A study of resilience : a personal and professional leadership perspective
- Authors: De Beer, Anneke
- Date: 2012-09-06
- Subjects: Resilience (Personality trait)
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:9682 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7096
- Description: M.Phil. , On a daily basis, everyone is confronted with challenges and setbacks that force them to take a stand. People experience these challenges and setbacks differently. While some flourish in the midst of setbacks, others fall flat and become victims of their circumstances. Resilience determines how well people bounce back from setbacks and difficulties. In the light of this problem, the general objective of this study is to determine what enables people to bounce back from setbacks and difficulties in their personal and professional lives. In order to realise this objective, the following specific questions are set for the study: What is resilience? What are the different contexts in which resilience can be perceived? How do people perceive setbacks and difficulties and what are their perceptions and selfinsight regarding their own reactions to these experiences? Which human qualities and other factors allow people to bounce back in times of setbacks and difficulties? What are the implications for and the potential contribution of Personal and Professional Leadership (PPL) regarding resilience? This study has been conducted through a PPL perspective which is based on the assumption that human beings have an ongoing commitment to growth and development, through selfknowledge and self-awareness, finding a purpose, realising one's full potential, adding value to other people's lives and professional competence in terms of organisational efficiency and effectiveness. Within the context of this study, the aim of PPL is to sensitise and empower individuals to exercise their freedom of choice. In endeavouring to address the research problem, the researcher subsequently decided to make use of a qualitative research design involving a hermeneutic phenomenological research strategy supported by a descriptive research approach. The researcher conducted a word and concept analysis, an extensive literature study as well as individual interviews (focused on adult individuals) in order to meet the research objective. The main findings realising the research objective can be described as follows: From a PPL perspective, the concept resilience implies the ability to bounce back from life's difficulties and continue along the path of growth, self-actualisation and self-transcendence. It has also been established that resilience can be perceived in different contexts, including: challenging experiences, developmental transition, individual adversity, collective adversity, organisational change and socio-political change. It was also found that although the respondents worked through different phases in the change process, their final reaction was to choose to become victors, not victims and to thrive despite their circumstances. Their insight and self-knowledge gained through setbacks and difficulties helped them to become more resilient. Reflecting on the human qualities and other factors of resilience as identified in the literature study and the empirical findings, it seems evident that a central theme of these factors is the notion of choice. PPL contributes to resilience by means of facilitation and counselling solutions in areassuch as adaptability, assertiveness, attitude towards life, internal locus of control, positive social orientation, purpose in life, realisation of potential and the development of a strong inner self. The main conclusions that can be deduced from the above findings can subsequently be summarised as follows: A personal choice to self-actualise regardless of circumstances underlies the interacting web of human qualities and other factors in resilient individuals. The human qualities of the resilient individual thus play a role in contributing to the ability to keep the individual on the path of growth, self-actualisation and self-transcendence, regardless of the circumstances. The PPL Practitioner can assist individuals to develop skills on an ongoing basis in order to cope in times of setbacks and difficulties.
