Authenticity, identity and psychological well-being at work in multicultural contexts
- Authors: Van Niekerk, Chanèl
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Psychology, Industrial , Diversity in the workplace , Well-being , Multiculturalism
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/246442 , uj:25550
- Description: M.Com. (Industrial Psychology) , Abstract: This study aims to contribute and add to research on identity and more specifically identity at work by exploring the relationships between dimensions of identity (personal, work, ethnic, and religious), authenticity (state and trait), and psychological well-being (work engagement, burnout, and life satisfaction). These aspects were considered across both cultural groups, South Africa and the Netherlands, and their multicultural context, making it a valuable study to contribute to identity research that is current mainly focused on Western contexts. Descriptive statistics examined the demographic variables in the data and analysis of variance was used in order to study the relationships between variables. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted in order to establish the differences between the various cultural groups and different context on all variables. Structural equation modeling (SEM) allowed the researcher to test the conceptual model in line with the research questions and assess the relationships between identity, authenticity, and psychological wellbeing across groups and context. A total sample of 440 employees from the Black and White South African group and the Ethnic Dutch group from the Netherlands completed measures of identity, authenticity, and psychological well-being. From the results obtained in the SEM the general work identity had a significant relationship with state authenticity and the psychological well-being factor. When considering whether state authenticity informs the psychological well-being factor, a small, significant relationship was achieved across groups. As such, state authenticity seemed to have mediated the relationship between general work identity and psychological well-being.
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Engagement and meaningfulness at work : the moderating roles of life satisfaction and gender
- Authors: Williamson, Jillian Carolyn
- Date: 2012-10-30
- Subjects: Work engagement , Meaningfulness , Well-being , Quality of life , Quality of work life , Satisfaction , Meaning (Psychology) , Sex differences (Psychology)
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:10490 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7987
- Description: M.Comm. , Orientation: Scientific knowledge relating to the field of positive psychology within the South African workplace is required. Purpose: The objectives of this study were (1) to investigate the relationships between work engagement, psychological meaningfulness, life satisfaction and gender and (2) to test whether life satisfaction and gender had a moderating effect on the amount of psychological meaningfulness and engagement put forth by employees at work. Motivation: Although research on life satisfaction is abundant within the field of psychology, research within the work environment is limited. Furthermore, research is needed within South Africa to promote well-being of employees. Method: Survey designs were used to capture a sample from various South African organisations (n = 800). The Satisfaction with Life Scale, the Work Engagement Scale and the Psychological Meaningfulness Scale were administered. Results: Firstly, life satisfaction, work engagement and psychological meaningfulness were significantly correlated. Secondly, psychological meaningfulness was a significant predictor of work engagement. Thirdly, life satisfaction significantly moderated psychological meaningfulness on work engagement. Fourthly, gender significantly moderated psychological meaningfulness on work engagement. Lastly, psychological meaningfulness and work engagement were significant predictors of life satisfaction. Contribution: This research created an understanding of employee wellness at work through the combination of employee’s personal and work lives. Future research could focus on identifying what behaviours promote such constructs to enhance individual and organisational success.
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Exploring the influence of line management on the employee’s wellbeing
- Authors: Mathafena, Rose Boitumelo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Personnel management , Employees - Mental health , Leadership , Well-being , Employee motivation
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/283369 , uj:30557
- Description: M.Phil. , Abstract: Management practices have far-reaching implications for both employee wellbeing and organisational outcomes such as job satisfaction, performance, absenteeism, employee engagement and employee turnover. Line management plays a pivotal role in the promotion of employee wellbeing. The aim of the study was to explore the influence of line management on employee wellbeing. Employee wellbeing was explored from the perspective of emotional, mental, physical and spiritual dimensions within the workplace context. Line management practices which enable, as well as undermine, employee wellbeing were comprehensively highlighted. A qualitative case study approach was adopted for the study. Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted to gather primary data. The research participants were purposely selected as per non-probability sampling guidelines. Primary data and secondary data were analysed through both content and thematic data analysis methods. The interpretive paradigm prominently facilitated the analysis and the interpretation of research findings. From the findings, four prominent themes emerged, namely i) practices enhancing wellbeing; ii) practices undermining wellbeing; iii) the impact of wellbeing-enhancing and wellbeing-undermining practices; and iv) best practices to promote wellbeing. The practical contribution of the research pertains to its proposal of guidelines and practices that can be incorporated into management training and development programmes. These programmes aim to improve people management practices in the workplace, while enhancing employee wellbeing. Lastly, the policies, strategies, skills development competencies, and the creation of a culture conducive to wellbeing in the workplace were articulated within the findings. Future research could explore the impact of line management or leadership on employee career wellbeing with regard to career progression and regression.
