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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- 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
- Blaauw, Phillip, Botha, Ilse, Schenck, Rinie, Schoeman, Christie
- 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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- 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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The relationship between time management behaviour, flow, happiness and life satisfaction in the hospitality training environment
- Authors: Geyser, Ita
- Date: 2013-07-11
- Subjects: Hospitality industry - Management , Time management , Happiness , Vocational education , Occupational training
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7607 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8473
- Description: M.Comm. (Industrial Psychology) , There is ample evidence to suggest that optimal experience (flow), happiness and life satisfaction are related to one another in the creative culinary training environment. In this study, the effect of time management behaviour on these relationships was investigated within the hospitality training environment. Furthermore, the mediating role of perceived control of time on flow was explored, as well as the direct effect of happiness and life satisfaction on flow, among the different demographic groups. A quantitative research design was used and data were gathered with the use of an online questionnaire (cross-sectional survey). The sample consisted of n=229 students within the culinary training environment, in a tertiary institution spanning across different gender, age, racial groups and educational levels. Significant results were found for mechanics of time management that mediated fully through the perceived control of time on flow; goals and priorities mediated partially through the perceived control of time on flow. Happiness, however, had a direct link on flow. The practical implications of this study are that time management behaviour training should become more prominent in the culinary studies practical training for hospitality students. Successful time management behaviour skills may be beneficial in increasing the flow, happiness and life satisfaction outcomes of the students. This research further contributes to the body of knowledge of positive psychology, particularly within a South African vocational training context.
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- Authors: Geyser, Ita
- Date: 2013-07-11
- Subjects: Hospitality industry - Management , Time management , Happiness , Vocational education , Occupational training
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7607 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8473
- Description: M.Comm. (Industrial Psychology) , There is ample evidence to suggest that optimal experience (flow), happiness and life satisfaction are related to one another in the creative culinary training environment. In this study, the effect of time management behaviour on these relationships was investigated within the hospitality training environment. Furthermore, the mediating role of perceived control of time on flow was explored, as well as the direct effect of happiness and life satisfaction on flow, among the different demographic groups. A quantitative research design was used and data were gathered with the use of an online questionnaire (cross-sectional survey). The sample consisted of n=229 students within the culinary training environment, in a tertiary institution spanning across different gender, age, racial groups and educational levels. Significant results were found for mechanics of time management that mediated fully through the perceived control of time on flow; goals and priorities mediated partially through the perceived control of time on flow. Happiness, however, had a direct link on flow. The practical implications of this study are that time management behaviour training should become more prominent in the culinary studies practical training for hospitality students. Successful time management behaviour skills may be beneficial in increasing the flow, happiness and life satisfaction outcomes of the students. This research further contributes to the body of knowledge of positive psychology, particularly within a South African vocational training context.
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'n Sosiopedagogiese perspektief op die geluksbehoeftes van die skoolkind
- Smit, Franciscus Petrus Zedeman
- Authors: Smit, Franciscus Petrus Zedeman
- Date: 2014-05-14
- Subjects: Basic needs , Happiness , Educational psychology
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:11075 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10648
- Description: D.Ed. (Sociopedagogics) , Many students attend school throughout the year. These students vary from being happy to unhappy individuals. The reason why some of these students are unhappy gave cause to the undertaking of this study. Therefore, the essence of happiness, as well as the needs for happiness of the school student, had to be determined, all within the limits of responsible educational standards. It was furthermore a problem to determine the reasons for the unhappiness of students at school and what had to be done to keep the happy students happy and make the unhappy students happy. The ultimate problem to be solved, was to determine the extent to which a change in attitude or simply a slight change in educational approach would influence the happiness of students at school. The methods used in this study were firstly an intensive literature study, with a socio pedegogical perspective on the task of the school. This was followed by a literature study to determine the essence of happiness, with the perspective on the Bible, as well as the perspective on the meanings of several theorists. Secondly, an empirical study involving secondary school students, was done. They were asked to state their own meaning on happiness in a single paragraph. They were also asked to evaluate and arrange, ten needs of happiness determined beforehand, in order of importance. Some of the most important results that came forth from the literature study, in addition to the Biblical message, that happiness causes joy and peace of mind to the human being, are that happiness is a longing and highest aspiration of all mankind, that happiness is future directive, is permanent and is experienced with fellow men and that happiness is incomplete. The need for security and the need for self-realization are the two essences of happiness that received highest priority. The results from the empirical study show that the student has a need to be acknowledged as a person for self-realization and to be able to lead a good life. Intellectual development, human relations and communication with fellow men received less priority, while the needs for freedom, discipline and especially the need for food and clothing, received the least priority. The reason for this tendency, can be that the basic needs of these students have already been satisfied -and the fullfilment for less basic needs still excist. In the light of all these results attention must be given to the criteria for an "ideal" school that can attend to the satisfying of the needs for happiness of the school student. The ideal school must strive to meet the needs of the student in its education and training. atmosphere of security and give the student thorouh It must educate the student in an pedogogical love to self-realization, intellectual and moral education and secure order and discipline. The ideal school must guide the student to overcome his failures, teach the student what happiness is all about and brief him on how to be a happy student, now and for years to come.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Smit, Franciscus Petrus Zedeman
