Doctoral Degrees (Psychology)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10413/6475

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 138

HIV and AIDS service delivery (in) efficiency in Malawi : a transaction cost economics analysis of the antiretroviral therapy programme.
(2025) Kajumi , Murphy Mathews.; Govender, Kaymarlin.
The gains from antiretroviral therapy have been remarkable over the years, but the global decline and flattening of aid has heightened the concerns for the sustainability of the diagnosis and treatment programmes, and the global HIV and AIDS response in general. Consequently, the heavy dependence on external financing, and limited scope for increased domestic funding in low- and middle-income countries heavily impacted by HIV and AIDS has heightened calls for efficient governance of the response. Concurrently, the ART services embedded in the public healthcare governance show inefficiencies, with high transaction or coordination costs as a key factor contributing to inefficiency. Conventional healthcare economic evaluation approaches have tended to ignore the role that transaction costs minimisation can potentially play towards efficient ART service delivery and contribute towards sustainability. Using a Transaction Cost Economics (TCE) lens, the aim of this research is an analysis of the HIV and AIDS ART governance in Malawi to identify the types of inefficiency, sources of transaction costs, their effect on ART programme efficiency, and the ART programme governance conformity with TCE theory. The specific objectives of the research are: a) to assess the (in) efficiency of the HIV and AIDS ART programme in Malawi and determine the types of inefficiency in the programme; b) to assess the effect of transaction costs on the HIV and AIDS ART programme efficiency in Malawi; c) to assess the degree to which the HIV and AIDS ART programme in Malawi conforms with the TCE economic governance theory, and, d) to determine the sources of transaction costs in the HIV and AIDS ART programme in Malawi and determine whether these costs are due to noncompliance with the prescription of transaction cost economics theory. The study used quantitative and qualitative approaches to collect data and analyse the application of TCE in the Malawi HIV and AIDS ART programme governance. Inefficiency estimation uses data envelopment analysis (DEA), a non-parametric linear programming efficiency estimation technique, econometric and statistical methods based on data extracted from the Ministry of Health Electronic Management Records (EMR). Qualitative data were collected from HIV and AIDS policy and programme managers, and service providers, which was analysed using thematic analysis to report on the key features of the HIV and AIDS ART programme governance in Malawi and its conformity with TCE theory. The results show that the HIV and AIDS ART programme in Malawi operates at inefficient levels with an estimated overall technical efficiency score of 92%, suggesting output can be increased by 8% with existing inputs. It displays increasing and decreasing returns to scale for 23% and 69% of the health facilities providing ART, suggesting that the facilities are operating at too small and too big a scale to be able to take advantage of economies of scale, respectively. Some border district facilities display high technical efficiency levels, largely due to high client volumes, but this may hide the strain on service delivery due to extension of services to foreign country citizens. The results further show that transaction costs are negatively correlated with health facility efficiency, suggesting that their minimisation should contribute to efficient facility-based ART provision in Malawi. Additionally, the design and implementation of the ART programme is found to conform with TCE theory prescriptions and harbours the governance instruments designed to reduce transaction costs that arise from ART transaction asset specificity, uncertainty and complexity. The main sources of transaction costs are programme coordination and administration and ART financing administration. An excessive ART aid administration safeguards framework by donors and a parallel healthcare supply chain management structure tend to increase transaction costs, and thus, violate the TCE theory efficiency principles. While ART governance design conforms to TCE theory prescriptions, the ART programme is assessed to be inefficient. Policy interventions that increase the use of excess capacity and align demand with facility allocation should assist to improve HIV programme efficiency in Malawi. An explicit focus on the sources and incidence of transaction costs would further assist to devise measures to minimise them and contribute towards efficient HIV and AIDS ART service delivery.
Understanding psychological and contextual influences on self-regulatory learning among at risk undergraduate students: a mixed methods study.
(2024) Sotshongaye, Ayanda Nosipho.; Meyer-Weitz, Anna.
Background: Slow academic progression rates among undergraduate students is an increasing concern in South African Higher Education and Training Institutions. The aim of the study was to understand the psychological and contextual barriers to success of undergraduate students identified as At Risk of academic failure in a public South African university. Equally important, to examine how Self-Regulated Learning (SRL) abilities and or lack thereof facilitated learning experience and attainment of personal goals in the academic context. Methodology: Using a case study mixed methods research design, the study adopted a sequential exploratory strategy. In phase one, the qualitative approach conveniently selected 23 academically At Risk undergraduate students, post first year. Data collection process through the sociodemographic information sheet and in-depth individual interviews explored the experiences and challenges of the At Risk students as they navigate the system following academic failure, which were thematically analysed. In phase two, the quantitative approach administered questionnaires to a relatively larger sample of 452 conveniently selected At Risk students. Data collection process using the sociodemographic information sheet, 81-item Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) and the 16-item procrastination scale investigated the aspects of SRL that influenced performance. The MSLQ was subjected to factor analysis. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 25) techniques (descriptive tests, Independent samples ttest, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation, hierarchical regression). Results: Qualitative findings revealed high feelings of psychological distress, despondency, fear of failure and procrastination tendencies. Participants found the practices of the early warning (Robot) system as stigmatising and intensified their feelings of shame and despondency. Participants expressed difficulties in maintaining motivation due to experiencing academic failure and exclusions. Academic exclusion often led to degree changes, lateral transfers within and across colleges while financial exclusion impacted negatively on their housing conditions. Fear of failure, lack of self-confidence in approaching assessments increased maladaptive procrastination that inhibited optimal academic functioning. Furthermore, the vast majority had never consulted with their lecturers and preferred approaching their peers for academic support despite being less effective. At Risk students further attributed poor engagement with the University’s intervention programmes to the lack of clarity regarding the nature of support offered and how these services would be of benefit to their academic success. Quantitative results revealed that At Risk students differ significantly in their motivational goal for their academics, execution of learning strategies and levels of procrastination tendencies in relation to the four distinct sociodemographic factors (degree programmes, colleges, funding and residential groups). In particular, very strong significant differences were found between the four-year degree and three-year degree programme groups in relation to MSLQ constructs. The four-year degree programme group reported the task value as a motivating factor to engage and the good management of time and study environment, peer learning and help seeking behaviours as important learning resources for success as compared to three-year degree programme group. Also, the college groups differed significantly in levels of procrastination tendencies. The College of Humanities (CHUM) group reported higher academic procrastination tendencies as compared to the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Sciences (CAES) and the College of Law and Management Studies (CLMS). Pearson correlation results showed significant positive correlations between the MSLQ constructs, in terms of participants’ motivational beliefs (extrinsic goals, task value, control of learning beliefs, self-efficacy for learning and performance), learning strategies (elaboration, critical thinking, organisation, metacognitive SR) and the management of learning resources (time and study environment, effort regulation, peer learning and help seeking). The procrastination scale correlated negatively with most MSLQ, except for the insignificant result in control of learning beliefs and peer learning subscales. The higher procrastination tendencies were associated with the participants’ lower levels of motivational beliefs for the degree, inability to effectively employ various learning strategies and resources that promote performance. Conclusion: The study provided valuable descriptions of the students’ experiences and barriers to success, indicating the broader ramifications of failing and becoming At Risk that led to degree changes by lateral transfers within/ another college and financial exclusions. The psychological effects identified were shame, guilt, despondency, reduced self-efficacy beliefs for learning and performance, maladaptive procrastination. These constructs persistently and perpetually challenged their efforts to engage effectively with academic activities and ultimately increased their vulnerability to academic failure and hence the pattern of At-Risk status.