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Gratitude and subjective well-being in a group of adolescents
- Authors: Croxford, Sarah-Anne
- Date: 2012-11-06
- Subjects: Gratitude , Well-being , Adolescent psychology , Happiness
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:7368 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8131
- Description: M.A. , Satisfactory psychosocial development during adolescence will equip individuals with intrapersonal and interpersonal resources to facilitate adaptive negotiations of the complex adult world. There has been increasing empirical interest in fostering optimal development in adolescents through enhancing positive attributes and aspects of mental health. Accordingly, researchers have begun investigating the benefits of frequent experiences of gratitude, and have found that gratitude is associated with subjective well-being (SWB) among adolescents. The relationship between gratitude and SWB may be particularly important for South African youth, whose development occurs within the context of socio-political difficulties associated with transformation in the post-apartheid era, which could have a negative impact on their SWB. However, there has been no research undertaken to investigate gratitude and SWB among South African adolescents. This study investigated the prevalence of gratitude, and the relationship between gratitude and SWB, among 812 adolescents in Gauteng. Specifically, the prevalence of state gratitude and trait gratitude were determined, and compared across female and male adolescents, and among participants from different population groups. Further, the relationship between state gratitude and SWB, and trait gratitude and SWB, was established and compared across gender and among individuals from various population groups. A quantitative non-experimental design was employed. Data was collected by self-report questionnaires assessing the prevalence of gratitude and SWB. The data was analysed by examining mean scores, conducting one-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs), as well as Pearson‟s product moment-correlation coefficients, and a multivariate analysis of variance and follow-up ANOVAs.
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Happy in the informal economy? A case study of well-being among day labourers in South Africa
- Authors: Blaauw, Phillip , Botha, Ilse , Schenck, Rinie , Schoeman, Christie
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Day labouring , Well-being , Happiness , Informal economy
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5532 , ISSN 1535-0754 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13943
- Description: Past research provided evidence of the negative effect that individual unemployment can have on subjective well-being. The persistent high levels of unemployment and poverty in South Africa have been well documented. Many people are forced into the informal economy, where they engage in a variety of survivalist activities such as day labouring. As o previous study has been conducted on the well-being of day labourers, the aim of this paper is to investigate the determinants of the well-being of South African day labourers. Objective and subjective functions are compared to determine the role of income and other variables in the well-being of day labourers. The determinants are categorised according to economic, comparison and attitudinal variables. The objective function uses income and the subjective function uses the binary measure of experiencing a good week in terms of wages as dependent variables. The results showed that attitudinal variables are important determinants for the subjective measure of well-being. The economic variables were important in both functions. The findings of this paper confirm other research findings showing that personal income is important for well-being in a poor community. The difference between these functions indicates that the subjective and objective measures of well-being both capture valuable characteristics of subjective well-being (SWB) in a poor community.
