Gideon P de Bruin | Stellenbosch University (original) (raw)

Papers by Gideon P de Bruin

Health SA Gesondheid, 2000

Die rloelstelling van die onclerhawige stlidie i.vri.s om die per,soonliklzeid.skorrelate van pos... more Die rloelstelling van die onclerhawige stlidie i.vri.s om die per,soonliklzeid.skorrelate van posttrnlirn~rtiese stresverstelfring (PTSV) by polisieherimptes te onrlersoek. Hierclie stiirlie is nodig geng aa~z~esien (nj persoonlikheiilstrekke 'n belcingrike rol speel in 'n individli se hvesbanrheirl vir die onnvikkeling van PTSI! en (6) po1i.siebeamnpte.s cis 'n hoe risikogroep vir rlie onh.vikkeling van PTSV beskou >vor~i Die PTSV onderhoiirl.skednle is gebriiik onz 120 po1isiebenmpte.s in twee groepe te verdeel, nnamlik ( I ) die wat n~7n die kriterin vir '71 eliagrzose van PTSVvolrloen (n = 411, en ( 2 ) die +vat nie ann (lie kriterin volcloen nie ( n = 79). Die tellings van die hvee groepe vir die Comrey Persoonlikhei~lsknle is vervolgens ann 'n diskriminnmztontleding onrlercverp. Die diskriminnnrefimksie het op statisties betekenisvolle wyse tr~ssen (lie hvee groepe onderskei. Die korre1asie.s tussen die Comrey Per,soonlikheicI.~kanl en die rliskrimimzant<fitnksie het ilfiarop gedlri rlc~t [lie PTSV gmrp meer neilroties, introversiej ordelik, rvantmnenrl en emosioneel sensitiff is. ABSTRACT The aim of this stlid>, ~vtis to investigrrfe the personality correlcites ofpost-tralimatic stress clisorrler (PTSD) nmorrg police 08icer.s. This s t~~~l y was considered necessnv because ( a ) personality traitsplay an irrrportant role in an indivicliia1:s vulnernbility for the rlevelopment of PTSD, and ( b ) police oficers are consiclered a high-risk gm~ip,fi)r the clevelopmerrt of PTSD. The PTSD Inferview Schedlile was lfsecl to divide 120 police f?ficers into avo groups, namely ( 1 ) those complying vvith the criteria,for n clingnosis of PTSD ( n = 41), arzrl (23 those nor complying with the criteria ( n = 79). The scores ofthe hvo groups for the Comrey Personalit?, Scales were subseqnently subjected to a rliscriminant analysis. The discrirninanf function signflcnntly clisting~fished behveen the hvo groups. The correlations between the Comrey Personality Scales and the discrintirznizrfiirlction reverrled that tlze PTSD group shui.ved grenter nelfroticism, introverc.ion, orderlirze.ss, cleJ1.rz.sivenes.s and emotion~il sensitivit?,.

Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 2012

Rankings of countries on mean levels of self-reported Conscientiousness continue to puzzle resear... more Rankings of countries on mean levels of self-reported Conscientiousness continue to puzzle researchers. Based on the hypothesis that cross-cultural differences in the tendency to prefer extreme response categories of ordinal rating scales over moderate categories can influence the comparability of self-reports, this study investigated possible effects of response style on the mean levels of self-reported Conscientiousness in 22 samples from 20 countries. Extreme and neutral responding were estimated based on respondents' ratings of 30 hypothetical people described in short vignettes. In the vignette ratings, clear cross-sample differences in extreme and neutral responding emerged. These responding style differences were correlated with mean selfreported Conscientiousness scores. Correcting self-reports for extreme and neutral responding changed sample rankings of Conscientiousness, as well as the predictive validities of these rankings for external criteria. The findings suggest that the puzzling country rankings of self-reported Conscientiousness may to some extent result from differences in response styles.