Bullying in the workplace : investigating the experiences and feelings of employees and management at a local municipality in KwaZulu Natal.
(2023) Singh , Ashlesha.; Buitendach, Johanna Hendrina.
Introduction Workplace bullying (WB) is a universal phenomenon often attributed to physical violence and/or psychological abuse, which may have devastating consequences for both the individual/s and organisational wellness (Du Plessis, 2017). However, a lacuna in the research on the phenomenon of bullying was identified within the research domain. Up to the date of completion of the research study, there were no comprehensive anti-bullying policies and intervention guidelines in place at the study site to effectively eradicate bullying. Objectives The study aim was to gain insight into employees’ and managers’ feelings and experiences of WB at a local municipality in KwaZulu-Natal. This objective included the need to obtain a deeper understanding of how employees and managers construct their experiences and cope with WB, and to obtain their recommendations to prevent and manage its occurrence. Furthermore, all objectives of the research study worked together to develop substantial intervention guidelines to reduce and eliminate bullying within the said municipality. Method A qualitative, explorative single case study was the research approach adopted. Purposive sampling was used in this study and ten employees and ten managers were interviewed at the selected municipality. Semi-structured online interviews on Microsoft Teams, Zoom and journaling were used to collect data for the study. The data obtained were analysed through Moustakas’ (1994) modified van Kaam method of Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), document analysis and the researcher’s journal. The theoretical frameworks of Foucault and the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Model contributed to further explicate the research findings. Results WB was commonly understood and experienced as a frequent and intentional abuse of power and authority, with vertical bullying and mobbing being the most prominent types of bullying experienced in the municipality. The research findings revealed that although WB was rampant across the municipality, the awareness of the phenomenon was notably poor. Common manifestations of WB included workplace aggression, social and job isolation, harassment, victimisation, undermining, humiliation and intrusion. As discussed in the study, results revealed that victims experienced various negative consequences of WB. At an organisational level, it became evident that WB severely impacted on the wellness of many employees and the local municipality as a whole. Overall, bullying created a toxic environment through a multitude of unacceptable and inappropriate abusive cause-and-effect practices and activities that exacerbated the spread of WB at the selected research site. Emotion and problem based coping mechanisms employed by victims were identified as effective coping mechanisms in response to WB. In addition, leadership accountability and consequence management were required to eliminate WB. Various approaches were recommended for the victims to prevent and manage the phenomenon in the municipality. Conclusion The data analysis indicated that the employees and managers interviewed experienced WB as a prominent feature of their workplace environment at the municipality. Despite their assertive and resilient approach, employees and managers grappled with the deleterious consequences of WB on their psychological, physical, social and organisational well-being. The development of multi-level interventions was recommended to prohibit bullying at the municipality. It was further recommended that a number of proactive measures were to be implemented to effectively prevent and manage WB.
The psychological and work-related consequences of overindebtedness amongst employees of the KZN department of health.
(2024) Naidoo, Kirschnee.; Meyer-Weitz, Anna.
Background: Over-indebtedness is where a consumer spends more than they earn and are unable to pay their debts timeously over a period of time often resulting in legal action due to non-payment of debts. This is a global and South African phenomenon that affects consumers globally and nationally on personal, social and contextual levels. Psychological consequences of over-indebtedness (such as stress) in the Public Sector, and factors that impact financial help-seeking behaviour (such as stigma and self-efficacy) are lacking. The financial wellness programmes (FWP) offered through the employee wellness programme (EWP) was introduced by the public sector to address over-indebtedness but little attention has been paid to barriers in accessing the FWP. Methods: Set in the Department of Health (DoH) Kwa Zulu-Natal, a case study approach using a convergent mixed-methods design was adopted to understand the psychosocial consequences of over-indebtedness and the barriers that prevented financial help-seeking behaviour from the FWP. In phase one the research instruments were developed and refined. Phase two comprised a cross-sectional survey among employees (n = 1132) to investigate the phenomenon of over-indebtedness, psychosocial issues (stress, coping strategies), and factors impacting financial help-seeking behaviour (availability, accessibility, utilisation of the FWP and its approval). Descriptive and multivariate statistics were utilised in alignment with the aims and objectives of the study. Concurrently, the qualitative focus group discussions were conducted among 14 employee wellness practitioners (EWP) on their perspectives of the Financial Wellness Programme in terms of utilisation, challenges faced, and help-seeking behaviours of employees. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results: The survey data suggested that half the participants perceived themselves as being over-indebted and 23% were legally indebted. Both formal and unsecured credit contributed to over- and legal indebtedness. Various forms of credit were accessed with those reported being legally indebted with greater access to credit. Poor money management contributed significantly to perceived indebtedness and legal indebtedness. Poor coping mechanisms (such as substance abuse, increased absenteeism and suicidal ideation), compounded by stigma and low self-efficacy, were found to negatively impact debt help-seeking behaviours from the FWP. The quality of the FWP was rated as average by 40% while 25% rated it as poor. The EWP stated that poor financial management and reliance on credit results in over-indebtedness. Various organisational factors seemed to impede the success of the FWP e.g. poor marketing, budget allocation, and a lack of buy-in from management and employees. Confidentiality, accessibility, acceptability, and availability of the FWP were identified as essential to ensure proper utilisation of the FWP. Results of the qualitative study supported the quantitative findings that debt stigma and lower levels of self-efficacy negatively influence debt help-seeking behaviour. Conclusions and Recommendations: Indebtedness is prevalent within the DoH. Credit commitments indicate that employees tend to spend more than they earn. Financial challenges result in psychological distress, and absenteeism. Avoidance behaviours, fear of stigma and low self-efficacy are barriers to seeking help from the FWP. In order to support indebted employees, organisational commitment to, and mandatory participation in FWP, is likely to destigmatise the FWP and ensure greater accessibility to all employees. This will likely assist all in better financial management, decision making, and provide a way of coping with stressors.