- Date: 2014-05-14
- Subjects: Basic needs , Happiness , Educational psychology
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:11075 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10648
- Description: D.Ed. (Sociopedagogics) , Many students attend school throughout the year. These students vary from being happy to unhappy individuals. The reason why some of these students are unhappy gave cause to the undertaking of this study. Therefore, the essence of happiness, as well as the needs for happiness of the school student, had to be determined, all within the limits of responsible educational standards. It was furthermore a problem to determine the reasons for the unhappiness of students at school and what had to be done to keep the happy students happy and make the unhappy students happy. The ultimate problem to be solved, was to determine the extent to which a change in attitude or simply a slight change in educational approach would influence the happiness of students at school. The methods used in this study were firstly an intensive literature study, with a socio pedegogical perspective on the task of the school. This was followed by a literature study to determine the essence of happiness, with the perspective on the Bible, as well as the perspective on the meanings of several theorists. Secondly, an empirical study involving secondary school students, was done. They were asked to state their own meaning on happiness in a single paragraph. They were also asked to evaluate and arrange, ten needs of happiness determined beforehand, in order of importance. Some of the most important results that came forth from the literature study, in addition to the Biblical message, that happiness causes joy and peace of mind to the human being, are that happiness is a longing and highest aspiration of all mankind, that happiness is future directive, is permanent and is experienced with fellow men and that happiness is incomplete. The need for security and the need for self-realization are the two essences of happiness that received highest priority. The results from the empirical study show that the student has a need to be acknowledged as a person for self-realization and to be able to lead a good life. Intellectual development, human relations and communication with fellow men received less priority, while the needs for freedom, discipline and especially the need for food and clothing, received the least priority. The reason for this tendency, can be that the basic needs of these students have already been satisfied -and the fullfilment for less basic needs still excist. In the light of all these results attention must be given to the criteria for an "ideal" school that can attend to the satisfying of the needs for happiness of the school student. The ideal school must strive to meet the needs of the student in its education and training. atmosphere of security and give the student thorouh It must educate the student in an pedogogical love to self-realization, intellectual and moral education and secure order and discipline. The ideal school must guide the student to overcome his failures, teach the student what happiness is all about and brief him on how to be a happy student, now and for years to come.
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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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- 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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Financial challenges and the subjective well‑being of first‑year students at a comprehensive South African university
- Pretorius, Marinda, Blaauw, Derick
- Authors: Pretorius, Marinda , Blaauw, Derick
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Determinants , Happiness , Subjective well‑being
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/431485 , uj:37232 , Citation: Pretorius, M. & Blaauw, D. 2020. Financial challenges and the subjective well‑being of first‑year students at a comprehensive South African university. , DOI: 10.24085/jsaa.v8i1.3824
- Description: Abstract: Since 1994, there has been a doubling in the enrolment of students in South Africa’s public universities. Students, especially first-generation students, face numerous challenges that may impact their subjective perceptions of their well‑being. In a milieu of high levels of suicide and depression amongst South Africa’s student population, the understanding of the variables determining students’ subjective well‑being (SWB) should be deepened. This article investigates the levels and changes in the SWB of successive groups of first‑year students at a comprehensive university in South Africa between 2014 and 2017. It makes use of a fit-for-purpose survey instrument. The results show that the SWB of students is influenced positively by their living arrangements and variables that have a direct influence on the educational environment in which they operate, such as feeling ‘at home’ and an overall level of satisfaction of the students’ experience at the university. Negative variables that influence the SWB of students include concerns regarding finances and upcoming tests, and living on campus or within walking distance of campus.
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- Authors: Pretorius, Marinda , Blaauw, Derick
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Determinants , Happiness , Subjective well‑being
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/431485 , uj:37232 , Citation: Pretorius, M. & Blaauw, D. 2020. Financial challenges and the subjective well‑being of first‑year students at a comprehensive South African university. , DOI: 10.24085/jsaa.v8i1.3824
- Description: Abstract: Since 1994, there has been a doubling in the enrolment of students in South Africa’s public universities. Students, especially first-generation students, face numerous challenges that may impact their subjective perceptions of their well‑being. In a milieu of high levels of suicide and depression amongst South Africa’s student population, the understanding of the variables determining students’ subjective well‑being (SWB) should be deepened. This article investigates the levels and changes in the SWB of successive groups of first‑year students at a comprehensive university in South Africa between 2014 and 2017. It makes use of a fit-for-purpose survey instrument. The results show that the SWB of students is influenced positively by their living arrangements and variables that have a direct influence on the educational environment in which they operate, such as feeling ‘at home’ and an overall level of satisfaction of the students’ experience at the university. Negative variables that influence the SWB of students include concerns regarding finances and upcoming tests, and living on campus or within walking distance of campus.
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