Academy of Management Learning & Education, 2013

South African Journal of Science, 2015

ABSTRACT Plagiarism by academics has been relatively unexplored thus far. However, there has been... more ABSTRACT Plagiarism by academics has been relatively unexplored thus far. However, there has been a growing awareness of this problem in recent years. We submitted 371 published academic articles appearing in 19 South African management journals in 2011 through the plagiarism detection software program Turnitin™. High and excessive levels of plagiarism were detected. The cost to government of subsidising unoriginal work in these journals was calculated to approximate ZAR7 million for the period under review. As academics are expected to role model ethical behaviour to students, such a finding is disturbing and has implications for the reputations of the institutions to which the authors are affiliated as well as that of the journals that publish articles that contain plagiarised material.

African Journal of Business Ethics, 2012

The aims of the study were to explore the awareness of and attitudes towards student academic dis... more The aims of the study were to explore the awareness of and attitudes towards student academic dishonesty at a South African university, and to explore perceived personal and institutional barriers to taking action against such dishonesty. All full-time academic staff at the University of Johannesburg were anonymously surveyed during late 2009. The findings indicated a high level of awareness of student academic dishonesty, with few faculty members taking action against it. Four groups of barriers to preventing and acting on student academic dishonesty were identified, with two of these barrier groups being significantly related to willingness to report student academic dishonesty.

ABSTRACT Introduction Research on mindfulness and its relationship to positive psychological func... more ABSTRACT Introduction Research on mindfulness and its relationship to positive psychological functioning is burgeoning. In particular, the Five Facet mindfulness model developed by Baer, Samuel, and Lyken (2010) holds considerable prominence in the field and informs a central theme in the narrative discourse. Central to the construct of mindfulness is the notion that this mode of awareness is universal (Bishop et al., 2004). However, research on how mindfulness might manifest in an African context is still limited. This study aimed to examine the Five Facet model of mindfulness among a group of South African university students from two population groups: Black (African) and White (Caucasian). Method Data was gathered from 794 undergraduate students at a South African university. Fit statistics for a five factor model of mindfulness as proposed by Baer, et al. (2010) were examined. In addition, a series of measurement invariance tests of the targeted ESEM model across Black and White respondents were conducted. Results The results supported the overall model fit for the five factor model. There was support for the hypothesis of equal factor loadings (weak measurement invariance). The added constraint of equal measurement intercepts led to a small, and likely trivial, deterioration in fit. Discussion / Conclusion Central to the implications of these findings is the theoretical endorsement of the Five Facets proposed by Baer, et al. (2010) in an African context. This endorsement extends not only to the factor structure itself but in addition adds support to the notion of the cultural invariance of mindfulness.

Swiss Journal of Psychology Schweizerische Zeitschrift Fur Psychologie Revue Suisse De Psychologie, Mar 2, 2015

Among the various work stress models, one of the most popular has been the job demands-control (J... more Among the various work stress models, one of the most popular has been the job demands-control (JDC) model developed by Karasek (1979), which postulates that work-related strain is highest under work conditions characterized by high demands and low autonomy. The absence of social support at work further increases negative outcomes. This model, however, does not apply equally to all individuals

SA Journal of Industrial Psychology, 2006

This study examined the dimensionality or factor structure of the General Work Stress Scale (GWSS... more This study examined the dimensionality or factor structure of the General Work Stress Scale (GWSS), which is a brief measure of subjectively experienced or felt work stress. The responses of two independent groups of adult workers were subjected to maximum likelihood factor analysis. In both groups a three factor solution provided the best fit with the data. A higher order factor analysis with an orthogonal Schmid-Leiman transformation showed that in both groups, responses to the items are dominated by a general factor, which might be labelled General Work Stress. Three minor group factors were identified: a motivational factor reflected by a desire to leave the organisation, an affective factor reflected by a tendency to worry, and a cognitive factor reflected by concentration and attentional difficulties. Overall, the results provide support for the construct validity of the GWSS as a measure of subjectively experienced work stress.