Unsuppressed viral load among HIV-positive children and adolescents on antiretroviral therapy in Lubumbashi,democratic republic of the Congo: magnitude,determinants,barriers, and facilitators.
(2025) Mukuku, Olivier Kabiriko.; Govender, Kaymarlin.
Despite the proven effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy, achieving and maintaining viral load suppression among children and adolescents living with HIV remains a significant challenge, particularly in resource-limited settings such as Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Barriers to optimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy contribute to unsuppressed viral load, increasing the risk of disease progression and HIV transmission. Understanding the magnitude, determinants, barriers, and facilitators of viral load suppression is crucial for designing effective interventions. Objectives. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of unsuppressed viral load among children and adolescents living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy in Lubumbashi and to identify the factors associated with unsuppressed viral load. Additionally, it explored the barriers and facilitators influencing adherence to antiretroviral therapy and achieving viral load suppression from the perspectives of children and adolescents living with HIV, their caregivers, and healthcare workers. Methods. A convergent mixed-methods study was conducted from June to September 2024 in HIV care clinics in Lubumbashi. The quantitative component consisted of a multicenter cross-sectional study including 847 children and adolescents living with HIV aged 0 to 19 years on antiretroviral therapy for at least six months with available viral load results. Data were collected using an observational checklist and analyzed using STATA version 16. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with unsuppressed viral load. The qualitative component involved in-depth interviews with 39 adolescents living with HIV aged 13 to 19 years, 14 caregivers, and focus group discussions with 16 healthcare workers. Participants were purposively selected based on their roles in HIV care and treatment. Data were thematically analyzed using NVivo 14, guided by the socioecological model, to explore barriers and facilitators to adherence to antiretroviral therapy and to achieve viral load suppression. Results. The prevalence of unsuppressed viral load among children and adolescents living with HIV was 24.7% (209/847). Factors significantly associated with unsuppressed viral load included having married caregivers (AOR= 2.4; 95% CI: 1.2 to 5.0), non-perinatal HIV transmission (AOR=2.3; 95% CI: 1.2–4.5), advanced WHO clinical stages (AOR= 3.5; 95% CI: 1.0 to 13.7), poor/fair adherence to antiretroviral therapy (AOR= 107.8; 95% CI: 50.3 to 231.1), and antiretroviral therapy-induced side effects (AOR= 3.8; 95% CI: 1.9 to 7.9). The qualitative analysis identified barriers to antiretroviral therapy adherence and viral load suppression based on the socio-ecological model. Individual-level obstacles included economic constraints, forgetfulness, misconceptions about treatment necessity, and lack of food. Family-level barriers included insufficient support and stigma. Interpersonal stigma and discrimination also played a role. Facilitators, however, included strong social support, counseling, reminder tools, and positive healthcare worker-patient relationships, all of which helped improve adherence and viral load suppression. Conclusion. Reducing unsuppressed viral load among children and adolescents living with HIV in Lubumbashi requires a multifaceted approach, integrating family and community support, simplified antiretroviral therapy regimens, and enhanced healthcare worker capacity to provide comprehensive care. Targeted policy interventions and cross-sectoral collaboration are essential to improving adherence to antiretroviral therapy and achieving sustained viral load suppression in this vulnerable population.
Exploring constructions of masculinities and their influence on sexual practice, HIV risk and health-seeking behaviours of men in Malukazi/Malagazi informal settlement in Durban.
(2025) Ngcobo, Seluleko Eric.; Govender, Kaymarlin.; Dageid, Wenche.
Introduction: This study explores the role masculinity plays in shaping HIV-related risks and the health-seeking behaviours of young men residing in Malukazi, an informal settlement located in Durban, South Africa. Traditional notions of masculinity often influence health behaviours, including perceptions of HIV-related risk and healthcare utilisation. Understanding the intersection between masculinity and HIV-related risks and health-seeking behaviours is crucial for the development of targeted context-specific interventions meant to address the HIV epidemic among young men in informal settlements of South Africa. Methods: The study adopted a qualitative approach, which involved in-depth interviews faceto-face and focus-group discussions with 23 young men aged 15-25 from Malukazi. Three focus group discussions (FGD) and 17 individual interviews (IDI) were conducted. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse, interpret and present the data. Findings: The findings indicate that masculine attributes are associated with being ‘umjita’, a tsotsitaal concept meaning a young man and ‘amajita’, meaning a group of young men that significantly shaped young men's health-seeking behaviours in Malukazi. Risky sexual behaviours, such as engaging in MSR/MSP and inconsistent condom use, were perceived as integral to Amajita’s identity and masculine prowess and are an important need to prove one’s masculinity to Amajita. Moreover, the stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS and fear of emasculation were found to deter young men from seeking HIV testing and healthcare services. Conclusion: The findings highlight the critical role masculinity plays in shaping HIV risks and health-seeking behaviours among young men in Malukazi. Addressing the traditional norms of masculinity is essential as it promotes HIV prevention and care initiatives tailored to address the needs of this vulnerable population. There is a need to conduct research with the aim of providing an evidence base to develop and implement Interventions that challenge harmful gender norms, empower young men so that they adopt healthier behaviours and provide culturally sensitive healthcare services that prioritise confidentiality and respect. Addressing the intersection of masculinity with HIV-related risks and health-seeking behaviours can help advance efforts being made to mitigate the impact of the HIV epidemic among young men residing in informal settlements such as Malukazi.
Emotional pain in context: a focus on young adults' emotional experiences following relationship breakup.
(2023) Ohenewa, Esther.; Meyer-Weitz, Anna.
