002; Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000; Somerfield & McCrae, 2000). These and other studies have been critically evaluated in the current study, and it is clear that research is needed on meaning in life and well-being in late adolescence/young adulthood in order to assess how young people cope with stressors. Furthermore, research is needed on young people in SouthAfrica, in order to ascertain how they cope with stressors that may be countryspecific. The overall aim of the study was to establish whether there are relationships between meaning in life, sense of coherence and the ability to cope in young adults. More specifically, the study aimed to ascertain whether the extent to which an individual has discovered meaning in life and the extent to which he/she has developed a sense of coherence predicts coping with stress in a late adolescent/young adult population. A quantitative research methodology was conducted on a sample of male and female young adults (N=258). The participants were selected from a tertiary institution and had an average age range of 17 to 21 years. The measurement instruments have been used in previous research and were deemed culturally fair with valid and reliable psychometric properties. All three questionnaires were self-report measures. In order to assess the extent to which an individual has found meaning in their lives, the Purpose in Life Test (Crumbaugh & Maholick, 1981) was used. To ascertain whether or not an individual had developed a strong sense of coherence, the Orientation to Life questionnaire, also known as the Sense of Coherence scale (Antonovsky, 1987) was used. The Adolescent Coping Scale (Frydenberg & Lewis, 1993) was used to determine the ability to cope in young people. Various statistical analyses were conducted on the raw data collected from the questionnaires. Factor analyses were conducted to determine the internal validity and reliability of the measuring instruments. The distribution of the data within the subscales was tested for normality. Analysis of variance was used to determinewhether certain biographical variables could account for any differences in meaning in life, sense of coherence and ability to cope. Pearson product moment correlations were used. Thereafter both multiple regression and logistic regression were performed to determine if meaning in life and sense of coherence can predict differences in ability to cope. The results indicate that the constructs explored, as measured by the questionnaires, were not influenced by the age, gender, home language or direction of study of the participants. The sample could therefore be regarded as fairly homogeneous and the effect of confounding variables limited. However, as a result of this homogeneity, the findings of this study cannot necessarily be generalised to other populations. Findings indicate that there are relationships between meaning in life and the ability to cope. This finding points to the possibility that the extent to which an individual has discovered meaning in life, or the extent to which an individual views his or her life as meaningful is related to his or her ability to select effective coping strategies. Furthermore it was found that there are relationships between sense of coherence as well as the individual components of sense of coherence, namely comprehensibility, manageability and meaningfulness, and the ability to cope. This finding suggests that the extent to which an individual has developed a sense of coherence is related to his or her ability to select effective coping strategies.
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Psychosocial adaptation following the diagnosis and treatment of childhood and adolescent cancer: an integrated approach

  • Authors: Mcloughlin, Heather Allen
  • Date: 2008-11-06T07:29:53Z
  • Subjects: Cancer in children , Cancer in adolescence , Quality of life , Stress (Psychology)
  • Type: Mini-Dissertation
  • Identifier: uj:14619 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1538
  • Description: M.A. , Childhood and adolescent cancer has evolved fro m being an inevitably fatal disease to a life-threatening chronic disease. Because many children and adolescents are surviving their disease it is important for the child or adolescent with cancer to be psychosocially prepared to lead a full and active life after treatment has been completed. The aim of this mini dissertation is to review the international literature pertaining to psychosocial adaptation during and following the diagnosis and treatment of childhood and adolescent cancer. Aspects, which are explored in this review, are the role of psychoneuroimmunology and the biopsychosocial approach to investigation and research in psychological research, psychosocial adaptation of childhood and adolescent cancer survivors as well as Quality of Life issues pertaining to the development of psychosocial intervention programs in cancer care. Special attention is given to literature pertaining to trauma spectrum symptoms and traumatic stress sequela with specific reference to patients with childhood and adolescent cancer such as Osteosarcomas and Ewing sarcomas (hereafter Bone Sarcomas). Meaning making in relation to trauma is referred to briefly. Literature examining the role resilience plays in the psychosocial adaptation of adolescent cancer patient as well as the need for a resilience centred approach in research are also be explored. Following an extensive literature search it became clear that most of the international literature explores psychosocial issues regarding childhood or paediatric cancer at length, but that those issues pertaining to adolescent cancer are largely neglected. After examining the South African literature it furthermore became clear that there is no formal psychosocial intervention program available to adolescent cancer patients in South Africa at present. This includes that group of adolescent cancer patients presenting with Bone Sarcomas. It seems that this group presents with unique challenges due to the integrated surgical and oncological treatment, which they undergo. The limited amount of relevant literature pertaining to psychosocial adaptation of child and adolescent cancer patients in South Africa also became apparent. It furthermore became apparent that it is advisable that the child and adolescent patient should not be investigated together in single research studies as age difference and developmental phase of both patient and family seem crucial to the accurate outcomes of such studies. An important conclusion, which can be drawn, is that adolescent and childhood cancer patients and survivors are a group of patients who seem to have been psychosocially neglected in South Africa. Meticulous and relevant research in the field of adolescent psycho oncology is thus needed in order to be able to adequately ascertain the psyc hosocial needs of this group of patients. Only then can an effective psychosocial support program aimed at their specific needs be devised. Such a program can then be implemented in order to redress the shortcomings in the psychosocial care of adolescent cancer patients suffering from the specific types of cancer such as Bone Sarcoma, which is so prevalent in this age group.
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