SA Journal of Industrial Psychology, 2000

The scores of 700 Afrikaans-speaking university students on the Comrey Personality Scales and the... more The scores of 700 Afrikaans-speaking university students on the Comrey Personality Scales and the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire were subjected to an inter-battery factor analysis. This technique uses only the correlations between two sets of variables and reveals only the factors that they have in common. Three of the Big Five personality factors were revealed, namely Extroversion, Neuroticism and Conscientiousness. However, the Conscientiousness factor contained a relatively strong unsocialised component and in this regard it is similar to Eysencks Psychoticism factor. The results support the construct validity of the Comrey Personality Scales and the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire. Implications for personality questionnaire design and validation are discussed. OpsommingDie tellings van 700 Afrikaanssprekende universiteitstudente vir die Comrey Persoonlikheidskale en die 16 Per- soonlikheidsfaktorvraelys is aan 'n interbattery-faktorontleding onderwerp. Hierdie tegni...

SA Journal of Industrial Psychology, 2004

The factor analysis of items often produces spurious results in the sense that unidimensional sca... more The factor analysis of items often produces spurious results in the sense that unidimensional scales appear multidimensional. This may be ascribed to failure in meeting the assumptions of linearity and normality on which factor analysis is based. Item response theory is explicitly designed for the modelling of the non-linear relations between ordinal variables and provides a strong alternative to the factor analysis of items. Items may also be combined in parcels that are more likely to satisfy the assumptions of factor analysis than do the items. The use of the Rasch rating scale model and the factor analysis of parcels is illustrated with data obtained with the Locus of Control Inventory. The results of these analyses are compared with the results obtained through the factor analysis of items. It is shown that the Rasch rating scale model and the factoring of parcels produce superior results to the factor analysis of items. Recommendations for the analysis of scales are made. Opso...

SA Journal of Industrial Psychology, 2006

It is a great pleasure for me to have been associated with this special issue of the SA Journal o... more It is a great pleasure for me to have been associated with this special issue of the SA Journal of Industrial Psychology dedicated to Professor Johann M. Schepers. The purpose of the special issue is to honour Professor Schepers for his contributions to the development of Psychology and Industrial Psychology as empirical fields of study in South Africa. The contributors have worked with Professor Schepers as students or colleagues and share his academic interests. The articles reflect his areas of interest and employ analytic techniques taught and championed by him. We are grateful to Professor Schepers for his cooperation throughout this project. Thanks are due to all the contributors and referees.

Child Indicators Research, 2015

Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 2015

Ethnic identity as a social dimension of identity is argued to be developmentally important for p... more Ethnic identity as a social dimension of identity is argued to be developmentally important for psychological well-being. However, the relationships between these constructs are mainly examined in Western contexts, amongst dominant–non-dominant groups. We investigate ethnic identity across the mainstream group of a prototypical Western society (the USA) and several multi-ethnic sub-Saharan African countries (Cameroon, Kenya, South Africa, and Zambia), as well as how it relates to psychological well-being. A total of 1255 university students (61.8% females, M age = 20.94 years, SD = 2.97) completed a questionnaire with ethnic identity and psychological well-being measures. Results indicated that ethnic identity was most salient in two different South African ethnocultural samples and least salient in a mainstream US sample. These results suggest that groups that are more exposed to ethnic strain in multicultural societies tend to have more salient ethnic identities. Furthermore , the underlying structure in the ethnic identity psychological well-being relationship was similar across groups.

The present study investigates whether the Comrey Personality Scales measure the same personality... more The present study investigates whether the Comrey Personality Scales measure the same personality traits for Afrikaans speaking males and females. A simultaneous multiple groups confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the factor pattern matrices of the males and females can be regarded as equivalent. This is the minimum requirement for measurement invariance. The results suggest that the Comrey Personality Scales measure the same constructs for males and females and that they can be used with confidence to compare the scores of males and females. The study also supports the construct validity of the Comrey Personality Scales for Afrikaans speaking people in general.