Background: Social relationships contribute significantly to young adults’ well-being, and relationship breakups are likely to result in emotional pain and suicidal behaviours. Yet emotional pain as a construct has received little attention in the African context. The quantitative study investigated the relatedness of selected psychosocial variables and the differences in sociodemographic variables in relation to indicators of mental health,protective factors and coping strategies following relationship breakup among young adults. Based on the findings of the quantitative study, the qualitative study explored the experiences of emotional pain following relationship breakup among young adults and its impact on their mental health and well-being as well as coping strategies used. Methods: A sequential explanatory mixed-method was employed in which a quantitative cross-sectional survey was followed by a qualitative study. The conveniently sampled participants for the survey were young adults from a tertiary institution in Ghana (n = 330). Young adults (n = 16) were sampled purposively for in-depth interviews for the qualitative study. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Further, the relationship between variables was established using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Chi Square tests, Mean tests were used to test the mean score differences between groups on the measure used. Standard Multiple Regression and Hierarchical Multiple Regression was used to assess the best predictors of emotional pain and suicidal behaviours while Hayes SPSS Process Macro was used to test for mediating variables of mental health, protective factors, and coping strategies between emotional pain, psychological distress and mental wellbeing. The Interpretive Phenomenology Analysis (IPA) was used in analysing the qualitative data. Results: Quantitative findings revealed that participants experienced suicidal behaviours following relationship breakup, particularly for romantic relationships. A significant positive relationship between unbearable emotional pain and poor mental health outcomes was noted. Protective factors such as emotional pain awareness, and emotional display and effective coping strategies significantly lessened these. Participants who experienced romantic relationship breakup reported a higher level of unbearable emotional pain, psychological distress, and greater risk of suicide while those who reported interrelationship breakup had a higher level of emotional awareness. Females were more forgiving and used more active coping strategies following relationship breakup. Active coping and disengagement coping were significant mediators in the relationship between unbearable emotional pain and mental well-being. Active coping, disengagement coping, unbearable emotional pain, and emotional suppression were significant mediators in the relationship between psychological distress and mental well-being. Emotional pain awareness only mediated the relationship between psychological distress and unbearable emotional pain. The qualitative finding revealed that emotional pain was conceptualized as physical or psychological distress among participants. Also, both personal and socio-cultural factors contributed to the experience of emotional pain in the event of a relationship breakup. The experience of emotional pain was perceived to have a physical and emotional impact. Finally,emotion- and problem- focused coping strategies were employed in dealing with the experience of emotional pain following relationship breakup. Conclusion and Recommendation: The findings of this study have delineated a pathway to poor mental health and well-being as well as suicidal behaviours. Relationship breakup lessens mental health and well-being and increases suicidal risk and behaviours. Emotional pain awareness, emotional expression and one’s coping strategies could protect mental health following relationship breakup. Psychosocial support including therapy should foster greater emotional awareness, expression and coping strategies. Finally, intervention programmes should be holistic focusing on mental health promotion education regarding managing relationship breakup and skills building in positive coping strategies for mental distress to improve the wellbeing of young adults facing relationship breakdown and general mental distress.
The experience of BEING: an interpretative phenomenological study on the meditative ‘being’ qualities, as experienced by counselling psychologists in therapeutic practice.
(2024) Korving, Ciara Gwyn.; Munro, Nicholas.
The past few decades have seen a rapid increase in mindfulness meditation as a popular Western mainstream practice, accompanied with a proliferation of studies around the topic of mindfulness, and its practice (mindfulness meditation). A review of relevant literature revealed that within the field of psychology, there is an increasing presence of research around mindfulness-based psychotherapy and its efficacy as an alternative to established psychological treatments for a range of conditions. However, there is currently limited research around the longer-term practice of mindfulness meditation, as may be engaged in by psychologists, and how this may inform their therapeutic practice and the quality of the therapeutic relationship. Given the central role that counselling psychologists place on the therapeutic relationship as an avenue for change, the study reported in this thesis sought to investigate the mindfulness and meditative practice experiences of counselling psychologists in an attempt to better understand its perceived relevance for counselling psychology. This thesis therefore focuses on the related constructs of meditation and mindfulness, and the resulting meditative being qualities. At a macro level, the study pertains to the prevalent problem of human states of disconnection, both within self and between others. Specifically, it asks whether psychologists can connect better with (themselves and) their clients, through meditative being. The study is positioned within an existential framework. A qualitative methodological design was employed, and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was selected as the most appropriate methodology with which to explore the personal experience of mindfulness meditation, and the meanings attached to such experience. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to recruit participants, and the final study sample group comprised a total of eleven counselling psychologists based across three geographical provinces in South Africa. The data collection process involved a combination of both semi-structured interviews (either face-toface or online), and a reflective journalling task. The resulting data was analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The research findings are structured around dominant superordinate and sub-themes. Participants’ conceptualisation of mindfulness and mindfulness meditation revealed two dominant themes – one related to its sensory nature and one to its personal nature. Consistent with literature reviewed, mindfulness and its practice was experienced to foster certain capacities, perceived to be the essence of mindfulness meditation practice. These include an increased capacity to be present and calm; and an increased capacity for self-awareness (including the relating capacities for non-judgement and nonattachment). A dominant theme related to the capacity mindfulness has to foster open-mindedness, a notion which pertains to self-awareness of one’s own internal narrative, biases and preconceptions. The findings reveal that mindfulness practice is experienced as assisting with valuable therapeutic capacities, including increased attention, a capacity to hold the therapeutic space, and a capacity to shift the therapeutic focus, from an intellectual to a sensory based focus. Such capacities ultimately facilitate a better therapeutic environment. The relevance of mindfulness and its practice in South Africa specifically pertained to its perceived efficacy in trauma work. In terms of its contribution to the topic of mindfulness and its practice, the study supports the current body of literature which advocates its benefits to counselling psychology, identifying several impacting ways in which mindfulness and its practice offers value – first, its relevance as a multi-cultural approach to healing; second, its value as a means of addressing psychological defence mechanisms that often present in the therapeutic space; and thirdly, the value of mindfulness in the counselling psychology curriculum, both in South Africa and internationally - in order to provide trainee counselling psychologists with a more holistic offering.
Psychological strengths of spirituality and transcendence and wellbeing of managers in the automotive sector.
(2024) Singh-Modi, Jasmé.; Buitendach, Johanna Hendrina.; Reuben, Shanya.
The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of managers, drawing on the constructs of the PERMA model of wellbeing and on their respective challenges, as well as to examine the role and utilisation of the psychological strengths (PS) of transcendence, so as to overcome managerial challenges within the South African automotive manufacturing industry. This study employed a qualitative approach in its method of data collection and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis for interpretation and analyses. The data was hence analysed via an idiographic, inductive and interrogative approach. The Broaden-and-Build theoretical framework was implemented, as a broadened behavioural repertoire, over time, is said to also build skills and resources that enhance survival. Psychofortology provides a perspective of positive psychology from which this research was conducted. The study participants comprised twelve managers within the subsidiaries of the chosen company in the automotive sector, nationwide, who voluntarily participated in the research. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather data and gain insight into the managers’ experiences of wellbeing, the challenges they experienced, the positive and negative factors that were taken into account, and their use of psychological strengths to negate these challenges. The intention of the study was to propose a set of guidelines that could be used to develop a holistic wellbeing intervention for managers by investigating and building on the PS of transcendence that promote wellbeing and that facilitate the capacity of an individual to “flourish.”The findings suggest that the PS of transcendence were utilised by managers in their experience of wellbeing; however, these were not adequately utilised to cope with challenges. This was due to managers not having a good knowledge and experience of the strengths. It was established that the implementation of existing positive psychological interventions (PPIs) is not adequate. The PPIs are not standardised and customised for each of the subsidiaries, and further development is required to suit the unique requirements of each subsidiary in order to address the specific challenges experienced as noted in the findings. The following recommendations for the study were made, and discussed in three parts. The first part discusses the more commonly used PPIs in the workplace, the mainstream or traditional approach. These PPIs are currently found to be implemented within the organisations to greater and lesser extents; however, they are not uniform, customised nor standardised across all 242 subsidiaries. A more user-friendly approach to the traditional approach was recommended for how existing PPIs may be further developed, utilising PS for transcendence and incorporating a more personalised approach. The second part comprises practical activities or mindfulness exercises that can be practised by managers either within or outside of the workplace to further develop their PS of transcendence. The third part discusses a less common approach which is only practised by some and generally practised outside of the workplace. This alternative approach provides a means to connect with and develop the inner working of the body or the internal state of being. Comparative, quantitative, empirical studies with larger samples are suggested to support the findings and to further explore this interesting phenomenon.