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Hope and coping self-efficacy as predictors of psychological well-being among adolescents in Gauteng
- Authors: January, Jillian
- Date: 2011-12-08
- Subjects: Adolescent psychology , Hope , Self-efficacy , Well-being
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:1879 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4234
- Description: M.A. , Adolescence is stage of change on a biological, social, physical and psychological level. Whilst some individuals are able to successfully negotiate through this stage and adapt to the various changes in an adequate manner, some adolescents may encounter difficulty during this process (Geldard & Geldard, 2004). Keyes’ (2006a) has highlighted the importance of success on a developmental level during adolescence as it holds important implications for adult development. Whilst research has continually highlighted risk behaviours and negative outcomes stemming from an inadequate adaptation to the period of adolescence, there is limited information regarding the positive aspects that can further support this process of development. In addition to the developmental challenges which the stage of adolescence holds, South African youth are exposed to a unique socio-economic context, which presents challenges such as familial difficulties, lack of parental monitoring, violence, crime and exposure to abuse (Van Schalkwyk, 2009). It is therefore important to identify factors which could facilitate adolescent development in a positive manner. The aim of the current study was therefore to utilize the explanatory framework of positive psychology to understand and identify psychological strengths which could contribute to positive outcomes for adolescents. Two specific psychological strengths were explored namely hope and coping self-efficacy. The broad aim of the study was to explore hope and coping self-efficacy amongst adolescents from different population groups. Further, the study also aimed to examine the relationship between hope, coping self-efficacy and psychosocial well-being. Finally, the study aimed to determine the extent to which hope and coping self-efficacy predicted psychosocial well-being. A total number of 1173 adolescents participated in the study. Participants completed The Children’s Hope Scale (CHS), Coping Self-Efficacy Scale (CSE) and the Mental Health Continuum Short-Form (MHC-SF). Results obtained indicated that the levels of hope among adolescents from different population groups was similar and relatively high (M=24.41-26.01). Results from the CSE indicated that the mean scores for the adolescents from different population groups were in the average range. The mean scores for the different population groups were as follows: Blacks (n=376) M=78.12 SD=20.74, Whites (n=542) M=78.74, SD=20.9, Coloured (n=180) M=77.84, SD=22.98, and Indian (n=69) M=84.17 SD=21.01. In order to examine the relationship between hope, coping self-efficacy and psychosocial well-being, Pearsons’ correlations were utilised. Results indicated that a positive correlation exists between coping self-efficacy and hope (r = .574, p < 0.01 ), between coping self-efficacy and psychosocial well-being (r = .495, p < 0.01), and between hope and psychosocial well-being (r = .567, p < 0.01). Previous research suggesting positive relationships between these constructs were thus confirmed. A multiple hierarchical regression analysis was implemented to determine the extent to which hope and coping self-efficacy predicted psychosocial well-being. Results indicated that hope accounts for a significant variance in psychosocial well-being (R2 = .396, F (1, 1090) = 529.51, P < .05). Results also indicated that coping self-efficacy accounts for 7% of the variance in psychosocial well-being after controlling for hope (R2 = .396, R2 = .069, F (1, 1091, 125.35, p < .05). To conclude, the findings indicate that adolescents from different population groups have similar, relatively high levels of hope. Further, adolescents from different population groups have similar levels of coping self-efficacy. The levels of coping self-efficacy are in the average range, indicating that most adolescents in the study felt that they are able to cope with the various challenges which they need to contend with on a daily basis. A positive relationship was found between the constructs of hope, coping self-efficacy and psychosocial well-being. Coping self-efficacy also uniquely predicted psychosocial well-being after controlling for hope. The results are encouraging, as it demonstrates that despite the contextual challenges faced by many South African adolescents, they are able to cope relatively well, and hold relatively high levels of hope.
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Hope, psychosocial well-being and socioeconomic status among adolescents
- Authors: Vermaak, Yvonne
- Date: 2011-11-24
- Subjects: Adolescent psychology , Adolescents' mental health , Hope , Well-being
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:1724 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4074
- Description: M.A. , The changing political, social, and economic landscape of South Africa witnessed in the interregnum period between 1990 and 1994 has had widespread consequences for the country’s people. Adolescents have experienced their childhood development alongside the development of South Africa’s democracy since 1994. This setting has determined the socioeconomic disparities experienced by these adolescents. Lower socioeconomic status is associated with the prevalence of mental illness and delayed physical development and increased pathology. The present research has endeavoured to explore aspects of mental health in South African adolescents. More particularly, hope, psychosocial well-being, and socioeconomic status of adolescents were investigated. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence and dynamics of hope and psychosocial well-being among South African adolescents (N = 1069). Participants completed the Children’s Hope Scale (CHS), the Mental Health Continuum – Short form for youths (MHC-SF), and a biographical questionnaire including a subjective rating of socioeconomic status. Specific hypotheses were formulated concerning: the prevalence of hope in adolescents, the prevalence of psychosocial well-being, the relationship between hope and psychosocial well-being, and socioeconomic status as a moderator in the relationship between hope and psychosocial well-being. The prevalence of hope and of psychosocial well-being across racial groups was investigated by means of a one-way between groups analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results indicated that adolescents experience relatively high levels of hope across racial groups with no significant effect for race on hope scores for the four groups, F (4, 1168) = 1.431, p > .05. Relatively high levels of psychosocial well-being are experienced by adolescents with no significant effect of race on emotional well-being, F (4, 1112) = .716, p > .05, and no significant effect of race on social well-being, F (4, 1136) = 2.354, p > .05. However, the effect of race was significant for total psychosocial well-being, F (4, 1088) = 3.611, p < .05. Post hoc comparisons with the Tukey HSD test indicated that significant differences existed specifically between the black (M = 43.84, SD = 11.24) and white groups (M = 41.35, SD = 11.93), with the black group yielding higher mean scores of psychosocial well-being. Moreover, there was a significant effect for race on psychological well-being, F (4, 1140) = 5.103, p < .05. Post hoc comparisons with the Tukey HSD test indicated that significant differences existed particularly between the black (M = 21.76, SD = 5.31) and white groups (M = 20.57, SD = 5.72), and coloured (M = 22.38, SD = 5.83) and white groups (M = 20.57, SD = 5.72). Both the black and coloured groups yielded higher mean scores of psychosocial well-being in comparison to the white group.