Dermatology nursing / Dermatology Nurses' Association

The aim of this article is to focus on the meaning-making experience of men and women who suffer ... more The aim of this article is to focus on the meaning-making experience of men and women who suffer from psoriasis and the impact on the various dimensions of the self-concept. The methodology employed relied on existential phenomenology so as to create the rich descriptions of the lived experiences of this group. Descriptions were elicited from the formulation of an open-ended question. It was discovered that (a) the self-concept is pivotal in the experience of what it means to live with psoriasis, (b) the attitude of doctors towards their patients impacts the sufferer's emotional well-being, and (c) trait self-esteem appears to be related to psychological recovery. The results of this study revealed many important areas for future research and suggest that having a healthy self-concept prior to developing psoriasis is pivotal in accounting for why some people recover remarkably well psychologically and others do not. The findings have important implications for all within the hea...

SA Journal of Industrial Psychology, 2010

Orientation: The concepts of the Protean Career and the Boundaryless Career show potential as fra... more Orientation: The concepts of the Protean Career and the Boundaryless Career show potential as frameworks for research and practice in the contemporary world of work. Briscoe, Hall and DeMuth (2006) developed the Protean and Boundaryless Career Attitude Scales, which consist of the Self-Directed Career Management, Values Driven, Boundaryless Mindset and Mobility Preference subscales. However, the standardisation and replication studies conducted by Briscoe et al., left some questions unanswered in terms of the psychometric properties of the subscales.Research purpose: This study examines the psychometric properties of the Protean and Boundaryless Career Attitude Scales with the aim of clarifying the structure of the scales, examining the quality of the items and evaluating the measurement precision of the scales.Research design, approach and method: Responses of adults to the items of the Protean and Boundaryless Career Attitude Scales were analysed with factor analytic and Rasch ite...

Health SA Gesondheid, 2000

Die rloelstelling van die onclerhawige stlidie i.vri.s om die per,soonliklzeid.skorrelate van pos... more Die rloelstelling van die onclerhawige stlidie i.vri.s om die per,soonliklzeid.skorrelate van posttrnlirn~rtiese stresverstelfring (PTSV) by polisieherimptes te onrlersoek. Hierclie stiirlie is nodig geng aa~z~esien (nj persoonlikheiilstrekke 'n belcingrike rol speel in 'n individli se hvesbanrheirl vir die onnvikkeling van PTSI! en (6) po1i.siebeamnpte.s cis 'n hoe risikogroep vir rlie onh.vikkeling van PTSV beskou >vor~i Die PTSV onderhoiirl.skednle is gebriiik onz 120 po1isiebenmpte.s in twee groepe te verdeel, nnamlik ( I ) die wat n~7n die kriterin vir '71 eliagrzose van PTSVvolrloen (n = 411, en ( 2 ) die +vat nie ann (lie kriterin volcloen nie ( n = 79). Die tellings van die hvee groepe vir die Comrey Persoonlikhei~lsknle is vervolgens ann 'n diskriminnmztontleding onrlercverp. Die diskriminnnrefimksie het op statisties betekenisvolle wyse tr~ssen (lie hvee groepe onderskei. Die korre1asie.s tussen die Comrey Per,soonlikheicI.~kanl en die rliskrimimzant<fitnksie het ilfiarop gedlri rlc~t [lie PTSV gmrp meer neilroties, introversiej ordelik, rvantmnenrl en emosioneel sensitiff is. ABSTRACT The aim of this stlid>, ~vtis to investigrrfe the personality correlcites ofpost-tralimatic stress clisorrler (PTSD) nmorrg police 08icer.s. This s t~~~l y was considered necessnv because ( a ) personality traitsplay an irrrportant role in an indivicliia1:s vulnernbility for the rlevelopment of PTSD, and ( b ) police oficers are consiclered a high-risk gm~ip,fi)r the clevelopmerrt of PTSD. The PTSD Inferview Schedlile was lfsecl to divide 120 police f?ficers into avo groups, namely ( 1 ) those complying vvith the criteria,for n clingnosis of PTSD ( n = 41), arzrl (23 those nor complying with the criteria ( n = 79). The scores ofthe hvo groups for the Comrey Personalit?, Scales were subseqnently subjected to a rliscriminant analysis. The discrirninanf function signflcnntly clisting~fished behveen the hvo groups. The correlations between the Comrey Personality Scales and the discrintirznizrfiirlction reverrled that tlze PTSD group shui.ved grenter nelfroticism, introverc.ion, orderlirze.ss, cleJ1.rz.sivenes.s and emotion~il sensitivit?,.

Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 2012

Rankings of countries on mean levels of self-reported Conscientiousness continue to puzzle resear... more Rankings of countries on mean levels of self-reported Conscientiousness continue to puzzle researchers. Based on the hypothesis that cross-cultural differences in the tendency to prefer extreme response categories of ordinal rating scales over moderate categories can influence the comparability of self-reports, this study investigated possible effects of response style on the mean levels of self-reported Conscientiousness in 22 samples from 20 countries. Extreme and neutral responding were estimated based on respondents' ratings of 30 hypothetical people described in short vignettes. In the vignette ratings, clear cross-sample differences in extreme and neutral responding emerged. These responding style differences were correlated with mean selfreported Conscientiousness scores. Correcting self-reports for extreme and neutral responding changed sample rankings of Conscientiousness, as well as the predictive validities of these rankings for external criteria. The findings suggest that the puzzling country rankings of self-reported Conscientiousness may to some extent result from differences in response styles.

Academy of Management Learning & Education, 2013

South African Journal of Science, 2015

ABSTRACT Plagiarism by academics has been relatively unexplored thus far. However, there has been... more ABSTRACT Plagiarism by academics has been relatively unexplored thus far. However, there has been a growing awareness of this problem in recent years. We submitted 371 published academic articles appearing in 19 South African management journals in 2011 through the plagiarism detection software program Turnitin™. High and excessive levels of plagiarism were detected. The cost to government of subsidising unoriginal work in these journals was calculated to approximate ZAR7 million for the period under review. As academics are expected to role model ethical behaviour to students, such a finding is disturbing and has implications for the reputations of the institutions to which the authors are affiliated as well as that of the journals that publish articles that contain plagiarised material.

African Journal of Business Ethics, 2012

The aims of the study were to explore the awareness of and attitudes towards student academic dis... more The aims of the study were to explore the awareness of and attitudes towards student academic dishonesty at a South African university, and to explore perceived personal and institutional barriers to taking action against such dishonesty. All full-time academic staff at the University of Johannesburg were anonymously surveyed during late 2009. The findings indicated a high level of awareness of student academic dishonesty, with few faculty members taking action against it. Four groups of barriers to preventing and acting on student academic dishonesty were identified, with two of these barrier groups being significantly related to willingness to report student academic dishonesty.

ABSTRACT Introduction Research on mindfulness and its relationship to positive psychological func... more ABSTRACT Introduction Research on mindfulness and its relationship to positive psychological functioning is burgeoning. In particular, the Five Facet mindfulness model developed by Baer, Samuel, and Lyken (2010) holds considerable prominence in the field and informs a central theme in the narrative discourse. Central to the construct of mindfulness is the notion that this mode of awareness is universal (Bishop et al., 2004). However, research on how mindfulness might manifest in an African context is still limited. This study aimed to examine the Five Facet model of mindfulness among a group of South African university students from two population groups: Black (African) and White (Caucasian). Method Data was gathered from 794 undergraduate students at a South African university. Fit statistics for a five factor model of mindfulness as proposed by Baer, et al. (2010) were examined. In addition, a series of measurement invariance tests of the targeted ESEM model across Black and White respondents were conducted. Results The results supported the overall model fit for the five factor model. There was support for the hypothesis of equal factor loadings (weak measurement invariance). The added constraint of equal measurement intercepts led to a small, and likely trivial, deterioration in fit. Discussion / Conclusion Central to the implications of these findings is the theoretical endorsement of the Five Facets proposed by Baer, et al. (2010) in an African context. This endorsement extends not only to the factor structure itself but in addition adds support to the notion of the cultural invariance of mindfulness.

