3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions
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Item Analyses of experiences of vicarious traumatisation in short-term insurance claims workers(2013-09-05) Ludick, MarneThe research entailed a comprehensive study of vicarious trauma in short-term insurance claims workers, compared to trauma counsellors and a control group of holiday booking consultants. A well-known, comprehensive model of compassion fatigue/secondary traumatic stress, developed for therapists formed the basis of the study. The research attempted to determine whether this model can be applied more widely to include administrative populations exposed to traumatised clients on a regular basis. To this end, the model was deconstructed into its eleven constituent parts and each element was investigated in addition to other variables of interest to the study. This was done to determine the importance and applicability of each model element and other selected variables to the administrative context. A mixed methods approach was utilised, which combined quantitative and qualitative data. The results yielded by the study were collectively utilised to construct an etic and an emic voice from the research. At the same time, effects from vicarious trauma were considered from an overarching bio-psychosocial stance, systematically gauging effects on various levels of functioning. Scores from quantitative measures on secondary traumatic stress, negative cognitive schemas, empathy, social support and compassion satisfaction were statistically analysed, which revealed significant differences between the worker groups. Widely accepted relationships between the study variables were tested and found to hold true within and across groups. Regression analysis determined the roles of empathy, social support and compassion satisfaction in vicarious trauma, as measured by secondary traumatic stress and negative cognitive schemas. In addition, constructivist selfdevelopment theory was employed to interpret the negative cognitive effects from vicarious traumatisation. Qualitative data were utilised to further elucidate the role and nature of vicarious trauma in each of the worker groups. The themes of exposure to client suffering, detachment, level of empathic engagement, personal trauma history and difficult life demands were unearthed from the qualitative data, which illuminated the importance and role of each of these elements to claims workers. Other areas of interest, being utilisation of sick-leave as a means to cope, work-related illness, attitudes towards professional counselling, feelings evoked by traumatised clients, and the language utilised by workers in response to client traumata were investigated. Further effects on participants as well iv as effects that reach beyond the person were identified and examined. Effects on the social and work contexts were also elucidated. Finally, interesting themes that emerged spontaneously from the data were considered. The consideration of the various model elements and other areas of interest systematically revealed that administrative workers dealing with traumatised clients are also affected by the process of vicarious trauma. Furthermore, the model was found to be largely suitable to the context of claims workers. However, the model was expanded to augment its usability within the more general administrative domain. Finally, the overarching aim was to enrich, contextualise and elaborate on the experiences of claims workers within their unique work context, to facilitate insight and a deeper understanding of vicarious trauma in more administrative populations that have largely been overlooked in research.Item Groote Schuur Hospital Trauma Centre: event and outcome study.(2011-03-17) Kirsten, RiaItem Perceptions of line managers at Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipaity regarding the impact of stress and trauma on work performance among employees.(2008-05-30T05:45:09Z) Mbawu, MulaloABSTRACT This study is a combination of the qualitative and quantitative approach using an exploratory/descriptive design conducted at the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, Northern Region. The study explored how Line Managers at Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality perceive the impact of stress and trauma on work performance among employees. The study was conducted with 29 line managers sampled through a random sampling procedure, who had been working for Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality for at least three years. A questionnaire was used to collect the required data. The study found that line managers at Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality were of the view that stress and trauma can affect work performance among employees. It was also found that line managers are uninvolved in their sub-ordinates’ personal matters that are likely to cause mental health problems like stress and trauma.Item Indirect exposure to traumatic materials: experiences of claims workers in the short-term insurance industry(2007-10-08T12:33:21Z) Ludick, Marne; ;The study focused on claims workers in the short-term insurance industry and on whether their working conditions, such as dealing with traumatised clients and traumatic materials, are affecting them adversely. Equivalent attention fell on underwriting clerks, the comparison group, to ascertain whether they differ significantly from claims workers along the dimensions of compassion satisfaction, burnout, secondary traumatic stress as well as self-esteem and optimism/pessimism. These constructs were measured by the ProQOL-RIII - , the Mehrabian MSE – and MOP Scales, after which the scores were analysed. These scores were then compared across the two groups and also in terms of mode of interaction, using parametric statistical procedures. Although no significant differences were found between the two study groups, interesting interaction effects and other findings were nevertheless revealed that shed valuable light on these groups of workers.Item "The entitlement to home ownership in the HIV and AIDS-related orphaning process"- A case study of Winnie Mandela(2007-02-15T11:57:22Z) Thusi, Makha WinsomeSouth Africa currently has the fastest growing HIV/AIDS pandemic in the world. Against this backdrop it is therefore not suprising to learn that 4 million children or about 10% of the entire South African population will be orphaned by the year 2015 (Davis, 2002:52; Whiteside & Sunter, 2000 in Madhavan, [2000:1]). These projections paint a clear picture of the challenges that lie ahead for accommodating and sustaining a prevailing family structure of households that are headed by children who are left behind by parents succumbing to the ravages of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Because of their vulnerable age and laws and policies that do not fully cater for their needs, these children become victims of exploitation and abuse and forfeit their human rights enshrined in the Bill of Rights of the South African Constitution (1996). This study aims to unearth the plight of these children. In particular it will focus on the right of entitlement to family property when their parents die or are debilitated by HIV/AIDS related diseases. It concludes by challenging government and other stakeholders to review existing policies and to ensure that legislation is in place that mitigates against any form of violence, abuse, trauma or ostracism to which orphaned children are subjected to by unscrupulous caregivers.Item The perceived impact of services rendered by Lay Counsellors(2007-02-14T13:02:16Z) Stanbury, ClaireThe aim of this exploratory study was to determine whether victims of crime who have encountered face-to-face interventions with lay counsellors, perceive these interventions as helpful, hindering or having no effect on their ability to cope after a traumatic incident. Five participants were selected for this qualitative study. A semi-structured interview schedule was constructed by the researcher to guide the interview process and thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data. The main emergent themes related to symptoms experienced by participants, time, victim support centres, perceptions of lay counsellors, short-term interventions, the model used and the participants overall perceptions of the services rendered by lay counsellors. Although the results were too varied to conclude the perceived effectiveness of interventions, the results are invaluable in gaining an in-depth understanding of the perceived impact of the services rendered by lay counsellors and what factors influence these perceptions.