Growing up in child-headed households in Ga-maja village in Limpopo province: narratives of youths and caregivers.
(2023) Lephondo, Memmeru Jacobeth.; Mkhize, Nhlanhla Jerome.
This study explored the narratives of youths heading youth-headed households, the caregivers (who support the community) and the elders living in Ga-Maja, a village in the Limpopo Province. This study is based on a qualitative research approach that is narrative in nature. The Afrocentric Theoretical Framework also guided this study. Purposive sampling was utilised to select the sample of this study which consisted of ten youths aged between 18 and 35 years, ten elders and ten caregivers from Ga-Maja Village in the Limpopo Province. Individual interviews were used to collect data from the heads of households, elders and caregivers. Thirty participants of both genders were interviewed from a sample drawn from people living in Ga-Maja, a rural area in Limpopo. Most of the participants from youth-headed households and their caregivers were female because of the gendered nature of caregiving that was seen to be culturally inclined. All the participants narrated their lived experiences, challenges and dilemmas about growing up in childheaded households in the Ga-Maja Village in the Limpopo Province. This study used narrative data analysis based on a Thematic Data Analysis Method to analyse the data collected through interviews. The results were analysed from an Afrocentric point of view and shed light on the authentic narrations of the participants. The findings of this study revealed many challenges experienced by the heads of youth-headed households and caregivers. According to the findings, the Ga- Maja community is still traditional, led by the chief, indunas and elders who support the community. Spirituality and the Ubuntu orientation of the community are among the key attributes that sustain the lives of the youths heading youth-headed households. Despite their economic hardships, narratives of hope were evident, as well as a longing for a shared or common sense of identity. A complex gendered dimension of caring emerged in the form of bathing and personal care, transactional relationships and the disproportionate burden of caring assumed by females. The study recommends that youth-headed households be improved by creating jobs for youth-headed households, training caregivers, establishing a mentorship programme, and providing financial support to them. Hopefully, this study will enhance the quality of support provided to youth-headed households, contribute to the advancement of new knowledge, motivate community leaders to improve their traditional methods of supporting youth-headed households and assist policymakers in the design of YHH programmes and policy revision.
Organisational and personal drivers of innovative work behavior of employees in the marketing division of financial institutions in Ibadan, Nigeria: a mixed method approach.
(2023) Akinpelu, Gbemisola Sekinat.; Meyer-Weitz, Anna.
The financial sector plays a pivotal role in Nigeria's economy, with organisations facing increasing pressure to enhance performance amidst rising stakeholder expectations and intense competition. In this dynamic environment, customers' access to diverse information sources and suppliers has heightened their expectations for superior product quality and service, necessitating innovation as a crucial driver of organisational success. This study investigates the personal and organisational determinants of innovative work behaviour within the marketing divisions of financial institutions in Ibadan, Nigeria. Employing a sequential exploratory mixed methods design, the study commenced with qualitative interviews involving 12 marketers and 6 marketing managers, followed by a quantitative phase involving the distribution of 330 structured questionnaires, of which 300 were usable for analysis. Thematical and multivariate analyses were carried out. Findings from both qualitative and quantitative analyses reveal several precursors for innovative work behaviour, including transformational leadership, enabling organizational culture and climate, adequate resources, and personal characteristics such as passion, creativity, commitment, engagement, self-motivation, and confidence. Statistical analyses indicate that employees' level of education and the specific banks they work for significantly influence their innovative work behaviour. Furthermore, positive relationships were observed between innovative work behaviour and both personal (psychological capital and employee engagement) and organisational factors (organisational climate and culture). Psychological capital directly influenced innovative work behaviour, while employee engagement exhibited both direct and mediating effects on the relationship between organisational culture/climate and innovative work behaviour. Aligned to the findings, it is recommended that financial institutions foster conducive organisational cultures that promote employee engagement, thereby enhancing innovative work behaviour. At the personal level, strategies to develop marketers' psychological capital and coping mechanisms for stressful work environments are advised to improve their wellbeing and organisational engagement. Additionally, organisational management should prioritize skill training, provide supportive leadership, and implement effective reward systems to support employees in achieving innovative work behaviour. In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of both personal and organisational factors in driving innovative work behaviour within the marketing divisions of financial institutions in Ibadan, Nigeria, offering practical insights for organisational strategies and interventions aimed at fostering innovation and competitiveness in the sector.
Psychological assessment: a study of perceptions of personnel undergoing assessment for occupational purposes in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
(2022) Mthombeni, Zinhle Cynthia.; Nwoye, Augustine.
Background and aim: This study sought to examine how personnel who work within the SANDF perceive psychological assessment measures in their workplace. In the South African military, psychological tests were seen by the organisation’s leadership as invaluable decision aids for recruiting efficient servicemen, procuring promotion recommendations and guiding personnel development. It was this official view of the value of psychological assessment measures in the SANDF, which was put to test in this research. In this regard, the crucial question was: Do the people from ‘below’, the personnel that work in the Defence Force and had undergone psychological testing, share this official view of the role of test measures in their organisation? Exploring this question was considered important given historic issues of negativity and contestation that surrounded psychological test use in the pre-democracy era of the SANDF’s history. Against this background, understanding how military personnel presently view psychological tests in their workplace would help to determine whether efforts by the field of psychological assessment in the South African military to redeem its past contested reputation are yielding the expected dividends. Method: To implement the study, perceptions of purposively selected SANDF military members were explored through qualitative enquiry that followed IQA methodology. Data were collected during two focus group, consisting of constituents from both senior and junior military ranks (N=29), followed by individual interviews (N=18) that were aimed at unpacking themes that emerged from the discussions. The study sample was diverse in terms of gender, age, ethnicity and years of service. Findings: Findings of the study were mixed. While some aspects of the data showed that some SANDF personnel entertained a positive view and were beginning to appreciate the value of the use of psychological tests in the Defence Force, not all constituents of the study sample shared this positive perspective. Conclusion and implications: The study concluded that considered against the background of the pervasive negative perceptions associated with psychological assessment measures in the South African military during the apartheid period, as reported in the literature, there was cause for optimism that transformative measures introduced to improve the quality and practice of psychological assessment in the SANDF were making the expected impact of changing people’s perceptions about psychological tests in the military. Based on this, a number of recommendations were made about how positive perceptions on psychological tests in the SANDF could be further enhanced and sustained.