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Job resources as moderators of the relationship between job demands and well-being
- Authors: Claassens, Hilana
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Employees - Mental health , Well-being , Quality of work life , Anxiety , Depression, Mental , Locus of control , Burn out (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/282937 , uj:30498
- Description: Abstract: Depression and anxiety are considered two of the most common mental health issues in the workplace. Mental ill health is felt widely by the employee, employer and the economy and therefore the promotion of mental health is crucial. Two personality factors, namely sense of coherence and locus of control seem to improve mental health. The theoretical framework of this study was based on the Job-Demands Resources Model, however, instead of job demands and resources, personal demands and resources, were added and operationalised. Depresssion and anxiety were operationalised as personal demands, and sense of coherence and locus of control as personal resources. The aim of this study was to determine significant relationships among the study variables (depression, anxiety, locus of control, sense of coherence, work engagement and burnout). The second aim was to establish whether locus of control and sense of coherence (personal resources) played a moderating role in the relationship between anxiety and depression (personal demands) on the one hand, and work engagement and burnout (organisational health outcomes) on the other. A quantitative cross-sectional research design was utilised and data was obtained from accessible adults in various workplaces and industries across South Africa (N=346). The findings showed that there are significant main effects for locus of control on work engagement and burnout, and sense of coherence on work engagement and burnout. Direct effects were also found for anxiety and depression, who both had significant direct effects on work engagement and burnout. The results however indicated that neither locus of control, nor sense of coherence acted as a moderator between depression and work engagement, depression and burnout, anxiety and work engagement, or between anxiety and burnout. , M.Com. (Industrial Psychology)
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Subjective well-being : gender differences in South Africa
- Authors: Fisher, Bianca Lara
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Happiness , Well-being , Sex differences (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/421197 , uj:35892
- Description: Abstract: The main aim of this minor dissertation is to gain a greater understanding of gender differences in subjective well-being in South Africa. Happiness1 or subjective well-being is the primary objective of most, if not all, people (Veenhoven, 1984; Ng, 1996). In an attempt to better understand which factors influence one’s happiness, economists in both developed and developing countries have turned to self-reported life satisfaction surveys to identify the possible determinants of subjective well-being. Previous South African studies have found that the level of life satisfaction is not the same for males and females. This is problematic, as differences in happiness between genders may have potential unwanted spill-overs by adding to other disparities in society (Veenhoven, 2005). Empirical research on gender gaps in subjective well-being is well-documented in developed countries such as the United States of America and the United Kingdom. However, there are no studies in South Africa that explicitly decompose the gender gaps in happiness. Against this background, this minor dissertation contributes to the international literature by decomposing a gender happiness gap for a developing, upper middle-income country, which has previously not been done before. In addition, this minor dissertation contributes to the South African literature by examining changes in the gender happiness gap at two points in time. .. , M.Com. (Development Economics)
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The capability approach to economic development: its applicability to Sub-Saharan Africa
- Authors: Stevens, Jeremy
- Date: 2008-06-20T13:46:22Z
- Subjects: Africa, Sub-Saharan economic policy , Africa, Sub-Saharan economic conditions , Economic development , Well-being
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:3284 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/668
- Description: The capability approach’s primary point of departure from mainstream economics may be stated simply: it perceives incomes and commodities value predominantly as instruments or means to other ends. In contrast to mainstream economics, the approach places individual freedom at the centre of its attention. Therefore, income is merely one of numerous variables that influence deprivation. The dissertation aligns itself with the capability approach to development in its conclusion that developments’ primary target ought to go beyond a study of the level of per capita incomes as it has more significant moral implication of diminished lives, agonised existences and a large percentage of premature preventable deaths. Therefore, the dissertation advocates a fundamental shift in the measures that economists utilise in their measurement of poverty. Accordingly, the dissertation suggests that the manner in which economists intellectualise the relationship between poverty and the lives that people lead requires alteration. The dissertation provides evidence, using regression analysis, that the democratic frameworks that are in place in Sub-Saharan Africa are failing to provide the negative freedoms that serve as the environment in which individual’s pursue their own conception of well-being. However, the dissertation acknowledges the constitutive and instrumental importance of democracy in the process of development. Therefore, the dissertation argues that it is the shape of democracy that has led to these results in Sub-Saharan Africa. As a repercussion, democracy remains an important ingredient in the development process. Instead of embracing the view that political freedom and, in particular, democracies failure to assist in human development is evidence of a flaw in the capability approach. The dissertation perceives the failure as an opportunity to re-evaluate the nature of democracies in Sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, there is scope for policy makers to conceptualise and implement policies that will be able to harness the inherent strengths of democracy.