Swiss Journal of Psychology Schweizerische Zeitschrift Fur Psychologie Revue Suisse De Psychologie, Mar 2, 2015

Among the various work stress models, one of the most popular has been the job demands-control (J... more Among the various work stress models, one of the most popular has been the job demands-control (JDC) model developed by Karasek (1979), which postulates that work-related strain is highest under work conditions characterized by high demands and low autonomy. The absence of social support at work further increases negative outcomes. This model, however, does not apply equally to all individuals

SA Journal of Industrial Psychology, 2006

This study examined the dimensionality or factor structure of the General Work Stress Scale (GWSS... more This study examined the dimensionality or factor structure of the General Work Stress Scale (GWSS), which is a brief measure of subjectively experienced or felt work stress. The responses of two independent groups of adult workers were subjected to maximum likelihood factor analysis. In both groups a three factor solution provided the best fit with the data. A higher order factor analysis with an orthogonal Schmid-Leiman transformation showed that in both groups, responses to the items are dominated by a general factor, which might be labelled General Work Stress. Three minor group factors were identified: a motivational factor reflected by a desire to leave the organisation, an affective factor reflected by a tendency to worry, and a cognitive factor reflected by concentration and attentional difficulties. Overall, the results provide support for the construct validity of the GWSS as a measure of subjectively experienced work stress.

SA Journal of Industrial Psychology, 2000

The scores of 700 Afrikaans-speaking university students on the Comrey Personality Scales and the... more The scores of 700 Afrikaans-speaking university students on the Comrey Personality Scales and the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire were subjected to an inter-battery factor analysis. This technique uses only the correlations between two sets of variables and reveals only the factors that they have in common. Three of the Big Five personality factors were revealed, namely Extroversion, Neuroticism and Conscientiousness. However, the Conscientiousness factor contained a relatively strong unsocialised component and in this regard it is similar to Eysencks Psychoticism factor. The results support the construct validity of the Comrey Personality Scales and the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire. Implications for personality questionnaire design and validation are discussed. OpsommingDie tellings van 700 Afrikaanssprekende universiteitstudente vir die Comrey Persoonlikheidskale en die 16 Per- soonlikheidsfaktorvraelys is aan 'n interbattery-faktorontleding onderwerp. Hierdie tegni...

SA Journal of Industrial Psychology, 2004

The factor analysis of items often produces spurious results in the sense that unidimensional sca... more The factor analysis of items often produces spurious results in the sense that unidimensional scales appear multidimensional. This may be ascribed to failure in meeting the assumptions of linearity and normality on which factor analysis is based. Item response theory is explicitly designed for the modelling of the non-linear relations between ordinal variables and provides a strong alternative to the factor analysis of items. Items may also be combined in parcels that are more likely to satisfy the assumptions of factor analysis than do the items. The use of the Rasch rating scale model and the factor analysis of parcels is illustrated with data obtained with the Locus of Control Inventory. The results of these analyses are compared with the results obtained through the factor analysis of items. It is shown that the Rasch rating scale model and the factoring of parcels produce superior results to the factor analysis of items. Recommendations for the analysis of scales are made. Opso...