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- Authors: De Beer, Anneke
- Date: 2012-09-06
- Subjects: Resilience (Personality trait)
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:9682 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7096
- Description: M.Phil. , On a daily basis, everyone is confronted with challenges and setbacks that force them to take a stand. People experience these challenges and setbacks differently. While some flourish in the midst of setbacks, others fall flat and become victims of their circumstances. Resilience determines how well people bounce back from setbacks and difficulties. In the light of this problem, the general objective of this study is to determine what enables people to bounce back from setbacks and difficulties in their personal and professional lives. In order to realise this objective, the following specific questions are set for the study: What is resilience? What are the different contexts in which resilience can be perceived? How do people perceive setbacks and difficulties and what are their perceptions and selfinsight regarding their own reactions to these experiences? Which human qualities and other factors allow people to bounce back in times of setbacks and difficulties? What are the implications for and the potential contribution of Personal and Professional Leadership (PPL) regarding resilience? This study has been conducted through a PPL perspective which is based on the assumption that human beings have an ongoing commitment to growth and development, through selfknowledge and self-awareness, finding a purpose, realising one's full potential, adding value to other people's lives and professional competence in terms of organisational efficiency and effectiveness. Within the context of this study, the aim of PPL is to sensitise and empower individuals to exercise their freedom of choice. In endeavouring to address the research problem, the researcher subsequently decided to make use of a qualitative research design involving a hermeneutic phenomenological research strategy supported by a descriptive research approach. The researcher conducted a word and concept analysis, an extensive literature study as well as individual interviews (focused on adult individuals) in order to meet the research objective. The main findings realising the research objective can be described as follows: From a PPL perspective, the concept resilience implies the ability to bounce back from life's difficulties and continue along the path of growth, self-actualisation and self-transcendence. It has also been established that resilience can be perceived in different contexts, including: challenging experiences, developmental transition, individual adversity, collective adversity, organisational change and socio-political change. It was also found that although the respondents worked through different phases in the change process, their final reaction was to choose to become victors, not victims and to thrive despite their circumstances. Their insight and self-knowledge gained through setbacks and difficulties helped them to become more resilient. Reflecting on the human qualities and other factors of resilience as identified in the literature study and the empirical findings, it seems evident that a central theme of these factors is the notion of choice. PPL contributes to resilience by means of facilitation and counselling solutions in areassuch as adaptability, assertiveness, attitude towards life, internal locus of control, positive social orientation, purpose in life, realisation of potential and the development of a strong inner self. The main conclusions that can be deduced from the above findings can subsequently be summarised as follows: A personal choice to self-actualise regardless of circumstances underlies the interacting web of human qualities and other factors in resilient individuals. The human qualities of the resilient individual thus play a role in contributing to the ability to keep the individual on the path of growth, self-actualisation and self-transcendence, regardless of the circumstances. The PPL Practitioner can assist individuals to develop skills on an ongoing basis in order to cope in times of setbacks and difficulties.
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Overcoming the effects of physical and emotional abuse through personal leadership development
- Authors: Abrahams, Tanya
- Date: 2012-11-18
- Subjects: Abused women - Rehabilitation , Abused women - Counseling of , Resilience (Personality trait) , Women abuse , Interpersonal conflict
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:7401 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8211
- Description: M.Phil. , The aim of this study was to explore how women overcome the effects of physical and emotional abuse through personal leadership. The research has been conceptualised by the researcher‟s knowledge of the Personal, Interpersonal and Professional (PiPL) Leadership framework. The researcher researched how women overcome the effects of physical and emotional abuse from a personal perspective, as well as using individual experiences to explore how women cope with these challenges. The study was motivated by the researcher‟s experience of abuse. A decision was made to subject her own as well as another woman‟s experiences to scholarly study. This process served as a catalyst in dealing with a few unresolved challenges in her life. The study concludes that overcoming the effects of physical and emotional abuse is a burdensome journey that constantly needs work and that one can never claim to have truly mastered. From the core research problem the research question was formulated as follows: How do women overcome the physical and emotional affects of abuse through personal leadership? From the above research question, the following two aims of the study were formulised: To explore, describe and reach an understanding of how two women have coped with the effects of physical and emotional abuse through personal leadership development. To add to existing knowledge by applying the PiPL framework and other theoretical concepts to the two women‟s authentic experiences. The study follows autoethnography as a research approach. Anderson (2006) suggests the term analytic autoethnography involving research in which the vi researcher is: (i) A full member in the research setting; (ii) Visible in such texts; (iii) Committed to develop theoretical understanding of broader social phenomena; (iv) Analytic reflexivity; and (iv) Dialogue with informants beyond the self. Anderson (2006) believes that insights gained from the lived experiences of the researcher must be applied analytically, in other words, it should contribute to some way to existing theory. This study adheres to Anderson‟s commitment to an analytic agenda. Ontologically, the study‟s position is that of constructivism. Furthermore, the epistemological stance in the study can be summarised as follows: knowledge about women overcoming the effects of abuse is generated by revealing the meaning such women attach to their experiences and the researcher‟s interpretation of it is not definitive. This statement makes claim to both interpretivism and constructivism. This study shares the journey towards recovery, connection and choices. It concerns the researcher; a woman, wife and mother, who was negatively impacted by abuse. It is validated by a significant other who shares this experience with the researcher. Lastly, it includes another woman‟s lived experiences of abuse. It is a story towards finding closure, healing and meaning. Keywords: Women abuse, resilience, overcoming the effects of physical and emotional abuse, leadership, analytical autoethnography, Smith‟s (2009) Quality of Leadership, Personal, Interpersonal and Professional Leadership (PiPL), qualitative research.