Infusing an African-centred pesperctive into life skills education at primary school level in Kenya: a case study of the Nandi community.
(2022) Magut, Amos Kiprotich.; Mkhize, Nhlanhla Jerome.
The indigenous healing and care practices in Kenya were forced to go underground during colonial times and thereafter during the design and roll-out of Western-type education. Consequently, therapy in Kenyan schools is largely dominated by contemporary psychological theories that have been conceptualized from a Eurocentric framework, and their treatment utility designed for European-Americans. Healing processes that are based on this worldview are in total conflict with African indigenous understandings of the person and reality, and hence the healing processes. With many primary schools reporting an increase in delinquency, there is need to enrich counselling offered in Kenyan primary schools through tapping into the cultural resources. The nature of the indigenous African psychosocial resources, and the exact techniques involved, remain unclear and have not been given much attention. Afrocentricity provided the philosophical basis for this study. It was informed by the mixed methods research approach whereby Nandi elders through interviews and focus group discussion contributed values during the exploratory phase. The second phase involved instrument development based on findings of phase one, and the third entailed administration of the instrument to a sample (260) of school counsellors. The results indicated that Nandi people have psychosocial resources. Moreover, school counsellors have positive views of the role these resources can play. However, most counsellors have minimal or no knowledge of indigenous resources and interventions. Schools are grappling with many psychosocial challenges, which counsellors feel cultural resources can help mitigate. However, the challenge remains that most indigenous resources have not been documented. Results indicate that these challenges can be managed as there is interest among educational stakeholders to use them. Finally, the results showed that actualisation of infusion is possible if values are documented and sensitisation on their viability is made. These findings have the following implications for policy, research, theory and practice: infuse indigenous tenets in management of disruptive behaviours in schools; change policy to have mother tongue taught and tested in all primary schools; indigenous psychosocial resources and interventions be documented and the mechanisms identified to infuse them into life skills curriculum, and teachers be inducted on the tenets and efficacy of indigenous resources.
Career development narratives and experiences of post-matriculants in a disadvantaged community: a study of Douglas in the Northern Cape.
(2022) Hoorn, Caroline.; Mkhize, Nhlanhla Jerome.
Post-matriculants in disadvantaged communities such as Douglas encounter a number of career challenges. The transition to the democratic dispensation in 1994, coupled with the rapid changes in the information domain that are characteristic of post-industrial life, complicate the career development trajectories of black youth in the rural areas in particular. Legally, South Africa has moved from an apartheid to a democratic system. Although this democratic system is approximately 27 years old, the legacy of apartheid runs deep and more so in rural settings. The career development stories and experiences of black rural youth in provinces such as the Northern Cape have not been told, leading to their marginalisation. It is against this background that the current study explored the career development narratives and experiences of post-matriculants in the Douglas community in the Northern Cape. Using a qualitative, narrative approach, the researcher elicited career development stories from 23 participants in Douglas using semi-structured interviews. The study revealed that the career development narratives and experiences extracted are those filled with a mixture of a few positive experiences but mainly those of frustration, stagnation, and loss of hope resulting from the uncontrollable external environmental conditions in Douglas. Key pillars like family, teachers, some people in the community, as well as non-governmental organisations, played a critical role in enabling post-matriculants to choose and pursue careers amidst constant frustration with social, environmental, and socio-economic factors that posed serious obstacles. Another key factor that the study showed was that gender did not have any influence on the career choices of the post-matriculants. The perceptions around career choices and gender were being challenged partly by the urge to affirm equality and the constant reminder of the poverty-stricken conditions prevalent in the households. However, the constraints experienced by the post-matriculants outweighed the enablers’ needed for consistent career development. In addition, the study concluded that while the systems of influence like individual, society and environmental-societal are critical in shaping individual career pathways, individuals are pushed by a strong sense of self-concept, and self-efficacy propelled by constant resilience to emerge with successful careers even amid existing deeply entrenched structural systems designed to disadvantage black people. Lastly, the study concluded that the development of self as individuals is not done in the absence of the community or society. The study revealed a lot of attachment to society that was expressed in the future plans of Douglas’ post-matriculants should they succeed in their career pursuits. Therefore, the importance of stakeholder roles and integration within the planned strategies towards the effectiveness of career development processes and approaches would alter the career development narratives and experiences of post-matriculants and would enable them to have successful career pathways and growth.
Analysis of policy for protection of HIV positive adolescent girls against vulnerabilities faced in using contraception in Malawi.
(2022) Bulage, Patience.; Govender, Kaymarlin.
There are challenges faced in accessing and using contraception by adolescent girls, but the reality is worse for adolescent girls living with HIV. Thus, it is important to investigate the extent to which current policies in Malawi put into account the vulnerabilities faced by this sub-population. This study therefore sought to answer the following research questions: 1. What are the structural and socio-cultural issues affecting the use of contraception among AGLHIV in Malawi? 2. What policy provisions are in place in Malawi to address the issues/risks faced by AGLHIV during reach and use of contraception? 3. What implementation challenges affect the effectiveness of the available policy provisions? This study was guided by the healthy policy triangle (HPT) framework and it was qualitative in nature, using both secondary and primary data collection methods. The findings include; • Access to contraception by adolescent girls living with HIV is hampered by several structural and socio-cultural issues, mainly; the mode of service provision, supply chain and infrastructural challenges, age restrictions, conditioned access, as well as integration challenges. The socio-cultural issues include; the high momentum for children, male dominance, social labelling, non-disclosure of HIV serostatus to sexual partners, social sensitivity, perpetuation of harmful content, and a general lack of social support, and poor risk perception. • The available provisions include those addressing gender-based violence, discrimination and stigma, community engagement, confidentiality, and emphasis on adolescent girls and young women. However, most of the provisions are broadly stated and gaps exist too. • Effective implementation is affected largely by cascading challenges, lack of sufficient funding, limited political will, low comprehension of policy directives, limited participation of target population, coordination challenges, social resistance, effects of decentralization, low capacity of implementing partners and the slow pace of behaviour change among the targeted population and communities. While the policy environment in Malawi is seemingly favourable, undertones exist around harmonization, and representation of interest groups, mainly PLHIV groups. Policy makers ought not to continue ignoring the importance of formulating HIV-sensitive policies which can give way to social protection programs for the most vulnerable within the society, given the benefits of a healthy youthful population.