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The effect of a positive psychology intervention on psychosocial well-being among a group of early adolescents
- Authors: Davies, Jayleen Charlyn
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Well-being , Depression in adolescence , Positive psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/66198 , uj:17437
- Description: Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a positive psychology intervention on the psychosocial well-being of a group of adolescents between the ages of 12 and 13 using a quasi-experimental quantitative approach. The positive psychology intervention was implemented over a four week period within the school setting, and consisted of one half-hour session per week. Intervention activities focused on enhancing positive emotions about the past, in the present, and toward the future through meditation, gratitude activities, a savouring exercise, a kindness intervention, identifying and developing character strengths and an optimism enhancing exercise. Complete data at baseline, one-week post-intervention, and 5-week follow-up was gathered from 95 grade seven scholars who were randomly assigned to the experimental (intervention) condition (n = 44) or control group (n=51). The control group received no intervention and no placebo. Data was gathered using the Mental Health Continuum – Short Form (MHC-SF) for adolescents to measure well-being, and the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale – Short Version (RCADS-SV) as the indicator for anxiety and depression. While no significant changes were indicated in the control group in either well-being or pathology, quantitative data revealed promising results in the experimental group, suggesting that the brief intervention may have impacted on the psychosocial well-being of the adolescents indirectly by significantly decreasing symptoms of mental ill-health including anxiety and depression after follow-up analysis. Although no significant differences were found in psychosocial well-being per se, the significant decrease in anxiety and depression may increase well-being and in so doing promote flourishing adolescents. Furthermore, evidence suggests that well-being interventions have a delayed or long-term effect and as such future research ought to look at the effects of positive psychology interventions among a broader agerange and socio-economic group using longitudinal studies. , M.A.
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The effect of gratitude interventions on the psychological well-being of a group of adolescents in Gauteng
- Authors: Kruger, Tracy
- Date: 2014-04-16
- Subjects: Adolescent psychology - South Africa - Gauteng , Gratitude , Well-being
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:10785 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10293
- Description: M.A. (Clinical Psychology) , Increasingly, research studies have revealed that gratitude and psychological well-being are robustly related. In addition gratitude interventions have been successful in increasing facets of well-being in adults and early adolescents. However, less is known about the effects of gratitude on middle adolescent sample groups and their eudaimonic well-being. Further, little is known about the impact that gratitude interventions will have on adolescents living in the South African context. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a four-week gratitude intervention on the psychological well-being (PWB) of a group of middle adolescents in Gauteng, South Africa. Both state and trait gratitude were measured before the intervention as well as their levels of four facets of well-being, namely overall life satisfaction, hedonic well-being, eudaimonic well-being and the absence of pathology. These levels were measured again after the intervention had been completed. Adolescents (N=230) from two high schools were randomly allocated to either an experimental group (n=112) or control group (n=118) based on their assigned class at school. Questionnaires measuring their levels of gratitude and psychological well-being were administered to both groups before and after the intervention. The experimental group received four gratitude exercises consecutively, over a four-week period while the control group received four neutral activities over the same time frame. The data was analysed quantitatively by conducting one-tailed t-tests. In addition, a brief follow-up qualitative study was conducted to assess the participants’ subjective experiences of the intervention. The quantitative results indicated that there were no significant differences in PWB or gratitude between the two groups after the intervention. There were also no significant differences found within the experimental group when the pre- and post-test scores were compared. The qualitative results revealed that the participants found the gratitude intervention to have been enjoyable and helpful, and expressed feeling more grateful and appreciative in general. In addition, many reported that their relationships with others had improved. These findings revealed that the gratitude intervention did not yield statistically significant results however the adolescents’ subjective experience of the intervention was positive. More research is needed to understand the effect of positive psychology interventions among South African adolescents.