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- Authors: Abrahams, Tanya
- Date: 2012-11-18
- Subjects: Abused women - Rehabilitation , Abused women - Counseling of , Resilience (Personality trait) , Women abuse , Interpersonal conflict
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:7401 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8211
- Description: M.Phil. , The aim of this study was to explore how women overcome the effects of physical and emotional abuse through personal leadership. The research has been conceptualised by the researcher‟s knowledge of the Personal, Interpersonal and Professional (PiPL) Leadership framework. The researcher researched how women overcome the effects of physical and emotional abuse from a personal perspective, as well as using individual experiences to explore how women cope with these challenges. The study was motivated by the researcher‟s experience of abuse. A decision was made to subject her own as well as another woman‟s experiences to scholarly study. This process served as a catalyst in dealing with a few unresolved challenges in her life. The study concludes that overcoming the effects of physical and emotional abuse is a burdensome journey that constantly needs work and that one can never claim to have truly mastered. From the core research problem the research question was formulated as follows: How do women overcome the physical and emotional affects of abuse through personal leadership? From the above research question, the following two aims of the study were formulised: To explore, describe and reach an understanding of how two women have coped with the effects of physical and emotional abuse through personal leadership development. To add to existing knowledge by applying the PiPL framework and other theoretical concepts to the two women‟s authentic experiences. The study follows autoethnography as a research approach. Anderson (2006) suggests the term analytic autoethnography involving research in which the vi researcher is: (i) A full member in the research setting; (ii) Visible in such texts; (iii) Committed to develop theoretical understanding of broader social phenomena; (iv) Analytic reflexivity; and (iv) Dialogue with informants beyond the self. Anderson (2006) believes that insights gained from the lived experiences of the researcher must be applied analytically, in other words, it should contribute to some way to existing theory. This study adheres to Anderson‟s commitment to an analytic agenda. Ontologically, the study‟s position is that of constructivism. Furthermore, the epistemological stance in the study can be summarised as follows: knowledge about women overcoming the effects of abuse is generated by revealing the meaning such women attach to their experiences and the researcher‟s interpretation of it is not definitive. This statement makes claim to both interpretivism and constructivism. This study shares the journey towards recovery, connection and choices. It concerns the researcher; a woman, wife and mother, who was negatively impacted by abuse. It is validated by a significant other who shares this experience with the researcher. Lastly, it includes another woman‟s lived experiences of abuse. It is a story towards finding closure, healing and meaning. Keywords: Women abuse, resilience, overcoming the effects of physical and emotional abuse, leadership, analytical autoethnography, Smith‟s (2009) Quality of Leadership, Personal, Interpersonal and Professional Leadership (PiPL), qualitative research.