SA Journal of Industrial Psychology, 2006

It is a great pleasure for me to have been associated with this special issue of the SA Journal o... more It is a great pleasure for me to have been associated with this special issue of the SA Journal of Industrial Psychology dedicated to Professor Johann M. Schepers. The purpose of the special issue is to honour Professor Schepers for his contributions to the development of Psychology and Industrial Psychology as empirical fields of study in South Africa. The contributors have worked with Professor Schepers as students or colleagues and share his academic interests. The articles reflect his areas of interest and employ analytic techniques taught and championed by him. We are grateful to Professor Schepers for his cooperation throughout this project. Thanks are due to all the contributors and referees.

Child Indicators Research, 2015

Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 2015

Ethnic identity as a social dimension of identity is argued to be developmentally important for p... more Ethnic identity as a social dimension of identity is argued to be developmentally important for psychological well-being. However, the relationships between these constructs are mainly examined in Western contexts, amongst dominant–non-dominant groups. We investigate ethnic identity across the mainstream group of a prototypical Western society (the USA) and several multi-ethnic sub-Saharan African countries (Cameroon, Kenya, South Africa, and Zambia), as well as how it relates to psychological well-being. A total of 1255 university students (61.8% females, M age = 20.94 years, SD = 2.97) completed a questionnaire with ethnic identity and psychological well-being measures. Results indicated that ethnic identity was most salient in two different South African ethnocultural samples and least salient in a mainstream US sample. These results suggest that groups that are more exposed to ethnic strain in multicultural societies tend to have more salient ethnic identities. Furthermore , the underlying structure in the ethnic identity psychological well-being relationship was similar across groups.

The present study investigates whether the Comrey Personality Scales measure the same personality... more The present study investigates whether the Comrey Personality Scales measure the same personality traits for Afrikaans speaking males and females. A simultaneous multiple groups confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the factor pattern matrices of the males and females can be regarded as equivalent. This is the minimum requirement for measurement invariance. The results suggest that the Comrey Personality Scales measure the same constructs for males and females and that they can be used with confidence to compare the scores of males and females. The study also supports the construct validity of the Comrey Personality Scales for Afrikaans speaking people in general.

Dermatology nursing / Dermatology Nurses' Association

The aim of this article is to focus on the meaning-making experience of men and women who suffer ... more The aim of this article is to focus on the meaning-making experience of men and women who suffer from psoriasis and the impact on the various dimensions of the self-concept. The methodology employed relied on existential phenomenology so as to create the rich descriptions of the lived experiences of this group. Descriptions were elicited from the formulation of an open-ended question. It was discovered that (a) the self-concept is pivotal in the experience of what it means to live with psoriasis, (b) the attitude of doctors towards their patients impacts the sufferer's emotional well-being, and (c) trait self-esteem appears to be related to psychological recovery. The results of this study revealed many important areas for future research and suggest that having a healthy self-concept prior to developing psoriasis is pivotal in accounting for why some people recover remarkably well psychologically and others do not. The findings have important implications for all within the hea...

SA Journal of Industrial Psychology, 2010

Orientation: The concepts of the Protean Career and the Boundaryless Career show potential as fra... more Orientation: The concepts of the Protean Career and the Boundaryless Career show potential as frameworks for research and practice in the contemporary world of work. Briscoe, Hall and DeMuth (2006) developed the Protean and Boundaryless Career Attitude Scales, which consist of the Self-Directed Career Management, Values Driven, Boundaryless Mindset and Mobility Preference subscales. However, the standardisation and replication studies conducted by Briscoe et al., left some questions unanswered in terms of the psychometric properties of the subscales.Research purpose: This study examines the psychometric properties of the Protean and Boundaryless Career Attitude Scales with the aim of clarifying the structure of the scales, examining the quality of the items and evaluating the measurement precision of the scales.Research design, approach and method: Responses of adults to the items of the Protean and Boundaryless Career Attitude Scales were analysed with factor analytic and Rasch ite...