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The well-being of farmers from a personal leadership perspective
- Authors: Van den Heever, Simon Abraham
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Well-being , Farmers - Health and hygiene , Farmers - Psychology , Leadership - Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/387249 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/296999 , uj:32367
- Description: Abstract: This study set out to assess the well-being of farmers from a personal leadership perspective. We all need food to survive and as such agriculture is one of the most important industries in a country. Consequently, it can be argued that the well-being of farmers should also be a top priority for a country’s strategies for food security. However, the hypothesis of this study is that the current socio-political circumstances are influencing the well-being of farmers negatively and in such a way that it is ultimately affecting the state of agriculture and food security in South-Africa. Furthermore, the hypothesis of this study is also that the practice of personal leadership principles can have a positive impact on the well-being of farmers and consequently contribute to the agricultural industry and food security. The researcher followed a phenomenological approach by utilising semi-structured interviews to gauge the well-being of seven respondents. After gathering the required information, the interviews were transcribed and analysed to identify recurring themes within the various fields of the Personal and Professional Leadership (PPL) perspective. This process was followed by an in-depth literature review wherein the researcher attempted to correlate the research findings with an existing theory about well-being from a personal leadership perspective. The findings show that the current socio-political circumstances of South-Africa have a negative effect on the well-being of farmers. While this negative effect was found to influence all the dimensions of the farmer’s well-being, it was also found that it influences their financial, emotional and ecological well-being the most. Furthermore, it was also found that existing theory in personal leadership is relevant to and can be utilised to contribute to the well-being of farmers and arguably to the state of agriculture and food security in South-Africa. , M.Phil.
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Towards a developmental model of being
- Authors: Keyser, Jacobus Petrus Benjamin
- Date: 2013-07-18
- Subjects: Well-being , Ontology , Self-actualization (Psychology) , Developmental psychology
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7644 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8514
- Description: M.Phil. (Personal and Professional Leadership) , Humankind seems to have the objectives to be what they can be, grow to potential, and also experience well-being, happiness and/or fulfilment. Meeting these objectives calls for action (doing) and requires aspects such as skills, abilities, traits, knowledge and experience (having), including (knowing). Yet people are human beings, not human doings nor human havings or human knowings. Being development therefore calls for attention. Key Focus of the study: This study explores the concept, theories and elements of being with the intent to construct a model that could be used to develop being. Motivation for the study: The study is motivated by the human need to develop what they are, their being. Success with the development or growth of being, however, firstly calls for the clarification and operationalisation of the complex concept. Secondly, success with the development or growth of being, calls for an understanding of theories with regard to the concept being. Research design: This study is of non-empirical nature. A theory or model building approach was used for the main objective. A grounded theory type concept analysis was used to deduct theories of being. Main findings: In this study it was found that being is described as conscious, mortal existence that reflects the true, essential nature or essence of a person. Two theories of being were derived. According to the inclusive view, being is the sum of all aspects whereby a person is known by him or herself and by others as a result of community, context, environment and time. According to the spiritual theory of being, it is the core, the spiritual element of human kind. In both cases it is a state that could grow and develop to an end state or goal such as to a life with meaning and purpose, fulfilment, eudaimonia, and flourishing. In meeting the main objective of the study and in congruence with the findings, a model was devised and presented, whereby being could be developed. The model indicates the scope of elements and a process to address these elements, utilising a farming metaphor, to reach the objective. Practical/Managerial implications: The model could be employed to achieve personal growth or being development, for individuals, especially those with a leadership calling and organisations, by applying the suggested process to address elements indicated. Contribution and value add: The model will be of value to develop being, of leaders, individuals, groups and organisations. The clarification of the concept being contributes to the prevention of misunderstandings with regard to being, inner being and the spirit. The theories of being derived from literature create a framework for future research on being and related subjects.
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