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Resiliency as experienced by teachers in a special secondary school in Gauteng
- Authors: Schouwink, Frederik
- Date: 2012-06-07
- Subjects: Special education teachers- South Africa - Gauteng , Resilience (Personality trait) , Burn out (Psychology) , Teachers - Job stress - South Africa - Gauteng
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:8712 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5064
- Description: M. Ed. , This study is aimed at exploring resiliency as experienced by teachers in a special secondary school in Gauteng. Many studies have investigated the impact of stress and burnout on teachers and how it impacts on the delivery of educational services. Studies have found that excessive stress may lead to poor teaching, poor-decision making, lowered self-esteem, low job satisfaction and lack of commitment to remain in the profession (Schulze & Steyn, 2007). These are especially prevalent among special education teachers who are subsequently at the highest risk of leaving the profession (Wisniewski & Gargiulo, 1997). While much is therefore known about teacher stress and burnout in education, it is less clear what the experiences might be of teachers who do manage to deal positively with the various demands in special schools despite the numerous professional challenges they face. In other words, the study aimed at gaining a better understanding of the experiences that have enabled some special education teachers in a Gauteng secondary school to sustain their motivation, commitment and, consequently, their effectiveness in the profession. By doing so, proactive strategies could be taken to address the problem of teacher stress and burnout which could result in the betterment of retention of special education teachers. In this study, the researcher made use of extreme case sampling, in others words locating individuals that have been cited for achievement and particular distinguished characteristics, i.e. resilient teachers. The school management team and fellow teachers identified nine colleagues who demonstrated the ability to adapt to stressors in the school context, despite various challenges. Criteria that informed the identification of resilient teachers related to those teachers who demonstrated high energy levels, enthusiasm, creativity, optimism and positive relationships with others. In this research, an interpretivist research paradigm framed the research with a qualitative approach and a phenomenological design. The data for this study was collected by means of semi-structured interviews, a focus interview, photos as well as a verification questionnaire. Moreover, data was also collected by the keeping of a personal researcher‘s journal. Data was analysed using content analysis. Themes that emerged during the data analysis pointed out that certain factors contributed to teachers experiencing resilience, whereas others depleted teachers‘ ability to be resilient in the face of hardship within their professional roles. Those factors that played a part towards the experience of resilience were encouragement from a significant other in their life history, spirituality, lifelong learning, utilizing their emotional intelligence and wanting to be a role model to others. In contrast, those factors that obstruct resilience related to the difficulty of the individual to establish healthy boundaries, wanting and being unable to take other people‘s problems away, and having unrealistic expectations regarding the support of fellow colleagues. Following the discussion of the themes, recommendations were provided to assist relevant role-players in promoting the experience of resilience among special secondary school teachers. The study concludes
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- Authors: Schouwink, Frederik
- Date: 2012-06-07
- Subjects: Special education teachers- South Africa - Gauteng , Resilience (Personality trait) , Burn out (Psychology) , Teachers - Job stress - South Africa - Gauteng
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:8712 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5064
- Description: M. Ed. , This study is aimed at exploring resiliency as experienced by teachers in a special secondary school in Gauteng. Many studies have investigated the impact of stress and burnout on teachers and how it impacts on the delivery of educational services. Studies have found that excessive stress may lead to poor teaching, poor-decision making, lowered self-esteem, low job satisfaction and lack of commitment to remain in the profession (Schulze & Steyn, 2007). These are especially prevalent among special education teachers who are subsequently at the highest risk of leaving the profession (Wisniewski & Gargiulo, 1997). While much is therefore known about teacher stress and burnout in education, it is less clear what the experiences might be of teachers who do manage to deal positively with the various demands in special schools despite the numerous professional challenges they face. In other words, the study aimed at gaining a better understanding of the experiences that have enabled some special education teachers in a Gauteng secondary school to sustain their motivation, commitment and, consequently, their effectiveness in the profession. By doing so, proactive strategies could be taken to address the problem of teacher stress and burnout which could result in the betterment of retention of special education teachers. In this study, the researcher made use of extreme case sampling, in others words locating individuals that have been cited for achievement and particular distinguished characteristics, i.e. resilient teachers. The school management team and fellow teachers identified nine colleagues who demonstrated the ability to adapt to stressors in the school context, despite various challenges. Criteria that informed the identification of resilient teachers related to those teachers who demonstrated high energy levels, enthusiasm, creativity, optimism and positive relationships with others. In this research, an interpretivist research paradigm framed the research with a qualitative approach and a phenomenological design. The data for this study was collected by means of semi-structured interviews, a focus interview, photos as well as a verification questionnaire. Moreover, data was also collected by the keeping of a personal researcher‘s journal. Data was analysed using content analysis. Themes that emerged during the data analysis pointed out that certain factors contributed to teachers experiencing resilience, whereas others depleted teachers‘ ability to be resilient in the face of hardship within their professional roles. Those factors that played a part towards the experience of resilience were encouragement from a significant other in their life history, spirituality, lifelong learning, utilizing their emotional intelligence and wanting to be a role model to others. In contrast, those factors that obstruct resilience related to the difficulty of the individual to establish healthy boundaries, wanting and being unable to take other people‘s problems away, and having unrealistic expectations regarding the support of fellow colleagues. Following the discussion of the themes, recommendations were provided to assist relevant role-players in promoting the experience of resilience among special secondary school teachers. The study concludes
- Full Text:
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