Narratives from women using the dapivirine vaginal ring in an open label extension study by Kalendri Naidoo.
(2022) Naidoo, Kalendri.; Mansoor, Leila Essop.; Montgomery, Elizabeth T.
In sub-Saharan Africa, women and girls represented 63% of new Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections in 2020. Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) aged 15–24 years are twice as likely to be living with HIV as compared to young men. Therefore, efforts to develop and roll out safe, effective and acceptable HIV prevention products for women, are continuing. An important example of a female-initiated HIV prevention strategy is the dapivirine vaginal ring which showed a 27% reduction in HIV-1 incidence in the Microbicides Trials Network (MTN)-020/A Study to Prevent Infection with a Ring for Extended Use (ASPIRE) study and by 31% in the International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM)-027 The Ring study. The dapivirine vaginal ring was subsequently tested for safety and adherence in the Open Label Extension (OLE), MTN-025/HIV Open-label Prevention Extension (HOPE) study. The MTN-032/Adherence in HOPE and ASPIRE (AHA) study was a two-phase exploratory sub-study of the ASPIRE (AHA part 1, after ASPIRE and before HOPE study initiation) and HOPE (AHA part 2, after HOPE was completed) studies which utilised single qualitative indepth interviews (IDIs) to explore social conditions and issues related to participation around the use of the dapivirine vaginal ring as well as suitable approaches to market the study product. I report on the narratives from women participating in the AHA study (Part 2) within the context of known safety, partial product efficacy and choice, focusing on what motivated women to join the HOPE OLE study, women’s understanding of the vaginal rings’ efficacy, how they understood it to work in their bodies to prevent HIV and barriers and motivators to vaginal ring adherence.
Exploring migration experiences and mental health among refugees and asylum-seekers in Durban, South Africa: guidelines for mental health promotion interventions.
(2020) Tesfai, Aron Hagos.; Meyer-Weitz, Anna.
Background: Refugees and asylum seekers flee war, state violence, persecution and economic hardships. They tend to be very poor, vulnerable and are often excluded from the health and socio-economic activities of the hosting communities. In these contexts, refugees and asylum-seekers are found to be among high-risk groups for mental health problems, especially those that resettle in Low-and-Middle Income Countries. Further, mental health issues of refugees are worsening in light of the sustained conflict and forced migration the world is witnessing. For a long time now, the need for mental health promotion among refugees has been a public health concern. However, it seems there has been limited research undertaken in Africa, particularly in South Africa regarding the migration experiences and mental health of refugees. This study therefore aimed to explore refugees’ and asylum-seekers’ migration experiences particularly the stressors, psychological problems and coping strategies at pre-, transit-, and post-migration stages. Understanding migration experiences provides an essential background for developing mental health intervention guidelines to promote psychological wellbeing among refugees. Methodology: The study utilised a sequential exploratory mixed-method strategy that allows first qualitative data collection and analysis followed by a second phase of quantitative data collection and analysis that builds on the results of the first qualitative phase. The main purpose of utilising this design was to initially explore the migration experiences of refugees and to understand their explanations and descriptions of migration and mental health experiences qualitatively. Then the quantitative phase aimed at expanding the initial qualitative results using a much larger sample. Based on a descriptive phenomenological method, qualitative data was collected from 14 purposefully selected participants using face-to-face interviews. The data was analysed using the five steps phenomenological descriptive analysis. A cross-sectional survey was utilised to collect data from 195 conveniently sampled respondents. A survey questionnaire was used to collect data and it included demographic questions and the following measures: Refugees Stress Scale (RSS), Post- Migration Living Difficulties Questionnaire (PMLD), Refugees’ Defenceless Scale (RDS), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RS), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ - 28) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist - civilian version (PCL -5). The data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS version 25). Techniques of exploratory factor analysis, independent samples t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson- moment correlation coefficient and regression models were used to analyse the quantitative data. Results: The qualitative results revealed that throughout migration refugees have experienced life-threatening events and gross violation of human rights emanating from state-organized-violence, conflict and xenophobic violence or criminal attacks. Further, refugees also suffered from economic hardships mostly due to lack of employment opportunities, not knowing where they were going, travelling alone, lack of basic necessities, persecution and lack of security. As a result, their mental health experiences attest emotional and psychological distress resulting from the immediate stressors and lingering migration stressors. The participants described experiencing symptoms of PTSD, anxiety and depression throughout the migration process and beyond. The psychological distress of refugees who fled recently and experienced traumatic events have been further stressed by the lack of basic necessities in South Africa, is notably worrisome. Refugees were dealing with very negative experiences using different coping mechanisms, mainly, faith and religiosity, escaping danger, using hopeful thoughts and relying on some social support. The quantitative results revealed threats to life, forced separation from family, not having a clear vision about ones’ future, limited freedom and police or military follow-ups or beating as most common pre-migration stressors. The post-migration stressors are mainly insecurity and vulnerability that includes xenophobic threats, lack of job opportunity/ unemployment, worries about their children, discrimination, separation from family, unable to return to their original home in an emergency time and fear of repatriation. Regarding psychological distress, anxiety and insomnia are found as the most prevalent symptoms of distress, followed by social dysfunction, somatic complaints and depression. About one third of the participants are experiencing major symptoms of PTSD. Conclusion: The prevalence of psychological distress is relatively lower in this study when compared to other studies among African refugees, however, refugees who fled recently from traumatic experiences are found to be notably stressed with major PTSD symptoms. Further, lack of basic needs, minimal financial income and insecurity are found to be determinants of mental health of refugees. Mental health promotion interventions for refugees should consider their primary needs, health inclusive of mental health screening at entry and to follow-up by addressing their psychological problems through both individual and community-based psychosocial interventions to enable refugees to take better control of their health and wellbeing within an supportive and enabling environment.
Beyond belonging? White settler entitlement and the dynamics of nativeness, autochthony and nostalgia in South Africa.
(2022) Maseko, Sibusiso.; Durrheim, Kevin Locksley.
