3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions
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Item Social workers' experiences of occupational stress : a study in the Department of Social Development, Ehlanzeni District, Mpumalanga Province(2016) Moyane, Ntombenhle BrendaThe primary purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of occupational stress among social workers employed by the Department of Social Development in Mpumalanga Province, Ehlanzeni District. Mpumalanga Province is predominantly rural and the assumption is that work-related challenges for social workers in rural areas are different from urban areas. There are theoretical basis suggesting that people view and respond to stress differently thus their coping strategies even in identical situations are different. The study has therefore focused on the experiences of occupational stress among social workers, the contributory factors that led to occupational stress, the impact of occupational stress, the social workers’ coping strategies with occupational stress; and the availability and effectiveness of organisational support offered to employees experiencing occupational stress as perceived by social workers. The research used both qualitative and quantitative methods. The researcher utilised a questionnaire consisting of open-ended questions, together with the Work-Related Quality of Life scale consisting of closed questions that measured work stress, administered to 40 social workers employed at Ehlanzeni District offices. One year’s working experience as a social worker in the Department of Social Development was a qualifying criterion in the study. Thematic content analysis and descriptive statistical analysis were used to analyse data. The findings of the study suggested that unsatisfactory salaries, working conditions, high workload, lack of recognition and a lack of support were the main stressors for social workers in this study. The research concluded with recommendations that will hopefully assist in improving the quality of work-life of the sound workers and facilitate a balanced understanding between the employees and the employer.Item An analysis of the relationship between coping strategies used and incidence of relapse in myalgic encephalomyelitis(2016-07-20) Biccard, Anne-MarieThis dissertation studies the relationship between the use of certain coping strategies and the relapse of'illness, Eighty subjects with 1\'{yalgicEncephalomyelitis (M.E.) were followed OVera nine month period, initially completing a biographical questionnaire which showed some interesting common features, but these characteristics may be attributed to the narrow population from which the sample was drawn. The subjects then completed a battery of tests every eight weeks. These tests monitored appraisal of stressors, ways of coping and general health over the eight weeks since the previous test. Results were analysed using a Pearson's product moment correlation and a principal components factor analysis with a varimax rotation. The subjects were expected to show a positive correlat'on between certain coping techniques (such as denial, avoidance, and self- blame) and the relapse of M.B., while a zero or negative correlation between other coping techniques (such as seeking social support and problem solving when the stressor is controllable) and relapse. Neither of these hypotheses was supported by the data gathered. However, the subjects showed a remarkable consistency inthe types of'coping used, rather than adapting the mode of coping to the type of stressor experienced. It was concluded that the subjects used abnormal coping techniques and that these techniques Weresomehow related to their illness. However, the exact causal relationship between the coping techniques and the illness could not be assessed. It is possible that the subjects' poor coping mechanisms contributed to the development and exacerbation of the illness but it in also possible that the illness limited the repertoire of coping techniques available to the p"atient.