White settlers continue to impose themselves as owners of contemporary settler colonies (Veracini, 1999; Moreton-Robinson, 2015). Their imposition not only translates into making settler colonies their permanent homelands, but also engenders deep sense of entitlement to them (Veracini, 1999; Moreton-Robinson, 2015). Despite the transition from an era of outright colonial rule to modern-day liberal democracies, colonial based asymmetries of power between White settlers and Indigenous groups remain resolute. Commonly, these asymmetries of power present as race-based hierarchies that shape the political, social and economic landscape of these societies. Hence, White settlers’ entitlement claims to contemporary settler colonies are central to the continuing problem of racial inequality because they rationalise, maintain and even reproduce their enjoyment of historical privileges. While Indigenous groups, who are the victims of settler colonial conquest, continue to exist on the margins of these societies (Veracini, 1999; 2008; Moreton-Robinson, 2015). The social psychology of intergroup relations has hardly paid attention to how White settlers continue to exercise dominance over contemporary settler colonies by advancing entitlement claims. In this thesis, I attempt to address this gap in literature by examining how White nativeness, White settler autochthony beliefs and White settler nostalgia, reinforce race-based hierarchies. Mainly, I argue that White settlers’ enduring sense of entitlement to settler colonies reinforces race-based hierarchies through the construction of a White native status and the mobilisation of White settler autochthony beliefs and nostalgia. My primary aim in this thesis is to show how White settlers’ psychological entitlement to settler colonial territory, reinforces preference for race-based hierarchies. To do this, I first undertake a theoretical examination of how White settlers construct and assert nativeness to settler colonies. Second, I undertake an empirical examination that investigates how psychological expressions of entitlement to settler colonies, through White settler autochthony and White settler nostalgia reinforce race-based hierarchies. In my theoretical examination, I argue that White settlers have constructed themselves as de facto natives by mobilising settler mythologies. And their assertion of a de facto White native status enables the mobilising of White settler autochthony and White settler nostalgia. This is because autochthony beliefs are a powerful set of ethical and moral ideals that award rightful ownership of a territory based on first arrival and investment of time and labour. While collective nostalgia is a deep yearning for a place and time in the history of the group (Wildschut et al., 2014). Autochthony beliefs and collective nostalgia are psychological orientations are typically used by native groups express entitlement to territory. Hence, in my empirical examination, I argue that autochthony beliefs and collective nostalgia are expressions of psychological entitlement to territory that White settlers use to reinforce racebased hierarchies, because they help them justify racial asymmetries and reflect their assertion of a de facto White native status.
Older men’s experiences of masculine identities across the lifespan.
(2023) Zank, Andrea.; Lindegger, Graham Charles.; Quayle, Michael Frank.
The primary focus of this research was to investigate how men have experienced their masculinity across their life journeys as men, as revealed in retrospective accounts of life transitions. The research especially sought to understand how masculine identities were narrated and negotiated across the lifespan in retrospective accounts as, to date, most research on masculinity has adopted a cross-sectional perspective that does not consider the challenges of ageing in producing and maintaining a masculine identity across the lifespan. With a theoretical framework combining thematic analysis (TA) and interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), and honouring the idiographic commitment of IPA to small samples of very detailed interviews, multiple in-depth narrative interviews were undertaken with 10 men who were 60 years or older. These volunteers were sampled with purposive and convenience snowballing. Although the research took place in a specific context of South Africa in which the population is highly diverse and complex, the sample was relatively homogenous due to the research (1) an intentional focus on exploring ageing for men who previously had access to access to resources and the (2) the location of the study in retirement villages that are still racially homogenous a quarter of a century after apartheid. In-depth, repeated, partly unstructured interviews were used to access retrospective accounts of masculine identities across the lifespan. Five areas were focused on in the analysis: productivity along the lifespan, family / relationships, health in the present and over the lifespan, ageing and living in Africa. The men defined themselves by traditional masculine identities and did not freely volunteer non-traditional masculine experiences. Their accounts of masculinity were oriented to the lifespan social clock, in other words, to accounting for achieving various milestones (or not) of masculinity on schedule (or not). Although these older men did not fulfil the hegemonic or dominant ideals, such as being young and virile, they did not present themselves as being invisible or genderless. Various strategies were used to protect, maintain and reframe their masculine identities, for example, stoic acceptance, denial and relying on their wives to bridge the gap, such as accessing medical intervention, while the men were able to continue Mostly the men presented their masculine identities as being consistent with dominant norms and unchallenged (denying age-related decline by omission). Where the men spoke of being in subjugated positions they often followed this account in various ways in which the subjugated position was discounted and their hegemonic status re-established by emphasising hegemonic qualities that they possessed or subscribed to. In the present study, men avoided discussing the inevitability of old age when recounting their life journey as men retrospectively. However, the perspective of time is still an important concept in understanding how they produced their masculinity. The present study shows that social expectations for masculine identities are dynamic, evolve over the lifespan and are sensitive to the “social clock”, in other words, to normative expectations about what men should do and achieve at different life stages. Men are pressured to achieve masculine developmental social expectations on time, despite it becoming increasingly difficult to maintain the accepted standards of hegemonic and dominant masculinities. The implications for understanding masculinity in relation to ageing are discussed.
A co-evolutionary approach to data-driven agent-based modelling: simulating the virtual interaction application experiments.
(2023) Igwe, Kevin Chizoba.; Durrheim, Kevin Locksley.
The dynamics of social interactions are barely captured by the traditional methods of research in social psychology, vis-à-vis, interviews, surveyed data and experiments. To capture the dynamics of social interactions, researchers adopt computer-mediated experiments and agent-based simulations (ABSs). These methods have been efficiently applied to game theories. While strategic games such as the prisoner’s dilemma and GO have optimal outcomes, interactive social exchanges can have obscure and multiple conflicting objectives (fairness, selfishness, group bias) whose relative importance evolves in interaction. Discovering and understanding the mechanisms underlying these objectives become even more difficult when there is little or no information about the interacting individual(s). This study describes this as an information-scarce interactive social exchange context. This study, therefore, forms part of a larger initiative on developing efficient simulations of social interaction in an information-scarce interactive social exchange context. First, this dissertation develops a context for and justifies the importance of simulation in an information-scarce interactive social exchange context (Chapter 2). It then performs a literature review of the studies that have developed a computational model and simulation in this context (Chapter 3). Next, the dissertation develops a co-evolutionary data-driven model and simulates exchange behaviour in an information-scarce context (Chapter 4). To benchmark the data-driven model, this dissertation develops a rule-based model. Furthermore, it creates agents that use the rule-based model, integrates them into Virtual Interaction APPLication (VIAPPL) and tests their usefulness in predicting and influencing exchange decisions. Precisely, it measures the agent’s ability in reducing in-group bias during interaction in an information-scarce context (Chapter 5). Likewise, it creates machine learning (adaptive) agents that use the data-drivel model, and tests them in a similar experimental context. These chapters were written independently; thus, their objectives, methods and results are discussed in each chapter. Finally, the study presents a general conclusion (Chapter 6).

Browse

Recent Submissions